Nova Lakes Insider

Rattler Families!

We have enjoyed meeting all of our students and many parents during this first week of school.

In the coming weeks we will continue to build the culture of Nova Lakes with our students. We remain excited for what lies ahead and committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for students.

As we move forward this year, we will continue to provide updates to all of you on Nova Lakes and the expectations. As such, please take a few moments to read the newsletter as it contains important information regarding school expectations.

At Nova Lakes we STRIKE with Safety, Thoughtfulness, Respect, Integrity, Knowledge, and Engagement.

Rattlers STRIKE!

LATE ARRIVAL

Class Start Time is at 7:15am

After 7:15am, Car Loop will be closed. Students will need to enter through the "Guidance" entrance.

EARLY PICK-UP

The exception of pick up from the nurse's station (Administration side) is done through the "Guidance" entrance.

Parents and students, as we begin the school year, all student drop-off, pick-up, visitor parking, and student parking must be accessed via Pine Grove Road. This temporary traffic pattern will remain in place until the completion of our main entrance off Nova Road, which is anticipated to open in December.

Pine Grove Road can be accessed from either U.S. 192 or Nova Road. Please follow the approved routes shown in the maps below. For safety reasons, families should not attempt to access the campus through any other entrance.

School staff will be on site to assist with traffic flow and answer questions during the first few days of school.

We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and cooperation as we open Osceola County’s newest high school and look forward to a fantastic school year ahead!

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.

Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Valencia College Dual Enrollment application period:

Application Opens: August 31
Application Closes: October 1

PERT Testing Sign-Up: Dates to be determined

Qualifications:
Students must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 and meet the required college-readiness PERT scores in Reading, Writing, and Math.

Why Dual Enrollment?
Students can earn high school and college credit at the same time, with credits that may transfer to a university or apply toward a Valencia degree. Tuition and books are covered.

Be on the lookout!

A ParentSquare message will be sent on August 31 with the Valencia Dual Enrollment application link and PERT testing sign-up information.

Stay tuned for more information!

Make reading for fun a habit!

Study after study has shown that reading for fun is beneficial for people of all ages. It improves cognitive function and academic performance, it increases empathy and emotional intelligence, and it has even been found to increase life expectancy. Make reading for fun a daily habit and see all the benefits it can bring to your life. Encourage your students to visit the Media Center at school to check out physical books, use MackinVIA on ClassLink to borrow ebooks and audiobooks any time of day and have them log their reading minutes every day in Beanstack. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Dunham at nicole.dunham@osceolaschools.net.

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

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.

There will be grade level assemblies with students to review District policies stated in the code of conduct.

Please note NLHS dress code for the year:

TOPS:

• Must be a solid t-shirt or polo.
• No stripped no plaid no writing just solid in color: navy blue black white or grey.
• The proper undergarments should be worn.
• The shirt should be appropriate in length where bra straps are not visible or the stomach.
• Shirt should not be tucked in any way to expose areas.

BOTTOMS:

• Can be denim navy blue or khaki but must be solid in color-no stripes or writing.
• Jeans may have holes from the knees down.
• Only navy blue or black sweatpants/joggers may be worn. Shorts must be to mid thigh.
• No camouflage no spandex/yoga pants.

Thank you for your partnership in helping our students arrive at school dressed for success and ready to learn. We appreciate your continued support!

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.

Our first week back has been filled with excitement, new connections, and a great start to the school year. As we head into the second week, we encourage students to continue building positive routines by arriving on time, staying organized and actively engaging in their classes.

Families, please check your Parent Square account and our social media accounts; there we share school communications such as updates, upcoming events and any other pertinent information. We look forward to another successful week at Nova Lakes and to seeing our students continue to learn, grow and STRIKE!