September 2025 Newsletter

Apollo Families,

We cannot thank you enough for the wonderful first three weeks of school. The staff has worked very hard to prepare for the opening of the school, and they have done an excellent job. The students did an outstanding job learning the expectations and are already in a routine that will provide a year of increased student achievement. Please help your child learn their sight words. Read with your child. Ask your child to read to you. Review math facts. I invite you to become involved at Apollo. Join us as a school volunteer, community partner, PTO member, and/or School Advisory Council member. For additional information on how to become involved, please get in touch with us at 321-267-7890. Thank you again for a great beginning to school.

At Apollo, we are proud to reinforce our LAUNCH expectations every day:

• Listen and Learn
• Act with Kindness
• Use safe Choices
• Never give up
• Choose to Lead
• Help and take Responsibility

#ApolloLeads

These expectations help create a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all students.

We also continue to grow as a Leader in Me school, empowering students to develop leadership skills through the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Students are learning to:

• Be proactive
• Begin with the end in mind
• Put first things first
• Think win-win
• Seek first to understand, then to be understood
• Synergize
• Sharpen the saw

These habits support academic success and help students become confident, responsible leaders in their classrooms and beyond.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

Your Extremely Proud Admin Team,

Mrs. DiLago and Mrs. Landress

As part of our commitment to everyone's safety, we kindly ask all visitors to stop at the entrance for a quick screening. Please be ready to let us know who you are and the purpose of your visit. We would also like your cooperation in maintaining our school's safety. While holding the door open for someone is a kind gesture, we must prioritize safety. So, please don't let anyone in the office door as you leave, and avoid opening the door for anyone while you're waiting in the office.

Thank you for your cooperation – we appreciate your understanding!

As required by the Florida Department of Education, we are notifying parents that the following teachers are currently teaching out of field in the subjects listed below. We want to assure you that the teachers are fully certified by the State of Florida and are currently working to become certified in these out-of-field assignment areas.

Mrs. Diana Streetman is teaching out of field in English for Speakers of Other Languages

Mrs. April Greenaway is teaching out of field in English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Mrs. Kristen McCall is teaching out of field in English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Mrs. Barbara Young is teaching out of field in English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Mrs. Amanda Cheshire is teaching out of field in Elementary Education K-6.

Mr. Jason Slobodnik is teaching out of field in English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Mr. Brian Lidington is teaching out of field in Elementary Education K-6.

School begins at 8:00am and ends at 2:30 pm. Gates open at 7:30am. Do not drop your child off prior to 7:30am as there will not be supervision.

7:30am - Breakfast is served

7:45am - Classroom doors open

7:50am - Morning Announcements begin

8:00am - Instruction begins

2:30pm - Dismissal

Reminder: No checkouts after 2:00 pm Monday-Thursday and no checkouts after 12:45 pm on Friday.

Every Friday is 1:30 dismissal for grades VPK-6.

Please have a plan for inclement weather dismissal. In case of emergency weather, we will hold biker's and walkers until it is safe to send them home. A shelter-in-place occurs when lightning is detected within 2 miles of the school. You can choose to pick your student up in the car loop during inclement weather dismissal. You will need your car tag and photo ID. Teachers will have a form available during Meet and Greet. You can let us know your plan during inclement weather.

NO SCHOOL: LABOR DAY 9/1/25

PTO Meeting 9/8/25 3:30pm

SAC Meeting 9/8/25 3:30pm

FAST PM1 Reading Testing 9/9/25 and Math Testing 9/10/25

Boy Scout Information Night 9/10/25 5:30pm

Interims Go Home 9/17/25

Book Fair: 9/19/25-9/29/25

Book Fair Family Night 9/25/25 5:00-6:30pm

September is Attendance Awareness Month!! Every day in school matters because showing up is the first step in success. This month we want to concentrate on building strong attendance habits in order for your child to be successful.

Did you know that students who miss just 2 days a month can fall behind by an entire grade level over time? By showing up every day your child is taking a step towards their goals, growth, and their future. Please help us make it a great month by your child being present, on time, and ready to learn!

This month we would like you to help your child focus on Habit 1: Be Proactive: YOU'RE IN CHARGE.

To be proactive teaches us to stop and think before we make a choice.

• Explain that Habit 1: Be Proactive teaches them to stop and think before they make a choice.

• Share with your child that Habit 1 is like a stoplight—red reminds them to stop, yellow reminds them to think, and green reminds them to make a good choice.

