Gators,

Hope you had a wonderful week! All of our KinderGators had a blast on their field trip to the Fire Station this week. We celebrated Mrs. Geddie, our amazing School Counselor, and our terrific School Crossing Guards for their hard work and dedication to Sabal Point Elementary. Thank you for always taking care of our Great Gators and keeping them safe. Yearbooks are now on sale...don't forget to purchase your Yearbook NOW!!! Also, Progress Reports will be available in Skyward Tuesday, February 11th.

SPIRIT NIGHTS

Please join us for our next 2 Spirit Nights...

***Wednesday, February 12th at Hurricane's from 4-9PM (Longwood)

***Wednesday, February 26th at Torchy's Tacos from 3-10PM (Longwood)

PLEASE ADHERE TO ARRIVAL PROCEDURES:

Sabal Point Walkers - enter side gate by the 2 story building and then go to Holding Area

Sabal Point Walkers who Eat Breakfast at School - enter side gate by 2 story building (students should enter green hallway and then go to breakfast/cafeteria)

Sabal Point Car Riders - enter front entrance of main office

Sabal Point Car Riders who Eat Breakfast at School - enter cafeteria entrance on car ramp

Sweetwater Walkers - enter Sweetwater Gate and then go to Holding Area

Sweetwater Walkers who Eat Breakfast at School - enter Sweetwater Gate (students should enter orange hallway and then go to breakfast/cafeteria)

Sweetwater Car Riders - enter front entrance of main office

Sweetwater Car Riders who Eat Breakfast at School - enter front entrance of main office (students then go to breakfast/cafeteria)

SAFETY REMINDER

****In order to keep our students and staff safe, please DO NOT double park or create a double line in the car lines during arrival and dismissal. We truly appreciate your patience!

***In order to ensure a safe and efficient car line, students should enter the car on the passenger side of the vehicle. Also, please teach your child(ren) how to buckle themselves in the car to maintain a smooth dismissal process.

REMINDERS

*Arrive after 8:05AM

*Be on time...school starts promptly at 8:35AM (tardy at 8:40AM)

*Wear closed toed shoes for recess and PE

*Send water bottles to stay hydrated at recess and PE

*Send a snack for your child

*Remind your child to bring the Green Folder back to school everyday

Thanks again for all you do...Our Great Gators are Simply Golden!!!

Shannon Stokes, Ed.S.

Principal

• February 11 - Progress Reports Available in Skyward
• February 11 - 4th Grade St. Augustine Field Trip
• February 12 - Hurricanes Spirit Night @ 4-9PM
• February 13 - PTA Gators Love Literacy Night 5:30PM
• February 14 - Kids Heart Challenge
• February 17 - Holiday/NO SCHOOL
• February 20 - Hearing Screening
• February 21 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Week
• February 24 - PTA Reflections Ceremony 8:00AM
• February 24-28 - 5th Grade Environmental Center Field Trip
• February 26 - Torchy's Tacos Spirit Night @ 3-9PM
• February 28 - PBS Popcorn & Popsicles
• March 3 - National School Social Worker Week
• March 4 - SAC Meeting 3:15PM
• March 5 - 3rd Grade Field Trip (4 classes)
• March 6 - 1st Field Trip
• March 12 - Pi Contest 8:00AM
• March 12 - 3rd Grade Field Trip (4 classes)
• March 12 - Chuck E Cheese Spirit Night @ 3-9PM
• March 13 - Field Day
• March 14 - Teacher Work Day/NO SCHOOL
  
• March 17-21 - Spring Break/NO SCHOOL
• March 25 - Report Cards Live in Skyward
• March 26 - Jersey Mike's Spirit Night @ 4-8PM
• March 28 - PBS Popcorn & Popsicles
• April 1 - SAC Meeting 3:15PM
• April 7 - National Assistant Principal Week
• April 8 - Chick fil a Spirit Night @ 5-8PM
• April 9 - KG Breakfast (2025-2026 Incoming Kinder Gators) 9:00AM
• April 14 - Book Fair Week
• April 17 - PTA Greatest Gator Spring Carnival @ 5:00PM
• April 22 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
• April 23 - Administrative Professionals' Day
• April 23 - Huey Magoo's Spirit Night @ 4-8PM
• April 24 - Chorus Concert 6:00PM
• April 25 - KG Field Trip
• April 25 - PBS Popsicles
• April 25 - Progress Reports Live in Skyward
• May 1 - FAST Testing Window Opens
• May 5 - Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 6 - 3rd Grade ELA FAST
• May 7 - Jeremiah's Spirit Night @ 2-9PM
• May 11 - Mother's Day
• May 16 - KG Program
• May 16 - 5th Grade Bowling Party
• May 20 - 3rd - 5th Grade Class Parties
• May 21 - Papa Diesel's Spirit Night @ 4-8PM
• May 22 - KG - 2nd Grade Class Parties
• May 23 - 5th Grade Awards Ceremony & Clap Out
• May 23 - Early Dismissal @ 1:00PM
• May 26 - Holiday/NO SCHOOL
• May 27 - Early Dismissal @ 1:00PM
• May 28 - Early Dismissal @1:00PM (LAST DAY OF SCHOOL)
• May 28 - Report Cards Live in Skyward
• May 28 - Last Day of Student Attendance

