This will be the final issue of the Seminole Spotlight for 2024. We wish all of our families, students, and staff a wonderful holiday season. The Spotlight will resume on Friday, January 10, 2025. | |
SCPS is Emersed in the Holiday Spirit
Schools across our district are buzzing with festive activities and a spirit of togetherness. From decorating classrooms to organizing community service projects, students and staff are finding creative ways to celebrate and spread joy. Many schools have also organized themed days, where students and teachers dress up in holiday attire, adding to the festive atmosphere.
As the holiday season continues, SCPS would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and we hope that you enjoy this special time with family and friends!
| | |
What's Cool in Our Schools | |
Hamilton Elementary's Fifth-Grade Engineering Challenge
The fifth graders at Hamilton Elementary recently read the new version of the classic tale, The Gingerbread Man. After reading the regenerated story, they faced an exciting engineering design challenge: helping the Gingerbread Man safely cross the river and ensure a happy ending to his journey.
The students brainstormed, designed, and built various contraptions to transport the Gingerbread man across the river. This hands-on project not only brought the story to life but also encouraged our young engineers to think critically and creatively. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to apply their knowledge in a fun and engaging way.
We are incredibly proud of our fifth-grade innovators for their hard work and critical thinking. Go Robots!
| |
Millennium Middle School's Young Ladies Attend the Tech Sassy Girlz Conference
Millennium Middle School’s young ladies had an incredible opportunity to attend the Tech Sassy Girlz Conference - Hackathon Edition at Seminole State College! This inspiring event empowers adolescent girls to explore STEM fields through career readiness, mentoring, and entrepreneurship.
| |
SCPS would like to thank Tech Sassy Girlz and their sponsors for making this impactful event possible for our students! | | |
|
Sabal Point Teacher Wins $1,000 STEAM Grant
Sabal Point's Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Stephanie Thomas, earned a $1,000 STEAM grant from BRPH! Mrs. Thomas applied for the grant to supply her Kindergarten class with Lego starter kits! These Lego starter kits will enable Mrs. Thomas to create a fun and engaging learning environment, enhancing her teaching style and helping her students grasp concepts more effectively.
| |
|
Mrs. Thomas has been teaching in Seminole County for eight years. When asked why she's taught at Sabal Point for nearly a decade, she responded, "The children! Their energy, curiosity, and growth inspire me continuously. Each day brings new challenges and rewards, and seeing their progress and joy makes every moment worthwhile. It’s their smiles and eagerness to learn that fuel my passion for teaching. I truly love my job! Sabal Point and my experiences here continue to be an essential part of my journey as a teacher! My passion for working with children drives me, and I always strive to lead with my heart.”
When asked to describe Mrs. Thomas, her co-workers commended her as a “natural-born leader, brimming with creativity and embodying the true spirit of an educator. She is an inspiration and a mentor to her peers.”
Congratulations, Mrs. Thomas, on winning this grant! SCPS sincerely appreciates your dedication to our students, and we are confident this grant will greatly benefit both you and your students!
| |
Dedicated Hamilton Elementary Employee Embarks on New Chapter
SCPS proudly congratulates Mr. C, a custodian at Hamilton Elementary School, on his retirement after 40 years of exceptional service. Mr. C has tirelessly worked to keep Hamilton clean and welcoming for our students and families.
We will “C” you later, Mr. C! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
| |
|
Sanford Middle School's ESOL Students Attend Academic and Professional Future Summit
Sanford Middle School’s ESOL students recently attended the Academic & Professional Future Summit at the University of Central Florida, hosted by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. This inspiring event allowed students to learn from the academic journeys of professionals across various fields and discover strategies to enhance their high school education and experiences.
The summit provided a unique opportunity for students to connect with inspiring professionals, participate in workshops to strengthen leadership and digital skills, and explore pathways to success. Among the highlights of the day, two students, Kimberly Garcia Perez and Dellaney Agosto Torres, won a free raffle and received laptops!
SCPS would like to thank UCF, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and our wonderful educators for providing this amazing experience for our students!
| |
SCPS Lead School Board Nurses Receive Health Services Pillar of Care Award
SCPS would like to celebrate our two Lead School Board Nurses, Ms. Danielle Calapa & Ms. Nikki Johnson, as the second recipients of the Health Services Pillar of Care Award. This award was created to honor and recognize Health Services staff members who exemplify unwavering dedication, compassion, and excellence to Seminole County Public Schools.
Mike Weiterman, the director of Health Services here at SCPS proudly stated "It's rare to find people who not only excel at their craft, but who also lead with kindness and a heart full of care for those they work with. What we've found here is something special. Two individuals who are pillars of strength and compassion. Through their example, they've taught us all what true leadership is supposed to look like."
Thank you to Ms. Calapa and Ms. Johnson for your exemplary work and unwavering care for our students. Your dedication to our district is truly appreciated!
| | |
|
Ms. Danielle Calapa -
School Board Nurse Lead
| |
|
Ms. Nikki Johnson -
School Board Nurse Lead
| |
Sanford Middle School Mathletes Triumphant in Mathlegue Competition
Congratulations to the Sanford Middle School students who participated in the Mathleague competition and brought home the 1st place trophy in the overall school round! We would also like to highlight our two individual 1st place winners, Aaryan and Samuel!
We are incredibly proud of our Sanford Middle Mathletes for their hard work, dedication, and incredible math skills. Keep up the amazing work, Warriors!
| |
|
|
1st Place Winner - Aaryan Jinjuvadia
(7th Grade - Sanford Middle)
| |
|
1st Place Winner - Samuel Rajan
(8th Grade - Sanford Middle)
| |
December Health Services Clinic Assistants of the Month
The SCPS Health Services Division proudly acknowledges the dedicated individuals in our school clinics who care for our students every day. Congratulations to Ms. Genice Campbell of Winter Springs Elementary and Ms. Karla Oquendo Flores of Pine Crest Elementary School for being honored as our Clinic Assistants of the Month for December!
Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and passion in caring for our students!
| |
|
Ms. Karla Oquendo Flores -
Clinic Assistant (Pine Crest Elementary)
| |
Ms. Genice Campbell - Clinic Assistant (Winter Springs Elementary) | |
Hagerty High Student Honored with Prestigious Award
We are thrilled to announce that Grace Jackson from Hagerty High School has been awarded the Academic All-American Award by the National Speech and Debate Association! This prestigious accolade recognizes Grace’s exceptional academic achievements and outstanding performance in speech and debate. Her dedication, hard work, and passion have truly set her apart.
| |
Grace, your SCPS family is incredibly proud of you! Your accomplishment is a testament to your commitment and excellence. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! | |
Partnering with Parents on Digital Citizenship and School Safety Video | |
|
Our Mission
The mission of the Seminole County Public Schools is to ensure that all students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be productive citizens.
| |
|
400 E. Lake Mary Blvd.
Sanford, FL 32773
407-320-0000
www.scps.us
| |
Seminole County Public Schools
Educational Equity - Notice of Nondiscrimination
Any form of discrimination or harassment can be devastating to an individual's academic progress, social relationship and/or personal sense of self-worth. As such, the School Board will not discriminate nor tolerate harassment in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender status, or gender identity), disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively, "protected classes").
The Board also does not discriminate on the basis of protected classes in its employment policies and practices as they relate to students.
Equal educational opportunities shall be available to all students, without regard to the protected classes, age (unless age is a factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any legitimate objective of the program/activity), place of residence within the boundaries of the District, or social or economic background, to learn through the curriculum offered in this District. Educational programs shall be designed to meet the varying needs of all students.
| |
© 2024 Seminole County Public Schools | | | | |
