The 2022-2023 ESE Parent Survey window is now open. Each year, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) surveys parents of students with an individual educational plan (IEP) to determine how well districts and schools are partnering with parents and promoting parent involvement in their student’s education. All states must collect these data for reporting on their State Performance Plan, as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Additionally, survey results will be used to help schools and districts improve services and results for children with disabilities. The survey is open to all parents of students with an IEP receiving ESE services from preschool age to grade 12. While demographic information must be collected in compliance with federal requirements, individual responses are confidential. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the ESE Parent Survey will only be offered in a web-based format. The survey will be open through June 30, 2023. For more information about the 2022-2023 Parent Survey, go to the ESE Parent Survey web page (https://www.fldoe.org/academics/exceptional-student-edu/parent-info/exceptional-student-edu-parent-survey.stml). To access the survey directly, go to the 2023 ESE Parent Survey (English and Spanish) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESEParentSurvey or 2023 ESE Parent Survey (Haitian-Creole)https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESEParentSurvey_HC.
Free Summer Meals for Children
May 30, 2023
We will have 4 sites offering free breakfast and lunch this summer. All sites are open sites. Students age 18 and under may participate.
Bethlehem High School, Bonifay K-8, Ponce de Leon Elementary, Poplar Springs High
June 5-June 29 M-TH
July 10-13 M-TH
Breakfast is 8:00-8:30 a.m.
Lunch is 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Summer STEAM Program
May 19, 2023
The Summer STEAM program is designed for students to explore the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics with hands on projects. Students will document their experiences and share with friends and family at the STEAM Showcase at the end of the program.
Summer STEAM Program will meet MONDAY – THURSDAY from 8:00 a.m.—2:30 p.m. at Bonifay K-8. The Summer STEAM Program will not meet on Fridays or during the week of July 4th. The program will be from June 5, 2023 through July 13, 2023.
Breakfast and lunch will be served daily!
Transportation Routes will be established after all summer program students have been selected. We will have pick up and drop off locations that you will be able to meet the bus at. If you need transportation, please complete the transportation section of this packet on page 3. Due to staff size, students will be bussed to Bonifay K-8 from their home school and back to their home school at the end of the day.
For more information and an application, please click the Related Files link below.
Parent Survey
May 19, 2023
Please take a few moments to complete our annual parent survey. Your responses are used to update policies and procedures, search and apply for grants, and provide valuable input to our District so that we can offer an engaging and rich learning environment for your students. We value your input!
https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/220832/p1093
HCHS School Schedule for May 17-18, 2023
May 15, 2023
The Holmes County High School boys baseball team will be competing in the FHSAA Final Four Baseball Championships on May 17-18, 2023 in Ft. Myers, Florida. The boys have a semi-final game scheduled on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST, and with a win they will play in the Class 1A State Championship game on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 4:00 PM EST.
School will remain in session this week. All scheduled events will occur as planned.
Any students who attend the games will receive excused absences with proof of attendance (i.e., tickets, parent’s note, etc.).
Buddy L. Brown
Superintendent
Holmes District Schools
2023-24 School Calendar
February 23, 2023
Click the links to access printable versions of the 2023-24 school calendar.
PDLE & PDLH School Schedules, February 22-24
February 16, 2023
From Superintendent Buddy L. Brown:
Congratulations to the Ponce de Leon High School Girls Basketball Team for advancing to the FHSAA Final Four Basketball Championships on the dates of February 22-24, 2023. We could not be more proud of their accomplishment and the support from the community. The girls have a semi-final game scheduled on Wednesday, February 22, at 6:00 PM EST, and with a win they will play in the finals on Friday, February 24 at 7:00 PM EST.
Since the games are being played on a weekday and school operations will be disrupted due to the number of students and school staff that have indicated their intent to travel, we feel it is in the best interest of the district to follow the schedule below:
PDLE and PDLHS will be closed on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 and Thursday, February 23, 2023.
OPTION 1: PDLHS Lady Pirates win their semi-final game:
PDLE AND PDLHS will be closed on Friday, February 24, 2023.
OPTION 2: PDLHS Lady Pirates do not win their semi-final game:
PDLE and PDLHS will conduct school on Friday, February 24, 2023.
These options have been developed based on the survey of employees and student body membership, and local community support as to their intent for attending the FHSAA Final Four. Plans are being made for makeup days on remaining early release days or at the end of the school year if needed.
We wish the Lady Pirates and their coaches the best of luck, and safe travels to all attending the games.
Family Empowerment Scholarship Information
February 3, 2023
FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP—EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS
The Family Empowerment Scholarship—Educational Options (FES EO) Program was established to enhance Florida's menu of education options. It will provide children whose families have limited financial resources with the opportunity to attend the school that best meets their needs and enables them to reach their academic goals.
The FES EO program provides eligible students a scholarship to attend a private school selected by the parent. A student is eligible for FES EO if the student meets the following criteria:
* The student's household income does not exceed 400% of the federal poverty level ($111,000 for a family of four) or the student is on the direct certification list (list of children who qualify for the food assistance program, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program, or the Food Distribution on Indian Reservations program); or
* The student is currently placed, or during the previous state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or in out-of-home care as defined in section 39.01, Florida Statutes; or
* The student is a dependent child of a member of the United States Armed Forces or a law enforcement officer.
* Prior to scholarship funds being awarded, the student must be accepted and enrolled in a participating private school. For a list of eligible schools, please view the Department's Private School Directory. A private school that is currently eligible to participate in any of the scholarship programs is eligible to participate in FES EO; however, parents should contact the school to inquire as to whether the private school will participate in the program.
Parents who meet the eligibility requirements above and are interested in applying for FES EO should first contact one of Florida's two approved scholarship funding organizations (contact information below) to complete the income verification process.
For more information, please visit the Department of Education website at www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/ or contact Matt Tate at 547-9341 x1262 or matt.tate@hdsb.org.