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Orange County Public Schools

OCPS partnership expands arts and literacy opportunities for students

Neil Goldberg’s donation supports reading programs, a student costume design contest, school arts funding and opportunities to attend live holiday theater

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In Summary:

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools is collaborating with POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance to expand arts and literacy opportunities during the 2026–27 school year. Beginning in October, families can access a filmed book reading, while donated books, educational lessons, and an interactive Q&A will support literacy programming. Neil Goldberg’s contribution will also fund school arts programs, holiday gifts, live theater visits for selected schools, and a high school contest whose winning costume design will appear in the production.

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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).

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The programs are supported by a generous donation from PSC creator, Broadway director, and philanthropist Neil Goldberg and will include classroom literacy programming, an arts competition, support for school arts programs, and opportunities for students to attend PSC's live holiday production at Gaylord Palms. “Encouraging kids to pursue their dreams, read and express their creativity is a mission close to my heart,” said Goldberg. “These kinds of experiences can spark a child's imagination and introduce them to possibilities they may never have considered before.” 

Beginning in October, families will have access to an exclusive filmed reading of Holidays All Year with POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, featuring the books’ characters. PSC is also donating books, with the program incorporating educational lessons and an interactive Q&A component.  

PSC will also bring back its popular Design Your Own PSC Costume contest for high school students.  The winning student's design will be professionally created and featured in this year's live PSC production at Gaylord Palms, with plans for the costume to ultimately travel with the production as PSC continues its trajectory toward Broadway.

“Neil Goldberg's generosity and passion for engaging our students will provide them meaningful and memorable opportunities to experience the arts,” said Kathleen Wright, Administrator for Partners in Education. “We are excited to have Neil and his team back again this year.”

Additional funding from Goldberg's contribution will help support school arts programs, provide holiday gifts to students, and give selected schools the opportunity to attend the PSC show live in Orlando.

For more information, visit cirqueatgaylordpalms.com.   

Key Points:

  • Arts and literacy collaboration: The Foundation for OCPS and POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance are providing student opportunities during the 2026–27 school year.
  • Reading resources: Programming includes a filmed reading of Holidays All Year with POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, donated books, educational lessons and an interactive Q&A.
  • Student design contest: A high school student’s winning costume design will be professionally created and featured in the live holiday production.
  • School arts support: Neil Goldberg’s donation will help fund school arts programs and provide holiday gifts to students.
  • Live theater access: Selected schools will have opportunities to attend the PSC holiday show at Gaylord Palms.

About POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance

POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance™ (PSC) is a unique children’s, family, and lifestyle brand that has emerged as a global phenomenon with its whimsical storytelling and spectacular live and immersive experiences. What began as a beloved children’s book series has grown into a vibrant, multi-platform franchise, featuring theatrical productions in Orlando, Nashville, and the Bahamas, as well as television specials, an animated series, toys, apparel, and immersive retail experiences. Praised by SiriusXM as “an amazing body of work for children and families” and described by South Florida Reporter as “right up there with all the other holiday classics but with a magical twist,” PSC continues to enchant audiences of all ages. Founder Neil Goldberg has been a featured guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show and TODAY Show, while the brand’s colorful characters and dazzling performances have appeared on Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, and media outlets worldwide. To learn more, visit www.PompSnowAndCirqueumstance.com.

Orange County Public Schools, OCPS, Foundation for OCPS, POMP SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, Neil Goldberg, student literacy, arts education, costume design contest, Gaylord Palms, holiday theater, school arts programs, Partners in Education

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