Summer Newsletter

REQUIRED FOR ALL ODYSSEY PREP FAMILIES
July 23 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) - OPA Summer Registration in the Café

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

• Income Verification Form
• Questions Regarding Bus Assignment
• Before and After School Care Registration
• Health Card
• All ‘Dress for Success’, school conduct, cell phone, technology, and bus behavior agreements
• Odyssey Preparatory Academy Student Fees 25-26 School Year: Student Fees for Kindergarten through 5th grade will be $15. Please bring a check to registration made out to Odyssey Preparatory Academy and include Student Fees in the tagline OR you can pay through our online payment portal at the school. Student Fees Include: $4 Copy Paper, Writing Journal / Folder; $2 Interactive Notebook OR Fine Black Expo Markers (K-2) ; $6 Technology; $3 Student ID, pouch, & lanyard (includes 1 replacement)

FOR ALL Kindergarten and 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)

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!

Our team would like to extend a huge thank you to our teachers, staff, and families for their support and encouragement last school year. Our teachers and staff worked diligently to provide your child with a strong educational foundation this past year and to make their learning meaningful. Your commitment to your child’s education and well-being, coupled with your child’s efforts every single day, helped your child achieve their best. Below are our end-of-year F.A.S.T. results for our campus:

We will continue early release days on Fridays throughout the school year which is consistent Brevard County School District’s schedule. Students will be dismissed at 1:45 p.m.

As a reminder, a great deal of time, effort and thought has gone into the process of student class assignments for the 2025-2026 school year, beginning with input from our teaching staff. Careful consideration was given to student placement and learning styles. Classrooms have been balanced academically and socially. Our class lists are structured to provide equitable class sizes at each grade level. Moving students is difficult without causing imbalances and inequities.

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 this webpage HERE 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!

We are thrilled to welcome our NEW Olympian staff members for the 202-202 school year!!

• Celeste Moralles – Front Desk Receptionist and Attendance Clerk
• Ms. Vanessa Rayford – Kindergarten
• Ms. Valencia Edgecombe – 3rd Grade
• Ms. Kathereena Singh – 4th Grade
• Ms. Jennifer Hugh – 5th Grade
• Ms. Brooke Ward – ESE/ESOL Coordinator
• Mr. Jose Padilla – Discipline Dean

Ms. Shelly Miedona, Principal
We are proud to highlight Ms. Shelly Miedona, the dedicated principal of Odyssey Preparatory Academy. With 28 years of experience in education, Ms. Miedona brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and heart to our school community. She holds certification in K–5 Elementary Education along with endorsements in Educational Leadership, Reading, ESOL, and School Principal—and is currently pursuing her Gifted endorsement. Beginning her fifth year at OPA, Ms. Miedona has made a lasting impact, most notably through the growth of our Gifted and Talented program, which has doubled in participation under her guidance. She is deeply committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative school culture. As one student perfectly put it, “Thank you for making OPA a home away from home.”

Mr. John Haddan, Assistant Principal
Odyssey Preparatory Academy proudly welcomes Mr. John Haddan as our new Assistant Principal. With nearly 30 years in public education and over a decade in school leadership, Mr. Haddan brings a wealth of experience, a student-centered mindset, and a passion for excellence. He holds advanced degrees in Curriculum and Instruction as well as Technology Integration, underscoring his commitment to innovative, high-quality education. Known for his service-driven leadership and strong relationships with students, families, and staff, Mr. Haddan is dedicated to building a positive school culture where every student feels valued and empowered. A role model for integrity and lifelong learning, he looks forward to supporting the Odyssey community in achieving continued growth and success.

Mr. Jose Padilla, Discipline Dean
Jose Padilla has been a dedicated member of the Odyssey Charter Schools community for 15 years, serving as a teacher, Dean of Students, and Safety Officer. He holds a Bachelor’s in Education and two Master’s degrees—in Elementary Education and Educational Leadership—and is certified to teach K–12. Jose is passionate about creating a safe, supportive learning environment and values the strong relationships he builds with students, staff, and families. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons and riding motorcycles.

Ms. Trisha Jack, Academic Coach
Ms. Jack joined Odyssey Preparatory Academy in January, bringing over 25 years of experience in education. She has taught Pre-K through 5th grade, served as a Lower School Director, and worked as a Math and STEM specialist. Now serving as an Academic Coach, Trisha is excited to support teachers and stay actively involved with students. She is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences and helping both educators and students thrive.

At Odyssey Preparatory Academy, we proudly follow a Positive Discipline model that focuses on building compassionate, resilient students with strong communication skills. This approach helps students develop the self-discipline needed to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

One key Positive Discipline practice is holding regular class meetings. These meetings build a sense of community, help students feel they belong, and encourage problem-solving and collaboration.

Our first morning meeting theme is: “Beginning the Almost Perfect School Year.” Students will be asked, “What do you want to do to make this the best school year ever?”

We’re excited for another year of growth and connection through Positive Discipline. Be sure to ask your child about their morning meetings—our goal is to make this a true partnership between school and family!

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 HERE.

Odyssey Prep grade supply lists were sent home with the final report card. In addition they will be available during registration on 7/16. The list can also be found on our website, HERE.

Florida House Bill 529 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.View the bill HERE.

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.

