Summer Newsletter

For the 2025–26 school year, we’re excited to kick off a friendly competition between Odyssey Preparatory Academy, Odyssey Jr/Sr High, and Odyssey Elementary to see which campus will have the highest percentage of parents completing their expected volunteer hours by the end of the year!

           

New This Year: Earn Hours by Reading Newsletters!

Staying informed just got more rewarding! You can now earn 30 minutes of volunteer credit simply by reading our newsletters, including updates from the Classroom, School, Wellness, and Green Apple.

How it Works:

• Look for the Parent Volunteer QR code at the end of each newsletter.
• Scan the code or click the link to complete a quick survey.
• Once submitted, your name will be logged, and 30 minutes will be added to your family’s volunteer hours by the front office staff.

Volunteer Hour Requirements:

• 18 hours for families with one student
• 25 hours for families with multiple students

More Ways to Get Involved:

• Classroom Parent: Assist teachers with classroom needs
• Field Trip Volunteer: Help supervise off-campus learning adventures
• Annual 5k
• Read Aloud Club: Share your love of reading with your child
• Sponsor a Club: Share your talent with our students
• Attend Parent Educational Nights and/or Meetings: It takes a village – let’s support our schools and make them the best they can be!
• Guest Speakers and Mentors: Present career talks, lead workshops, or mentor students

Why Your Involvement Matters:

Research shows that when parents are engaged in school life, students thrive—with improved grades, attendance, behavior, and social skills. Your time and effort directly support your child’s success!

Ready to Start Earning Hours?

Click the link below to start logging your volunteer hours today:

Log Volunteer Hours

Let’s see which campus will come out on top—Prep, Jr/Sr High, or Elementary. The race is on, and every minute counts!

At Odyssey our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and school community. To further enhance our safety measures, Odyssey Charter School will implement the use of metal detectors at the bus loop and main entry of the school, effective August 11, 2025, when our Odyssey Titans return. This decision was made in collaboration with our School Leadership Team and aligns with our ongoing commitment to maintaining a secure learning environment.

The metal detectors will be used daily to screen students upon arrival, ensuring a safe and focused atmosphere for learning. We ask for your support in preparing your child for this process by encouraging them to arrive promptly and avoid bringing prohibited items to school. Our staff will be trained to operate the metal detectors efficiently, minimizing disruptions while prioritizing student dignity and respect. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Guevara at 321-345-4117 or guevaram@odysseycharterschool.com.

We will continue early release days on Fridays throughout the school year following the same schedule as Brevard Public School’s schedule. We dismiss at 2:45pm on Fridays.

REQUIRED FOR ALL ODYSSEY FAMILIES
Annual Re-enrollment will open in July and will need to be completed in your FOCUS Parent Portal before Final Registration. It will be available in your FOCUS portal under the child’s tab. With completion of the Annual Re-enrollment process, it will shorten and make the process more user-friendly. Should you need any assistance with this process, please do not hesitate to contact our Registrar, Amanda Nemeth at 321-345-4117. Ext 1138

On Thursday, July 24, and Friday, July 25th, we will be hosting an onsite Re-enrollment and final registration event for all returning and new students.

Please be prepared to complete the following for your student(s):

• Re-enrollment for each student (Can complete step in advance on Focus)
• Income Verification Form
• Questions Regarding Bus Assignment
• Health Card
• Uniform policy, school conduct, cell phone, technology, and bus behavior agreements
• OCS Jr/Sr High Student Fees 25-26 School Year (bring a check or Money Order made out to Odyssey Charter School and write Student Fees in the memo line) Student fees are $20 per student for Grades 6 through 12 and include: $5 Science and Laboratory Fee, $10 Technology, and $5 Student ID and lanyard

FOR ALL NEW students to Brevard County, the following documents must be provided in order to successfully complete the registration process for the 2025-2026 school year, which begins August 11, 2025:

• Birth Certificate
• Physical- School Physicals MUST be dated within one year of the first day of the next school year – August 11, 2025.
• Current Immunization records
• Legal Guardianship/Custody documents and Current copy of IEP, EP or 504 (If applicable)

Students have an opportunity to dress out of uniform on the last Friday of each month. Reminder, please ensure that your student follows the Brevard Public Schools dress code for out of uniform days. This year, our Dress Out of Uniform Days will be on the following dates: August 29, September 26, October 31, November 21, December 19, January 30, February 27, March 20, April 24, May 22

Led by our visionary founder, Ms. Constance Ortiz, Odyssey Charter School, Inc. is excited to share our growing vision for establishing a National Model for Healthy Schools. Through our Strategic Plan, we continue to implement key initiatives that prioritize the health, well-being, and success of our students, staff, and community, advancing our holistic education mission.