• Explain that if they do not stop and think, they might not make the best choice. When they don’t stop and think, they are being reactive instead of proactive.

• Image and describe that proactive choices are green choices and reactive choices are red choices. Explain that they can choose whether they are proactive or reactive.

At Brevard Public Schools, our goal is to prepare every student for success in college, their careers, and life. We achieve this through a comprehensive and collaborative approach to Resiliency Education. This approach empowers every student to reach their full potential, helping them stay grounded in learning while aiming for the stars.

Schools are teaching resiliency standards within various subject areas and character education, which is complemented by Xello. This career exploration and planning tool is not just a supplement but a crucial component in developing life skills and positive character traits, ensuring our students are well-prepared for their future.

🌟 LAUNCH Expectations: Ready for Lift-Off!

At Apollo Elementary, we LAUNCH into greatness every day! Here’s what our astronauts are practicing:

- L – Listen and Learn

- A – Act with Kindness

- U – Use Safe Choices

- N – Never Give Up

- C – Choose to Lead

- H – Help and Take Responsibility

Let’s keep these expectations in our orbit—at school and at home!

🏠 Family Mission: LAUNCH or 7 Habits at Home

This month, families can join the mission! Try this fun activity together:

1. Write each LAUNCH expectation or 7 Habits on a separate piece of paper.

2. Place them in a “Mission Control” cup or bowl.

3. Each week, have your student(s) draw one and make it your family’s focus.

4. Practice it at home and talk about it together.

5. Share your experience with your child’s teacher!

This builds strong habits and helps our students build resiliency and accountability.

💪 Resiliency Reminder: Taking Responsibility

Being resilient means bouncing back—and taking responsibility is a big part of that!

- Students: Whether it’s cleaning up after yourself, finishing homework, or helping a friend, responsibility helps you grow strong and confident.

- Parents: Modeling responsibility at home—like following through on promises or admitting mistakes—teaches kids that accountability is a superpower.

Together, we can build a culture of responsibility that lifts everyone up!

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:

Brian Pavlak - School Counselor pavlak.brian@brevardschools.org

Alicia Moyer - Social Worker moyer.alicia@brevardschools.org (M,W,F)

September 19-29, 2025

Family Night September 25, 2025 from 5:00pm-6:30pm

Click on the button below to set up your child's ewallet.

This year, Apollo's strings students will be using brand new Manhasset music stands, purchased from a fundraiser on the Donor’s Choose website. Dr. Fee has them put together and stored on a storage cart that was made specifically for them. This will be a great year, so thank you to all who donated to make this possible!

The District’s and Apollo’s 2024-2025 school report cards can be viewed by following the links below.

Come join our Apollo PTO!

Becoming a member you can help when needed on school events (during and after school hours), support teachers and staff with their needs, volunteer for field trips. All you have to do is be a registered volunteer, by applying online at Brevard Public School. Click on the button below to link you to the application page.

Invitation to all Parents to think about volunteering on our School Advisory Council! You will have input on school decisions that will positively and directly impact our students. Your voice is important. We meet on the first Monday right after the PTO meeting in the Media center. Our meetings are 30 minutes at the most.

Parents and Guardians, please consider being a voice on our School Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC assists in making the best decisions possible for Apollo and is the driving force behind our School Improvement Plan. We must have diverse members that represent our school community. The meetings are once a month during the school year, except for December and May, and are only 30 minutes long. Please email Phyllis Thibideau at thibideau.phyllis@brevardschools.org for more information.

We need your voice!

District Family Reading and Math nights inform families how to find reading and math resources online and provide an interactive experience with reading and math tasks. Each family will leave with grade-level activities for parents to use with their child at home.

Please begin advertising these events at your school by September 9, 2025. A flier will be sent to all schools at a later date. Any family is welcome at any or all locations! Attendance has been boosted when schools advertise incentives for families to attend. A ticket will be given to every child who attends to take back to their home school in case you want to celebrate their attendance.

Apollo will be partnering with the local Domino's in Titusville to have monthly spirit nights. These will occur on the second Tuesday of EVERY month. This is a great way for Apollo to earn money towards school initiatives while providing your family an easy dinner plan. We will send remembers the night before to all families through FOCUS messaging and students will be sent home with their sticker reminders.

