Lake Howell High Students Return to Preschool for a Delightful Reading Experience

Lake Howell High School recently showcased the power of literacy and mentorship during a special Literacy Week experience in Mrs. Legler's Little Hawk classroom. Students from Ms. Brittain's English III class partnered with the Little Hawks for a joyful and engaging read-aloud session that celebrated the love of books and storytelling.

Each high school student shared a story using a hand puppet or stuffed animal that reflected a character from the book, adding creativity and enrichment to the experience. Little Hawks also received colorful pawprint stickers, and a special guest, Delta Twinkletoes, Ms. Brittain's registered therapy dog, joined the fun. Delta Twinkletoes regularly reads with children at the Casselberry Library and was a delightful addition to the event.

This meaningful experience reinforced the message that it is never too early to cultivate a passion for reading and provided a wonderful opportunity for connection across grade levels.

Your enthusiasm, creative reading styles, fun props, costumes, and unique personalities made reading both fun and meaningful for our youngest learners.

Events like this highlight the lasting impact of literacy, collaboration, and community within our schools. Go Silverhawks!

Hamilton Elementary's Portable Planetarium

Hamilton Elementary's third-grade Innovators recently stepped inside their portable planetarium for an immersive experience exploring the Sun and the stars that light up our universe. This interactive opportunity allowed students to deepen their understanding of space science while sparking curiosity and excitement about the world beyond our planet.

Experiences like these bring learning to life and inspire young innovators to reach for the stars. There’s nothing like hands-on (or heads-up) learning under the stars! Go Innovators!

Historical Seminole County Figures Visit Bentley Elementary to Celebrate Black History Month

Bentley Elementary recently welcomed special guests Mr. Ron Nathan and Mrs. Ingrid Nathan. The Nathans hold a significant place in our district’s history, as Mrs. Ingrid Nathan was the first Black student in Seminole County Public Schools.

The Nathans shared their inspiring history and contributions with Bentley’s fourth-grade students, who enjoyed learning about their impact on Sanford, our school, and the broader community. The presentation was both meaningful and memorable for all in attendance.

One of the most powerful messages shared by Mr. Nathan was, “We can do it better together!” This statement of unity and collaboration reflects the spirit of our school community and underscores the importance of learning from those who help shape it.

Sanford Middle's Pre-Med Students

Sanford Middle School's Pre-Med students stepped into the Warrior Hospital for an engaging, interactive learning experience focused on doctor–patient communication. Through mock skits based on real-world medical scenarios, students practiced effective communication while developing compassion and empathy, key skills for anyone pursuing a career in healthcare.

These hands-on activities allowed students to strengthen their ability to listen, support, and care for others in meaningful ways. The experience also reflects Sanford Middle's IB Learner Profile, emphasizing the importance of being caring individuals and strong communicators as students prepare for future pathways in the medical field.



We are proud of the growth our students continue to demonstrate and look forward to the positive impact these future healthcare professionals will make in their communities.

Lawton Elementary's Hands on Learning

Students from Mrs. Santillo’s classes at Lawton Elementary recently visited the LESA garden for an exciting, hands-on learning experience focused on plant science. During their visit, students explored plant structures and life cycles while learning how plants respond to their environment. They observed and compared flowering and non-flowering plants, including conifers, and even planted radish seeds of their own.

The learning continued with a visit to the Moon Tree, where students discovered NASA’s experiments involving growing plants in space and how science extends beyond Earth. To wrap up the day, students explored the sensory music area and enjoyed meeting the chickens, making for a memorable and well-rounded educational experience.

This engaging trip provided meaningful, real-world learning and sparked curiosity through science, exploration, and discovery.

Crooms Academy of Information Technology Has Stellar Steel Band

Experience the talent of students from Crooms Academy's Steel Drum Band! From beginners to advanced performers who play all around the county, this class teaches leadership, responsibility, and perseverance while helping students truly appreciate music.

Hear why students call it their favorite class and see how being part of the Steel Band makes them shine on and off the stage. Take a look!

Watch Crooms Academy's Steel Band Video!

SCPS Once Again Ranked #1 in Florida for Preparing Students for College-Level STEM Majors

Seminole County Public Schools is proud to announce that it has once again earned the distinction of being the top school district in the State of Florida for preparing high school students for college STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors for the 2025–26 school year. 

