Red Bug families,
This week, we were honored to welcome Superintendent Mrs. Beamon, Assistant Superintendent Mr. Senko, and School Board Member Mrs. Krause to our campus. They enjoyed seeing our students engaged in dynamic Math and ELA lessons.
During the visit, Mrs. Beamon presented her Spark Awards, recognizing individuals who shine through kindness, strong relationships, and meaningful connections. This year’s theme is Making Deeper Connections, and we proudly celebrate one teacher, one non‑instructional staff member, and one student who embodies this mission.
2025–26 Spark Award Recipients
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Teacher: Mrs. Susan Bernhagen
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Non‑Instructional Staff: Coach Marlon “Juke” Bailey
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Student: Davis
Why They Were Selected
Mrs. Susan Bernhagen – 3rd Grade & NEST Coordinator
Mrs. Bernhagen builds deep, trusting relationships with every teacher she mentors. Through daily check‑ins, attentive listening, and unwavering encouragement, she creates a safe, supportive space for new educators to thrive. Her dedication strengthens our NEST community and shines through her work each day.
Coach Marlon “Juke” Bailey – PE Para
Coach Juke is a positive force across campus, forming meaningful relationships with students and offering calm, supportive guidance whenever needed. His genuine care for students, staff, and families makes a lasting impact on our school community.
Davis – 5th Grade Dual Language & Safety Patrol
Davis is a responsible, kind leader who builds authentic connections with peers and adults. He regularly supports kindergarten students in the morning and assists students with special needs with compassion and maturity. His warmth and leadership brighten our campus.
We also celebrate our Dual Language 3rd and 4th graders who participated in the World Language Festival, our talented musicians who performed at the Elementary Music Festival, and our dedicated Cross Country Team for their recent meet! Additionally, we are celebrating Brooklyn as her artwork was selected as the winning entry for Red Bug Elementary at the 2026 Drug & Alcohol Prevention Art Contest Award Ceremony.
Please explore the sections below for important updates, repeated information for your convenience, and upcoming events. As always, reach out anytime with suggestions, concerns, or celebrations.
Have an especially incredible week!
Kindly,
Dr. Teresa Thacker
Principal ~ Red Bug Elementary
BUGS: Spot the Clues!
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Tardies – Updated Procedures Beginning March 23, 2026
When we return from Spring Break and begin Quarter 3, updated tardy procedures will go into effect. Please review the process below so we can work together to ensure students arrive on time each day.
Tardy Procedures
- Students are considered tardy if they arrive after the 7:55 A.M. Tardy Bell.
- If arriving late, parents must park or walk up to the front office and come inside to complete a tardy slip.
- Carline:
- If you are in the carline and staff members are still present outside, your child is not considered late.
- Walkers:
- If your child walks to school and the 7:55 A.M. bell has already rung before they enter either the gray front office door or the gate, an adult must walk the student inside to the front office to complete a tardy slip.
Thank You for Your Support
Over the next two weeks, please work to build strong morning routines that help your child arrive on time. Every minute of instruction matters, and your partnership helps us maintain a school community where learning is the priority.
Thank you for working with us to support student success!
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Lightning Bug Celebration!
Our Lightning Bugs are shining bright this week! We are celebrating students who showed strong academic growth and demonstrated what it means to be an excellent friend.
These bright students are true helpers, and many were chosen by their classmates, which makes this recognition even more special!
Our Lightning Bugs proudly use BUGS behavior:
Be Responsible
Use Respect
Grow Every Day
Stay Safe
Way to go, Lightning Bugs! We are so proud of you!
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Please join us in celebrating Brooklyn!
Brooklyn’s poster was selected as the winning entry for Red Bug Elementary, and she was honored at the 2026 Drug & Alcohol Prevention Art Contest Award Ceremony. We are deeply proud of her hard work, creativity, and positive message!
Way to go, Brooklyn!
A special thank you to Mrs. Lo‑McDermott for proudly representing Red Bug Elementary alongside Brooklyn at the ceremony!
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Red Bug was truly represented at the Seminole County Elementary Music Festival!
