In this episode of Trading Spaces, Superintendent Terry Connor joins Dr. Carmen Larson at Sarasota Middle School to experience a day in the life of a school counselor. From teaching resilience and analyzing student data to sharing time with therapy dog Winston, he got a firsthand look at the heart of student support.
https://youtu.be/vW4nUxprzBk
You are invited to attend the first InSight Community Connection Session on Thursday, May 1, from 6:00-7:30 PM at Heron Creek Middle School.
The InSight Community Connection Series invites students, families, staff, partners, and community members to connect with the Sarasota County School Board and Superintendent Connor through pre-submitted and live audience questions.
Submit a question in advance at: https://bit.ly/InSightQuestionSubmission
A YouTube live stream will be available for those unable to attend in person. However, if you are not attending in person, you must submit questions prior to the event.
Throughout the month of April, North Port High School is hosting the traveling Boxcar Exhibit. This extraordinary educational experience is the only one of its kind in the world.
The exhibit has helped more than 250,000 students, educators, and community members across Florida gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust through an immersive, firsthand encounter with history.
A heartfelt thank you to the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center for making this impactful opportunity possible for our students.
📣 Registration is now OPEN for the 2025-26 school year! Learn more at https://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/register
🎨🌸 You're invited to the ACE Spring Art Sale on April 10!
Discover unique, handcrafted art at the ACE Spring Art Sale on Thursday, April 10, from 10 AM – 3 PM at Suncoast Technical College – Sarasota Campus.
It’s National Assistant Principal Week! 🎉 We’re celebrating our incredible APs, who help keep our schools running smoothly and dedicate themselves to supporting students and staff. Thank you for all you do!
Dive into Reading is making waves again this summer — and now expanding to North Port!
We’re looking for caring, committed community members to mentor students from Emma E. Booker and Cranberry Elementary Schools as part of this fun and impactful summer reading program.
📲 Sign up before May 1 and help a student fall in love with reading: https://forms.office.com/r/gddxmcrpRi
April is the Month of the Military Child in Florida, and we’re proud to honor the strength, resilience, and courage of military-connected students and their families. This month and every day, we applaud them for the sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. 💜
Big news from Alta Vista Elementary School! 🎉 The school has been awarded a $50,000 STEM Classroom Makeover Grant from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)!
Thanks to this incredible opportunity, Alta Vista will transform a classroom into a cutting-edge STEM learning space—complete with hands-on tools like robotics kits, virtual reality, and 3D printers! 🧠⚙️💡
This grant is part of FPL’s expanded initiative celebrating its 100th anniversary, quadrupling its program to support 20 schools across Florida with a total of $1 million in funding. Alta Vista is the only school in Sarasota County selected for this year’s program!
The new space will spark curiosity and innovation, giving students powerful new ways to explore science, technology, engineering and math.
Congratulations to Alta Vista Elementary, and thank you to FPL and the NextEra Energy Foundation for supporting future-ready learning!
Third-Quarter report cards are now available on the Focus Parent Portal.
🌟 Explore, connect, and find support at the 13th Annual ESE Agency Fair — now in North Port for the first time!
📍 Suncoast Technical College – North Port
📅 Thursday, April 17, 2025
🕟 4:30–6:30 PM
Families of students with disabilities can connect with local agencies and organizations offering resources, services, and support. 🎉 Plus, enjoy prizes, snacks, and valuable info!
April is Florida School Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re sending a HUGE thank you to the amazing volunteers who support our students and schools every day! 🙌 Your time, heart, and dedication make a lasting difference.
***UPDATED TIME!
Sarasota County Schools is hiring for the 2025-2026 school year, and we want YOU to be part of our team! Join us at our North Port job fair to explore open positions across the district.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Suncoast Technical College - North Port Campus (4445 Career Ln, North Port, 34289)
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Don't miss this opportunity to meet recruiters, learn about available positions, and start your journey with SCS!
To register, please visit:
https://forms.microsoft.com/r/8wpZAWGwYu
📬 School Choice notifications are out!
Families who applied for School Choice/Controlled Open Enrollment should check their email inboxes for notification of their results.
If your student was awarded a seat, be sure to log in to the Focus Parent Portal and accept it by 4 PM on Friday, April 11—or it will be offered to the next family on the waitlist.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness and take action to protect every child’s right to a safe and nurturing environment. 💙 Together, we can build strong families and supportive communities where children thrive.
All Faiths Food Bank will offer free food pick-up at select schools and community locations across the county. To find a site near you, visit https://allfaithsfoodbank.org/foodfinder. 🥦🍎
The April 2025 In Touch Community Newsletter features a message from Superintendent Connor, a spotlight on hiring for the 2025-2026 school year, upcoming job fairs, school highlights from Southside Elementary, McIntosh Middle, and Glenallen Elementary, Earth Day tips, a special thank you to our volunteers, and more!
https://bit.ly/InTouchApril2025
🚀 Explore Careers with Sarasota County Schools!
High school seniors—discover your future with Building a Bridge for Hire! This one-day job shadowing experience lets you explore careers in IT, mechanics, HVAC, food services, and more—all within the school district.
✅ Hands-on experience
✅ Explore career options
✅ No commitment—just opportunity!
🌟 Reach out to your counselor to learn more.
https://youtu.be/KP5VIjca5UE
🌟 Enrollment is NOW OPEN for Sarasota Virtual School's 2025-2026 school year! 🌟
SVS is the only FREE online public school in Sarasota County, offering a high-quality, flexible learning experience for K-12 students. Ready to get started? Apply today!
🖥 Submit your application now: sarasotavirtualschool.net
📢 Still have questions? Join an upcoming Zoom info session on April 2 at 2:00 PM!
Don't miss this opportunity to give your student the freedom to learn from anywhere!
📢 Thinking about virtual learning for your student? Sarasota Virtual School (SVS) offers a tuition-free, fully online education for K-12 students in Sarasota County! 🏡💡
Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year opens March 24, and there's still time to learn more! Join an upcoming live Zoom session to hear from the SVS team:
📅 April 2 at 2:00 PM
📅 April 18 at 5:00 PM
📌 Register now: https://bit.ly/SVSInfoSessionRegistration2025
Get the flexibility your family needs with Sarasota Virtual School!
