Sarasota County Schools

Big news from Alta Vista Elementary School! 🎉 The school has been awarded a $50,000 STEM Classroom Makeover Grant from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)! Thanks to this incredible opportunity, Alta Vista will transform a classroom into a cutting-edge STEM learning space—complete with hands-on tools like robotics kits, virtual reality, and 3D printers! 🧠⚙️💡 This grant is part of FPL’s expanded initiative celebrating its 100th anniversary, quadrupling its program to support 20 schools across Florida with a total of $1 million in funding. Alta Vista is the only school in Sarasota County selected for this year’s program! The new space will spark curiosity and innovation, giving students powerful new ways to explore science, technology, engineering and math. Congratulations to Alta Vista Elementary, and thank you to FPL and the NextEra Energy Foundation for supporting future-ready learning!

April is the Month of the Military Child in Florida, and we’re proud to honor the strength, resilience, and courage of military-connected students and their families. This month and every day, we applaud them for the sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. 💜

🌟 Explore, connect, and find support at the 13th Annual ESE Agency Fair — now in North Port for the first time! 📍 Suncoast Technical College – North Port 📅 Thursday, April 17, 2025 🕟 4:30–6:30 PM Families of students with disabilities can connect with local agencies and organizations offering resources, services, and support. 🎉 Plus, enjoy prizes, snacks, and valuable info!

Third-Quarter report cards are now available on the Focus Parent Portal.

April is Florida School Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re sending a HUGE thank you to the amazing volunteers who support our students and schools every day! 🙌 Your time, heart, and dedication make a lasting difference.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness and take action to protect every child’s right to a safe and nurturing environment. 💙 Together, we can build strong families and supportive communities where children thrive.

📬 School Choice notifications are out! Families who applied for School Choice/Controlled Open Enrollment should check their email inboxes for notification of their results. If your student was awarded a seat, be sure to log in to the Focus Parent Portal and accept it by 4 PM on Friday, April 11—or it will be offered to the next family on the waitlist.

***UPDATED TIME! Sarasota County Schools is hiring for the 2025-2026 school year, and we want YOU to be part of our team! Join us at our North Port job fair to explore open positions across the district. Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Suncoast Technical College - North Port Campus (4445 Career Ln, North Port, 34289) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Don't miss this opportunity to meet recruiters, learn about available positions, and start your journey with SCS! To register, please visit: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/8wpZAWGwYu

All Faiths Food Bank will offer free food pick-up at select schools and community locations across the county. To find a site near you, visit https://allfaithsfoodbank.org/foodfinder. 🥦🍎

The April 2025 In Touch Community Newsletter features a message from Superintendent Connor, a spotlight on hiring for the 2025-2026 school year, upcoming job fairs, school highlights from Southside Elementary, McIntosh Middle, and Glenallen Elementary, Earth Day tips, a special thank you to our volunteers, and more! https://bit.ly/InTouchApril2025

🌟 Enrollment is NOW OPEN for Sarasota Virtual School's 2025-2026 school year! 🌟 SVS is the only FREE online public school in Sarasota County, offering a high-quality, flexible learning experience for K-12 students. Ready to get started? Apply today! 🖥 Submit your application now: sarasotavirtualschool.net 📢 Still have questions? Join an upcoming Zoom info session on April 2 at 2:00 PM! Don't miss this opportunity to give your student the freedom to learn from anywhere!

🚀 Explore Careers with Sarasota County Schools! High school seniors—discover your future with Building a Bridge for Hire! This one-day job shadowing experience lets you explore careers in IT, mechanics, HVAC, food services, and more—all within the school district. ✅ Hands-on experience ✅ Explore career options ✅ No commitment—just opportunity! 🌟 Reach out to your counselor to learn more. https://youtu.be/KP5VIjca5UE

📢 Thinking about virtual learning for your student? Sarasota Virtual School (SVS) offers a tuition-free, fully online education for K-12 students in Sarasota County! 🏡💡 Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year opens March 24, and there's still time to learn more! Join an upcoming live Zoom session to hear from the SVS team: 📅 April 2 at 2:00 PM 📅 April 18 at 5:00 PM 📌 Register now: https://bit.ly/SVSInfoSessionRegistration2025 Get the flexibility your family needs with Sarasota Virtual School!

this episode of Trading Spaces, Superintendent Terry Connor steps into the fast-paced world of high school athletics at Sarasota High School! Shadowing Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach BJ Ivey, we get an inside look at the behind-the-scenes work that keeps student-athletes thriving—balancing paperwork, game-day logistics, coaching, and academics. https://youtu.be/jEL1zceDpD8

Big news! 🎉 Congratulations to Mrs. Pamela Schmidt - the 2025 School-Related Employee of the Year! As the Records & Evidence Specialist for the Sarasota County Schools Police Department, Mrs. Schmidt plays a vital role in maintaining police records, training School Resource Officers, and even teaching Crime Scene Investigations at Suncoast Technical College. Her dedication extends beyond her daily duties—she’s a mentor, guest speaker, and active community member who goes above and beyond to support students and families. As the SREOY, she has won a lease on a new Bronco Sport (thanks to Sarasota Ford and Tandem Construction!), a cash prize, and a shot at state-level recognition! 🚙💰 The SREOY award and recognition wouldn’t be possible without the support of all of our amazing sponsors—thank you! Congratulations to Mrs. Schmidt and all of our outstanding School-Related Employees of the Year! 👏 See a complete list of SREOYs and sponsors here: https://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/article/2056986.

☕ Coffee with Connor: Join Us on March 12! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 12! Join us for Coffee with Connor—a relaxed chat with Terry Connor, Superintendent of Schools, over a cup of coffee. It’s the perfect chance for parents and community members to share ideas, ask questions, and connect. Event Details: Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 Time: 10:30-12:00 PM Location: Fruitville Library (4100 Apex Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240) We can’t wait to see you there!

The application window for the 2025-26 Athletic Choice is March 1 - April 1, 2025. This opportunity is available for students in grades 9-12 who qualify as non-traditional students under FHSAA guidelines. Applications are due by April 15! 🔗 https://bit.ly/2526AthleticChoiceInfo

Ready to take learning beyond the classroom? Sarasota Virtual School (SVS) offers a FREE, flexible, and engaging online education for students in grades K-12! 🎓💻 Mark your calendars! Full-time enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year opens Monday, March 24. Want to learn more? Join a live Zoom session to meet the SVS team and get all your questions answered! 📅 First Zoom session: March 11 at 10:00 AM 📌 Register here: https://bit.ly/SVSInfoSessionRegistration2025 Visit the SVS website for details and application info!

📢 Reminder: All Sarasota County Schools and district offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents' Day.

Free food for families! 🥫🍎 allfaithsfoodbank.org/foodfinder/