Admin

Welcome OCPS Families!

Photo of a mom and dad each carrying a child on their back.

Important Numbers

OCPS Information Hotline:..............407.317.3463
Advanced Studies (AP/IB/AICE):....407.317.3328
Career and Technical Education:....407.317.3212
Exceptional Student Education:......407.317.3799
Lost Device Hotline:.........................407.317.3290
Mental Health Hotline:.....................407.317.3694
Multilingual Services:......................407.317.3410
School Choice (Charter/Magnet):...407.317.3484
Speak Out Hotline:...........................800.423.8477
Transportation:................................407.317.3807
      

Quick Links

Navigating the School Day

OCPS has you covered from sunrise to sunset. The information in this section is designed to help families navigate critical topics they encounter EVERYDAY. Click on each heading for more information.

Getting to School

OCPS students can be transported to schools in several ways including walking, biking, being dropped off in a personal vehicle or riding a public school bus.

To be eligible to ride on a public school bus, the students must reside two or more miles from their assigned school, be a participant in a designated Exceptional Education Program with an active Individual Education Plan (IEP), or a 504 Plan that has been approved by the school principal or their designee. Elementary students who resides within two (2) miles of their assigned school but do not have a pedestrian route from their home to school that is free of hazards as defined by FS 1006.23, may also qualify.

To learn more about OCPS transportation, please click here.

Attendance

Daily attendance in school is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and is encouraged for all students in grades PK-12. Daily attendance is reported for all students grades PK-12. Period-by-period attendance is also reported for students in grades 9-12. Parents will receive notification of unexcused absences daily through the Connect Orange automated phone message system.

Any student who is not in class when the opening bell rings is considered tardy to school. There is no grace period for tardies. Any student who comes in after the opening bell rings is recorded as tardy.

An student who is withdrawn from class after completion of a half day of school school as "early departure." Early student departure during the last hour of the school day is strongly discouraged.

To learn more about attendance policies and procedures, including guidelines for excused absences and truancy, please click here.

Learning

Standards
Wondering what your child is learning about today? All content students learn is based on the Florida Standards and Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking. There are standards and benchmarks for core subject areas such as English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. There are also standards for elective areas such as dance, health, music, physical education, theatre, visual art, world languages and career and technical education. To review the Florida Standards and Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking, please click here.

Curriculum Areas
Students at all levels take courses in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education and the arts.

Students in middle and high school also have the opportunity to take electives in areas such as advanced studies, world languages, and visual and performing arts. To learn more about curriculum areas in our district click here.

Digital Learning
The LaunchED 1:1 digital learning program provides digital learning devices such as laptops or tablets to all K-12 students.

The district-provided devices are used in a blended learning environment, where students attend traditional brick-and-mortar schools and use online textbooks, digital productivity tools and instructional resources to personalize their learning environment.

Online Textbooks
Students can visit our district’s Single Sign On dashboard, LaunchPad, at http://launchpad.ocps.net to access instructional software, digital textbooks and more.

Digital Productivity Tools
Students use Google Workspace for Education. This is where students create, collaborate, and store files. This is also where students send and receive emails from teachers and students. Students can access their Google account on any device.

Learning Management System
Students use Canvas. This is the district learning management system, and the hub of the digital classroom. Students will visit Canvas to check their calendar for upcoming due dates, access course materials, and submit assignments.

To learn more about digital learning and access help guides, please visit digital.ocps.net.

Eating

OCPS is proud to provide breakfast and lunch at all school sites. Designated school sites also provide supper benefits. This year, all students are receiving meals at NO charge.

There are still many reasons however to continue to apply for free or reduced cost meal benefits, including discounted internet services and reduced fees on afterschool programs.

This school year Food and Nutrition Services will be providing elementary and middle school parents the opportunity to celebrate their child's birthday in their classroom. The Food Service Manager will provide compliant food items (i.e. cookies, brownies, muffins, water, juice, milk) that can be ordered and prepared for the birthday child's classroom.

Click here to learn more about ocps meal programs and birthday bites!

After School Opportunities

OCPS K-5 Extended Day Enrichment Program

The Extended Day Enrichment Program offers supervision and a variety of enrichment activities for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. The program is fee-supported by those using its services. Daily activities include homework time, structured supervised free play, art, drama, crafts, music, dance and organized team games.

