Nova Lakes Insider

Thank you to all of our families who attended our Dual Enrollment Informational Night last Thursday!

We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about the Dual Enrollment opportunities available through Valencia College. A special thank you to Jenna Isaacs, Dual Enrollment Coordinator, for sharing valuable information and answering questions.

We hope the evening provided helpful information as you and your student explore Dual Enrollment opportunities!

The Valencia College Dual Enrollment application deadline is October 1. Students interested in participating in Dual Enrollment must complete their application by the deadline in order to be scheduled for the PERT.

Please be sure to complete all required application steps as soon as possible.

Sophomore One on Ones

Next week, school counselors are meeting one-on-one with sophomores during their History classes to review graduation requirements, earned credits, and postsecondary plans.

We encourage families to ask their students about their meeting and continue the conversation about their goals after high school.

Thank you for your continued support!

College and Career Week:

College and Career Week begins September 28! Students will have the opportunity to participate in a themed dress-down day each day throughout the week.

Please see the flyer below for details regarding each day’s events and dress-down themes. We look forward to a fun and engaging week as we celebrate college and career readiness!

Did you know students can visit the Media Center during lunch to check out books and discover something new to read?

Students may visit during their designated lunch period by:

🍽️ Eating lunch first
📝 Getting a pass from the Deans
📖 Heading to the Media Center to browse and check out books

The lunch visit schedule is attached to this newsletter and will also be posted on the Media Center doors.

🎉 There is still time to participate in our September Reading Challenge! Students have about a week and a half remaining to read a book that fits September's theme and be entered into our end-of-the-month raffle drawing.

📱 We also encourage students to track their reading time using Beanstack. The app links are included in this newsletter, making it easy for students to log their reading progress and celebrate their achievements.

Thank you for supporting a love of reading at home and at school! 📚💙

Beanstack app links:

Apple app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/beanstack-tracker/id1360324277

Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beanstack&pcampaignid=web_share

During the week of September 21, school counselors will meet one-on-one with sophomore students during their History classes.

These individual meetings are an important opportunity for students to connect with their counselor and make sure they are on track for a successful high school experience. Counselors will review each student’s graduation requirements, credits earned, and progress toward graduation, while also beginning conversations about postsecondary plans and future goals.

Our goal is for every sophomore to leave their meeting with a better understanding of where they stand and what they can be working toward as they continue through high school.

AVID elective parents only, please join us on Teams this coming Thursday, 9/24 for a virtual family night, where AVID Coordinator and teachers will discuss strategies for success for all grade levels, college & career planning, leadership opportunities within the program, fundraising, and field trips. Please use the link to connect promptly at 7:00pm.

Erika Ide: AVID Family Night | Nova Lakes AVID ePLT > General | Microsoft Teams

A recording will be available afterwards. Contact Erika Ide with any questions at erika.ide@osceolaschools.net.

All students are eligible to receive free breakfast each morning before the start of the school day.

For lunch, students may receive a school lunch through August 10 while families complete the Free and Reduced Price Meal application process.

Beginning after August 10, students who have not submitted a meal application and been approved for free or reduced price meals will be required to pay the regular price for school lunch.

Families who wish to apply for free or reduced price meals may complete an online application through https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict.

Please complete your application as soon as possible to avoid any interruption in meal benefits.

Thank you for helping us ensure all students have access to the meals they need throughout the school year.

The School Advisory Council (SAC) is a team of people representing various segments of the community–parents, teachers, students, administrators, support staff, business/ industry people and other interested community members. The purpose of a SAC is to assist in the preparation and evaluation (developing and evaluating) of the results of the school improvement plan and to assist the principal with the annual school budget.

Students who have a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration may purchase a parking pass from the bookkeeper before school, after school, or during lunch.

Parking passes will be available at the end of next week. Students, please listen to announcements.

Students purchasing a parking pass must bring the following:

• Valid driver's license
• Proof of insurance
• Vehicle registration
• Completed parking permit application (linked below)

To help ensure a smooth and efficient process, please have all required documents completed and ready at the time of purchase.

Students in the School District of Osceola County will not be permitted to use any wireless communication devices upon entry to school campus. Wireless communication devices include, but are not limited to, cell phones, smart glasses (including prescription smart glasses), tablets, smart watches, earbuds, cameras and/or other similarly situated wireless devices in development.

Violations of the cell phone policy will be handled in accordance with the Code and may result in confiscation of said device. If the cell phone is used in a criminal act (such as sexting as outlined in Florida Statutes and the Code), the cell phone will be provided to law enforcement and the student may face criminal penalties.

Back-to-School Safety Tips – School District of Osceola County and Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Department

As students return to school, everyone plays a role in keeping our roads, sidewalks, and neighborhoods safe. Whether your students are walking, biking, driving, or riding a scooter, following these simple safety tips can help prevent injuries and keep everyone safe.

Bicycle & Scooter Safety

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals, including stopping completely at stop signs.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and use designated bike lanes where available.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars and remain alert to your surroundings.
• Never use a cell phone, wear headphones that block surrounding sounds, or interact with electronic devices while riding a bicycle or motorized scooter.

• Ensure your bicycle or scooter has working brakes and lights, especially if riding during low-light conditions.

Pedestrian Safety

• Cross only at marked crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
• Obey pedestrian crossing signals and wait for traffic to stop before entering the roadway.
• Make yourself visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially during early morning or evening hours.
• Stay alert and keep your head up while walking. Avoid texting, scrolling, or wearing headphones that prevent you from hearing approaching traffic.

• Before crossing, look left, right, and left again, and continue watching for vehicles as you cross.

School Bus Safety

• Arrive at the bus stop early and stand a safe distance from the curb.
• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching.
• Cross the street only when directed by the bus driver and after making eye contact with the driver.
• Drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, unless traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway.

Driver Safety

• Slow down in school zones and obey all posted speed limits.
• Watch carefully for children crossing streets, especially near schools, neighborhoods, parks, and bus stops.
• Eliminate distractions by putting your phone away while driving.
• Never pass a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights and its stop arm.
• Allow extra travel time during the first few weeks of school, when traffic is typically heavier.

Parents & Students

• Plan and practice the safest route to school before the first day.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of vehicles.
• Remind students that being predictable and visible helps drivers see them.
• If walking or biking with friends, stay together but avoid horseplay near roadways.

• Report unsafe traffic conditions or damaged traffic signs near schools to local authorities.

Let's work together to make this school year a safe one for every student, parent, teacher, and member of our Osceola County community. Slow down, stay alert, and help everyone arrive safely.