10/13 Weekly Castle Connection

Posted Date: 10/10/25 (8:15 AM)

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Weekly Castle Connection

10/13/2025

Vision-Mission-Motto

OCPS Vision

Every student graduates prepared and inspired for a thriving future.

OCPS Mission

Together with our families and the community, we empower students with a superior academic experience, essential life skills, and boundless opportunities.

Camelot Elementary Motto

ALL students will achieve at a high level.

A Message from Principal Gordon

October is in full swing, and our campus is buzzing with excitement and learning! As we wrap up the first quarter, we’re looking ahead to a calendar packed with meaningful milestones and festive fun. Please note that there will be no school on October 13 for a Teacher Workday, and we’ll kick off Quarter 2 on October 14, the same day as our School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting—we’d love to see you there!

From Science PMAs on October 21 to the highly anticipated Trunk or Treat on October 24, there’s something for everyone. Report cards go home on October 23, giving families a great opportunity to celebrate progress and set goals for the new quarter.

As we head into the final stretch of October, students can look forward to House Shopping Week (Oct 27–31), Engineering Day, and the start of our Book Fair (Oct 31–Nov 6).

November brings even more excitement with our Honor Roll Ceremony on Nov 3, Popcorn Sale on Nov 6, and Picture Retakes, Class Photos, and Club Photos on Nov 7.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Let’s make this season one to remember!

Shout out to Mrs. Gordon! Thank you for being the heart of our school!

A Message from Assistant Principal Victor

We want to take a moment to highlight the importance of our dress code.

Our dress code helps create a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment where every student can thrive. When students dress appropriately, it sets the tone for the day, promotes school pride, and minimizes distractions. It also teaches responsibility and prepares students for future settings where attire matters—whether in college, careers, or community life.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students show up ready to learn—and ready to lead.

Important Dates

10/13- No School-Teacher Workday

10/14- Quarter 2 Begins

10/14- SAC meeting

10/21- Science PMA

10/23- Report cards go home

10/23-10/31- Red Ribbon Week

10/24- Trunk or Treat

10/27-10/31- House Shopping Week

10/31- Engineering Day

10/31-11/6- Book Fair

11/3- Honor Roll Ceremony

11/6- Popcorn Sale

11/7- Picture Retakes, Class Photos, Club Photos

11/13- House Meet Up

👨‍🍳OCPS Families: Let the Culinary Trip Begin! 🌍

Get ready for National School Lunch Week, October 14–17! The theme is "Taste the World – Your School Lunch Passport." Our amazing staff has planned a week of exciting international meals, activities and prizes to make lunch a delicious learning experience.

Parents: Take a break from packing lunches and encourage your students to join the culinary adventure!

Staff: Don't pack a lunch either! Adult meals are discounted to $2.75 all week long. Come travel with us!

Use this link for menus https://ow.ly/aSm250WHEhT

Students eat at no charge

A blue and gold flyer announces a Camelot Elementary academic achievement celebration.

A Message from Ms. Castillo

Virtual Workshop for Multilingual Families:

The OCPS Multilingual Department and Global Family Welcome Center are pleased to invite you to the next virtual workshop for multilingual parents on Thursday, October 16, at 6 PM via Webex.

Please click on the following link to register and participate in this valuable opportunity:

https://registration.socio.events/e/parentacademy1016

We hope to see you connected on October 16.

A Message from Ms. Brinzo

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming! We need amazing volunteers to help the book fair run smoothly. If you are ADDitions approved and would like to volunteer please visit this site and find some times you can lend a hand: https://tinyurl.com/3pnkajb3

A young boy reads a book with two smiling women at a Scholastic Book Fair.

A colorful poster announces a 'Book Character Pumpkin Patch' event.

A Message from Ms. David

For the month of October, our focus will be on Responsibility.

What Responsibility Means

We will be exploring what it truly means to be responsible, which includes two key components:

Taking Accountability for Our Actions: This involves owning up to the choices we make—both big and small. It means understanding that our actions have consequences and accepting the outcomes without shifting the blame. For a student, this could be remembering to pack their own lunch, turning in their homework on time, or admitting when they've made a mistake.
Accountability for How We Treat Others: We will emphasize that responsibility extends to our social interactions. This means being mindful of our words and behavior, understanding their impact on others' feelings, and taking ownership of making amends when we cause hurt or upset. It’s about being a dependable and empathetic member of our classroom community.

