ESE September 2026

At Eighth Street Elementary, we inspire all students to achieve at the highest levels through rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and a culture of high expectations.

Eighth Street Elementary is committed to academic excellence by providing rigorous instruction, fostering a growth mindset, and empowering every student to reach their full potential in a safe and supportive learning environment.

Dear Eighth Street Community,

As we wrap up our first month of school, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for helping make it a great start to the year! We are almost finished with FAST PM1 testing, and the data from these assessments will provide valuable insight into student strengths and areas of need, allowing our teachers to tailor instruction and provide targeted support to help every child grow.

We also have several important events coming up this month. Our annual PTO Silent Auction will take place on September 25, and we hope you'll join us in supporting our school. On September 22, we will hold our Title I and SAC Meeting at 5:30 p.m., followed by our PTO Meeting at 6:00 p.m. We encourage all families to attend, stay informed, and become involved in the great things happening at Eighth Street.

It's hard to believe we're already a month into the school year, but we are definitely moving and grooving! Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to make this a successful year for every student.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Johnson

Principal

We love welcoming families to join their students for lunch at Eighth Street and encourage you to take advantage of these special opportunities throughout the year. To help ensure the safety of all students, please remember that adults may only have lunch with children for whom they are a parent/legal guardian or for students connected to them through the Skyward-approved pickup list.

Additionally, if your child will be going home in a different manner than usual, including being picked up by another adult, this change must be communicated in writing through either a handwritten note or an email. For student safety, phone calls cannot be accepted as authorization for transportation changes. If a parent or guardian calls to inform us that their child will be picked up by an adult who is not on the Skyward pickup list, they will be asked to provide this information in writing before the change can be approved.

Thank you for your cooperation and partnership in helping us maintain a safe and secure campus for all students.

Congratulations to Mrs. Wilson, Eighth Street Elementary School's 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations to Ms. Treadway, Eighth Street's 2026-2027 Rookie Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations to Mrs. Holland, Eighth Street's 2026-2027 School-Related Employee of the Year!

We had so much wearing all the colors for our kindergarten friends! Even our wonderful volunteers participated!

Be sure to follow the Eighth Street Elementary School Facebook page!

Learning in action! Kinsley Griffith and Jisselle Oliver were spotted giving their best effort during math centers in Ms. Bigelow's class.

Important Dates

Month at a Glance

September 1, 2026

FAST ELA PM 1 (Grades 1 & 2)

September 2, 2026

FAST Math PM 1 (Grades 3-5)

September 3, 2026

FAST Math PM 1 (Grades 1 & 2)

September 7, 2026

September 9, 2026

Cub Scouts visiting during lunches

FANs planting day

September 11, 2026

Patriots Commemoration Day

September 17, 2026

Constitution Day

September 18, 2026

https://cdnsm5ss20.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4762323/File/Health%20Screenings%20ESE.pdf

October 24-25

FAFO (Fine Arts Festival of Ocala)

Student Day 8:00 AM - 2:35 PM

7:40 AM Student allowed on campus

7:40-7:55 AM Breakfast served (free for all students)

7:55 AM Warning Bell

8:00 AM Class begins

2:05 PM Early Sign Out Ends

2:35 PM Dismissal

Teacher Day 7:30 AM - 3:15 PM

School Office Hours 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

MAP AM 6:30 AM-7:40 AM

MAP PM 2:35 PM-6:00 PM

Early Release Dismissal 12:35 PM

Eighth Street Elementary Parent & Student Handbook

2026-2027 MCPS Student Code of Conduct

The student school day runs from 8:00 A.M. to 2:35 P.M. Students may arrive as early as 7:40 at which time they can eat breakfast. A student is considered late after 8:00 A.M. All students will be dismissed at 2:35. Students who are tardy, or who are checked out early, more than 10 times are referred to the school counselor.

Good attendance is essential for satisfactory progress in school. A note from home, signed by the parent, is required within three days following each absence. In cases of excessive absences due to illness, a doctor’s excuse is necessary.

If you are requesting an “Advanced Absence” approval for your child, you must fill out the advanced absence form, and the principal will review your child’s attendance and grades before granting the approval. The attendance guidelines can be found in the student code of conduct. No emails will be accepted. The criteria for what may constitute as an excused absence versus an unexcused absence is determined by the district and can be found in the MCPS Student Code of Conduct.

