The Red Bug Wave Newsletter V 14

Posted Date: 10/25/26 (10:00 AM)

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The Red Bug Wave

October 25, 2026

Principal's Spotlight: Participation in Events and Free Vision Care!

Red Bug family,

We hope you are having a fabulous weekend! Please see below for two important items!

We have many exciting events still ahead this school year, including our PTA Fun Run this coming Wednesday! To ensure your child can participate in school and PTA-sponsored activities, please complete the Participation in Events Form for each of your children.

Participation Form: Complete the Form

Need help with vision care? The Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program offers no-cost eye exams and glasses for eligible Florida students in Pre-K through 12th grade. Applications are confidential and available in multiple languages.

Learn More & Apply: Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program

Click the image or the link for additional information.

As always please reach out with any questions, concerns, or celebrations. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Respectfully,

Dr. Teresa Thacker

Principal

Lightning Bugs

Congratulations to our Lightning Bugs!

These students consistently demonstrate our BUGS expectations: Be Responsible, Use Respect, Grow Every Day, and Stay Safe.

Teachers, classmates, and administrators regularly observe these students making positive choices both in the classroom and throughout our school. Their commitment to learning, kindness, and respect for others continues to shine. We are proud of the academic growth and character they demonstrate every day!

Upcoming Events

October

26 "Shade Out Drugs", wear red and sunglasses

27 "Team Up and Power Up: Be Drug Free", wear Super Squad Day/Superhero

27 Vision and Growth Screening

28 First Responders Day, write a note to Deputy Mac or draw a picture for him

28 "From Head to Toe, I'm Drug Free", Crazy hair and socks

28 Fun Run

28 Early Release Wednesday 1:20 PM

29 "Be a Hero Against Drugs", Acts of Service Hero (police, firefighter, teacher, Military, doctor, nurse, etc.)

30 "I've Got Character, I Say No to Drugs" Book Character Day

30 RBT Cart

30 Wave Makers, Volunteer to complete tasks for teachers, 8:30 AM-1:00 PM (come and go)

November

3 Picture Retakes

4 Vision and Growth Re-Screening

4 Early Release Wednesday 1:20 PM

5 Double Spirit Night: Blaze Pizza Winter Park from 5:00-9:00 PM and La Diperie-Winter Park 6:00-9:00 PM

6 Spirit Day-Wear your Red Bug Spirit Gear or Red and Black

11 PTA Veteran's Breakfast 9:00 AM

11 Early Release Wednesday 1:20 PM

13 Spirit Day-Wear your Red Bug Spirit Gear or Red and Black

14 Travel Around Transitions at the SCPS Transition Fair-Lake Brantley HS, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

17 Teach In

18 Doug the Bug Birthday Club

18 Early Release Wednesday 1:20 PM

18 PTA Skate Night Semoran Skateway

20 Kindergarten Turkey Parade

20 School Spirit Dress Up like a Side Item for your Thanksgiving Meal, Red Bug Gear or Red and Black

23-27 No School Thanksgiving Break

December

1-4 Book Fair

2 Early Release Wednesday 1:20 PM

3 Book Fair and PTA Carnival 6:00-7:30 PM

4 Spirit Day-Wear your Red Bug Spirit Gear or Red and Black

8 Winter Concert 6:00 PM

9 Early Release Wednesday 1:20 PM

10 Hearing Screening

11 PTA Cookie Exchange

12 Spirit Day-Wear your Red Bug Spirit Gear or Red and Black

12 Art Festival at Lake Howell High School, Time TBA

16 Doug the Bug Birthday Club

16 Jingle Jog Day-Bells and Holiday Socks

16 Early Dismissal 12:20 PM

17 Holiday Cheer Day- Wear your favorite winter holiday wear

17 5th Grade Egg Drop

17 Early Dismissal 12:20 PM

18 Polar Express Day- Wear your favorite pajamas

18 Early Dismissal 12:20 PM

19- 31 No School Winter Break

January 2027

1-5 No School, Winter Break

6 School Resumes

6 Quarter 3 and Second Semester Begins

Bug-A-Palooza Fun Run Weekend Challenge!

Weekend Fundraiser Challenge Alert!

Who’s ready to wrap up a little fun?!

Every student who raises at least $35 THIS WEEKEND will earn the chance to MUMMIFY DR. THACKER! That’s right, Bugs — let’s see if we can turn our principal into a real-life mummy!

Ready to join the fun? Register your student and share their fundraising page with family and friends today!

Let’s keep buzzing toward our $30,000 Bug-A-Palooza goal and that SURPRISE ASSEMBLY!

