We’re Not Just Constructing Schools, We’re Helping Build Futures
BY ANDY ORRELL
At the recently completed Innovation High, the benefits of a modern, state-of-the-art school shift the paradigm for what it means to help students succeed in our quickly-changing world.
A former Broadway professional who previously taught theater and dance at Marymount Manhattan College, Kermidas understands the importance of a top-notch learning space for the development of young performers.
“For my students, being able to learn and create in this amazing facility on this professional equipment will give them an extra level of experience that could help them in the workforce,” said Daniel Kermidas, the school’s director of theater and dance.
The improvements were funded in part by the half-cent sales tax, first approved by voters in 2002. The extension of the tax will be on the ballot for Orange County voters Nov. 5. It helps fund school renovations and replacements, as well as building maintenance, modern school technology and upgraded safety and security.
If the extension isn’t approved, our school district will be short roughly $4 billion for school construction over the next decade. This would severely limit the ability to maintain current buildings.
“The dance studio, in my opinion, is only matched by studios in the professional world,” said Kermidas. “Dancers have already come to me saying how much they love the seamless dance floor and how much it is helping protect them from injury and be better prepared for their future opportunities.”
Kermidas continued, “Students also love the size of the theater space because it allows for so many opportunities to perform and offers more work areas.”
Tara Whitman, Director of Theatre at West Orange High, agrees with Kermidas about the importance of a school’s learning space and modern technology. Whitman, whose school is on a renovations list, said the Warriors’ theater shows its 15 years of wear and tear.
“Students miss out on opportunities to work with equipment that is the industry standard,” she said. “For years I have rented microphones and lighting equipment to substitute for our productions. This has caused a huge increase in our costs.”
Space is also at a premium. “Every inch of the space we have available is used to paint, sew, build, program, dance and rehearse,” she said.
Whitman appreciates the support of Principal Matthew Turner, her fellow educators, and most importantly, her community.
“I would like to thank the voters for understanding that this small sales tax makes a difference in the daily life of our students,” Whitman said. “The students and I feel relief knowing that relief is a possibility.”
Taxpayers have made it possible for OCPS to fund the replacement or renovation of 136 schools since 2002.
“The goal is to always create an environment where educators can comfortably teach to their fullest capabilities and students can safely learn to the best of their abilities,” said Chief Facilities Officer Rory Salimbene.
Data shows a clear connection between high-quality earning facilities and student attendance and achievement. According to studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, as school building conditions are improved, the annual dropout rate is low ered by 10 to 13 students per 1,000 and test scores improve by as much as 17%.
It’s not easy or inexpensive to provide the ideal learning environment for students and educators. Fortunately, a large percentage of our construction, maintenance and school technology programs are funded by the tax, which has raised more than $4 billion for OCPS building projects. More than half of sales tax proceeds come from tourists and nonresidents.
Students and faculty at Innovation High are excited for what will be accomplished with their new school and its theater.
“Thank you to the district and our voters for this amazing gift,” said Kermidas, the theater director. “It’s giving us a real opportunity to teach students in a facility that reflects the future of the arts.”
Click Here to learn more about the referendum.
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Kay Smith is the staffing specialist at her school, Three Points Elementary. She frequently gets asked to screen students for the gifted program. Here’s what happened one day:
“I went to pick up a kindergartener to screen him for gifted. While walking with him to my office I asked him a few questions, starting with ‘How old are you?’ He told me very excitedly, ‘I am 5 years old!!’ to which I enthusiastically responded with, ‘Are you serious?!’ He turned to me and immediately said, ‘No!!! My DAD is serious. I am NOT serious.”
And yes, this child passed the screening.
Kay Smith
Staffing Specialist
WINNERS 2024
At the annual Green Schools Award Banquet on Sept. 25 at Camping World Stadium, the following awards were presented to schools that have shown exceptional commitment to sustainability.
