Red Bug Elementary Families,
It’s hard to believe we have only six weeks of school remaining! As we enter this exciting final stretch, we will begin Progress Monitoring 3 (PM3) tomorrow.
Just a few weeks ago, our students completed their i‑Ready Diagnostic, and we are thrilled to share that many students demonstrated significant growth in both Reading and Math.
We are extremely proud of the hard work shown by our students and teachers. Our instructional teams have been using assessment data to drive targeted small‑group instruction, while students have continued to engage independently and collaboratively during centers and stations. Our Interventionists and ESE Support Facilitators have also been intentional in focusing on specific goals and Benchmarks to best support student success.
Over the coming weeks, learning will continue right alongside our assessments as students show what they know!
We are incredibly thankful for the strong partnership between our school and our families. We have seen a decrease in tardies since Spring Break! Thank you for prioritizing your child’s education. Please continue to support your child by encouraging a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast each morning, whether at home or at school. These routines make a big difference as students prepare to do their best.
As you read the rest of our newsletter, please take note of the many important upcoming events
Please remember that we are here for you.
Reach out to us anytime with questions, concerns, or celebration! We love hearing from you.
Thank you for your continued support of Red Bug Elementary.
Respectfully,
Dr. Teresa Thacker
Principal ~ Red Bug Elementary
BUGS: Spot the Clues!
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We are so proud to recognize our amazing Lightning Bugs!
These students shine every day through their kindness, willingness to be a class helper, and genuine desire to support and encourage their classmates. They lead by example with a positive attitude, strong character, and a commitment to academic growth!
Our Lightning Bugs are truly all‑around leaders who make our school a brighter place!
Congratulations to each of our Lightning Bugs!
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April
- 23 Tuskawilla Middle School Visit at Red Bug for 5th graders
- 23 Spring Concert 6:00 PM
- 24 Rock Your School Dress Up Day-All School
- 25 Boost Camp 8:30-11:30 AM
- 29 STEM Night 6:00-7:30 PM
May
- 2 Boost Camp 8:30-11:30 AM
- 4-8 Teacher Appreciation Week
- 6 All Pro Dad 6:00 PM
- 6 District Eat and Play PTA Spirit Night and General PTA Meeting 4:00-10:00 PM
- 7 SAC Meeting 5:00 PM
- 8 Last Day to Test for Sunshine State Books
- 8 Return all remaining Media Center books
- 11 Red Bug Dividend Breakfast Celebration 8:30-10:00 AM
- 13 Class of 2026 Senior Red Bug Reunion 3:10 PM
- 15 Sunshine State Book Ice Cream Celebration
- 15 VPK Parent Day 8:30 AM
- 15 RBT Cart
- 18 FAST Grade Level Glow Parties
- 20 Doug the Bug Birthday Club
- 20 Kindergarten End of Year Celebration in MPR 9:00 AM
- 21 5th Grade Awards Programs (teachers will provide exact times per class)
- 22 Early Dismissal 12:20 PM
- 22 All School Hawaiian Dress-Up Day
- 22 5th Grade Clap Out 8:45 AM
- 22 5th Grade Glow Party
- 25 No School-Memorial Day
- 26 Early Dismissal 12:20 PM
- 27 Early Dismissal 12:20 PM
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April is Volunteer Appreciation Month!
First, we want to say how much we appreciate all our volunteers! If you have been on campus volunteering during one of our SAC/PTA Sponsored Clue into Classrooms-Helping Hands events or have been a chaperone for a field trip, we appreciate every minute each of our Dividends/volunteers spend supporting our school!
Next, we have three special Dividends that we would like to celebrate!
Senior Dividend of the Year- Mrs. Jill Lewis
Ms. Jill Lewis has been supporting both Ms. Ryan and Mrs. Miller’s classes for the past several years. She listens to children read and uses learning games to support their academic growth. In the past, she worked closely with our primary grades, and this year she has begun supporting some of our 4th‑grade students as well. She is like a grandmother to our Red Bug students, warm, patient, and deeply committed to their success. We're thankful for every minute Ms. Lewis spends on our campus.
Thank you, Mrs. Lewis!
Dividend of the Year- Rachel Bateman
As PTA President, Rachel goes above and beyond to support our students, staff, and families. Her dedication, advocacy, and heart strengthen our school community every single day. She is a tireless champion for children and educators alike, and a truly deserving recipient of this prestigious honor.
Student Dividend of the Year- Malana
Malana serves our campus with kindness and dedication, helping with breakfast service, supporting ESE students, and lending a hand wherever needed. Her dependable presence and genuine care make a lasting impact at Red Bug.
We are so grateful for these incredible Dividends and all they do for our school!
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Dear Parent/Guardian,
The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring test that is administered three times per year to track your student’s progress in learning the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards. Your student will take the Kindergarten/Grade 1/Grade 2 Renaissance Star Early Literacy, Star Reading, and/or Star Math assessment(s) beginning on April 20th. The results from PM3 will show how well your student has mastered the grade level content standards. You will be provided information about how to see your student’s results after testing is completed.
FAST assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. The questions get less or more difficult depending on how your student responds, and each student will see different questions from a common item bank. You or your student can review Star Early Literacy, Star Reading, and/or Star Math sample items at home at https://flfast.org/families.html.
If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Lisa Phillips at Lisa_Phillips@scps.k12.fl.us.
Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best on the test.
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Help Us Bring Our Library Books Home!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we prepare for end‑of‑year library inventory, we are asking for your help in locating overdue and missing library books. Currently, our school library has approximately 250 books overdue and 50 books reported as lost.
Please take a few moments to help your child search for library books in all the places they may be hiding, including:
- your home (bedrooms, backpacks, closets, and book stacks),
- family vehicles,
- after‑school care or daycare locations,
- relatives’ or caregivers’ homes.
Returning these books helps us keep our library shelves full and ready for all students to enjoy—now and in the future.
If a book cannot be located after a thorough search, payment for the lost item can be made by scanning the QR code below. This allows us to replace the book and continue providing quality reading materials for our students.
Thank you so much for your support in caring for our school library and fostering a love of reading in our community!
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PTA Support & Upcoming Board Voting
Dedicated teachers, staff, and PARENTS help make Red Bug Elementary such a great school!
Join us—it’s rewarding, it’s important, and it’s even fun! Come be part of something that makes a real difference.
Interested in joining the PTA board? Learn more and sign up:
Complete the form by April 21 to get involved!
Questions? Send us a message or email redbugpta@yahoo.com
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When the signs arrive, we will have a date that you will be able to pick them up at the school. Yard signs will NOT be distributed to students. QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED!
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5th Grade Families!
Can you believe that in just a few short weeks, your children will be saying goodbye to elementary school and becoming MIDDLE SCHOOLERS?!
We are so excited to help the Red Bug Class of 2026 close this chapter in an EPIC way!
The Red Bug PTA 5th Grade Planning Committee is so excited to celebrate this important milestone with a Glow Party on Friday, May 22 during the school day! The celebration will include a DJ, photo booth, activities, face painting, glow sticks, snacks, pizza, a Class of 2026 shirt, and lots of fun surprises!
We would love your help in making this event special and memorable for every student:
The 5th Grade End-of-Year Fee of $20 per student covers the cost of your child’s Class of 2026 shirt. Please submit payment by Friday, May 1:
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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.
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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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