Lake County Schools

School-based #mentoring programs nurture quality student-adult relationships and help boost attendance rates. Contact your neighborhood school to learn how you can volunteer as a mentor. #HereTodayReadyforTomorrow

A student who is chronically absent in high school is 7.4X more likely to dropout. Make school attendance a priority! #HereTodayReadyforTomorrow

Building strong, trusting relationships that promote a feeling of belonging is fundamental to improving student attendance & engagement. #HereTodayReadyforTomorrow

Today is the day! The Mount Dora Hurricanes take on the South Lake Eagles tonight, and Good Day Orlando on Fox35 is getting everyone excited about the big game! News crews are on site at both schools today for a Friday Football Blitz with the bands, cheerleaders, football players, and more. Whether you're cheering for the Hurricanes or the Eagles, tune in at 9 a.m. and join the football frenzy!

The Mount Dora Hurricanes take on the South Lake Eagles tomorrow night, and Good Day Orlando on Fox35 is getting everyone excited about the big game! News crews will be on site at both schools starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow for a Friday Football Blitz with the bands, cheerleaders, football players, and more! Whether you're cheering for the Hurricanes or the Eagles, tune in tomorrow morning and join the football frenzy!

Absenteeism is a lost opportunity to learn. We can’t afford to think of absenteeism as merely a lack of compliance with school rules. Let's work together as a community to make regular school attendance a priority.
#HereTodayReadyforTomorrow

Tune in to FOX35 for Football Friday this week, when the South Lake High Eagles and Mount Dora High Hurricanes will be featured! The bands, cheerleaders, football teams, and others will be live on air between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., cheering on their teams as the two prepare to face off at 7 p.m. Friday night. Join the fun!

When a student misses so many days that they are chronically absent (10% or more days) it means the lack of engagement in learning is an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed. Chronic absence affects all kids, not just the absent ones. #HereTodayReadyforTomorrow

Congratulations to Mrs. Reanna Boardway, principal of Eustis Elementary School! She was recently selected by the Lake-Sumter State College Alumni Committee to receive the LSSC Scholar Award! She will be formally recognized at the 14th annual Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame Awards Celebration next month. We applaud you, Mrs. Boardway. Thank you for all you do for our students, our district, and our community!

Congratulations to Amaya Tuttle-Marshall of Lake Minneola High and Gabriel Jayjack of East Ridge High! They are among the 16,000 students across the country named as semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program! These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. About 95 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and about half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. Join us in wishing Amaya and Gabriel the best of luck!

Health-related absences are a top reason students miss school, yet sometimes they can be avoided. Partner with health providers to keep students healthy and in school! #HereTodayReadyforTomorrow

September is Attendance Awareness Month! Let's help students build a habit of good attendance early and often. #HereTodayReadyforTomorrow

All Lake County public schools will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day. We honor the hard work, dedication, and contributions of the American workforce that help build strong communities and a bright future for our students. Enjoy a safe and restful holiday!

Are you ready for some football? Join Lake County Schools employees, students, friends, and families in Gainesville as the Florida Gators take on the Long Island Sharks on Saturday, August 30. A portion of every ticket sold will be donated back to the Education Foundation of Lake County to support Lake County Schools! Get your tickets at https://www.gofevo.com/event/Lakecounty60

Families are invited to a Back-to-School Bash in the Mount Dora High School cafeteria,700 N. Highland Street, on Sunday, August 10, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sponsored by Peachy Enterprises, in partnership with local community partners, this event will feature several giveaways including free backpacks filled with school supplies and personal hygiene items while supplies last, free food, free haircuts, and free school physicals. Additionally, local schools, community partners, and vendors will be on site to provide helpful resources and information. Register in advance at https://forms.gle/v9apAWRU8HFdPRmp9

Grab your friends and family and come to the Clermont Florida Blue Center, 2601 S. Highway 27 in Clermont, on Saturday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for FREE backpacks (limit 3 per household) and school supply giveaways, fun activities for the kids, and resources to help students start the school year strong. Plus, enjoy healthy refreshments as you kick off the start of the upcoming school year and learn about local community organizations in the area. Everyone is welcome! You do not need to be a Florida Blue member to participate, and there is no cost to attend. Learn more and RSVP at https://appointments.floridablue.com/fbevents/s/event-details?eventId=a2Wan000000c89REAQ

In collaboration with local law enforcement, Lake County Schools will host active-assailant training exercises at two school campuses this week. These exercises are part of a continuing effort to ensure that officers and deputies are fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the unlikely event of a real-life emergency. The sessions will be held on Thursday, July 31, at East Ridge Middle School and on Friday, August 1, at Umatilla High School, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The interactive training will include simulated gunfire and student actors to create real-life scenarios.

“We understand that these exercises can raise concerns,” Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth said. “However, law enforcement officials stress the importance of training in realistic settings to be better equipped to protect our students and staff.”

The trainings were intentionally scheduled during the summer when students and teachers are not on campus. Participation is limited to student actors whose parents have provided written consent. The district notified the community in advance through social media and the district and school websites.

“We are deeply grateful for the partnership we share with local law enforcement and for their ongoing commitment to keeping our schools safe,” Farnsworth added. “While we all wish this type of training wasn’t necessary, we must prepare. We support our officers and deputies as they train to be there for us when we need them most.”

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) conducts active assailant training on an ongoing basis as required by state statutes and accreditation requirements to ensure the safety of all involved if such a scenario plays out at one of our schools. It’s especially vital for School Resource Deputies to undergo active assailant training in a realistic environment, as their preparedness can significantly reduce casualties and protect students and staff during such critical incidents, an LCSO spokesperson explained. Demonstrating our teamwork in safety, representatives from Lake County Schools and the Florida Department of Education will also be in attendance at the upcoming training.