Students and teachers returned to classrooms across Orange and Volusia counties on Monday.
- Orange County to see six new schools
- This school year to see student population increase by 5,000
- SEE BELOW: Volusia County kicks off the school year ▼
- RELATED:
Students in Orange County — Central Florida’s largest school district — are heading back as the student population continues to grow.
The OCPS Academic Center for Excellence in Parramore is one of six new schools opening in Orange. More than 1,000 students will be equipped with some of the latest classroom technology in this pre-K-through-eighth grade school.
However, it is not just about learning in the classroom. The school district is hoping to make this a community hub for the Parramore area to help low-income families by offering them centralized services.
“Those children that used to be bused out to eight different schools will be in their own home school now. First time I believe in 40 years I’m told. And they will have a boys and girls club on campus, they will have a health clinic on campus, with dental chairs as well,” said Barbara Jenkins, Orange County Public Schools superintendent.
The OCPS Academic Center for Excellence is a partnership with businesses and organizations to help low income families in Parramore.
“These type of children needed a little bit more other than be bused out of their community, sent to a predominantly white school, thinking that that’s going to be the answer, no, when you put all of these services together these children will be academically be helped,” said School Board member Kat Gordon.
This school will also house counseling services, a parent resource center and programs to improve nutrition and exercise.
Some children who start out in the Rosen Preschool program at the school will be eligible for college assistance if they graduate high school.
“If they are accepted into a public college, a community college, or a trade school, everything will be paid for,” said hotelier and philanthropist Harris Rosen.
Overall, the district’s student population increased by 5,000 this school year.
In addition to the six new schools, seven other schools have undergone extensive renovations. The six new schools are as follows:
- Laureate Park Elementary at Lake Nona
- Innovation Middle School at Lake Nona
- OCPS Academic Center for Excellence in Downtown Orlando
- Windermere High School in Windermere
- Westpointe Elementary in Metro West
- Timber Springs Middle School in Avalon (East Orange County)
Staggered schedules kick off in Volusia
Volusia Schools Superintendent Tom Russell and his staff were up before sunrise Monday, getting prepared for the first day of school.
"The first day is always an exciting day. It all goes back to preparation — principals and the school leadership teams, working throughout the summer," Russell said. "Teachers were here last week. Our bus drivers were out driving their routes."
This year, the district prepared for something different: Kindergartners and freshmen from several high schools are benefiting from this year with staggered schedules to help them get situated at a new school.
A third of kindergartners started Monday; another third join each day through Thursday.
As for high school, six of 10 schools held a freshmen-only first day of school on Monday. Students got a chance to meet their teachers, go through their schedules and tour the schools.
Senior William Hamilton and other Pine Ridge High School students got a chance to help out.
"I remember my first day of school and I was really really scared," Hamilton said. "I'm just trying to say hi to kids and make them feel as comfortable as possible, because I wish someone would've done that my first day. It was so stressful going from middle school to high school," he said.
The superintendent said the district has added new special technology and STEM-related electives for middle school students.
Parent Raymond Semidey is grateful for the new programs.
"I think it's great. This way, kids get a feel for the first day, like a head start," Semidey said.
Russell said the new things the district is doing put their new motto, "Together We Can," into play.
"Together we can — we can get the kids to school safely; we can teach the kids a standard, so there is one year of growth in one year's time," Russell said.