Every year the Lake County Education Association awards a scholarship established by Cynthia Schumacher, a longtime Lake County Schools educator and LCEA leader, to recognize graduating seniors who are the children or grandchildren of LCEA educators. Recipients are chosen based on academic achievement, school improvement, community service, and intended majors that support public education. Congratulations to this year's winners:
• Land Baltunis from Leesburg High School, attending Santa Fe College
• Dosumu Damilola from Lake Minneola High School, attending the University of Florida
• Alexis Parisi from Lake Minneola High School, attending the University of Florida
• Caleb Paul from Lake Minneola High School, attending Daytona State College
• Geomar Robinson from East Ridge High School, attending the University of Central Florida
• Spencer Scheiderer from Mount Dora High School, attending Florida State University
The schools that participated in the 2025-26 Superintendent's Reading Challenge were recognized at the May 11 School Board meeting for inspiring a love of reading among all ages. In total, 20,953 students read 396,766 books this year! "We proudly celebrate the schools that met the Superintendent's Reading Challenge and commend their students, teachers, staff and families for their dedication to literacy and lifelong learning," Dr. Emily Feltner, executive director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, said as she announced the schools. They are:
ELEMENTARY
○ Astatula
○ Beverly Shores
○ Cypress Ridge
○ Eustis
○ Eustis Heights
○ Fruitland Park
○ Grassy Lake
○ Groveland
○ Leesburg
○ Lost Lake
○ Pine Ridge
○ Rimes Early Learning Center
○ Sawgrass Bay
○ Seminole Springs
○ Sorrento
○ Tavares
○ Treadway
○ Triangle
○ Umatilla
○ Villages of Lady Lake
K-8/MIDDLE
○ Aurelia M. Cole Academy
○ Lake Pointe Academy
○ Minneola Horizon Academy
○ Mount Dora Middle
○ Oak Park Middle
○ Tavares Middle
HIGH
○ East Ridge
○ Leesburg
○ Mount Dora
ELEMENTARY
○ Astatula
○ Beverly Shores
○ Cypress Ridge
○ Eustis
○ Eustis Heights
○ Fruitland Park
○ Grassy Lake
○ Groveland
○ Leesburg
○ Lost Lake
○ Pine Ridge
○ Rimes Early Learning Center
○ Sawgrass Bay
○ Seminole Springs
○ Sorrento
○ Tavares
○ Treadway
○ Triangle
○ Umatilla
○ Villages of Lady Lake
K-8/MIDDLE
○ Aurelia M. Cole Academy
○ Lake Pointe Academy
○ Minneola Horizon Academy
○ Mount Dora Middle
○ Oak Park Middle
○ Tavares Middle
HIGH
○ East Ridge
○ Leesburg
○ Mount Dora
Lake County Schools Superintendent Diane Kornegay thanked members of her Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee at the School Board meeting on May 11. "Four years ago, we started the Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee, and every year it's just such a pleasure to get to know these students, hear the student voice, and see the impact they are making as school leaders," she said. "It's always hard to see them go, but I know that they are going to do amazing things, all headed to college and the workforce. They will continue to have a tremendous impact, changing our world for the better." Each committee member was presented with a token of appreciation, funded through the Education Foundation of Lake County. The members are:
• Joshua Brown and Peyton Taylor (Mount Dora High)
• Carolynn Cute and Kathryn Mizell (Lake Minneola High)
• Jasmine Gaines and Avery Post (East Ridge High)
• Anna Orr (Eustis High)
• Victoria Outler and Mikayla Valarie-Collins (South Lake High)
• Kishun Ramjeet and Savannah Minchey (Tavares High)
• Sophia Ross and Ella Prater (Leesburg High)
• Emily Snow (Umatilla High)
• Joshua Brown and Peyton Taylor (Mount Dora High)
• Carolynn Cute and Kathryn Mizell (Lake Minneola High)
• Jasmine Gaines and Avery Post (East Ridge High)
• Anna Orr (Eustis High)
• Victoria Outler and Mikayla Valarie-Collins (South Lake High)
• Kishun Ramjeet and Savannah Minchey (Tavares High)
• Sophia Ross and Ella Prater (Leesburg High)
• Emily Snow (Umatilla High)
Happy School Communicators Day! Today, we proudly recognize and celebrate the vital work of our school communicators. They are the storytellers, connectors, and behind-the-scenes champions who keep our community informed and engaged every day. From sharing student and staff achievements to providing timely updates, managing social media, coordinating events, and ensuring clear communication during celebrations and challenges, our communicators play an essential role in building trust and strengthening the connection between our schools and our community. Their work helps shine a light on the incredible things happening across our district. Thank you for your creativity, dedication, and commitment to excellence. We appreciate all that you do to support our schools, families, and community!
