Elementary Strings is Music to Principals’ Ears
By Lauren Roth
For a third of OCPS elementary schools, the sound of music in the halls now includes the violin.
Ten schools have added elementary strings programs for the 2024-25 year, increasing the district-wide total to 45 elementary schools. All traditional OCPS middle and high schools offer orchestra.
At Clay Springs Elementary one morning in February, the sounds in the halls included 4th-graders playing a short tune called “Mozart Melody” while calling out the names of the notes. During the next period, 5th-graders worked on the G-major scale. A group of young cellists and violists worked on playing parts different from the violins.
Offering strings in elementary school fosters discipline, creativity and teamwork, said Chief Academic Officer Tashanda Brown-Cannon.
“Equally important, the strings programs support academic achievement by improving math and reading skills and creating equitable access to arts education,” she said.
Jason Locker, Senior Director of Visual & Performing Arts, said the successful expansion has only been possible because principals have embraced the program.
And school leaders are seeing results.
Jessica Smith, principal of Clay Springs Elementary, said the best part has been seeing an increase in student confidence and resilience on stage and in the classroom. “We even had two students represent our school in the All-County concert,” she said. “I’m so proud of the growth that has been made in such a short time and can’t wait to see what’s to come for our Black Bears.”
In addition to Clay Springs, the schools that added strings programs this year were Andover, Avalon, Clay Springs, Columbia, Cypress Springs, Dream Lake, Lakeville, Lawton Chiles and Union Park elementaries.
Brandy Winterrowd, who teaches orchestra at Clay Springs and five other elementary schools each week, said it’s exciting to see the students grow. “It’s building fine motor skills, reinforces reading and gives them pride.”
The 10 new programs were added in parts of the county that lacked existing programs, said Rahim Jones, executive leader for elementary schools. To Jones, the effort is personal - his grandmother insisted he learn an instrument as a child, and he played cello and bass.
“We just want kids to be great all around,” he said. “This is one more way we are giving kids choices.”
Victoria Keenan, who teaches strings at six schools, including Columbia and Union Park, said “elementary strings is an advanced and challenging course for our 4th- and 5th-grade OCPS students.
“Music is an outlet for emotions and ideas - having the discipline to learn a string instrument for two years in school deeply enhances one’s musical, academic, and emotional ability,” she said.
And the expansion of the elementary program helps middle school and high school orchestra programs as well.
Not only does it create interest and drive participation, “it definitely affects the quality of the musicianship,” said Locker. “There’s more time to learn the skills.”
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A Funny Thing Happened “Collared Shirt Day?”
This happened several years ago, but I still think about it and chuckle.
One day, our class received a new student. In the afternoon, the announcements mentioned that the next day would be “College Shirt Day.” Typically, everyone sports a t-shirt or jersey representing their favorite college.
So the next morning, I stood at the door wearing my UCF t-shirt and welcomed my students as they entered the classroom.
Our new student approached and he was dressed to the nines! I responded by saying, “Good morning. Don’t you look handsome and all dressed up!”
The new student replied, “Yes, I’m ready for ‘Collared Shirt Day!’”
A perfect example of why visuals are so important to support our learners.
Michele Corum Second grade Teacher Shenandoah Elementary
Submit your A Funny Thing Happened to orangepeal@ocps.net. If your submission is selected, you will receive an exclusive Orange Peal prize package.
Whispering Oak Elementary
Principal Lee Montgomery with some of his school’s 14 portables.
By Andy Orrell
At Whispering Oak Elementary, there are about 100 more students than the campus was designed for, and that means portable classrooms.
“The biggest challenge with portables is having students and teachers feel disconnected,” said Principal Lee Montgomery. His school has 14 portables, some due to construction. Having portables can add time to transitions, “and students and staff often have to contend with the quickly changing Florida weather,” he said.
There and at 10 other district schools, relief is coming.
Due to recent shifts in demographics, the OCPS Facilities Department is now able to focus more of the building program on capacity enhancement projects, adding classrooms to nine schools throughout the district. In addition, two more schools will have rooms and buildings added as part of their scheduled comprehensive renovation projects.
Schools currently set to receive capacity enhancement projects are Dr. Phillips Elementary, Hunter’s Creek Elementary, Whispering Oak Elementary, College Park Middle, Hunter’s Creek Middle, Westridge Middle, Cypress Creek High, Dr. Phillips High and Oak Ridge High. Also, Jones and Timber Creek high schools will
receive additions through their comprehensive renovation projects.