According to the most recent STEM Prep Index released on February 4, 2026, Seminole County leads all 67 Florida school districts in student participation in key college-preparatory STEM courses, including chemistry, physics, precalculus, and calculus, based on Fall 2025 enrollment data from the Florida Department of Education. Seminole County has held the top spot on this statewide index every year since it was first compiled, making it a consistent hallmark of the district’s commitment to STEM excellence and student opportunity, and reinforcing its’ nickname of STEMinole County. 

The STEM Prep Index is calculated by adding a district’s enrollment rates in the four subjects most strongly correlated with success in STEM majors after high school, physics, chemistry, precalculus and calculus, offering a clear measure of how well schools prepare students for rigorous STEM coursework in college and future STEM careers. Seminole County’s sustained strength across these measures reflects a robust STEM education pipeline from middle school through high school graduation.

Read More 

SCPS ePathways Team Hosts Third Annual "Souper Bowl" Chili Cookoff

Each year, our ePathways team gathers high school culinary teams to compete for the title of best chili. Judges are comprised of local restaurant owners, chefs, and industry professionals, and district staff get to vote in the People's Choice portion of the event. This event allows students hands-on, real-world experience in culinary arts and also helps them improve their presentation and communication skills while working as a team.

The competition is always fierce, and we love hosting this event. Help us congratulate the winners of each division! Thank you to every team who came out and represented their school. You were all fantastic.

Special thanks to our guest performers, the Steel Drum Band from Crooms Academy of Information Technology!

SCPS Celebrates CTE Month: Construction Career Days Event

Recently, several of our high schoolers attended Construction Career Days!

In order to increase the number of workers in the construction industry, transportation industry officials began an educational outreach program for high school students in 1999. That program is called Construction Career Days.

The program is designed to introduce school students to the wide range of career opportunities available in the construction industry in a hands-on environment.

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Partner agencies and organizations responsible for the event include the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association, the Suncoast Utility Contractors Association, the National Association of Women in Construction, and the Federal Highway Administration.

CCD events are coordinated and presented by transportation industry partners from the public and private sectors. Nearly all 50 states hold at least one CCD event. Currently, Florida holds CCD events in the Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Orlando areas. In 2016, Florida added a new event in the Tampa Bay area.

The following high schools attended the event:

• Crooms
• Hagerty
• Lake Howell
• Lake Mary
• Lyman
• Seminole 9th Grade
• Seminole High
• Winter Springs

What an outstanding opportunity for our students to explore the numerous careers fields that our world has to offer!

Seminole County Public Schools in the Running for District of the Year - We NEED YOUR VOTES!

Magnet Mania is Magnet Schools of America’s District of the Year contest designed to increase the visibility of member counties and magnet schools across the country. The competition is a bracket-style tournament starting in February and ending in April at the National Magnet Schools of America Conference.

The goal of Magnet Mania is to highlight the many ways that school districts lead and succeed in advancing the mission and purpose of magnet programs.

We know that Seminole County has exceptional magnet schools - now it's our chance to take home the title of best in the country. You can help by voting in each of the six rounds.

2026 PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS

• Clark County School District
• Clayton County Public Schools
• East Baton Rouge Parish School System
• Hillsborough County Public Schools
• Huntsville City Schools
• New London Public Schools
• Norwalk Public Schools
• Orange County Public Schools
• School District of Palm Beach County
• Seminole County Public Schools
• Tangipahoa Parish School System
• Wake County Public School System
• Wichita Public Schools

Keep an eye on our district and magnet school social media accounts, and on ParentSquare for voting information.

Winter Springs High Educator Named VFW Central Florida Teacher of the Year

We are proud to recognize and celebrate an outstanding Winter Springs High School educator who was recently named the VFW Central Florida Teacher of the Year on Saturday!

This well-deserved honor reflects Mrs. Gaskill’s dedication, passion for teaching, and commitment to student success. She will now advance to compete for the State of Florida VFW Teacher of the Year award.

We are incredibly proud of Mrs. Gaskill and grateful for the positive impact she has on our school community. Go Bears!

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.

Jackson Heights MS – Tuesday, 2/10/2026

Sanford MS – Thursday, 2/26/2026 – Friday, 2/27/2026

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

Tuskawilla Shepherds Partner with SCPS to Support our Food Pantries

We are grateful for organizations like Tuskawilla Shepherds, who generously donate to 10 Seminole County Public Schools each month to support the food pantries and help students and families in need. Over the years, they have continued to be a constant support, and we truly appreciate the hard work, numerous volunteer hours, and ongoing donations from so many individuals to make it happen!

