Summer is training season! A school guardian training exercise will take place at Umatilla Middle School on Wednesday, June 25, from 4–7 p.m. You may notice an increased law enforcement presence on campus during this time, but don't worry! This is a planned training session to help ensure our schools remain safe and secure for all students and staff when they return in August.
If you notice an increased presence of law enforcement officers at Tavares Elementary School on Tuesday, June 24, do not be alarmed. The Lake County Sheriff's Office will host a School Guardian Active Assailant Training exercise from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on campus. This is a scheduled training, not a law enforcement incident.
Are you still looking for a fun summer learning opportunity for your kids? The Healthcare Exploration Camp at Lake-Sumter State College still has spots available! This camp will be held June 9-12 and is for rising 6th-9th grade students. Don't delay! The deadline to register is June 1. Links for registration:
Clermont Campus: https://lssc.catalog.instructure.com/browse/earlycollegeprograms/xploration/courses/crn30002rec0285healthcare-summer-exploration
Leesburg Campus: https://lssc.catalog.instructure.com/browse/earlycollegeprograms/xploration/courses/crn30003rec0285healthcare-summer-exploration
On the next episode of “A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity,” students at Rimes Early Learning and Literacy Center will be featured as they screen “Carl the Collector.” Watch this young audience truly embrace Carl and his friends. Learn more on Saturday, June 7, at 6 p.m. EST on @WUCFTV and nationwide on the free PBS app. #Neurodiversity #ThisIsBeacon #LearningDifferences
Test retakes are being offered this summer to students who did not pass the Algebra I End of Course (EOC) exam or the Grade 10 FAST Reading exam, and to students who missed the Geometry, Biology, or U.S. History End of Course exams in the spring. Sign up using this link: https://forms.gle/MV8wbsHjWwGMcb8YA. The deadline to register is June 19. Tests will be given July 14-16 at the student’s zoned high school. Parents will receive specific dates and times on or before June 26.
REMINDER: Schools are closed tomorrow for Memorial Day. Then, students will follow the Wednesday early release schedule for Tuesday, May 27, Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, which is the last day of classes!
Please remember to mark your calendar and prepare for a schedule change in the last week of school! Schools will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Then, students will follow the Wednesday early release schedule for Tuesday, May 27, Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, which is the last day of classes!
Students in the Transitions class at The Academy of Lake Hills South have been working hard on a special community outreach project, collecting essential items, from toiletries to snacks, to create care packages for individuals experiencing homelessness in our area. The efforts of these generous young adults reflect their commitment to giving back and their growth as responsible, empathetic citizens.
The class is for students who have deferred their diploma to work on life skills before transitioning to post-high school life. The Academy of Lake Hills South serves students with the most significant behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs.
We are incredibly proud of this inspiring group for making a real difference in the lives of others!
The Leesburg High School boys' weightlifting team was recognized by the Lake County School Board at their meeting this week for being three-time Boys 2A Olympic Weightlifting State Champions! Head Coach Josh Boyer along with student athletes Jamahr Williams, Gage Anderson and Kayden Adams attended the meeting and received medals from board. Student athletes Theo Prater, Alexander Santamaria, Ryan Thompson, Savion Latimore and Jeremy Lacey were also recognized, but were not in attendance. Go, Jackets!!
Congratulations to the Eustis High School softball team! They won the Class 3A Region 2 Championship and are now on their way to states! The semifinal game is Wednesday, May 21, and the championship game is Thursday, May 22, both at Boombah Soldier's Creek Park in Seminole County. Best of luck to these amazing athletes!! Go, Panthers!!
Mark your calendar for a schedule change in the last week of school! Schools will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Then, students will follow the Wednesday early release schedule for Tuesday, May 27, Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, which is the last day of classes!
🌸 A Heartfelt Mother’s Day Surprise at Leesburg Elementary! 🌸 We’re excited to share this special video featuring our Leesburg Elementary students, who got an early start on Mother’s Day weekend thanks to the incredible efforts of community volunteers! 💕✨ Volunteers lovingly restored gently used jewelry and transformed it into a beautiful “store” where students could pick out the perfect gifts for their mothers. The smiles, excitement, and pride on these kids’ faces say it all — they couldn’t wait to surprise the amazing moms in their lives! 👏 Thank you to our generous community members for making this memorable experience possible and helping our students celebrate the love and appreciation they have for their families. And thank you LakeFront TV for creating the video and sharing this good-news story! 🎥 Watch the video below to see the joy in action! 💖 #LeesburgElementary #MothersDay #CommunityLove #StudentSmiles https://drive.google.com/file/d/1inX-3Ue_xPbi4TFMX5xkAM3u_t0O7uYI/view?usp=sharing
🎉 We’re thrilled to celebrate William De Jongh from Mount Dora High School for his outstanding achievement at the SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Conference! 🎉 William, along with teammates Julia Lowry and Shane Endres, proudly represented Mount Dora High School in the Technical Drafting category — a challenging contest that evaluates students’ preparation for employment and recognizes excellence and professionalism. This competition tests students on solving real-world, industry-developed problems using advanced technical drafting skills and computer-aided drafting tools🏆 A huge shoutout to William for placing 3rd in Technical Drafting! 🏆
Congratulations to London Bray, a sixth-grade Windy Hill Middle School student, and his supporting teacher, Mr. Brian Williams. London won first place at Florida History Day in the junior individual exhibit category! His exhibit, "Navajo Code Talkers: Journey from Responsibilities to Rights," was selected from entries from 40 districts across the state. London is now eligible to participate in the National History Day competition, June 8-12, at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. There, he will compete with students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and international schools!
IN THE NEWS: It's almost graduation season! Reporter Emily McLeod at WKMG took a look back at last year's graduation rate and talked with Superintendent Kornegay about what our district is doing to make sure students make it across that stage. Watch here: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/05/07/lake-county-schools-see-increase-in-graduation-rates-for-2023-2024-school-year/
Leo Perez Castellano, a junior at East Ridge High School, has been selected as the 2025 Teen PSA National Technical Winner! His public service announcement (PSA) about acceptance and understanding of people with schizophrenia was among dozens of PSAs submitted. Leo's PSA about accepting and understanding people with schizophrenia finished second in popular voting for the state of Florida. It was later judged by a panel of professional television producers and television production teachers across the country. They scored Leo's PSA -- which blends many specialized video, audio and animated technical elements -- the highest nationwide! Please join us in congratulating this super talented, hard working student for this recognition.! View the PSA at this link: https://vimeo.com/1070874136?share=copy#t=0
It's National Nurses Week, and we focus specifically on school nurses on Wednesday, May 7, School Nurse Day! #Schoolnurses positively impact students, families, and schools by providing direct care, managing chronic conditions, promoting mental health and school attendance, connecting families to community resources, and coordinating care to break down barriers to healthcare access. #SND2025 www.schoolnurseday.org #StudentHealth
National School Counseling Week focuses public attention to the unique contribution of school counselors within the school system. This week highlights the impact counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan a successful career.
Celebrate Literacy Week is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire our students and families to make reading part of their daily routines.
Interested in a STEM Career? There are 32 DAYS LEFT to apply for Lake-Sumter State College’s Health Science Collegiate Academy. This program is open to all current 8th grade students who will be attending East Ridge High School, Lake Minneola High School, South Lake High School, or Pinecrest Lakes High School. Students must have a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA. Applications are due February 21. For more information and to apply, please visit www.lssc.edu/hsca/.