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Cardarelli for the countless hours of preparation that made this exciting event such a success. We are also exceptionally grateful to our talented Red Bug musicians and supportive families for their hard work, commitment, and dedication to the fine arts.
We are immensely proud of each of you!
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Third and fourth grade Dual Language students proudly participated in the World Language Festival on Saturday!
Evaly opened the ceremony with "Join the Celebration," and Adrian, Dario, Joel, Halle, Emilio, and Rylynn confidently represented Red Bug in the Dual Language Spelling Bee, showcasing their growing bilingual skills.
We’re proud of their bravery and perseverance! Thank you to all the teachers and parents who gave of their Saturday to support our students!
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We are so impressed by our Red Bug Cross Country team for representing our school at Hagerty High School on Saturday! Coach Segrest and Coach Stoyle were excited and filled with pride at the hard work and determination shown by all of our runners.
We want to thank all our coaches and families for giving their time at the early morning practices and Saturdays!
Way to go, Red Bug keep running strong!
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March
- 4 PTA Spirit Night Texas Roadhouse
- 4 All Pro Dad 6:00 PM in Campus Restaurant
- 4 SCCPTA Reflections Awards Celebration 6:30 PM Lyman HS Auditorium
- 5 Runner's Club Breakfast 7:20 AM under covered area
- 5 SAC Meeting 5:00 PM
- 5 PTA Board Meeting 6:30 PM
- 6 Clue into Classrooms, Helping Hands 8:30 AM-1:00 PM (in empty Kinder classroom)
- 6 Sunshine State Voting in the MPR (schedule to come)
- 7 Math Festival Millenium MS 8:30 AM-2:30 (tentative time)
- 7 Lake Mary Heathrow Festival of the Arts 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- 12 Field Day and Family Picnic (more info to come)
- 12 End of Quarter 3
- 13-22 Spring Break
- 13 Teacher Workday
- 23 School resumes
- 23-April 10 Stakeholder Surveys
- 25 Doug the Bug Birthday Club
- 25 PTA sponsored Skate Night, Semoran Skateway 6:30-8:30 PM
- 26 Dress-up like a Ladybug or wear spirit wear
- 26 PTA sponsored BMX Bike Show
- 30 BEST Writing grades 4 & 5
- 30 Kindergarten Group 1 Butterfly Garden
- 31-April 10 BEST Writing grades 4 & 5
- 31 Kindergarten Group 2 Butterfly Garden
- 31 Special Olympics
April
- 1-10 BEST Writing grades 4 & 5
- 2 SAC 5:00 PM
- 2 PTA Board Meeting 6:30 PM
- 2 Jeremiah's Ice PTA Sponsored Spirit Day 12:00-10:00 PM
- 3 Grade 1 Field Trip Crayola Experience
- 4 Odyssey of the Mind State Competition
- 15 Doug the Bug Birthday Club
- 15 Kindergarten Signing Day and New Student Tours 8:30-10:00 AM
- 15 Jet's Pizza PTA Spirit Day
- 16 Spring Pictures
- 17 Kindergarten Zoo Field Trip
- 18 Campus Clean Up Sponsored by PTA
- 23 Spring Concert 6:00 PM
- 24 Rock Your School Dress Up Day-All School
- 29 STEM Night
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We’re excited to offer an upcoming opportunity for you to share your thoughts and make your voice heard. The surveys will be open from March 23rd- April 10th. Watch for updates in our newsletter and on our website soon!
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Happy Birthday to the February members of Doug the Bug’s Birthday Club!
We celebrated with fun, music, and some special goodies for our birthday friends!
It’s always a joy to make our Red Bug birthdays extra memorable!
Want your child to join the celebration?
Sign up today for March and beyond!
Orders must be placed by the 5th day of your child’s birthday month.
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Field Day & Family Picnic on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Field Day Times:
Grades 3, 4 & 5 from 8:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Grades PreK, Kdg, 1 & 2 from 10:00 AM-11:15 AM
Picnic Time
All Grades: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
For the safety and security of everyone, all visitors must go through RAPTOR to attend field day and family picnic. To help speed up the process, please RSVP by filling out this form.
