April 4, 2025

What's Cool in Our Schools

Eastbrook Elementary Receives Grant for Campus Beautification


The gifted fifth graders at Eastbrook received a "Keep Winter Park Beautiful & Sustainable" Green Schools grant! The funds from the grant will be used to beautify Eastbrook's front office entrance.


Congratulations to Eastbrook, and a huge thank you to the City of Winter Park for this outstanding contribution. We can't wait to see Eastbrook's new look!

Sanford Police Officer Visits Lake Mary High's Young Women of Excellence Students


Officer Torres from the Sanford Police recently spent the morning with Lake Mary High School’s Young Women of Excellence program sharing insights about law enforcement, life skills, and empowerment with the wonderful students!


Thank you to Officer Torres for uplifting, empowering, and inspiring our young women, and sharing insights about becoming a public servant. Your hard work is truly appreciated!

Forest City's Second Graders are making Humus


Mrs. Hartman’s second grade class at Forest City Elementary made humus! They started with sand, then added organic matter and worms. In about two weeks, they will have healthy humus.



For inquiring minds, humus is the dark, rich, organic matter in soil formed from the decomposition of plant and animal matter, crucial for soil health, fertility, and plant growth. Not exactly like the hummus for veggies!


We always love to see the dynamic and interesting subjects our students are learning about! Go Owls!

Walker Elementary Students Explore Careers Through Playful Pathways


Walker Elementary's second graders participated in the Playful Pathways pilot program, allowing them to explore career opportunities in different fields.


School counselor, Mrs. Marino, led the project that included six weeks of instructional lessons. The program culminated with a career event where students experienced various career clusters and areas of focus through hands-on application and play.


We love hearing about how our young learners get to explore the possibilities for their future careers. Go Hurricanes!

In the Spotlight

Indian Trails Middle School's Young Women and Men of Distinction Explore Seminole State College


Our Young Men and Women of Distinction students at Indian Trails Middle recently had the opportunity to explore higher education options during a tour of Seminole State College. The visit allowed students to engage with college staff, learn about academic programs, and gain firsthand insight into the college experience.


This tour aimed to inspire and motivate young learners to start thinking about their educational and career goals while showcasing the variety of opportunities available in their own community. The experience was both informative and exciting, encouraging students to dream big about their future educational paths.


Thank you to Seminole State for welcoming our students and thank you to our Young Men and Women Distinction instructors for encouraging our students to pursue the possibilities for their futures.

Goldsboro Elementary Students Visit Orlando's Leu Gardens


Goldsboro's second-graders recently visited Leu Gardens in Downtown Orlando. They participated in a unique scavenger hunt developed by their teachers, encouraging them to explore the entire 50-acre garden. While exploring, they were also able to see the Origami in the Garden exhibit on display and enjoyed a picnic lunch with a view of Lake Rowena.

April is National Volunteer Month 


Seminole County Public Schools and SCPS Community Involvement would like to thank our 25,000+ Dividend Volunteers for all they do for our students and schools each day. Our volunteers do it all; chaperoning field trips, running concession stands, packing food pantry bags, shelving books in our media centers, helping in our classrooms, mentoring students, and more. We could not do it without you! 


One dedicated volunteer was recently highlighted on Channel 6 News for her creativity, hard work, and commitment to making the Lawton Elementary school garden (The LESA Garden) a spectacular outdoor classroom for the students and staff. We thank Dr. Jennifer Ferrell for sharing her time and talents with our students and appreciate the love and care she gives to the garden each year. Lawton students and their families as well as Lawton alumni join in each month to assist at the LESA Garden workdays. She not only grows the garden but fosters a love of giving back to the community and encourages volunteerism. 


Way to go, Dr. Ferrell! Thank you to all of our SCPS Dividend Volunteers!


Watch Dr. Jennifer Ferrell's News 6 Interview

Read to Lead Battle and Battle of the Books Competition


This week, we celebrated our middle school students who participated in the Battle of the Books and the Read to Lead competitions. These students and their sponsors worked incredibly hard on reading several books while preparing for this year's battle. There is nothing better than seeing our middle school students so excited about reading!


Congratulations to this year's winners! Explore the event photo album below.