Lake County Schools is proud to employ 54 dedicated school nurses across our district. This school year alone, from August through March, our nurses provided over 136,000 clinic visits. From treating minor injuries to managing complex medical conditions and critical care plans, our school nurses ensure every student has the support they need to thrive academically and personally.
Today, we celebrate school nurses as trained healthcare professionals who serve as the primary medical resource in school settings. They assess and treat student illnesses and injuries, manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, and administer medications as prescribed. They work closely with students, families, teachers, and healthcare providers to develop care plans for students with complex medical needs and ensure appropriate accommodations in the classroom. Beyond clinical duties, school nurses advocate for student health and safety, respond to health emergencies, and often serve as counselors and trusted adults who support students' overall well-being during their school years.
School nurses are essential healthcare providers who support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students. They manage acute and chronic health conditions, administer medications, and provide first aid and emergency care when students are injured or become ill. They also serve as liaisons between families, schools, and healthcare providers, ensuring students with special health needs receive appropriate accommodations. Additionally, school nurses often address mental health and wellness concerns, helping students navigate stress, anxiety, and other challenges that can affect their learning and development.
Please join us in thanking our school nurses for all that they do!
Today, we celebrate school nurses as trained healthcare professionals who serve as the primary medical resource in school settings. They assess and treat student illnesses and injuries, manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, and administer medications as prescribed. They work closely with students, families, teachers, and healthcare providers to develop care plans for students with complex medical needs and ensure appropriate accommodations in the classroom. Beyond clinical duties, school nurses advocate for student health and safety, respond to health emergencies, and often serve as counselors and trusted adults who support students' overall well-being during their school years.
School nurses are essential healthcare providers who support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students. They manage acute and chronic health conditions, administer medications, and provide first aid and emergency care when students are injured or become ill. They also serve as liaisons between families, schools, and healthcare providers, ensuring students with special health needs receive appropriate accommodations. Additionally, school nurses often address mental health and wellness concerns, helping students navigate stress, anxiety, and other challenges that can affect their learning and development.
Please join us in thanking our school nurses for all that they do!
NASA has awarded students at the Aurelia M. Cole Academy and South Lake High School the opportunity to participate in a live question-and-answer session with astronauts aboard the International Space Station! Use the link below to tune in at 10:55 a.m. on Friday, May 8, to hear astronauts answer students' questions live during this In-Flight Education Downlink. Watch coverage on NASA STEM YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/u0KHcNXFkWE?si=mZUpTc1Iy4x9zeCL
Lake-Sumter State College Dual-Enrollment (DE) students: Your dual enrollment classes start in less than a week! Sign up for an appointment today at the link here to reserve your course materials: https://forms.gle/u8EbcRsBSvRGQY5t8
The DE bookstore will be open Monday, May 11, through Friday, May 15, for all Summer 2026 sessions (NOTE: We are NOT open for morning appointment times on Monday, May 11).
Our bookstore is located at 509 S. Palm Ave. in Howey-in-the-Hills. If you have any questions, contact the Department of College and Career Readiness at 352-742-6987.
The DE bookstore will be open Monday, May 11, through Friday, May 15, for all Summer 2026 sessions (NOTE: We are NOT open for morning appointment times on Monday, May 11).
Our bookstore is located at 509 S. Palm Ave. in Howey-in-the-Hills. If you have any questions, contact the Department of College and Career Readiness at 352-742-6987.
Today, we honor the incredible School Lunch Heroes who nourish our students with care, consistency, and a whole lot of heart. From early‑morning prep to the last tray of the day, you make our schools brighter and our kids healthier. Thank you for everything you do for our district’s families.
Happy Principal Appreciation Day to the amazing leaders guiding our schools forward. From early‑morning problem‑solving to late‑night planning, our principals show up with heart, vision, and a commitment to excellence. We’re grateful for everything you do to support students, staff, and families across our district.
This week, we celebrated seven students who have completed the teacher preparatory program at the Tavares High School Teaching Academy. Congratulations to Sharmane Jackson, Jazmyn McDuffie, Bailey Rasmussen, Jianmichael Rodriguez Diaz, Hailey Sams, Nakisha Wesley, and Reyna Zamor. Through the academy, students complete an advanced, hands-on curriculum in preparation for a career in teaching. After high school, they may continue with their post-secondary education, complete internships in Lake schools and are guaranteed a job interview with the district, where they can start their career in education. Thank you to Addition Financial, Stephanie Walters Promotions, Ford Press, Tip-Tops and M & H Awards for providing special gifts to celebrate the students’ achievement!
