We are thrilled to announce the live stream of the Graduation for the Class of 2025! 🎓 This event marks not just the culmination of hard work but the beginning of new opportunities. Join us in celebrating these remarkable graduates! Use this link to watch the webcast of the live graduation ceremony: https://youtube.com/live/aTDUhqEbay4
Tickets are selling fast! Lake County Schools employees, students, friends, and families are headed to Gainesville to watch the Florida Gators take on the Long Island Sharks on Saturday, August 30. Join us! A portion of every ticket sold will be donated back to the Education Foundation of Lake County to support Lake County Schools! Looks like it's going to be a sellout, so get your tickets today at https://www.gofevo.com/event/Lakecounty60
Are you ready for some football? Join Lake County Schools employees, students, friends, and families in Gainesville as the Florida Gators take on the Long Island Sharks on Saturday, August 30. A portion of every ticket sold will be donated back to the Education Foundation of Lake County to support Lake County Schools! Get your tickets at https://www.gofevo.com/event/Lakecounty60
A new state law -- House Bill 1105, which was signed into law on July 1 -- stipulates how and when students can use personal electronic devices during the school day in an effort to support focused learning in all Florida public school classrooms. The law says:
• Elementary and middle school students may not use a cell phone or other personal electronic device at any time during the school day.
• High School students may use cell phones and other personal electronic devices during instructional time only if a teacher gives permission for educational purposes.
• Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis for students with an IEP, specific health needs, or English language learners (ELL).
Our Code of Student Conduct has been updated to reflect this law. See the Code of Student Conduct at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RZS1-ppNFeQ_vSnOamPTlz0voX11U5Bs/view?usp=sharing . Thank you for working with us to create and maintain more focused learning environments for our students.
Families are invited to a Back-to-School Bash in the Mount Dora High School cafeteria,700 N. Highland Street, on Sunday, August 10, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sponsored by Peachy Enterprises, in partnership with local community partners, this event will feature several giveaways including free backpacks filled with school supplies and personal hygiene items while supplies last, free food, free haircuts, and free school physicals. Additionally, local schools, community partners, and vendors will be on site to provide helpful resources and information. Register in advance at https://forms.gle/v9apAWRU8HFdPRmp9
In collaboration with local law enforcement, Lake County Schools will host active-assailant training exercises at two school campuses this week. These exercises are part of a continuing effort to ensure that officers and deputies are fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the unlikely event of a real-life emergency. The sessions will be held on Thursday, July 31, at East Ridge Middle School and on Friday, August 1, at Umatilla High School, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The interactive training will include simulated gunfire and student actors to create real-life scenarios.
“We understand that these exercises can raise concerns,” Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth said. “However, law enforcement officials stress the importance of training in realistic settings to be better equipped to protect our students and staff.”
The trainings were intentionally scheduled during the summer when students and teachers are not on campus. Participation is limited to student actors whose parents have provided written consent. The district notified the community in advance through social media and the district and school websites.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership we share with local law enforcement and for their ongoing commitment to keeping our schools safe,” Farnsworth added. “While we all wish this type of training wasn’t necessary, we must prepare. We support our officers and deputies as they train to be there for us when we need them most.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) conducts active assailant training on an ongoing basis as required by state statutes and accreditation requirements to ensure the safety of all involved if such a scenario plays out at one of our schools. It’s especially vital for School Resource Deputies to undergo active assailant training in a realistic environment, as their preparedness can significantly reduce casualties and protect students and staff during such critical incidents, an LCSO spokesperson explained. Demonstrating our teamwork in safety, representatives from Lake County Schools and the Florida Department of Education will also be in attendance at the upcoming training.
“We understand that these exercises can raise concerns,” Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth said. “However, law enforcement officials stress the importance of training in realistic settings to be better equipped to protect our students and staff.”
The trainings were intentionally scheduled during the summer when students and teachers are not on campus. Participation is limited to student actors whose parents have provided written consent. The district notified the community in advance through social media and the district and school websites.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership we share with local law enforcement and for their ongoing commitment to keeping our schools safe,” Farnsworth added. “While we all wish this type of training wasn’t necessary, we must prepare. We support our officers and deputies as they train to be there for us when we need them most.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) conducts active assailant training on an ongoing basis as required by state statutes and accreditation requirements to ensure the safety of all involved if such a scenario plays out at one of our schools. It’s especially vital for School Resource Deputies to undergo active assailant training in a realistic environment, as their preparedness can significantly reduce casualties and protect students and staff during such critical incidents, an LCSO spokesperson explained. Demonstrating our teamwork in safety, representatives from Lake County Schools and the Florida Department of Education will also be in attendance at the upcoming training.