Quack, Quack! The Heart Heroes are coming back! Our school is participating in Kids Heart Challenge, and it’s time for you to sign up your student to become an official Heart Hero. Download the AHA Schools app for iPhone or Android to search for our school or Click Here to Register and sign your student up!

We have officially kicked off Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association, and we need your help! Over the next few weeks students will be learning about heart health and raising awareness for the American Heart Association.

Our school's goal is for every student and family to know Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of a stroke by signing up on our app and completing Finn’s Mission!

PARENTS – HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED

Step 1. Download the AHA Schools app for iPhone or Android to search for our school or Click Here to Register.

Step 2. Sign your student up for Kids Heart Challenge…it is free!

Step 3. From the menu, go to “Fundraise” and then scroll down to Send Video where you can customize and share a video to send to family and friends where they can learn Hands-Only CPR and warning signs of a stroke.

Why we support the American Heart Association: When cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital, bystanders only respond 40% of the time. 75% of cardiac arrests occur in the home. Providing Hands-Only CPR immediately can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

Thank you for joining us and helping our community become lifesavers!

Beginning January 28th , students in grades 4-12 will have the opportunity to take part in the

Student Snapshot Survey. The results of this survey will showcase what makes each of our

schools unique. Student input and comments are important and play a key role in spotlighting

innovation and achievements.

In addition to the Snapshot Survey, students will once again have the opportunity to participate

in the 5Essentials Survey. This survey allows students in grades 4-12 to chance to share their

thoughts on important elements of their school and classroom experiences.

The Student Snapshot and 5Essentials Surveys will be conducted January 28th – February 28th.

Participation in the surveys provides valuable information on our school and helps guide school

improvement. Students’ identities and survey responses are kept completely confidential and

will never be connected to your student.

The Parent Snapshot Survey will take place in mid April as part of our district Parent

Engagement Survey.

Your @Literati Store is your one-stop shop for meaningful gift giving this holiday season! Not only will you discover quality learning

experiences, books, games, activity kits, and more, but 10% of every purchase will also directly benefit the Sabal Point Elementary Media Center! All funds raised will go towards new library books for our students to borrow! Help us fundraise by connecting to our school at literati.com/store.

P.S. This online @Literati Store is open all school year!! Not just for the holidays!!!

Parents and families are essential partners in promoting good attendance because they have the bottom-line responsibility for making sure their children get to school every day. Just as parents should focus on how their children are performing academically, they have a responsibility to set expectations for good attendance and to monitor their children’s absences, so that missed days don’t add up to academic trouble.

Remember students may arrive on campus at 8:05 AM for breakfast. First bell rings at 8:35AM and the tardy bell rings at 8:40AM.

Helpful Tips for Awesome Attendance:

•Build regular routines for bedtime and the morning

•Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school

•Don’t permit missing school unless your child is truly sick. Use a thermometer to check for a fever. Remember that stomach aches and headaches may be signs of anxiety

•Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session

•Keep a chart recording your child’s attendance at home. At the end of the week, talk with your child about what you see

•Develop back up plans to get to school if something comes up. Ask a family member, neighbor, or another parent for help

•Seek support from school staff or community groups to help with transportation, health problems, or if you have no safe path to school.

Attendance Numbers by Month:

August – 545 absences / 180 tardies (15 days) ....... 36 absences per day

September - 865 absences / 328 tardies (18 days) ...... 48 absences per day

October - 825 absences / 419 tardies (19 days) ...... 43 absences per day

November - 819 absences / 306 tardies (16 days) .....51 absences per day

December - 823 absences / 338 tardies (14 days) ..... 59 absences per day

January - 1072 absences / 469 tardies (19 days) ..... 56 absences per day

February - absences / tardies (5 days) ..... absences per day

#YouMissSchoolYouMissOut

Per Statute and School Board Policy, CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE NOT TO be used in classrooms unless it is with EXPLICIT TEACHER PERMISSION AND FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Students who need to make a call home can utilize school phones to do so with teacher’s permission. While this is not a new school policy, it has been signed into STATUTE BY Gov. Ron DeSantis.