#BugAPalooza #Art4EveryBug

Red Ribbon Week

Wave Makers ~ Volunteer Opportunity

Small Acts of Kindness, Creating Big Ripples of Learning!

Want to make a difference for our teachers and staff? Become a Wave Maker!

We invite our volunteers to stop by school between 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM on October 30, 2026, to lend a helping hand with simple tasks that save our teacher's valuable time.

You might help with:

Cutting materials
Pulling pages from workbooks
Laminating
Decorating classroom doors
Preparing materials and other teacher tasks

Come and go as your schedule allows! Give a little time or a lot. Even a few minutes of help can create a BIG ripple for a teacher.

Every task completed means more time our teachers can spend planning, preparing, and focusing on our students.

Small acts. Big impact. Every moment is appreciated!

Complete the Wave Makers Volunteer Form by clicking on the image or on the link below to let us know you’d like to help!

https://forms.gle/ztJnFrFdnvzV3gVg9

Veteran's Day Breakfast

November 11, 2026, 9:00 AM

In celebration of Veterans Day, Red Bug Elementary would like to recognize and thank family members who have served or are currently serving in the:

⭐ Army

⭐ Navy

⭐ Air Force

⭐ Marines

⭐ Space Force

⭐ Coast Guard

RSVP Required by Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM

(This deadline is firm to allow for breakfast preparations.)

RSVP Here or click on the image above. Veterans Day Breakfast RSVP Form

Yearbook Sales

Red Bug Yearbook $20!

For only $20 the 2026-2027 Red Bug Yearbook is something you don't want to miss. Packed with this year's memories.

Price increases to $25 on January 23, 2027.

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 01/22/2027.

5th Grade Recognition Ads

Includes space for images and a message. Ads must be purchased and designed by 01/22/2027.

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

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

*Limited Ad space available.

Order Online by clicking on the image or at:

BUYTHEYEARBOOK.COM

Enter School ID: 1169829

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

Yearbooks will arrive on campus in May 2027.

Thank you!

Check Out the Red Bug Elementary and the Red Bug PTA Facebook Pages!

Pumpkin Patch with Kindergarten Students

Red Bug Elementary Facebook Page

Join Us in Supporting Our PTA

Information Repeated Throughout the School Year

for Your Convenience

Dividend Application

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/

Car Line ~ Arrival

🌞 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).

Car Line ~ Dismissal

🌞 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.

Walker and Biker Dismissal

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.

Transportation Information

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.

Families are encouraged to download the My Ride K12 app. Through this app, parents can find bus stop information as well as receive bus updates including late notices. Families may also call 407-320-7550 to find out their child’s bus stop information. Learn more about the My Ride K12 App HERE.

School Supply Lists

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.

Interactive Red Apple Dining Menu~Meal Viewer

Your Back-to-School Checklist for Campus Dining

Here is your guide to Breakfast and Lunch at your campus restaurant. Red Apple Dining is here to help you check off important items for the 2026–2027 school year!

✅ Meal Benefits Applications Are Open

Families needing financial assistance can complete an application online at SCPSMealApp.com. Applications are available in English, Spanish, and seven additional languages for your convenience. Watch this helpful video, available in English and Spanish, with step-by-step instructions on How to Apply. Remember, applications are confidential and secure, and a new application is required each year to determine eligibility.

📱 Manage Your Child’s Campus Dining Account

Create a free MySchoolBucks account or download the MySchoolBucks app to access features such as your child’s purchase history, set up automated payments and much more. There are no account or transaction fees in Red Apple Dining. Watch this quick, helpful video available in English and Spanish to learn how to easily set up and manage your child’s MySchoolBucks account.

🍎 View Our Menus Anytime

Viewing our delicious and nutritious menu items has never been easier. Bookmark the menus page to stay updated on our latest menu offerings. Get ready to enhance your dining experience! Download the MealViewer App for on-the-go convenience!

After completing these steps, you’re prepared to have a successful year dining with us. We look forward to serving your family!

Questions? Visit www.redappledining.com or call 407-320-0226.

Inclement Weather Protocols

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.

Personal Electronic Device Use

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.

Please Label Your Items!

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.

ParentSquare

Communication from Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) all in one place! Downloaded the app today!

Find out more information in the links below.

https://vimeo.com/362598038?share=copy

SlideDeck - Introduction to Parents - English.pdf

SCPS Health Services and Clinic Card Information

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.

Medicine at School

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.

Daily Moment of Silence

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.

Name Deviation Consent

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.

SCPS Information Letter / Espanol