Indian Trails Middle School's Sustainable Living Students Visit Dakin Dairy Farms

The Sustainable Living students at Indian Trails Middle enjoyed a fun and engaging field trip to Dakin Dairy Farms.

During their visit, students learned about the entire farm-to-table process, from milking to production. They enjoyed fresh chocolate milk, turned fresh cream into butter, and sampled delicious ice cream.

The Trailblazers also had the opportunity to cuddle a calf and see the other farm animals up close. It was a day filled with hands-on learning and fun. Way to go, Trailblazers!

Goldsboro Elementary's Space Lab

In Goldsboro Elementary's Space Lab, students are engaging in hands-on exploration as they learn about the upcoming Artemis missions. As part of their studies, they have the opportunity to examine digitized moon samples collected during various Apollo missions.

Using specialized software, students can utilize X-ray technology to virtually slice through elements and see inside the samples. This interactive experience allows them to analyze the composition of different rock types collected from various regions of the moon, deepening their understanding of lunar science and space exploration.

This is innovation you don't see every day. Great work, Gems!

Lawton Chiles Middle's Students Continue Meaningful Tradition

Students at Lawton Chiles Middle School are putting their creativity to the test with Chalk the Yard, a special chalk drawing created in the amphitheater by faculty and staff and dedicated to their students.

Each year, the artwork reflects the school’s annual theme and includes representations of staff and students who have been lost over the years. Through this tradition, the school honors their memory while celebrating the spirit and unity of its community.

This year, students from Art Club and BETA Club were invited to participate in the experience. Their involvement made the tradition even more special as they worked alongside faculty and staff to bring the design to life.

Chalk the Yard remains a powerful expression of remembrance, connection, and commitment to students, serving as a visual reminder of the heart of the school community.

Magnet Schools of America's Magnet Mania Contest

SCPS is currently in the running to be Magnet Schools of America's school district of the year!

We are excited to share that thanks to your votes, we won round one in our matchup. Now it's time for voting in round two, and we are up against Orange County Public Schools. That's right, the county next door. We know our magnet programs are the best, but we need your help to showcase that! Help us win District of the Year for ​the Magnet ​Mania contest. 

Each round focuses on one of the pillars on which magnet schools are founded. Round 2 focuses on Innovative Curriculum and Professional Development. You can view the matchups by visiting the Magnet Schools of America website. Remember, you must vote for one district for each "match-up." The district that wins the most matchups will be named District of the Year from the Magnet Schools of America.

Vote today, share the link with friends and family, and encourage your school communities to participate. Let’s bring this title home!

Vote today!

South Seminole Academy's Mock Trial Team Participates in Florida Middle School Mock Trial Competition

South Seminole Academy’s Law Studies Program's advanced eighth-grade course, Street Law, serves as the school’s Mock Trial Competition Team.

The team is participating in the Florida Middle School Mock Trial Competition, hosted by the Justice Teaching Center for Civic Learning at Florida Southern College. The Mock Trial Team is coached and sponsored by Mrs. Walsh, South Seminole Academy’s Law Studies teacher. Team members prepare during their fourth-period Street Law class and will record their performance in the school’s courtroom.

In October 2025, students received the official case materials that served as the foundation for their mock trial. After reviewing the materials, students carefully annotated key information to assist in developing arguments, testimony, and supporting evidence. In November, students were assigned to either the plaintiff or defendant legal team and given specific courtroom roles. Each team consists of 12 members, including three attorneys, with an alternate attorney for each position, and three witnesses, each with a designated backup. Attorneys deliver opening statements and closing arguments and conduct direct and cross-examinations of witnesses. In the months leading up to February, students collaborated to create mind maps and argument maps to ensure consistency in their case strategies. For the final video submission, attorneys may use bullet-point notes only, while witnesses must rely solely on memorization of their affidavits and may not use notes during testimony.

This year’s mock trial is based on a negligence case between Collymore Wildlife Preserve, Inc., the plaintiff, and Holk Farms, LLC, the defendant. The case centers on allegations that fertilizer runoff from Holk Farms caused an algae bloom that resulted in environmental damage and the death of animals at the wildlife preserve. To prevail in a negligence claim, the plaintiff must establish four essential elements: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Using this case, students develop detailed notes, prepare legal arguments, and perform a full mock trial that is recorded and submitted as a video entry for the competition.

Participation in the mock trial program at South Seminole Academy provides students with an authentic understanding of courtroom procedures and the legal process. Through this experience, students build confidence in analyzing cases, presenting arguments, and thinking critically in a trial setting. The program offers a meaningful opportunity to develop advocacy skills while engaging in hands-on, real-world learning.

