Back-to-School Spending Expected to Decline as Inflation Takes its Toll

After 18 months of inflation, higher prices weigh on many K-12 families as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

In addition to a 23.7% increase in the cost of school supplies in the past two years (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index), 3 in 10 (31%) surveyed parents say their households are in a worse financial situation than last year, and half (51%) expect the economy to weaken in the next six months. According to the “2023 Deloitte Back-to-School Survey,” consumers across income groups are expected to prioritize their spending and find ways to economize throughout the season. However, most parents are also willing to splurge on specific items for their children, signaling an opportunity for retailers heading into the back-to-school shopping season.

Deloitte’s back-to-school survey was conducted online using an independent research panel between May 26 and June 1, 2023 and surveyed 1,212 parents with at least one child attending school in grades K-12 this fall.

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New low pressure system in the Atlantic could grow and threaten Florida’s East Coast, National Hurricane Center says

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a weather system in the Atlantic that they say could possibly grow into a tropical depression or more off the east coast of Florida.

The NHC’s 2 p.m. tropical update showed a weak low pressure system a few hundred miles south of Bermuda that could develop into something more as it nears the east coast of U.S., and as we in Central Florida do during this time of the year, we will keep a keen eye on the system.

“Environmental conditions are expected to become marginally conducive for some gradual development of this system as it moves towards the southeastern U.S. coast later this week and into the weekend,” forecasters said.

By J. Daniel Pearson For Positively Osceola

High School Football is Back, Osceola County Teams Attend Media Day at Camping World Stadium, Practices Start Monday!

Several schools from Osceola County participated in the Florida Citrus Sports High School Media Day on Monday as an unofficial kickoff to the 2023 season. Player and coaching contingents from Osceola, St. Cloud, Poinciana, Celebration, Tohopekaliga and Harmony participated in the event.

Practices can begin on Monday, July 31. Teams may play in a non-counting Kickoff Classic exhibition game the weekend of Aug. 18 and the 10-game regular season begins the weekend of Aug. 25. St. Cloud High will get a jump on other county school when they will have a “Midnight Madness” season-opening practice a few minutes after 12 a.m. on Monday morning.

“We did it last year and the players had a lot of fun,” Head Coach Mike Short said. “It’s just a different way to start pre-season camp.”

Short told reporters he was “quietly optimistic” after his team won seven games last season and returns a solid contingent of players including junior quarterback Logan King, athlete TJ Griffin, WR Owen Conner, and OT Conner Howes. King is a two-year starter who threw for 1900 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore and Conner is a junior tackle who already has had numerous D-1 offers.

“We lost some good football players to graduation, but we have been a really young team the last couple of years and those guys are maturing,” Short said. “We have some depth now and we have some guys that are ready to step up and become starters.”

Long-time Harmony assistant Nick Lippert takes over the Longhorn program from veteran coach Don Simon, who resigned last spring to move into the Athletic Director’s role at Tohopekaliga. Under Simon, Harmony won six games last year and earned an at-large playoff bid.

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Osceola County Vice Chair, District 4 Commissioner Cheryl Grieb to host Back to School Backpack at Kissimmee Hart Memorial Library

With the 2023-2024 school year coming fast, it’s time to make sure students in Osceola County have everything they need to succeed in school – right from the first day back!

Osceola County Vice Chair, District 4 Commissioner Cheryl Grieb is inviting K-12 students to a back to school giveaway at Hart Memorial Library, located at 211 East Dakin Avenue in Kissimmee on Friday July 28th at 9am.

It’s Osceola County and the Osceola Library System working together to ensure that your kiddos are ready for another exciting school year!

The backpack giveaway is for Osceola County residents only.

Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital has achieved national recognition with the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award. The award recognizes the hospital’s dedication to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

“This award reaffirms our commitment to improving stroke care,” said Amit Bansal, MD, chief quality officer, Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. “We are proud of our dedicated team, who continue to make significant strides in early stroke detection and treatment, which is key to improving a patient’s health and recovery.”

Get With The Guidelines – Stroke, is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the longterm effects of a stroke and prevent death.

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Arrive Alive This Summer: Be Safe, Slow Down, Never Drive Impaired, Buckle Up

Traveling throughout Florida can be just as fun as getting to your destination. During the summer travel season, Florida’s roads can be some of the busiest in the country. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is educating everyone on safe driving practices to always Arrive Alive.

SPEEDING – SLOW DOWN, STAY COOL

• As a motorist, it’s your responsibility to know and obey the speed limit on each road you travel.

• Speed limits are in place to keep you and those around you safe. Together, we can create a safer summer for all by slowing down and staying cool on the road.

• In Florida, the speed limit will never be higher than 70 mph on highways. Slow down – no excuses.

• Speeding is against the law and extremely dangerous. Obeying speed limits improves safety by reducing the probability and severity of crashes.

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Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Begins Today, Monday July 24. Check Out What You Can Save On!

The first of Florida’s two upcoming tax-free holidays for back-to-school-supplies begins today, Monday July 24, and will run through August 6. The back-to-school- tax holiday is a great way for families to save a great amount of money on qualifying items. The next tax-free holiday after that will happen during the first two weeks of January.

DURING THE SALES TAX HOLIDAY PERIOD, QUALIFYING ITEMS WILL BE EXEMPT FROM TAX, INCLUDING:

• Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories with a sales price of $100 or less per item

• Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item,

• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3q0x6pB

Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Begins

Monday July 24. Check Out What You Can Save On!

The first of Florida’s two upcoming tax-free holidays for back-toschool-supplies begins Monday July 24 and will run through August 6. The back-to-school- tax holiday is a great way for families to save a great amount of money on qualifying items. The next taxfree holiday after that will happen during the first two weeks of January.

DURING THE SALES TAX HOLIDAY PERIOD, QUALIFYING ITEMS WILL BE EXEMPT FROM TAX, INCLUDING:

• Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories with a sales price of $100 or less per item

• Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item,

• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less

READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3q0x6pB