Early Release Days

We will continue early release days on Fridays throughout the school year following the same schedule as Brevard Public Schools. We dismiss at 2:45pm on Fridays.

Annual Re-enrollment and Mandatory Final Registration: Required for All Odyssey Families

Annual Re-enrollment will open on July 8, 2024 and will need to be completed in your FOCUS Parent Portal before July 31, 2024. It will be available in your FOCUS portal under the child’s tab. The district has announced changes to the Annual Re-enrollment process. It has been revised to make the process more user-friendly. Should you need assistance with this process, please do not hesitate to contact our Registrar, Amanda Nemeth at 321-345-4117. Ext 1138

On Tuesday, July 23, and Wednesday, 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 be completed 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 24-25 School Year (bring a check or Money Order made out to Odyssey Charter School and write Student Fees in the memo line)

Student fees are $20 per student for Grades 6 through 12 and include:

$5 Science and Laboratory Fee

$10 Technology

$5 Student ID & lanyard

FOR ALL NEW students to Brevard County, the following documents must be provided to successfully complete the registration process for the 2024-2025 school year, which begins August 12, 2024:

·  Birth Certificate

·  Physical- School Physicals MUST be dated within one year of the first day of the next school year – August 10, 2024.

·  Current Immunization records

·  If applicable: Legal Guardianship/Custody documents & Current copy of IEP, EP or 504 (if applicable) 

Dress Out of Uniform Days

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 below dates: August 30, September 27, October 25, November 22, December 20, January 31, February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23

End of Year Test Results

A huge congratulations and thank you to our teachers, staff, and families for their support last school year. Our educators worked diligently to provide your child with a strong educational foundation and academic rigor. Your commitment to your Titan Scholars education combined with your child’s efforts every single day paid off! Below are some of our highlights!

Holistic Education

Holistic education is an approach that focuses on developing the whole child, encompassing intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual dimensions. At Odyssey our mission is to educate the whole child. A focus of our schools this year will be to emphasize working with our Titan Scholars, and to help them develop as well-rounded students.

Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment, and Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Odyssey Charter School Jr/Sr High provides students the opportunity to participate in accelerated programs.  High school students who meet the requirements may choose to apply for dual enrollment at Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) or Florida Tech. Odyssey also offers a variety of Accelerated Placement (AP) classes as well. These courses include the following AP courses: AP Art, AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP World History, AP Psychology, AP Literature, and AP Seminar. Career and Technical Education programs, offer our Titan Scholars the opportunity to gain valuable certifications in select career fields. For detailed information concerning the AP programs please contact Rebecca Irving at irvingr@odysseycharterschool.com or Suzette Ventura at venturas@odysseycharterschool.com. For information on CTE programs, please contact Mike Guevara at guevaram@odysseycharterschool.com, and for Dual Enrollment information, reach out to Ms. Panya Mitchell at mitchellp@odysseycharterschool.com. 

Cell Phone Policy

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 dismissal 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 to the administrative offices to make the call.

Student Fees - New Online Payment System

Odyssey Charter School Inc. is pleased to announce that families can now pay student fees online using “Online School Payments.” Payments can be made with a Visa/Mastercard credit or debit card at the link provided below, with a small convenience fee. Soon, you will also be able to pay for other fees such as field trips, athletic fees, events, and more through the same system. “Online School Payments” by Edlio does not store credit card information and meets the highest security standards established by payment card industry.

For your convenience, we continue to accept payments via check or money order. Additionally, you can now pay on-site with a credit or debit card, however it is strongly recommended to pay online prior to registration day to save you time.

Please follow this link to instructions for creating an account and making payments: https://tinyurl.com/OSPQuickStart  (Note: The Quick Start Guide references an app which is not currently available). The direct link to student fees is: https://tinyurl.com/OCSHigh

Parent/Student Handbook

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://www.odysseycharterjrsr.com/student-code-of-conduct

Moment of Silence

(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 announcements 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.  We ask that you discuss the moment of silence with your children and make suggestions about how they should use this time. Students may not interfere with each other’s participation in the moment of silence.

Uniform Policy (Odyssey Jr/Sr High)

All Odyssey 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 Charter School uniforms.). You can find our uniform policy on our website at https://www.odysseycharterjrsr.com/uniform. The expectation is that students will be in dress code beginning on day one.

**NEW THIS YEAR Students participating in PE must wear appropriate athletic footwear

** Student will not be allowed to wear sweatshirts, hoodies, or jackets that are not in dress code.

** Students must wear appropriately sized pants, shorts, or skirts.

•  All students are required to wear full-length solid-colored 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.

•  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 an approved t-shirt, collared polo shirt, or dress shirt.  Student shirts must be a solid color and in accordance with the individual school’s 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.

•  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 school’s uniform guide. 

Bus Transportation

Odyssey Charter Schools provides bus transportation to students who live between two and four miles from the school. Students living more than four 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 radsicka@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 2024-2025 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 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 2024-2025 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, please register by July 31, 2024.

3)   Student Tracker System (Here Comes the Bus “HCTB”) - This system will give you a “real-time” notification when your student’s bus is within 100 yards of the bus stop. The system will send “real-time” notification to your phone or computer when your student scans his/her ID upon entering the bus. If you have not already signed your student up for HCTB You will be able to as of August 7, 2024. Our district code 29456. 

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 our ID when we board the bus.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact:
Ms. Annette Radsick, Transportation Assistant.
Annette Radsick,  radsicka@odysseycharterschool.com  321-345-4117 ext. 1120

Or

Rosie Greer, Transportation Fleet Coordinator - greerr@odysseycharterschool.com  321-345-4117 option 3 or 321-338-5187 cell 

Summer At-Home Readings

All Odyssey Charter School students are required to read the grade-specific novels(s) during the summer. The reading list and accompanying assignment was provided to students in late spring and is also available on our website: https://www.odysseycharterjrsr.com/_files/ugd/0b641b_5b4215ed2a06480bbffb704f4d28da20.pdf  We updated our summer reading assignment to encourage more participation! Stop by the front office if you are interested in borrowing a book.

Odyssey Charter School –Supply Lists

Odyssey Charter School grade level supply list will be available during registration on July 23 2024 or July 24 2024. The list can also be found on our website, https://www.odysseycharterjrsr.com/class-fees

Parents as Partners

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, which tapered off with the pandemic. If you are interested in joining this very important organization, please contact Ms. Donna Salzman at salzmand@odysseycharterschool.com.

Volunteering at OCS

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.

Substitutes

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 schools. Training is provided!  Substitute teaching rates are as follows: High School 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 Valeria Castro at castrov@odysseycharterschool.com.

Grievance Procedures

Step 1: Request Teacher conference to clarify issue

Step 2: Contact the Site Administrator if unresolved with the teacher

Step 3: **Contact Board Designated Parent Representative

Step 4: Contact the President of the Governing Board

Step 5: Present issue at the next monthly Board Meeting if unresolved

Step 6: Seek mediation with the Sponsor

**Mrs. Amber Miller has been designated by the OCS Board of Directors as the Representative to Facilitate Parental Involvement, provide access to information, assist parents and others with questions and concerns, and resolve disputes according to charter requirements. Ms. Miller can be reached at millera@odysseycharterschool.com or 321-442-2742.