Top Awards
Zellwood ES 1st Place
Edgewater HS 2nd Place
Avalon ES 3rd Place
Mentor Awards
Arbor Ridge K8 Mentor-Winner
Sally Ride ES Mentor-Winner
Judge’s Choice Awards
Category 1 - School Grounds Enhancement
Category 2 - School Sustainability
Category 3 - Health & Wellness
Category 4 - Curriculum Integration
Category 5 - Community Involvement
Category 6 - School-Wide Culture
Category 7 - Innovation
Category 8 - Rising Star
Winner
Timber Lakes ES
Horizon West MS
West Orange HS
Blankner School
Magnolia School
Magnolia School
Timber Lakes ES
Orlando Gifted Academy
Edgewater High planted a butterfly garden in a previously barren area.
A vegetable garden was planted by the student government at Horizon West Middle.
National Junior Honor Society held a school beautification day at Horizon West Middle.
Employee Gets a
Whenever database coordinator Craig Stephens isn’t obtaining data, he is packing a punch as a 4th-degree black belt in taekwondo. Stephens is retiring in October from his role with the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) team.
His OCPS career began after his wife, Claire Stephens, encouraged him to apply for a technology position more than 25 years ago. He started as a senior tech assistant in 1998, earning a promotion quickly. His wife retired from the district in 2021.
He has been a technology support representative at Walker Middle, Blankner School and with the Information and Communication Technologies Systems (ICTS) Infrastructure department.
In his current role, he collects data from behavior, cooperative learning, Strategic Instructional Model (SIM) training and other courses that are offered to ESE teachers at OCPS and four other school districts in Florida. He works out of a second-floor office next to Edgewater High.
Since Stephens was a teen, he has been fascinated with computer programming. He took courses at a technical college during his junior and senior years in high school while growing up in Columbus, Ohio.
During his six-year Navy career, Stephens was a data system technician and worked on the computer systems in the intelligence center on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
His hard work and dedication also paid off when he was voted Support Person of the Year by his peers at Blankner in 2006.
“I enjoyed supporting the Blankner School staff and was honored to receive the Support Person of the Year Award for my efficiency and getting the work done in a timely manner,” said Stephens, who received a Bachelor of Science in information technology from the University of Phoenix.
Stephens became interested in martial arts after watching an instructional program on public television and Bruce Lee films as a child.
He studied taekwondo at the Chuck Norris Karate Studio while he was in the Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, and began studying again with a teacher at Walker Middle.
Stephens has been practicing taekwondo for more than 20 years, and received his 4th-degree black belt in June 2016. For the past 10 years, he has been an instructor at South Orlando Martial Arts and a nationally-certified martial-arts referee.
After Stephens retires on Halloween, he plans to visit New Orleans in November. He and his wife will celebrate their 30-year wedding anniversary at Yellowstone National Park next summer. Stephens will also continue with taekwondo, and will also spend time on woodworking and learning how to create oil paintings and stained glass.
Retiree: Craig Stephens Title: ESE FDLRS Database Coordinator
Years with OCPS: 26
OCPS Retirement Date: Oct. 31
UPCOMING
In-Person and Virtual Retirement Services Department Workshops via Webex and Zoom: October 2024
Oct. 2, 5-7 p.m.: Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) Interest Virtual Meeting
Oct. 7, 5 p.m.: In-Person Social Security Workshop at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center
Oct. 16, 5-6:30 p.m.: Understanding the FRS Investment Plan
Oct. 23, 5-6:30 p.m.: Medicare Planning Workshop
Will You Be the Winner?
Send the answers to these three questions to orangepeal@ocps.net. One winner will be drawn from among the correct responses to win an Orange Peal prize package.
Which two schools won mentor awards in this year’s Green Schools competition?
What date is the upcoming vote on the sales tax referendum for school construction and maintenance?
Where did ESE FDLRS database coordinator Craig Stephens first learn taekwondo?
Congratulations to September trivia winner: Melissa Miskovsky Gifted Resource/ESOL Compliance at Citrus Elementary
Social Media
In each issue, the Orange Peal will recognize one top social media post on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Want us to consider your school or department’s post? Send a link to orangepeal@ocps.net for consideration.
