Good afternoon Falcon Families! I hope you were able to see the highlights from Homecoming week on our school’s social media. We had a great week and a wonderful dance. Students showed school spirit and pride- let’s keep it going! I will be out of town next weekend, so this newsletter will have additional information for the next two weeks. The next newsletter will be on October 12th.  

We were unable to play our football game Friday due to lightning. We will be playing the game tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm on Falcon Field. EVERYONE is FREE, so I hope you can join us to cheer on our Falcon team!
 
We will be on a modified schedule 4 days this week. The first three, Monday-Tuesday and Thursday are to conduct PMA1 testing for Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology, and US History. Please see the schedule below:
 
Our fourth day of modified schedule this week will be for Connectivity Day! East River will be joining all OCPS high schools in this wonderful opportunity for all students to be further connected to their school and to their peers. We will be holding a single lunch shift and extended club participation event. Our clubs and organizations will be set up throughout the courtyard with engaging activities for all students. Below is the modified schedule for that day:
We will also have a modified schedule on October 7 for schoolwide PSAT/SAT testing. 12th grade will be taking SAT and 9th-11th will be taking PSAT. This important FREE test for your student can be used to reach a concordant score for graduation, qualify for scholarships, and used for college entrance. Students will receive an email next week with their testing location. Please be sure your student is present and well-rested with a fully charged device. Modified schedule:

This message is to inform families that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed signalization work on the new traffic signal at the intersection of State Road (S.R.) 50 and Corner School Drive, and they are now preparing for its activation. As part of the activation process, the signal will operate in flashing mode for a period of approximately one to two weeks. This step provides motorists with advance notice prior to the signal becoming fully operational. In addition, portable message boards will be placed in the area to communicate this information to drivers.

Please join us for our fall play for the production of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. Hope to see you there!

Please note Monday, October 13 is a student holiday/teacher workday. The school will be open 7:00 am- 4:00 pm, but there will be limited staff on campus.

There is another opportunity available to take the PERT exam on October 14. Registration closes October 2, at 3:00 pm. Please check the Student Body Canvas course for registration and details. 

The end of quarter 1 is fast approaching. Students need to check Skyward and Canvas daily to keep up with all assignments. Every student’s gpa will update after Q1 Report cards. Let’s make sure those gpa’s go up!
 
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:
 
**Final chance to apply for dual enrollment at Valencia College. Students must still apply and be accepted to the Dual Enrollment program, in addition to taking the PERT.** Registration opens September 2, and closes October 2nd.
 GPA Requirement
 9th - 11th grade: 3.0 unweighted
 12th grade: 3.0 weighted

    
 
 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:

 Please see information below about our ERHS Golf Tournament:

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
 
Pay attention to the schedules for this week! Let’s SOAR and make it a great one.
  
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