091720 SWB DIGITAL EDITION

24 x September 17 — 30, 2020 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com
n Bay Meadows Elementary
Family, faculty members and the
staff of Bay Meadows Elementary
were asked for their input when it
came time to select a new principal
for the school. Feedback was collected
via an online survey asking
for the top five skills and qualities
they would like the next principal to
possess. The information was used
to help with the selection process,
and GeRai Johnson Mays was
chosen as BMES’s principal for the
2020-21 school year.
n Dr. Phillips High
by Debra Wood
Something different is afoot in the
theater lobby at Dr. Phillips High
School. The Orange County Public
Schools board named the lobby after
long-time teacher Karen Rugerio,
former director of DPHS’s Visual and
Performing Arts theater magnet.
“It’s a well-deserved honor for a
beloved and exceptional teacher
who had a long impact,” said Pam
Gould, school board member.
Plans to name the area for Rugerio
ran into some trouble a few years
back when the school district
changed its policy for naming stadiums
and theaters so it could raise
funds to support performing arts, athletics
and other programs. However,
the board allowed the recognition of
Rugerio in the lobby. After Rugerio
retired from teaching, she became
the senior director of education at the
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing
Arts in 2018. During the pandemic,
she was laid off.
“Karen continues to be an influence
in the success of our students,”
Gould said.
n Et Al
Orlando Science Schools
named its 2019-20 teachers of the
year. Victoria May was selected
as the high school campus’ teacher
of the year, and Mitchell Murphy
earned teacher of the year at the
Lynx campus. Ms. May teaches
English 1, intensive reading and
drama. Mr. Murphy teaches math.
The Orlando Science Schools family
is grateful for all of their hard
work and dedication throughout the
school year. Congratulations to both
of these outstanding teachers!
Bank of America officials rewarded
four students for their civic and
academic efforts by naming them
2020 Student Leaders. Among those
recognized was Windermere resident
Jaya Dayal, a recent graduate
of Lake Highland Preparatory
School. Jaya was president of the
Water for the World, where she led
one of the only clean water initiatives
in Orlando. She and the other three
scholars participated in a six-week,
paid, virtual internship program this
summer, through which she had the
opportunity to participate in sessions
that exposed her to the vital roles
nonprofits play in advancing community
health, the importance of public
private partnerships to advance social
change, and a focus on building
financial acumen.
SCHOOL NEWS
Victoria
May is named
Orlando
Science
Schools’
2019-20 high
school campus
teacher of the
year.
Mitchell
Murphy is
named Orlando
Science
Schools’
2019-20 Lynx
campus teacher
of the year.
compiled by Lauren Salinero
Tami Murphy is Holy Family
Catholic School’s 2020 distinguished
teacher of the year. She has
taught for 25 years. Mrs. Murphy
began teaching at HFCS in 2001,
teaching second grade. Throughout
the years, she has taught second,
sixth and seventh grades. She has
also served as educational technology
coordinator and social media
coordinator. Her commitment to children’s
education, safety and futures
is exceptional.
The deadline to apply for meal
benefits with Orange County Public
Schools is Sept. 22, 2020. Currently,
based on income, 67% of OCPS families
— or 7 out of 10 students — are
eligible to receive free school meals.
OCPS Food & Nutrition Services is
encouraging all parents, regardless
of income, to apply for the 2020-21
program to help ensure that schools
can maintain or expand the availability
of free and reduced meal
benefits. Despite individual student
needs, every application submitted
helps schools receive valuable funding
and resources.
Holy Family
Catholic School
Principal Sister
Dorothy Sayers
(left) recognizes
Tami Murphy
as HFCS’s 2020
distinguished teacher
of the year.
“Some families may be relying on
meal benefits for the first time ever
due to pandemic-induced hardships,
while others may forget to apply
amidst the many decisions they’ve
had to make recently,” said Lora
Gilbert, senior director of the OCPS
FNS. “But no child should worry
about hunger. This program not only
helps students in need, but it also
helps families save money and gives
parents the convenience of providing
nutritional meals for their children every
day of the week.”
The application for the 2020-21
school year can be filled out online
and takes between 15-30 minutes per
household. To apply for meal benefits,
visit www.myschoolapps.com.
Although we try to ensure that all information presented
above is the most current, correct and dependable
available, we do rely on others for the source of our
news. Therefore, the Southwest Orlando Bulletin and
Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC cannot be
held responsible for the validity of the information
presented here, nor does mentioning it constitute an
endorsement. School News is welcome and may be
mailed to P.O. Box 851, Windermere, FL 34786;
or emailed to Lauren@kearneypublishing.com. ª