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.
April is Autism Awareness Month
April's Casual for a Cause
Our Mission
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
Autism Speaks enhances lives today and is accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow.
Special Olympics Unified Sports Athletes compete at Vero Beach High School
Vero Beach High School's Unified Sports Team
Little Elites Athletes
This year Rosewood Magnet was very excited to offer the opportunity for our students to participate in the Little Elites Special Olympics. This program is offered to students with disabilities from ages 6-12, introducing them to various sports and providing them a chance to see what it would be like to participate in Special Olympics as they get older. Both soccer and track have been offered this year, due to the partnership with Special Olympics and the support of our ESE team, parents and community. It has been amazing to see the growth in the students from basic motor skills, sport specific skills, and team work skills.
Their final event for this year was the track event, held March 15th. Students in Rosewood's 5th and 3rd grade classes, parents, volunteers, district personnel, and community members all came out to cheer on our Little ELITE athletes. It was wonderful to see the students show off the skills they've been working on for the past 6 weeks. We are thankful for this partnership and look forward to continuing with more events in the future. Go Little ELITE Panthers!!!
Join us for the 3rd Annual Citrus Elementary Autism Awareness Walkathon
join us for the superintendent's art gallery
Please join us on April 10th at 6 p.m. for the Superintendent's Art Gallery, as we showcase our students' masterpieces at our District Office. You will be amazed at the artwork by our talented students, and proud of the teachers who nurtured their creativity!
J.A. Thompson Administrative Center (District Office)
6500 57th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32967
STEAMfest at the IRC Intergenerational Center
The Indian River STEAM Fest was held on Saturday, March 30, at the Indian River County Intergenerational Center.
STEAM Fest focused on innovation and creativity, allowing students in grades K-12, and their families, the chance to explore the critical fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, in a fun, exciting, and informal way; with over 50 hands-on experiences, demonstrations, and activities.
⭐️ SPECIAL EXPERIENCES⭐️Included, Mad Science Shows, Art Classes, STEAM Talks, and a Mobile Planetarium.
VBHS 2019 National Merit Scholarship Finalists
What started out as a pool of 1.6 million National Merit Scholarship Program entrants, nationwide, only 15,000 students advanced to the Finalist level. To become a Finalist, these students submitted a detailed scholarship application, in which they provided information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. Along with their outstanding academic record throughout high school, these students were endorsed and recommended by a high school official, wrote an essay, and earned high SAT scores. Congratulations to our students! We are so proud of you.
SRHS Cadets Receive Special Recognition for Volunteering
26th Annual VBHS Red, White & Blue Concert
Sebastian River High School Automotive Program
Have you heard about the SRHS Automotive Program? Approximately 100 students in grades 10, 11, and 12 at Sebastian River High School participate in the Automotive Program. First and second year students learn basic automotive safety and study different automotive careers. Second year students focus on electrical systems and vehicles; including, battery starting and charging, lighting, and multimedia in vehicles. Students can earn Automotive Service Excellence industry certifications in electrical systems and electronics, and steering and suspension. Third year students have the opportunity to job shadow at different dealerships and independent repair facilities in Sebastian and Vero Beach, with opportunities for paid summer apprenticeships. In the final year of the program, seniors focus on HVAC systems, brakes, suspension, and a regular overview of each system of the vehicle. Senior automotive students may enter a work-study program allowing them to use 7th period to work off-campus at an automotive dealership or independent repair facility. When students graduate, they can earn up to nine different industry certifications; the equivalent of a technical school or college automotive education. Thank you to the partner dealerships, Toyota of Vero Beach, Vatland Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, RAM, and the Dyer Automotive Group for welcoming these students into your dealerships and repair facilities, and supporting their passion!
Automotive Program Spring Car Show
All proceeds go directly toward the SRHS Automotive Program.
Glendale Elementary Students Create Art for Display in Professional Development Building
Students from left: Jessica Mott, Izzy Albury, Emma Cahill, Areana Neil, Leo Rodriguez
Fifth grade students from Glendale Elementary dedicated their time and talent to decorate the Professional Development Building walls. Students designed and painted waves using watercolor. Glendale Elementary's Art teacher, Mrs. Medina, designed and painted the city flower, a hibiscus, with acrylic paint on canvas.
Mrs. Medina, GES Art Teacher
White Glove Award Winning Custodial Teams
Freshman Learning Center
3rd Quarter Winner: FLC
Head Custodian: Margaret Hill; Custodians: Enrique Cordero, Willie Deberry, Bea Monroe
Citrus Elementary
2nd Quarter Winner: Citrus Elementary
Head Custodian: Dorothy McPhee; Custodians: Marquita Baskin, Dot Ervin, and Beatrice Wallace
Introducing our NEW SDIRC Mobile App!
Introducing our new SDIRC mobile app, designed to enable parents, staff, students, and the community to stay informed and up-to-date on important issues, information, and activities underway within our school district. The free app, which proudly displays the SDIRC logo, provides the most used resources from our website directly on your mobile device; including, lunch menus, maps, event calendars, social media updates, school contact information, and notifications from the school(s) of your choice!
Download for Apple iOS at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sdirc/id1451344822?mt=8
Download for Android at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.relianceco.cma.SDIRC
Please take our parent survey!
We want to hear from our parents! Each year the School District surveys our parents and uses the data to make improvements in our schools. The Parent Survey for this year opened on March 25th. Parents may complete the survey online or fill out a paper copy at your child’s school. To complete the online survey, log into the Focus Parent Portal and click the link to the Parent Survey. You will not be required to log into the survey as the feedback is collected anonymously. If you do not have a Focus parent account, please contact your child’s school for assistance.
