SCPS Hosts World Language Festival

The ESOL/World Languages Department celebrated the incredibly diverse cultures of our students, staff, and families with the annual World Languages Festival.

The theme was "Building Global Connections through Language and Culture" where students who are actively enrolled in a World Language class had the opportunity to showcase their target language through impromptus (speech on a topic), declamations (recite a poem in the target language), skits, and created artwork related to this year’s theme. In addition, English Language Learners participated in the Spelling Bee.

Students in the World Language classes learn about other people’s beliefs and behaviors as they examine their own traditions and norms. Students learn to become global 21st century learners, and develop global competency which includes an understanding and respect for people of different cultures around the world, including in our own SCPS community.

Our teachers facilitate student learning by also asking students to investigate and reflect on practices, products, and perspectives of other countries. Through the World Language classes, we are helping students learn global competence and preparing them to become future ready graduates. SCPS offers Chinese, Japanese, Latin, American Sigh Language, Spanish, and French.  There are eight Dual Language schools and two elementary magnet world language programs.

SCPS Hosts First Annual District Multicultural Showcase Event

We want to say a HUGE thank you to our ESOL/World Language Department who helped bring to life this new event to bring our community together to experience and appreciate the many cultures represented not only in our district, but in our community.

Special thanks to the groups who volunteered their time and talents:

• Asian Cultural Association & Sharadalaya Dance Class - India
• Thuyen May Productions - Vietnam
• Orlando Kannada Group - India
• Mexico Danza Orlando - Mexico
• Nritya Academy - India
• Eric Hill - Greece
• Orlando Bal Vihar - India
• Tamil School Casselberry - India
• Venezolanos En Sanford - Venezuela
• Flamenco Del Sol - Spain

SCPS Hosts 2nd Annual "Finding Your Voice" Girls Summit

Over 200 girls from across Seminole County participated in the 2024 "Finding Your Voice" (FYV) SCPS Girls Summit to kick-off Women’s History Month. The event is designed to bring together leaders in education to inspire girls in grades five through seven, and provide them with lessons in leadership, communication skills, and confidence.

Prior to the summit, the students participated in a series of six group counseling sessions led by School Counselors, Social Workers, and/or Behavior Interventionists.  These sessions were focused on helping the students improve conflict resolution skills, learning mindfulness activities to help with emotional regulation and self-awareness, as well as promoting kindness and positive relationships with their peers. 

It takes many hands to create this event, and we appreciate all of the hard work of the many departments who collaborate to bring this opportunity to life for our young ladies. Special thanks to Community Involvement, Elementary Education, ePathways, Secondary Education, Student Support Services, and the Employee Benefits and Wellness Department.

Kick 4 the Kids Tournament Creates Champions for All Students

Each year, the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools puts together our Kick 4 the Kids Kickball tournament. This event is a fun day on the fields with great competition and friendly team building for our teachers and staff at SCPS. On Saturday, March 2^nd, we welcomed 16 teams at Forest City Elementary for a great day of kickball. Lake Howell High School took home the secondary championship while Goldsboro Elementary were the champions for the elementary bracket!

Regardless of who wins the tournament each year, the real winners are the students who benefit from this charity tournament – proceeds support our Tools 4 Seminole Schools resource store that provides classroom supplies throughout SCPS. Every school has the opportunity to shop and can learn more here. Thank you to SCPS Wellness and Cigna for sponsoring this event and we hope all the teams had a great time!  

Hagerty High Senior Named Student Journalist of the Year

Nadia Knoblauch, a senior at Hagerty High School, was named Florida's Student Journalist of the Year by the Florida Scholastic Press Association.

Nadia is the first student at Hagerty to receive this award, and she will be recognized at the national convention in Kansas City in early April.

Nadia serves as the editor-in-chief of the award-winning BluePrint newspaper and website, and this is her third year serving on the newspaper staff.