Students will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge in the 2025-26 school year. Learn more here: https://www.lake.k12.fl.us/article/2330002
Are you ready for some football? Join Lake County Schools employees, students, friends, and families in Gainesville as the Florida Gators take on the Long Island Sharks on Saturday, August 30. A portion of every ticket sold will be donated back to the Education Foundation of Lake County to support Lake County Schools! Get your tickets at https://www.gofevo.com/event/Lakecounty60
📸 **What an incredible week in Chicago!** 🌟
We’re so proud to share that our very own Promotional Enterprise teacher **Nikki Sauerbrey** had the amazing honor of **facilitating the Incubatoredu New Teacher Bootcamp** with **Uncharted Learning** this past week at the National Conference in Chicago, IL.✈️🏙️
From leading the hands-on workshop to mentoring passionate educators from across the country, Nikki brought her energy, expertise, and heart to every moment. 💡👩🏫✨
The Bootcamp was full of collaboration, creativity, and real-world innovation—all things Nikki champions every day in her own classroom. Her leadership helped prepare a whole new group of INC teachers to launch their journeys with confidence and purpose. 💬🚀
Check out these snapshots of an unforgettable experience! 🎉📷👇
We’re so lucky to have such a dedicated and inspiring educator on our team.
We are about a month away from the first day of school. Plan ahead and get your back-to-school and sports physicals completed free of charge in Eustis on Saturday, July 19. Register in advance and get more information at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpmLjUw5yXaDD1oYyQX6gZ8xGTRqyn8N1L1A5Wm8GXCbYcbg/viewform
Students may sign up for EOCs and FAST Reading Retake testing over the summer. The test window is July 14 - 16. The deadline to register is June 19th. Use this link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9DEEKExNtZpBKebIcdwXDaMupppvWPHcZRORmY2KsnmZ4Gw/viewform
Test retakes are being offered this summer to students who did not pass the Algebra I End of Course (EOC) exam or the Grade 10 FAST Reading exam, and to students who missed the Geometry, Biology, or U.S. History End of Course exams in the spring. Sign up using this link: https://forms.gle/MV8wbsHjWwGMcb8YA. The deadline to register is June 19. Tests will be given July 14-16 at the student’s zoned high school. Parents will receive specific dates and times on or before June 26.
REMINDER: Schools are closed tomorrow for Memorial Day. Then, students will follow the Wednesday early release schedule for Tuesday, May 27, Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, which is the last day of classes!
Congratulations to the Senior Class of 2025 as they graduated last night at the UCF Addition Arena. We would like to share the Class of 2025 Senior Video with memories from their high school years that was showed last evening at the ceremony. Hope you enjoy and congratulations!!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vykhqVGmdU89gEFQweFFsMnYWW5Zi7bd/view?usp=sharing
Please remember to mark your calendar and prepare for a schedule change in the last week of school! Schools will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Then, students will follow the Wednesday early release schedule for Tuesday, May 27, Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, which is the last day of classes!
Lake County Schools is seeking input from educators, students, and families to better understand how our K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) materials have impacted classroom practices and literacy development. Please complete a 15-minute survey to provide your feedback. The survey is open May 14-28. You may take the survey here: http://bit.ly/3F1xOdL
Mark your calendar and prepare for a schedule change during the last week of school! Schools and district offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day.. Then, students will follow the Wednesday early release schedule for Tuesday, May 27; Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, which is the last day of classes!
Mark your calendar for a schedule change in the last week of school! Schools will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. Then, students will follow the Wednesday early release schedule for Tuesday, May 27, Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, which is the last day of classes!
Congratulations to Senior Jacob Sabelli and his robotics team ACE for winning the Science Division competition at the Vex Worlds Competition! Team ACE also won the Design Award for the Science division with their robot.
IN THE NEWS: It's almost graduation season! Reporter Emily McLeod at WKMG took a look back at last year's graduation rate and talked with Superintendent Kornegay about what our district is doing to make sure students make it across that stage. Watch here: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/05/07/lake-county-schools-see-increase-in-graduation-rates-for-2023-2024-school-year/