Your feedback is very important to us and we appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey.
Moonshot Sports: Read Across the Field
Veteran of the Month: Rev. Sylvester McIntosh
Reverend McIntosh is a wonderful member of our veterans community and is a leader throughout the State of Florida. Rev. McIntosh is a member of American Legion Post 181 in Gifford, and was appointed by the City of Vero Beach City Council to serve on the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary Committee. He is a frequent speaker at events where he shares his thoughts and inspiration to our youth. He was recently awarded (retroactively) the Silver Star for his heroism in the Vietnam War. His gallantry saved many lives.
We love our Pre-K Students! Don't forget to register!
VPK applications may also be turned in at Fellsmere Elementary School on March 4th, from 3:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. and Indian River Academy on March 6th, from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Families who may have questions about the lottery process can visit our VPK page on the District website (www.indianriverschools.org/vpk (click on the "How to Apply" tab).
Applications will NOT be accepted without a child’s Certificate of Eligibility, which is processed and approved through the Early Learning Coalition. The Early Learning Coalition Family Portal link can be found here ( https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/) or on our “How to Apply” tab, as well.
Traditional Public School Choice Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment
Elementary (Kindergarten) & Secondary (6th and 9th)
Open enrollment for Public School Choice will be from March 1 through April 15. A computer driven lottery will be conducted for all applications received during the open enrollment dates. All applicants will receive a letter by April 30, informing them of their placement for the following fall semester. All accepted applicants will have 10 days to enroll at their accepted school. If applicants do not register by the 10th day, their spot will be given to the next applicant on the waiting list.
Elementary (1st – 5th) & Secondary (7th - 8th) (10th – 12th)
Applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year and will be placed on the waiting list by the date the application was received. Student Assignment will monitor openings at the schools every first Wednesday of the month. If there are openings, we will call the next student on the waiting list for the seat.
All Public School of Choice placements are accepted in accordance with program capacity, class size, and racial balance. Preferential treatment is considered for the following:
- Dependent children of active duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders.
- Children who have been relocated due to a foster care placement in a different school zone.
- Children who move due to a court-ordered change in custody due to separation or divorce, or serious illness or death of a custodial parent.
- Students residing in Indian River County School District.
All applications that are received after the open enrollment date will be placed on the waiting list by the date that the application has been received.
**All students who are accepted through public school choice may remain at the school chosen by the parent until the student completes the highest grade level at the school.**
Application Procedures
In-County parents have the option of requesting that their child(ren) attend a school outside their zoned school by completing the Public School Choice Application.
Out-of-County parents have the option of requesting that their child(ren) attend a school in Indian River County. Preference for Public School Choice is given for in-county residents, active military, foster care students, and to students that have a court ordered change of address, before offering seats to out-of-county residents (Florida Statute 1002.31).
For more information, visit: https://www.indianriverschools.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=2649383
Interscholastic & Intrascholastic Extracurricular Activities
Students who wish to play a sport at a school that is not their zoned school will need to complete the Public School Choice Application with the Student Assignment Office.
All Public School of Choice placements are accepted in accordance with program capacity, class size, and racial balance.
A student may not participate in a sport, if the student participated in that same sport at another school during that school year, unless the student meets one of the following:
- Dependent children of active duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders.
- Children who have been relocated due to a foster care placement in a different school zone.
- Children who move due to a court-ordered change in custody due to separation or divorce, or serious illness or death of a custodial parent.
- Students residing in Indian River County School District.
Magnet School registration
Magnet School applications are still being accepted; however, they will not be placed in the lottery.
Students who turned in applications by February 1st, and were not accepted through the lottery, will be placed on a wait list by their lottery number. Any applications submitted after Feb. 1st, will be placed behind those not accepted in lottery, by date and time submitted.
For families submitting late applications:
Families may indicate only ONE choice of a magnet school. The three magnet schools in Indian River County are Osceola Magnet, with a math and science focus; Rosewood Magnet, with a Core-Knowledge curriculum; and Liberty Magnet, with an international studies focus. Families who apply for their student to attend a magnet school must agree to follow the requirements of the Magnet School Commitments. Applications can be picked up at the School District office at 6500 57th Street or any of the magnet schools.
fortifyFL security app
We are pleased to announce that the FortifyFL app is LIVE. Now, any student, educator, parent, or member of the public can report school safety concerns directly to law enforcement and school administrators anonymously and easily through the FortifyFL app or www.getfortifyfl.com. The app, which is available for download on Apple and Android mobile devices, is critical to ensuring all Florida schools are safe environments where students and educators can experience and share the joy of learning without fear. We hope that you will become familiar with this tool and help us spread the word about it with our students and their families. Please note that the official app’s logo will look exactly as it does in the graphic above.
ESE Parent Survey
support education with a fresh, new look!
The Support Education specialty tag has a fresh new look! For the first time in 25 years, the tag has undergone a total makeover.
Since its introduction in 1994, more than $13 million has been raised through the collaborative efforts of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF) and local education foundation members across the state.
While the look has changed, one thing remains the same – when Florida residents purchase or renew their Support Education specialty tag, $20 goes directly back to support education programs in the county where the tag was purchased or renewed. Funds support programs like classroom innovation, education enrichment programs, supporting and recognizing teachers, extra help and mentoring for at-risk students, school supplies, and school scholarships.
Visit www.LicenseToLearnFL.com to learn more, purchase, or trade in your current Support Education tag today!
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