The responsibility for making up missed work rests with the student and parent. Parents are asked to give the school TWENTY-FOUR HOURS NOTICE prior to picking up missed work. Students are given one day for each day of absence to make up the missed work.

If a student is tardy, he/she must report to the Front Office and receive a pass to class. Parents must leave the student in the office where they will report to class with as little disruption as possible.

If you are checking your child out of school for an appointment at the end of the day, you must arrive prior to 2:05 p.m. Please remember that an early check out is considered as a tardy. An emergency must be approved by an administrator. A photo ID is required of any adult checking out a student.

Your child's daily, on-time attendance is critical to their success in school. Students learn best when they are present in the classroom — every minute matters, now more than ever.

A student is considered chronically absent if they miss just two days of school per month — that’s 18 days in a year — whether the absences are excused or unexcused. Even one year of chronic absence can cause a student to fall behind academically and significantly decrease their chances of graduating from high school. This can have lasting effects on their financial independence, physical well-being, and mental health.

The good news? Attending school every day greatly increases a child’s chances of success — both in school and in life. "Showing Up Together!" will improve school attendance when students, families, and schools work as a team to make regular attendance a priority.

🚗CAR LINE ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL🚗

A PERSON MAY NOT OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE USING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE IN A HANDHELD MANNER IN A DESIGNATED SCHOOL CROSSING, SCHOOL ZONE, OR WORK ZONE AREA AS DEFINED IN S. 316.003(109).

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2020, A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAY STOP MOTOR VEHICLES AND ISSUE CITATIONS TO PERSONS WHO ARE DRIVING WHILE USING A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE IN A HANDHELD MANNER IN VIOLATION OF SUBPARAGRAPH 1.

ANY USE OF CELL PHONES AND BLUETOOTH ARE NOT ALLOWED WHILE DROPPING OFF OR PICKING UP YOUR CHILD. IF YOU ARE ON THE CELL PHONE IN CAR LINE, WE WILL ASK YOU TO TERMINATE YOUR CALL. This is done for the safety of staff and students.

DROP-OFF:

Students may be dropped off beginning at 7:40 a. m in the carline on Tuscawilla. PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND PATIENT. PLEASE DO NOT COME UP SIDE ROADS AND TRY TO ENTER THE LINE FROM THOSE POINTS. Please have student’s items gathered and have student ready to leave the car as soon as the door is opened. Parents should not walk up to the campus gates. Students should remain in their vehicle and a staff member will assist the child.

PICK-UP:

Carline will form a single line. DO NOT BLOCK ROADWAY!!! Please wait for direction from staff to form 2 lines. Left lane MUST turn left and Right Lane MUST turn right. Students will be called to a cone and loaded by an adult. Do NOT get out of vehicle. Staff will be directing traffic.

When you change the means of transportation for your student, you are required to send a note with your signature explaining the change. If you have forgotten to give your child a note, you can email Mrs. Tidwell at Jessica.Tidwell@marion.k12.fl.us or call the school with the change of transportation. We cannot be assured that your child’s teacher will read the emails or messages before dismissal. This is to protect your child. (Please be sure to notify your child’s teacher at the start of the year if he/she is going to going to be a car rider, walker, go home via a daycare provider, or attend extended day.)

If your child is not at the car line and /or is not paying attention when his/her name is called, you may be asked to go around and get into the back of the car line. In order to pick up a student in car line, parents must display the school issued car rider sign in the front window for the staff to see, please leave the sign up until your child is safely in the vehicle.

🚶🏻‍♀️Walking Perimeter🚶🏻‍♂️

In order to improve student safety and ensure a smooth dismissal for all families, we have implemented a perimeter requirement for those requesting a walk-up card. Only families who live within the designated walk zone will be eligible to receive a walk-up card. This change helps us manage foot traffic more efficiently and ensures that walk-up dismissal remains safe and organized for everyone involved.

We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

Walkers must live between:

Fort King Street

SE 9th Ave. & Victoria Villas Apartments

SE 10th Street

SE 3rd Ave. & Lamplighter Apartments

Click the form below for instruction on the My Ride K-12 Mobile App!

