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Our Schools

Some Call It Payback, as FSU Picks John Thrasher

After a sham selection process which lasted close to seven months, the Florida State University Board of Trustee has named Sen. John Thrasher to be the school's new president.  The Board overwhelmingly gave Thrasher the nod in a 11-2 vote. “I am honored to have been selected by the Board...

With Latest Downtown Move, is UCF About to Absorb Valencia College?

The University of Central Florida is looking to expand downtown Orlando with the view to creating greater educational opportunities for students, UCF President John Hitt announced Tuesday.

Crist backs Teachers Union over Black Pastors in School-Voucher Program Lawsuit

On Wednesday, Charlie Crist lent his support to the Florida Education Association suing to dismantle the major school choice program. Crist's backing of the FEA puts him at odds with black ministers who support school vouchers. The particular program under scrutiny is called the tax credit scholarship program, which serves nearly 70,000 mostly minority children with scholarships valued at up $5,272.

Tiger Woods Foundation to host STEM Career and College Conference

The Tiger Woods Foundation will host more than 300 parents and students in grades 7-12 for a free one-day STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Career and College Conference, Saturday, Sept. 20 at Florida Atlantic University – Jupiter Campus.

Status Quo…..For Now, But Not For Long

The final recount in the District One School Board race has been tallied and incumbent Joie Cadle has retained her seat on the board by the staggering sum of barely more than 60 votes. Josh Katz ignited a flame which is not going out. Parents are up in arms about the Board’s cavalier attitude and performance, and teachers have finally found a way to fight back.

Orange County School Board: District One Desperately Needs Josh Katz!

We can’t fire Barbara Jenkins until we elect people like Josh Katz and Regina Hellinger to the School Board. We can’t allow people like Joie Cadle to damage our kids ever again. In 2016 at least three incumbents must go!

It’s Baaack: Hope Now Back-to-School Bash at Amway Center, August 9

  It’s back! Back to school and time for Central Florida families to get free backpacks, school supplies, health screenings, haircuts, important information, and more. The Hope Now back-to-school bash will take place on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the largest back-to-school expo in Central Florida. The Hope Now International, in conjunction...

No Sales Taxes in Florida This Week-end

Starting August 1 through August 3, you can purchase clothing, school supplies, personal computers and certain computer related accessories tax free, thanks to the 2014 sales tax-free holiday.

Here’s some useful “Back to School” information

Seminole County Public Schools will participate in a Back-2-School event at Ft. Melon Park in Sanford on Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The following Departments will be present: Choices, Food Services, Great Start Program, Transportation, and VPK.

Michelle Obama praises school counselors, announces 3 new initiatives

First Lady Michelle Obama, speaking at the American School Counselor Association Annual Conference in Orlando Tuesday, had high praise for the work in which school counselors are engaged on a daily basis, saying they play a pivotal role in whether young people attend college or not.

OCPS to celebrate ‘Super Scholars’ headed to top colleges, universities

Orange County Public Schools will honor 81 “Super Scholars” from the graduating class of 2014. These students have been accepted into 35 of the top colleges and universities in the world, according to the U.S. News and World Report. These are the 81 students who have received acceptance letters from one or more of the...

Orange County School District to serve over 650,000 Free Summer Meals to Kids, Teens

  Orange County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services will offer meals at no charge to all children 18 years and younger, starting June 9. This is Orange County Public Schools seventh year as a summer nutrition sponsor. The district anticipates serving more than 650,000 nutritionally-balanced meals to children at approximately 225 locations....

Clockwork Mania wins big at Orlando Regional Robotics Competition

  Orlando Science Schools (OSS) high school robotics team took home some “hardware” at this year’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) held recently in Orlando. OSS’s entry 4013 Clockwork Mania earned the team the Imagery, the Woodie Flowers Finalist and the Orlando Regional Chairman’s Award. The robotics students at Orlando Science...

Bridget Dycus named SCPS 2015 Teacher of the Year

Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) on Thursday night named its 2015 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Bridget Dycus of Rock Lake Middle School!

