Information

Creating the Skyward Parent Account

The district provides digital access for parents to view assignments, grades, progress reports and report cards.  It is our expectation that parents regularly monitor whether assignments are completed and turned in. Teachers are available to address any of your concerns throughout the school year. You will need to use this account to monitor your child’s progress throughout middle school and high school.

Detailed directions and a video for setting up the parent account are located on the district’s website:  ocps.net: click on “Current Families” and “Skyward Information.”

Skyward Logo

If you need assistance in setting up your account, please complete the Help Form on the district’s website.

For more information on digital learning, please login to ocps.net, click on Students and Parents, and click on Digital Learning. 

If you have a concern about your child’s progress in a particular course, contact the teacher directly as soon as possible or schedule a conference with your child’s teachers by calling your child's Counselor. 

 

TOOLS FOR PARENT EMPOWERMENT

Stay Informed                                                                    

  • Weekly announcements are sent via telephone and email. Make sure your voice mailbox is not full.

  • Report changes in address, phone number(s), email, and/or emergency contact information to our Registrar, Ms. Amy Garcia at 407-884-2208, extension 5002232 or amy.garcia@ocps.net

  • Regularly check our marquee, located in front of the school.

  • Visit our school website:   https://apopkams.ocps.net

  • Check regularly for correspondence from the school. Correspondence is sent by mail, email, through Canvas or is sent home with students.

  • Read our weekly newsletter, The Squawk, located on our website under School Information.

  • Attend school events such as Open House and Curriculum Night.

  • Join organizations such as the School Advisory Council (SAC).

  • Know your child’s schedule, their teachers, and expectations. Teacher contact information can be found on our website. Teachers provide students with a syllabus at the beginning of the school year, which outlines the topics they will study, along with expectations for success.

Monitor

  • Middle school students must pass all three years of each core subject with a 60/D or higher: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies (World History, Civics and U.S. History). 

  • Verify that assignments are completed and turned in. 

  • Check Skyward and Canvas regularly to keep track of grades and assignments.

  • Contact teachers directly regarding academic or behavioral concerns, through either email or telephone. 

  • To schedule a parent/teacher/student conference, call the grade level school clerk.

  • Report cards are available in Skyward at the end of each nine-week marking period (four per school year). Progress Reports are available at the midpoint of each nine-week period (four per school year). Read teacher comments, check conduct, verify number of absences, and review grades. 

  • Summer school may be required for students failing one or two core courses.

  • Make sure that your child is getting to school and to class on time. Regular school attendance is crucial for success.

  • Contact the grade level Dean for behavioral concerns: 


Grade Level Deans 

6th Grade 
Maryisabel Garcia
407-884-22208 Ext. 500-2266
maryisabel.garcia@ocps.net

7th Grade
Daphne Lewis
407-884-22208 Ext. 500-2277
daphne.lewis@ocps.net

8th Grade
Carl Kolling
407-884-22208 Ext. 500-2288
carl.kolling@ocps.net

 

Guidance Counselors

6th Grade
Karen King
407-884-2208 Ext. 500-2250
karen.king@ocps.net
 
7th Grade
Leslie Strenth
 407-884-2208 Ext. 500-2252
leslie.strenth@ocps.net

8th Grade
Tashia Youmans

 407-884-2208 Ext. 500-2642

tashia.youmans@ocps.net

   


SAFE Coordinator

Kristy Hurst
407-884-2208 Ext. 500-2627
kristy.hurst@ocps.net

HOW TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE STUDY HABITS

The transition to middle school can be challenging. Students are most successful when they develop effective study habits.

Planning

  • Low grades are most often the result of missing assignments. Students can use the calendar in Canvas to record when assignments and projects are due. Parents can view homework in Canvas as well.

  • Monitor academic progress through Skyward.  See the district website for instructions on setting up your parent account: ocps.net, Current Families, Skyward Information.

  • Students should take advantage of test corrections, which usually increases the grade percentage and reinforces learning.

  • Regularly check for missing work. Avoid waiting until the last week of the marking period.

Homework

Homework helps students to master skills through practice and repetition. It is common for middle school children to resist doing homework. Therefore, parents play a crucial role in monitoring and ensuring that homework is completed.

  • Set a time and place for homework and stick to it.

  • Post the “Seahawk Study Sheet” in the study area and use each night.

  • Provide a healthy snack.

  • Use a hard surface such as a desk or table.

  • Make sure the area is well lit and free from distractions.

  • Work on the most challenging subjects first.

  • Plan for breaks according to your child’s needs. 

  • Provide supplies.

  • Give rewards like family time or video-game time.

  • Contact the teacher by telephone or email if you have concerns. 

  • Seek help from your child’s teachers (some offer tutoring before or after school).

  • Take advantage of school-wide tutoring opportunities at the school. Information is provided through the Principal’s weekly message via telephone or email.

If you have had changes to your telephone number, address, or email address, please contact our Registrar,

Amy Garcia
407-884-2208 Ext. 500-2232
amy.garcia@ocps.net

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS

To review Orange County Public School’s Student Progression Plan, see:

www.ocps.net/departments/student_services/student_progression_plan

Middle School Promotion:

In order to progress from grade-to-grade in middle school, students are required to pass all four core subjects each year with a D (60) or higher:  Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies (World History, Civics and U.S. History).

Students who earn a failing grade of F (50-59) in Language Arts or Math for the quarter have the opportunity to recover the course by making a C or higher on the next report card. One to two core courses can usually be recovered through Summer School.  Students who fail three or four core courses may be retained.  

 High School Promotion:

In order to be promoted to high school middle school students must:

  • pass all three years of each core subject with a D (60) or higher: Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies (World History, Civics, and U.S. History)

  • complete a college & career lesson with school counselors through U.S. History

Summer Learning:

Summer School is available for students who failed 1-2 core courses. Details are provided to parents the last week of school.

If you have any questions about promotion, please contact your child’s School Counselor.