The Trojan Express
Maynard Evans High School Community Brief
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Evans Community Member,

Thank you for your commitment to making Evans High School, "A Place of High Achievement." Our focus is on Literacy, Rigor, and Relationships and our school's pillars of Pride, Determination, and Perseverance continue to be on display by our students, staff and community.

Last week, we held meetings with students that are below a 2.0 for the 1st semester. We talked about time management, goal setting, and supports such as tutoring and re-taking assessments, which is encouraged and supported by every teacher on Evans campus. Many students discussed their struggles with online learning and expressed the need to be on campus face to face as a means to improve their academic standing and focus on their education. One student, Kevin Oriol, a 12th grader stated “I needed to return face-to-face so that I could focus on my grades as my GPA suffered and I know it was hurting my chances of being admitted to my college of choice.” 

Parents, please take time out to review your LaunchEd student’s current cumulative GPA and compare it to this semester GPA. This will provide you with some context when discussing which mode of instruction is best for your student. Our student services department, led by our guidance counselors are here to assist you as well. If you would like to set up a virtual conference with a guidance counselor, please call us at 407-522-3400 ex6232249

It is that time of year for us to reach out to our stakeholders requesting participation in our online survey. The Panorama Parent Surveys are crucial to the overall effectiveness of our delivery models - educational, customer service, and engagement (extra-curricular). These surveys will provide school leadership a view into the thinking and perceptions our stakeholders have and how to improve Evans High School. The family survey window runs from January 14, 2021 – March 12, 2021. It will take only a few minutes to complete and is anonymous.

Thank you for taking our survey:


Have a great rest of the week and please don't forget to watch the Annual OCPS Stellar Awards online tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm.

In Trojan Pride,

Mr. Bailey
Proud Principal 
Evans High School

Pictured very top and just below: Ms. Varnadore (2020-2021 Teacher of the Year, on left above) and Ms. Fariba Akbari (2020-2021 Support Person of the Year, on right above) will be "carrying the Evans Flag" as our representatives at tomorrow evening's Annual OCPS Stellar Awards. Please be sure to watch the show at 7:00pm!
Ms. Akbari (left) and Ms. Varnadore holding their garden flags given to them by the district last fall in honor of their special recognition!
Dates to Watch For / Special Events
Jan. 26: Evans Magnet Open House, 6:00 pm - Microsoft Teams link
Feb. 01: Start of Black History Month
Feb. 11: Last date for Senior Pictures
Trojan Student Spotlight
Angelica Stewart
Senior Class President, PTSA Secretary, Avid Council President
This girl does it all! She has the biggest heart for servant leadership, skill, personality, and drive. Congratulations go out to Angelica as she has been accepted to 11 colleges so far (below). We can’t wait to see what awaits you in your next chapter!
'INROADS' Student Representatives
Five Trojans will be part of a special internship program
The following students were selected from Evans High School to serve as INROADS representatives. This program allows for matching of mentors from the business world with a student's field of interest and potential paid internships for the summer.

  • Genesis Baires-Ramos, Grade 12
  • Tyler Anderson, Grade 12
  • Jhon Estime, Grade 11
  • Zariya Dort, Grade 10
  • Layla Dort, Grade 9

About INROADS
There are three keys to success for INROADS students: Selection, Education & Training, and Performance. For over four decades, INROADS has helped businesses gain greater access to diverse talent through continuous leadership development of outstanding ethnically diverse students and placement of those students in internships at many of North America’s top corporations, firms and organizations.

