Santa Rosa County District Schools

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS - MAY 2025 The School Board of Santa Rosa County, Florida, hereby gives notice that it will conduct a public Board Meeting on May 1, 2025. This meeting will begin at 5:30pm and the meeting will be held in the Canal Street Boardroom (5086 Canal Street Milton, Florida 32570). Additionally, there will be another public Board Meeting held on May 15, 2025 that will begin at 5:30 and will also be held in the Canal Street Boardroom.

COMING SOON Our new website will launch on May 1! This is the same URL with a new look. Check it out at www.santarosaschools.org!

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY Today, we celebrate the hardworking administrative professionals in our district and at our school sites who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes! Thank you for all that you do to keep things organized and efficient!

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK The week of April 20-26 is a week to recognition volunteers and appreciate the work that they do. We are so thankful for our numerous volunteers in our district that give their time, energy, and hearts to make a difference. Your generosity and dedication help to support our students and create a brighter future for our students. Thank you for all that you do!

GOOD FRIDAY - NO SCHOOL This is just a reminder that there is no school on Friday, April 18 due to Good Friday. We look forward to seeing our students back on Monday, April 21. Enjoy the long weekend ahead!

PRESS RELEASE Santa Rosa Students Use Art as Therapy through Grant-Funded Project Milton, FL – April 16, 2025 – Thanks to a $1,000 grant from the Santa Rosa Education Foundation (SREF), 18 students recently participated in a meaningful art project in partnership with the Milton Juvenile Probation Office and the Santa Rosa County District Schools Student Intervention Specialists, Paula Lowrimore and Kimi Gillis. The initiative gave students an opportunity to earn community service hours while creating artwork that will be donated for display at the Milton Juvenile Probation Office and at the Santa Rosa County Courthouse. This unique collaboration allowed students to explore creativity, give back, and engage in a restorative experience. The art project was completed under the guidance of Paula Lowrimore and Kimi Gillis, Student Intervention Specialists in Santa Rosa County District Schools, who work under a federal grant to support students involved with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). “We’re proud of the students for their dedication to this project and for using their talents to make a lasting contribution to the community,” said Lowrimore. “This kind of opportunity helps build confidence and a sense of purpose,” said Gillis. The artwork will soon be installed at the Milton Juvenile Probation Office and at the Santa Rosa Courthouse, serving as a symbol of growth, healing, and community support. ### For additional information or media inquiries, please reach out to Nadia Colin, Public Information and Family and Community Outreach Officer, at PIO@santarosa.k12.fl.us.

Purple Up Day Join us in wearing purple on Thursday, April 17 as we celebrate "Purple Up" Day in honor of Month of the Military Child!

CONTROLLED OPEN ENROLLMENT TRANSFER PERIOD (4/11-5/27) The Controlled Open Enrollment transfer period for Santa Rosa County will begin on April 11th and go through May 27st. Beginning April 11th you can access the Transfer Form, the 25-26 School Choice Plan and the 25-26 Controlled Open Enrollment Capacity Chart on our school district’s website under school choice. Directions for completing the transfer form and submitting it can also be found on the district’s website. Parents without internet can pick up a paper copy from the front office. If you have questions regarding the transfer process, please contact your student’s Grade Level Director at 850 983-5150.

Santa Rosa Online will now offer full-time enrollment for grades 3-5 for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are interested, please see the flyer below and plan to attend the information session on Tuesday, June 3 at the SRO Campus at 6556 Firehouse Rd in Milton. Call (850) 981-7860 for questions or to register!

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL APPRECIATION WEEK During the week of April 7-11, we celebrate and recognize the amazing work of our Assistant Principals throughout Santa Rosa County! We appreciate the leadership, dedication, and hard work they bring to our schools. Drop a comment to show your appreciation for an AP who has made an impact!

REPORT CARDS Reports cards are now available for the 3rd quarter. You can access your child's grades and review progress by logging into your FOCUS Parent Portal account. Link: https://santarosa.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/

SCHOOL LIBRARIAN DAY Did you know? Today is School Librarian Appreciation Day! We are so thankful for our library media specialists at our school sites that help inspire love of learning and reading with our students. Thank you to our school librarians for creating welcoming spaces where students can explore, learn, and grow!

The School Board of Santa Rosa County, Florida, hereby gives notice that it will conduct a public Board Meeting on April 10, 2025. This meeting will begin at 5:30pm and the meeting will be held at 5086 Canal Street Milton, FL 32570.

