In this Issue:

Did you Know?

OCSD Spotlight

Superintendent Chambers shares his Memories from the 2021-22 School Year

School Safety is our Top Priority

Air Force Association Announces 2022 Teachers of the Year

Human Resources

May Milestones

The following employees are enjoying a milestone this month based on their continuous service date.  Congratulations and thank you for your loyal service and commitment to excellence!

5 years of continuous service:

• Ms. Childers, Transportation-North
• Mr. Walker, Transportation- North
• Mr. Walton, Transportation- South

10 years of continuous service:

• Mr. Harris, Maintenance Central/South
• Ms. Ward, Transportation-North

15 years of continuous service:

• Ms. O'Malley, Accounting

20 years of continuous service:

• Mr. Bracewell, Custodial Services
• Ms. Sorlie, Eglin Elementary

25 years of continuous service:

• Mr. Glover, Maintenance Central/South

June Milestones

5 years of continuous service:

• Ms. Scaife, Choctawhatchee High

20 years of continuous service:

• Ms. Cook, Bruner Middle School
• Mr. Macdonald, Accounting & Financial Report
• Ms. Meserve, Information Systems

25 years of continuous service:

• Mr. Myers, Facilities Plan & Maintenance Support

Mental Health Minute

Congratulations to our Newly Appointed Administrators!

Risk Management

Delta Dental

Important: United Healthcare

Online Training: Vector Solutions

Professional Services

We are proud to announce the Okaloosa County School District has been approved to offer coursework to our Temporary Certificate teachers through the DOE’s Professional Development Certification Program (PDCP). If your temporary certificate expires on June 30, 2024, or later, you may be interested in this certification program.

The Professional Development Certification Program (PDCP) allows participants to forgo college courses and the Professional Education Exam and complete the Statement of Eligibility requirements through professional development coursework. The OCSD-approved program will use professional development coursework provided through Beacon Educator. 

Participants will be working in cohorts, with the option of meeting face-to-face once a month to complete the online professional development courses. Depending on individual requirements, the program can be completed in 12-24 months. 

The total cost, regardless of requirements, is $1320 and can be paid in three installments of $440 or through a payroll deduction option of $110 for twelve months. 

If you or someone you know is interested in teaching with a temporary certificate, please contact Professionalservices@okaloosaschools.com for a consultation.

Retirement

Florida Retirement System Beneficiary

Is your Florida Retirement System beneficiary up-to-date?

You can verify or change your beneficiary information using your FRS Online account.

First-Time Users

If you are setting up your FRS Online account for the first time, click on either the 'Register Here' button or the 'Create Account' link to get started. You will be asked a series of questions to identify yourself securely and set up your FRS Online account. Follow each prompt to complete the process.

Returning Users

If you have already set up your FRS Online but cannot remember your username or password, click the "Forgot Login" link to recover your account information. You will be asked a series of questions to securely identify yourself, retrieve your FRS Online username, and reset your password. Follow each prompt to complete the process.

• Consider using your personal email address to receive information about your FRS Pension benefit if you change jobs or retire.
• Log in periodically to view your contact information and ensure it is up to date.
• Keep your username and password credentials secure.

Questions? If you have any questions about your FRS Pension Plan benefit or using FRS Online, please call toll-free at 844-377-1888 or 850-907-6500.

Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan

Your Retirement account information is available online at frs.fl.gov

Frequently Asked Pension Plan Questions

Why should I sign up for an FRS Online account?

FRS Online is a tool all members can use, whether active, renewed, terminated, or retired. In addition to creating and viewing estimates, non-retired members can view a history summary, update their beneficiary designations, view the current Member Annual Statement, apply for a refund of contributions, and elect to receive information from the division directly to their online account. Retired members can view their account information, print a pension income verification letter, adjust federal withholding taxes, authorize or change direct deposit information, and change their mailing address.

How can I get an estimate of my retirement benefits? 

