Spring 2026 Newsletter

Spring is here, and that means it’s time for one of our favorite family traditions — our Annual OPA 5K on April 18th! This exciting event brings together students, families, and staff for a morning of fitness, fun, and community spirit.

We invite all parents to participate — whether you walk, run, cheer, or volunteer. Events like our 5K are only possible because of the incredible support of our OPA families. Volunteering is a wonderful way to earn service hours while helping create a memorable experience for our Olympians.

There are many ways to get involved:

• Course monitors
• Registration and check-in
• Water stations
• Set-up and clean-up
• Cheer squad support

📢 Registration information will be posted on our Facebook page and sent to families via Focus email in the coming weeks, so be sure to watch for details on how to sign up and participate.

If you would like to volunteer for this fun family event, please contact Jose Padilla @ odysseyprepacademy.com for more information.

Let’s come together to celebrate health, community, and the strong partnership that makes OPA such a special place. We hope to see you at the starting line on April 18th! 🎉

As we finish up this school year, we would like your input on events for next year that OPA families think would be beneficial to helping support your Olympians. Any ideas or suggestions, please email Mr. Haddan at Haddanj@odysseyprepacademy.com.

Don’t forget that our PFEP (Parent and Family Engagement plan) and School Improvement Plan are on our website and you can view anytime.

As we enter the final months of the school year, students can feel both excitement and fatigue. A powerful Positive Discipline strategy to help them finish strong is “Connect First, Then Correct.” We truly appreciate your support at home.

Before addressing behavior, missing assignments, or slipping motivation, take a moment to connect with your child emotionally. When children feel understood, they are more open to guidance and problem-solving.

💬 Step 1: Connect

“I can tell you’re tired of homework lately. That makes sense — it’s been a long year.”
“It seems like staying focused has been harder this week.”

Connection reduces defensiveness and builds trust.

🧠 Step 2: Collaborate

Shift from control to coaching by inviting your child into the solution:

“What’s your plan to finish your assignments on time?”
“What might help you stay organized these last few weeks?”
“How can I support you?”

This builds responsibility, confidence, and executive functioning skills.

🎯 Step 3: Encourage Effort, Not Just Results

Focus on progress and persistence:

“I noticed you started your homework without being reminded.”
“You kept trying even when that math problem was tough.”

Encouragement builds intrinsic motivation — especially important as routines get harder to maintain near the end of the year.

✨ Why This Works

Positive Discipline teaches children to think, problem-solve, and take ownership rather than simply comply. As the school year winds down, maintaining calm consistency and collaborative expectations helps students cross the finish line feeling capable and proud.

Small moments of connection now create strong habits that carry into summer and the next school year.

Family support of each child’s education is critical to student success. Research shows that when parents are more involved, students do better! We are happy to share that elementary students (and parents) will have digital access to Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), Savvas EasyBridge (enVision®), i-Ready, Studies Weekly, Study Island, Discovery Science, and Renzulli online programs to support instruction in the Florida Benchmarks through their single sign on through the Odyssey ClassLink Launchpad at https://login.classlink.com/my/odysseyprepfl.

Their username is their 7-digit student ID number (i.e. 1234567) and their password includes their birth date (i.e. OdyMMDDYY).

• CKLA is our core Language Arts program that is rich in literature, history, geography and science. Your child has access to the CKLA content via the Launchpad and can read (or re-read) stories at home that they have learned at school.
• Our math curriculum is enVision® Florida B.E.S.T. Mathematics. The curriculum is designed to help children gain a deeper understanding of mathematics through problem-based teaching and learning. Lessons are designed for students to explore each topic with hands-on materials, then two-dimensional pictures, and finish by connecting their thinking to symbols, numbers, and procedures.
• i-Ready provides individualized online instruction that targets each student’s specific needs in both reading and math. Students take a diagnostic at the beginning of the school year to set their learning path and they work their path all year to fill in any gaps in learning or to advance themselves beyond their current level. Students are encouraged to utilize i-Ready for 45 minutes per week in each subject to progress toward their expected annual growth.
• Studies Weekly is a newspaper-based and online program supporting Social Studies instruction.
• The McGraw Hill science curriculum offers engaging videos, articles, and hands-on activities that reinforce key science concepts and support the instruction taking place in the classroom.
• Renzulli is an online program that all students have access to. Students take an interest inventory upon first using Renzulli, then engage in self-directed learning specifically matched to their individual profile. Renzulli places a strong emphasis on problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking skills to help ensure learners are developing thinking and reasoning skills that will prepare them for college and careers.

As we welcome the energy and growth of spring, we’re reminded that learning flourishes best when school and home work together. Our Parents as Partners approach reflects a simple but powerful belief: when families actively participate in their child’s education, students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Research from organizations like National PTA consistently shows that students with engaged families earn higher grades, have better attendance, and develop stronger confidence and motivation. Your involvement — whether it’s attending school events, volunteering, communicating with teachers, or supporting learning at home — sends a clear message to your child that education matters.

