Orange County Public Schools

 

February 2023 Edition Coming Soon

Click here for previous issues

February 2023 Edition

Be on the lookout for employee IDs in the photos in this issue. If you see your employee ID number, email [email protected] for a prize.

Transition School Bridges High School and Work

Drifthnery Gonzalez was on the job as a social worker for clients with disabilities when she heard about a school-run program that teaches hands-on job skills to students with disabilities after they complete high school.

She was so intrigued that she went back to college for her master’s degree and certification to teach students with disabilities. “Best decision ever,” the Transition School teacher said. Today, she helps lead students learning work skills at the Grande Lakes Orlando resort.

Black History Month: A Celebration

It is important to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black people to American history year-round. But February is a special time, earmarked to educate, to reflect upon and to cherish the contributions of Americans of African and Caribbean descent. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the OCPS Black History Month Celebration.

Quick Links

    

Foundation Fans: Setting the TREND
The volunteers from Trend Micro were ready for a challenge last month. The global cybersecurity technology company officially kicked-off their 2023 Orlando Service Project in partnership with the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools. Trend Micro donated a total of $100,000 for paint, paint brushes, mulch, rakes, wheel barrels, and other supplies to beautify all four schools and sent more than 1,600 volunteers to make over the schools.  

 
Classroom Materials Get a New Lease on Life 

Through a unique partnership between the OCPS Surplus Department and the UCF Curriculum Materials Center, these materials can be repurposed.

Mentoring Initiative Helps Teen Girls Find Their Voices

If you have some time, Sasha Wallace has countless success stories she’d love to share with you. Perhaps one of them will inspire you to become a mentor, too. For the past seven years, Wallace has taught English Language Arts at Apopka Memorial Middle, where she once attended. This is her sixth year as the Find Your Voice sponsor at Apopka Memorial Middle School, and Wallace is proud of what the club has accomplished.

Orchestral music for the littlest ears
After a two-year hiatus, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is again introducing the magic of orchestral music to the littlest ears. 

 
OCPS Alumni Network Aims to Recruit 2,023
Life can get in the way after graduation, but the OCPS Alumni Network provides another way to stay in touch and connect with other district alumni and supporters. The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools had a kick-off celebration to announce its 2023 recruitment goal - of 2,023 new members - at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center.

A Funny Thing Happened
As the Media Specialist at Engelwood Elementary, Catie Lane interacts with students from all grade levels and overhears her fair share of student interactions.