SCPS Celebrates School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

Although National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day has passed, SCPS wants to take a moment to recognize and thank the brave men and women who keep our schools safe and support our students every day.

From providing guidance and mentorship to ensuring the safety of our school communities, your dedication and commitment make a lasting impact. We are grateful for all that you do to protect and nurture our students, today and every day.

Thank you for your service and unwavering support of our SCPS family!

Hamilton Innovators' Roller Coaster Saga

More roller coaster fun is happening in Hamilton's kindergarten! The youngest Innovators are engineering, experimenting, and loving every twist and turn.

It’s exciting to see our little one's enthusiasm as they explore, create, and enjoy the experience together. We are so proud of the energy and joy they bring to learning!

Forest City Elementary Attends the Special Olympics Polar Plunge

The spirit of courage and community was on full display at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge held on February 14 at SeaWorld and Aquatica Orlando. Students, teachers, and supporters from Forest City Elementary braved the chilly waters for a powerful cause, making the event one of the top fundraising school plunges of the season.

With Valentine’s Day energy in the air, participants showed their hearts weren’t just warm they were committed to inclusion and opportunity for athletes of Special Olympics. Through enthusiastic teamwork, creative fundraising efforts, and fearless plunges, Forest City emerged as a leading fundraiser, helping to support year-round sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The event was more than just a splash, it was a celebration of generosity, school pride, and the power of coming together for something bigger than ourselves.

Winter Springs Elementary's Fifth-Graders Take a Poetry Deep Dive

Winter Springs Elementary's fifth grade students had a wonderful time diving into poetry!

Students wrote heartfelt poems about things they love while practicing poetic elements and exploring figurative language. It was amazing to see their creativity shine through their words.

We are so proud of their imagination, teamwork, and growing confidence as young authors. Keep up the great work, Roos!

Sanford Middle School's Student-Filled Campus Clean-up

Sanford Middle School's Garden Club and Marine Biology students came together for a campus cleanup that truly made a difference. Their teamwork, care for the environment, and commitment to conservation helped their school complete the Guy Harvey Conservation School application.

We are so proud of these students for stepping up, taking action, and showing what responsible stewardship looks like. The future looks bright when young leaders choose to protect and care for our planet. Let's go, Warriors!

Hagerty High's JROTC Cadets Perform at Night to Shine Event

We are incredibly proud of our Hagerty High School JROTC cadets for performing the Saber Guard at the Night to Shine event!

Night to Shine is a worldwide prom experience sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation that celebrates individuals with special needs, ages 14 and older. Held annually on one unforgettable evening, this is a night centered on love, dignity, and celebrating each person exactly as they are.

Hagerty's cadets had the honor of lining the entrance in full uniform, rendering Saber Guard as each guest arrived. The pride, respect, and professionalism displayed by our students set the tone for a truly special evening. Watching the smiles and excitement as guests walked through the Saber Arch was a powerful reminder of why we serve.

Thank you to Night to Shine for allowing our cadets to be part of such an inspiring community event. Service, leadership, and citizenship in action, that’s what the Husky Battalion is all about!

SCPS Celebrates South Seminole Academy's Rededication

We were proud to celebrate the rededication of South Seminole Academy as the South Seminole Academy of Career Exploration, made possible through a five-million dollar grant from Magnet Schools of America.

This exciting refresh, which began in the 2024–2025 school year, strengthens the school’s magnet program by organizing students into three personalized houses, valor, legacy, and horizon. These houses focus on career pathways in business and creation, service, and technology. Through these pathways, students engage in hands-on, real-world learning connected to future career opportunities.

As a dynamic magnet school, South Seminole Academy prepares middle school students for success in high school, college, careers, and life through innovative Career and Technical Education experiences, unique electives, clubs, and leadership opportunities. Students also have access to a rigorous course of study through the prestigious International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, empowering every learner to explore their interests and thrive in high school and beyond.

It was exciting to welcome back two previous school principals and to hear about our students' educational journeys and future goals. We look forward to the continued growth, learning, and career exploration that South Seminole Academy provides.

Project SEARCH Students Build Community Connections

Our Project SEARCH students recently had the opportunity to connect with Jonathan, owner of Lordey, and engage in meaningful conversation about entrepreneurship, professionalism, and the importance of first impressions.

Experiences like this highlight how community connections can create powerful learning moments beyond the classroom. Jonathan shared his journey as a business owner and discussed how confidence, presentation, and communication play a vital role in personal and professional success. These authentic conversations help students better understand real-world expectations and possibilities.

