District Dispatches

Meadow Woods Middle has been recognized with the Leader in Me Lighthouse Certification by FranklinCovey. Leader in Me schools provide learning and leadership development to its administrators and staff and students with leadership instruction. The program positively influences behaviors, which helps schools with addressing bullying, social-emotional learning and mental health. Meadow Woods is one of only five Florida middle schools with this certification.

From left: District 3 School Board Member Linda Kobert; Media Specialist Kelli Gensler; Principal Marisol Mendez; Reading Specialist Jennifer Rabel; Social Studies Teacher Alecia Bryant; and School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs show they are “Stallion Strong.”

Orange County Public Schools will induct the fourth class into the OCPS Hall of Fame for their notable contributions to the district: • Alumnus Kenard Lang (Evans High, 1993) • Alumnus Belvin Perry, Jr. (Jones High, 1968) • Alumnus Gabriel Preisser (West Orange High, 2002) • Former OCPS Educator

Marge LaBarge • Dr. Phillips Charities Board

Chair James W. Ferber The in-person ceremony will be held Saturday, April 23 at 6 p.m., at Rosen Shingle Creek. Event proceeds will provide support for district and school programs that mobilize caring and committed adult advocates for our students. High school seniors who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid qualify for a Pell Grant, one of the largest forms of federal aid available to low-income students. As Florida ranks No. 32 in the country for FAFSA completion, the Florida College Access Network started the Florida FAFSA Challenge in 2015 to encourage all Florida schools and districts to increase FAFSA completion by 5 percentage points over the previous year.

Congratulations to the following schools that are 2021-22 FAFSA Champion Schools: • Acceleration East High • Oak Ridge High

The OCPS Mental Health Commission continues to share Nourish to Flourish gifts with randomly selected staff members to encourage them to pay attention to our physical; emotional; behavioral; cognitive; interpersonal; spiritual; and professional needs.

Congratulations to the following recent recipients of a $25 gift card: • Michelle Martin, teacher for ESE Sally Ride Elementary • Carla Ingeme, First Grade teacher, Metrowest Elementary • Gloria Garcia, Second Grade teacher, Hiawassee

Elementary

Left: Carla Ingeme 2425