1. Healthy School Campus

Odyssey remains committed to creating enriched environments that promote sustainability and natural health. Alongside The Farm at Odyssey on our Jr/Sr High School campus and gardens at Odyssey Preparatory Academy and Odyssey Charter Elementary, we are proud to announce new greenhouses across campuses. These spaces allow students to cultivate vegetables year-round, supporting hands-on STEAM learning and providing fresh produce for our Healthy cafés.

2. Healthy School Lunch Program: From Garden to Plate

Our Healthy café staff has made impactful changes this year to our school meals by eliminating harmful glyphosates and seed oils. Our breakfasts and lunches continue to feature fresh, nutrient-rich meals sourced from our gardens and farm when possible. Nutrition education is also infused into gardening courses, teaching students how what they eat directly influences their health and well-being.

3. Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being

Supporting mental and emotional health is a cornerstone of Odyssey’s holistic mission. Alongside the continued implementation of Positive Discipline in the Classroom by Jane Nelsen, we have introduced the Resiliency Florida initiative, which provides monthly guides to help students build grit, perseverance, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills. Additional training for teachers will take place this summer to further strengthen these programs. Parents can visit https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/ just-read-fl/parents.stml for more details.

4. Physical Fitness: Fitness for Life

Odyssey is embarking on a transformative journey to redefine Physical Education (PE) as Fitness for Life to encourage lifelong health and wellness in our students. Inspired by SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, PE teachers are completing professional development to transition their roles into Personal Trainers and Wellness Coaches. This summer, new PE curricula will be mapped out to align to the Fitness for Life goals, making sure to continue programs like the Annual 5K Run, Presidential Youth Fitness Program, and American Heart Month.

Through these Strategic Plan goals, Odyssey Charter School, Inc. is creating a vibrant, sustainable community that promotes the growth and success of every student. Stay tuned for updates as we set new standards for health and wellness in education!

A huge congratulation and thank you to our teachers, staff, and families for their support last school year. Our teachers and staff worked diligently to provide your child with a strong educational foundation and academic rigor. Your commitment to your Titan Scholars education combined with your child’s efforts every single day paid off! Below are some of our highlights!

• Congratulations to our amazing Commercial Art teacher and students who earned our largest amount ever of Adobe certifications this past year!
• Civics and U.S. History students earned 75% proficiency in 7th and 10th grade.
• 7th grade math students earned 70% proficiency and over 70% learning gains
• Biology and 8th grade science students earned near 70% proficiency.
• 6th and 10th grade ELA students earned 70% proficiency

Odyssey Charter School Inc. Board of Directors recognizes the importance of communication and collaboration and provides several types of device access at the school for students to be productive in their learning. The Board also recognizes the importance of students communicating with parents/guardians in an emergency and provides access to school phones in each classroom and phones in the school clinic and administrative offices.

Pursuant to the Technology in K-12 Public Schools law (CS/HB 379), which took effect on July 1, 2023, section 1006.07(2)(f), Florida Statutes, now provides that "a student may not use a wireless communications device during instructional time, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes. A teacher shall designate an area for wireless communications devices during instructional time.” *Wireless communication devices include but are not limited to, cell phones and/or auxiliary/ancillary devices such as watches and ear buds.

To keep the focus on academics and to reduce unnecessary distractions, the school enforces the following regarding personal cell phone use on school campus:

• Cell phones and all mobile devices shall be TURNED OFF when entering school campus.
• Cell phones and all mobile devices shall be kept in a student’s backpack – not in clothing pockets.
• Cell phones and all mobile devices are not allowed to be used in a classroom, library, common areas, or restrooms.
• Cell phones and all mobile devices are not allowed to be used during transition times or between classes.
• Cell phones and all mobile devices can be turned back on at the end of school day, after the last bell, and used to communicate directly with parents/friends who are assisting in transportation.
• If a student needs to make an emergency call during the day, they are to ask a teacher permission, get a pass, and come up to the administrative offices.

The Odyssey Cell Phone Policy link is HERE.

All Odyssey students are required to wear a school uniform. Our uniforms can be purchased from our uniform provider: All Uniform Wear (Address: 4335 W New Haven Ave, West Melbourne, FL 32904). (Note: Please be certain you select Odyssey Charter School uniforms.). You can find our uniform policy on our website HERE. The expectation is that students will be in dress code beginning on day one.

* Students participating in PE must wear appropriate athletic footwear.

** Student will not be allowed to wear sweatshirts, hoodies, or jackets that are not in dress code.

** Students will must wear appropriately sized pants, shorts, or skirts.

·All students are required to wear full-length solid-colored pants, shorts, skirts or skorts. Inappropriately rolling or altering the pants in any way is in direct violation of the dress code. Shorts, skirts and skorts length must be at least mid-thigh.

·Pants, shorts, skirts and skorts that are too big or too tight, as determined by Administration, are not acceptable and will be deemed in violation of the uniform code. Joggers are allowed. Jeans, stretch pants, and athletic wear are not allowed. Students may wear solid-color leggings under uniform shorts or skorts, but leggings worn alone as pants are not permitted.