1850 Knox McRae and their phone number is 321-268-8008

Policy 5511 – STUDENT DRESS CODE

The BPS Board recognizes that each student's mode of dress is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents/legal guardians to make decisions regarding their appearance, however, the standards of appearance for students shall ensure that the student be clean, neat, and properly dressed. They shall observe modes of dress and standards of personal grooming that are in conformity with the studious atmosphere and good personal hygiene necessary in schools. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the principal to see that the dress or appearance of no student shall be extreme to the point of creating a disturbance or is hazardous to oneself, others, or school property. The dress code shall be incorporated into the Student Code of Conduct. Please visit the link for full details on Policy 5511. https://www.brevardschools.org/page/updated-student-dress-code-policy

The best prevention for head lice is to educate children about not sharing combs, brushes, hair barrettes, and clothing such as hats, and for children to avoid head-to-head contact. In addition, parents can assist in preventing the spread of head lice by checking their child's hair as part of a normal hygiene routine.

https://secure.caes.uga.edu/extension/publications/files/pdf/C%20850_4.PDF and https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/resources/pdf/HeadLiceFlyer.pdf.

Florida Heiken will be providing free eye exams or vouchers to all families that apply on any

internet enabled device through www.floridaheiken.org. Eligible families may qualify for free

glasses. This service is for students in grades Pre-K through 12. Exams will be scheduled during

the months of October and November. Once applications are received a list of school-based sites will be determined to host the mobile eyecare unit. Sites with the highest participation/need will be priority sites. Multiple sites may be able to be served each day. Each school will receive a list of students whose parents have consented to the service. Applications are due by September 30, 2024. Additionally, BPS' Government and Community Relations will push out communication regarding this service as reminders.

MyReaXiumApp for Parents & Guardians is almost here!

The ReaXium mobile application, MyReaXiumApp, is launching this school year over the next few weeks. Here is what your school needs to know:

• It is available for iOS & Android devices
• It is designed for parents and legal guardians of school bus riders.
• The app allows them to:

• Access Bus Route Information:

• View bus route details for each student.

• See a map displaying the bus route with labeled bus stops.

• View the assigned pickup and drop-off stops for the student

• Check Bus Availability:

• Receive notifications when a student's bus is actively running for their school.

• Receive Student Status Updates:

• Get real-time updates whenever a student boards or exits a bus.

To learn more about how the app works and materials available to parents/guardians, review:

• Video Guides for MyReaXiumApp: https://go.reaxium.com/VideosParentTraining

• WebPage for MyReaXiumApp: https://reaxium.com/solutions/k12-education/school-transportation/school-bus-tracking-app-for-parents/

How do Parents/Guardians of Bus Riders get access?

1. Invitation Email: Sent to their custodial contact email on file for their children.

2. Rolling Basis: Invitations sent in stages, beginning with ESE and elementary.

3. Expected Timeline: Invite sending ongoing until the end of September.

4. Initial Campaign: ReaXium & district manage the first invitation email initiative.

5. School Invites: Schools may issue post-launch invites on a case-by-case basis.

6. Verify Information: Ensure accurate email addresses in their children's records.

7. Multiple Children: Match email addresses to avoid separate invites for each child.

Remember all this information and more is available at the BPS Transportation Website.

The FortifyFL app is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows anyone to instantly relay information to law enforcement and school officials. Students, staff, families, and members of the community can use the app to report school safety concerns anonymously and easily.

The SpeakOut Hotline (800) 423-TIPS is designed to help you anonymously report any threatening behavior or situation that endangers you, your friends, family, community, or your school campus. Reporting isn't "snitching,” reporting is when you need to keep yourself or someone you know safe from threats, harmful behaviors, or dangerous situations.

By guaranteeing a caller's anonymity, SpeakOut allows the caller to give information without the fear of retribution.

Welcome Back!

It is so good to see our students shining faces again, they are the highlight of our day!!

Just a friendly reminder or two. Since we are on the Community Eligibility Program here at Apollo (CEP for short), all our students eat at no cost for breakfast and lunch and snack if they attend Aftercare. If you are adding money into your student’s account by clicking on the button; you'll need your child's ID number to signup.

If you want to check your students grades, attendance and communicate with your child's teacher. Just download the app from your app store on your phone and stop by the office to pick up your parent portal pin.

FOCUS is generating attendance letters for students with 5 or more unexcused absences. If you have any questions, please contact the front office.

Principal

Jennifer Landress

Assistant Principal

Email: ApolloElementary@brevardschools.org
Website: https://apollo.brevardschools.org/o/apes

Location: 3085 Knox McRae Drive, Titusville, FL, USA
Phone: 321-267-7890
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057704497888