To pre-register you through Raptor, you must provide the following information as it appears on your Driver's License/ID: First & Last Name and Birth Date.
Adults who do not RSVP with all information listed will have to go through the front office on the day of the event and entry to the festivities may be significantly delayed.
Please RSVP by Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 11:59 pm. This RSVP will close on March 9, 2026.
Complete a separate form for each Parent/Guardian attending.
Please, only 2 adult visitors per family.
Children under 5 are welcome, but no school-age (elementary, middle or high school) children that are not enrolled in Red Bug may attend.
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Red Bug Yearbook $25!
For $25 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.
Personalization
No longer available.
5th Grade Recognition Ads
No longer available.
Order Online at:
Enter School ID: 1169829
*A 5% service fee will be added to online orders.
Yearbooks will arrive on campus in May 2026.
Thank you!
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Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year is happening now! For more information, please visit https://www.scps.us/enroll
or click on the picture above.
We will have our Kindergarten Signing Day and New Student Tour on April 15, 2026, at 8:30 AM. Our new students will be able to have a free full waffle and chicken tender meal in the Campus Restaurant. Parents may eat as well for $3.00 per adult. More information to come!
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The on-time VPK application period for the 2026-2027 School Year at SCPS locations is January 10 to February 10. To be eligible for VPK, a child must be four-years of age by September 1, 2026. SCPS VPK offers a high-quality program designed to prepare students to enter Kindergarten ready to learn! Full-day and half-day programs are available. For more information visit, https://bit.ly/scpsvpk
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Saving for college just got easier! Florida Prepaid’s annual Open Enrollment is now live, and new tools make planning simple and affordable.
Here’s what’s new:
· A redesigned website to help you build a personalized plan in minutes
· Flexible Prepaid Plan options — pay for one year at a time or choose what fits your budget
· Low monthly payments starting at just $29
The sooner you start, the more you save. Lock in today’s college costs and take the first step toward your child’s future with a Florida Prepaid 529 Plan. Learn more at https://bit.ly/45xJS0j.
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The Dividends School Volunteer Program is a district-wide effort that encourages and promotes community involvement in the Seminole County Public Schools. You must be a registered Dividend to volunteer during school events or chaperone any field trip.
All Dividend volunteers are required to re-activate their applications each year. Apply to be a Dividend here: https://dvd.scps.k12.fl.us/
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🌞 Morning Drop-Off
Times
- Students eating breakfast may be dropped-off at 7:20 AM
- Official drop-off begins at 7:30 AM when an adult is on the car line.
- First bell: 7:50 AM
- Tardy bell: 7:55 AM → After this time, you will need to park and walk your child to the front office to sign in (no staff outside to ensure safe entry).
Car Line Flow
- Double lane starts inside the parking lot and merges to one lane at the cones. Use the every-other-car rule.
- Pull all the way forward to maximize unloading.
- Do not park and cross the car line on foot at any time. Parked cars will not be able to exit via the second lane until 7:55 AM.
- Do not stop for pedestrians in the unloading zone—staff will manage crossings once traffic is stopped.
- Students should exit once you reach the “Unloading Zone”.
- Make sure backpacks are zipped, breakfast finished, goodbyes said— and students are ready to exit immediately.
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🌞 Dismissal
🏫How Pickup Works:
- Students will wait in the cafeteria until called.
- They will walk to the correct pole and wait for directions from an adult.
- All students will be loaded into their vehicles at the same time.
- No cars will move until both lanes are fully loaded, and then one lane will be directed to exit at a time.
VPK, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade Dismissal:
- Dismissal begins at 2:05 PM (or 1:05 PM on Wednesdays).
- Only VPK, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade families may use BOTH car line lanes before 2:15 PM (or 1:15 PM on Wednesdays).
- Both inside and outside lanes are reserved for these grades until that time.
- If you're not picking up a VPK/K/1st student, you will be asked to return at 2:15 PM (1:15 PM Wed).
