Volusia County Schools has reported that it has earned system accreditation by Cognia™, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts and education service providers.
Earning accreditation from Cognia™ means that the Volusia County school district and its schools are recognized across the nation as a school system that meets Cognia™ Standards of Quality and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.
Overall, Volusia County Schools received an “Index of Education Quality” score of 385.48 out of a possible 400, which well-exceeds Cognia™’s average score of 278.83 awarded to school systems in recent years. The VCS score of 385 is a 117-point increase from its 2015 accreditation score of 268.
Each of the 31 standards used to evaluate the three domains — leadership capacity, learning capacity and resource capacity — is reported within the four ranges of insufficient, initiating, improving and impacting. Volusia County Schools was awarded a rating of “impacting,” the highest rating, in 29 of the 31 Cognia™ standards, with the remaining two falling in the “improving” rating.
Volusia County Schools’ kindergarten registration began March 28 and can be done through the VCS website at www.vcsedu.org.
During the weeks of April 11-22, VCS elementary schools will have their on-site kindergarten roundup registration. Parents will learn about kindergarten curriculum and expectations, and will have their questions about the registration process answered.
Parents should check their child’s school’s website and social-media accounts for the time of their information session, or call the school for details.
A child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2022, to begin kindergarten. Parents registering their child for public kindergarten for the first time in Volusia County Schools must provide the following documents before their child can start school: the child’s original birth certificate (not hospital certificate), an immunization record signed by a physician (HRS 680 form), a Florida physical form (HD680) signed by a licensed medical authority and completed within one year of the registration date, the child’s Social Security card, two proofs of residence (for example, a lease/purchase agreement, a power bill, or a water bill), and the parent/guardian driver’s license/identification.
Additional information will be provided on the Kindergarten Registration Information website.
Recently developed by Volusia County Schools is a new proactive initiative called the Student Hero Reward program. This new program has been designed to recognize students who come forward to report information that may impact the safety of students, faculty and staff on campus. Students can privately report concerning information to school administrators, SRO/SRD/Law Enforcement (911), a school guardian, or the Security Operations Center by calling 855-4VC-Kids.
If the information provided leads to stopping any illegal, criminal or unsafe activity or prevents a threat from being carried out, the student will be rewarded with gift cards to their favorite locations. These gift cards are purchased with donations from local business partners who believe in the proactive approach to rewarding students for providing information that will help support safer schools.
VCS encourages students to immediately report information of any illegal, criminal or unsafe activity on campus or at school-sponsored events, threats to harm self or others, drugs or alcohol on campus, and bullying. It’s important to note that recognition is kept private to protect the identity of the student heroes.
Food Brings Hope has recognized AdventHealth as January’s Community Partner of the Month.
AdventHealth’s commitment and funding allow the FBH community to help families become homeowners through the Homes Bring Hope program and to make a difference in the lives of the students in KidsZone, TeenZone and the FBHonors programs.
Volusia County Schools will hold Job Fairs for Teens on Tuesday, April 19, and Wednesday, April 20. Both are free to attend, and registration is now open.
From 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 19, the Job Fair for Teens will be at the 500 Club at Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach. Those same hours on April 20, the Job Fair for Teens will be at The Center at Deltona, 1640 Dr. M.L.K. Blvd. Students can sign up at https://bit.ly/3fyXi1B.
Come dressed for success and ready to interview.
For more information, including how businesses can register, email Kelly Amy at klamy@volusia.k12.fl.us or call 386-334-4132.
Volusia County Schools will host an invitation-only spring 2022 Instructional Job Fair for teacher candidates Wednesday, April 20. In-person and virtual interview opportunities will be available.
Interested teaching candidates must currently hold or be eligible for a Florida Department of Education certification. All certifications are welcome to apply.
Priority certifications include Elementary Education, English Language Arts, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Exceptional Student Education, Math, PreK-Primary, Reading, School Counseling, Science and Technology Education.
To be considered for an invitation to the fair, complete an online employment application at www.vcsedu.org, complete a Job Fair Survey, and watch your email account for a follow-up message.
