The Connection
Connecting you to the School District of Indian River County
Welcome to the Connection!
Welcome to The Connection, our new weekly newsletter connecting you to important news, events, and activities happening in the School District of Indian River County. This newsletter will highlight events throughout all grade levels and include district news. We are looking forward to your input in The Connection and hope that you will submit important news and information to be considered for publishing. Please email socialmedia@indianriverschools.org to submit potential highlights.
The United Way Day of Caring
On September 8th, the SDIRC participated in The United Way Day of Caring. A kick-off breakfast was held at First Presbyterian Church where some of our students entertained the crowd. Pep band members from VBHS played energetic music while the cheerleaders performed cheers that they customized especially for the event. After the breakfast, our secondary school students remained at First Presbyterian to assemble nearly 1000 homeless care kits to be distributed to those in need. Administrators, teachers, students, staff, and families from our elementary schools dispersed to their campuses and other community projects. Some of the projects involved building new “Little Libraries” around Vero Beach, campus beautification and clean ups, and many more. Thank you, to everyone in the SDIRC who participated by volunteering their time and efforts on the 2018 United Way Day of Caring.
First Presbyterian Church
VBHS Cheerleaders
VBHS Pep Band
Rosewood Elementary
Rosewood Elementary
Storm Grove Middle School
Secondary School Students
Vero Beach Elementary
Vero Beach Elementary
Dodgertown Elementary
Vero Beach Elementary
Glendale Elementary
Glendale Elementary
Pelican Island Elementary
Pelican Island Elementary
september is attendance awareness month!
#SDIRCschooleveryday
Dodgertown Elementary
Sebastian River High School
Dodgertown Elementary
Student Spotlight: Hunter Dyal
Hunter Dyal, Junior at VBHS, read the American Founders’ Month proclamation at the Board Meeting on September 11th. Hunter was nominated by his U.S. American History Honors teacher, Mr. Bowes, for being a respectful, hard-working student with a passion for American History.
School Spotlight: Oslo Middle School
Oslo Middle School band students were the first school performance of the new school year at our Board Meeting on September 11th. Their brass group played Fantasy on A Children’s Song and Folk Song Variation.
TEacher Spotlight: Jennifer Debenedet wins Chico's school supply drawing for Dodgertown Elementary!
VEteran of the Month: Barney Giordan
Barney Giordan was honored at our September 11 Business meeting as our "Veteran of the Month." Thank you for your service, and dedication to our country!
- Korean War Veteran (US Army)
- National Guard for 32 years
- Member of the Sebastian VFW Post 10210
- Member of the American Legion Post 185
- Creator and Founder of the Veterans in the Classroom Program
Dodgertown Elementary "Early Bird" Classroom Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The Economic Opportunies Council of Indian River County, Inc. and The Indian River County School District held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the opening of the "Early Bird" Early Childhood Education Classroom located at Dodgertown Elementary School in Gifford, FL. Thank you, to The Community Action Partnership, Indian River Impact 100, The John's Island Community Service League, and the John's Island Foundation for your collaboration in making this project become a reality for our students!
publix school supply donations
"Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety"
dads take your child to school day
Rosewood Magnet: Please join your child from 7:45-8:30 a.m. for breakfast and a family pledge building activity in our courtyard. Adult Breakfast $2.00, Student breakfast $1.25
Liberty Magnet: Liberty will be wearing purple shirts on Dads Day to show our support for Military Father Figures. Dads and students will have pictures taken together, breakfast, if they choose- PTA offers a "grab and go" for those that can't stay and the cafeteria is open for those that want to purchase breakfast-, and then walk their child(ren) to class and stay for the announcements.
Osceola Magnet: Activities will include: 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Donuts with Dad. Donuts and coffee will be available for Dads and students. Donations towards the cost will be accepted. 8:45 – 9:30 a.m. Classroom Visit, 9:30 – 10:00 am Coffee in the café with our Principal, Mr. Simpson.
Sebastian River Middle School: Donuts With Dads from 7:30-8:00 in the café.
Vero Beach High School: VBHS and FLC campuses will be serving a FREE breakfast for Dads and male role models and their student(s) before school 6:45- 7:15 a.m.
Vero Beach Elementary School: Doughnuts with Dudes 8-8:45 a.m. in the Media Center. There will be a literacy focus featuring guest speaker and author, Keith Lawrence Roman, here to talk to parents about the importance of literacy and reading to children.
Sebastian Elementary School: Join us from 8:00 am -9:00 am in the Sea Turtle Cafe
for doughnuts and coffee with a special performance by our Sea Turtle Cheerleaders!
