SEM Newsletter: Week 16
2025-2026
Welcome to Week 16!
We hope all of our families had a wonderful Fall Break and were able to enjoy some time to relax and recharge! We are so excited to welcome our students back to school and continue the amazing learning and growth happening every day at Seminole.
As we return, we are preparing to kick off the second round of State Testing on December 1st. Students in grades K-2 will participate in the STAR assessments, and students in grades 3-5 will take the FAST assessments. These assessments help us celebrate your child’s growth, identify areas of strength, and provide support where it’s needed most. We encourage families to ensure students are well-rested, present, and ready to do their best on their testing days.
We are so proud of the hard work our students have already put in this year, and we look forward to celebrating their continued growth together!
Mrs. VanderMolen, Principal
Mrs. Drazick, Assistant Principal
Did you know you can help our school earn money just by scanning your grocery receipts? It's quick, easy, and every Box Top adds up to support our students and classrooms!
📱 Download the Box Tops for Education app, select Seminole Elementary, and start scanning your receipts today. No clipping required!
✅ Check out the video linked below to learn more about how it works and how you can get started.
Let’s work together to make a difference — every little bit helps!
Parents, we would love for you to be more involved in decision-making at Seminole! Please consider attending any (or all) of our School Advisory Committee (SAC) meetings this school year. This is a great opportunity to learn about what’s happening at Seminole and to help us make important decisions that impact our school community.
January 20th @ 5:30 pm
March 24th @ 5:30 pm
May 19th @ 5:30 pm
4/5 Grade- Crosby
Students in Mrs. Crosby's class were sharpening their typing and reasoning skills while sharing their opinions on which animal would win in a fight! 🐯🦁 Working in teams, they collaborated and typed their answers against the clock to earn points for their group. Great teamwork and critical thinking happening here!
KG- Woodham
Students in Mrs. Woodham's class have been working hard on their math skills by collaborating and building their understanding of teen numbers! 🌟 They practiced counting on from 10 to figure out each number, strengthening their number sense and teamwork along the way.
5th- Hubbard
Students in Mrs. Hubbard's class have been working hard to identify different body parts and understand their functions. 🧠💪 They’ve been learning how each part of the body works and discussing the important roles they play.
1st Grade
Our first graders brought a story to life today as they read Stone Soup and then worked together to make their own! 🥕🥔
Just like in the book, everyone added ingredients, mixed in kindness, and shared a delicious meal as a class. ❤️
It was the perfect recipe for teamwork, learning, and full hearts (and stomachs!). 🍽️✨
We love seeing our young readers experience stories in real and meaningful ways!
Small Group Instruction
Last week at Seminole, our students were hard at work in small group instruction! Teachers are using these groups to provide targeted support, challenge learners, and celebrate student growth. We love seeing our students engaged, collaborating, and reaching their full potential every day!
We have an update to our safety procedures that will impact all school-day events. Only individuals listed on a child’s emergency contact list will be allowed to attend these events.
If you need to update the emergency contact list, please visit the office to make any necessary changes. Please note: Only a child’s legal guardian can make updates, and a valid photo ID is required.
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!
Parents, take a look at the flyer below to learn about early detection of Type 1 Diabetes in children! Early recognition of symptoms can make a big difference in your child’s health, so be sure to review the information and reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
We understand that there may be times when it’s necessary to check your child out early for appointments or other important reasons. Please remember that all early checkouts must be completed by 2:20 pm. If your child is leaving for a doctor’s appointment, be sure to send in the doctor’s note so the absence can be excused. Also, keep in mind that 5 early checkouts equal 1 full day absence, which can impact attendance. Thank you for helping us prioritize instructional time and supporting your child’s success!
Accidents aren’t supposed to happen, but sometimes they do—whether during recess, field trips, or everyday activities. To help families be prepared, our district offers Voluntary Student Accident Insurance through Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc.
This optional coverage is available for all enrolled students, and families can choose from several plans, including:
School Time Accident Only
24-Hour Accident Only
Interscholastic Sports
24-Hour Dental
Parents/guardians are responsible for enrollment and payment. Signing up is quick and easy online at www.k12specialmarkets.com. Simply look up our district, review the available plans, and complete the enrollment form.
For questions, you may also call 800-727-7642.
Parents, please use the roundabout towards the back of the school when dropping off or picking up your student. This helps us avoid congestion and issues with traffic back up. Do not use the driveway before the roundabout to turn around. This creates a very dangerous situation for cars that are driving to the roundabout or turning into the school.
Also, please do not exit your vehicle during drop off or pick up times. We have staff that will assist the students exit or enter the vehicles as necessary. This limits pedestrian traffic in the road and near our opened gates.
Thank you!
Parents, we’re happy to share the upcoming Treasure Coast Food Bank distribution dates, times, and locations. Please take a moment to look through the flyers below for details. These resources are available to support our families, and we encourage you to take advantage of them if needed.
Food distribution dates and times:
Coquina Water December 9th, Tuesday
Agri Civic Center December 12th, Friday
Sunshine Grove December 30th, Tuesday
Parents, check out our Parent and Family Engagement Plan! This plan outlines how we work to build strong, supportive partnerships between our families and school community.
Below is a link to the District Policy on Bullying and Harassment. In order to be classified as bullying, the physical threat or emotion distress must be continuously inflicted towards the student. A one time occurrence of teasing would not fall under bullying.
SEM takes bullying seriously! If your child is being bullied, please have your child tell an adult at school or call the office to inform administration of the situation.
At Seminole, we are dedicated to our *Read Aloud A Lot* initiative. Each day, students spend time reading aloud in class to build fluency and confidence. For homework, all students are expected to read for 20 minutes each night. In grades K–2, students should practice the fluency passages provided by their teacher, while students in grades 3–5 should read books of their choice at home.
Stay Informed About Meals at Seminole! 🥞🍎
Access the Breakfast and Lunch Menus on our District Website by clicking here. These menus are packed with delicious and nutritious options to fuel our students for success!
Remember, breakfast and lunch are completely free for ALL Seminole students. Make sure your child takes advantage of these healthy meal offerings every day! 🥪✨
Parents, does your child need additional assistance?
Okeechobee County School District has partnered with Varsity Tutors for Schools! All students now have access to the Varsity Tutors learning resources like live classes, chat tutoring, and more. Some students may have been assigned tutoring by your school, ask your teacher or school office if this has been provided to you. All Okeechobee County School District families can sign up for paid supplemental private tutoring for their students at a discounted rate!
Click here to learn more information about what it is, how to login, and so much more!
December 8-12- STAR Math k-2 PM2
December 9th- 4th Grade FAST Math PM2
December 10th- 3rd Grade FAST Math PM2
December 11th- 5th Grade FAST Math PM2
December 12th- Winterfest
December 15th-19th- Word of the Week
December 19th- Student of the Month
December 18th- PBIS Schoolwide Event
December 19th- Early Release Day
December 19th- End of Quarter 2
December 22nd- January 2nd- Winter Break/No School
January 5th- Teacher Work Day/No School