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Strong Towns Apopka and local partners will host West Orange Trail Beautification Day on Saturday, October 24, from 8 to 10 am. Residents and families can help with native plantings, take part in art activities, and attend a dedication to celebrate the collaborative project.
Strong Towns Apopka invites volunteers to beautify West Orange Trail this weekend
Strong Towns Apopka and local partners will host West Orange Trail Beautification Day on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 to 10 a.m. Residents and families can help with native plantings, participate in art activities and attend a dedication celebrating the collaborative project. more
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UF/IFAS Extension Orange County’s November schedule features eight programs ranging from financial education for renters and homebuyers to backyard chicken care and wildlife habitat. Events run Nov. 4-19, with registration required and fees ranging from free to $12.51.
UF/IFAS Orange County offers November classes on housing, gardening and backyard chickens
UF/IFAS Extension Orange County’s November schedule features eight programs ranging from financial education for renters and homebuyers to backyard chicken care and wildlife habitat. Events run Nov. 4-19, with registration required and fees ranging from free to $12.51. more
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Lightning pauses Apopka’s Senior Night as Blue Darters look toward the future
Lightning interrupted Apopka’s Senior Night matchup against Timber Creek with the Blue Darters leading 12-7 and 10:42 remaining in the second quarter. The occasion also highlighted the contributions of Apopka’s graduating seniors and younger players poised to take on bigger roles next season. more
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Orange County Public Schools will host its Parent Academy School Choice Expo on Saturday, October 17, from 9 am to 12:30 pm at Lake Buena Vista High School. Apopka families and others across the district can explore magnet schools, scholastic academies, virtual learning, and alternative education programs.
OCPS School Choice Expo invites families to explore educational options
Orange County Public Schools will host its Parent Academy School Choice Expo on Saturday, October 17, from 9 am to 12:30 pm at Lake Buena Vista High School. Apopka families and others across the district can explore magnet schools, scholastic academies, virtual learning, and alternative education programs. more
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Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack defended a proposed rewrite of public school science standards, saying evolution and climate science remain included. An Oct. 27 listening session in Orange County will give Apopka families and educators an opportunity to discuss the changes before a planned December vote.
Florida science standards debate heads to Orange County listening session
Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack defended a proposed rewrite of public school science standards, saying it still includes evolution and climate science. An October 27 listening session in Orange County will give Apopka families and educators an opportunity to discuss the changes before a planned December vote. more
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Children play at RCMA Bowling Green Daycare Center on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Bowling Green, Florida. Citrus and fruit were the founding industries of Bowling Green and Hardee County.
Amendment 3 could squeeze children’s programs despite school funding exemption
Florida’s public school districts are exempt from Amendment 3’s proposed property tax reduction, but programs supporting their students could still face substantial cuts. Children’s services leaders warn that reduced local revenue could mean fewer after-school opportunities, higher family fees and added pressure on school budgets. more
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Neil Goldberg’s donation supports reading programs, a student costume design contest, school arts funding, and opportunities to attend live holiday theater.
OCPS partnership expands arts and literacy opportunities for students
Orange County Public Schools students will get new opportunities to read, create, and experience live theater during the 2026–27 school year through a collaboration between the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools and POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance (PSC). more
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Uri Poliavich, co-founder of the Yael Foundation
Strategic Educational Philanthropy of the Yael Foundation and the Role of Uri Poliavich
The mission and scale of the Yael Foundation, strategic support for schools, infrastructure investments and educational initiatives of Uri Poliavich more
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UF/IFAS will host a free Landscape, Nursery, and Controlled Plant Production Field Day on September 16 at its Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. Visitors can tour the facilities, meet researchers, and explore work involving horticulture, controlled-environment agriculture, and space biology.
UF/IFAS invites public to explore plant research at Apopka field day
UF/IFAS will host a free Landscape, Nursery, and Controlled Plant Production Field Day on September 16 at its Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. Visitors can tour the facilities, meet researchers, and explore work involving horticulture, controlled-environment agriculture, and space biology. more
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Federal SNAP reductions could affect Florida classrooms by weakening the formulas that fund free school breakfast and lunch programs. Most Orange County Public Schools students remain covered this year, but declining enrollment in assistance programs could reduce future federal reimbursements.
Federal SNAP cuts put free school meals at risk across Florida
Federal SNAP reductions could affect Florida classrooms by weakening the formulas that fund free school breakfast and lunch programs. Most Orange County Public Schools students remain covered this year, but declining enrollment in assistance programs could reduce future federal reimbursements. more
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Emily Walker, new ESL teacher at the NW Orange County Library in Apopka.
New ESL Instructor Brings Free English Classes to Apopka Library
Orange County Library System offers free ESL classes, conversation groups and online resources for English learners at its North Orange Branch and other locations. more
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Ninety-six percent of Orange County Public Schools’ 91 Voluntary Prekindergarten sites were rated above expectations or excellent in the state’s latest accountability results. That exceeded the 88% achieved by public-school VPK programs statewide and in Florida’s other large urban districts.
OCPS VPK programs outperform the state in the latest ratings
Ninety-six percent of Orange County Public Schools’ 91 Voluntary Prekindergarten sites were rated above expectations or excellent in the state’s latest accountability results. That exceeded the 88% achieved by public-school VPK programs statewide and in Florida’s other large urban districts. more
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UF/IFAS Extension Orange County will offer a full schedule of educational programs in September covering health, housing, gardening and urban agriculture. Classes are available online and in person, with costs ranging from free to $50.
