Sarasota County Schools

The June edition of In Touch is here. ☀️

Inside this month's issue, you'll find graduation highlights from across SCS, summer learning resources, transportation updates, finalized school start times for 2026-2027, volunteer recognitions, student and staff spotlights, and more.

Plus, learn about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's visit to Emma E. Booker Elementary, celebrate our retirees, and explore a new kindergarten readiness resource for families.

https://bit.ly/June2026InTouch

SPECIAL SOCCER OFFER: SCS families, staff, and friends are invited to attend the Florida Series soccer game on June 6, where England will take on New Zealand at Raymond James Stadium. ⚽🏆

Tickets start at $50, and a portion of every ticket sold will support SCS.

To purchase, contact Haley Cameron at (813) 301-6813 or [email protected] before June 4!

Congratulations to Ethan Brattli, a senior at Suncoast Polytechnical High School, on being named a winner in the America250FL Essay Contest!!

Ethan's award-winning essay, “Andrew Jackson and the Influence of Federalism in Florida,” was selected as one of the top entries in the state. He was recognized at a special reception hosted by Governor Ron DeSantis at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee.

The America250FL Art and Essay Contest invited students to create original works based on the theme, “Celebrating Florida’s Contributions to America.” As a contest winner, Ethan received a college scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. 🎉

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Winners of America250FL Art & Essay Contest - Florida Department of State The Florida Department of State manages our state's elections, corporations, historical and cultural resources and our libraries.

Florida Future Chef is a statewide culinary competition that invites Florida students to showcase their creativity using nutritious ingredients grown right here in Florida, for a chance to compete at a live finale event and win up to $5,000 in a Florida Prepaid Savings Plan.

Students are challenged to design a school meal that brings together at least three of the five key components: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy or dairy alternatives. Along the way, they’ll build confidence, practice real-world skills, and explore how food connects to fuel for your body, agriculture, and creativity.

Entries are now open. All submissions must be completed online by Monday, July 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

Learn more and apply:

Florida Future Chef Competition Every year, we host our statewide Florida Future Chef competition, inviting young chefs from across Florida to showcase their culinary skills using fresh, Florida commodities. We want to see how you would elevate your school meals with a delicious and nutritious creation of your own.

We recently celebrated 186 retirees representing an incredible 3,613 combined years of service to our students, schools, and community. 💙 One retiree was recognized for an extraordinary 56 years of dedicated service!

From classrooms and cafeterias to buses, campuses, and district offices, these individuals helped shape generations of students and made a lasting impact across Sarasota County Schools.

Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and years of service. We wish all of our retirees happiness and success in this exciting new chapter. 🎉

ELEMENTARY REPORT CARDS for Quarter 4 are now available in the Focus Parent Portal. 📚

👉 scs.focusschoolsoftware.com

Families can view report cards through the SCS Portal app or by logging into Focus on a computer or mobile browser. If you need assistance accessing your child’s report card, please contact your child’s school.

Additional updates will be shared as report cards for other grade levels become available.

Welcome to the first day of summer. ☀️

While schools may be closed for summer break, free meals are still available for children throughout Sarasota County through community partnerships with All Faiths Food Bank. 🍎

Families can find Summer BreakSpot meal sites and food distribution locations by visiting:
https://allfaithsfoodbank.org/summer-food-sites/

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is hosting SCF Preview Day, giving prospective students and families an opportunity to explore campus, meet faculty, learn about student life, and get help completing the FAFSA.

📍 SCF Venice
📅 June 9
⏰ 10 a.m. – Noon

📍 SCF Bradenton
📅 June 10
⏰ 10 a.m. – Noon

No RSVP is required. Learn more at SCF.edu/Admissions.

IT’S THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!! 🥹