Orange Peal - November 2021

November 2021 | Vol. 48, Issue 4

An Orange County Public Schools Employee Publication

SHAPING STUDENTS FOR SERVICE pg. 12

A DAY

IN THE LIFE OF ...

pg. 16 RETIREMENT

CORNER

pg. 23

Feature

EDITORS Shayla Cannady Alayna G. Riggins

DESIGN & LAYOUT Ashley Marrotte Eric Mateer

ADVERTISING Adrienne Noel

CONTRIBUTORS Kimberly Eisenbise Beth Palmer

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Alexis Ramos To submit your story ideas, email orangepeal@ocps.net.

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SAVE THE DATE Nov. 22-26 Nov. 25-26

Thanksgiving Break (Schools Closed) District Offices Closed

Cover photo by Joaquim Petegrosso The Orange Peal is a districtwide publication for and about the employees of Orange County Public Schools.

The School Board of Orange County, Fla., does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The following individuals at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, attend to compliance matters: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer & Title IX Coordinator: Keshara Cowans; ADA Coordinator: Jay Cardinali; Section 504 Coordinator: Tajuana Lee-Wenze. (407.317.3200) ©2021

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10 TABLE OF CONTENTS

4

You’re The Best

6

A Funny Thing Happened

8

District Dispatches

10

Around OCPS

12

Shaping Students for Service

16

A Day in the Life Of ...

18

Benefits Bulletin

23

Retirement Corner

Photos used in this publication may not reflect the current face mask mandate or social distancing guidelines required by Orange County Public Schools at the time of publication.

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You're the

East River High Principal Nikki Campbell (right) was honored in early October by the Orange County Farm Bureau for outstanding dedication and support to OCPS Agriculture Education and the FFA. Eccleston Elementary Grade Four Teacher Natalia Henry and Deerwood Elementary Grade Two Teacher Deborah Dawes (below) both received a $1,000 gift card as part of the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers national campaign. Henry was identified by the Cure Bowl and Dawes was identified by the University of Central Florida.

OCPS Operations named Franklin Joseph, Food and Nutrition Services Food Services manager (above), its FY21 Employee of the Year.

Dr. Phillips High Math Teacher and Coach Leonardo Leon Ramirez (right) has been honored as both the Florida Dairy Farmers 2021 Boys Water Polo Coach of the Year and also the Dr. Phillips High "500 Win Milestone" award for attaining 500 wins as a coach of the Swim and Dive and Water Polo teams.

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Best Fifteen OCPS mathematics teachers (left) are participating in the UCF-Orange County Public Schools’ NOYCE Teacher Leader Academy: Deborah Blakeslee, Apopka Elementary Kayla Blankenship, Dream Lake Elementary Gay Brielle Crawford, Riverside Elementary Diane DelliBovi, Lawton Chiles Elementary Yeidi Diaz Reyes, Liberty Middle Ruby (Lori) Hart, Ocoee Elementary Julia Keith, Timber Springs Middle Sarah Lumpkin, Westpointe Elementary Nisha Phillip-Malahoo, Pinewood Elementary Kelly Penny, Avalon Middle Laura Pimentel, Millennia Gardens Elementary Maria Porras, Pineloch Elementary Abigail Ruiz, Dover Shores Elementary Joslyn Vilabrera, Forsyth Woods Elementary Shane Wiggan, Freedom Middle Thanks to a grant by the National Science Foundation, the teachers each are receiving a $50,000 stipend over five years to earn a doctorate with a specialization in K-8 Mathematics Education.

Rowland Welch, manager of Safety (left), was named to the National Safety Council’s 2021 Class of Rising Stars of Safety – a group of leaders younger than 40 dedicated to making workplaces safer. Welch is among 38 honorees who were recognized for promoting continuous safety improvement within their organizations throughout the pandemic and created initiatives focused on measurable outcomes to provide workforces safe environments. Read more about Welch featured here: https://orangepeal.pub/safetymagazine.

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a funny thing happened BEER FOR BREAKFAST "My partner, Kelley Key, and I were testing a little one at Head Start. Our testing requires the child to answer basic questions. When Kelley asked the child, ‘What did you eat for breakfast?’ he replied. He then told us everything the people in his family like to eat and drink. He paused when he got to his father and said, ‘My Daddy likes to drink beer.’ We erupted in laughter. His mother was a bit embarrassed, but we assured her it was all OK." Ellen Kaak Diagnostic Specialist ESE Transitions

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Thank you for staying committed to your students’ success.

