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12/15 Weekly Castle Connection

Posted Date: 12/12/25 (10:55 AM)


camschool

Weekly Castle Connection

12/15/2025

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.
 

Important Dates

12/16- 8:00 Room 231 SAC Meeting
12/16- ESE Fieldtrip to Crayola
12/18- Class Party Day
12/19- End of Q2
12/22-1/5- Winter Break
1/5- Teacher Work Day/No School for students
1/6- Start Q3
1/8- Popcorn Sale 5th Grade, House of the Month Celebration
1/13- 3rd Grade Field Trip to History Center
1/13- PM2 Science-Gr. 5
1/13- 8:00 Room 231 SAC Meeting
1/19- MLK Day- No School
1/22- Honor Roll Ceremony
1/23- 5th grade Seaworld Fieldtrip
1/26- 1/30 House Shopping Week
1/26- 1/30 Literacy Week
1/30- PTA Bingo Night

Tis the season to celebrate!

A festive poster announces Holiday Dress Up Days with a Santa hat and Christmas tree.
Gordon Pic

A Message from Principal Gordon

What a joyful way to celebrate the season! I am so proud of our Music Makers for their outstanding holiday concerts. Their talent, dedication, and teamwork shone brightly on stage, and they truly brought the spirit of the holidays to life for all of us.

As we continue to spread cheer, I’m excited to share that our holiday dress-up days are happening this week. These days are a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to show their creativity and school spirit and countdown to the holidays. I hope everyone joins in the fun and makes this week even more memorable.

Please take a moment to look below for upcoming events and announcements. One very important item is our call for new members to join the PTA Board for the 2026–2027 school year. The PTA plays a vital role in supporting our students, teachers, and programs, and we truly need parents and guardians to step into these leadership positions. If you’ve ever considered getting more involved, now is the perfect time to make a difference! If you have questions, please reach out to the PTA directly as they can share opportunities that fit your busy schedule while still being able to support the school.

 

A Message from Ms. Castillo

Thank you for your support with Statewide Testing for PM2. The majority of student testing is completed and scores are now available in the Skyward Family Portal. Please see below for instructions on how to access these scores.
Castillo
A guide shows how to access state assessment scores through the Skyward Parent Portal.

A Message from Ms. David

As we prepare for the holiday break, we recognize that this time of year can bring both joy and challenges for many families.  It is essential for us to let families know that you are not alone and that resources are available to provide care and support whenever needed.
 
Here are a few resources that may be helpful:

Local Assistance & Resources
  • Orange County Government: Community Support Directory
  • Orange County has compiled a comprehensive list of programs and hotlines to assist residents impacted by the shutdown. You’ll find help with food, housing, utilities, child care, and more.Visit: newsroom.ocfl.net/local-resources
  • Highlights include:
  • Crisis Assistance Program – One-time financial help for rent, mortgage, or utilities (call 407-836-6500).
  • Citizens Commission for Children – Connects families to health, mental health, and food pantry services (call 407-836-7610).
  • Office on Aging – Support and referrals for seniors in need (call 407-836-7446).
  • LIHEAP – Help with light bills for low-income residents (dial 2-1-1 or 3-1-1).
Food Assistance
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
  • Find free groceries through a wide network of partners in seven counties using their Food Locator.
  • Every $10 donated provides 40 meals to local families.
  • Heart of Florida United Way (211)
  • Dial 2-1-1 or visit hfuw.org for help paying bills, finding food, or connecting with emergency services.

