OCPS Chair Teresa Jacobs

Welcome back to school, OCPS! I hope the holiday break brought everyone some moments of joy, opportunities for rest, and time to celebrate the season.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

It’s been a bittersweet but exciting week! Two of our School Board Members retired, and the newly elected ones were sworn in. We will deeply miss Member Kobert and Member Lopez. I was also honored to be sworn in for another 4 years. Thank you Orange Co voters for your support!

Thank you to every brave soldier who has served our country! Today, we honor you.

Each year, Judge Egan hosts the Family Court Art Challenge, which is open to all OCPS students. This year’s theme was “What Freedom Means to Me,” and the talent was top notch! I was able to judge the art and attend the awards ceremony. Great work, students!

Another elementary school dedication is in the books! This morning, the school board and Dr. Vazquez helped cut the ceremonial ribbon for Panther Lake in the Horizon West area.

What an inspiring morning at the dedication for Stonewyck Elementary School yesterday! “It’s a beautiful building, but that’s not enough to make me want to come here every day. It’s the people inside it.” – Principal Parker.

Welcome back, OCPS! #HurricaneIan caused devastation for many, and challenges for all. Yet, our community proved we come together in the face of tragedy! Yesterday, I saw teamwork and resiliency @eastriverhs as they adopt @riverdaleocps students. #tworiversonefamily says it all!

Your family’s safety is of utmost importance. We urge you to follow all local guidance and take every necessary precaution. All OCPS schools and work locations will be closed Wednesday through Friday, and all after school activities are canceled for today. Stay safe!

I am heartbroken that we have lost a true champion for kids. Robert Curran, our Chief Information Officer, always encouraged his team to support our students, from backpack drives to funding the arts. A memorial fund for his family has been created at #block_3091" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">foundationforocps.org/p/829/robert-c….

We will never forget those we lost, those who were left behind, and those who bravely saw us through the tragedy of 9/11. 🇺🇸

Please join me in remembering and honoring all those who sacrificed everything for our freedom and pray for peace for their families.

I stand in solidarity with our students, staff and families from Ukraine, our local Ukrainian community, and the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Please join me in support during this devastating time. 🇺🇦 #IStandWithUkraine

Our world has changed a lot in the last 4 years, and we’ve experienced many tragedies. Yet, we must never forget the horrific loss of 17 members of the Parkland community on this day 4 years ago during one of the deadliest school shootings in our history. #neveragain #msdstrong

As we reflect on the life of Martin Luther King Jr., we honor him best by opposing oppression and injustice everywhere we find it. For as he said, “if I am stopped, our work will not stop. For what we are doing is right. What we are doing is just. And God is with us.”

I appreciate the concern I've heard regarding the highly contagious nature of Omicron and the return to school. Although we are legally prohibited from mandating masks for students, I am relieved to say the superintendent is reinstating the adult mask mandate starting tomorrow.

Today our country sadly lays to rest one of the greatest Americans of our generation - General Colin Powell. May our entire country unite to honor his life and to fill the enormous void created by his passing. Anything less will surely be inadequate. @OCPSnews

@MarthaSugalski @jesteveztv Such a tragic loss. Prayers for peace and strength for her family and for you @jesteveztv

So sad. Please pray for her family. Thinking of you @jesteveztv 🙏🏻❤️

Hope, Love, Resilience. On this 20th anniversary of 911 may those who lost loved ones find some comfort in knowing that we will never forget those we lost and continue to honor those who risked their lives for others. @OCPSnews #NeverForget

Happy Labor Day! @OCPSnews