SCPS appreciates all of our community members who are willing to engage, share their experiences, and help inspire our young adults as they explore postsecondary pathways and career opportunities. Partnerships and connections like these continue to strengthen the bridge between education and our community.

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.

• 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

SCPS Thanks Parent Teacher Organizations for their Support

We are proud to shine this week's Partner Spotlight on our incredible Seminole County Council PTA, local PTAs, and PTSAs.

Your dedication to our students, staff, and schools is seen and felt every single day. Through your programs including reflections celebrating the arts, fundraising to provide student scholarships, supporting mental health resource events for our parents and families, providing resources and volunteers for each school's initiatives and family events, recognizing our students and celebrating our staff, and supporting our Dividend volunteer programs. Your investment truly makes an impact and a difference!

Thank you for everything you do to strengthen our schools and empower our students to thrive!

Coming in March - Annual Voice Surveys

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

This is Leigh Jones' third year as a proud SCPS principal, currently serving at Longwood Elementary.

Principal Jones' favorite aspect of being a principal is the vibrant community of professionals, students, and parents. She is passionate about building meaningful connections to work collectively toward the success of all Longwood Elementary students.

Fun fact about Principal Jones: she is a proud veteran, having traveled to over 11 countries as a member of the United States Air Force. She comes from a family deeply rooted in patriotism. Her father, siblings, and now her oldest daughter, a current 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, have all served in the armed forces. Leigh’s youngest daughter has carried on the family tradition of education and is currently an elementary school teacher in Texas.

Leigh has been married to her best friend, David, for 31 years. Together, they celebrate a legacy of service, learning, and love.

Thank you, Principal Jones, for your leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students and school community. Your guidance continues to inspire excellence and make a lasting difference in the lives of those you serve.

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.

Former Seminole High Student Makes History at Harvard University

Former Seminole High student, Amari Turner, continues to make waves in collegiate track and field. After a record-breaking performance in the men’s 200m at the Riverhawk Invitational over the weekend, Turner has been named Ivy League Men’s Athlete of the Week for the first time in his Harvard University career.

Currently a junior, Turner has been delivering consistent, standout performances throughout the season. His historic run at the Riverhawk Invitational saw him cross the finish line in 20.77 seconds, setting a new program record for the Crimson and becoming the first student-athlete in Harvard history to run a sub-21 second indoor 200m.

This incredible performance has vaulted Turner up the national rankings, with his time tied for 16th in the NCAA this season and second in the Ivy League, as the indoor season heads toward its final weekends.

We are proud to see SCPS alumni achieving excellence at the highest levels! Congratulations, Amari!

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

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!

Seminole State at Night

SCPS juniors and seniors are invited to Seminole State at Night! Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 25 anytime between 4 – 6 p.m. on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus and see what your future has in store for you!

• Tour the campus
• Meet with program faculty and staff
• Get help with applying to the college Get more info and register in advance at sem.st/night

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!

SCPS Retired Educator: Rudene Francis

Mrs. Rudene Francis is another one of our outstanding retired SCPS educators!

After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Albany State College and teaching for a while, Mrs. Francis decided to continue her education and earned her Master of Science in Early Childhood.

During her time with SCPS, Mrs. Francis was both a teacher and team leader at Wekiva Elementary for seven years, and then transferred to Pine Crest Elementary. The following nine years saw Mrs. Francis at Pine Crest Elementary School as a teacher, team leader, PRIME Resource teacher, and Home/School Liaison. She then served for one year as the Home/School Liaison for the Goldsboro Magnet School before assuming the role of the Parent Facilitator Specialist for CHOICES at the county office for the next eight years. She then accepted the position of Parent Liaison at Pine Crest Elementary for one more year before transitioning to a Consultant for SCPS.

This dedication earned Mrs. Francis numerous awards over the years. She was voted Teacher of the Year at both Wekiva Elementary School and Pine Crest Elementary School. She received the Walt Disney Teacheriffic Award twice and the Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Month Award; in addition, she is listed in the WHO’s WHO Among America’s Teachers!

While experiencing professional success, Mrs. Francis was equally successful in her private life, having parented four children, volunteered in church activities, and co-owned Lightfoot Antiques with her husband of many years.

SCPS truly extends a heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Francis for her tremendous passion and dedication to education. She has truly left her mark on our district for years to come!