District Dispatches

Facility renamed to honor John Morris

The Orange County Public Schools southern administrative complex has been renamed in honor of former Chief Facilities Officer John Morris, who died Nov. 2.

The School Board approved the new name "John T. Morris Facilities Complex" for the campus at Oak Ridge Road and John Young Parkway that includes the Facilities leadership offices.

From 2011 to 2021 Morris oversaw the construction of 102 new, renovated or replacement schools in every corner of the county, part of a $3 billion, ongoing facilities program. Before joining OCPS, he also played key roles in the construction of the Amway Arena and two phases of the Orange County Convention Center.

Morris is survived by his wife, Patti, and son, Matthew. The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools has set up a memorial fund in Morris' name at

https://orangepeal.pub/morrisfund.

Byrd elected vice chair

District 7 Board Member Melissa Byrd was elected vice chair of the Orange County School Board in mid-November, succeeding Pam Gould. Byrd was elected to represent District 7 in 2018 and was re-elected in 2020 for a second four-year term. She serves on the Community Action Board for Orange County Government; Apopka Community Advisory Council for AdventHealth Apopka; Wekiva Culinary Program Advisory Council; Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors; and iBuild Central Florida 2021 board of directors. In 2019, she was named an Emerging Leader from the Florida School Boards Association and in 2020, she earned the distinction of Certified Board Member.

Schools welcome Esports

OCPS has initiated its own Esports (electronic sports) competitive video gaming pathway to lead students to scholarship opportunities and/or career opportunities in computer science. Seventeen high schools have started Esports clubs after school and will compete in district competition and regional leagues, funded through the Title IV, Part A grant. A partnership with Full Sail University also will allow the clubs to compete in the inaugural OCPS High School Smash Brothers Invitational next spring and culminate with the top three-to-five students at each school competing at the district championship at Full Sail University's indoor Esports arena April 30.

Nourish to Flourish

Congratulations to the following team members who randomly received a Nourish to Flourish $25 gift card: • Amanda Leonard, Resource teacher, Rock Springs Elementary (center) • Jantez Taylor Harrington, Testing coordinator, Laureate Park Elementary • Randy Thomas, Media clerk, Piedmont Lakes Middle (left) • Christopher Wargo, Science teacher, Memorial Middle (right).

Delivered by district Student Services team members or a member of the Mental Health Commission, OCPS employees are encouraged to pay attention to our physical; emotional; behavioral; cognitive; interpersonal; spiritual; and professional needs.