Welcome back: Volusia County Schools celebrates first day of school

About 60,000 Volusia County Schools students rang in the 2024-2025 school year on Monday, Aug. 12.

  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Schools
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Backpacks filled to the brim. Cars lined up on the pickup loops. Two new schools.

About 60,000 Volusia County Schools students rang in the 2024-2025 school year on Monday, Aug. 12.

"We're very excited to be welcoming our parents and our students back to school," Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said.

The district and the superintendent began celebrating the first day of school at the new Turie T. Small Elementary in Daytona Beach. Balgobin said Volusia County Schools will be focusing on safety, security and addressing chronic absenteeism. 

"We have an entire program that we will be rolling out, connecting with our families and our students to ensure that ... they understand the importance of being in school," Balgobin said. "We want to make sure that there are no gaps when it comes to their learning."

Student Services staff will be working with schools to identify students and find root causes for chronic absenteeism, Balgobin said. Based on district data, VCS reports that about 30% of its students are missing at least two days a month of school. 

Additionally, the school district is cracking down on student vape use. VCS has installed vape detectors, will continue its Students Working Against Tobacco program and is now partnering with the Seventh Judicial Circuit on an initiative called "Safety First, Success Always" to address violence and substance use in schools, particularly vaping. 

The district is also rolling out a nine-week program called "Volusia Assistance and Preventative Education" where a student who has been found vaping will be introduced to research modules and activities to educate about the importance of abstaining from vaping, Balgobin said. 

When it comes to implementing the safety measures outlined in Florida House Bill 1473, which was signed in May, all doors and gates at all schools — save for the visitor entrances — will be locked. 

The district is starting the school year with 28 classroom teacher vacancies, a reduction from last year's 97 classroom teacher vacancies on the first day of school. All of the 28 vacancies, Balgobin said, are being filled with district personnel until a certified teacher is hired.

After visiting Turie T. Small Elementary, Balgobin and cabinet members visited Tomoka Elementary, DeLand Middle School, Pine Ridge High School, Read-Patillo Elementary and Sugar Mill Elementary.

"I am looking forward to a day that's going to be safe for all children and one where learning is taking place," Balgobin said.


 

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