We know that even though school has been in session only a few months, you’ve been through a lot this year. We believe in the power of education, which is why we’re thankful that you continue to show up for your students.

We’re committed to help keep you moving with a $500 cash allowance on the purchase or lease of select Chevrolet vehicles.*

2021 Chevrolet Silverado

Learn more at gmeducatordiscount.com.

*Must be employed by a public school, private school, college or university. Please note that employees of state or municipal governments may be subject to restrictions that limit their ability to accept this offer. Accordingly, this offer is void unless permitted by state and municipal laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, policies, codes of conduct, and other directives or standards regarding ethics and gift acceptance by state and municipal employees. By accepting this offer, you verify that it complies with all restrictions regarding ethics and gift acceptance that apply to you. At participating dealers only. Excludes select base trims; 2021 and 2020 Corvette; and all Buick, GMC and Cadillac models. Not available with some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 1/3/22. ©2021 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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Awards OCPS has earned Silver Level status as a 2021 Florida Green Ribbon School District from the U.S. Department of Education.

OCPS Environmental Compliance and Sustainability named the following schools as the top 2020-21 OCPS Green Schools with monetary awards: • First place: Millennia Gardens Elementary - $5,000 • Second place: Stone Lakes Elementary - $3,000 • Third place: Westpointe Elementary - $1,000

Part of Florida’s Green School Network, the initiative recognizes Florida school district efforts to reduce environmental impacts and costs; improve the health and wellness of students and staff; and provide effective environmental and sustainable education.

The district was one of six in the state to receive the honor.

For more on their individual sustainability projects, visit OCPS Green on Facebook or @OCPSGreen on Twitter.

Nourish to Flourish OCPS has started a new program, Nourish to Flourish, to thank employees for helping to ensure our students have promising and successful futures. In collaboration with a generous donor, the OCPS Mental Health Commission is providing a $25 Nourish to Flourish gift card as a wellness boost each week through the end of the school year to a randomly selected staff member.

All OCPS employees are automatically entered into the drawing. Gift cards will be delivered to the lucky winners by district Student Services team members or a member of the Mental Health Commission.

This gift is just a small way to boost your individual wellness needs as you are encouraged to pay attention to our physical; emotional; behavioral; cognitive; interpersonal; spiritual; and professional needs.

Congratulations to the following staff members whose names were pulled in October*:

Julie Bender Martinez

• Avanish Jagial, Social Studies teacher at Jones High • Julie Bender Martinez, registrar at Westpointe Elementary • Teresa Russell, fifth-grade teacher at Wolf Lake Elementary Avanish Jagial

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Teresa Russell *By Orange Peal print time

ispatches Employee Giving

Sports Grant

What do students experiencing homelessness; scholarships; arts and mentoring programs; teacher supplies; and your favorite school all have in common? You can support them – and more – through OCPS Gives.

OCPS is one of six school districts across the nation in cities former basketball player Shaquille O’Neal has lived in. As such, O’Neal and Mission Tiger chose OCPS to receive a $100,000 grant from Mission Tiger to help fund sports programs, equipment and other needs.

The three OCPS middle schools that will benefit are:

2021 Avalon Middle will be honored this month by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School at an award ceremony in Maryland. It earned the award as an Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing School, being among Florida’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

New scholarship OCPS students will be able to apply in the spring for the 4R Black Youth Scholarship Program by 4R Restaurant Group, operator of 4 Rivers Smokehouse and The COOP, and 4Roots. This inaugural scholarship program aims to make higher education more affordable for Black students in Florida.

• OCPS ACE • Carver Middle • Memorial Middle For more about Mission Tiger, and how you can help donate, visit www.missiontiger.com.

OCPS Gives is our voluntary employee giving campaign. You can support any OCPS school, program or department through the Foundation for OCPS, in addition to the following: Heart of Florida United Way; United Arts; A Gift for Teaching; and United Negro College Fund. Make a one-time gift or use payroll deduction to maximize your impact.

Together, we can make a BIG difference.

For questions, call the Foundation at ext. 2003261.