UF/IFAS Extension Orange County announces September classes and workshops
UF/IFAS Extension Orange County will offer a full schedule of educational programs in September covering health, housing, gardening and urban agriculture. Classes are available online and in person, with costs ranging from free to $50. more
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Students returned to class last week, greeted by teachers and a few new laws.
New Florida education laws bring cursive testing, autism training and GPA changes
Florida students and teachers are returning to classrooms with a series of new education laws affecting everything from cursive writing and autism training to grading and student safety. The changes also cover disciplinary records, services for students with disabilities, high school athletics and Florida Virtual School enrollment. more
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Parents naturally want to help their children succeed—but too much assistance can hinder independence. Prompting gives children the guidance they need to solve problems, build confidence, and gradually succeed on their own.
How parents can prompt success in the classroom and beyond
Parents naturally want to help their children succeed—but too much assistance can hinder independence. Prompting gives children the guidance they need to solve problems, build confidence and gradually succeed on their own. more
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AAA is asking motorists to slow down, avoid distractions, and remain alert as students return to school and traffic increases around campuses and residential neighborhoods. The organization is also urging families to review safety practices for walking, riding the bus, and using e-bikes and e-scooters.
AAA urges drivers to slow down as students return to school
AAA is asking motorists to slow down, avoid distractions, and remain alert as students return to school and traffic increases around campuses and residential neighborhoods. The organization is also urging families to review safety practices for walking, riding the bus, and using e-bikes and e-scooters. more
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Students from Wekiva High School plant mangroves as part of a Blue School Grant project that enabled their math teacher to convert half of the classroom's aquaponic garden from freshwater to saltwater.
Blue School Grant offers $60,000 for hands-on water education
The St. Johns River Water Management District is offering up to $60,000 in Blue School Grant funding for hands-on water education during the 2026-2027 school year. K-12 public and charter school educators within the District may apply for awards of up to $3,000 through 11:59 pm September 15. more
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The report is based on findings observed during the 2025-2026 school year, which showed the majority of Florida children entering kindergarten in 2025 were not ready.
Only 44% of Florida children are ready for kindergarten, report finds
Only 44% of Florida children entered kindergarten ready to learn during the 2025-26 school year, according to a new Florida Chamber of Commerce report. Children who completed the state’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program were significantly more likely to arrive prepared. more
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Florida's monthlong Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs through August 20. The tax exemption applies to qualifying school supplies, clothing, backpacks, computers, and other educational items that meet price limits.
Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday continues through August 20
Florida's monthlong Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday runs through August 20. The tax exemption applies to qualifying school supplies, clothing, backpacks, computers, and other educational items that meet price limits. more
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Orange County Public Schools has replaced its paper enrollment process with a new online registration system. Families can now enroll students, upload required documents, and monitor their application status entirely online.
OCPS moves student enrollment online, making registration easier for families
Orange County Public Schools has replaced its paper enrollment process with a new online registration system. Families can now enroll students, upload required documents, and monitor their application status entirely online. more
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Florida’s school choice program has dramatically expanded since 1999.
Florida’s school choice program offers universal vouchers but cannot show systemwide academic improvement
Florida's school choice program has grown into one of the nation's largest, serving more than 500,000 students through universal education savings accounts. But a new analysis argues there is still little conclusive evidence that the program has produced statewide academic gains and says accountability concerns remain unresolved. more
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Orange County will celebrate the opening of its new Innovation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house on Wednesday, July 8. The center will offer technology, makerspace and workforce development programs designed to serve residents of all ages.
Orange County to unveil Innovation Center with July 8 ribbon-cutting ceremony
Orange County will celebrate the opening of its new Innovation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house on Wednesday, July 8. The center will offer technology, makerspace, and workforce development programs designed to serve residents of all ages. more
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Orange County Public Schools has earned an "A" district grade for the third consecutive year, according to the Florida Department of Education. The district also increased the number of traditional schools receiving an "A" grade and reported no schools earning a "D" or "F."
OCPS earns third consecutive 'A' district grade from the state
Orange County Public Schools has earned an "A" district grade for the third consecutive year, according to the Florida Department of Education. The district also increased the number of traditional schools receiving an "A" grade and reported no schools earning a "D" or "F." more
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Orange County Public Schools students showed broad academic improvement on Florida's 2025-26 state assessments, with districtwide gains of four percentage points in English Language Arts and three percentage points in mathematics.
OCPS students post significant gains on state assessments, outpacing state averages in multiple subjects
Orange County Public Schools students showed broad academic improvement on Florida's 2025-26 state assessments, with districtwide gains of four percentage points in English Language Arts and three percentage points in mathematics. OCPS students met or exceeded statewide performance in numerous grade levels and subjects, reflecting what district leaders called the impact of high-quality instruction and sustained academic focus. more
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A teacher works with elementary school students to improve literacy skills.
Florida ranks last again in national report on legislative support for public schools
A new report from the Network for Public Education ranked Florida last in the nation in legislative support for public schools for the third consecutive year, citing low funding, low teacher pay, and extensive school privatization. However, other national rankings and student achievement data suggest Florida's education system performs better under different evaluation criteria. more
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