Supporting Our Focus at Home:

As always, the partnership between home and school is crucial for reinforcing these lessons. We encourage you to discuss Responsibility with your child throughout the month and look for opportunities for them to practice it.

I have attached a few helpful resources that include conversation starters, age-appropriate chore ideas, and practical tips for modeling and reinforcing responsible behavior at home.

A Message from the Clinic

FALL INTO THE SEASON

FLU FACTS/INFORMATION: The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Although the flu affects everyone, children tend to get it more often than adults. The season for the flu is usually from November to April with most cases occurring between late December and early March.

The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms tend to develop quickly (usually 1 to 4 days after a person is exposed to the flu virus) and are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and stuffiness of a cold.

Some symptoms of the Flu may include:

Fever, Chills, Headache, Dizziness, Loss of appetite,

Runny or stuffy nose, Nausea or vomiting, Weakness

Tiredness, Cough, Sore throat,

Ear infection, Diarrhea

Symptoms can last for a week or two. The flu is very contagious. It is spread by coughing or sneezing into the air. People who are infected with the flu are contagious as long as they show symptoms (most of the time that means about a week for adults, but for children it can mean up to two weeks).

Here are a few ways to Prevent The Flu:

· To have the flu shot if your pediatrician feels you should have it.

· Wash your Hands thorough and frequently

· Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

How Do You Treat The Flu?

· Stay home from school

· Drink lots of fluids.

· Get plenty of sleep and take it easy.

· The student may return to school when he/she is both fever free (temperature not higher than 99 F) and has not taken Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) for 24 hours.

A Message from PTA

🎃 The Candy Monster is Back! 🍬

Our Candy Monster is back! 🧡 Drop off bags of individually wrapped candy in the Sallyport to help make Trunk or Treat extra sweet!

TRUNK OR TREAT:

Join us on Friday, October 24 from 5–7 PM at Camelot’s Bus Loop for Trunk or Treat with trick-or-treating, a trunk contest, and food trucks!

Want to join the fun and decorate a trunk?

Spirit Wear

Order your spirit wear here:

https://1stplace.sale/22971

🎃✨ BOO GRAMS ARE HERE!✨🎃

Send a spooky surprise to your favorite ghoul or the whole class! 👻 Order by THIS FRIDAY 10/17/25 for delivery the week of Halloween. 🍭🦇 Thank you for supporting our 5th grade fundraiser! 💀🎃

Order here: https://2025-boo-gram.cheddarup.com

CARLINE CAFE:

Our next carline cafe date is: Thursday 10/16! Snacks are $1, water is $1 and Soda is $2. We will see you in carline in the afternoon! Cash and Card payment this time 😉

Membership Contest Update:

Congratulations to Mrs. Pearce for winning the Membership Contest!

MESSAGE FROM 5TH GRADE COMMITTEE!

Papa John’s Kickback Promotion for OCTOBER!

Use code: CAMELOT20 (online or in-store), and Papa John’s will donate a percentage of sales back to us.

Promotion runs October 1 – October 30.

All proceeds go directly toward helping fund the 5th Grade End-of-Year Party!

Next Popcorn Thursday will be 11/6!

If you didn’t preorder, your child can still purchase a bag of popcorn for $3 cash only (while supplies last).

Snack Box is Back!

Snacks and drinks are just $1 each, and all proceeds go toward the 5th Grade End-of-Year Party.

Available for 5th grade students only.

Stay Connected with 5th Grade

Join the 5th Grade Facebook Page for updates.
Support with an Open Donation—every contribution, big or small, truly helps!

Happening around the Castle

Beautiful Dot Art Display

Thank you Carlota Mendoza Iglesias!

Former OCPS assistant principal Carlota Mendoza Iglesias lit up the library by reading her bilingual book "Where are you Grandpa" to our kindergarteners. Thank you for coming!

Hispanic Heritage celebrations were fun this week!

Congrats to Mrs. Castillo for being Knight in Shining Armor for October!

Mrs. Polit had nothing but wonderful things to say about her! "I nominate Mrs. Castillo for Staff of the Month because she brings positivity and encouragement to everyone she works with. In addition to the work that she does, she dedicates her time to the Chess Club, she's in charge of patrols, organizes our House events and the Multilingual Club, while always being there to lend a helping hand. She also does a tremendous job organizing during testing season, consistently going the extra mile to ensure everything runs smoothly. Her commitment to student success and dedication to the staff makes her a wonderful asset to our school community." -Mrs. Polit