Scholarship funds will be raised from collecting a percentage of proceeds from sales made every Martin Luther King Jr. Day at any 4R Restaurant Group restaurant. Last year, 4R Restaurant group raised $20,000, which will be distributed in $5,000 amounts to the Foundation for OCPS; Bethune Cookman University; Florida A&M University School of Law; and Valencia College.

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OC PS O

University High’s 205 staffulty Cougars are all in for school year 2021-22.

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Shenandoah Elementary teachers dress the part to ignite future astronauts.

It’s a fun Friday for the Environmental Compliance and Sustainability team.

Hiawassee Elementary looks pretty in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Thornebrooke Elementary raised more than $1,400 for Cannonball Kids Cancer in September.

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Apopka Memorial Middle’s administrative team went red in support of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings celebrated the arts at the 2021 Global Peace Film Festival Student Exhibition with (from left) Nina Streich, executive director, Global Peace Film Festival; Catarina Moura from Dr. Phillips High, Best in Show Winner Student Art Exhibition; and Christy Garton, Resource Teacher, K-12 Visual Arts.

Liberty Middle hosted a Hispanic Heritage Night last month for parents and students with live music with "Pleneros de la Central;" guest speakers; Spanish desserts; country exhibits; and presentations.

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Principal Nathan Hay turned into Mr. Incredible during Spirit Week at Baldwin Park Elementary.

The 2021-22 SAFE Ambassadors at Acceleration East High.

The Student Services department supported National Bullying Prevention Month by wearing blue.

Deputy Superintendent Maria Vazquez greeted a group of local business leaders at the CTE District Workforce Advisory Board meeting.

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Each OCPS high school boasts either a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program sponsored by branches of the U.S. armed services (Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy) or National Defense Cadet Corps*.

In addition to academic courses and physical training, programs develop discipline, military training, public service, leadership skills and more in more than 3,000 high school students.

Air Force

Cadets are overseen by servicemen and women who have had distinguished military careers, and after traveling the world and learning about various countries and cultures, they have retired and come to OCPS to impart to future generations. Below is a snapshot of a few of our JROTC programs and the servicemen who are shaping our students for service.

Ret. Chief Master Sgt. Robert Nutting (right and left) joined the Air Force while he was still in high school in New York state. After more than 30 years of military service, which included traveling to 22 countries and across the United States as well as Puerto Rico and Guam, he retired and relocated to Orlando for the opportunity to teach for OCPS.

As the first Air Force JROTC program in the district, Oak Ridge High’s program is still going strong 46 years later.

Taught by three instructors in five courses of instruction, its 231 cadets focus on peer leadership and hands-on learning.

"You grow by exposing yourself to people with different views and ideas, different beliefs and backgrounds, not by surrounding yourself with people the same as you," said Nutting, whose own father served in the army. "As the students learn from me, and each other, I also learn from the students."

*National Defense Cadet Corps is a program of instruction, under 10 U.S. Code 4651, that provides military training at secondary schools that do not have Reserve Officers' Training Corps training.

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Army The Falcon Battalion at East River High are district champions for Raiders, Drill and Marksmanship. Ret. Major Steven Celeste (above) also touts the fact that this 10-year program has 225 cadets, 40% of whom are members of the National Honor Society.

"Army JROTC is the only leadership program that takes place during the school day that requires responsibility, maturity and discipline to be successful," said Celeste, who retired in 2010 after 24 years in the Army.

"Cadets learn leadership in the JROTC classroom and then demonstrate maturity in other classes. …

We focus on a cadet’s GPA in all classes in order to prepare them for post high school!"

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Photo by Jenevieve Jackson

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Marine Corps Ret. Lt. Col. Bryan "Red" Lucas (left) went to Ball State University to be a history teacher when a Marine recruiter asked him "How can you teach History before you’ve lived it?"

That question led the Indiana native to sign up and become a Marine for 22 years, serving in locations, including Indonesia; Cambodia; Afghanistan; Somalia; and Grenada, before retiring in 2013.

"When the time was right, I retired and returned to my original goal of being a teacher," said Lucas, who joined OCPS at Edgewater High in 2014. Along with Sgt. Maj. Ray Fullard, they oversee 129 cadets.