Learn more about teaching in VCS on the Recruitment & Retention website.
The final FACT (Families and Community Together) Fair will be 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at New Smyrna Beach High School. Numerous exhibitors will be present, along with entertainment and giveaways.
For more information, call Neville Scheuburgh at 386- 734-7190, ext. 44737.
FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools has elected three new members to its board: Melinda Dawson of Daytona Beach, who owns Oil & Vinegar; Sonya Laney, CPA, who is president of Sonya Laney, CPA, P.A.; and Tom Pokorny, who owns Edgeset Marketing in Ormond Beach.
Volusia County Schools has a holiday for students and teachers on Monday, April 25.
The remaining early-release Wednesdays for the month of April are the 20th and 27th.
DeLand High School Athletics
At the Five Star Weightlifting Championships for boys, Jaycee Kane of the DeLand High School Bulldogs earned first place in the snatch division of competition, while he took second in the traditional competition.
Jayden Lewis took second, and Aidan Fedigan lifted a third-place finish in snatch and a fourth in traditional.
Collin Monteiro Blushiy took fourth in traditional and fifth in snatch, while Lane Wishart gained a fifth in traditional.
In the Junior Varsity Five Star Tournament for Weightlifting, Bulldogs Peyton Senez, Jonathan Baker and Sean Hulsman took firsts, and Senez earned a second in traditional.
At the Florida Relays in Gainesville, which featured more than 3,500 college and high-school athletes, DeLand High School senior Kevar Williams placed fourth in the 100 meters at 10.59, and freshman Avian Edwards-Pla placed 18th at 10.89. Notice that that was a three-tenths-of-a-second difference between fourth and 18th out of 36 invited to participate. Williams also took fourth in the 400 meters at 47.82, breaking his DHS record.
The DeLand Bulldog baseball team had a tough week, dropping two games. They were downed by University, 6-0, and Merritt Island, 6-4. Anthony Ruocco had a triple in the second game.
The Lady Bulldog softball team didn’t have any better luck, as they were topped by Mainland, 6-2, and Spruce Creek, 10-5. In the first game, freshman Brianne Yocum tripled and homered.
On Wednesday, April 20, the baseball team faces Sanford Seminole for Senior Night on Melching Field at Conrad Park at 6 p.m. That same day, the softball team hosts Winter Springs at 4:30 p.m., and the flag-football team greets Deltona at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 21, has the baseball team at Pine Ridge at 4:30 p.m., with the junior-varsity team at home against Mainland at 4:30 p.m.
On Friday, April 22, the track team goes to Spruce Creek for their FHSAA District Meet at 9 a.m., and the flag-football team travels to Atlantic High School to play at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Deltona High School
The School Advisory Council at Deltona High School will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in the Learning Commons.
Stetson University Athletics
The Stetson University Hatter baseball team defeated 15th-ranked Liberty, 5-1, with Daniel Labrador hitting a home run. Then the Hatters found Cameron Hill hitting a home run with three RBIs, leading the Hats once again over Liberty, 5-3.
They then split with North Florida, winning, 3-0, and losing, 6-2. In the first game, Christian Pregent homered, and in the other game, Brandon Hylton hit a four-bagger.
The Lady Hatter softball team topped Bellarmine, 9-1, with Lizzie Shubert homering, and Marissa Baxter having four RBIs off of two doubles. The team then downed Eastern Kentucky, 4-3, with Juls Schumacher hitting a home run.
The Stetson men’s golf team won the three-day Aggie Invite in Greensboro, North Carolina, over 11 schools. Stetson had a 318 total for the tourney, topping second-place Texas Southern by seven strokes. Stetson’s Mason Quagliata was low medalist for the tournament, with an even par 218.
On Tuesday, April 19, the baseball team hosts the University of Florida at 6 p.m. on Melching Field, and the lacrosse team greets Delaware State.
On Saturday, April 23, the Stetson softball team will play North Florida at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and then Stetson will play North Florida again at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 24.
— Send school news to Tony Tussing via email: at flacoach43@hotmail.com.
