Good afternoon Falcon Families! I hope this finds you well after a restful weekend. This was a difficult week with upsetting news almost daily. I do hope that you and your student took a break from social media and the news to do something that builds connection. Students need strategies to help build strength and resilience. This Tuesday, we will have a Resiliency lesson for all students as mandated by the State of Florida. Florida Department of Education Rule 6A-1.094124 provides that:
 
“School districts must annually provide a minimum of five (5) hours of data-driven instruction to students in grades 6-12 related to civic and character education and life skills education through resiliency education using the health education standards adopted in Rule 6A-1.09401, F.A.C., Student Performance Standards.”
 
The OCPS plan for addressing the five hours of instruction requires two days with adjusted bell schedules. Below is our modified schedule for this coming Tuesday. Students will complete an online lesson. Please ask your student to share what strategies they learned. 

Also, on Tuesday, September 16, there will be a junior and senior class assembly for all students in these grades. Jostens will be on campus to present graduation product information to both classes. Ask your student to share this important information.
 
When: Tuesday, 9/16
                Juniors – 3rd Period
                Seniors – 4th Period
Where: PAC
Why: To present students with important graduation product information & other important class information
 242 students still need to complete the OCPS Acceptable Use Policy for electronic device use at school. If students do not complete by close of day on September 17, they will lose access to Canvas and Skyward. ***Even students who use their own laptop need to complete the policy. Please have your student check their school email. Mrs. Walker sent an email to all students who need to complete.
 
 
Students received an invitation this weekend on Canvas in the Student Body Course, to apply for the Principal’s Advisory Committee. This will be a committee comprised of all grade levels, all academic levels, and also representing specific groups such as ELL and ESE. These students will meet with Mrs. Watson once per quarter to advise on areas of strength and areas for improvement at East River High School. If interested, complete the form in the Canvas announcement by end of day Monday, September 15. Please note there will be 10 students chosen for the committee.
 
Progress reports are available for view in Skyward on Thursday, September 18. Please contact your student’s counselor with any questions or concerns, or to schedule a parent/teacher conference.
 
Homecoming tickets are on sale and the price has increased! Please see information below and also information for Homecoming Spirit Days. Get those outfits ready! See also the other special events the week of Homecoming! Please email Deziree Lara with any questions: deziree.lara@ocps.net 

Senior ads for the yearbook are officially on sale! Ads can be ordered at www.yearbookordercenter.com . The final date to order ads is December 5, 2025. Don’t delay!
 
Please consider supporting our FFA as they collect peanut butter:

 **Signing up for the PERT does not mean you have applied to Valencia. Students must still apply and be accepted to Dual Enrollment.** That registration opens September 2, and is open for a month.
 GPA Requirement
 9th - 11th grade: 3.0 unweighted
 12th grade: 3.0 weighted
  
 
Please see the reminders for dress code below. Be sure to get your Homecoming outfit approved by an administrator IF you think it may be questionable. If it follows dress code, there is no need to get it approved.For daily dress code, students should pay special attention to the following:
 

• Any clothing with references to alcohol, drug use, or weapons is prohibited.
• Crop tops and shirts that show the midriff are prohibited.
• Clothing must have straps and undergarments cannot be visible.

Thank you for helping your student keep their school clothing and non-school clothing separated.
   Updated reminders for parents and students about our parking lot:

• If you need to pick up your student between 7:30 am-2:20 pm, you must park and walk in the front office. Please do not park in the fire lane. We had an incident last week and called EMS. The firetruck could not get through due to vehicles blocking the fire lane and had to enter from the far end of the courtyard. 
• Parking near the front office is marked for mobility, reserved- for parents of Little Falcons and pick-up outside of the regular hours. Please park there when coming inside the front office. 
• Please do not line up for afternoon dismissal prior to 1:45 pm. It causes traffic congestion, and we already have enough of that.
• I recommend dropping your student off early, courtyard doors open at 6:45 to avoid morning traffic.
• I recommend coming about 2:30 pm if you are picking up in the afternoon if you want to avoid the rush of traffic and buses leaving the property.

Thank you for helping us keep our students and faculty safe by adhering to speed limits of 10 mph and following all traffic cones, barricades, and signs in the parking lot. 
 
 Our SOAR store for positive student behaviors opens this week! Please consider donating to help us reward our students. Ask you student how many positive SOAR points they have.
 Link to our SOAR store donations needed on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YLZ3GF3D7XXN?ref_=wl_share

 
Please see the Athletic newsletter for this week:

Attention Seniors! You need to be following the Class of 26 Instagram page and checking your school email for important dates and reminders, as well as the ERHS College and Career page. You don’t want to miss the deadline for being included in the yearbook!
 erhs_classof26
 eastriverhs_collegeandcareer
 eastriverhs_ocps
 
 Let’s have a smooth and productive week!
 
Please email me with any questions or concerns at rebeccca.watson@ocps.net It is my privilege to serve at East River.
 Be safe and kind!
 Becky Watson
 Principal, East River High School