The CEP helps schools in low-income areas serve meals at no cost to every student, with no paperwork required. Since 2022, after Hurricane Ian, every CCPS school has been part of CEP, and all students have received free meals. That’s about to change. The federal government has updated the rules. Now, only schools with enough students directly certified for assistance programs like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid can qualify. Some schools no longer meet the cutoff.

For the next four years, these eight CCPS schools will continue to provide free meals to every student:

Peace River Elementary School 
Baker/Pre-K Center 
The Academy 
Neil Armstrong Elementary School 
Kingsway Elementary School 
Meadow Park Elementary School 
Port Charlotte Middle School 
Murdock Middle School

The rest of the schools are coming off the CEP program for the next four years. Here’s the complete list:

Deep Creek Elementary School 
East Elementary School 
Liberty Elementary School 
Myakka River Elementary School 
Sallie Jones Elementary School 
Vineland Elementary School 
Charlotte Harbor Center 
L.A. Ainger Middle School 
Punta Gorda Middle School 
Charlotte High School 
Port Charlotte High School 

Lemon Bay High SchoolIf your child attends a school losing CEP eligibility, you’ll need to fill out a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application starting July 1, 2026. You can do this in the Focus Parent Portal as part of your regular enrollment process. Approval depends on your household income, and if you qualify, your child can still get free or reduced-price meals. If you need help with the application or have questions, call CCPS Food and Nutrition Service at 941-575-5400 or click here.

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The law, effective July 1, establishes a School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program. It also makes it legal for private schools to use or acquire buildings such as churches, museums, theaters, colleges, and former schools or day care centers without requiring rezoning or special land-use approval.

The legislation began as a measure aimed at improving teacher training by allowing retired teachers to mentor new or struggling educators, sponsored by Miami Gardens Democrat Sen. Shevrin Jones and Gainesville Democrat Rep. Yvonne Hinson.

Supporters say the expanded requirements reset traditional literacy skills and provide students with a way to connect with history. Critics counter that they add more testing and act as an unfunded mandate for districts that already run on tight budgets.

The post With a Stroke of a Pen (in Cursive), DeSantis Signs New Education Law appeared first on Englewood Review.

The concert is called Voices of a Nation: LBHS Spring Concert 2026.

We are all invited to an evening of music that captures the heart and soul of America as we all mark this special milestone. The Lemon Bay High School Band has put together a vibrant program that tells the story of our country through sound.

Enjoy performances by the LBHS Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble (featuring “Escape Artist”), the Concert Band, and the Symphonic Winds.

Save the date: Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center.

Get your tickets at teachtix.com/lemonbayhighband/spring-band-concert. Admission is free, but donations are always appreciated.

Come, cheer on and support our local talented student musicians and soak in a concert that truly brings America’s story to life.

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Nihal, who attends Cypress Lake Middle School, clinched his win in round thirteen with the word “carabiner.” He felt relieved when he heard that word, because he knew it cold. Still, he walked into the competition anxious, knowing some of his peers had been prepping for years. “Not really confident because I knew there were people who studied for years and years to do this. Some people here were just really prepared,” he said.

He hadn’t put in years, but he didn’t slack off either. Nihal spent his spring break drilling word lists and reading, something he loves to do. Ask him about his favorite subject, and he lights up: math is the winner, thanks to a wonderful teacher who hands out treats when students get answers right. Looking ahead, he has his sights set on neurosurgery. “Well, I kind of want to get rich. And I just enjoy stuff with brains and all that,” he said.

Nixon Diveley, from Pine Ridge Middle School, captured victory on the word “domiciled.” He put in at least six hours of study leading up to the event and admits he was a bundle of nerves. “I was pretty confident, but at the same time I didn’t know who the other schools were going to send,” he said. “I was shaking,” he confessed.

Nixon loves Civics but doesn’t see it as his future. “I like Civics, but I’d really like to be a scientist, preferably like a quantum physicist or something.”

Both boys will represent their districts at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., during the last week of May.

The post Spelling It Out: Southwest Florida Students Win Big at District Bees appeared first on Englewood Review.

Now, fast forward to today. We’ve received regular updates, and the Englewood REVIEW is excited to share the latest straight from EARS member Ken Blackshaw:

Hello PICO Balloon fans –

We are now crossing the Pacific Ocean for the fourth time, but this orbit is much different than the first three. We took a more northerly route across Asia, going over many of the ‘Stans’ including Kazakhstan. We’ve also added Mongolia and Russia to our ‘countries’ list, exiting the Asian continent north of Vladivostok!

The actual route across the Pacific is dictated by the winds, 42,000 feet up, where our balloon lives. You can see what’s about to happen, looking at the link to those wind currents – here!

We are about to take a violent turn to the north that will most likely have our radio station, N4EAR-1, waking up over Alaska.

Stay tuned to see at what point we actually complete our fourth orbit and start our fifth.

73’s – Ken 
This project isn’t just about science or reading; it’s about adventure. These students pushed the limits, chasing real-world experiences and bringing meteorology down to earth for everyone. Stay tuned. There’s more history in the making.

The post SKY Academy and EARS Weather Balloon Completing Fourth Orbit Around the World, Starting Its Fifth appeared first on Englewood Review.

Earth Day’s not just a day; it’s a reminder to appreciate the planet and a chance to think about what more we can do for Florida’s air, water, and land. DEP keeps working all year to protect these resources, but Earth Day stands out as an actual moment to learn about Florida’s unique environment and see how science and stewardship shape our state’s future.

This year, DEP invites students all across Florida to take a closer look at what’s hidden beneath the waves with the 2026 Earth Day Poster Contest.