Great things are happening at South Seminole Academy!

2026 SCPS World Languages Festival

The District World Languages Festival was held on February 21, 2026, celebrating this year’s theme: Opening Doors to Global Opportunities, Connecting Cultures, Creating Community. The event showcased the incredible talent and dedication of students and teachers across Seminole County Public Schools.

SCPS proudly offers six world languages; Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Latin, and American Sign Language, providing students with meaningful opportunities to engage in international experiences, explore diverse perspectives, and develop the skills needed to thrive in a globalized world. Through language learning, students expand their cultural understanding, build connections, and open doors to future academic and career pathways.

Students competed in their target languages in events such as impromptu speaking, declamations, and skits, demonstrating impressive proficiency, creativity, and confidence.

Congratulations to Rina Fletcher, Spanish Teacher at Lake Mary High School, on being named the 2026 World Languages Teacher of the Year.

Opera Orlando Presents Hansel & Gretel at Millennium Middle School

SCPS partnered with Opera Orlando to bring their traveling production of Hansel & Gretel to Millennium Middle School. Students from Pine Crest and Midway Elementary Schools, along with Millennium Middle School Performing Arts students, were treated to a professional opera experience.

In total, over 500 students had the opportunity to enjoy this performance in their schools. Thank you to Crystal Higgs, Millennium Principal, for hosting the event, and to Aimee Padilla, Midway Principal, and Dr. Ryan Gard-Harrold, Pine Crest Principal, for allowing their students to attend.

This special event was made possible by the Department of Teaching and Learning and The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools.

Calling All Dividend Volunteers

Living On My Own, a financial literacy program presented in collaboration with our partners at UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County, is being presented this spring at six area middle and high schools. We are grateful for the support of our Dividends, community partners, and staff who assist with hosting these events.

Living On My Own is a hands-on, real-life simulation where students learn about money management and consumer choices that can impact their future. In this activity, students role-play with an assigned 25-year-old identity (i.e. married or single, children, or without children), an occupation, and a monthly income. Students visit tables and make spending decisions on transportation, housing, insurance, rent/mortgage, utilities, etc. Stations for the simulation represent real life businesses, and volunteers assist students in understanding the costs involved and making informed choices. Please select one of the following options to register for your two-hour volunteer timeslot.

• Greenwood Lakes MS – Friday, 4/10/2026

• Hagerty HS – Monday, 4/20/2026 – Tuesday, 4/21/2026

• Indian Trails MS – Wednesday, 4/29/2026 – Thursday, 4/30/2026

iBuild and ABC Provide Materials for Lyman's Academy of Building Trades

Thank you to iBuild, ABC, and the many businesses that generously support the Academy of Building Trades at Lyman High School.

We are incredibly grateful for our industry partners and for the materials, tools, and resources they provide to our students. Their generous donations have a direct and meaningful impact on the Academy of Building Trades program and the students it serves.

We are truly speechless in the face of such generosity and support. Happy CTE Month!

Coming in March - Annual Voice Surveys

Coming soon, the annual voice surveys for parents, students, staff, and community!

This is Michelle Ortiz's second year as a proud SCPS principal, currently serving at Partin Elementary.

When asked about her favorite part of being a principal, she shared, "The relationships! Relationships with students, staff, and families!"

Fun fact about Principal Ortiz: she was a member of a ballet company in her early teens!

Thank you, Principal Ortiz, for your leadership, dedication, and commitment to building strong connections within your school community. SCPS is grateful for the passion and heart you bring to Partin Elementary each and every day.

The SCPS VPK application is now open for the 2026-2027 school year. To be eligible for VPK, a child must be four years of age by September 1, 2026. SCPS VPK offers a high-quality program designed to prepare students to enter Kindergarten ready to learn! Full-day and half-day programs are available. For more information, visit the SCPS VPK website.

2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration

The Kindergarten application period for the 2026-2027 School Year at SCPS locations is now open! For more information please visit the enrollment page on the SCPS website.

It's enrollment time for our unique elementary magnet schools. Families interested in an elementary magnet school for the 2026-2027 School Year are encouraged to attend the upcoming Magnet Nights to interact with school teams, and learn more about program offerings. The on-time application period for Elementary School Magnet Programs for the 2026-2027 school year is open from January 1 through March 1. Learn more

Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment is Here – Start Saving Smarter

Saving for college just got easier! Florida Prepaid’s annual Open Enrollment is now live, and new tools make planning simple and affordable.

Here’s what’s new:

• A redesigned website to help you build a personalized plan in minutes
• Flexible Prepaid Plan options - pay for one year at a time or choose what fits your budget
• Low monthly payments starting at just $29

The sooner you start, the more you save. Lock in today’s college costs and take the first step toward your child’s future with a Florida Prepaid 529 Plan.

