Community Brief
Monday, September 11, 2023
Glenridge Middle Community Member

This week actually marks the halfway point to the quarter. Progress report grades will close, but these grades are only a snapshot of performance so far. If you are checking Skyward regularly, progress report grades are not that relevant.  If you are not able to check Skyward in your own parent access account, I highly recommend that you have your student open their personal Skyward account for you to monitor more frequently.

I want to congratulate both boys’ and girls’ soccer teams for their opening day wins last week. They will host two games this week on Monday and Wednesday and we would love to have a great crowd out there on both days, but especially for Wednesday against cross town rivals Audubon Park. I want to remind you that OCPS has a $3 ticket fee for adults and $2 fee for children. These fees help cover the costs of officials and go directly back to the athletic department on campus.

I was honored to announce both our Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year this week and the two winners are tremendous representatives. Please read more about Ms. Rojas, Math Coach and Teacher, and Ms. Rowden, School Registrar, in their features below. I will tell you that we had so many great choices and the voting actually took longer than expected because there was gridlock amongst the nominees. Again, Congratulations Ms. Rojas and Ms. Rowden!

Mr. Kempinger
Principal

Pictured very top: This week's Student Spotlight. From the left: Jeremiah Bellot, Damari Rolle, Dakai Rolle
Week in a Glance
2023-2024 Teacher of the Year
Ms. Mariela Rojas, Mathematics
This picture was taken during Ms. Rojas' 1st period Geometry Honors Class on the day our Teacher of the Year announcement was made. Ms. Rojas is our 8th Grade Math Teacher/Math Instructional Coach and has been at Glenridge for six years. When asked what she enjoyed most about being an educator she shared this: "My favorite part is to learn from all those around me… my students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. I also love to be able to help students understand that they are able to accomplish anything they put their minds to if they are willing to do the work."
2023-2024 Support Person of the Year
Ms. Dorothy "Lottie" Rowden, Registrar
Ms. Rowden is our school registrar and has been serving at Glenridge for 16 months. With her work what she enjoys most welcoming all the new and returning families to GMS with a smile and lots of love!
Classroom Spotlight
Robotics: 3D boxes with Mrs. Gruber
OCPS News
School Bus Delay Dashboard:
Want to see the latest on bus delays? Check out the link below that you can click each day to see if there are any delays in our area.
Patriot Day
Glenridge Middle School remembers the events of 9/11/01
A New York City firefighter calls for 10 more rescue workers to help as he works in the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 14, 2001. (CNN/Getty Images)
Firefighters George Johnson, Dan McWilliams and Billy Eisengrein raise an American flag at the site of the World Trade Center on September 11. Some have compared it to the iconic flag-raising at Iwo Jima, and the photo was later used on a postage stamp. (AP/Thomas E. Franklin of the Bergen Record)
Monday's Motivational Moment!
WISDOM TO LIVE BY: Week of September 11, 2023
Jackie Joyner-Kersee On Planning
It's better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.
~ Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic track star

Martin Luther King Jr. On Morality
The time is always right to do what is right.
~ Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader

Albert Schweitzer On Unselfishness
Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.
~ Albert Schweitzer, humanitarian

John Wooden On Strengths
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
~ John Wooden, basketball coach

Mary Kay Ash On Confidence
If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.
~ Mary Kay Ash, businesswoman
Florida flag
Thank you very much for reading. Have a good week!
Daniel Kempinger, Principal
Glenridge Middle School
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Glenridge Leadership Team
Principal: Mr. Daniel Kempinger - Daniel.Kempinger@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Dr. Kimberly Bispott - Kimberly.Bispott@ocps.net
Assistant Principal of Instruction: Mr. Thomas Hames - Thomas.Hames@ocps.net
8th Grade Dean: Ms. Camille Cassara - Camille.Cassara@ocps.net
7th Grade Dean: Ms. Cynthia Santana-Greer - Cynthia.Santana-Greer@ocps.net
6th Grade Dean: Mr. Steven Schulties - Steven.Schulties@ocps.net
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Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Glenridge Middle School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Glenridge Middle School. Please contact Principal Daniel Kempinger daniel.kempinger@ocps.net with any questions or for further information.
Glenridge Middle School
2900 Upper Park Road,
Orlando, FL 32814
Phone 407-623-1415
Fax 407-623-1417