"Ever since I was a recruiter over 15 years ago, I knew that I wanted to be a NJROTC instructor. From that moment, I made sure I did all I needed to in order to meet my goal," said Barney, who hails from Miami and served in the Navy for 20 years. "I received my Master’s in Education in Teaching and Learning in Leadership during my time on active duty as part of my goal. I enjoy every moment spent teaching, mentoring, and leading our cadets."

NDCC Among the newest military programs in the district is the National Defense Cadet Corps* at Olympia High. Led by Ret. Army Mst. Sgt. Luther Agard (below), this program has attracted 130 cadets in its first two months.

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"Now, as part of Marine Corps JROTC, I have the opportunity and responsibility to develop character and citizenship in tomorrow’s leaders. I have loved it since day one."

Navy New to OCPS is Ret. Senior Chief Roberto Barney (left), who joined the district this year at Cypress Creek High.

The Naval Science instructor is one of three instructors who lead more than 250 students.

Started in 1993, the Cypress Creek NJROTC has earned the Unit Achievement Award for the last two years and also has a dual-enrollment program with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

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"Working in Recruiting Command for over 10 years, I recruited in high schools and colleges," said Agard, who served in the Army for 24 years. "Joining OCPS in the JROTC program, I want to make a difference in the students' lives, as I did in recruiting. I wanted to teach JROTC because students can build skills such as leadership, self-confidence and discipline qualities that are necessary to thrive in any career."

Sea Cadets Freedom High has one of the district’s two Naval Sea Cadet Corps programs, sponsored by the U.S. Navy and supported by the U.S. Coast Guard. For the last eight years, this program has been recognized as a "Distinguished Unit" and is led by Senior Naval Science Instructor and Lt. Cmdr.

Harold Johnson (left).

Photos by Joaquim Petegrosso

Originally from Erie, Penn., Johnson graduated from Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, Calif., in 1970, before seeing combat service in Vietnam in 1971-72.

After serving for more than three decades with tours that took him to Thailand; Morocco; Lebanon; Kuwait; and more, he retired as a sergeant major in 1996.

“Throughout my 30-year military, I was blessed with opportunities to train and operate with the world’s finest

special operations teams. Dr. Border (then-Freedom High principal and current Chief of High Schools) and [I] felt it was time for me to return some of those acquired skills to the students who would need them most going into the military,” said Johnson, who has worked for OCPS for 11 years.

“The rest is history.”

Advance Your Education and Further Your Career As your local university development counselor, I’m here to help you learn more about Grand Canyon University and start your college journey!

Why choose GCU? • • • •

More than 200 online academic programs Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs available 100% online* Cost-reduction options and scholarship opportunities Complimentary transfer credit evaluation and more For more information, contact me directly to discuss!

Lauren Hazeltine | 602-247-3718 lauren.hazeltine@gcu.edu | gcu.edu/OCPS

*Excludes programs with residencies Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Important policy information is available in the University Policy Handbook at https://www.gcu.edu/academics/academicpolicies.php. The information printed in this material is accurate as of APRIL 2021. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. ©2021 Grand Canyon University 21COEE0243

A Day in the Life of ... a Paraprofessional Before the school bell rings, Dwayne Dickens is already in Ms. Rodriguez’s second-grade class preparing for the lessons of the day. Dickens, who has spent 19 years with OCPS as a paraprofessional, is a current intern pursuing a degree in teaching via the Pathways to Teaching program. The program is a partnership between OCPS and Rollins College that provides OCPS paras the opportunity to obtain their bachelor’s degree in elementary education at no cost.

The Orange Peal staff recently spent the day shadowing Dickens in observance of National Education Support Professionals Day on Nov. 17.

Dickens wanted to make a bigger impact with students and decided that the program was a perfect opportunity. As part of his internship he is statused with Rodriguez’s class at Sadler Elementary. In less than two months he will complete the program and take the teaching certification test.

8:45 a.m. – He welcomes students into class and provides hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes for students to clean their desks and laptops. The class uses dry erase boards to share how they are feeling during a short discussion.

Dickens grew up in Orlando and graduated from Jones High in 1991. He attended Bethune Cookman College, majoring in criminal justice and started working in juvenile justice with troubled youth. After nine years of work in various states along the East Coast, love brought him back to Orlando, and a passion to help children guided him to OCPS in 2002.

With the district he has worked as a physical education para, on-the-job training coach and most recently a PASS (Positive Alternative to School Suspension) coordinator at Memorial Middle.