·Students must wear an approved t-shirt, collared polo shirt, or dress shirt. Student shirts must be a solid color and in accordance with the individual schools’ uniform guide below. All shirts must bear the school logo.

·Any attire, including backpacks, displaying gang related paraphernalia or symbols, profanity or any inappropriate logos or displays are strictly prohibited.

·All headgear (hats, scarves, bandanas etc.) are prohibited on school property.

·Shoes must be closed or be strapped in the back. Flip-flops, slippers, or high heel shoes are prohibited.

· If a student chooses or needs to wear a jacket or sweatshirt due to cold weather, it must be a solid color of blue, black, or grey and in accordance with the individual schools’ uniform guide HERE.

We believe that fresh, seasonal, local, sustainably grown foods are a primary and recommended source of nutrition for growing, high-achieving children and we offer these FREE daily in our healthy café at breakfast and lunch times. YES, WE SAID FREE. This year, Odyssey Charter School Jr/Sr students all qualify for free breakfast and lunch. So please help your child take advantage of our great food. We believe it enhances our students’ academic and behavioral development. You can find our wellness policy and menus on our website HERE.

Odyssey Charter Schools provide bus transportation to students who live between two and four miles from the school. Students living more than 4 miles will be assigned a pick up and drop off location as per established bus routes, space permitting.

Each student is allowed one designated bus stop. Changes to assigned routes or bus transportation needs will not be permitted until a parent/guardian with proper ID completes a change of address form with the front office and then email greerr@odysseycharterschool.com. Please allow 72 hours for all changes. At the start of the school year, it may take longer.

Here is a snapshot of the enhanced Transportation Services for the 2025-2026 school year:

1) Student Identification badge (ID badges) - Each Odyssey student will receive one ID badge at the start of the school year. Students are required to wear their ID badge at all times as part of their school uniform. This is to support student safety, issuing of school breakfasts/lunches, and bus transportation. The replacement cost for an ID badge is $5.

2) Online Student Transportation Registration (EZRouting) – EZRouting is the online registration tool for families applying for bus transportation. Computers will be available for families to use during summer registration. We recommend that families register for transportation for the 2025-2026 school year in advance from home (on computer or on the phone using Google Chrome) at the following link HERE. To ensure we can get all students routed, ensure you have registered by the 08/01/2025.

3) Student Tracker System (Here Comes the Bus “HCTB”) - This system will give you a “real-time” notification when your student’s bus is within 100 yards of the bus stop. The system will send “real-time” notification to your phone or computer when your student scans his/her ID upon entering the bus. If you have not already signed your student up for HCTB, you will be able to prior to the start of school on August 11th. Our district code 29456.

Here are a few of our school bus expectations:

• We are kind to one another.

• Follow the bus driver’s directions.

• Speak in a conversational voice.

• Scan ID when board the bus.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Rosie Greer, Transportation Fleet Coordinator at: greerr@odysseycharterschool.com or call 321-345-4117 (option 3) or 321-338-5187 cell.

Please go to the Brevard County Schools web page: www.brevardschools.org

• 1) Click the Parents and Students heading.
• 2) Scroll down to Volunteer Information and click on the link
• 3) On the left of the screen, click on the Fingerprint link (The application is at the bottom of the page)
• 4) Complete the Application ($35 for the first year, $8 for renewals)
• 5) After completing the Application and payment, please visit: District and School Security - 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, FL 32940 Hours: Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (No appointment necessary)

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are planning to chaperone any field trip, please complete this process as soon as possible so you are cleared and badged before any field trips might occur. We are seeking parents who may have a special talent or skill to lead an afterschool club (for volunteer hours). At our summer registration, parents will have an opportunity to sign up to sponsor a club.

Parents as Partners (PasP) is a collaborative partnership between parents, teachers, and administrators. The team develops ideas and plans programs to help support student success. This year, we are planning to offer in-person and zoom meetings to build our membership, which tapered off with the pandemic. If you are interested in joining this very important organization, please contact Barbara Diaz at diazb@odysseycharterschool.com.

All Odyssey Charter School students are required to read the grade-specific novels(s). The book(s), reading list and accompanying assignment was provided to students in late spring and is also available on our website HERE. We updated our summer reading assignment to allow more student choice! Stop by the front office if you still need your book(s).

AWe are always looking for parents or community members to join our OCS family as substitute teachers. We need positive and driven individuals looking to make an impact in our students’ daily academic goals. Training is provided! Substitute teaching rates are as follows: HS Diploma ($100/day; $50/half day); Bachelor’s Degree ($120/day; $60/half day); Certified Teacher Substitute ($160/day; $80/half day). If you are interested in joining our team as a substitute, please contact Kim Engle at englek@odysseycharterschool.com.