Red Bug families,
We are thrilled to begin another exciting year at Red Bug Elementary as we surf a Wave of Kindness ~ Tides of Learning! As an A-Rated School, we are proud of our accomplishments and even more excited to continue fostering a culture where kindness, learning, and success thrive for every student.
Throughout the year, we will be shining a spotlight on the incredible members of our Red Bug family, including our staff, students, volunteers, and community partners who make our school such a special place.
Please be sure to review all the important information included in this newsletter. To make it easier for families to stay informed, new information and updates will always be featured at the top of the newsletter, while recurring resources will remain available for quick and easy access throughout the year.
We are excited to welcome our teachers back on Tuesday, August 4th! Families are invited to join us in front of the school from 7:30-8:00 a.m. as we cheer on our amazing staff and help kick off a fantastic school year.
Later this week, our Bugs will have the opportunity to Meet Their Teacher, and we can't wait to see the excitement as students reconnect with friends and prepare for a year full of learning and growth.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or celebrations along the way. We value our partnership with our families and look forward to working together to make this an outstanding year for all.
Thank you for being a part of our Red Bug family. Let's make it a wonderful year together!
Respectfully,
Dr. Teresa Thacker
Principal ~ Red Bug Elementary
BUGS: Spot the Clues!
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August
4 Celebrate Teachers 7:30-8:00 AM Front of School (see flyer)
4 PTA Breakfast for Teachers and Staff 8:00 AM
7 Meet the Teacher, Last Names A-L, 8:30-9:30, Last Names M- Z, 9:30-10:30
8 Kinder Popsicles on the Playground-Kinder Bugs & families 9:30-10:30 AM
10 First Day of School
19 PTA Skate Night Semoran Skateway and General PTA Meeting 6:30-8:30 PM
September
22 Fall Pictures
23 Dividend/Volunteer Orientation 900-10:00 AM MPR
23 Curriculum Night & Student Led Conferences 5:00-7:00 PM
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Red Bug Car Signs 2026-2027
Please fill out the information in the link below or click on the image to receive your Red Bug Car Sign at meet the teacher. These signs are required to be displayed in the car as you pick up children through the car line. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMXH2zGCs2wIx39NzAcMh6piMW8nVC-HTDpr5jIHhvB7fGPA/viewform
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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 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.
Students in VPK, and Developmental Classrooms may use the Bus Ramp (stickers will be provided for your car tag & teachers will provide specific information).
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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.
- Families of students in Developmental classrooms will be provided with specific information from your teachers.
🛑 Safety Requirements:
- You must have a 2026–2027 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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Walker and Biker Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Parents escorting students to and from campus will be expected to drop-off and pick up their front gate walkers/bikers at one of the following entrance/exits:
- School Fencing Gate adjacent to Campus Restaurant, past restaurant parking lot (at dismissal, parents are asked to wait in the grass behind the Campus Restaurant, next to the playground area to provide ample room for families gathering)
- Beginning of Covered Car Loop Ramp (bridge side)
- Crosswalk before building 4 (at arrival, parent may cross student, at dismissal, staff will cross students)
- At dismissal if you expect your walker/biker to wait until an adult has met them at the designated area, you must notify the student’s teacher.
From these drop-off locations, parents will be able to see students enter the gated area or building safely and the distance will also help keep the congestion minimal at the front of the school. Students will be supervised by Seminole County Public School employees from the above dropoff locations in the morning and escorted to the same dismissal locations in the afternoon.
Back gate walkers and bike riders will arrive and be dismissed through the single entrance at the back of school. Parents/guardians are not permitted to enter campus through the back gate.
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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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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.
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Seminole County Public Schools will utilize the My Ride K-12 App for the 2026-2027 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 begin 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 outside 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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Attention SCPS Families! Please remember to complete your Parent/Guardian Consent for School Health Services form and Student Clinic Card, which can be found in Skyward Family Access. You may click on the image to the right to access Skyward. The school health services consent form and student clinic card is automatically uploaded into each parent/guardian Skyward Family Access account and will display at the very top of the home page.
Please see the letter below for step-by-step directions.
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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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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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