You may log in to your secure FRS Online account to view estimates previously delivered electronically or generate new estimates for future dates. All estimates viewed online may be printed or downloaded. If you are within six months of retirement, you may contact the Division of Retirement for an account audit and a division-verified estimate.

What do I need to do to retire?

The Service Retirement Application Packet is available from the Division of Retirement's website. Select the link to the "Active Member's" page, then click on the "Active Member Forms" link. You may also obtain this application from your agency if you are currently employed.

What is DROP?

The Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) is an elective program available for members of the FRS Pension Plan, Teachers' Retirement System, and the State and County Officers and Employees' Retirement System who are eligible for normal retirement. Under this program, a member effectively retires and continues covered employment for a designated period of time. While in DROP, the member's deferred monthly retirement benefits accumulate earning interest. DROP participants initially enrolled in the FRS prior to July 1, 2011, will also receive cost-of-living adjustments. When the DROP period is over, the participant is required to terminate employment with all FRS employers, under any capacity, to begin receiving the predetermined monthly retirement benefit and the DROP accumulation.

When am I eligible for DROP?

Your window to enter DROP begins when you initially reach normal retirement. For more detailed information, please see the DROP guide located on the division's website under the "Publications" page, then choose "Retirement Guides."

Where can I get additional detailed information?

On the Division of Retirement's website, choose the link to the "Publications" page, where you can view various pension plan publications. Important guides and articles you should read before considering retirement include, but are not limited to: the Member Handbook, Ready. Set. Retire., and DROP.

For additional resources, select the link to the "Active Member's" page, then click on "Helpful Links and Resources for Active Members."

• Member Annual Statements (MAS): Members receive their MAS during their month of birth. The Division of Retirement emails active Pension Plan and Hybrid Plan participants when their MAS is available from their FRS Online account. If you have an active FRS Online account, you can access your MAS at any time throughout the year once available.

Curriculum and Instruction

Supporting Students with Reading Difficulties

Meet Dr. Cheryl R. Seals, Curriculum Specialist

The Okaloosa County School District is committed to maximizing the academic potential of every child. Dr. Cheryl Seals’ number one goal is to work collaboratively with parents, educators, students, and the community in a united effort to assist in helping every student succeed academically.

In her capacity, Dr. Seals will work closely with school and district personnel in developing innovative ways of helping all students to achieve educational excellence. Through this united effort, the goal is for every student to achieve academic excellence in order to be college and/or career ready. Dr. Seals stresses the importance of helping to continue to create a school culture that cultivates grace, empathy, love, and compassion into the students’ learning experiences on their pathway to achieving high academic standards.

To help every student succeed academically, Dr. Seals is committed to high levels of student achievement for all of our students. Students will be able to increase their proficiency by being afforded the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through rigorous and relevant learning opportunities. Several educational initiatives will occur in an effort to increase academic achievement for students. These initiatives will strengthen the academic portion of students’ school experience and assist in efforts to help close the achievement gap. Some of the initiatives that Dr. Seals will focus on will include:

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Services for Students

Research shows children who participate in high-quality VPK programs:

• • Perform better on standardized tests
• • Have better school attendance rates
• • Develop lifelong social and emotional skills
• • Are less likely to drop out of school

School-Based Mentoring

Mentoring can have a substantial positive impact on student achievement. Benefits of mentoring students include:

• Increased high school graduation rates
• A positive attitude about school
• Higher college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations
• Enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence
• Improved behavior -both at home and at school
• Stronger relationships with parents, teachers, and peers
• Improved interpersonal skills

Increased Parental Involvement

Parental involvement and academic achievement are directly proportional to each other. It has a positive impact on the academic and overall achievement levels of students. Benefits of parental involvement for students Include:

• • Increased academic achievement
• • Better school attendance
• • Encourages students to be more involved in school activities
• • Positive behavior
• • Higher graduation rates

2022-2023 School Calendar

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