Good afternoon Falcon Families! I hope your family has enjoyed quality time together this weekend. It is important to stay connected and involved in your student’s day to day life. As a parent myself, I can get busy and realize that I might only exchange two to three sentences per day with my kids! I have to make a conscious effort to connect through common interests, such as hobbies, sports, and outdoor activities.
 
I want to take a moment and make everyone aware of resources at East River and in the community, in light of recent tragic events in nearby Seminole County High Schools. If your student is struggling with mental health, we have resources available. We have a full-time SAFE coordinator and a full-time Mental Health Social Worker, as well as part-time counselors and others on campus to assist your student. Please email Mary Cole with questions or to reach out for help: mary.cole@ocps.net . You can also call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 from your phone. This service is available 24/7. 
  
 This week begins Teen Driver Safety Week. The time is NOW to review driving safety habits with your teen driver. Remember that teens learn to "drive" when they are young, watching us, as we drive down the roads. Make sure you are setting the safest example possible!
   
 
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. The light will be functional and operational on October 21!
 
Report cards for Q1 will be available for view in Skyward on October 23, 2025. Please email your student’s counselor with any questions or to set up a parent/teacher conference. Please call 407-956-8550 to schedule a conference.

Please join us for our Orchestra Concert tomorrow night in the PAC!

 Information regarding Dual Enrollment at The University of Florida is attached. Please note requirements and deadlines!
  
Picture retakes for underclassman are October 23 for students who missed picture day or want a retake. Please email Emily.lopota@ocps.net for more information.
The Senior Class of 2026 is hosting a Tent or Treat event at East River High School!

 
In the past we have had over 500 students and members of the community show up, and we are hoping for even more this year. 
The event will be on Wednesday, October 22nd, from 5:30 to 7pm. We will have music, food items, a pumpkin bounce pad, face painting, and games in the tailgate field located behind the gymnasium. 
 
Walk For Freedom Central Florida- End Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation
A team from East River will be participating in this walk. Please consider joining us. There is no fee to register and participate, but donations are accepted. Please email Mrs. Watson is you are planning to attend: Rebecca.watson@ocps.net. For more information, please visit their website: https://walkforfreedomcentralflorida.org/
  
Attached is the October Senior newsletter from Mrs. Adkison with important information, dates, and deadlines!
 
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!
 

 
 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
 
Let’s SOAR and make it a great ​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