According to STATUTE, teachers will designate a location for students to keep their cell phones during class time, except when they are being used for instructional purposes. Please note that teachers will RARELY IF EVER require students to utilize cell phones. We have adequate technology for class work for all students. Students may be allowed to take a picture with phones for assignments but should even then only use cell phones with teacher permission.

Please speak to your students about the importance of NOT USING CELL PHONES AND OTHER DEVICES DURING CLASS UNLESS THE TEACHER EXPLICITLY DIRECTS SUCH USAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES.

The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring system that is administered three times per year to track your student’s progress in learning the Benchmarks of Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards throughout this school year. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that your student will participate in the second administration (PM2) of the Grade 3-5 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) ELA Reading and Mathematics assessments or Grades K-2 STAR Assessment for both Reading and Mathematics. Your student’s results from PM2 are for informational purposes only, and you will be provided with information about how to access the results after testing is completed.

FAST assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. The questions get easier or more difficult depending on how the student responds, and each student will see different questions from a common item bank. Each test attempt (PM1, PM2, and PM3) will present 35–40 items that will cover the entire test “blueprint,” meaning students will encounter items representative of the standards within the subject or grade level. For more information on the test design, please visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/best/. If you or your student would like to interact with the online testing platform or review FAST ELA Reading and Mathematics sample items at home, sample test materials are available at https://flfast.org/families.html.

Please review the following policies with your student before testing:

• Electronic Devices—Students are not permitted to access any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom). If your student is found with an electronic device or is found using Bluetooth/wireless headphones/earbuds during testing, his or her test may be invalidated.

• Calculator Policy—For Grades 7–8 FAST Mathematics, approved handheld scientific calculators may be used. For Grade 6 FAST Mathematics, a handheld four-function calculator may be used.

• Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by clicking the box in the secure browser indicating they understand the testing rules.

• Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they click the box to accept the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states that because the content of all statewide assessments is secure, students may not discuss or reveal details about the test content (including test items and passages) after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to social media sites. Please make sure your student understands this policy prior to testing and remind them that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, posting to social media, or sharing online. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.

• Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated.

• Testing Accommodations—If your student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or is an English Language Learner (ELL) or a recently exited ELL, please contact the school to discuss any testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.

GUIDE_Understanding FAST and BEST EOC Reports For Families

For more information about the FAST program, please visit the portal at FLFAST.org.

Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best during this test administration.

Red Apple Dining continues to provide freshly prepared breakfast and lunch options for our guests, including a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you would like to know what is being served for breakfast and/or lunch, please click on the picture.

Red Apple Dining (cafeteria) will open at 8:05AM for students who would like to eat breakfast at school. Students who eat breakfast at school should enter the double green doors on the Sabal Point Car Ramp.

MEAL PRICES

Breakfast - $2.50

Lunch - $3.25

Our District is committed to providing each student with the tools they need to succeed, including nutritious meals they can enjoy. We encourage SCPS families needing additional support to apply for benefits for the 2024-2025 school year.

It only takes 10 minutes to complete the application. Even if you do not purchase lunch, 10 minutes to possibly qualify for a free or reduced lunch also helps our school qualify for additional funding!!!

MEAL BENEFITS APPLICATIONS

Due to the increase in number of car riders, we will have supervision starting at 8:05AM on the Sabal Car Ramp and Sweetwater Car Ramp. Students can be dropped off at 8:05AM in either car lines, NOT before 8:05AM. ALL students who arrive on campus at 8:05AM MUST go to breakfast or their holding area. Students who eat breakfast should enter the cafeteria doors on the Sabal Car Ramp.

Supervision DOES NOT start until 8:05AM. Please make arrangements for your child to be dropped off any time AFTER 8:05AM, unless your he/she is participating in a club.

When dropping your child off at school in the morning for clubs, please DO NOT park in a parking spot. Please stay in the car line and drop your child off in the car line.

In the event you need to park, please park in the grassy areas so that teachers and staff can park in the parking spots.

Also, please DO NOT park across the street or in the parking lot and allow your child to walk across the street or through the parking lot. Students should be dropped off in the car line or they should walk or bike to campus.

Thank you for your support as we work together to ensure that our car lines run smoothly and safely.

Just a reminder that we do not have supervision before 8:05AM or after 3:30PM. Please plan accordingly.

