Summer 2026 Newsletter

Hello Odyssey Families,

I hope you’ve been enjoying a wonderful summer with your children and have had time to relax, recharge, and spend meaningful time together. We are excited to welcome our teachers back on July 30th and our Odyssey Titans on August 10th! As we approach the start of the 2026–2027 school year, I am truly grateful that your family is part of the Odyssey community. I look forward to seeing our students return in August, ready for another great year of learning and growth.

We recently received our school grade from the State of Florida, and Odyssey was rated an “A” school for the 2025-2026 school year! This accomplishment was a total team effort from our Titan community. We want to thank everyone for their help and support in helping our Titan Scholars last year. Now as we look ahead, we want to keep pushing our Titan Scholars forward.

This year, we will continue to have a focus on acceleration programs to help ensure each child is ready for their future. With Career and Technical Education courses (CTE) such as Naval ROTC, Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) courses, Business and Entrepreneurship pathway, Digital Art Design, and Engineering, students have the opportunity to leave Odyssey with Industry Certifications in their desired fields. In CTE courses like our engineering program, students have the opportunity to prepare for future high school and college engineering pathways, earn industry-recognized certifications, and gain valuable technical skills that are highly sought after in today’s workforce. The program also supports college and career readiness by exposing students to advanced coursework, engineering concepts, and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Also, this year, we are also increasing our Advanced Placement (AP) program, helping our Titan Scholars to capture their AP Capstone diploma by graduation. Along with CTE and AP opportunities, we are nearing 100 students participating in Dual Enrollment! Meaning, more Titan Scholars have the opportunity to leave high school with both their High School diploma and their Associates Degree, making them Double Titans! With these opportunities, our dedicated educators and staff remain committed to guiding every student toward a path that supports their individual goals and success.

We are also thrilled to introduce the new THRIVE elective for all 6th grade students. Inspired by Ms. Constance’s vision, this course is designed to support our newest Titans as they transition from elementary into middle school. Transitioning from elementary can be difficult and in the new THRIVE elective, students will develop important skills and knowledge that promote your child’s academic success and also support their physical, emotional, and overall well-being.

Featuring

• Customized curriculum for a successful middle school transition
• Dedicated teacher mentor supporting students throughout the year
• Year-long elective paired with Fitness for Life PE

Focus Areas

• Executive functioning & study skills
• Social-emotional growth
• Brain health
• Functional nutrition
• Goal setting & academic accountability
• Learning-style awareness & student engagement
• Parent engagement

Another exciting initiative this year is our focus on novel studies in ELA classes. While technology will continue to play an important role in the classroom, we are making it a priority to put more books into the hands of our students and foster a love of reading throughout the school year. As part of our novel studies this year, students will be participating in reading novels including the following:

• Romeo and Juliet
• Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Hoot
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
• Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

We truly value our partnership with you and encourage your continued engagement as we work together to support your child’s success. I look forward to seeing many of you at our Final Summer Registrations on July 23rd and 24th

If you need to contact me, please feel free to reach out via email at davism@odysseycharterschool.com or by phone at 321-243-0494.

Together, I know we will make this a joyful and successful year for all of our Titan Scholars!

Warm Regards,

Michael Davis, M. Ed.
Principal

Congratulation to all of our Titan Scholars, teachers, staff, and families for their amazing support last year. Our Titan community worked diligently and put a lot of time in. All of your commitment to our Titan Scholars education and overall performances paid off!! Below are some of our highlights:

• 7th Grade Civics and 10th Grade U.S History students scored an overall 83% proficiency.
• 8th Grade Science and Biology students earned a 75% proficiency.
• 72% of AP students earned a passing score on their AP exams.
• 98% of seniors graduated. Well above the state and district averages.
• Our school earned close to a 70% high school acceleration rate
• Band, Orchestra, Keyboarding, and Chorus received the Music Education Enrollment Award based on our large percentage of overall students participating in music programs.
• Varsity Soccer brought home our first ever State Championship

Keep your mind engaged this summer! All students should select one book from the Summer Reading List for their 2026–2027 grade level.

Students will complete a Summer Reading Quiz during the first ELA reporting period (August 10–September 11, 2026). The quiz score may be used to replace one quiz grade.

A limited number of summer reading novels are available for students to borrow from the Odyssey Jr./Sr. front office on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional options for obtaining books include accessing digital copies through Learning Ally, borrowing print or digital copies from the Brevard County Library, or purchasing books from a vendor such as Barnes & Noble. Please refer to the Summer Reading List for complete details.

Summer Reading List

Just a quick and happy reminder that our school participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This means breakfast and lunch are completely free for every student, every school day!