Read to Lead Winners


First Place - Milwee Middle School

Second Place - Sanford Middle School

Third Place - Rock Lake Middle School

Battle of the Books


First Place - Tuskawilla Middle

Second Place - Indian Trails Middle

Third Place - Lawton Chiles Middle

Event Photos

SCPS Principal Spotlight

At SCPS, we are dedicated to celebrating our schools and the exceptional leaders who guide them.

Principal Kristina Marshall - Rainbow Elementary

Principal Kristina Marshall has been an SCPS principal for 20 years, currently serving at Rainbow Elementary. When asked about her favorite part of being a principal, she replied, “Watching students grow, learn, and discover their own potential. It is a true joy to be part of their journey and celebrate their accomplishments."


A surprising fact about Principal Marshall, she recently became a first-time grandmother to a sweet grandson, which has been an exciting and joyful new experience for her! 


We are grateful to have Principal Marshall's remarkable leadership and steadfast dedication to our district.

7th Grade TDAP Vaccination Requirement

Is your student entering 7th grade next year? Don't forget they need their Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) to start school on time in the fall!


To make this process easier, several schools in our district will be hosting Tdap clinics. Vaccines will be provided at no cost to the family!


If you are planning to attend one of these clinics, please follow these instructions, then register.

2025-2026 SCPS Kindergarten Registration

The Kindergarten application period for the 2025-2026 School Year at SCPS locations is now open!


For more information, visit the SCPS enrollment website.

Pathways to Possibilites

The Pathways to Possibilities Career Fair/Internship Expo is an opportunity for employers to meet bright, motivated individuals ready to make an impact, and for SCPS 10th, 11th, and 12th graders to look for potential internships and employment opportunities. We strongly encourage SCPS students to join us at this networking event. Students register here. Registration for students ends April 18, 2025.

Scholarship Opportunities

Spring Has Sprung—and So Have Scholarship Opportunities! 


Now is the perfect time for students to explore postsecondary scholarships. SCPS offers a one-stop shop for finding local, state, and national scholarships.


Students have two helpful tools for their search:

  1. SCPS District Scholarship Page
  2. Visit the Scholarship Database for a list of scholarships available to all SCPS students, organized by deadline.
  3. Xello: Use Xello to search for local, state, and national scholarships customized to your interests.


Bright Futures & Florida Student Scholarships

The Bright Futures application also serves as the application for Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs. Students do not need to have met all eligibility requirements before applying. Once submitted, the state periodically reviews student information to determine eligibility. Please note: Eligibility requirements may change each year based on legislation. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Bright Futures website.


FAFSA 

Don’t forget to complete the FAFSA—essential for many scholarships and financial aid opportunities!


Students, please see your school counselor for support with all your postsecondary planning. 

Summer Courses at SSC for SCPS Seniors

Graduating SCPS Seniors - Free Summer College Class Opportunity at Seminole State



SCPS graduating seniors planning to attend Seminole State in the fall are invited to get a jumpstart on their college education by taking two classes this summer with no out-of-pocket costs during the Summer B Session from Jun 25 - Aug 6. The deadline to submit an interest form and apply is May 30.

 

The Summer Bridge program helps first-time-in-college students easily transition to college and develop crucial skills for success.

 

No matter whether a student plans to go all the way to a bachelor's degreeuse a university transfer pathway such as DirectConnect to UCF®, or is just trying to see if college is right for them, the Summer Bridge program can help set them on the right path!

 

To learn more, sign up to attend a virtual information session or email summerbridge@seminolestate.edu.  

SCPS Living on My Own Program

The SCPS Living on My Own program, is a financial literacy program developed by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The goal of the program is to help students understand the cost of living for one month of their adult life and some of the ways their adult life can be impacted by the choices and decisions they make. After receiving information in class, students attend a 90-minute simulation where they are randomly assigned a job or career and family situation. They receive information about the education and training required, annual and monthly salary, and make transactions at the 10 “storefronts” in the Living on my Own “city”.

 

We are currently looking for volunteers to help with the upcoming Living on My Own opportunities, and what better time to volunteer then during Financial Literacy Month! If you are interested in volunteering at one of the dates below, please follow the link provided to sign up! In order to volunteer you must be a registered SCPS Dividend. Find our Dividend application on the SCPS Dividends/Volunteers website.