Due to the end of day transitions, there is no early checkout after 2:30PM. Additionally, any changes to your child's transportation should be communicated to your child's teacher and the front office via email, phone call, note in planner, etc. before 2:30PM.

Sabal Point Elementary PTA is at 91% (376 members) of their membership goal this year! Help us reach our goal of 413 members. We only need 37 more members!!!

No volunteering is necessary. Joining helps support the PTA and the school.

You can purchase an individual membership for $10 or a family membership for $15 at https://sabalpointelementarypta.givebacks.com/store

Last school year, the SPE PTA helped to support the students and the school by:

* FREE spirit shirts for students and staff

* granting over $4,000 of teacher requests

* supplied literacy items for the school including books, and manipulatives for students

* supported the Positive Behavior Store with popcorn and popsicles

* hosted Math Night, Character Candy Walk, Winter Fest, and Gator Carnival

* helped with STEAM activities during Media

* supported the Growing Gardens at SPE

and so much more!

If your child will need to take medication at school, please help us be prepared for the first day! The attached form will need to be completed (one per over the counter or prescription medication) and brought with the medicine (in the box/bottle with the prescription label) by the parent in person.

DO NOT send medication to school with your child!

Mrs. Perez, our amazing clinic assistant, will be available to receive any medications.

Medication Authorization Form:

Did you know your child's progress report and report cards get posted to Skyward Family Access? All students' progress reports for the first Quarter have been posted in Skyward.

If you are unsure how to access the Progress Reports please click HERE for a guide with directions.

For more information on Skyward Family Access click HERE.

Several students are wearing shorts that are too short, spaghetti strap tank tops, and shoes that are not safe for recess and PE. To assist parents and students in making appropriate fashion and grooming decisions for school, the School Board has established the following minimal guidelines for the appearance and dress of ALL students:

• Clothing Coverage: Clothing must fully cover areas from one armpit to the other armpit, down to the thigh. Lower garments must completely cover the buttocks at all times. All tops must have shoulder straps, be long enough to cover the waistline, and must not expose the midriff or undergarments at any time.

• Transparent Clothing: See-through or mesh garments must be worn with clothing over or under it and must meet the standard for clothing coverage.

• Accessories: Clothing, Jewelry, or accessories shall not convey messages that are: crude, vulgar/profane, violent/death-oriented, gang related, sexually suggestive, or promote alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. Jewelry or accessories that pose a safety concern for the students or others are not permitted.

• Footwear: All students shall wear shoes/footwear. Students must wear shoes that are safe and appropriate for the learning environment. Students must wear athletic shoes in all PE classes and/or outdoor activities.

***Please click on the picture for the SCPS Dress Code policy.

In order to ensure that students do not lose items at school, please remember to write your child's name on their jackets, sweatshirts, water bottles, lunch boxes, etc. We truly appreciate your support!

We are accepting gently used and/or new clothing and shoes to stock our clinic for students in need. Please consider donating shorts, shirts, socks, underwear, shoes, jackets, etc. for our Great Gators!

Please remind students to keep all toys and stuffed animals at home. Students are bringing lots of things to school from home and these items are becoming distractions in the classroom, getting lost/broken and/or being given to other students without parent permission. We appreciate your support!

THANK YOU to the following business partners for supporting Sabal Point Elementary!

• Kona Ice
  
• Chipotle
  
• Burger Fi
• Chick fil a
• Jeremiah's
• Tijuana Flats
  
• Huey Magoo's
• Torchy's Tacos
  
• Chuck E Cheese
• Broadway Pizza
• The Back Porch
• Hurricane Grill and Wings
• Urban Air Adventure Park
• Millers Sod
• AMC Theater
• Core Financial
• Seminole Scuba
• British Swim School
• Florida Benefits Group
  
• Redfin Real Estate
• Matthews R Bark, P.A.
• Voyage Retirement Solutions
  
• J & G Home Group (Renningers)

SCHOOL HOURS:

Monday: 8:35AM-3:00PM

Tuesday: 8:35AM-3:00PM

Wednesday: 8:35AM-2:00PM (Early Dismissal)

Thursday: 8:35AM-3:00PM

Friday: 8:35AM-3:00PM

Principal:

Shannon Stokes

shannon_stokes@scps.k12.fl.us

Assistant Principal:

Melissa Nycz

melissa_nycz@scps.k12.fl.us

School Administration Manager:

Cornelius Mays

cornelius_mays@scps.k12.fl.us

School Counselor:

Stephanie Geddie

stephanie_geddie@scps.k12.fl.us

Sabal Point Elementary

960 Wekiva Springs Road

Longwood, FL 32779

407-746-6650

https://www.sabalpointelem.org/

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