Orange County Public Schools

September 2022 Edition

Welcome to the all-new Orange Peal. To learn more about our changes, click here to read our Letter from the Editor.

You may see numbers in some of our photos. If you see your employee ID number, email [email protected] for a prize.

Meet new Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez

The new OCPS superintendent, Maria Vazquez, Ed.D., has a simple but powerful philosophy. “I believe we have to be people first,” she said.
In practice, that means building personal relationships and considering how district decisions affect students, teachers, staff and parents. Her people-first thinking has served her well during 34 years in education, including 32 years in leadership with OCPS.
Vazquez knows firsthand the importance of relationships in schools, because they were essential to her own success.

        

 
Operations Employee of the Year Goes the Distance
With more than 140 employees to manage and 40 years of leadership experience, Kenneth Felder, is not your typical manager.

 
OCPS Opens Five New Schools
In 2022, Orange County Public Schools opened five new schools - three elementaries, one middle school and one K-8 - to add school capacity in some of Orange County’s fastest-growing areas.

 
Retirement Corner
During Ermelinda Rolon’s 30-plus year career at OCPS, she managed the ADDitions School Volunteers program at the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools.

Hispanic Heritage Month
As OCPS honors the contributions of Hispanic Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month, the first Hispanic OCPS superintendent is serving alongside the first Hispanic school board member.

 
Staff Saves Employee's Life with CPR
During an Orange County School Board meeting in August, Pinder, Welch, O’Brien and Jones were recognized for their heroism.

Foundation Fans: Teacher wins new carpet
The excitement of a new school year means new students, new adventures, and for Jill Robbins, a teacher at Washington Shores Elementary, a classroom carpet makeover.