February 7, 2025

What's Cool in Our Schools

Walker Elementary Celebrates their 20th Anniversary

On February 5, Walker Elementary celebrated their 20-year anniversary! To commemorate this milestone, a special event was held with guest speakers, including Joan Walker’s daughter, Michelle Walker, and Kathy Phillips, Walker’s founding principal.

Students created festive artwork for the event and the chorus led a sing-along of the Walker School Song. Joan Walker was remembered and honored for her care, compassion, grace, and outstanding service to SCPS.

The event exemplified Walker’s strong community and connections. Happy Anniversary Walker! Go Hurricanes!

Geneva Elementary's Outstanding Artistic Talent

Geneva Elementary School is home to some truly amazing artists! As a rite of passage, all 5th-grade students have the opportunity to design the yearbook cover. These submissions showcase the students’ creativity and reflect the theme of the school year.

Once the artwork is submitted, the entire school body reviews and votes on a winner. Each year, the school proudly features all entries, including the second and third place winners, on the back cover of the yearbook. The winning design is prominently displayed on the front cover. This year’s featured artist is Hana Shinkawa!

Congratulations to Hana and all our talented students for their hard work and creativity. Go Mustangs!

In the Spotlight

SCPS Honors CTE Students of the Year

SCPS held its annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Celebration to honor the amazing students who demonstrate exceptional skills, leadership, and commitment to shaping their future careers! Congratulations to all of our CTE students of the year for your dedication, passion, and achievements!

CTE Students of the Year:

Jayden Mathis - Info Technology (Crooms Academy)

Giana Digiore - Early Childhood Education (Hagerty High)

Lillian Batchelor - Academy of Finance (Lake Brantley High)

Lyniah Adams - Barbering, Entrepreneurship, Early Childhood through dual-enrollment (Lake Howell High)

Tyler Oliva - Programming Foundations of Web Design (Lake Mary High)

Brianne Bowman - Early Childhood Education (Lyman High)

Brielle Friedman - Interior Design and Early Childhood Education (Oviedo High)

Avanish Putti - Digital Design (PSI High)

Lindsey Weber - Hospitality and Tourism Management (Seminole County Virtual School)

Makenna Arnott - Nurse Assistant (Seminole High)

Alexander Gonzalez - Culinary (Winter Springs High)

2025 SCPS Chili Cook-Off

The 2025 SCPS Chili Cook-off, was held at the SCPS Educational Support Center, bringing our SCPS family together for a day of delicious food and community fun.

Culinary programs from numerous schools in our district competed for the title of “Peoples' Choice and Judges' Choice Winner,” showcasing a variety of unique and flavorful recipes.

Congratulations to Lake Howell High's "Chop it Like it's Hot" for being honored with the Judges’ Choice award. Additionally, we would like to congratulate Seminole High's "Seminole Spice Squad" for earning the People’s Choice award. Well done to both schools for their outstanding achievements!

The SCPS Chili Tasting Event 2025 was a flavorful celebration of culinary creativity.

Feel free to view more photos from the event!

Chop it Like it's Hot (Lake Howell High) - Judges' Choice Winner

Seminole Spice Squad (Seminole High) - Peoples' Choice Winner

Oviedo High Student to Speak at Florida Junior Science and Engineering Symposium

Vickie Krupica, a Senior at Oviedo High, has been selected as one of the 24 distinguished speakers for the prestigious and highly competitive Florida Junior Science & Engineering Symposium (JSHS) hosted by the University of Florida. Among the select group, Vickie stood out as one of only 11 public school students to earn this honor!

Her captivating presentation, titled “From Canopies to Crypts: An Ecological Survey of the Distribution and Success of Zombie Ants in the Little Big Econ State Forest,” showcased her exceptional research and analytical skills. Vickie’s hard work and dedication paid off as she secured 3rd place in the competition, earning her a coveted spot at the JSHS Nationals in Chantilly, Virginia, at the end of April.

Congratulations Vickie, we wish you the best of luck!

SCPS Leader in Me Symposium

Four elementary schools in SCPS (Casselberry, Highlands, English Estates, and Idyllwilde), had the privilege of participating in the Leader in Me Symposium. This event brought together hundreds of educators from across the country, providing a fantastic platform to highlight the exceptional programs and achievements within our schools and district.

The day was a resounding success, with our students taking center stage at each of the four schools. Their leadership and enthusiasm were on full display, making a lasting impression on our visitors and showcasing the positive impact of our educational initiatives.

We are proud of our students and grateful for the opportunity to share the great things happening in SCPS.

Oviedo High Student Honored as Citizen of the Year

We are incredibly proud to share the inspiring story of Nathan Knizatko, who demonstrated remarkable courage and quick-thinking last February.

When a fellow Oviedo High student suffered a severe bike accident in their neighborhood, Nathan immediately sprang into action. He called 911, sought assistance from a neighbor who is an EMT/firefighter, and ensured his friend remained still to prevent further injury. Thanks to Nathan’s swift and thoughtful actions, his friend, who had fractured his neck, made a full recovery.

In recognition of his bravery and presence of mind, Nathan was awarded the Citizen of the Year by Chief Mina and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office!

Congratulations Nathan! Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe!

SCPS Principal Spotlight

At SCPS, we are dedicated to celebrating our schools and the exceptional leaders who guide them.

