|
|
|
|
 |
| August 2025 |
| |
 |
| |
| The 2025-2026 school year is officially underway! I began the first day of school by visiting campuses in Immokalee, then spent the afternoon at Gulf Coast High and our newest school, Bear Creek Elementary. Speaking of Bear Creek, just prior to the school year starting, we held their official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (watch video) and welcomed some of their youngest Cubs at the school's inaugural Kindergarten Signing Day (watch video). Overall, it has been a fantastic start to the year. Click here to watch a video highlighting back-to-school at CCPS! |
| |
| As we celebrate the start of a new school year, we invite parents, students, staff, and community members to recognize the outstanding educators who make a difference every day. Nominations are now open for the 36th Annual Golden Apple Award, presented by The Education Foundation of Collier County – Champions For Learning. This is a meaningful opportunity to honor teachers who exemplify excellence in education and facilitate learning in our classrooms. Your heartfelt words will be delivered to all teachers who receive a nomination and will mean the world to the nominees. Please join us in thanking and honoring our teachers. Nominations are due by September 15, 2025, and may be submitted online at www.championsforlearning.org/nominate. |
| |
| We are excited to launch our brand new Collier County Public Schools website next week! This includes new designs for all our K-12 schools, as well as an AI chat embedded on all new sites that will make it easier to search for information. We hope you find the fresh look and easy-to-use interface an improvement to our current sites. |
| |
| August 21 was National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. Fentanyl is a powerful opioid being added to fake prescription pills and other street drugs. A potentially lethal dose of fentanyl is the size of two grains of salt. Have a conversation with your child(ren) and remind them to never take prescription medication that is not prescribed to him/her. Be sure to talk to your child(ren) about the laced and lethal effects of fentanyl. Click here to watch a joint message with the Collier County Sheriff's Office or visit www.colliersheriff.org/fentanyl to learn more. |
| |
| Our annual College and Career Night is just a few weeks away. High school families are invited to attend on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Golden Gate High School. Students and parents will have the opportunity to interact with over 50 college representatives from across Florida and the United States. A list of participating post-secondary institutions will soon be available at www.collierschools.com/collegenight. |
| |
| I'm excited to continue building on our successes during the 2025-26 school year. Let's embrace the "Power of We" as we work together to achieve excellence in education. |
| |
| ~ Dr. Leslie C. Ricciardelli |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| UPCOMING |
| DATES TO NOTE |
| September 1 |
| No School (Labor Day) |
| September 9 |
| Regular School Board Meeting at 3:00pm |
| Final Budget Hearing at 5:05pm |
| September 15 |
| College and Career Night at Golden Gate High School (5:30pm - 7:30pm) |
| September 23 |
| No School for Students (Teacher Professional Learning Day) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
| The new school year has begun and our challenge is to reach for the stars. To have an even greater year is upon us. We can't live on last year's successes. Excellence is not easily attained, but it is worth the effort. As a School Board Member, I have set my goal even higher than before. I don't understand the word 'retire.' I do understand the word 're-fire!' |
| |
| If we are going to “Bear Fruit” we have to first plant good seed, in good ground, water and fertilize it and keep the weeds out. We have a new school, Bear Creek Elementary, and I'm looking forward to the fruit it will 'bear!' |
| |
| It was a great beginning in my District, as I visited Manatee Elementary and Manatee Middle Schools. I received a warm welcome and visited a couple of classes. The teachers were dynamic! My plan is to visit schools more often and observe more classes than ever before. |
| |
| I am looking forward to this year's football season, and hope the rain will avoid our games. Go Team! |
| |
| “I am only one man-but I am one man. I can't do everything, but I can do something; and what I can do, I should do, and by the help and grace of God, I will do.” Edward Everett Hale |
| |
| Jerry Rutherford, Board Member |
| |
| Board member notes are submitted directly by a school board member without edits from district staff. |
|
| |
|
 |
| |
|
|
 |
| |
| BCR KINDERGARTEN SIGNING DAY |
| |
| Our brand new Bear Creek Elementary School welcomed their youngest students to their inaugural Kindergarten Signing Day just before the school year began. Watch the video to meet some of these new Kindergarten students and future leaders! |
| |
| Click here to watch video |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
| FIRST DAY OF THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR |
| |
| Our first week of the 2025-2026 was a success! Watch highlights from the first day and hear from Superintendent Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli and our students as they share their thoughts and experiences. |
| |
| Click here to watch video |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| FEEDBACK WELCOME |
| Let us know what you think about the newsletter, our website, or if you have suggestions for future newsletters. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| Collier County Public Schools |
| p: (239) 377-0001 |
| |
| School Board |
| Ms. Kelly Mason, Chair • Mrs. Stephanie Lucarelli, Vice Chair |
| Mr. Erick Carter, Member • Mr. Tim Moshier, Member • Mr. Jerry Rutherford, Member |
| |
| Superintendent |
| Dr. Leslie C. Ricciardelli |
| |
| Copyright © 2025 Collier County Public Schools |
| |
|
