SEM Newsletter: Week 5

To ensure high levels of learning in a safe, respectful environment where all achieve personal and academic success. ALL means ALL.

📚 Parents, this week is full of events!

• Tuesday: New Worlds Reads Night – food, fun, and a free book for your child!

• Wednesday: Progress Reports go home

• Friday: Early release day

  
  

We’re looking forward to another amazing week with our students! 🌟

Mrs. VanderMolen, Principal

Mrs. Drazick, Assistant Principal

Parents, the wait is over! 📅 Our New Worlds Reading Event is happening this Tuesday, September 9th! You won’t want to miss this exciting evening filled with valuable resources and strategies to help your child grow as a reader. 🍽️ Enjoy dinner together, and watch your child’s face light up as they take home a brand-new book! 📚✨ There’s still time to register—use the link below and check out the flyer for more details!

Click here to register for the event!

📄 Progress Reports will be sent home with students on Wednesday! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

🎓 What is AVID?
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It’s a program that helps students build the skills and mindset they need to be successful in school, college, and beyond. At the elementary level, AVID looks like students learning organization skills, practicing goal setting, staying focused, and building confidence in their learning. It’s all about helping our students believe in themselves and their future!

✨ AVID Day – Friday, September 12th ✨
To celebrate and support this initiative, Friday, September 12th will be “AVID Day” at Seminole! We invite all students and staff to wear their favorite college shirt to show school spirit and excitement for future possibilities.

Let’s fill our halls with college pride as we encourage our Seminole students to dream big and reach for the stars! 🌟

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!

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!

Start with Hello Week is coming soon! 🌟 This special week, inspired by Sandy Hook Promise, is all about fostering kindness, inclusion, and connection at school. We have a week full of activities planned to help students reach out, make new friends, and show school spirit. Let’s make our school a place where everyone feels seen, welcomed, and valued!

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!

It’s time for Seminole Elementary’s Student Council Elections! Serving on the student council is a great opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, represent their peers, and help make a positive impact on our school community.

Students may run for the following positions:

• President (5th grade only; must have attended Seminole since 4th grade)

• Vice President (4th or 5th grade; must have attended Seminole last year)

• Secretary (4th or 5th grade)

• Treasurer (4th or 5th grade)

  
  

📌 Important Due Dates:

• Permission slip, progress report, and teacher recommendation: September 16th

• Campaign posters (minimum of 3): October 3rd

• Campaign speeches (2–3 minutes): October 14th

• Election Day: October 17th, 2025

  
  

To run for office, students must have a teacher recommendation, be an AVID student who consistently follows the 3 Rs, and show a commitment to being positive role models.

We are excited to see our Seminole Stallions step up as leaders! 🐎✨

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, 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.

Parent Family Engagement Plan English

Parent Family Engagement Plan Spanish

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.

Link to District Bullying and Harassment Policy

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, please check out this wonderful free resource! Even if your family is not eligible to receive books, there are still free resources available to help your child with reading!

Link to New Worlds Reading Website

The Florida Department of Education has recently updated their Just Read, Florida! initiative. Click here to learn more about the updates!

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!

September 15th- Teacher Work Day- No School

October 2nd- National Custodian Appreciation Day

September 26- Student of the Month & WOW

October 2nd- Custodian Appreciation Day

October 10th- End of Quarter 1

October 13th- Teacher Work Day- No School

October 20-24- Bus Safety Week

October 27-31- Word of the Week

October 29th- Spooktacular 👻 5:30-7:30 pm

October 31st- Student of the Month & WOW