Rich condemns voucher expansion plan

Noting her long standing opposition to private school vouchers that move hundreds of millions of public dollars into private schools, Democratic candidate for governor Nan Rich today called on fellow legislators to oppose legislation further expanding Florida’s voucher program.

“Badges? We don’t need no stinkin’ badges!”

Orange County Public Schools spends well over a billion dollars on construction and maintenance every year, yet they’re quite willing to put people in the classroom that are in no way qualified to teach our most precious assets, who don’t have any stinkin’ badges. Where’s the sense there?

Magic joins NBA ‘Dream Big’ Campaign for Tip-Off event at Evans High

In the ongoing celebration of Black History Month, the Orlando Magic, along with Magic Community Ambassadors Nick Anderson, Bo Outlaw and NBA Legends Greg Minor and Sam Vincent joined the NBA’s “Dream Big” campaign with a tip-off event on Feb. 27 at Evans High School.

Saunders files transition legislation, pauses broken testing system in schools

  State Representative Joe Saunders (D-Orlando) announced Thursday the filing of HB 1187, a measure designed to restore public confidence in Florida’s education accountability system.  In commenting on the legislation, Saunders said the following: “During the past four years, Florida’s public education accountability system has seen unprecedented change. New testing requirements,...

Eustis Middle Mustang Jazz Band gets perfect ratings

The Eustis Middle School Mustangs Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Gerald Ricke, took home superior ratings at the FBA District 19 Jazz Music Performance assessment on February 20, 2014. The band received straight A’s in all categories and superior ratings from all three judges. This rating is in...

Lockheed Martin inspires local area students to pursue STEM careers

More than 300 students from metro Orlando area schools competed in two robotics competitions hosted by Lockheed Martin, aimed at showcasing the impact of engineering to everyday life and inspiring them to pursue STEM careers. Last Thursday, during National Engineers Week, 24 teams of students from Apopka, Freedom High, Boone,...

Black History Brain Bowl dispels myth Black children are ignorant of their own history

There is an ongoing question asked with regard to Black youth. Do our children care about their heritage and ancestry? Don’t answer that. Middle and high school children from Volusia County had the majority of answers during the Ninth Annual Black History Brain Bowl held on the campus of Daytona State College Saturday.

Seminole County School District names 2015 Teachers of the Year

Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) announced Friday, its 2015 Teacher of the Year Grade Level Winners. They are:

Dr. Phillips HS Cheerleaders Win National Title

Dr. Phillips High School Competitive Cheerleading team members are on top of the world after a spectacular win at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship Competition held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Feb. 8-9, 2014. The UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) is the most...

OSS Student Yashasvi Bhat earns first place at Orange County Science Fair

  Orlando Science Schools (OSS) 7th-grader Yashasvi Bhat earned first place in the junior computer science category at the annual Dr. Nelson Ying Orange County Science Exposition held recently at Rollins College. Bhats’ “Robot Race” entry is among many award winning projects submitted by students at Orlando Science Schools, which...

OCPS students choose menu items at annual food show

  Orange County Public Schools hosted its Annual Student Food Show at an exciting and educational location this year… the Orlando Science Center (OSC). Approximately 400 students put their taste buds to work among the dinosaurs, planets, and laboratories at the OSC. “This is probably the single most important event we...

Five finalists Picked for 2015 OCPS Teacher of the Year honor

The field has narrowed to five for Orange County Public Schools 2015 Teacher of the Year.

Orange County Students are State Champs

  Four dual-enrollment high school students in Mid Florida Tech's Hotel and Resort Business Management Program won the top spot in the Florida State Lodging Management Competition. Students from all over the state competed for two days in multiple events including Knowledge Bowl, Hotel Operations, and Hospitality Project competitions. OCPS students...

“Kat” Gordon elevated to Orange County School Board Vice-Chair

District 5 School Board Member Kathleen “Kat” Gordon was elected vice chairman of the Orange County School Board November 19.

No Time for Talking

The Orange County School Board and the teachers have been in contract negotiations since early in the year and there is no resolution in sight.

Orange County schools to undergo security risk assessment

Safe Havens International, Inc., a leading international non-profit campus safety center, will conduct a comprehensive security risk and vulnerability assessment of all schools in the District of Orange County.