Earth Day Poster Contest: “See the Seafloor: Discover Florida Beneath the Waves.”

The theme shines a spotlight on the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative: a huge statewide project that’s mapping and exploring the underwater world along Florida’s coast. Scientists use tools like sonar and LiDAR to build detailed maps of the ocean floor just offshore. These maps reveal underwater habitats, marine life, and all kinds of natural features that define Florida’s coast.

There’s been some exciting discoveries already: ancient river channels, offshore sand resources, and even deepwater coral reefs people didn’t know existed. By learning what lies beneath the waves, scientists help protect Florida’s environment, restore beaches, protect marine habitats, and strengthen our coastline.

What else could scientists find as they map Florida’s seafloor? That’s where Florida’s kids come in.

Enter Now: Create artwork showing secret landscapes, fascinating marine life, or underwater discoveries lurking beneath Florida’s waves.

If you’re a student in grades 4-12, you can submit original drawings, paintings, or digital artwork. Any medium’s welcome, as long as it highlights the Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative. DEP will pick winners from each age group (grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12) in each of its six district regions. District winners will score an Aquatic Preserves reusable water bottle and move on to the statewide competition. The grand prize winner statewide gets a full-size printed poster of their work. The contest kicks off April 1, and all entries must be in by Earth Day, April 22, 2026.

Did You Know?

• Florida’s mapping its seafloor at a scale nobody’s tried before.
• The Florida Seafloor Mapping Initiative is making the most complete maps of Florida’s coastal waters ever.
• Scientists recently discovered new deepwater coral reefs way offshore in Northwest Florida, beyond the famous Atlantic coast coral reefs.
• The seafloor’s got clues to Florida’s ancient past. Mapping reveals old shorelines and buried river channels from thousands of years ago.
• Florida waters are home to over 1,000 known shipwrecks, including some dating back to Spanish explorers hundreds of years ago.

For more information click here or go to floridadep.gov.

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They’re teaming up with Who We Play For to host these events at Booker High School on Monday, April 13, from 5 to 8 p.m., and at North Port High School on Wednesday, April 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. More screenings will roll out at other high schools soon.

This new effort lines up with Senate Bill 1070 from the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, the Second Chance Act. Lawmakers passed it unanimously, and it requires every first-time high school student athlete to get an electrocardiogram (ECG) before playing interscholastic sports, starting next school year. The goal: catch hidden heart conditions that could endanger young athletes during game time.

Superintendent Terry Connor summed it up: “Protecting our student athletes is something we all share. This partnership and these events show that we’re working proactively. We’re here to support our athletes and their families as Florida steps up to prevent sudden cardiac events in young people.”

The screenings cost $20 per student. The district’s also offering extra help for families facing financial hardship. Who We Play For staff will handle the screenings, and board-certified pediatric cardiologists will review each ECG. Licensed physicians from local hospitals will pitch in as well.

Evan Ernst, Executive Director of Who We Play For, underscored the stakes: “Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in sports and on school campuses—and it often happens without warning. We believe no family should lose a child to a preventable condition, so early detection through ECG screening is key. We’re proud to partner with Sarasota County Schools and grateful to Gold Coast Eagle Distributing for making these screenings easier for families to access.

”To sign up, families can register for the Booker High School event here and for the North Port High School event here.

The post Heart Screenings Available to Sarasota Student Athletes This Week appeared first on Englewood Review.

“Lighthouses, Libraries & Literacy” brings together local gems and community partners. You’ll catch the Lee County Library System and the Johann Fust Library Foundation working together with the lighthouse to showcase the rich coastal history and spark young readers’ imaginations.

The afternoon’s standout? Papyrus II, the beloved book boat from the Johann Fust Library Foundation. This boat has a legacy of delivering books across the barrier islands, a tradition you can experience firsthand. Families can hop aboard the Papyrus II, check out the Book Bike that serves up library books on-the-go, and even design their own bookmarks to take home.

Activities fill every corner of the event: story time every fifteen minutes, hands-on creative stations focused on the coast’s heritage, and chances to get a brand-new library card right on site.

All of this unfolds with sweeping views at the southern tip of Gasparilla Island, inside Florida State Park. The mix of education and scenery turns a Saturday outing into something special.

This learning day is just one part of Suncoast Remake Learning Days, which stretches from April 18 to May 2, 2026, with over 380 free events for families across the region.

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Dodig previously worked as an assistant school board attorney for human resources. Board member Debbie Jordan expressed dissatisfaction with bypassing the interview process. She pointed out that one-on-one interviews changed minds when they hired last time. Still, she ultimately voted along with the rest to offer Dodig the job.

The board attorney is a contracted position. When the board hired Dupuy-Bruno in April 2020, her base salary was $175,000.

The post Lee School Board Skips Interviews, Unanimously Moves to Hire Robert Dodig as Attorney appeared first on Englewood Review.

Firefighters, EMTs, and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, with their K-9 partners, will be there, ready to show you the tools and equipment they use every day. Kids love getting a close look at real fire trucks and meeting those four-legged officers up close.

Community Helpers Day isn’t just a chance to connect with local first responders. It’s a hands-on, lively event designed for families. You can chat with firefighters and deputies, learn how they keep our community safe, and let your kids ask questions. If you get hungry, they will serve up free hot dogs; just grab one while supplies last.

No need to sign up or register; just show up at the library at 3450 N. Access Rd. in Englewood. It’s outdoors, and everyone’s welcome. If you want more details, reach out to Holly Gaines at 941-681-3715 or email Holly.Gaines@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

Whether you’re curious about public safety, or you just want to thank local heroes in person, Community Helpers Day is one Saturday you won’t want to miss. It’s all about learning, celebrating, and having fun together as a community.

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