T hank you for your great support this year!
The 2017-2018 school year has been a successful one filled with many memories of students, parents, teachers, and staff working together to provide a quality learning environment at Citrus Elementary. Citrus Elementary is a very special place largely due to the encouragement and support you have given to our students and staff throughout the year.  

Special Events
We have some exciting events taking place during the month of May. The Buy One Get One Book Fair begins Monday, May 14th and runs through Friday, May 18th. Young Author's Day is scheduled for Friday, May 18th, so look for information to come home from your child's teacher about this fun day. We will be hosting a promotion ceremony for all 5th graders on Tuesday, May 22nd at Ocoee Middle School from 6:00-7:00 pm. D.A.R.E. graduation is scheduled for 5th grade students on Thursday, May 24th at 9:00 am. Since the weather was cold on Field Day, students will participate in water games during special area time on Thursday, May 24th. Students may wear swim suits under shorts and t-shirts and should bring a change of clothes. These are just some of the events we have planned. Please check the calendar within this newsletter for all events happening in May.

Students in the Spotlight!
Congratulations to Hannah Le our 2018 Disney Dreamer and Doer and Thomas Cooper, S.O.A.R. recipient. Each year Disney World recognizes a student that has done something in the community to make the world a better place. Students must nominate themselves and explain what they have done in order to be eligible. The West Orange Chamber of Commerce sponsors the S.O.A.R. award program that recognizes a student who has shown initiative, good citizenship, commitment and personal growth in the classroom. Again congratulations to our winners!

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
The week of May 7th - May 11th is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. This is a great time to show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate all they have done this year to help our student's blossom and grow. A thank you note is a kind gesture that would go a long way. If you need more ideas on how to show your appreciation to teachers and staff, PTA has sent home a letter with ideas on how to show appreciation each day this week.

Volunteer of the Year
We would like to show our appreciation to our ADDitions School Volunteer of the Year, Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown has consistently volunteered for the past 5 years. She has played an integral role on the School Advisory Committee as the SAC Chair and Co-Chair, volunteers for the science club, as well as volunteers to chaperone field trips. She has advocated for instructional and technological resources for students at Citrus Elementary so that our students have the resources they need to achieve at the highest level. We are so grateful to Mrs. Brown for her support throughout the years.

Florida Standards Assessments / End of Course Exams (5th Grade)
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation during the Florida Standards Assessment window.  We have successfully completed all FSA testing in a timely manner. At this time we do not know when assessment reports will be available. We will send a phone message when they are available for pick up in the front office. Now we begin End of Course exams for our 5th grade students. It is very important that students are on time to school each day of testing because we begin tests promptly at 8:45 a.m.

2018-2019 Kindergarten Class
If you have a kindergartener starting in August, please plan to register your child. It is important that kindergarten students and all new students to Citrus Elementary register now. If you have new neighbors that move in to your neighborhood over the summer or if you will be the educational guardian for a student new to OCPS in the fall we encourage everyone to register early.  Registration forms are on the OCPS website and you can register daily from 7:30-3:00. By registering now, we will be able to appropriately plan for the 2018-2019 school year.  

2018-2019 Planning
We also need your help in planning for the 2018-2019 school year. Please take the time to complete the Classroom Consideration form that is attached to this newsletter. The forms are due back to school by Friday, May 25, 2018. If you will not be attending Citrus Elementary in the fall you must come to school to withdraw your child. Thank you for your help as we strive to provide a quality education for your child.  

Assistant Principal Gonzalez
We would like to thank Mr. Gonzalez for his 3 years of service to Citrus Elementary.  Due to reduced enrollment, Mr. Gonzalez has been reassigned to Bridgewater Middle School. We wish him well as he transitions to his new position!

Library & Textbook Returns
All lost textbooks and library books must be returned or paid for before the last day of school on May 30th. Report cards will not be issued to students who owe money for lost books. Teachers will notify you if there is a lost book so please make sure to return those items.

OCPS Summer Hours
All district offices and schools will be closed on Fridays during the months of June and July in order to save an estimated $1 million in utility costs. All schools will be closed on Fridays beginning Friday, June 15, 2018 through Friday, July 27, 2108. School office hours during the summer are from 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Thank You for the Support in 2017-2018
Thank you for taking an active role in your child's education.  If we don't see you sooner, we hope to see you at our Meet the Teacher event on Thursday, August 9, 2018.  We look forward to seeing our returning students at this event. A welcome back letter will be sent home to all students registered for Citrus Elementary mid July. Please check out our website for the most current information. You can access our website at citruses.ocps.net

2018-2019 School Year
The first day of school for the 2018-2019 school year is Monday, August 13, 2018. We are looking forward to another fantastic school year where our excellent staff will continue to focus on quality instruction to ensure that all students are learning and achieving at the highest level.  School supply lists for each grade level will be coming home with the last report card.

Avoiding the "Summer Slide"
For those of you returning to Citrus Elementary in the fall, please enjoy your children this summer-but please don't allow learning to take a vacation. Parents and families are important teachers, too.  When parents teach a love of learning, it makes all of the difference in the world to children. Students that do not engage in reading over the summer experience what is called the "summer slide." This happens when young minds sit idle over the summer. Please continue to read, practice math facts, and keep a journal of summer activities. Reading lists, reading incentive programs and i-Ready logon information will come home on the last day of school. Report cards will be available for pick-up in the front office beginning Monday, June 18, 2018.  

Have a wonderful summer!

Delaine Bender                                                        
Principal