Indian River Academy: Donuts for Dads in the café from 7:45-8:45 a.m.
Citrus Elementary: Dads and male role models are encouraged to share a special message for our “Bring Your Loved One to Breakfast” on Dads Take Your Child to School Day. A template for your message has been sent home with your student. Please fill out your message and return to your child’s homeroom teacher. Look for the message when you come for Dads Day during your FREE breakfast from 8:00-8:40 a.m.
Oslo Middle School: Dad’s breakfast in cafeteria at 8:00am followed by a "Kindness for our Dads" presentation at 8:30 from our students.
Gifford Middle School: Breakfast and photos with Dads and male role models in the Media Center at 7:30 a.m.
Storm Grove Middle School: Dad's breakfast before school 7:15-7:45 a.m. in the Media Center.
Glendale Elementary School: FREE breakfast in the café from 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Treasure Coast Elementary: "Donuts for Dads" - doors open at 8:15. Dads and male role models have a FREE special breakfast with kids and a fun photo booth. Everyone is encouraged to walk their student(s) to class.
Fellsmere Elementary: At 7:30 a.m., families are encouraged to meet at the old location of FES- 22 South Orange Street, Fellsmere 32948, and walk to the current location. Breakfast will be offered in the cafe to adults for $2 and free for students, followed by modeled reading strategies for parents to use at home, as they read with their children.
Support local schools, students, and teachers
September Casual for a Cause
Substance Awareness Center of Indian River County
The Substance Awareness Center of Indian River County (The Center), established in 1989, is focused on two initiatives – substance-abuse prevention and substance-abuse recovery. These two initiatives are the basis for the programs we offer. The Center is also the fiscal agent for, and lead agency of, the Substance Abuse-Free Indian River Coalition (SAFIR). Our LifeSkills® Training program has expanded to now include an after-school program for at-risk kids, at the SAC office and at the four middle schools.
The LifeSkills® Training program has been selected as an exemplary, research-based prevention program by: American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Drug Strategies, Inc., National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the White House Office of Drug Policy. It is an all year, three-year program for grades 6-8.
This weekend!
SDIRC Hosts School District’s First ‘Youth Mental Health First Aid Training’
SDIRC Hosts School District’s First ‘Youth Mental Health First Aid Training’ for Parents and Community Members
Similar to ‘First Aid’ and CPR, ‘Mental Health First Aid’ teaches individuals how to help those experiencing mental health challenges or crises
WHO: Available to 30 parents and community members supporting the SDIRC; Limited seats available; Must register by contacting christina.jacobs@indianriverschools.org or visiting the YMHFA website at https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/find-a-course/.
WHAT: First-ever parent and community member training on mental health first aid in the School District of Indian River County
WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2018, 8:30am – 5:30pm
WHERE: Storm Grove Middle School
WHY: Mental health challenges – such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance use – are shockingly common in the United States. In fact, more than one in five American adults will have a mental health problem in any given year. The National Council for Behavioral Health certifies individuals throughout the nation, including the School District of Indian River County, to provide Mental Health First Aid courses to prepare their communities with the knowledge and skills to help individuals who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Identified on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices, the training helps the public better identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses. For more information on Mental Health First Aid, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
Mental Health Information & Networking Fair
Join us at our First Mental Health Informational & Networking Fair. Monday, September 17, 2018 from 4:00-6:00 pm in the TEC. The SDIRC community partners/organizations, and Mental Health Staff will be on site available to provide information on coordinated services offered in our schools and to answer mental health related questions.
This weekend! Support the VBHS Band Trip to London!
The scholarships are worth $500 each and can be used for reimbursement for the following:
*Tuition and fees for part-time tutoring provided by a person who holds a valid Florida educator’s certificate, a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the subject, an adjunct teaching certificate, or has demonstrated mastery of the subject area knowledge.
*Fees for summer education programs designed to improve reading or literacy skills.
*Fees for after-school education programs designed to improve reading or literacy skills.
*Instructional materials and curriculum related to reading or literacy.
Click to apply: https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/reading-scholarship/how-the-scholarship-works/
IRCSO Tips Hotline and School Tips Email
School information
Posting of flyers does not imply endorsement or recommendation by the School District of Indian River County.
School District of Indian River County's Strategic Plan
Click below to see our District's Strategic Plan
Follow Us!
The School District of Indian River County
Email: cristen.maddux@indianriverschools.org
Website: www.indianriverschools.org
Location: 6500 57th Street, Vero Beach, FL, USA
Phone: 772-564-3000
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolDistrictofIRC
Twitter: @IRCSchools