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| October 2025 |
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| Collier County Public Schools proudly recognizes October as National Bullying Prevention Month. On October 8, our staff, students, and parents took a bold stand by wearing orange as a visual reminder that bullying has no place in our schools, online spaces, or the broader Collier County community. CCPS is united through CommUNITY, where kindness is fostered and bullying is not tolerated. We encourage every student and citizen to be upstanders—to recognize bullying, empathize with those affected, and take meaningful action by speaking up or reporting the behavior to a trusted adult. |
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| Champions For Learning is seeking mentors for the next class of Take Stock in Children students — the Class of 2030. This life-changing program pairs CCPS students with caring adult mentors who provide encouragement, guidance, and support throughout high school. Together, mentors and students focus on academic success, college and career readiness, and personal growth — all while students earn a two-year Florida Prepaid college scholarship. To learn more or to get started, visit championsforlearning.org or contact Nicole Luque, Volunteer Manager, at nluque@championsforlearning.org. |
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| CCPS and the Collier County Education Association (CCEA) continue working on teacher salary negotiations. For the latest update, including Board Member comments from this month's Regular School Board Meeting, please visit www.collierschools.com/LaborRelations. |
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We have two upcoming events to share with you.
- 2025 Collier County Band Show - Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, spirit, and community at our 2025 CCPS Band Show on Saturday, October 25! The event begins at 6:45pm at Barron Collier High School. Click here to purchase tickets.
- CCPS Family Hockey Night with the Everblades - Join your CCPS Family to watch the Florida Everblades take on the Fort Wayne Komets on Saturday, November 8 @ 7:00pm. Click here to purchase tickets.
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| ~ Dr. Leslie C. Ricciardelli |
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| A comedian, Derrick Stroup, described the school bus experience as "Google on wheels," highlighting how it was a source of unfiltered information long before the internet. This observation led me to consider the irony of parents who drive their kids to school to shield them from inappropriate content while readily giving them smartphones with minimal supervision. |
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| The rise of social media and AI has indeed improved communication but also poses serious risks for children, such as exposure to harmful content and cyberbullying. Many kids struggle to identify safe online interactions, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Additionally, since the introduction of smartphones in 2007, literacy rates, IQ scores and reasoning skills have declined. Our young people are so used to getting information in small bites, they lack the stamina to read a full passage for an assignment or test, let alone a full book anymore. |
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| As a parent of four, with a decade between my oldest and youngest, I’ve witnessed this troubling trend. My youngest, a sophomore, currently doesn’t use social media, and when I eventually allow it, I plan to be very selective. The constant notifications and “doomscrolling” are very concerning. Interestingly, when both my highschoolers went to camp this summer without their phones, they enjoyed the break! |
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| Children benefit from having boundaries set by their parents, even if they complain. If you haven't given your child a smartphone yet, consider waiting. If you have, limit social media and internet access and set times limits. This issue is crucial for parents and children today, and I aim to help address it. Stay tuned for more. |
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| Respectfully, |
| Stephanie Lucarelli, School Board Vice Chair |
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| Board member notes are submitted directly by a school board member without edits from district staff. |
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| CCPS CELEBRATES AMERICAN FOUNDERS' MONTH |
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| Our school district celebrated American Founders’ Month during the month of September. American Founders' Month recognizes the contributions of the founders of the United States. Florida schools are encouraged to engage in instruction relating to the contributions of our founding fathers, including an in-depth study of the Declaration of Independence. |
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| Watch how students celebrated American Founders' Month |
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| CCPS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY |
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| While students enjoyed a day off, our teachers were hard at work growing their skills! From hands-on workshops to inspiring sessions, our staff spent the day focused on strategies that will elevate student learning. These learning opportunities help our educators stay at the top of their game—bringing fresh ideas and proven practices back to the classroom to benefit every student. |
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| Click here to watch video |
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| FEEDBACK WELCOME |
| Let us know what you think about the newsletter, our website, or if you have suggestions for future newsletters. |
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| Collier County Public Schools |
| p: (239) 377-0001 |
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| School Board |
| Ms. Kelly Mason, Chair • Mrs. Stephanie Lucarelli, Vice Chair |
| Mr. Erick Carter, Member • Mr. Tim Moshier, Member • Mr. Jerry Rutherford, Member |
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| Superintendent |
| Dr. Leslie C. Ricciardelli |
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| Copyright © 2025 Collier County Public Schools |
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