Second Grade to Fifth Grade School Dismissal:
- Begins at 2:20 PM (or 1:20 PM on Wednesdays).
- If you get in car line before 2:15 (1:15 on Wednesday) you will be asked to return to car line at 2:15, we will be using both the inside and outside lanes for VPK/K/1 dismissal
- If you have students in both younger and older grades, plan to arrive at the full dismissal time of 2:20 PM to pick up all children together.
🛑 Safety Requirements:
- You must have a 2025–2026 Red Bug Hang Tag to pick up your student in the car line.
- No tag? Please park and go to the main office with your driver’s license or security code to verify pickup authorization.
🚦 Traffic & Safety Reminders:
- Follow the direction of school staff at all times.
- Be alert and patient—dismissal requires coordination and teamwork.
Dismissal relies on two lanes, so stay in your lane and wait for the signal to move.
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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.
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Did you know that children can suffer academically if they miss 10% of the school year? If a student misses 2 days a month, that is equivalent to 20 days a year (30 hours of math a year and 60 hours of reading/writing a year). Those days can add up before you know it. We know there will be days when your child will miss school, especially when they are sick. Let’s work together to make sure that students are at school on time every day!
Parents and families are essential partners in promoting good attendance because they have the bottom-line responsibility for making sure their children get to school every day. Just as parents should focus on how their children are performing academically, they have a responsibility to set expectations for good attendance and to monitor their children’s absences, so that missed days don’t add up to academic trouble.
Helpful Tips for Awesome Attendance:
•Build regular routines for bedtime and the morning
•Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school
•Don’t permit missing school unless your child is truly sick. Use a thermometer to check for a fever. Remember that stomach aches and headaches may be signs of anxiety
•Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session
•Keep a chart recording your child’s attendance at home. At the end of the week, talk with your child about what you see
•Develop back up plans to get to school if something comes up. Ask a family member, neighbor, or another parent for help
•Seek support from school staff or community groups to help with transportation, health problems, or if you have no safe path to school.
Remember students may arrive on campus at 7:20 AM for breakfast and the first bell rings at 7:50 AM and the tardy bell rings at 7:55 AM.
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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!
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.
Nota: La aplicación se puede completar en español también.
his is an example of a sentence to begin a paragraph.
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Seminole County Public Schools will utilize the My Ride K-12 App for the 2025-2026 school year. This website and mobile app will allow families and students to look up bus route information (beginning on August 4) and receive real-time notifications and alerts. For more information, please visit: www.scps.us/buses by clicking on the bus image. |
This is the time of year when we often have stormy weather in the afternoons, which can lead to delayed dismissals. While they may be inconvenient, please know that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and all decisions made to delay dismissal are made in an effort to keep children and staff safe.
We wanted to share information about the safety protocols during inclement weather, so we have listed out the steps taken by schools during inclement weather.
Detect
Schools monitor weather conditions 15 minutes prior to dismissal to check for lightning or weather in the area.
Delay
Delayed dismissal protocols will be activated should there be severe weather warnings, lightning, or deteriorating conditions. During a delayed dismissal, students are in a safe, permanent, and supervised location. Families will be notified of delayed dismissal as soon as possible and will continue to communicate the status every 15-20 minutes during the delay until the weather has been deemed safe for dismissal.
Dismiss
Once the weather conditions have improved enough for safe dismissal, families will be notified.
It is important to note that prior to the conclusion of delayed dismissal protocols, students will only be released to an approved caretaker if:
- The approved caretaker presents proper identification and signs the child out in the front office, and
- The child is on campus in a location that will not require outdoor exposure prior to being delivered to the custody of the approved caretaker.
Should weather conditions deteriorate during dismissal, a weather delay will be activated, however, messaging for families may be delayed until all students and staff are safely indoors.
We would like to thank you for your consistent patience, support, and understanding as we care for your children and our staff during inclement weather while they are on our campus.
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Red Bug families,
Please read this important information! Thank you!
We want to make you aware that state law dictates how and when students can use cell phones and other wireless communications devices during the school day. This legislation is intended to support focused learning in the classroom and applies to all Florida public schools.