Glenridge Middle
We love great artwork – and what some of the staff came up with at Glenridge Middle School for their Student Services conference room is pretty fierce! Not to mention, it’s interactive on their Facebook page! Go check it out!
Orlo Vista Elementary
What a great surprise! Thanks to a generous donation by A Gift For Teaching, several students at Orlo Vista Elementary were given bicycles and helmets. The staff posted some cute photos and video of themselves on the bikes ready to give them to the kids. This made our hearts happy!
Apopka High
This is how you get students pumped for homecoming: you just need a mascot with great dance moves and awesome music! Check out how Apopka High got students hyped for their Rio-themed event!
Waterford Elementary unveils three colorful murals on its campus that were created by artist Martha Hale-Stoetzer in August.
Waterbridge Elementary School
Music teacher and yoga instructor Rachael Joachim taught her fifth-grade class, School Counselor Stephanie Carrington and School Resource Officer, Deputy David Joachim, yoga moves and various breathing techniques on Yoga Resiliency Day in September.
Danielle Arbelaez-Willis Principal
Martha Hale-Stoetzer
Best of….Photos
by Frank Weber
Lights! Camera! Culinary!
Visit Orlando filmed a testimonial about the benefits of tourism at Wekiva HS Magnet Academy of Culinary Arts. Three students were selected to participate.
It’s a small world after all!
A ribbon cutting was held at the new Global Family Welcome Center. The facility was designed to welcome our new OCPS families that have been in the United States for less than a year and to assist them with enrollment and transition services.
Just one more hug before I go! Grandparents Day at Hungerford ES. The cafeteria was filled with grandparents who were surrounded by their precious grandchildren. They enjoyed a delicious breakfast that was prepared by the staff, and created some amazing memories.
Congratulations 2025 Honorees
Principal of the Year
Toni
Joann
LaTonya
Assistant Principal of the Year
Brandi
Cecelia
Acceleration East
Wendy Warren Acceleration West
Stephanie Edmiston Accounts Payable
Cristina Villa Olivares Aloma Elementary
Simeon Way Alternative Education
Jamien Beluso Andover Elementary
Rachel Ward Apopka Elementary
Marisol Gordon Apopka High
Tonya Pringle Apopka Memorial Middle
Harriet Fayson Arbor Ridge K-8
Breily Garcia Asset Protection
Gretel Perez
Atwater Bay Elementary
Duane Walton
Audubon Park School
Barbara Miranda Avalon Elementary
Stephanie Alfano Avalon Middle
Support Person of the Year Honorees
Brenda Liz De la Rosa Azalea Park Elementary
Teresa Geyer Baldwin Park Elementary
Amarilis Malave-Acosta Bay Lake Elementary
Waleska Martins
Bay Meadows Elementary
Peggy Boyett Blankner School
Karen Seguel
Bonneville Elementary
Michael Gantt Boone High Lavonia Hall Bridgewater Middle
Jocelyn Brumby Brookshire Elementary
Stephanie Hoppe Camelot Elementary
Keith Rodriguez Carver Middle
Jacquelyn Bogle Castle Creek Elementary
Emmanuelle Vasconcelos de Freitas
Castleview Elementary
Patrice Upshaw
Catalina Elementary
Sonya Plummer Chain of Lakes Middle
Wen-Chi Cheng
Cheney Elementary
Helena Lima Chickasaw Elementary
JoAnn Strauss Citrus Elementary
Wendy Pitts
Clay Springs Elementary
Rebecca Vilsaint College Park Middle
Patricia Gonzalez