We are excited to share that during their ribbon‑cutting ceremony this morning, the Burlington Store at The Villages presented Villages Elementary of Lady Lake (VELL) with a generous $5,000 donation! Principal Gregg Dudley proudly accepted the check, which will be used to purchase much‑needed items for our teachers’ classrooms. VELL is incredibly appreciative of the support from our new neighbor and grateful for a partner who believes in investing in our students and staff. Thank you, Burlington, for making a positive impact right from day one!
Mount Dora High School students recently competed in the Florida SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference. William De Jongh placed 2nd in Technical Drafting and will now move on to the National SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference, which will be held in June in Atlanta. He will represent Mount Dora High School and the state of Florida in the Technical Drafting competition. Congratulations to William and to Shane Endres and Josue Herrera Paz, who competed in Architectural Drafting.
Attention Lake-Sumter State College Dual Enrollment (DE) students: The DE bookstore will be open Monday, May 11, through Friday, May 15, for all Summer 2026 sessions. Below is a link to the form to request materials and an appointment to pick them up (NOTE: We are NOT open for morning appointment times on Monday, May 11).
Our bookstore is located at 509 S. Palm Ave. in Howey-in-the-Hills. If you have any questions, contact the Department of College and Career Readiness at 352-742-6987.
Request form: https://forms.gle/u8EbcRsBSvRGQY5t8
Our bookstore is located at 509 S. Palm Ave. in Howey-in-the-Hills. If you have any questions, contact the Department of College and Career Readiness at 352-742-6987.
Request form: https://forms.gle/u8EbcRsBSvRGQY5t8
Thank you, Lake Technical College, for welcoming 35 students and faculty from South Lake and Umatilla high schools for a first-ever field trip focused on manufacturing and engineering career pathways! The experience introduced our students—already enrolled in related high school coursework—to advanced training options available through Lake Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing & Production Technology and CNC Production Specialist programs. months and is designed to build directly on the foundational skills students are developing in high school. We are excited about what the future holds for our students!
April is the Month of the Military Family in Florida! Students and staff were asked to “Purple Up!” today, April 15, 2026, by wearing purple as a visible way to show support and thank military children. Purple was chosen because it is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military. It is a combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine Corps red, Space Force blue and Navy blue. Did you purple up? If so, post your photo on your personal social media page with #LCSPurpleUp2026
Lake County Schools' annual STEAM Bowl kicked off today and continues through Wednesday. The event is a hands-on test of elementary and middle school students' science, technology, engineering, arts, and math skills. Congratulations to today's winners and best of luck to the rest of our competitors!
Congratulations to Dan McAuley of Leesburg High School! iBuild Central Florida and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Central Florida have named him High School Construction Teacher of the Year! The award was presented at the annual "State of Construction" event last week in Maitland, where Rep. Dr. Anna Eskamami was the featured keynote speaker.
Health science students from South Lake High CNA and Allied Health programs took part in the annual Central Florida Mass Casualty Exercise at Advent Health Minneola Hospital and Orlando Health Blue Cedar Freestanding Emergency Room on Thursday, April 9th. Dubbed "Operation Skyfall," this was the largest medical surge exercise in the nation and involved every hospital in Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties. Students and staff volunteered to play the role of victims in this vital exercise so that our local emergency rooms and hospitals can be better for an actual mass casualty event.
April is the Month of the Military Family in Florida! The Month of the Military Family provides communities with an opportunity to honor and share gratitude for the service of military children. This year, we invite you to “Purple Up!” on April 15, 2026, by wearing purple as a visible way to show support and thank military children. Purple was chosen because it is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military. It is a combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine Corps red, Space Force blue and Navy blue. Students and staff in schools across Florida are encouraged to participate in this celebration of the courage of military families and to honor their hard work.
April is School Library Month, a time to recognize the incredible impact our school libraries have on student learning and curiosity. We are proud to celebrate the outstanding media specialists across our district who inspire a love of reading, guide students in discovering new ideas, and help build essential research and digital literacy skills every day. Thank you for creating welcoming spaces where imagination grows, questions are encouraged, and every student can find a story that speaks to them. Your dedication makes a lasting difference in our schools. Please join us in showing appreciation for our amazing media specialists!