Here’s what families need to know:
Pursuant to Florida Statute 1006.07, a student may possess a wireless communications device while the student is on school property or in attendance at a school function; however, they must follow the guidelines for use during the school day as outlined for each grade level below:
-Elementary and middle school students may not use a cell phone or other wireless communication device (cell phone, tablet, ear buds, smart watch, smart glasses, etc.) at any time during the school day. The school day is defined as the school’s posted student hours.
-This law does provide exceptions for accommodations related to medical or educational needs of individual students.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we follow this statewide requirement. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly.
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As we continue through the school year, we ask that you please remember to label your child's items! Jackets, sweatshirts, lunchboxes, and water bottles are common things we find around campus without names! We do have a Lost and Found in the Campus Restaurant, but it is helpful to help get them to the correct person when they are labeled! All items left in the Lost and Found do get donated at the end of each semester. |
Communication from Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) all in one place! Downloaded the app today!
Find out more information in the links below.
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Please review the attached letter about Health Services Consent and updating your clinic card in Skyward for the 2025-26 school year.
You now have the ability to easily access and complete these important documents online, streamlining the process and ensuring that all necessary information is up to date. By integrating these services into the Skyward Family Access Parent Portal, we aim to enhance communication and collaboration between parents, schools, and healthcare providers.
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If your child will need to take medication at school, please help us be prepared by bringing the medicine to school in the box/bottle with the prescription label. This must be brought in by the parent/legal guardian in person. |
In compliance with Chapter 1003.45, Florida Statutes, the District will observe a one-minute moment of silence each school day this year. This moment of silence will occur during first period or at the beginning of the day.
In accordance with the Statute, the District will not make suggestions as to the nature of any reflection that a student may engage in during the moment of silence. Students may not interfere with another students’ participation. Families are encouraged to discuss the moment of silence with their child(ren) and to make suggestions as to the best use of this time.
Please contact Administration with any questions about the moment of silence. We thank you for being our partner in education.
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Seminole County Public Schools respects that families have the right to make educational decisions for their child. In addition, as required by Rule 6A- 1.0955(8)(m), F.A.C., Education Records, the district is required to use a student's legal name in school, or a parent approved nickname. Parents/legal guardians have the opportunity to view the district’s Student Discipline & Code of Conduct, provide name deviation consent, and acknowledge the online applications that the district utilizes throughout the school year. These documents are now available online for completion for the 2025-2026 school year.
PLEASE NOTE: Without the signed name deviation consent form from parent/guardian, staff are required to use only the legal name of the student as listed in Skyward.
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Pursuant to Rule 6A-10.089 (5), F.A.C., Seminole County Public Schools requires parental authorization prior to students participating in school sponsored events and activities. Each student participating in the event or activity listed below must have this form completed and submitted prior to participating.
Please complete this form once for each of your students.
Description of the Events or Activities: Various Red Bug school sponsored and PTA sponsored activities including but not limited to: Book Fair, Field Day & Family Picnic, Picture Day, Teach-in, Egg Drop (5th), Turkey Parade (K), Veterans' Day Breakfast, Grandparents' Lunch, STEM Night, PTA Fun Run, PTA Events/Shows, Grade Level Activities/Celebrations, fundraisers and school performances.
Date(s) and Time(s): Events will be held on various dates and times during the 2025-2026 school year. All event dates and times will be published ahead of the event in the Principal's Newsletter and/or the Red Bug website.
Location: Red Bug Elementary
Sponsors/Guests: Sponsors, guests, speakers and performers will be approved by SCPS and/or the Principal.
Student Supervision: Student supervision will be provided by school personnel commensurate to the attendance at the event.
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Principal
Dr. Teresa Thacker
407-746-8300
Assistant Principal
Ms. Lisa Phillips
407-746-8303
School Administration Manager (SAM)
Mr. Richard Burkett
407-746-8350
Red Bug Elementary School
407.746.8350
4000 Red Bug Lake Road
Casselberry, FL 32707
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