Lion's Ledger - August 23, 2026

Posted Date: 08/23/26 (07:11 PM)

Principal's Message

The Campus is Buzzing!

This week, campus events and activities really kicked into high gear, and the campus was buzzing with excitement. Instrument tryouts, chess club meetings, theatre orientations, our first SAC meeting, E-Sports Club, and more all happened this week! Whatever your student is interested in, please encourage them to find a way to get involved on campus.

We would also love to get more families involved on campus! Please consider joining the School Advisory Council (SAC) or PTSA or BOTH! We value your input and want to partner with you to support student success at Glenridge.

Rollins Students Find Their SPARC at Glenridge!

A group of Rollins students and their advisors volunteered at Glendrige on Saturday for SPARC Day. Rollins SPARC Day stands for Service, Passion, Action, Rollins College. It is an annual orientation tradition where over 800 incoming first-year and transfer students, faculty, and staff volunteer at more than 30 local non-profits and community organizations across Central Florida.

This year, the wonderful group of students and advisors you can see below spent part of their day on our campus. They painted parking stumps to spruce up the parking lot and helped Ms. Glenn clear out some overgrowth on the farm. Thank you, Rollins students and faculty, for your service to our community and our students!

Let's make it a great week, Lions!

Sincerely,

Dr. Katie Hyser

Upcoming Events

August 25, 8:30 am - Chess Club, Media Center

August 26, 4:30 pm (Note time change!) - Home soccer game vs. OCPS ACE, boys team only

August 26, 5-7 pm - Band parent meeting

5-6 pm - Beginning Band
6-7 pm - Advanced Band

August 27 - FAST ELA PM1

August 31, during lunches - Chat & Chew with the Winter Park Library

August 31, 5:00 pm - Home soccer game vs. Audubon Park

September 1, after school - NJHS Meeting, Media Center - for current members only

September 2, 4:30 pm - Away Soccer Game, Howard MS

September 3- FAST Math PM1

September 7- Labor Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL!

September 17, 5:30 pm - SAC Meeting, Media Center

September 19, 6-9 pm - PTSA Mane Event, Blue Jacket Gastropub, Baldwin Park

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year!

Teacher of the Year!

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Livingston-Taylor has been named the Glenridge Middle School Teacher of the Year!

This honor is a testament to her incredible kindness, support, and deep compassion for our entire school community. Day in and day out, she leads with heart, ensuring that everyone around her feels valued, supported, and encouraged. Whether she is guiding students, supporting colleagues, or lending a listening ear, Ms. Taylor continuously goes the extra mile to make Glenridge a warm, positive, and nurturing environment for all.

Please join us in extending a heartfelt congratulations to her for this well-deserved recognition! Thank you for all you do for our students, families, and school community!

Support Person of the Year!

It is our pleasure to announce that our Mr. Sanchez, our Technology Support Representative, has been named the Glenridge Middle School Support Person of the Year!

This recognition highlights the incredible dedication and warmth Mr. Sanchez brings to our campus every day. Whether troubleshooting technical challenges for a teacher, assisting a student with their device, or keeping our technology running seamlessly, he approaches every situation with remarkable patience, politeness, positivity, and kindness.

His consistent helpfulness and unwavering support make a meaningful difference for our entire school community. We are incredibly fortunate to have him on our team, ensuring our classrooms and campus stay connected and supported.

Please join us in extending a big congratulations to Mr. Sanchez on this wonderful achievement! Thank you for all you do for the Glenridge community each day!

Assessment Updates - FAST ELA PM1 is Thursday!

Students will take their FAST PM1 assessments on August 27 (FAST ELA PM1) and September 3 (FAST Math PM1). Please ensure students have a good breakfast, charge their devices, and bring them to school. Please also discuss with students the importance of following testing procedures and rules, especially regarding non-approved electronic devices, including cell phones and smartwatches.

Chess Club

Chess Club had the biggest turnout ever last week! If you didn't make it, feel free to join us this Tuesday at 8:30 am, in the Media Center. No experience necessary! For more information, email Mr. Brannock at James.Brannock@ocps.net.