The Odyssey Cell Phone Policy link is HERE.

All Odyssey Prep 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 Preparatory Academy uniforms and not Odyssey Charter School uniforms.). You can find our uniform policy on our website HERE.

• Reminder that students must wear their school-issued ID badge / lanyard at all times while on campus. The replacement cost for an ID badge is $5.

• All students are required to wear full-length solid-colored uniform-style 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. Leggings worn alone as pants are not permitted.

• 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 a uniform t-shirt or collared polo 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.

·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.

• 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. Odyssey Prep Academy students all qualify for free breakfast and lunch. 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.

Some students choose to bring their own lunch from home and most bring a snack to school each day. Please ensure all items sent are healthy choices like fresh fruit and veggies. Notes will be going home this year to remind families of the Wellness Policy if students bring in items other than healthy food choices.

Odyssey 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 tool for bus registration. Computers will be available during summer registration on July 17; however, we recommend that families register from home or on a phone using Google Chrome HERE. Deadline for registration: July 31, 2025 to ensure proper routing of all students.

3) Student Tracker System (Here Comes the Bus “HCTB”) - This service provides real-time updates when your student’s bus is within 100 yards of the stop and notifies you when your student scans their ID onboard. Sign-ups begin August 7, 2025, using our district code: 29456.

Bus Expectations:

• Be kind to fellow students and staff.

• Follow the bus driver’s directions.

• Speak in a conversational voice.

• Scan your ID when entering the bus.

For additional questions or concerns, please contact:
Ms. Rosie Greer, Transportation Fleet Coordinator Email HERE
or call 321-345-4117 option 3 or 321-338-5187 (cell).

Get Involved!

Parents as Partners (PasP) is a collaborative effort between parents, teachers, and administrators, working together to support student success and enhance the overall school experience. This dedicated committee develops ideas, plans programs, and strengthens our school community through meaningful family engagement and volunteer opportunities.

We are currently seeking a volunteer to serve as this year’s PasP Chairperson—a vital leadership role that helps guide and grow the program. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, your involvement truly makes a difference!

Interested in joining or learning more?

Stop by the PasP table during registration on July 23rd, or contact Mr. John Haddan by email at haddanj@odysseyprepacademy.com.

When families and schools work together, students thrive. We invite you to be part of this important partnership and help make this school year the best one yet!

All Odyssey 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. Students will share their novels and the project they completed the first week of school.

The Read Aloud Book Club is a fun and easy way for parents to earn volunteer hours—simply by reading to your child for 15 minutes each night!

Reading aloud supports your child’s academic success by improving attention span, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. It also nurtures a love of reading and strengthens the parent-child bond—especially valuable for busy or single-parent households. So, turn off the TV, grab a great book, and enjoy this special time together.

How it Works:

• • Read aloud to your child for at least 15 minutes each night.
• • Use the Read Aloud Recommended Book List or choose other high-quality literature (including textbooks).
• • Record the book title, author, and minutes read on the Read Aloud Recording Form.
• • Submit the completed form to your child’s teacher at the end of each month.
• • Earn up to 1 volunteer hour per week (4 hours/month per child).

This program is recommended for Pre-K through 8th grade students and does not replace your child’s independent reading log. Additional information and links are available HERE. Let the reading adventure begin!

Do you have a special talent you can share with our students for nine (9) weeks out of the school year after school? Our Before and After School Enrichment Program offers a variety of afterschool club opportunities to our students. Look for information to come out in September and December on our available clubs for 2024-2025. Parents with a special talent or skill may volunteer to lead one of the clubs listed below or may suggest a club. Please help us enrich our deserving students’ education. At our summer registration, parents will have an opportunity to sign up to sponsor a club.

Possible Club Offerings: Odyssey of the Mind, Future Problem Solvers, Computer Coding, Lego Club, Culinary Club, Environmental Club, Art Club, Soccer, Basketball, Dance, Odyssey of the Minds, Math Club, and Environmental Club.

Please go to the Brevard County Schools web page HERE:

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)

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.

We are delighted to offer our Before and After School Enrichment program to our families who need it. Registration forms are available in the front office of Odyssey Preparatory Academy. There is a one-time registration fee of $50.00 for one child and $75.00 for two or more children. Before and After-Care payments are due every Monday (via ProCare App or by check or money order). Please pay online, or hand in a check to the front office. For more information about Before and After-Care Enrichment at Odyssey Preparatory Academy, please contact: Alia Hartwick at HartwickA@Odysseycharterschool.com

School Age Before-Care
Care begins at 6:00am. Students participate in art, a variety of team-based games, and social fun. Every student enjoys a healthy breakfast in the café before the school day commences at 7:30am. The weekly rate for Before-Care is $40.00.

School Age After-Care
After-Care is available to students until 6:30pm each day, and every student is provided a healthy snack. Students are grouped by grade levels and activities include art projects, fun with movement, nature trail, digital learning, and homework support. The weekly rate for After-Care is $75.00.

Full Time School Age Before/After-Care
FBefore/After-Care is available from 6:00am-7:30am and after school through 6:30pm daily. The weekly rate for Before/After-Care is $85.00.

We are always looking for parents or community members to join our OPA 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 Mrs. Brooke Councell at councellb@odysseyprepacademy.com.

Click HERE for photo highlights from OPA's 24-25 year.