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8:25 a.m. – Dickens arrives at the classroom to plan and discuss with Ms. Rodriguez the day’s lessons.

8:40 a.m. – He places laptops and worksheets for the day on students’ desks.

8:53 a.m. – Rodriguez begins the class writing-andsight-word lesson while Dickens observes and takes notes while also entering student attendance.

9:10 a.m. – Students begin to work in pairs to complete practice work, and Dickens walks the room to assist students as needed and ensure they are on task.

9:20 a.m. – The class begins a reading lesson led by Rodriguez followed by a phonics and comprehension lesson.

11:16 a.m. – Dickens walks students to the cafeteria and returns to the class to eat, while preparing for an afternoon math lesson he will lead.

11:39 a.m. – Dickens picks students up from the cafeteria and leads them to the courtyard for recess.

12:00 p.m. – Dickens walks students back to the class.

12:05 p.m. ­– Students work on an independent practice Nearpod in preparation for a test the next day.

12:29 p.m. – Individual practice wraps up and students prepare to go to STEM special.

12:32 p.m. – Dickens walks students to STEM special and returns to the classroom to work with Rodriguez to prepare for the math lesson he will lead when students return.

1:12 p.m. – Dickens picks students up from STEM and walks them back to class.

1:20 p.m. – Dickens begins the math lesson (adding four two-digit numbers) and allows time for students to complete practice problems on white boards.

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Name: Dwayne Dickens Role: Paraprofessional at Memorial Middle Years with OCPS: 19 Hometown: Orlando, Fla.

9:56 a.m. – The class takes a stretch break with jumping jacks, running in place, hopping on one foot and taking deep breaths.

10:23 a.m. – The class begins center time with two independent work groups and two teacher-guided groups. Rodriguez works with one group of students and Dickens works with four students on i-Ready Nearpod.

1:40 p.m. – Dickens selects students to share their solutions with the class.

2:15 p.m. – Students complete a "Check for understanding" question and begin to work independently on the Symphony Math software program.

2:35 p.m. – Dickens and Rodriguez assist students with reviewing math questions to prepare for a test the next day.

2:49 p.m. – Students begin to pack up to prepare for school dismissal.

2:53 p.m. – Dickens has the class line up and gives a group air high-five while walking them to designated pick-up locations for dismissal.

2:56 p.m. – Dickens supervises walkers in the hallway until dismissal.

3:01 p.m. – Dickens and Rodriguez walk students to the exit of the school campus and supervise them until all walkers leave the campus.

11:00 a.m. – Small group centers rotate and Dickens works with four different students on a Reading Nearpod.

3:17 p.m. – Dickens returns to class to prepare for the next day and discusses feedback Rodriguez has regarding his lesson and areas of improvement.

11:14 a.m. – The small groups wrap up and students return to their desks to prepare to line up for lunch.

3:37 p.m. – Dickens leaves Sadler Elementary for class at Rollins College.

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It’s Time to Take the Cigna Health Assessment It’s time to complete your online Health Assessment.

Here is how it benefits YOU: • Become more aware of your health risks.

• Learn to be proactive about your health to prevent long-term health problems or improve current conditions.

• Track your progress.

• Earn a chance to win one of the five Ninja® Foodi™ 8-in-1 Air Fry Ovens or five Vitamix® Explorians™.

If you are an employee covered by an OCPS Cigna medical plan, follow these steps: 1. Go to http://www.myCigna.com and login. If you have not previously registered, select the "Register" button and complete the registration process.

2. Go to the "Wellness" tab and select "My Health Assessment."

3. The page opens so you can take the health assessment. If you don’t know some of your numbers, you can still complete it.

4. Any employee who has completed the health assessment between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 will earn a chance to win one-of-five Ninja® Foodi™ Air Fry Ovens or five Vitamix® Explorians™.

The information gathered is strictly confidential.

Aggregate information concerning the overall health of employees will be used to develop future programs that will have maximum impact on improving employee health.

Bonus: Completing the online health assessment is one of the requirements to earn a $100 reward in the MotivateMe Year 8 program! https://orangepeal.pub/ MotivateMe

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Benefits Bulletin is designed to keep OCPS employees and their families informed about available benefit programs.

This information is not intended to replace professional health care. See your health care professional for information relevant to your medical history.