Today, Dr. Karen Barber, Superintendent of Schools, had the incredible opportunity to surprise two outstanding students with the Florida Prepaid Superintendent’s Scholarship! Please join us in congratulating these students. Scholarship Recipients: 1. JimJin “Angel” Powell, Pace High School 2. Jackson Stewart, Pace High School Angel, a talented artist and chorus member, dreams of becoming an art teacher. This scholarship will help her take the next steps toward that goal! Jackson, an ROTC cadet with a passion for mechanics, is eager to pursue a career as an auto mechanic. He shared, “This is going to get me so much further in achieving my goal than I ever imagined.” These students will be recognized at the School Board Meeting on April 10, 2025. Congratulations to Angel and Jackson! Our mission in Santa Rosa County is to love, educate, and prepare ALL students for graduation and a successful future. We look forward to seeing the success from these students with this amazing opportunity. Way to go! #SRCDS1stChoice More about this scholarship: Santa Rosa County District Schools is pleased to partner with Florida Prepaid to offer two deserving high school seniors the chance to earn a 2-Year Florida College Plan Scholarship valued at approximately $8,000.

SRCDS Earns Cognia Systems STEM Certification Santa Rosa County District Schools announced today that it has earned Cognia® Systems Accreditation as a STEM Certified District. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers. “Accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides Santa Rosa County District Schools a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school system,” shared Dr. Karen Barber, Superintendent of Schools. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our willingness to enact meaningful change based on evaluation and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.” Cognia recognizes schools and districts across the globe that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation, and effective leadership. To earn Cognia Systems Accreditation, a school district must submit to internal and external review. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school system meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Schools and districts in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term. The STEM Certification highlights the work our district is doing to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics throughout our district. To read the full press release, please click the link below. Link: https://conta.cc/4jgBCGA

PARAPROFESSIONAL APPREICATION DAY Please join us in recognizing our amazing paraprofessionals today on Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! These individuals play a vital role in our schools. Thank you to all paraprofessionals for your commitment, patience, and care! You are truly the heart of our schools! Drop a comment below to show your appreciation!

LEAPS & Bounds - April 2025 Santa Rosa County School District’s multi-media, interactive magazine for the month of April is now available online at https://bit.ly/April2025LEAPSandBounds. This edition highlights recognitions around the district including Numeracy Week, Month of the Military Child, Mock Trial Success, Amazing Shake Competition, upcoming events, parent and family resources, safety information, and more.

Transition Tuesday Happy Tuesday! Join us as we expand on topics related to parents and families of students in our transition program. This week, we are covering guardianship topics for families. Why is Guardianship Important, if I have a student with a disability? When thinking about guardianship or other decision-making options for your youth approaching the age of 18, it’s important to choose a solution that provides them with the greatest possible independence, while also protecting their health and well-being. Some decision-making options to consider include: Full Guardianship is appropriate when a person is found to lack the ability to care for themselves and their property. The court (circuit court) appoints a guardian to take over all of the person’s rights and powers that can be legally transferred. Limited Guardianship applies when a person is found to lack the ability to exercise some, but not all, of their rights. The court will appoint a guardian to handle specific rights that can be legally delegated (Section 744.102, F.S.). Guardian Advocacy is an option for individuals with a developmental disability (DD). A person cannot be deemed in need of a guardian solely due to having a DD. However, if a person with DD lacks the ability to make some (but not all) decisions related to their care, a Guardian Advocate may be appointed by the circuit court to assist in those areas (Section 393.12, F.S.). Supported Decision-Making allows individuals to make their own decisions with support from trusted family members, friends, and/or professionals. This model gives the person the option to make decisions independently while accessing help when needed. Striking the right balance between autonomy and support is key to ensuring your youth can live the most self-determined life possible. More resources can be found on Project 10 at the link below. Understanding these options is essential in helping your youth transition to adulthood with the right level of support and independence. Link: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://project10.info/Documents/Considering_Age_of_Majority_Pages_One-Four_8.5_x11__9.11.23.pdf

Title I Parent Survey We need your feedback! If your child attends a Title I school, please complete this survey (open 4/1-4/11). You can scan the QR code or click the link below. Thank you in advance for your time and input. We appreciate it greatly! Link: https://forms.office.com/r/Uh9yuY8MyS

April is Month of the Military Child! This month, we honor the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of military children. Join us in celebrating and supporting our military families this month. Don't forget - we will wear PURPLE for Purple Up Day on Thursday, April 17.