Upcoming Seminars:





2025 SCPS Teacher Career Fair

Interested in become a teacher in the #1 A-rated School district in the state of Florida? Attend our Teacher Career Fair on April 26 from 9am - 12pm! Administrators from all schools will be interviewing potential candidates and offering on-the-spot contracts!



Location Details:

Lake Brantley High

991 Sand Lake Road

Altamonte Springs, FL 32714


For more info and interview scheduling, visit the career fair site. Walks-ins are welcome. If you have any questions, please email SCPS-Recruit@scps.us

Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans

OPEN ENROLLMENT WINDOW CLOSING SOON Feb 1 - Apr 30

Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment Offers Plans with Prices Starting at Just $29/Month 


Focused on encouraging families to save as early and affordably as possible, our partner Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans has reduced Prepaid Plan monthly prices for newborns and infants to the lowest in more than a decade.

 

Prepaid Plans allow families to lock in the cost of college with fixed monthly payments. A risk-free 1-Year University Plan now starts at just $29/month for the Prepaid Plan Open Enrollment period from February 1 - April 30, 2025. The reduced prices result in savings of up to $850 per plan for a 1-Year University Plan – up to $3,400 in savings for four years.

 

Prepaid Plans are made to fit growing families:

  • Use in-state or nationwide at public, private, trade and technical schools
  • Complements scholarships and financial aid
  • Transfer to another student or cancel anytime
  • Earnings grow tax-free

 

Every child deserves higher education. Florida Prepaid’s goal is to make it possible for every Florida family to save simply and affordably.


Learn more

Free Family Events

12th Annual Sanford Superkids Soap Box Derby Race


The 12th Annual Sanford Superkids Soap Box Derby race is coming up on April 12, 2025, and they still have openings available.


The Superkids race is for children with medically diagnosed disabilities, using special 2-person derby cars with an experienced pilot driver.


There is no charge, and all racing needs are provided, as well as lunch and awards following the race. Please RSVP to Eric Griffin at 407-353-6228 no later than Tuesday, April 8, 2025.


Visit the Central Florida Soap Box Derby Website for more information.

Reading Paws is Back!


READING PAWS: Young readers can paws-itively gain confidence in their reading skills and practice their fluency by reading out loud to a trained therapy dog.


Interested participants can call or stop by their desired library branch to registered for a 15-minute time slot. This free event is designed for kids and pre-registration is required.

SCPS Upcoming Performance Arts Events

Fri. 4/4 6:30 pm Musical: Matilda, Jr - Teague Middle


Fri. 4/4 7:00 pm Musical: Alice by the Heart - Lyman High


Sat. 4/5 3:00 pm Strings: SCPS Strings Day - Lake Howell High


Sat. 4/5 6:30 pm Musical: Matilda, Jr - Teague Middle


Sat. 4/5 7:00 pm Musical: Alice by the Heart - Lyman High


Thurs. 4/10 6:00 pm Musical: Newsies, Jr - Jackson Heights Middle (Blackbox)

Thurs. 4/10 6:30 pm Dance: "Lights, Camera, Solo and Ensembles" - Seminole High (Bill Vogel Gym)


Thurs. 4/10 7:00 pm Musical: Beetlejuice, Jr - Oviedo High


Thurs. 4/10 7:00 pm Musical: The SpongeBob Musical - Hagerty High


Thurs. 4/10 7:00 pm Play: The Importance of Being Earnest - Lake Howell High


Thurs. 4/10 7:00 pm Musical: Sweeney Todd - Seminole High

Student Success Express Schedule

April 4, 2025

Seminole County Public Library - East Branch

310 N Division St

Oviedo, FL

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.


April 5, 2025

Stratford Point Apartments

1700 Old England Loop

Sanford, FL

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

April 12, 2025

Seminole County Public Library-Northwest Branch

580 Green Way Blvd.

Lake Mary, FL 32746

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.


April 24, 2025

Lake Mary High School

Lake Mary Cluster Community Event

655 Longwood Lake Mary Rd.

Lake Mary, FL 32746

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

SCPS School Board

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.

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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.

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