Monday, July 31, 2023
Knights Make It Happen!
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Ocoee Community Member
This is the week when back-to-school really engages as our Knights have already begun to pickup their laptop computers (daily schedule below) and all of our wonderful teachers return Wednesday morning for their annual pre-planning period. As you have seen in other special editions of the Knight News, our campus never truly slowed down over the summer break. Ever since summer school ended in June, we have been continually preparing for our Knights' return on Thursday, August 10th. However, prior to the first day of school, please do not forget about Knight Fever on Tuesday, August 8th. A great deal of planning has gone into this once per year special event all geared around making sure that everyone of our Knights see 2023-2024 off to a fast start (the flyer below has details). This is an opportunity no Ocoee student or parent should miss!
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Pictured just above and at the very top of this issue:
Students are not the only ones gearing up for the new school year (please see their segment below). Our teachers also came in this summer to work on planning and collaborating with each other to ensure that implementation of close reading, interactive notebooks, and other high-yield active learning strategies are in place school-wide. Keeping that “A” goal is always top of mind here at Ocoee!
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As mentioned in our last issue, laptop distribution began today with our freshmen. The distribution process is working off of appointments so we can serve all of our Knights on time. If this applies and you do not have your appointment as yet, please do so right away. Thank you.
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Consistent school-to-home communications are a top priority at Ocoee and we have several ways of keeping in touch with our Knight families. |
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OCPS The Slice: Mondays with Maria "Back-to-School edition" ran today. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez is pictured above on the set with Nancy Alvarez, WESH news anchor. Please click here for the latest back-to-school information from our superintendent of schools.
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This is our final summer break issue and I thank you for reading. Enjoy the rest of your week and I looking forward to seeing you at Knight Fever on August 8th!
In Knight Pride,
Dr. Karcinski
Principal
Ocoee High School
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Back to School Sales Tax Holiday (July 24 - August 6): |
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Back-to-school belt tightening: A reminder to our Ocoee families to take advantage of the sales tax holiday as able.
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Average spending per child on back-to-school shopping in the U.S. will fall 10% from last year to $597, marking the first decline since 2014. The 2023 Deloitte back-to-school survey points to inflation as the driving force. Shoppers are expected to replenish student necessities, such as basic school supplies, while holding off on nonessentials like tech and apparel. Still, six in 10 parents say they would be willing to splurge for the right reasons, like treating their child. Prices for school supplies have jumped nearly 24% in the last two years.
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Knight Fever (Tuesday, August 8): |
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*** Bus route assignments for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year will be available to view on August 1, 2023: CLICK HERE
OCPS Back to School Webpage (everything for our Knight families in one place):
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At the beginning of every school year, OCPS organizes a webpage that contains a great deal of helpful back to school information, resource links, and tips all in one spot. Please click here.
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Knight Spotlight
Karla Soto, Student Council
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Karla Soto went to Panama City Beach this past week to attend the Florida Association of Student Council’s planning meeting as a member of the executive board to make decisions for the state and represent the interests of Ocoee High School. Additionally, she has been invited to meet one on one with state senators and participate in legislative discussions at the state capitol during the January legislative session. |
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Ocoee Welcomes New Teachers! |
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Getting Ocoee ready for the 2023-2024 year! |
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Marching Knights & Knights Ensemble
Mr. Hendricks, Mrs. Rolle, and their whole crew got our Marching Knights and Knights Ensemble up early for a week of Band Camp! Students spent a week learning drill, stand songs, and of course the music that will be played this year at our football halftime shows!
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FFA Summer Improvements
FFA had students and parents come out to volunteer with giving our gardens, animal pens, and greenhouse some TLC. This included pouring new concrete, building and fixing pens, and taking care of some of the landscaping. A big thank you to C&W Global for the big donation to our program and the amazing lunch!
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Privileges and Expectations
2023-2024
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Sporting Events, Shows, Extracurricular Activities
* High school students - Must show ID
* Middle school students - Must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
* Students who attend events and are suspected to be "under the influence" are subject to OCPS Student Code of Conduct disciplinary action and immediate removal from the event.
* Disruptive behavior before/during/after the event will result in no entry to future events.
* All parents/guardians are responsible for their child's behavior before/during/after the event.
* Must follow the OCPS Student Code of Conduct
* Must have signed and current OCPS Student Code of Conduct acknowledgement form
* Must follow traffic pattern and rules for parking
* Presale tickets - available for select games
* Must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after conclusion of the event
- Students picked up later than 15 minutes more than two (2) events in a row will not be able to purchase tickets for 30 days.
* No level 3 or 4 discipline offenses
- (Offenses will restart at the beginning of each semester)
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Participation in Sports, Band/KVE, Stomp and Shake, SGA, Principal's Council and/or JROTC
* All student-athletes should be maintaining grades of "C" or higher in all of their courses.
* Must have signed athletic contract and current OCPS Student Code of Conduct
* Automatic removal for Level IV infractions
* All students are required to be in designated area prior/during/after practice or meeting with supervision.
* Must demonstrate appropriate behavior at all games, practices and/or transportation to events
* Students are not permitted to sit in unsupervised locations or remain on campus unless with a coach, club sponsor, or director.
* Automatic removal for Level 3 altercations on/off campus
* All student-athletes and club participants are required to be in compliance with attendance expectations.