There are no forms to fill out, no money needed, and no worries. Your child can simply head to the cafeteria and enjoy a yummy, healthy, made-from-scratch meal to help fuel their bodies and their brains. Á la carte is available to any students who have funds available in their accounts. Prices range from $.50 to $2.50.

New this year, we will have a Hot breakfast cart available for our students right near the gym area every morning to help support with giving your child the opportunity enjoy breakfast as soon as they get on campus.

We love seeing smiling faces at breakfast and lunch—it truly makes a difference in our students’ day!

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office or stop by and chat with us anytime.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school family! Any questions, please contact Cindy Chapman, Food Service Director at chapmanc@odysseycharterschool.com.

Beginning this year, as our high school students have requested, OCS Board of Directors, has approved for our high school students to be able to have a new uniform option. Beginning this year, our students in grades 9-12 will be able to wear a new grey polo.

All Uniform Wear will have dark grey polos with the Odyssey logo for our high school students to wear. This color will only be allowed for our students in grades 9-12. Our regular blue polos will still be the color for Middle school. For next year only, high school students will have a choice between blue or dark grey polos to wear. After next year the high school students will transition to only the dark grey for grades 9-12.

Additionally, students are required to wear full-length solid black- or khaki-colored pants, including jeans, capris, joggers, sweatpants, or leggings. Shorts, skirts or skorts must also be solid black or khaki, with a length of at least mid-thigh. Pants may not be rolled, altered, or worn in a manner inconsistent with the intended fit.

All clothing must fit appropriately. Pants, jeans, capris, joggers, sweatpants, leggings, shorts, skirts, or skorts that are excessively tight or overly loose, as determined by Administration, are not permitted and will be considered a violation of the dress code.

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. https://odysseyschools.com/policies/7021-Cell-Phone-Policy.pdf

At Odyssey, students use school provided laptops for a variety of classes and for many reasons including research, assessments, and class projects. During the course of the year, it is the student’s responsibility to take care of the laptops assigned to them. As part of our process to ensure that our technology is accessible and working for all students, we have implemented a Technology Accountability Plan for our Titans. Please see below for information regarding student and parent responsibilities for damaged laptop use.

At Odyssey our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and school community. Odyssey Charter School Jr/Sr High uses metal detectors at the bus loop and main entry of the school.

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.

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 23, and Friday, July 24th, we will be hosting an onsite re-enrollment & 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 26-27 School Year

6th - 12th grade - $20, includes:

• $7 Copy Paper, Science or other Laboratory Fees
• $10 Technology
• $3 Student ID, pouch, & lanyard (includes 1 replacement)

*Additional fees will be included in course syllabi in grades 6-12, as needed

FOR ALL NEW students to Brevard County, the following documents must be provided in order to successfully complete the registration process for the 2026-2027 school year, which begins August 10, 2026:

• Birth Certificate
• Physical- School Physicals MUST be dated within one year of the first day of the next school year – August 10, 2026.
• Current Immunization records
• If applicable:
  • Legal Guardianship/Custody documents (if applicable)
  • Current copy of IEP, EP or 504 (if applicable)

Each school year brings new faces and new opportunities, and we are excited to welcome several new teachers and staff members to the Odyssey family. Their enthusiasm, experience, and dedication will help strengthen our school community and support the success of our Titan Scholars.

We look forward to another outstanding year of learning, growth, and achievement together.

Please take a moment to review our Parent/Student Handbook, it is full of important information for you and your student and is available on our website at https://odysseyschools.com/pdf/Parent-Student-Handbook.pdf

(Florida House Bill 529 https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/529

This bill requires a moment of silence to be set aside for public school students during each school day. We will set aside 1-2 minutes daily for a moment of silence during morning announcement following The Pledge of Allegiance. The bill does not allow teachers to make suggestions about the nature of a student’s reflection during these moments. Parent should discuss the moment of silence with their children and make suggestions to their children about how they should use this time. Students may not interfere with each other’s participation in the moment of silence.

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 2026-2027 school year:

1) Student Identification badge (ID badges) - Each Odyssey student will receive one ID badge at the start of the school year. ** For Jr/Sr High students need either have their badge on them or be able to access their Student ID on the Focus app as they are coming on to the bus. This is to support student safety 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 www.ezrouting.com/odysseyfl. To ensure we can get all students routed, ensure you have registered by the 08/01/2026.

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
321-345-4117 option 3 321-338-5187 cell

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. If you are interested in joining this very important organization, please contact Barbara Diaz at diazb@odysseycharterschool.com .

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: 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.

We 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 Yoshanda Burns at burnsy@odysseycharterschool.com.