Additional Food Banks & Community Partners
  • Hope Community Center – Grocery distributions & family support
  • United Against Poverty Orlando – Affordable member grocery store & crisis assistance
  • Christian HELP Foundation – Groceries with fresh produce
  • Christian Service Center – Free hot meals downtown
  • Catholic Charities of Central Florida – Food pantries across the region
  • Good Samaritan Resource Center – Food, clothing, and case management
  • Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando – Groceries and hygiene items
  • The Salvation Army Orlando – Emergency food and utility aid
  • Loaves & Fishes (Apopka) – Food boxes twice monthly
  • Harvest Time International (Sanford) – Groceries and household items
  • The Sharing Center (Longwood) – Groceries and wraparound services

 
  • OCPS Community Connect: communityconnect.ocps.net
  • A one-stop resource to help families and community members find social services and support programs. The site can be translated into more than 100 languages.
  • Mental Health Support
  • Orange County Mental Health Mobile Crisis Services
  • Mental Health Support
  • Orange County Mental Health Mobile Crisis Services
  • Dial 211
  • If students are having suicidal ideation or feelings of self-harm or are in crisis
  • Therapists will respond to homes usually within 60 minutes
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 9-8-8
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (https://www.crisistextline.org/)
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
  • Wellness Handouts:
  • Tips for Caregivers and Educators on Preventing Suicide Tips for Caregivers and Educators
  • Tips for Families and Caregivers
David

A Message from Special Area Teachers

From Ms. Hagarty:
Last chance for the Square 1 Arts Fundraiser!!
I was able to get a final extension on the deadline. Orders placed after this date will not support our fundraiser. This fundraiser helps me to purchase new art supplies for our classroom.
Order by:  12/22/2025 to support our school
Simply search for your child's art using Art Search, and enter state, school name, and your student's name. Your student's art and code will appear. 
Thank you for supporting our visual arts program!

Art Club Session 3 sign-up opens on Monday 12/15 https://tinyurl.com/camartclubsignupS3
This is for “Anime and Comics
In this session we will learn about Anime & comic book art styles. We will also learn about animation and illustrators.
The dates of the meetings are: 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5
Sp

Music around the Castle

Our Rising & Royal Music Makers had their winter concert this Wednesday, and then the Royal Music Makers performed at Chick-fil-a on Thursday. The students all had great performances and represented our school beautifully. Bravo!

Our 2nd graders got to enjoy a beautiful performance of the Nutcracker at the Dr. Phillips Center. They did a great job listening and demonstrating good audience etiquette.

Music Makers Winter Concerts

A group of children and an adult pose on a stage, wearing matching blue shirts.
A group of children in blue shirts with 'Camelot' on them stand on a stage.
Children in blue shirts play xylophones on a stage decorated for a winter performance.
A school music group, wearing matching blue shirts, poses on a stage.
Children in blue shirts play instruments on a stage, performing a concert.
A young girl plays a xylophone on a stage, smiling at the instrument.

Royal Music Makers at Chick-fil-a

A children's choir stands on a stage, wearing blue shirts and festive headbands.
A children's choir performs on a stage outdoors, singing with enthusiasm.

2nd Grade Field Trip to the Nutcracker Ballet!

Audience members gather in a theater before a performance of The Nutcracker ballet.

A Message from PTA

Holiday Luncheon – Monday, 12/15
We need helpers to set up, serve, or bring a soup/dessert (9 AM–2 PM).
Please label all food containers for return.
Sign up:

Papa John’s Kickback – December & January
Use code CAMELOT20 when ordering online or in-store.
The flyer only shows December, but the fundraiser runs through January 31st!
All proceeds support the PTA.

Spirit Night at Tijuana Flats – Monday, 12/15 | 5–9 PM
20% back to PTA!
Use code SPNT2025.

PTA Board Positions Available!
As we look ahead to next school year, several of our PTA board members will be graduating out, which means we’ll have open board positions available.
These are volunteer roles, and we truly understand that everyone has busy lives, jobs, and family responsibilities. The role you choose is what you make of it—whether you’re able to volunteer in person, help from home, or a mix of both, we have positions that can fit your availability.
If you’re interested or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
👉 Interested in joining our PTA Board?
Please fill out this form:
We’d love to have you be part of our team 💙

Happening around the Castle

Look who got "Caught Being Brave"

A group of students and teachers pose on a staircase, holding certificates.
Volunteers and organizers gather for a holiday food distribution event.
Spirit Days
recycle
Safer
Fortify