Week of 8/31 Castle Connection

Posted Date: 08/28/26 (03:00 PM)

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Castle Connection

Week of 8/31/2026

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

9/1- FAST Math-3,4 Grade

9/2- FAST Math K,1

9/3- FAST Math 5th

9/4- FAST Math 2nd

9/7- Labor Day- No School

9/8- Boy Scouts visiting school

9/9- Boy Scout Night

9/9 5th Grade Parent Committee Meeting

9/11- House Sorting Day

9/17- Progress Reports go home

9/24- 5th Grade Popcorn Thursday

9/28-10/2- Hispanic Heritage Week

10/1- Fall Picture Day

A young student raises their hand in a classroom, participating in National Attendance Awareness Month.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, with an orange and yellow ribbon symbol.

A Message from Principal Gordon

Dear Camelot Families,

Thank you for choosing Camelot Elementary as the place where your child will learn, grow, and thrive. We are honored to partner with you in your child's educational journey and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead this school year.

The first few weeks of school have been a smooth and successful start, and that is thanks to the collective efforts of our students, families, and staff. From the moment our students walked through the doors, we have seen excitement, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community that make Camelot such a special place.

As we look ahead, we are eager to build on this positive momentum. Together, we will celebrate achievements, overcome challenges, create meaningful learning experiences, and help every child reach their fullest potential. We cannot wait to see all that our Camelot Knights will accomplish this year.

Thank you for your trust, support, and partnership. It's going to be an incredible year at Camelot Elementary!

With appreciation,

Melissa Gordon

A Message from Assistant Principal Victor

At Camelot Elementary, our students are learning how small actions can make a big difference for our planet. Through our composting and recycling program, students are discovering how to reduce waste, care for the environment, and take pride in keeping our campus clean.

Last year, we began composting in January — and between January and the end of the school year, our students composted an incredible 6,552 pounds! This year, we’re already off to a strong start with 1,183 pounds composted so far. 🌱

Families are encouraged to join the effort by watching our composting video and recycling video together at home. These short clips help reinforce what students are learning and show simple ways to support sustainability both at school and in daily routines.

Thank you for helping our Camelot Knights lead the way in protecting our environment — one recycled item and compost bin at a time!

A Message from Ms. Castillo

Just a reminder that students will continue statewide testing this week, with most students working on the FAST Math test. Linked below you will find the testing schedule for our school and some helpful tips.

Fall testing dates for FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) are listed by grade and subject.

Graphic with the title 'BRAVE TESTING TIPS FOR SUCCESS' and tips for students.

A Message from Ms. Brinzo

Media Center Access

We have added thousands of new books to our media shelves and we can't wait to get the books into the hands of our students. Students will begin visiting the media center the first week of September. Check with your child's teacher in regards to their weekly library day.

As we prepare for our year in the media center, we want to remind you that OCPS supports family preferences regarding student reading materials.

While our library media center is fully available to help students explore a wide variety of books and resources, we recognize that families have different comfort levels. Parents always have the option to customize their child's media center access at any time. Whether you prefer open access or specific boundaries, the choice is available to you.

If you wish to review or update your preferences, the library access form can be found within your Skyward account under the "Custom Forms" section. No action is required if you are comfortable with your student's full access to the school’s curated, data-driven collection of library books and ebooks.

Thank you for your continued partnership. If you have any questions about our media center collection, feel free to reach out.

Ms. Brinzo

A woman with dreadlocks and glasses smiles at the camera, wearing a blue and white patterned polo shirt.

A message from Ms. Keema

Welcome back to school!

The school clinic is excited to welcome our students and families to a healthy, safe, and wonderful new school year.

Quick Reminders for a Healthy Year:

Medications: All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be brought in by a parent or guardian with the required authorization forms completed.
Health Forms & Records: Please ensure your child’s emergency contacts, health conditions, and immunization records are up to date in the main office and clinic records.
Daily Wellness: Help keep our school healthy by keeping your child home if they have a fever, vomiting, or are feeling unwell.

We look forward to partnering with you to keep our students happy, healthy, and ready to learn! Please don't hesitate to reach out to the clinic if you have any questions or health concerns regarding your child.

A Message from Ms. Vetter

We are wrapping up our committee selection soon, and we still have a few spots open for parents, staff, and community members who want to help shape the future of our school!

Why join?

💡 Direct input on school goals & programs
📊 Insight into our School Improvement Plan
🤝 A quick monthly commitment with a massive impact

Don't miss the chance to make your voice heard this year!

👉 Fill out the interest survey before it closes: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MNnrXygVhH9fIcMCF24WCYVw1ro_AZjYtLP2yDInFbY/edit

Join the Camelot Elementary School Advisory Committee! The image shows three panels illustrating ways to get involved: planning and improving the school, being the voice for students, and building a stronger community.

Meeting notice for the School Advisory Committee on Tuesday, September 8 at 8:00 AM in the Media Center.

Camelot Elementary seeks donations for their Lost & Found, requesting a rolling clothing rack and hangers.

A Message from Special Area Teachers

From Mrs. Kerr (music):

If you have a student in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, the following clubs are available:

-Rising Music Makers

-Royal Music Makers

-Drama Club

Rising & Royal Music Maker forms were passed out to students who expressed interest during music class this week.
Drama Club audition applications will be passed out in music class next week (4th week of school).

If your student was absent from music class this week or is in strings class and does not attend music class, they can stop by the 1st grade hallway in the morning to get a form. You can find more information about each of these clubs below. Here's to an amazing new school year! :-)

Performing Arts Clubs

Rising Music Makers-

Sponsor: Mrs. Kerr

Meeting Times: Wednesday & Friday mornings 7:30am-8:15am in the music room.

The Rising Music Makers performance group consists of 3rd & 4th grade students who are participating in Music Makers for the first time. This club is designed to introduce students to participation in a music performance ensemble. Students will sing, play instruments, move creatively, and more! We will have Winter & Spring concerts as well as other potential performance opportunities throughout the year.

There is also a small club fee that will help cover music costs, materials, and a t-shirt for our performances.

Royal Music Makers-

Sponsor: Mrs. Kerr

Meeting Times: Tuesday & Thursday mornings 7:30am-8:15am in the music room.

The Royal Music Makers group is open to 4th grade students who were in Music Makers last year, and any/all interested 5th graders. This club is designed to help students with previous music performance experience continue to explore the performing arts. The Royal Music Makers will offer experienced performers a chance to learn more challenging musical arrangements. Students will sing, play instruments, move creatively, and more! We will have Winter & Spring concerts as well as other potential performance opportunities throughout the year.

There is also a small club fee that will help cover music costs, materials, and a t-shirt for our performances.

Drama Club-

Sponsors: Mrs. Pearce & Mrs. Kerr

Meeting Times: Monday & Thursday afternoons 3:15-4:30pm

Drama Club auditions are open to 3rd - 5th grade students.

There will be a cap on membership this school year due to cast size limitations, and membership will be determined by audition. Not all students who audition are guaranteed a spot in the club.

This club is for students who are interested in the dramatic arts. The students will spend time singing, dancing, and acting as we prepare for our Spring 2027 musical, Willy Wonka (KIDS). If students are interested in joining, they will need to complete & return a Drama Club audition application. Late applications will not be accepted. Once they return their application, interested students will take an audition materials page consisting of a song & lines that they will need to prepare for their audition. There will also be a small club fee once our cast list is finalized that will help to cover the cost of materials, club t-shirts, & performance rights to our musical.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

-Mrs. Kerr, music