Lamar Advertising puts our SCPS Teacher of the Year in the Spotlight

How exciting to have your name up in lights! Thank you to the Lamar Advertising Company for highlighting our SCPS Teacher of the Year, Christie Rey, this week on multiple digital billboards throughout Seminole County! 

What an incredible gift for our teacher and a generous donation. Thank you!

This is Christine Peacock's 32nd year with SCPS, and her 15th as a proud principal, currently serving at Lake Orienta Elementary.

When asked about her favorite part of being a principal, she responded, "Building relationships with the students, staff, and community. It is rewarding to be a part of communities that continue to grow and improve for the benefit of children and the future."

Interesting fact about Principal Peacock: she really likes spending time alone with a good cup of coffee, a book, and a quiet space. She says, "The day in the life of a principal is hectic, you never know what is going to happen next. It is nice to just have those simple moments of peace."

Thank you, Principal Peacock, for your time, attention, and continued support of our schools and our community.

Black History Month Contest

The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida invites students to participate in the 2026 Black History Month student art and essay contests with the theme, “Celebrating Black History.” Black history Month is recognized and celebrated during the month of February.

All Florida students are invited to participate in contests based on this year’s theme. Students in grades K-3 are invited to participate in an art contest, while students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers, and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.

All entries must be received by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Monday, February 9, 2026.  Please visit the Florida Black history website for more information.

The on-time VPK application period for the 2026-2027 School Year at SCPS locations is January 10 to February 10. 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.

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

2025-2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest

Seminole County students are invited to participate in this year’s National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest, themed “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.” The contest encourages students to think about what safety means to them and to recognize bus drivers and community members as everyday heroes who help them get to school safely.

Students can showcase their creativity while highlighting the important role bus drivers and other community members play in keeping school transportation safe. This annual contest is a fun way to express artistic talent while reinforcing the critical message of school bus safety throughout our schools and neighborhoods.

Submit your poster and join us in celebrating the everyday heroes who make safe rides possible for everyone!

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.

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

You're Invited: Discover the Possibilities at Seminole State

Calling all high school students and parents! Get a first-hand look at Seminole State’s in‑demand healthcare programs at their Altamonte Springs Campus. Tour the labs, meet faculty, and see how their programs – nursing, respiratory care, physical therapist assistant, health information technology, and more – can prepare you for career success. Plus, learn about campus life and student resources and get your questions answered.

Health & Nursing Open House page on the Seminole State website to register - Feb. 10, 4-6 p.m.

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. If you plan to participate in the Egg Drop Challenge, please register for the event.

Where:

Lake Mary High School

655 Longwood Lake Mary Rd

Local businesses are invited to participate in our in-person, hands-on Community Connections event where they will have the opportunity to showcase their business to families and PTA leaders from across Seminole County. Participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited. Are you a vendor planning to attend, make sure to register for the event!



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!

SCPS Retired Educator: Elizabeth Randell

Literacy was and continues to be a passion of Elizabeth Randell’s! After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from Florida State University she went on to teach for over 15 years. 

Ms. Randell transitioned from Home Economics at Coral Shores High, with Monroe County Schools, into the English Dept. at Jackson Heights Middle, here at SCPS, where she infused this writing passion into her teaching of 7th and 8th grade English students. Then, at Lyman High, she was able to inspire her 9th-12th grade students within her multitude of classes that included: English, English Honors, AP Lit, Poetry, Writing for College, and Creative Writing, where she also enjoyed sponsoring creative writing activities. During this period, Ms. Randell continued her own education and earned her Master’s Degree from Nova University.

Ms. Randell is an accomplished writer in her private life having authored six publications to date with another book in progress. She writes both fiction and nonfiction and has been asked to present at several speaking engagements that showcase both her work and talent. One of her works highlights little-known facts about St. Augustine, FL and along with her husband they have presented these facts with stunning photography.

Ms. Randell is the founder of “Literacy Saves Lives,” where she has been responsible for collecting, sorting, and delivering hundreds of books to several FL prison locations in support of using literacy as a positive pathway for inmates. She also devotes many hours of her time as the Director of “The Florida Writer’s Foundation” and to her book club. Members of the Seminole County Retired Educators Association (SCREA) have named Ms. Randell their chapter’s Volunteer of the Year,and she will now compete for the Florida Volunteer of the Year.

In her “free” time, Ms. Randell plays the ukulele, knits, bakes, organizes book fairs, and loves spending time with her family. She and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters, three grandkids, and two great-grandkids!