“We are always looking for the best solutions to make sure capacity always meets need,” said Rory Salimbene, Chief Facilities Officer. Portables provide short-term capacity to schools and can be removed when no longer needed. The district has reduced the number of portables by 68% since 2006.
But new schools aren’t the perfect fit for every situation, Salimbene added. Sometimes schools are over capacity long-term in areas where new schools aren’t necessary. “That warrants the investment into additional classroom space being built,” he said.
And that can help schools in multiple ways.
“More classrooms mean that teachers can build stronger relationships with their students, fostering a sense of trust and belonging,” said Montgomery. “All of our grade levels will now feel as though they have a true home.”
Principal Montgomery outside what will be his school’s additional classroom building.
Is your school prepared for an emergency?
Do you know a person who’s cool and calm during and after an incident? If so, nominate them today for the Emergency Management Awards!
There are multiple awards available in four categories:
Mitigation (limiting risk)
Preparedness (training and preparation)
Response (handling of an active emergency)
Recovery (restoring and rebuilding)
Nominations are open now! please visit: bit.ly/OEMAwards or scan
Awards presented on June 17th during Preparedness Days.
Free eReader for Thousands of OCPS Employees
By Lisa Bourne
Are you looking for a great book to read? Do you want to enter more minutes for the Let’s Read OCPS challenge?
If you are an instructional or administrative employee, you can access thousands of popular eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines for free with Sora! (OCPS hopes to add access for all other employees in the future).
It is easy to find the perfect book or article to read.
1: Log into launch.ocps.net
2: Open the Library Research Tools folder
3: Open the Sora reading app
4: Pick an eBook, audiobook or magazine and enjoy!
Reading Recommendation:
In the month of March OCPS is celebrating National Medal of Honor Day. Pete Nelson’s Left for Dead is about the USS Indianapolis, which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1945. The book focuses on the pursuit of a person who went on a crusade to restore the captain’s good name and the honor of the men who served under him.
24-Hour Roadside
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Before the morning bell rings at Catalina Elementary, Assistant Principal Markeefe Beckett is already in motion. With a warm smile and a friendly wave, he greets students and chats with teachers.
When he walks into a first-grade classroom, he’s met with a chorus of “Mr. Beckett! Mr. Beckett!” as children eagerly surround him. “He’s the best in the world,” said 6-year-old Tramya Brunson.
This kind of positive connection is what he strives for. He knows it can be life-changing.
One day at Catalina, he was approached by a parent. She was one of his students when Beckett was a social studies teacher at Memorial Middle. She said his encouragement stuck with her for years, keeping her from dropping out of high school.
“She told me the way that I interacted with my students and made learning fun encouraged her to continue to pursue her education,” he said.
His approach today is similar. He said positive reinforcement and increased parent
From Paraprofessional to Assistant Principal :
communication are responsible for the improvements he and Principal Adriene Anderson are seeing in academics and behavior at Catalina.
Beckett’s OCPS journey began in 2002 at Piedmont Lakes Middle, where he started out as a paraprofessional for emotionally handicapped students. He also worked there as a permanent substitute.
In 2007, Beckett moved on to Wekiva High School to work as a program assistant before teaching at Innovations Charter Middle, Memorial Middle and Apopka High. He earned his bachelor’s degree while teaching at Memorial by taking night classes at Columbia College.
“I not only started out as a paraprofessional, but worked several jobs along the way to make ends meet, while going to school and having a wife and two young children to support,” he said. “I hope that someone can see my story and continue to push themselves to achieve their dreams.”
At Memorial, Shelia Windom, who is now a principal leader, recognized his potential. She gave him leadership
By Samantha Weiss
opportunities, including serving as back-up dean. This led to roles as a dean at Meadowbrook Middle and Oak Ridge High. He credits former Oak Ridge Principal Jennifer Bellinger for allowing him to take on extra responsibilities that prepared him for leadership roles in the School Transformation Office.
He landed the Assistant Principal job at Catalina in 2024.
“Leadership to me is being willing to do what you ask others to do,” Beckett said. “If you treat everyone with respect and hold yourself accountable when you do wrong, others will follow and trust you.”
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Will You Be the Winner?
Send the answers to these three questions to orangepeal@ocps.net. One winner will be drawn from among the correct responses to win an Orange Peal prize package.
How many elementary schools added new strings programs for the 2024-25 school year?_______________________________________________
OCPS has decreased the use of portables since 2006. By how much? At which school did Catalina Elementary Assistant Princpal Markeefe Beckett previously work as a paraprofessional? _______________________
Congratulations to the February trivia winner: Mayra Fraticelli, Registrar West Oaks Elementary