Principal Mallory Lambert - Midway Elementary School

Principal Lambert has honorably served SCPS for eight years. She began her principalship at Casselberry Elementary, where she served for six years. Now, she proudly serves as the Principal of Midway Elementary, currently in her second year. When asked about her favorite part of being a principal, she replied, “My favorite part of being a principal is the opportunity to connect with students, families, staff, and the community. I thrive on the ongoing collaboration, whether we’re problem-solving or celebrating achievements. Working together as a community makes a real difference in ensuring student success. #MidwayMagic”

An interesting fact about Principal Lambert is her obsession with baby goats! She dreams of being a goat owner someday.

As a district, we are incredibly grateful for Principal Lambert’s unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership. Go Midway Magic!

Elementary Magnet School Application Window Now OPEN

It's enrollment time for our unique elementary magnet schools. Families interested in an elementary magnet school for the 2025-2026 School Year are encouraged to attend the upcoming Magnet Nights to interact with school teams, and learn more about program offerings. The on-time application period for Elementary School Magnet Programs for the 2025-2026 school year is open from January 1 through March 1. Learn more

Elementary Magnets

Goldsboro Elementary School

Hamilton Elementary School

Idyllwilde Elementary School

Midway Elementary School

Pine Crest Elementary School

Wicklow Elementary School

SCPS VPK Application Period

NOW OPEN

The VPK application period for the 2025-2026 School Year at SCPS locations Is now open! To be eligible for VPK, a child must be four-years of age by September 1, 2025.

SCPS VPK offers a high-quality program designed to prepare students to enter Kindergarten ready to learn! Full-day and half-day programs are available.

For more information, visit the SCPS VPK website.

Scholarship Opportunities

The 2025 Foundation Scholarship Application is Now Available!

The Foundation is excited to open the application window for the 2025 Foundation for SCPS Senior Scholarships! Our 50+ Scholarships range in value and while most are available to all SCPS High Schools, some are specific to Hagerty, Lake Brantley, Lake Mary, Lyman, Seminole, and Winter Springs. Some opportunities focus on Areas of Study such as Trade Programs, Education, Nursing, the Arts, Engineering, or to students who’ve participated in athletic programs, arts programs, extracurricular activities, and community service. Other factors are considered such as students who have overcome challenges, experienced homelessness or demonstrated financial need.

Students can apply to begin the 2024 – 2025 senior scholarship application provided by The Foundation. Don’t miss your chance – the deadline to apply is Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Please visit the Foundation's website for more information.

KidZone Spring Break Camp

KidZone & Beyond has prepared a great opportunity for SCPS students this semester: Spring Break Camp!

This camp is a full-day program for grades K-5 that provides care and a schedule full of spring fun from 7:00AM - 6:00PM, March 17 - 21, 2025. Registration begins Friday, February 7, 2025. View the Spring Break Camp Flyer below for details and daily rates.

If you have any questions, please email kidzone@scps.us.

Seminole County Sports Hall of Fame

Do you know an exceptional Athlete, Coach, or Sports Contributor who is making a difference in our community? Nominate them to be recognized in the Seminole County Sports Hall of Fame! The Hall of Fame committee is now accepting nominations, the deadline is March 31.

If you would like to make a submission, please visit the Seminole County website, seminolecountyfl.gov/hof

Seminole County Council PTA Events

Officially Introducing the First Ever SCCPTA Community Connections Event

Saturday, February 8, 2025

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Lake Mary High School Stadium

655 Longwood Lake Mary Road

Lake Mary, FL 32746

Event Highlights Include:

SCPS Mascot Games: Cheer on your PTA team with mascots as PTA/PTSA teams compete in fun field games for awesome prizes!

SCPS Student Egg Drop Challenge: Watch students drop protective containers and see if their eggs survive an **EGGSTREME** drop from the Seminole County Fire truck ladder! Register to participate at www.SCCPTA.com

Givebacks Online Auction: Bid on 50+ amazing items from local and national businesses.

Performances by the LMHS Band & Marionettes: Enjoy music and entertainment from SCPS’s talented students.

Community Business Partners: Explore a variety of local businesses offering free goodies, fun activities, and services for our schools!

Donate on the OneBlood Bus. All donors receive: $20 eCard, Long-sleeved T-shirt, Wellness Checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening.

Event proceeds support SCCPTA Senior Scholarships for deserving high

school seniors, programs, events, and enrichment for students across all

grade levels in Seminole County! Your support helps make every child’s

potential a reality.

Visit www.SCCPTA.com for more information.

Free Family Events

SCPS Upcoming Performance Arts Events

Fri. 2/7 7:00 pm Play: Peter/Wendy (Superior Thespian Showcase) - Lyman High

Fri. 2/13 6:00 pm Band: Curriculum Night (Jazz Band Performance) - Milwee Middle

Student Success Express Schedule

February 15, 2025

Seminole County Public Library-Northwest Branch

580 Green Way Blvd.

Lake Mary, FL 32746

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

SCPS School Board

Our Mission

The mission of the Seminole County Public Schools is to ensure that all students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be productive citizens.

400 E. Lake Mary Blvd.

Sanford, FL 32773

407-320-0000

www.scps.us

Seminole County Public Schools

Educational Equity - Notice of Nondiscrimination

Any form of discrimination or harassment can be devastating to an individual's academic progress, social relationship and/or personal sense of self-worth. As such, the School Board will not discriminate nor tolerate harassment in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender status, or gender identity), disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively, "protected classes").

The Board also does not discriminate on the basis of protected classes in its employment policies and practices as they relate to students.

Equal educational opportunities shall be available to all students, without regard to the protected classes, age (unless age is a factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any legitimate objective of the program/activity), place of residence within the boundaries of the District, or social or economic background, to learn through the curriculum offered in this District. Educational programs shall be designed to meet the varying needs of all students.