Let the learning begin: Students, teachers talk back to school, new facilities

WEST ORANGE — The first day of a new school year is always a unique mix of anticipation, excitement and confusion. 

For three West Orange-area schools, Monday’s beginning of the 2015-16 school year also included some extra wrenches thrown in for good measure.

With a completely new campus, students, teachers and administrators at Independence Elementary School survived some minor bumps on their first day. 

Across West Orange in Ocoee, Kids Community College welcomed students to its new campus in Lake Olympia Square off East Silver Star Road.

And finally, West Orange High School students arrived on campus with laptops instead of textbooks. The initiative has turned the school into an all-digital learning environment.

INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY

Not only the kindergartners, but all students and teachers had their first week at Independence Elementary, which is one of West Orange County’s newest elementary schools.

Many parents walked their children to school or went to breakfast with them on campus before the first day started. 

Superintendent Barbara Jenkins visited the school at lunchtime to meet the students and address the community about the school’s opening success. She said 5,000 to 7,000 students have been coming to the Orlando area on an annual basis, which is one reason Independence opened as a relief school for Keene’s Crossing Elementary and Sunset Park Elementary. 

“The growth in that area is booming,” Principal Angela Osborne said. 

Because there was not yet an established traffic flow, dismissal on the first day was not as smooth as it could have been. There were reports of some parents shouting and physically pushing others as they tried to pick up their children outside. Members of the PTO asked parents to be respectful of one another and said they would adjust the system to make pick-up less chaotic. 

There are about 800 students enrolled at Independence this year and a staff of 74 employees, 60 of whom are teachers. Osborne said she expects enrollment to increase in coming years.

Osborne has lived and worked in West Orange County for more than 20 years. She was previously the principal of Spring Lake Elementary and Palmetto Elementary. 

“I’m very blessed to have been chosen by Dr. Jenkins for this honor,” Osborne said. “It’s been a lifelong dream to open up this school.”

KCC ORANGE

Since getting approval not even a year ago for a campus in Lake Olympia Square off East Silver Star Road in Ocoee, the Kids Community College — Orange County Elementary staff has worked long and hard to prepare its new building for classes to start this week.

The Ocoee City Commission approved this charter school’s final site plan Jan. 20, and the site’s groundbreaking occurred April 2, but in less than five months, the school is complete.

Well, almost.

“The school is done, except for our awning that goes around the school … they’re coming about mid-September to put up ours,” Campus Director Andy Westerman said, having accepted his role July 13. “It’s been fast-paced for sure, but luckily, everything has clicked when we needed it to. The building itself didn’t have windows on it when I arrived. Everything has happened within the last six weeks or so.”

Faculty, staff and parents have embraced the move with excitement, thrilled to have a new facility, as well as a play field, a basketball court and a playground, Westerman said. He saw community-building even during the move, when parents helped transfer objects from the school’s previous location in Gotha, he said.

“The teachers really pulled together; it’s just been a fantastic team,” he said. “The parents — it’s almost on a daily basis: ‘What can I do to help? I’m here to volunteer. What can I do?’ It’s just a real sense of community that I am really impressed by and really enjoy because that’s what I wanted to come back to after 22 years overseas.”

This includes the Boo Hoo Breakfast in the cafeteria on the morning of the first day, Aug. 24. Parents helped to organize an assortment of Dunkin’ Donuts, coffee, juice and fruit to welcome kindergarten parents.

Among coming events for KCC Orange are an open house Sept. 2 — with a KCC Board town hall and a Campus Parent Advisory meeting — and a big golf tournament fundraiser in October at Disney, Westerman said.

WEST ORANGE HIGH

The switch to all-digital learning took place without any major problems Monday at West Orange High School. 

“It went great today with the laptops,” Principal Doug Szcinski said. “We had a lot of teachers use them on day one. Kids are excited because they know that’s their future; they’re excited about coming into the 21st century.”

Prior to the beginning of the school year, about 3,400 laptops were handed out to students attending recent digital sessions, Szcinski said. About 600 more will be passed out this week.

“When it comes to work, not only do you get to hand in the work on the computer and get the computer skills, but you get the collaboration online. … It’s just a phenomenal feature to have.”

Szcinski is pleased his school was selected for the Orange County Public Schools digital program this year.

“The kids are getting college- and career-ready right out of the gate,” he said. “Nationally, I think 5% (of the high schools) are one-to-one, so our kids are ahead of the game there.”

Orange County is the 10th largest school district in the country.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Students of Independence Elementary got to explore their new campus inside and out for the first time at the Meet Your Teacher event last week. They shared their initial thoughts on the school and their teachers.

What’s something nice that your teacher said?

“She said I was adorable.”

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What do you like about the school?

“It’s big!”

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What did you think about your teacher?

“I thought we would be really good friends.”

What did you think about the school?

“I think it’s really big.”

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What do you think about the school so far?

“It’s beautiful and it’s coming together so nicely. Everyone’s so excited, and it’s really a positive environment.”

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Simone Kaufman, second-grade teacher

“The technology is great. It’s very student-friendly. It helps them get to the root of learning. I’m excited to see the growth and development of the students.”

What is your first impression of your students?

“They have so much to say, so that’s nice, and I’m excited to get to know them. A very diverse population.”