1/12 Weekly Castle Connection

Posted Date: 01/09/26 (03:33 PM)

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Weekly Castle Connection

1/12/2026

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

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

1/20- WIDA ACCESS Testing begins

1/22- Honor Roll Ceremony

1/23- 5th grade Seaworld Fieldtrip

1/26- 1/30 House Shopping Week

1/26- 1/30 Literacy Week

A Message from Principal Gordon

Dear Families,

As we move further into the school year, I want to take a moment to emphasize something that has a tremendous impact on your child’s success: daily attendance and arriving to school on time. Our late bell rings at 8:45 a.m., and it’s essential that students are not only on campus by that time but already settled in their classrooms, ready to learn.

Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic achievement. Even small amounts of missed instructional time add up quickly. For example:

A student who is just 10 minutes late each day loses over 30 hours of instruction across the school year.
Missing two days a month adds up to nearly an entire month of lost learning.
Students who attend regularly are more likely to stay on grade level, build strong routines, and feel connected to their school community.

When students arrive on time, they start the day calmly, hear important directions, and engage fully in morning instruction—often the most focused learning time of the day.

Thank you for your partnership in helping your child build strong habits that support their growth. Your efforts to ensure timely, consistent attendance truly make a difference.

A Message from Assistant Principal Victor

As we begin a new year and a new semester, it’s the perfect time to refocus on the expectations that help every student thrive. As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment, we want to remind families that our school follows the OCPS Code of Student Conduct for all discipline matters.

At the start of each marking period, students revisit the Code of Conduct in their classrooms to reinforce these expectations and set the tone for success.

Your partnership makes a tremendous difference. Thank you for continuing to support your child to Be Brave, make responsible decisions, and start the year with their best foot forward.

A Message from Ms. Castillo

Students in 5th grade will be taking the Science Progress Monitoring Assessment on Tuesday, January 13. This is a district assessment used to measure student growth in science content. Please make sure students arrive to school on time as testing will take place in the morning. Thank you for your cooperation and support!

A Message from Ms. Brinzo

January 26 - January 30, 2026

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire Florida's students and families to make reading part of their daily routines.

A poster announces 'Celebrate Literacy Week 2026' from January 26th-30th with daily reading activities.

Camelot Elementary School announces a Celebration of Academic Achievement on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Meeting Cancellation Notice: The School Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 8:00 AM has been CANCELLED.

A Message from Ms. Olivo

Car Line Safety & Efficiency

To keep our arrival and dismissal procedures safe and smooth, please follow all posted signs and staff directions.

General Reminders

Do not drop off students before 8:15 am. The only exception is if they are participating in a Safety Patrol, a before-school club, or tutoring. If you have multiple students and their siblings are not participating in one of these activities, the siblings cannot be dropped off till 8:15 am.

Safety Patrols can be dropped off at 8:05 am.

Please check with the before-school club or tutor for the appropriate drop-off times

Do not line up for dismissal before 2:30 p.m. (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) or 1:30 p.m. (Wed)
Display your car tag clearly from your rearview mirror.
Do not cut into the left lane. During arrival, this lane is reserved for students with Grey Car Tags who need additional assistance.
Do not stop to watch your child enter the building. Staff are stationed on both sides of the doors to ensure all students enter safely.
Students must exit the vehicle on the right-hand side only.
Do not allow students to exit the car until you reach the yellow safety zone.

Arrival/Dismissal Disclaimer – Ongoing Construction & Liability

Please be advised that ongoing construction is currently taking place on school grounds. Please use caution during arrival and dismissal, follow posted signs, and stay within designated lanes and walkways. Parents/guardians are responsible for supervising their children during arrival and dismissal times, as there is no staff supervision until 8:15 am and after 3:00 pm on M, T, W, TH, and 2:00 pm on W.

An illustration of a baby diaper and a pack of baby wipes.

Diaper Drive - Now Thru March 13

Our Camelot K-Kids Club is hosting the school's annual Diaper Drive!

We're collecting NEW baby diapers (any size), baby wipes, and NEW toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, deodorant) to be donated to the Center for Children and Families and our school's pantry for local families in need.

Drop items off at the front office in the collection bin. Thank you so much!

Music Makers singing National Anthem at Solar Bears game!

Our Music Makers will be singing the National Anthem at the Orlando Solar Bears game on Sunday, February 22nd @ 3pm. If you would like to attend the game and support our musicians, please follow the link below or scan the QR code to purchase tickets. Be sure to use these links so your tickets count towards our school's block. We encourage everyone to try to fill Section 101!

Solar Bears Tickets in Camelot Section: https://www.gofevo.com/group/Camelotelementary

Poster announces Camelot Elementary Music Makers performing the National Anthem at an Orlando Solar Bears game on February 22nd at 3 PM.

A Message from PTA

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 can 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:

https://forms.gle/DXQymCjfeHXnvAq18

We’d love to have you be part of our team

Teacher Appreciation Week – Volunteers Needed!

Are you interested in helping with Teacher Appreciation Week? We are in need of volunteers to help with organizing, planning, setup, food pickup, and more.

Teacher Appreciation Week: April 27 – May 1, 2026

If you’d like to help, please email us at camelot.pta@gmail.com to find out how you can get involved.

Please note: If volunteering on campus, you must be *ADDitions approved*

Spirit Night Out at Miller’s Ale House!

Join us for a fun (and delicious!) Spirit Night Out on:

February 19, 2026 from 5:00 – 9:00 PM at

Miller’s Ale House – Waterford Lakes

Simply mention Camelot when dining in or taking out, and Miller’s Ale House will donate a percentage of sales back to our school.

It’s an easy and tasty way to give back—bring the whole family!

Valentine’s Day Grams

Send a sweet Valentine surprise to your student!

Each Valentine’s Day Gram includes a Dum Dum lollipop and will be delivered to students at school.

Last day to order: February 6, 2026

Delivery date: February 13, 2026

Pricing:

• Individual Valentine’s Day Grams: $0.50 each

Classroom Package Options:

• ESE / ASD: $5 per class

• VPK, Kindergarten & Grade 1: $8 per class

• Grades 2–3: $9 per class

• Grades 4–5: $10 per class

Order here (ONLINE ORDERING ONLY; NO CASH ORDERS):

my.cheddarup.com/c/valentines-day-grams-copy-5283

Thank you for your support! All money raised goes toward the 5th Grade end-of-year party.

Pajama Day Is Coming!

Get ready to roll out of bed and head to school comfort-style!

Pajama Day is held on the last Friday of the month from January through April.

Next Pajama Day: Friday, February 27, 2026

Cost: $1 (CASH ONLY)

All proceeds help fund the 5th Grade Party!

Yearbooks & 5th Grade Ads

Yearbooks are still available for $30. Prices go up up 1/30/26!

5th Grade Families:

Don’t forget to order your 5th Grade Dedication Ad!

🗓 Deadline to order your 5th Grade Ads is: 1/30/26

Ad Pricing:

1/8 page – $20
1/4 page – $30

Order at buytheyearbook.com

School Code: 1169282

A smartphone displays 'New Year Resolutions' with details on ordering a Camelot Yearbook for $30 until January 30.

Poster advertising elementary soccer and flag football camp with kids playing sports.

Flyer for Core Sports Academy offering after-school soccer, basketball, and flag football for kids at Camelot Elementary.

Happening around the Castle

A group of smiling students stand on school stairs, each holding a certificate.

The library is officially open!

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new (to us) school library as part of the ongoing school renovations. Thank you to Ms. Brinzo for all of your hard work in making this special spot cozy, and accessible to the students!