Please visit https://inroads.org/ for more information if interested in how our Trojans will serve in the internship program later this year.
2021 MLK Humanitarian Award Winner
Geraldine Jean-Joseph represents Evans at the MLK Youth Humanitarian Awards
The Mayor's Youth Humanitarian Award recognizes and celebrates 24 outstanding community youth from around Orlando who exemplify the ideals embraced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through their character and leadership.
Geraldine Jean-Joseph with Principal Bailey. The Dr. MLK, Jr. quote on the hallway wall reads:
Take the first step in faith.
You don't have to see the
the whole staircase,
just take the first step."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Trojan Athletics
Cashless Digital Tickets
The athletic department will continue to use the cashless digital ticket process through gofan.com for all athletic events here at Evans High School. This process allows everyone to purchase their tickets for sporting events using their personal device. Remember that OCPS policy is to remain under the 25% capacity during sporting events- get your tickets in advance! 
Wrestling
Evans wrestling went 1-1 last Thursday night. We lost a very close match to Oak Ridge but were able to defeat Jones 33-30. Wins from SR Inam Khan and JR Ed Clayton made it possible.
Track & Field Tryouts
Tryouts began on Monday, Jan. 25 at 2:45pm.
Lady Trojan Weightlifting - District Champions!
For the first time in the history of Evans High School, your Lady Trojan weightlifters are the 1st Place Winners and Girls Weightlifting District Champions! Winning by 84 points, 18 lifters qualified for Districts and 17 lifters have placed in their weight classes and qualified for Regionals.
Winners from their respective weight classes:
  • 1st Place: Stephanie Brown, Khaliah Moore, Brittney Joseph, Tymia Mcleod, Elaine Vales, Jada Lizaire
  • 2nd Place: Sandra Bocico, Jemima Touze, Khaleisha Bright, Tia Mcleod
  • 3rd Place: Beyanka Cherenfant, Stacy Andrezil, Jamarea Johnson
  • 4th Place: Giannina Daniels, Daezja Jones
  • 5th Place: Tamillya Morgan, Kristy Pierre
Trojan Teacher Spotlight
Ms. Freeman, Biology

My name is Valique F. Freeman and I am currently a Biology teacher at Evans High School. I was born in Atlanta, GA but raised in the Metrowest area of Orlando. I graduated from the illustrious University of Central Florida with my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology minoring in Psychology. At UCF, I was a part of the Caribbean Student Association, National Council of Negro Women, and became a member of the Mu Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Over the years a developed a passion for 2 things: helping the youth and art. When I am not teaching, I am the Lead Youth Counselor for the Levy-Hughes Boys & Girls Clubhouse. I am also a full-time graduate student pursuing my Masters in Developmental Psychology. When it is time to relax and enjoy my free time I paint and draw. Sometimes even leading painting classes and events with friends and family.

In my few months working here at this amazing high school I have enjoyed being a part of the Biology team. I was welcomed and mentored daily by my fellow teachers and coach. I also love being able to continue my passion of helping the youth in the Orlando community and Evans has given me that opportunity.

“Broken crayons still color” is my advice for students. I want our students to know that no matter what you have been through, no matter how small you perceive yourself to be, or how rough your situation is: you can still color. You can still change your life, make a difference, and accel.
Special Faculty Recognition!
Dr. Jamila Mitchell
Congratulations to Dr. Jamila Mitchell who received the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award.
Testing Updates
ACCESS for ELLs
Florida uses the ACCESS for ELLs suite of assessments as a tool to measure English Language Learners (ELLs) proficiency in the English language; thus, ensuring the skills needed in school to achieve at high levels, academically. The test measures students’ progress in listening, speaking, reading, and writing English language skills. 

Students identified as English Language Learners will be taking the ACCESS for ELLs between January 25, 2021 and March 19, 2021. To learn more about the ACCESS for ELLs, a helpful Parent Handout is available exclusively online (http://fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/access-for-ells.stml) under Assessment Resources in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Spanish, Somali, and Vietnamese.

If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Philippe Castel at Philippe.Castel@ocps.net or Laura Schomberg at laura.schomberg@ocps.net.
PERT Testing
For Dual Enrollment
Interested in dual enrollment at Valencia or FIU? If you need PERT scores for enrollment, please sign up to take the PERT by January 26th at https://tinyurl.com/EHS-TestingSignup

Students that sign up for the PERT test for Dual Enrollment will test the week of February 1st. Students must be on campus to take the PERT test. 

For Graduation Requirement
Seniors in need of the Algebra 1 EOC graduation requirement will have an opportunity to take the PERT Math test the week of February 1st. Please check your school email the week of January 25th for your test date and more information. Students must be on campus to take the PERT Math test
College and Career Readiness Corner
Stay Connected with the CCRC
Follow Evans College & Career on Instagram - @EvansCollegeCareer and @EvansStudentServices  

Evans CCRC webpage

Ms. Benefiel - Email: donna.benefiel@ocps.net

SENIORS
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Seniors - Reach out to Ms. Benefiel for FAFSA help soon.
Ms. Benefiel is located in the CCRC (in Student Services) if you are needing help to complete your FAFSA, College Applications or Scholarships be sure to stop by the CCRC or schedule an appointment at donnabenefiel.youcanbook.me. Ms. Benefiel will also be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays during Tutoring. Remember, time is ticking and we need to get your FAFSA completed as soon as possible.
Open Labs are available after school for assistance in completing the FAFSA. Parents, please make sure you have created or verified your FSA ID as well as gathered your 2019 Tax Form - 1040 and any other income documents (W-2’s if parents filed as “Married Filing Jointly”). 

