Orange County Public Schools

The School Board of Orange County held its regularly-scheduled board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center. These are the highlights of the meeting:

Career and Technical Education Strategic Plan Update

Associate Superintendent with Career and Technical Education presented CTE’s Strategic Plan and their efforts to expand opportunities at the secondary level. Some program highlights include:

• Project Lead-the-Way
• National Academy Foundation Academies
• Agriculture Programs
• High School Summer Internships

View the PowerPoint presentation.

School Board reviews name change for Stonewall Jackson Middle School

The School Advisory Council of Stonewall Jackson Middle School began gathering community input regarding the name of their school during the 2017-18 school year. The SAC received nearly 824 responses through a community survey. The greatest response at the time of the survey indicated the name “Jackson” as most popular. Since “Jackson” is not considered a renaming, the School Board may consider options based on the current language in Policy FF, “Naming or Renaming Schools, Buildings, and Facilities.”

School board members selected to move forward with sending the renaming process back to the Stonewall Jackson Middle School SAC. Directions will include the elimination of the option "Jackson Middle School" as a renaming and encourage the SAC to educate the school community regarding the purpose for the renaming. The district Research Accountability and Grants Office will assist with the survey process. This option should result in a new name to be considered by the School Board for adoption prior to the end of the school year. View the Board Policy FF - Naming or Renaming Schools, Buildings and Facilities.

February 27 proclaimed as National Digital Learning Day by the School Board

Digital Learning Day was established in 2012 as a national day of recognition for the effective use of modern-day technology tools, improving the learning experience for students in K-12 schools. OCPS shows its appreciation for digital learning by highlighting great teaching practices and showcasing innovative teachers, leaders and technological programs that improve student outcomes. View the National Digital Learning Day proclamation.

March 2020 designated as National Social Work Month

Orange County Public Schools celebrates the support social workers provide families, children and school staff. They are on the front lines in homes and the community developing, advocating and delivering social programs that are responsive to basic human needs such as homelessness, poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence and many other issues. View the National Social Work Month proclamation.

School Board proclaims March 2020 as Purchasing Month

The purpose of the observance is to urge all citizens to become familiar with the services and benefits offered by the department and to acknowledge a group of professionals that have made a difference in governmental efficiency and effectiveness. The Procurement Services Department is recipient of awards by the National Procurement Institute, Inc. “Achievement of Excellence in Procurement” and the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc. “Award of Excellence in Public Procurement” due to the professional certifications and utilization of the best practices of Procurement in the Public Procurement sector. View the March 2020 as Purchasing Month proclamation.  

March 2020 designated as Youth Visual and Performing Arts Month

Orange County Public Schools has a tradition of offering quality arts programs for students at every grade level. Students are actively engaged in the visual and performing arts through sequential, comprehensive standards-based curriculum that develops their artistry. By expanding proficiency in visual art, music, dance or theater, students develop self-esteem, confident self-expression, reflective and evaluative skills, critical-thinking skills and appreciation of others’ work.

As a result of our commitment to support visual and performing arts education, OCPS students participate in local, state and national performances and exhibitions. During the month of March 2020, a K-12 visual art exhibit will be installed in the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center lobby, and students will inspire others by sharing their work at community events such as the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. View the Youth Visual and Performing Arts Month proclamation.  

Addition Financial presents the School Board with its annual affinity debit card check

Since 2009, Orange County Public Schools has partnered with Addition Financial for the School District Affinity Debit Card program. With every card transaction, Addition Financial donates money to the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools. This year’s signature-based purchases brought $57,345.39 into the district with the participation of 1,911,513 transactions.

*Reminder* All board meetings are live streamed on the School Board’s YouTube page and will be accessible from web browsers on computers or mobile devices. To view the board meeting, visit the Board YouTube channel. 

(For more information, please contact Media Relations at 407.317.3458 or [email protected] )