Learn more

Attention Class of 2026: The FAFSA Application is Now Open!

Class of 2026, a new year brings new opportunities and fresh beginnings. Start 2026 by investing in your future. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), now open, and take the next step toward your goals.



Filling out the FAFSA is an important step in exploring federal, state, and institutional financial aid options for college, career school, or trade programs.



We encourage all seniors to stay proactive this season. Start your FAFSA application today and take the first steps toward your post-secondary goals.

Please visit https://studentaid.gov/ to access the 2026-2027 FAFSA application!

Understanding FFAA vs. FAFSA

We want to remind students and families about the difference between the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


• FFAA is used to apply for state financial aid, including the Bright Futures Scholarship.
• FAFSA is completed for federal financial resources, such as grants and loans.


Important: If you are applying for Bright Futures, you must submit your application through the FFAA website floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org.

Class of 2026: Show us the Money!

Hey Seniors! Have you earned scholarship money for college? We want to celebrate your hard work and achievements! Make sure Seminole County Public Schools knows about your scholarships by completing the scholarship reporting form.

Sharing your scholarship awards helps us recognize your accomplishments and highlight the incredible success of our graduating students.

Don’t miss the chance to have your achievements celebrated, let us know about your scholarships today!

SCPS Foundation Senior Scholarship Application

The Foundation's Senior Scholarship application is now live! It will award over 45+ scholarships to the Seminole County Public Schools Class of 2026 this spring, with recipients from all 10 high schools! Foundation scholarships range in value, and while most are available to all SCPS High Schools, some are specific to Hagerty, Lake Brantley, Lyman, and Seminole. Some opportunities focus on Areas of Study such as Trade Programs, Education, Nursing, the Arts, Engineering, and STEM fields, or to students who’ve participated in athletic programs, arts programs, extracurricular activities, and community service. Other factors are considered, such as students who have overcome challenges, experienced homelessness, or demonstrated financial need.

SCPS seniors can begin their senior scholarship application at the FSCPS AwardSpring site. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Review detailed scholarship descriptions at FSCPS.AwardSpring.com.

SCCPTA Mascot Games & Egg Drop

All Seminole County families are invited to join SCCPTA for their Mascot Games, a fun, free community event bringing families, schools, and mascots together for an afternoon of excitement and connection. The event will take place on Saturday, February 28, from 12:00 - 3:00 pm.

As part of the event, students in grades K–12 are invited to participate in our popular Egg Drop Challenge, where creativity and problem-solving take center stage as students design a way to protect an egg from a high drop.

Where:

Lake Mary High School

655 Longwood Lake Mary Rd

Lake Mary, FL 32746



If you have any questions about this event, please email vp2@sccpta.com for more information.

SCPS Night with the Orlando Magic - Tuesday, March 31st at 7:00pm

Get ready for an unforgettable night, SCPS Families! Join us at the Kia Center as the Orlando Magic take on the Phoenix Suns for a special SCPS Community Night packed with school spirit, exciting moments, and fun surprises. Visit the SCPS District Night page for discounted tickets and a portion of every ticket sold goes back to the school you select. Share with your friends and join us for this fun family event!

Retired Educator: Darlene Cooper

Darlene Cooper always loved any activity involving math. After receiving her bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, she embarked on a 44-year journey that allowed her to teach the subject that brought her such joy. Belonging to a military family kept Mrs. Cooper on the move, but she did obtain her master's degree from Arizona State along the way.

Mrs. Cooper taught standard math courses, AP Calculus, Physics, Statistics, and a year of Special Education. She taught in New York, Virginia, Kansas, and Colorado before completing the last 25 years of her teaching time here in Florida. She was teaching both high school and college for five of those years. Mrs. Cooper laughs when she recalls that, at one point in her career, she held current certifications in five states!

During her long and productive career, Mrs. Cooper was not only elected Teacher of the Year twice, but also Coach of the Year twice for her skill and dedication to the Swim team. She spent numerous hours volunteering at the food bank to ensure students had weekend food, and she loved supporting the café & concessions for all the sports.

Since her retirement, Mrs. Cooper has served as president and is currently the immediate past president of the Seminole County Retired Educators Association, and she volunteers actively within the chapter. She also loves working with her plants, cooking, and making jam. Mrs. Cooper is the proud parent of three daughters, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Because one family resides here in Seminole County, she says she gets to enjoy her hobby of cooking by trying out her recipes on the grandchildren.

Thank you, Mrs. Cooper, for your immense passion for education and student success!