Back to School Yearbook Sale

Get your yearbook for the 2026-2027 school year today and save during the Back to School sale. Scan the QR code or visit the website below to order your yearbook and capture all the memories of an amazing school year!

Soccer Update

There is no game for the girls' team this week because ACE does not have a team. Boys will play at 4:30 instead of 5:30. Please note the earlier start time!

From our Exception Student Education Team

Glenridge Lions Are Strategists!

Students and parents, take some time to look through your student's backpack, put papers in the right folders, and get in the habit of checking Skyward together at least twice a week. This will help hold your student accountable for organization and give you a chance to help shape their executive functioning and accountability.

Stay tuned for more "Strategies for Success".

2026-2027 Sports Physicals Information

All students must have a cleared 2026-2027 sports physical on file in order to participate in any Glenridge MS sports, including tryouts. Click here for more information. The link to the packet is at the bottom of the page when you click.

School Advisory Council

Thank you to those who attended our SAC informational meeting this week! There is still time to join SAC for the 26-27 school year. Please fill out this form to be included on the SAC ballot by Monday, 8/31.

SAC Nomination Form

If you couldn't make it to the meeting and would like more information, please contact Dr. Hyser at Katie.Hyser@ocps.net.

The next meeting will be held Sept. 17, at 5:30 pm, in the Glenridge Media Center. Please enter through the outside Media Center doors.

PTSA Updates

Thank you, Glenridge PTSA for bringing delious snacks and drinks for our first faculty meeting of the year. Please consider joining PTSA! They do so much to support our students and teachers throughout the year.

PTSA Glenridge Sprit Store

Pre-order your spirit wear, and it will be delivered to your student in September! Use the QR code to order.

Poster for The 1955 Club, encouraging monthly donations of $19.55 to support Glenridge Middle School students.

Important Reminders

Arrival and Dismissal: Please remember that students should arrive no earlier than 9:00 AM, unless they are participating in a school-sponsored activity. After dismissal, we kindly ask that all students leave campus promptly, unless they’re involved in a school-sponsored after-school event. This helps us ensure appropriate supervision when students are on campus.

Please do not drop students off in the parking lot. While this might save a few minutes compared to the car line, the increased pedestrian traffic across the car line creates a safety concern. All car riders should be dropped off using the car line.

Weather Holds: The stormy season is upon us, and occasionally, lightning in the area may require us to delay dismissal. We understand that an unexpected delay can be frustrating and may disrupt your plans, but please know that our first priority is always the safety of our students and staff.

During a weather hold, students cannot be released until the weather clears, unless an adult on their checkout list comes to the front office and presents a physical photo ID. We will work as quickly and safely as possible to dismiss students to their families, but please be prepared for a wait as we carefully follow our safety procedures.

If you prefer not to come to campus during a weather hold, you are welcome to wait until the weather clears, at which time we will resume our normal dismissal procedures. Students will be kept safe inside the building until dismissal can resume.

Bus riders will also remain on campus during the delayed dismissal and will receive their regular bus transportation once it is safe to depart.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and kindness toward our staff as we work together to keep everyone safe during the delays.

Student Code of Conduct: We encourage you to take a moment to go over the 2026-2027 Student Code of Conduct with your child. This important document sets the tone for a positive school year.

Dress Code: Please ensure your student is dressed in accordance with the OCPS Dress Code each day. You can find all the details in the complete OCPS dress code below.

Student Cell Phones and Headphones: According to OCPS policy, students may have cell phones and headphones on campus, but they must be silenced and put away during the school day, including lunchtime and transitioning between classes.

Micromobility Guidelines for the 2026-27 School Year:

Elementary & Middle School Guidelines

Motorized micromobility devices are not permitted on elementary or middle school campuses. This includes:

Electric bicycles (e‑bikes)
Electric scooters (e-scooters)
Hoverboards
One‑wheel devices
Any other electrically powered transportation devices

What is allowed?

Traditional human-powered bicycles, non-motorized scooters, skateboards, and similar non-motorized devices are still permitted, subject to school rules.

Contact Glenridge Middle School

2900 Upper Park Road

Orlando, FL 32814

(407) 623-1415

https://glenridgems.ocps.net/