Your Time, Your Dime

Save Both on Your Medical Care Emergencies and illnesses can show up at the most inconvenient times. For many years your only and most expensive option was to go to the emergency room.

Thankfully, your options have expanded and access to qualified medical professionals has gotten easier.

OCPS Cigna members can save time and money by utilizing these convenient options:

Virtual care with MDLIVE

Real Support for Real Life You can get support for everyday issues and life challenges from the Employee Assistance Program.

Services are confidential and available at no cost to all OCPS employees and anyone living in your household. https://orangepeal.pub/EAPlogin

Emotional Health Get up to five sessions per issue, per year with a dedicated, licensed counselor at no cost.* Start by calling or using live chat to get a referral.

https://orangepeal.pub/MDLive

Home Life Referrals

Perfect for any minor medical condition. You can connect with a board-certified doctor via phone or video, available 24/7 for just $10. Visit myCigna.com or call MDLIVE at 888.726.3171.

Get assistance with referrals to community resources and services, such as:

Convenience Care Clinics

https://orangepeal.pub/ClinicsCenters You can address many minor medical concerns at convenience care clinics such as the Minute Clinic at participating CVS stores. Staffed by licensed medical professionals such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, these locations often are open nights and weekends.

• Child care • Pet care • Senior care

Financial and Legal Assistance Financial services, identity theft and legal consulting referrals.

Call 1.877.622.4327 anytime for questions or support.

Visit myCigna.com.

Urgent Care Centers

Employer ID needed for initial Registration: OCPS

Urgent care centers are a great place to go for conditions that are not life-threatening. Staffed by doctors and nurses, no appointments are needed, and costs are much less than going to the emergency room.

*Employees and household members do not have to be enrolled in an OCPS medical plan to utilize the EAP benefit. Mental/ behavioral health and substance use disorder services are accessible to employees and dependents covered by one of the three OCPS Cigna medical plans.

https://orangepeal.pub/ClinicsCenters

Need Help Deciding?

You can call the Cigna Health Information Line at any time. At no cost, clinicians are available 24/7 to help you understand and make informed decisions about your health concerns. Call 800.244.6224 or go to myCigna.com.

Cigna provides access to virtual care through national telehealth providers as part of your plan.

This list is not all-inclusive and is for informational purposes only.

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Did You Get Your Flu Shot?

Don’t miss this important opportunity to protect yourself, your family and the community from the influenza virus this year. OCPS Cigna members can use their Cigna ID card to receive a flu shot for FREE at participating locations, including: • An OCPS on-site flu shot clinic. https://orangepeal.pub/flushot • A primary care physician’s office: No charge if you’re only receiving the flu shot.

• A convenient care clinic (e.g., Minute Clinic inside of select CVS stores, Healthcare Clinic inside of select Walgreens* stores).

• A participating pharmacy (e.g., CVS, Publix, Walgreens*, Target (CVS), Walmart, Winn-Dixie).

New employees, be sure to check when your insurance coverage starts. Flu shots are only covered if your insurance is effective on the day you receive the shot. *Note: While members can use their Cigna medical ID card at a Walgreens pharmacy or a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic, they CANNOT be used for filling prescriptions. Walgreens is still excluded from our participating pharmacy providers though CVS Caremark.

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Healthy Hero Embarking on a wellness journey sometimes means you have to keep trying until you find what works for you.

That is what has transformed the life of this month’s Healthy Hero. Patrick Schmidt, behavior specialist at Discovery Middle, noticed posters promoting a step challenge around his campus.

"I tried so many different things to try and better myself, but I would always gain the weight back," he said. "I had a gym membership and tried doing CrossFit. Once I started walking outside, I did not feel that I was even exercising. I realized I enjoyed being outside, viewing nature and just walking."

Schmidt was nominated by his colleague, Robert Murray. Murray noted that he runs "into Mr. Schmidt every now and then in the halls, and he is staying in shape. He is a great example of an [OCPS Employee Wellness Program] helping with our health and fitness."

Every day Schmidt walks between 14,000-16,000 steps.

He stays active by walking to different classrooms throughout the day and moving while working at the YMCA after-school program.

BEFORE

AFTER

When asked what he would like to share with others he said, "the best thing I can share is for each person to find something that they enjoy when it comes to exercising and just go for it."