This young lady has also served as the Vice Chair of Communications for the Florida Scholastic Press

Association and Florida Coalition Leader for the United Nations’ Girl Up Initiative. She was named FSPA's Emerging Young Journalist in 2022 and hopes to study Political Science and Journalism in college. 

Way to go, Nadia! We are so proud of you.

Lake Howell High School Takes Repeat Title

Lake Howell High School has once again been crowned as the FHSAA Sunshine State Spirit Showdown Champion.

Now let's see if Principal Howard repeats his title as "Most Spirited Principal in America." Go Silverhawks!

SCPS Students Showcase Creativity in the Arts

The Lake Mary-Heathrow Festival of the Arts was held over the weekend at Colonial Town Park in Heathrow. Artwork from K-12 Seminole County Public Schools was on display with 27 schools participating. The high school artwork was judged, and we want to congratulate our winners and share their entries.

We also want to say a special thank you to the Lake Mary-Heathrow Art Festival for allowing our schools to showcase the talents of our students and providing the cash awards for the Best of Show and 1^st place winners. 

Celebrating School Social Workers

This week, we celebrated National School Social Worker Week, and we wanted to share more about our amazing team and what they do with our families and community.

School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student services team. School social workers are trained masters-leveled clinical mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, crisis response, positive behavioral support, social skill development, academic and classroom support, attendance and truancy assistance, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy. 

School social workers are instrumental in furthering the mission of our SCPS schools. We strive to help provide a setting for teaching, learning, and for the attainment of competence and confidence for all our students. Our direct-service model is dynamic and individualized to each student and family allowing for comprehensive service delivery at each grade level. School social workers enhance our district's ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving student success. ​



“In the tapestry of education, school social workers are the threads of compassion, weaving empathy, support, and understanding into the fabric of students' lives. National School Social Work Week is a canvas to celebrate their profound impact a masterpiece of care, advocacy, and transformative influence, " said Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon, Board President for the School Social Work Association of America.

Registration for the 2024-2025 VPK School Year at SCPS locations is now open. To be eligible for VPK, a child must be four years of age by September 1, 2024.

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, Click HERE.

As our partner the Florida Prepaid College Plan Board celebrates 35 years of helping Florida families save affordably for college, they have lowered Prepaid Plan monthly prices by up to 25 percent during the Prepaid Plan Open Enrollment period from February 1 - April 30, 2024.

The reductions will bring Prepaid Plan prices to their lowest level in 10 years, starting at just $34 per month for a 1-Year University Plan for a newborn. The monthly cost of a four-year university plan for a newborn is down to $134 – that’s a monthly savings of about $50 compared to last year.

Florida Prepaid Plans are made to fit growing families:

• Risk-free: Your investment is protected by the State of Florida.

• Flexible: Use in-state or out, at public or private colleges and universities, trade, and technical schools.

• Worry-free: Cancel anytime for a full refund or transfer to another family member.

Seminole County Sports Hall of Fame Nominations Deadline Extended

The Seminole County Sports Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for the Class of 2024.

Every year, six outstanding male and female athletes and contributors are inducted into the Seminole County Sports Hall of Fame and acknowledged with an award, a feature in a press release, and an annual appreciation event.

CATEGORIES:

• ATHLETES: For current/former residents who attained excellence in athletics in Seminole County; Nominee must be at least 35 years old and graduated from a high school in Seminole County.
• CONTRIBUTORS: For coaches, officials, administrators, financial backers, or media members who contributed to athletics in Seminole County.
• INCLUSION AWARD: For outstanding Seminole County athletes with intellectual, developmental, or other special needs.
• LEGACY AWARD: For athletes/contributors who were active prior to 1999 and are now being recognized.



Read more about the criteria and submit a nomination form at seminolecountyfl.gov/hof.

Committee members are also needed to volunteer to help select the 2024 class. For more info or to join the Committee, email cmero@seminolecountyfl.gov.