Partnership doesn’t require perfection or extra hours in your day. It can be as simple as:

• Asking about your child’s day and listening with curiosity
• Reviewing assignments together
• Attending conferences and family events
• Sharing feedback and ideas with our school community

This spring, we invite you to continue growing alongside us. Your voice, your time, and your encouragement make a lasting difference. Together, as partners, we cultivate not only academic success but a community where every child feels supported and inspired to bloom. 🌼

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

1. Click the Parents & 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: Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (No appointment necessary).

If you are planning to chaperone any field trip please complete this process as soon as possible so it is completed before any field trips might occur.

Looking for a meaningful and easy way to complete your volunteer hours? Our Read Aloud Program is a wonderful opportunity to support your child academically, socially, and emotionally — all while spending quality time together.

The landmark 1983 report Becoming a Nation of Readers from the United States Department of Education found that "the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children." In other words, just 15 minutes a day can make a lifelong difference.

To participate:

• Spend at least 15 minutes reading aloud to your child.
• Choose literature that is approximately two grade levels above your child’s independent reading level.
• Record your time to earn volunteer hours while investing in your child’s growth.

Reading aloud strengthens vocabulary, comprehension, listening skills, and imagination. It also builds connection and confidence — benefits that extend far beyond the classroom.

For additional insight into the power of reading aloud, visit the website of Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook. You can also find program details on our school website. Parents are welcome to check out books from our Media Center to use for their Read Aloud sessions.

If you have questions or need guidance, please contact Carol Hedrick at hedrickc@odysseyprepacademy.com.

✨ This is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to earn your volunteer hours — and one your child will remember for years to come. Let’s fill this spring with stories, connection, and a love of reading!

Reading at home each day is one of the most powerful ways to help your child become a stronger, more confident reader. Just 20 minutes a day can significantly improve vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and overall academic success.

This year, we are tracking the total number of minutes our school reads each month — and every single minute counts! Your child’s daily reading and completed reading log help contribute to our schoolwide goal and celebrate our collective commitment to literacy.

Here’s how you can help:

• ✅ Encourage your child to read every day (including weekends!)
• ✅ Listen to your child read or read together
• ✅ Initial and return the completed reading log on time
• ✅ Celebrate milestones and progress

Consistent reading practice builds stamina, strengthens skills, and fosters a lifelong love of books. Most importantly, it sends a powerful message that reading matters — at school and at home.

Let’s work together to increase our monthly reading minutes and help every Olympian grow into a stronger reader! 🌟

As we begin planning for summer, we want to emphasize the importance of students completing their required summer reading. Consistent reading over the summer helps prevent the "summer slide" and ensures students return to school confident, prepared, and ready to learn.

We are excited to share that new books have been selected for this year’s summer reading program! These engaging titles are designed to inspire thoughtful discussion, strengthen comprehension skills, and encourage a continued love of reading.

📖 Important Details:

• Information about this year’s selected books
• Summer reading activities and expectations
• Instructions on how to obtain the books

All of this will be sent to families in May, so please be on the lookout for those details.

We encourage families to build reading into their summer routine — whether it’s reading together before bedtime, visiting the library, or setting aside daily quiet reading time. A little consistency goes a long way in supporting academic growth.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our Olympians reading all summer long! 🌟

Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve our school community and make a daily difference in the lives of our Olympians? We are always seeking positive, reliable, and motivated parents and community members to join the OPA family as substitute teachers.

Substitutes play an essential role in maintaining consistency, encouragement, and academic momentum when teachers are away. Your presence helps ensure our students stay focused on their scholastic goals while feeling supported and inspired.

✨ Why become a substitute?

• Make a direct impact on student success
• Stay connected to your child’s school community
• Enjoy a flexible and rewarding opportunity
• Receive training and support — no prior experience required

If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Brooke Councell at councellb@odysseyprepacademy.com for more information.

Step into the classroom. Support our students. Strengthen our community. We would love to welcome you to the OPA team!

Our elementary students have access to several valuable online programs that support instruction aligned to the Florida State Standards. These resources are designed to strengthen skills, personalize learning, and build confidence throughout the school year.

Students may access:

• iReady – Provides individualized online instruction in reading and math tailored to each student’s specific needs.
  Students are encouraged to complete 45 minutes per week in reading and 45 minutes per week in math to stay on track for their expected annual growth.
• Reflex Math – An engaging online program that builds math fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division through targeted practice.
• Study Island / Discovery Science – Reinforces standards-based instruction and supports mastery of key academic concepts.

Florida STAR and F.A.S.T. testing will take place in April and May for students in grades K–5. Consistent work on each student’s iReady learning path helps build the foundational skills necessary for proficiency and long-term success.

🌟 Strategies for Testing Success

You can support your child by helping them:

• 💤 Get a good night’s rest
• 🍳 Eat a healthy, protein-rich breakfast
• 😊 Start the day with calm, positive encouragement

Your words and demeanor the morning of testing can make a significant difference in helping students feel confident and prepared.

Families may also find helpful resources, practice tests, and additional information through the Florida Statewide Assessment Portal at https://flfast.org/index.html.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure our students are prepared, confident, and ready to show what they know!

If you need support with any of the programs, contact your child’s teacher or our instructional coaches, Ms. Trisha Jack @ jackt@odysseyprepacademy.com or Ms. Tia Whiteman @ whitemant@odysseyprepacacemy.com. We are here to support you and your child.