* Student-athletes must be present the day of a sporting event and attend all assigned classes.
- The OCPS Handbook and FHSAA also states, "On the days that school is in session, an athlete must attend a minimum of 4 periods in order to play or practice that day, unless prior arrangements were made with the Athletic Director."
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Attendance & Tardies
Florida state statute considers a student with 15 or more unexcused absences within 90 calendar days to be habitually truant. Section 1003.21 Florida Statutes
* Student who arrive after 7:45 a.m. must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to be signed in at the front desk. Students cannot sign themselves into school. NO EXCEPTIONS.
* Parent contact will be made prior to signing in late to school for any student drivers that arrive after 7:45 a.m. and do not have late arrival. NO EXCEPTIONS.
* Students who are not able to reach a parent or guardian will remain in the front office until one can be reached.
* Student drivers who do not follow the attendance and tardy policy are at risk of losing their parking privileges. (See parking contract for details.)
* Tardy students will not be permitted to bring in outside food past the front desk.
* Students must have an Ocoee High School student ID
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Cut-Off Times for Parent Pick-Up: |
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Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up: |
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Student Parking
(See parking contract for additional details)
* Must have less than 15 unexcused absences (Single class absences—Skipping—included)
- Previous year attendance will determine if students are available for a parking pass.
- If you had 15 or more unexcused absences in the previous year Semester 2, you must demonstrate 30 consecutive days of attendance in order to qualify for a parking pass in the current school year.
* Must maintain a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.50 or higher
* Must have a signed OCPS Code of Conduct
* Must follow all traffic signs and rules of the road
* No Level 3 or 4 discipline offenses
* Financial obligations cleared
* Must have Ocoee High School I
* A valid driver's license (NOT a permit)
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Senior Photos
Class of 2024: You need to book your senior portrait session THIS SUMMER. Sessions are free. Book here: https://new.leonards.com
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Attention seniors who have not met your math and/or reading concordant score yet to graduate!
You need to sign up for the August SAT now. The late registration deadline is August 15th. You cannot receive a high school diploma in the state of Florida without meeting your math and reading test requirement. All students who have not met their test requirement (and their parents) have been notified repeatedly via email and phone call. If you have any questions, please email your guidance counselor or ocoee_hs@ocps.net and we will direct your question to the right person.
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Homecoming / Grad Bash / Prom
* Must have less than 15 unexcused absences (single class absences included) for the semester in which the event occurs.
* Must have signed and current OCPS Student Code of Conduct
* No active Level 3 or 4 discipline offenses in the semester the event occurs
* Be on track for graduation or have taken 3 consecutive concordant score exams
* Financial obligations cleared
* Must leave event no later 15 minutes after conclusion of the event
* Must have Ocoee High School student ID
* Must have purchased ticked through SchoolPay.com or designated collection process |
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Senior Shirt and Exclusive Senior Events
* On track for graduation or have taken 3 consecutive concordant score assessments
* If not on track for graduation: must have attended mandatory tutoring sessions (If assigned)
* In compliance with mandatory attendance rules at the time of shirt distribution
If student is not in compliance will need to demonstrate 30 days of consecutive attendance to school.
Dual enrollment (In good standing for attendance OTC/Dual Enrollment)
* Must have a "C" average or a 2.00 GPA
* Must have completed initial senior meeting with Guidance Counselor
* Must have Ocoee High School student ID
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This step is required for Band, JROTC, and any sport a student wants to try out. |
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Girls Volleyball Tryouts: |
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FREE Back to School & Sports Physicals: |
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Remember Knights, if you should ever see or hear something suspicious or unusual this year, please say something to any teacher, coach, or administrator right away. Thank you. |
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18 Apps Ocoee parents should know about:
The list shared by St. Johns County Sheriff's Office includes social media apps, dating apps, and even games with chat functions. View the short news video (posted by First Coast News, Jacksonville, FL) |
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This Week's Motivational Moment! |
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WISDOM TO LIVE BY (Week of July 31, 2023): |
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Amelia Earhart On Taking Action
The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life, and the procedure, the process is its own reward.
~ Amelia Earhart, aviator (first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean)
Fred Rogers On Being Thoughtful
There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.
~ Fred Rogers, TV host (Mister Rogers Neighborhood)
Jennifer Lopez On Effort
I’m not here to be perfect and I’m not here to be anything but my best, whatever that means for me.
~ Jennifer Lopez, actress/singer
Steve Jobs On Passion
If you are working on something that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.
~ Steve Jobs, entrepreneur (Apple founder)
J. Robert Oppenheimer On Optimism
The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears it is true.
~ J. Robert Oppenheimer, physicist
Dr. Seuss On Individuality
Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is You-er than You. I am what I am, what a great thing to be. If I say so myself, happy everyday to me!
~ Dr. Seuss, author (The Cat in the Hat)
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WELCOME BACK OCOEE TEACHERS!
Dr. Karcinski, Principal
Ocoee High School
Monday, July 31, 2023
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Ocoee High School Senior Leadership Team |
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This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof. Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems. That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone. |
Copyright Notice
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 - Ocoee High School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Ocoee High School. Please contact lisa.karcinski@ocps.net (principal) with any questions or for further information.
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Ocoee High School
1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway,
Ocoee, FL 34761
Phone 407-905-3000
Fax 407-905-3099
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