The Ladybug Loop: Connecting Our Families V 19

Posted Date: 12/14/25 (07:22 PM)

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The Ladybug Loop: Connecting Our Families

December 14, 2025

Principal's Spotlight-Mrs. Blanca Santiago

Red Bug families,

Today, I would like to spotlight Mrs. Blanca Santiago!

Mrs. Santiago has been a dedicated member of the Seminole County Public Schools staff for 19 years and a member of the Red Bug Elementary family for 10 years, serving in several roles throughout her time here. She began as a PE Para, then transitioned to an ESE Para, working in the Pre-K classroom and, most recently, alongside teachers and paras in the ESE Developmental classrooms.

An early riser, Mrs. Santiago, always starts her day preparing the classroom for success. She is a positive light at Red Bug and is always ready with a listening ear and an encouraging word. Her ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and coworkers has made a lasting impact on our school community.

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, Mrs. Santiago will retire. While we will miss her terribly, we are excited for her next chapter, which includes a long-awaited cruise! Mrs. Santiago, we love you and wish you all the best in your newfound free time!

As we celebrate Mrs. Santiago’s incredible contributions, it’s also hard to believe we are entering the last week of the first semester! This time of year, reminds us how fortunate we are to work alongside such an amazing team. I am deeply grateful to our teachers and staff, who educate, nurture, and care for our students every day. I’m also thankful for our Leadership Team, who I have the privilege of working with daily. It truly takes a team to lead and guide our school.

Finally, I want to thank you, our families, for partnering with us to support your children. We are blessed with a wonderful school community, and I am honored to serve as your principal.

This will be our last newsletter before the break. As always, please reach out to us with any questions, concerns, and/or celebrations.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a happy new year!

Kindly,

Dr. Teresa Thacker

Principal ~ Red Bug Elementary

BUGS: Spot the Clues!

Upcoming Events

December

15 Grade 3 Field Trip, Kennedy Space Center
16-18 Early Dismissal 12:20 PM
16 Grade 5 Egg Drop
16 Jingle Jog during Specials
16 All School Dress-Up Day- Wear your best Elf Outfit
17 All School Dress-Up Day- Wear your favorite Holiday Attire or Gingerbread Wear
17 Doug the Bug Birthday Celebration
18 All School Snowed In Day- Wear your favorite Holiday Pajamas
18 End of Quarter 2
19 No School for Students/Teacher workday
19-January 5 Winter Break for Students

January

6 School Resumes beginning of Quarter 3
8 SAC Meeting 5:00 PM
10 Big Wheels Bright Futures: VPK & Kindergarten Kick-Off Event (see flyer below)
12 Hearing Screening-PK, Kinder, 1st, & 3rd
14 PTA General Meeting and Skate Night at Semoran Skateway 6:30-8:30 PM
19 Martin Luther King Junior Day-No School
21 Doug the Bug Birthday Club
22 Grade 1 Field Trip Yarborough Nature Center
23 Grade 1 Field Trip Yarborough Nature Center
28 Hearing Re-screening
30 Snowman Dress-Up Day all school

Lightning Bugs

Celebrating Our Amazing Lightning Bugs!

Every day, our students shine by demonstrating BUGS behavior:

Be Responsible

Use Respect

Grow Every Day

Stay Safe

They are not only kind and caring but also growing academically and stepping up as leaders! We are so proud of their hard work and positive impact on our school community.

Keep shining, Lightning Bugs! You make us proud every single day!

Thank You PTA and Families!

A Huge Thank You to Our PTA and Families!

Our PTA asked, and you delivered, Red Bug! Another successful year of our Teacher & Staff Cookie Exchange is in the books!

THANK YOU to all of our amazing families who sent in baked goods to treat our teachers and staff with delicious goodies before winter break.

Everything was absolutely scrumptious!

We could not be more grateful for our incredible PTA and the generosity of our Red Bug community. Your support makes these special traditions possible and so sweet!

A Message from Our PTA

Tis the season for giving! If you're looking for ideas to show your favorite Red Bug teachers & staff members how much they are appreciated, be sure to check out the Teacher & Staff Favorites Binder in the front office for an easy way to find something they'll love!

FAST Reports

Family Portal

Facebook Page

Follow Red Bug's Facebook

Big Wheels Bright Futures:

VPK & Kindergarten Event

Get ready to roll into a Bright Future with Seminole County Public Schools! Join us for Big Wheels: VPK & Kindergarten Kick-Off Event, a fun-filled morning for families of incoming VPK and Kindergarten students!

📅 Saturday, January 10, 2026

🕘 9 AM – 12 PM

📍 Educational Support Center, 400 E. Lake Mary Blvd., Sanford

Enroll your child for VPK or Kindergarten on-site
Explore fire trucks, police cars, SWAT vehicle, school buses & more
Free backpack and supplies for the first 100 VPK and Kindergarten students who enroll onsite.
Learn about school choice options, kindergarten readiness tips, and navigating IEPs and 504 plans

Plus - Storytime, giveaways, food, and a visit from Clifford, the Big Red Dog!

Reserve your free tickets today at https://tinyurl.com/BigWheelsBrightFutures or click on the flyer below.

Red Bug Yearbook $20!

For only $20 the 2025-2026 Red Bug Yearbook is something you don't want to miss. Packed with this year's memories.

Yearbooks are not guaranteed for student/parents that have not pre-ordered.

Add Personalization for only $5.

(Student Name printed on the front cover)

Yearbooks with Personalization must be ordered by 01/23/2026.

5th Grade Recognition Ads

Includes space for images and a message. Ads must be purchased and designed by 01/23/2026.

1/8 Page Ad - $20 (Yearbook sold separately)

1/4 Page Ad - $35 (Yearbook sold separately)

*Limited Ad space available.

Order Online at:

BUYTHEYEARBOOK.COM

Enter School ID: 1169829

*Or click on the picture above

*A 5% service fee will be added to online orders.

Yearbooks will arrive on campus in May 2026.

Thank you!

Interactive Red Apple Dining Menu-Meal Viewer

Meal Viewer is available to Red Bug Elementary! It allows you to view more menu details, see pictures of meals, and access nutrition tools. This innovative platform is available on desktop, mobile, and via the app. Get ready to enhance your dining experience!

Please click on the picture to link to the Meal Viewer!

Want to apply for Meal Benefits, but not sure how to start?

Here’s a handy-dandy video guide that will show you where to go and how to begin your application! All SCPS families are encouraged to apply and may receive free / reduced-price meals in addition to other benefits for the 2025-2026 school year.

https://www.diningservices.scps.us/

Nota: La aplicación se puede completar en español también.

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BUGS Behavior

Red Bug is proud to be a PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) School! We expect all students to follow our BUGS Behavior so we can keep our school a happy and safe place for all students.

We appreciate family support as we link all behavior choices to our expectations across our campus!

Click on the BUGS Behavior picture to the right to access the Seminole County Public Schools Student Code of Conduct. These are the expectations that all students follow to keep our school safe.