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Dr. Vazquez: Hello, we have a hot topic coming up on today's episode of Mondays with Maria. Stay tuned.
Announcer: Welcome to Mondays with Maria, presented by ADDITION Financial Credit Union. Here's OCPS Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez.
Dr. Vazquez: Hi everyone. Bri MacNaught is back with me. She is part of our amazing communications team. How
Bri MacNaught: Are you? I'm good. How are you?
Dr. Vazquez: I am great. So today we have a very, very important topic for our families. Right. It may seem like it's too early to be thinking about registration, especially since we're at the end of the school year, but it's not.
Bri MacNaught: Yeah. It's like you said, we're, we're getting ready for the summer, that downtime if you would, but it is never too early, and it's also very important to not lose sight of enrolling now for that 2025- 2026 school year.
Dr. Vazquez: Yeah, absolutely. So if you have friends, family, neighbors that have not started the registration process, please let them know they need to do it. It's so important that they register now. Families who are enrolled now will be part of the class makeup, so that when we have meet your teacher, your child is assigned to a class, you'll be able to have all the communications about back-to-school activities. If you wait for the last minute, that's just not going to happen.
Bri MacNaught: Let's start with that voluntary pre-kindergarten, 'cause that's super important for what you were just talking about. So why is that so critical?
Dr. Vazquez: Yeah, so VPK, unlike our other grades, have limited capacity and it's on a first-come, first-served basis. So first, maybe there's some families out there that didn't even know, oh my gosh, O-O-C-P-S has VPK. So if you have a child that is already four years old and did not take part in our VPK program during the school year, we have a summer program. So they are able to enroll now for the summer program. So we want them to be able to have that advantage because it's so important for them to take part in the VPK program so that they are ready for kindergarten. Now, if your child is turning four on or before September 1st, mm-hmm <affirmative>. Now is the time to enroll for our VPK program for the next school year. And so you need to go to your zoned school and fill out the registration papers to be included in the class, the VPK class for this upcoming school year.
Bri MacNaught: First plug of the day of the show. Yeah. OCPS.net.
Dr. Vazquez: Yes. Very important. <Laugh>, all of our registration information is on our website. Everything that you need, we have the registration packets. Some families may say, well, I don't speak English, or I don't read English. We had them translated in our top six languages. Additionally, we have our global family center that's located right next to pupil assignment pupil enrollment, which is down in South Orlando. There's resources there available for our newcomers. Families that may not understand our registration process may not know what's required. They can go to the center and get all of the assistance that they need.
Bri MacNaught: So, during this downtime, there's a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes, right? Yes. Talk to us a little bit about that and the behind-the-scenes stuff that happens.
Dr. Vazquez: Yeah. So, people don't realize we're just as busy during the summer as we are during the school year, because we have 10 weeks to turn the school over. Right? Get the building ready, assign classes, hire your teachers, hire the rest of the staff so that they are ready for the start of the school year. In our district offices, we have our HR department that is busy in a flurry of hiring, and so it really is a very busy time in our district during the summer.
Bri MacNaught: Yeah, that 10 weeks absolutely flies by now. It does. I know you mentioned VPK already. What about kindergarten? Yeah.
Dr. Vazquez: So great news is that kindergarten is the exact same process as VPK, go to your zone school, and you're able to register there.
Bri MacNaught: And once again, ocps.net for more information. Absolutely.
Dr. Vazquez: One-stop shop.
Bri MacNaught: Now, there are other enrollment options right now to consider Orange County Virtual School.
Dr. Vazquez: Yes. OCVS began its open enrollment April 1st, and that runs through June 30th, and late enrollment extends through July.
Bri MacNaught: Yeah. At Orange County Virtual School, I think a lot of people maybe don't know about it, but students can earn their high school diploma, participate in dual enrollment, and extracurricular activities through an OCPS traditional school.
Dr. Vazquez: It really is a great option if your child needs an anytime, anywhere learning option in a flexible setting. You can learn more at OCVS.OCPS.net.
Bri MacNaught: And of course, we can't forget our post-secondary option for graduates, Orange Technical College.
Dr. Vazquez: Yes. We have six local campuses that offer certifications and high demand industries. You can enhance your skills, switch careers, pursue apprenticeships, and so much more. It's all available through our Orange Technical College, and that website is OrangeTechCollege.net.
Seriously, so many different options that are available to Orange County Public Schools.
Dr. Vazquez: Yes, it is. It's amazing and so many people aren't aware. So go to our website. All of that information is there.
Bri MacNaught: You got it? Okay.
Dr. Vazquez: Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So message today is enroll now. It's not too early, and before you know it, you'll be kicking back and enjoying the summer. Yeah. But that 10 weeks goes quick. Like we said. It does. It absolutely does. Thank you all for watching. Be sure to like, follow and subscribe, have more on our podcast. Just go to wherever you get your podcast and search for Mondays with Maria. Have a great day, and we'll see you next week
Announcer: For an extended conversation on today's topic. Listen to the Mondays with Maria podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. Mondays with presented by Addition Financial Credit Union. Count us in for every step of your financial journey. Learn more at Additionfi.com. For more OCPS news and information, visit TheSlice.ocps.net. I'm your announcer. Kaleb Priester, a senior at Jones High School. Thanks for watching and have a great week.