nued �A�
status as a school district, determined by meeting the stringent
school accountability criteria in Florida, is another key indicator
of success.Our fiscal responsibility to our constituents is evident as well. Your Sumter schools are rated A by Standard and Poor's for our financial stability and responsibility, and A1 by Moody�s - a particularly high achievement for a small district. Additionally, the district's fiscal and environmental responsibilities are also evident through its energy management program, where the district is recognized as an Energy Star Partner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Sumter District's exemplary qualities are the result of all the concerted efforts and wide ranging support provided by teachers, staff, parents, Board Members, the community, and of course the best students in the world! Without everyone pulling together, none of this would be possible.
We welcome your interest, support and involvement with one of the best school systems in Florida.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Shirley
Superintendent of Schools
Great Things are Happening in the Sumter District Schools!
Sumter Teacher of the Year Melynda Shea Recognized
Melynda and nine of her fellow Central Florida
educators were recognized by recieving the Governor's Shine Award.
Additional
Information
Attention Parents of 4 Year Olds!
Sumter County Elementary Schools are Still Accepting Applications
for 2013-2014
Pre-Kindergarten Program
Please contact your local elementary school!
The 16th Annual Math Field Day: Academic Competition that Encorages
Mathematics Interest!
On April 26th, Sumter County mathematics
students participated in friendly mathematical challenges that
allowed them to compete and have a great time.
Additional
Information
The 6th Annual Earth Day Celebration was Once Again a Resounding hit
With the Community!
The annual event, held at the CEMEX Center
Hill Quarry and home to the Sumter Environmental Education Center,
provided a wonderful venue to enjoy a Florida spring day and learn
about the environment.
Additional
Information
School Volunteers Honored for their Outstanding Service
On April 16th, forty-three active volunteers
were recognized for their important service to our students.
Additional Information
Students Compete in the Orlando Science Center Challenge
Sumter County students continuing their pursuit of recognition for
exemplary science research, competed with other Central Florida
student scientists at the Orlando Science Center March 16th.
All three projects that will represent Sumter County at the INTEL
International Science and Engineering Fair were chosen as best in
their respective categories at the challenge.
Sumter County Well Represented at the 58th Florida State Science &
Engineering Fair
Eight hundred ninety one students competed at the 58th Florida State
Science and Engineering Fair at the Lakeland Center on Wednesday,
March 27 of which thirty-five represented the Big Springs Region.
Of the twenty-six Big Spring Regional students that received place
awards, eleven were from Sumter County schools.
Additional
Information
Join us for the 6th Annual Earth Day Celebration
April 20, 2013 at the Sumter Environmental Education Center
The 6th Annual Earth Day Celebration, a
partnership activity of the Sumter County School Board and CEMEX, is
just around the corner! New and exciting activities are planned for
this year along with those activities and exhibits that everyone has
grown to love!
Additional
Information
Flyer
Sumter is AVID-ly Recruiting Students for College Ready Programs!
Recruitment
for the AVID Program for the 2013-14 school year has begun,
and has expanded to include grades 6 and 10!
Additional Information
Melynda Brooke Shea Named Sumter County Teacher of the Year
Representing Bushnell Elementary School,
Melynda Brooke Shea was named Sumter County Teacher of the Year. She
and her fellow nominees were recognized at a reception with the
School Board and Superintendent.
Additional Information
Summer Food Program Announced: Feeds Kids for Free
With summer right around
the corner, it�s time to think about keeping children healthy while
school is out. Each year
Sumter County Schools, in partnership with U. S. Department of
Agriculture, provides free meals to children during the summer.
Any child 18 years old or younger may come to
eat. There are no income requirements or registration. This
summer, meals will be served Monday through Thursday from June 10
through July 19, 2013* at the following locations and times.
Click Here for More Information
Michele Crawford Named Sumter County School Related Employee of the
Year
Ten outstanding school related employees were
honored for their dedication to the students of
Sumter County.
Additional Information
Sumter County Students Joined Other Top Science Students from Marion
& Levy Counties at the Big Springs Regional Science Fair
Fifty-one eager young researchers from South
Sumter Middle, South Sumter High, Wildwood Middle High and The
Villages Charter School continued the tradition of high quality
scientific research with 17 projects earning 1st Place Awards.
Additional Information
Sumter Super Spellers Named
The Sumter County Spelling Bee was held on February 6, 2013 with
Kyle Fox from The Villages Charter School named overall winner.
1st runner up was Justin Null from South Sumter Middle School and
Slater Smith from Wildwood Middle High also placing.
Congratulations to all the students!
Additional
Information
Combination & High School Grades Released
The Florida Department of Education released
preliminary information on high school grades and Sumter County remains
among the highest academically in the state. Out of 67 districts, Sumter
joins 16 other districts with all schools receiving grades of A or B.
Press Release
Superintendent Shirley Selected as
Florida's 2013 Superintendent of the Year
Sumter County School District
Superintendent Richard �Rick� Shirley has been named as
Florida�s 2013 Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of
District School Superintendents (FADSS).
Shirley was formally recognized in Tampa during the joint meeting of
FADSS and the Florida School Boards
Association.
Press Release
"High Five" to AP Students in Sumter
In partnership with the College Board, Sumter District Schools have
created a college and career ready culture at both the school and
district levels.
Press Release
The Webster Elementary School Commemorative Book Now Available Online
Click Here to Access
The Sumter District Schools Welcomes
43 New Teachers to the District!
Recruiting, training, and retaining highly effective teachers are three
ways that Sumter District Schools maintain high quality instructional
programs for their students.
Press
Release
Perseverance & Passion ... The Keys to Success
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines
perseverance
as:
�The continued effort to do or achieve something in spite of
difficulties, failure, or opposition.�
At the age of 81 years young, Mrs. Allie
Debenedittis was awarded her long-awaited high school diploma.
Superintendent of Sumter District Schools, Rick Shirley, bestowed this
honor upon her on Thursday, August 2nd
at the Villages Life-long Learning College, located on the campus of The
Villages Charter High School.
Press
Release
Sumter Designated as an 'A' District
for the Fifth Straight Year!
Despite a growing number of changes to the state�s accountability
system, Sumter joins 14 other districts (out of 67) with schools
receiving grades of A or B and was ranked 10th overall.
�Congratulations to all staff
members for their hard work and dedication to our students. On behalf of
the School Board and myself, congratulations for your effort and
results. It is an honor to work with and for all of you!�
said Superintendent Richard A. Shirley.
Press Release
Wildwood Middle High School:
Integrating the Arts & Academics
Nicole Duslak, Rachael Deitch and Christina Ebey attended the Florida
Alliance for the Arts Education Summit in order to integrate the arts
with academics at Wildwood Middle High School.
Press
Release
The Sumter County School Board Continues to be Recognized for Quality Financial Health
The Standard & Poor's Ratings Service continued to affirm its confidence in the positive financial strength of the Sumter County School Board. Standard and Poor's has once again rated the district with the rating of "A."
Read the summary report here.