Colonial 9th Grade Center
Ashley Hermina Colonial High
Kristin Michalski
Columbia Elementary
Jamie Soleimani Conway Elementary
Migdalia Natali Conway Middle
Inocencia Ramos Corner Lake Middle
Barbara Seebeck Curriculum and Digital Learning
AnnMarie Hubschman Cypress Creek High
Marion Sabedra
Cypress Springs Elementary
Brandy Taylor Deerwood Elementary
Melissa St. George Dillard Street Elementary
Violeta Ramirez Discovery Middle
Carmen Mendez District Foundation
Geraldine Torres Dommerich Elementary
Ana Villalobos Gaviria
Dover Shores Elementary
Dannerys Sanchez Dr. Phillips Elementary
Migdalia Aponte
Dr. Phillips High
Kelly Baloun
Dream Lake Elementary
Gabriela Rodriguez Eagle Creek Elementary
Danielle Hiralal Eagle’s Nest Elementary
Milanie Rodriguez East Lake Elementary
Amy Evans East River High
Ryan Pascall Eccleston Elementary
Valerie Lopez Edgewater High
Jose Ortega Endeavor Elementary
Support Person of the Year Honorees
Gloria Fandino Engelwood Elementary
Nereida Deleon
ESE Policy & Procedures
Beverly Ligon ESE Supplemental Services
Tomeke Bouier ESE Transition
Maria Castillo ESTEEM Academy
Anesta A West Evans High
Pamela King Exceptional Student Services
Myriam Rodriguez Delgado Facilities Maintenance
Ana Fischer Ramos
Tanama Sanchez Burgos
Lisa Hardeman Hiawassee Elementary
Ariana Quiles Hidden Oaks Elementary
Vanessa Roman
Elementary Martha Nadal
High Tiffany DeLury
West Middle
Marinelly Andujar
Homebound
Maldonado-Figueroa Forsyth Woods Elementary Colita Smith Frangus Elementary
Bonnie Vargas Freedom High
Diego Galeano Freedom Middle
Alfredo Sanchez Glenridge Middle
Fred Zanegood Gotha Middle
Everton Jarvis Grounds, Landscaping & Pest Control
Marquita Carter-Etienne Hungerford Elementary Michelle Boyd Hunter’s Creek Elementary
Diane LaRouche
Creek Middle
Ariane Florencio
Elementary
Joan Franco-Miranda Innovation High
Brittany Locasto Innovation Middle
Mary Tonchuk
Beverly Shaw ITS Infrastructure
Denise Hardwick-Irvin Ivey Lane Elementary
Georgina Soliman
Margaret Harris Jones High
Kettelie Salomon Keene’s Crossing Elementary
David Gervin
Ana Saleh Picon
Libby Euchner
Danielle MacKay Lake Sybelia Elementary
Ruth Walker Lake Weston Elementary
Danette Havard Lake Whitney Elementary
Brenda Rosado Lakemont Elementary
Teresa Burnett Lakeview Middle Teneshia Thomas Lakeville Elementary
Yannette Sanchez Lancaster Elementary
Laura Shroder Laureate Park Elementary
Enid Pabon Lawton Chiles Elementary
Robin Bastin Legacy Middle
Clinton Delaney II Liberty Middle
Edgar Mendez Torres Little River Elementary
Charlotte Nelson Lockhart Elementary
Calyx Walls Lockhart Middle
Support Person of the Year Honorees
Sarah Miranda Lovell Elementary
David Reussow Luminary Middle
Kristie Graham Magnolia School
Justine Mojica Maitland Middle
Astrin Luke Maxey Elementary
Claudia Gomez McCoy Elementary
Edgar Ospino Meadow Woods Elementary
Marella Leon Ferreira Meadow Woods Middle
Dedira Johnson Meadowbrook Middle
Don Busby Jr Memorial Middle
Dalyane Rose Franca de Oliveira MetroWest Elementary
Keith Canterbury Millennia Elementary
Corian Hamilton Millennia Gardens Elementary
Stacy Harris-King
Mollie Ray Elementary
Jorge Bulnes Guardado
Moss Park Elementary
Wei-Feng Xu
Maintenance
Williams Nunez Sanchez NorthLake Park Community School
Jean Johnson Oak Hill Elementary
Clara Molina Oak Ridge High
