Good afternoon Falcon families! I hope this finds you well after a weekend of rest and connection. Building connections with our families not only strengthens our families, it also helps your student achieve in school. Students need strategies to help build strength and resilience. This Thursday, 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 Thursday, September 24, 2026. Students will complete an online lesson. Please ask your student to share what strategies they learned. 

Please see modified schedule below.

317 students still need to complete the OCPS Acceptable Use Policy for electronic device use at school. Since these students did not complete this step by September 16, 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.

Progress reports for Quarter 1 are now available for view in Skyward. If you would like a printed copy, please email Kacie.Hough@ocps.net and we will send it home with your student. To schedule a parent/teacher conference, please call the school and ask for student services: 407-956-8550

Please see Mrs. Strawn in Room 112 this week to register your ebike or scooter and receive your decal. Registration and decals are required for ALL ebikes and scooters. 

Any unregistered ebikes or scooters will result in disciplinary action. Note- there is no cost to register.

A permission slip is required to attend pep rallies and Connectivity Days for this school year. Your student received a paper copy of this form in their 4th period class. Please return this permission slip asap. The permission slip is also attached to this newsletter for your convenience.

We had grade level behavior assemblies this week and students were reminded of the Code of Conduct, including being on time, coming to school in dress code, respectful interactions with others, and the electronic device policy.

Dress code has been better. But please be reminded that students should pay special attention to the following:

Thank you for helping your student keep their school clothing and non-school clothing separated.

Student IDs are required to be displayed while on campus. Please clip your student id to your backpack at all times. If you are a returning student and lost your ID, please go to the media center before or after school to get a new one. Replacement IDs are $5. We want to be sure that our students are safe on campus!

 Early release and late arrival students received a specially printed id this week so they can quickly be identified and verified by our security guard. Please note, that if your student loses the id or does not have it with them, they will be required to purchase a replacement for $5. If a student does not follow the procedures for late arrival/early release, this privilege will be revoked. Here are a few reminders:

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about these policies.

Please see this reminder from the OCPS Wellness Policy below. Deliveries of food or beverages from off campus to students is not allowed during the school day. This includes any food delivery services. Food deliveries WILL be refused at the gate.

EAST RIVER ATHLETICS Fall Shop is now open!

    Find items to support your child's fall sport team (Football, Volleyball, Bowling, Golf, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Swimming). Winter and Spring Sports will be available at a later date. 

    There is also spirit wear available for your family and friends. These items ship directly to you! 

    Check out the shop details.

OUR SHOP DETAILS

    - Shop Now: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/dpmLnsjXxL

        - Store Open From: July 29 - December 21, 2026

   

This past week in our Junior class assembly, students received information to order a class ring if desired. Please ask your student for this information or see the information here.

We are off to a strong start for this school year. Let's continue to SOAR!

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