OCPS 6-8 Extended Day Programs

OCPS has a collaborative partnership with Orange County Government – Citizens’ Commission for Children (CCC) and the City of Orlando which provides for effective and sustainable afterschool programs services. Specific outcome objectives have been established to include increased academic performance, reduced truancy and absenteeism. After School All Stars services our 9 middle schools located in the Orlando city limits. Boys and Girls Club Services 14 schools and the YMCA services 15 schools. These programs are FREE during the school year.

To learn more about before and after school programs, please click here.

OCPS Extracurricular Activities

Each OCPS school also has optional extracurricular activities to choose from including athletics, clubs, and organizations.

Click here for a full list of extracurricular activities at each school.

Getting Home

OCPS students can be transported home in several ways including walking, biking, being dropped off in a personal vehicle or riding a public school bus.

To be eligible to ride on a public school bus, the students must reside two or more miles from their assigned school, be a participant in a designated Exceptional Education Program with an active Individual Education Plan (IEP), or a 504 Plan that has been approved by the school principal or their designee. Elementary students who resides within two (2) miles of their assigned school but do not have a pedestrian route from their home to school that is free of hazards as defined by FS 1006.23, may also qualify.

Some schools may also offer transportation for after school tutoring and other activities. Please check with your child's school.

To learn more about OCPS transportation, please click here.

Help at Home

Homework is an integral part of the student's educational experience. With the increase in digital curriculum, homework will take shape differently than it has in the past, but the purpose will remain the same:
  • to reinforce learning concepts which are introduced during classroom instruction
  • promote utilization of study skills
  • develop and research skills; and
  • enhance learning experiences.
Click here to view guides, resources, and how-to videos regarding the digital resources your child may use when completing homework.

Canvas Parent
Parents can access Canvas using the OCPS Parent Portal at http://parents.classlink.com/ocps or using the Canvas Parent app for iOS, Android, or Windows mobile devices to keep up with their student’s calendar and assignments.

FREE Brainfuse Homework Help Tutoring
This FREE service is provided through the Orange County Library System! Tutors are available every day from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Using Brainfuse, you can connect with a qualified tutor for expert help in Math (through Precalculus), Science, Social Studies, English, English as a Second Language, Computer Literacy, Test Preparation and Writing Assistance. To connect, students can click on the Virtual Library Card icon on their LaunchPad and click on "Access Information to Help You Study" and then "Tutoring- BrainFuse."

Interactive Resources for Students
The Florida Students website includes hundreds of interactive resources families can use to support student learning in language arts, mathematics, science, and civics.

Other Considerations

Click on the icons below to access information about other educational considerations that may impact your family.

                    

Navigating the School Year

They say there is a season for everything and school is no exception! This section breaks the school year in six seasons for families. Click on each heading to reveal 3 to 5 key actions families can take to stay engaged in their child’s education.

  1. Register for school
  2. Find a bus, if needed
  3. Apply for free and reduced lunch benefits
  4. Download FREE OCPS mobile app and Microsoft Office
  5. Register for the OCPS Parent Portal
  1. Pick up OCPS device (new 6-12 students only)
  2. Locate student schedule in Skyward app on OCPS Parent Portal
  3. Attend Meet-the-Teacher events
  4. Complete online Parent Technology Media Information Consent Forms in Skyward app on OCPS Parent Portal
  5. Review student planner and check Canvas Parent app on OCPS Parent Portal for assignments and homework.

Monitoring Growth (Sept-Mar.)

  1. Set up alerts in Skyward app on OCPS Parent Portal to receive notifications on attendance, progress reports, report cards and grades
  2. Check grades weekly and identify missing assignments
  3. Attend Open House at your child's school to learn more about academic expectations
  4. Review progress/interim reports and report cards with your child
  5. Communicate with teachers frequently and schedule parent-teacher conferences, as needed.

Making Choices (Jan.-Mar.)

  1. Review available course options for the next school year at your current school
  2. Review choices for magnet programs, virtual schools, and dual enrollments
  3. Identify other transfer opportunities
  4. Review available family and student scholarships
  5. Evaluate your school choice options and apply, as needed.

Finishing Fierce (April-June)

  1. Identify end-of-the-year testing schedule
  2. Attend end-of-the-year school events
  3. Return school equipment and materials
  4. Pay outstanding fines and fees

Staying Sharp (Jun.-Jul.)

  1. Support summer reading
  2. Take advantage of summer meal spots
  3. Participate in summer enrichment

Making the Most of Milestones

There are five key milestones in your family’s educational journey in OCPS. Click on the icons below to access information about each milestone.

               Starting High School