Primary Care Physician Your PCP is a great resource for materials, referrals, lung cancer screening and medicinal support should it be advised.

Cigna Health Coaching (OCPS Cigna members only)

Mark Your Calendars for the Great American Smokeout® Let the Great American Smokeout event on Nov. 18 be the day you start your journey toward a smoke-free life.

Quitting isn’t easy. It takes time, a plan and resources to help you be successful.

While November is a great month to eat turkey, you don’t have to go cold turkey to succeed. Knowing where you can find help is the first step.

To get started, call 800.244.6224 and ask to be connected to a health coach.

Tobacco Free Florida There are many ways to quit smoking, and Tobacco Free Florida wants to help with your quit journey. You can access free tools and services such as a trained Quit Coach®, Group Quit sessions, free over-thecounter nicotine replacement therapy and more. https://tobaccofreeflorida.com This list is not all-inclusive and is for informational purposes only.

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Roadside Assistance is provided by independent facilities contracted by AAA. Coverage in taxis and limousines is excluded. Visit AAA.com/MemberHandbook for details about your member benefits, including any limitations or restrictions. Offers, terms, conditions and policies are subject to change without notice. Membership benefits vary with membership levels and are subject to change without notice. 2 Insurance underwritten by one of the following companies: Auto Club Insurance Association, MemberSelect Insurance Company, Auto Club Group Insurance Company, Auto Club Property-Casualty Insurance Company, Auto Club South Insurance Company, Auto Club Insurance Company of Florida, or non-affiliated insurance companies. 3 At the time of enrollment, a new Classic Primary member can add one eligible family member for FREE (upgrade dues are additional) for one year. Add additional eligible family members for half price. Full dues apply at first year renewal. Associate family members must have the same type of membership as their Primary member. Upon activation and with proper identification, AAA will provide regular AAA services and full privileges for the new member. Roadside benefits begin three days after payment of dues. Some restrictions apply. 21-RM-0412

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9067 International Drive · Orlando, FL 32819

Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402. | 21-2

Retiree: Lenore Guastella, Ed.D. Years with OCPS: 40 OCPS Retirement date: Nov. 30 When Boone Assistant Principal Lenore Guastella officially retires from OCPS this month, she will be thankful for the blessed work life she says she’s had over four decades.

Originally from Chicago, Guastella came to Orlando to attend Florida Technological University (now University of Central Florida) after vacationing with her family at Disney World.

"I wanted to major in mathematics and work for NASA," she said. "After a name change from FTU to UCF and a few education courses, I changed my major to mathematics education and decided that I would rather work with young people and not at a desk."

Two days after graduating college in 1981, Guastella joined Meadowbrook Junior High as a mathematics teacher with an $8,000 per year salary. Her OCPS career included teaching mathematics at Liberty Junior High and Glenridge Junior High/Middle School before serving as a secondary mathematics resource teacher with the district office and as a dean at Southwest Middle.

For more than half her career – 21 years – Guastella served as an assistant principal at

Southwest Middle and Dr. Phillips, Jones and Boone high schools.

"As an administrator, I hope that I inspire teachers by bringing out their best talents, helping them grow to be the best educators they can be as my mentors did for me," she said.

"My coworkers are my most favorite memories," she added. "People who mentored me as a new teacher; encouraged me to grow my leadership skills; supported me through the loss of my parents; made me laugh when I needed some levity; made me cry when I needed ‘a life’s lesson,’ but mostly loved me as a family member."

Her retirement adventures include reading, relaxing, visiting with family and enjoying travel adventures. And of course, using her theme park annual pass is on the to-do list.

"I’m going to Disney World."

Upcoming Virtual Workshops:

Nov. 3, 5-6:30 p.m.

Real World Retirement Planning Your Three-Legged Stool! https://orangepeal.pub/RealWorld

Nov. 17, 5-6:30 p.m.

Medicare Planning Workshop https://orangepeal.pub/MedicarePlan

Nov. 10, 5-6:30 p.m.

Social Security Planning Workshop https://orangepeal.pub/SocialSecurity

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Go to the MyFRS workshop flyer link to register for the particular course. Go to Canvas to get more information about the course. For additional information, email retirement.services@ocps.net or call 407.317.3227.

Orange Peal

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445 W. Amelia St., Orlando, FL 32801 | 407.317.3200 www.ocps.net