FAFSA Information Google Slide Presentation - www.tinyurl.com/EHS-20-21-FAFSAInfo  (Note - your student must access this Google Slide Presentation from their OCPS STUDENT Google Account)

FAFSA - Step by Step Instructions - www.tinyurl.com/EHS-FAFSA-SBS (Note - your student must access this Google Slide Presentation for their OCPS Student Google Account)
FAFSA Resource
Meet Wyatt, an easy to use chatbot that answers your questions about the FAFSA by text message. Visit www.getfafsahelp.org to learn more and sign up. 
January Scholarship Awards:
  • Christie St. Vil is a Dell Scholar Semi-Finalist ($20K)

  • Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship - Finalist - Angelica Stewart & Lily Pham ($40K/Yr)
Volunteer Opportunities
In order to access the documents below, please be sure to utilize your OCPS Google Drive.

ACT & SAT Testing Dates & Deadlines - www.tinyurl.com/20-21-ACT-SAT 

Evans High School - Scholarships - www.tinyurl.com/EHS-20-21-Scholarships

Evans High School - Virtual College Visits - www.tinyurl.com/EHS-20-21-CollegeVisits

Volunteer Opportunities - www.tinyurl.com/EHS-20-21-Volunteer

Senior Transcript Request - www.tinyurl.com/EHS-2021-TR
The job and economic benefits from education (latest numbers):
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (earnings report; unemployment report)
Making sense of the chart: When it comes to unemployment rates, lower numbers are more favorable versus the figures for weekly earnings where most people would agree higher numbers are better. In terms of getting an education, at least on average in the United States, those with more education have an advantage when it comes to both keeping a job and earning a bigger paycheck.
HUB Happenings
Motivational Moment just ahead of Black History Month
"Leaders & Success"
UNSTOPPABLE MAYA ANGELOU
Maya Angelou was successful as a professional in multiple careers: actor, dancer, journalist, poet, and more. Badly abused as a girl, her experiences were so horrible that at one point she refused to speak a single word for five years. At the same time, she and her brother were growing up in a small Arkansas town that was harshly segregated. She did not start to speak again until a school teacher of hers, Ms. Bertha Flowers, helped her to come out of her shell.

Ms. Flowers was a wonderful teacher and got Maya interested in reading books - specifically the classics such as Dickens and Shakespeare. She discovered reading for pleasure and read many books through middle school and high school. During World War II, she attended George Washington High School and San Francisco’s Labor School, dropping out for a short while to work as the first Black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco, but she eventually graduated at the age of seventeen.

Starting out with her intense passion of reading she ultimately became an accomplished author with her most famous book titled, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings." The book was basically about her life from infancy to the age of 17 telling the story of a young Black woman growing up in America. She wrote a number of best selling books and went on to write poems, essays, and other works.

As an adult, Maya Angelou worked as a teacher and became a well known spokesperson for women and Black people. In fact, she recited her poetry at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993 becoming only the second poet in history to do so. She received many recognitions in her lifetime including the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Barack Obama in 2011.

Sadly, Ms. Angelou passed away in 2014 at the age of 86 but her writings today are as popular as ever. As a proud Black American she used her love of reading and writing to change the face of American literature.

The lesson for our Trojans? Reading can give you strength plus an edge in life even when facing the most difficult of circumstances. It is also important to find something you are a passionate about and pursue it with all your might. For when you do, you greatly improve your chances of achieving your dreams!

Angelou On Positivity
Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.
~ Maya Angelou, author
Leadership Team
Pride - Determination - Perseverance
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Copyright Notice
Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Maynard Evans High School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Maynard Evans High School. Please contact Casey Waugh at casey.waugh@ocps.net with any questions related to the program.
Evans High School | Mr. Bailey, Principal | 407.522.3400 | Evans Website