Citizenship is the ability to be a responsible, respectful, and positive member of a community. Students who demonstrate citizenship follow rules, show integrity, respect others' rights and differences, contribute to a positive school culture, and take ownership of their actions. Strong citizenship skills help students build healthy relationships, work collaboratively, and make choices that support the success and well-being of those around them.

Click here to learn more about citizenship!

https://www.buildresiliency.org/_files/ugd/ab06c2_40d0c76867b341399f72c18caa7374b8.pdf

Communication is a top priority for us here at Eighth Street, and it is an essential part of the strong partnership we share as we work together for the success of our students. If you ever have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are always here to listen, support, and help. For concerns that may be broader in scope, you are also welcome to contact school administration directly.

The Marion County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race (including anti-Semitism), ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, religion, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively, "protected classes") in its educational programs, services or activities, or in its hiring or employment practices as required by Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, Age Discrimination Act of 1967, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Florida Educational Equity Act of 1984. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation. The District also provides equal access to its facilities for the Boy Scouts and other patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act.

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination which is against the law and School Board Policies 1362, 2266, 3362, 4362, and 5517. The District will not tolerate sexual harassment activity by any of its members of the school district community, including students, employees, and third parties pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX Rules and Regulations.

Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding discrimination or harassment may be sent to the below designated personnel at 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, FL 34471. Retaliation against an individual who files a report is also prohibited.

ADA, Employee Title IX Coordinator, and Employment Compliance:
Dawana Gary, Director of Employee Relations
Phone: (352) 671-7711; Email address: Dawana.Gary@marion.k12.fl.us

Section 504 Compliance:
Anna Williams-Jones, Director of Exceptional Student Education
Phone: (352) 671-6832; Email address: Anna.Williams-Jones@marion.k12.fl.us

Student Title IX Complaints:
John Kerley, Director of Student Discipline
Phone: (352) 671-7790; Email address: John.Kerley@marion.k12.fl.us

The Nondiscrimination Statement is also available in Spanish.

Policy 1122: Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity

Policy 2260: Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity

EEOC Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Posting

Notificación continua de no discriminación/Prohibición de acoso

El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Marion no discrimina por motivos de raza (incluido el antisemitismo), etnia, color, origen nacional, sexo, orientación sexual, discapacidad (incluido el VIH, el SIDA o el rasgo de células falciformes), embarazo, religión, estado civil, edad (excepto según lo autorizado por la ley), estado militar, ascendencia o información genética, que son clases protegidas por la ley estatal y / o federal (colectivamente, "clases protegidas") en sus programas, servicios o actividades educativas, o en sus prácticas de contratación o empleo según lo requerido por el Título IX, el Título VI, el Título VII de la Ley de Discriminación por Edad de 1967, la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades de 1990 y la Ley de Equidad Educativa de Florida de 1984. La falta de habilidades en el idioma inglés no será una barrera para la admisión o participación. El Distrito también proporciona igualdad de acceso a sus instalaciones a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos juveniles patrióticos, como lo requiere la Ley de Acceso Igualitario de los Boy Scouts of America.

El acoso sexual es una forma de discriminación que va en contra de la ley y de las Políticas 1362, 2266, 3362, 4362 y 5517 de la Junta Escolar. El Distrito no tolerará actividades de acoso sexual por parte de ninguno de sus miembros de la comunidad del distrito escolar, incluidos estudiantes, empleados y terceros de conformidad con el Título VII de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y las Reglas y Reglamentos del Título IX.

Las preguntas, quejas o solicitudes de información adicional con respecto a la discriminación o el acoso pueden enviarse al personal designado a continuación en 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, FL 34471. También se prohíben las represalias contra una persona que presente una denuncia.

ADA, Título IX y Cumplimiento de Equidad: Dawana Gary, Ed.S., Directora, Equidad y Cumplimiento Teléfono: (352) 671-7711; Dirección de correo electrónico: dawana.gary@marion.k12.fl.us

Cumplimiento de la Sección 504: Anna Williams-Jones, M.A.Ed., Directora, Educación para Estudiantes Excepcionales Teléfono: (352)671-6832; Dirección de correo electrónico: anna.williams-jones@marion.k12.fl.us

Quejas estudiantiles sobre el Título IX: John Kerly, Director of Student Discipline

Phone: (352) 236-0536; Email address: John.Kerley@marion.k12.fl.us