Nijolu Clavier Herrera Oakshire Elementary
Carolina Rosales Vargas Ocoee Elementary
Sheree Patrick Ocoee High
Carla Harden Ocoee Middle
Paulo da Silva OCPS Academic Center for Excellence
Michele Dergosits Odyssey Middle
Carol Rayborn Office of Management and Budget
Joshua Norton Olympia High
Belouty Pierre Orange Center Elementary
Keirah Madden Orange County Virtual School
Nelly Hetherington
Orange Technical College - Avalon
Angela Rico Orange Technical College - East
David Nelson
Orange Technical College - Main
Jerel Tomlinson Orange Technical College - South
Jessica Briones Orange Technical College - West
Annmarie Cherolini Orlando Gifted Academy
Jacob Irby Orlo Vista Elementary
Gloria Castro Palm Lake Elementary
Matthew Hardy Palmetto Elementary
Taise Camargo Panther Lake Elementary
Rodney Francis Pershing School
Juan Orengo Phillis Wheatley Elementary
Gail Shephard Piedmont Lakes Middle
Herminio Alvarado Pinar Elementary
Latoya Beauford Pine Hills Elementary
Roquanda Manuel Pineloch Elementary
Madonia Jadusingh Pinewood Elementary
Tammie Davis
Positive Pathways Transition Center
Mary Kay Scarlata Prairie Lake Elementary
Elvin A. Velazquez Ramos Princeton Elementary
Mark Bunker RBELC Building Management
Anna Emilien Ridgewood Park Elementary
Beth Palmer Risk Management
Katrina Walker Riverdale Elementary
Danielle Escott Riverside Elementary
Colombia Ordonez
Roberto Clemente Middle
Valerie Blair Robinswood Middle
Tamara Clark Rock Lake Elementary
Marisha Bedasie Rock Springs Elementary
Tishell Davis
Rolling Hills Elementary
Charlotte Beckford Rosemont Elementary
Support Person of the Year Honorees
Victoria Marshall Sadler Elementary
Carmelo Pantoja
Sally Ride Elementary
Shamori Bernard Sand Lake Elementary
Carmella Pascall Shenandoah Elementary
Leidy Quintero Shingle Creek Elementary
Monica Watson Silver Pines Academy
Breslyn Rosado Miro South Area Maintenance
Lysandra Toyens South Creek Middle
Kayla Rivers Southwest Middle Michelle Ramos Southwood Elementary
Martine Louis Spring Lake Elementary
Susan Janz State Reporting
Yesenia Rivera Stone Lakes Elementary
Normita Rodriguez Roman Stonewyck Elementary
Malisa Robinson Student Services
Tami Stueve Summerlake Elementary
Maria Peraza
Rose Dorsey
Sandra Chico
Regina Martinez
Elementary
Linerys Rosario Barreiro
Park Elementary
Veronica Melendez Sunshine Elementary
Jennifer Ludd Tangelo Park Elementary
Giada Evangelista Thornebrooke Elementary
Ananda Andraus Serrano Three Points Elementary
Rosemary Pierce Tildenville Elementary
Joseph Huggins Timber Creek High
Sharri Antoniazzi Timber Lakes Elementary
Jessica Febus Timber Springs Middle
Pamela Johnson Transportation Services
Magda L. Garay Union Park Elementary
Yamilka De Jesus Sanchez Union Park Middle
Cindy Gordon University High
Santa Santana
Kimberly Kopinski
Carlos Cepeda
Lakes Elementary
Kimberley Fasnacht
Middle Linetta Stewart Washington Shores Elementary
Cynthia Jackson Washington Shores
Skornia
Spring Elementary
Karen Bukowski Water Spring Middle
Debbie Rosado Waterbridge Elementary
Maria Bassmaji Waterford Elementary
Josephine Bunch Wedgefield School
Gabriel Sosa Wekiva High
Soraya Missi West Creek Elementary
Terrell Taylor West Oaks Elementary
Jillian Groover West Orange High
Nardeen Barsoum Westbrooke Elementary
Daniella Sirino Palin Westpointe Elementary
Mary Simmons Westridge Middle
David Jackson Wetherbee Elementary
Jessica Rivera
Whispering Oak Elementary
Tracy Goodwin Windermere Elementary
Wendy Cooper Windermere High
Achraf El Badaai Windy Ridge K-8
Alex Hernandez Winegard Elementary
Dawn Breckenridge Winter Park 9th Grade Center
Paul Engelbert Winter Park High
Jovanska Diaz Alicea Wolf Lake Elementary
Sharon Mathieux Wolf Lake Middle
Aleisha Starken Wyndham Lakes Elementary
Allison Graham Zellwood Elementary
Angela
Stephanie
Stephanie
Adelia
Holly
Ann
Teacher of the Year Honorees
Chris
Ashley
Erin
Valeria
Sean
Rachael
Kim Sondel
Anthony Strickland
Michelle
Tiffany
Nicholas
Andrew
Angela
Jacklyn Steward-Garcia Edgewater High
Connie Weeks Endeavor Elementary
Lauren Stackenwalt Engelwood Elementary
Lauren Bryant
Policy & Procedures, Charter and Non-Public
Tamika Bellmany ESE Supplemental Services
Lawrence Desguin ESE Transition
Sabrina
Barbara
Tania
Arlene
Tabatha
Alexandria
Teacher of the Year Honorees
Ashley
Dawn
Suvani
Susan
Kimberly
Olivia
Laquesha
German
India
Bria
Teacher of the Year Honorees
Victoria
Melissa
Dougkindra
Suzette Carder
Migdalia
Missty
Lauren
Chelsea
Cristina Cevallos
Chelsea Howland
Robert
Benjo
Marvin Maloy
Daniel Maldonado
Deion
Alba
Tabitha Berzon
Teacher of the Year Honorees
Lori Smith SunRidge Elementary
Missie Westerman SunRidge Middle
Tracey Kron
Elementary
Fatima Mayet Sunset Park Elementary
Awilda Lam
Elementary
Merry Muniz
Tangelo Park Elementary
Terry Coons Thornebrooke Elementary
Danielle Bailor Three Points Elementary
Kiara Suarez Tildenville Elementary
Dyionna Dierks Timber Creek High
Timothy Casler Timber Lakes Elementary
Julia Keith Timber Springs Middle
Lauren Ayala Union Park Elementary
Rosabel Figueroa Union Park Middle
Thomas Moore University High
Jiyoung Kim
Dahlia Oliphant Village Park Elementary
Trista Sanderson Vista Lakes Elementary
Haylea Bettmann Vista Pointe Elementary
Corrine Grady Walker Middle
Shante Jenkins
Shores Elementary
Joesaleen Moses
Shores Primary Learning Center
Nicole McBride Water Spring Elementary
Ximena Martin Quiroz Water Spring Middle
Gabriella McKen-Muiznieks Waterbridge Elementary
Amber Almeida Anderson Waterford Elementary
Sonya Santiago Wedgefield School
Darius Ford Wekiva High
Ashley Ohmart West Creek Elementary
Thomas Tyler West Oaks Elementary
Karen Smith
Orange High
Krista Williams Westbrooke Elementary
Empress Jordan Westpointe Elementary
Dianetra Hill Westridge Middle
Adam Whitlow Wetherbee Elementary
Yoselin Tejada Whispering Oak Elementary
Caroline Shaw Windermere Elementary
Donald Cary Windermere High
Ellen Phillips Windy Ridge K-8
Desiree Gentle Winegard Elementary
Cherese Fussner Winter Park 9th Grade Center
Hunter Tabloff Winter Park High
Carolyn Ralph Wolf Lake Elementary
Scott Lords Wolf Lake Middle
Stephanie Pinto Wyndham Lakes Elementary
Dina John Zellwood Elementary
The Orange Peal is a publication by OCPS employees and for OCPS employees.It launched in April 1974 as a newsletter for all OCPS employees “from principals to custodians.” With a name encompassing the symbols of the orange and the school bell, the Orange Peal was intended for “the good news of this school system [to be] ‘rung out,’” - in other words, to peal.
Editor: Lauren Roth
Designer: Kimberly Boulnois
Contributors: Sandra Carr
Thomas “Andy” Orrell
Frank Weber
Samantha Weiss