O.J. Semmes

Orientation is Tomorrow!

We can't wait to welcome our Dolphins back!

📅 **Friday, August 7**
⏰ **9:00 AM – 11:00 AM**

Come meet your student's teacher, see their classroom, get your car tag for car rider line, and get ready for an amazing school year! This is a great opportunity to ask questions, become familiar with the school, and help your child feel excited and prepared for the first day.

We look forward to seeing all of our Dolphin families tomorrow! 💙🐬

Is your child registered for Kindergarten? They can start Kindergarten in August, if they are 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026. For more information, contact your residential school or ECPS Office of Enrollment at (850) 469-5580.

🎒BIG NEWS, FUTURE KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES!🎒

Is your little learner heading to kindergarten? ReadyKids! is hosting a brand-new, one-day event just for you: Kindergarten, Here We Come! 🎉

We’re helping your family get ready for day one with plenty of fun and free resources. Here is what you can look forward to:

🏫 On Site Teacher Support: Get guidance and tips directly from the experts.
🧩 Early Learning Stations: Interactive, hands-on activities for your child.
✏ School Supplies Giveaways: Gear up for the classroom with free supplies.
📚 Resources for Families & FREE Books: Take-home tools for a great school year!

🗓 Date: Saturday, August 1st, 2026
⏰ Time: 10am – 1pm
📍 Location: St. Christopher's Episcopal Church (3200 N 12th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32503)

Tag a friend with a rising kindergartener and save the date! We can't wait to see you there. 👇

💙🐬💙

FREE VPK ~ secure your spot today!!

Here is our calendar for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year! 🗓️

🎉 Dive Into the Fun: Our Under the Sea Celebration! 🌊🐳

We are still swimming in excitement after our incredible Under the Sea Celebration Party!🦈✨

What makes this event even more special is where the inspiration came from. This entire magical underwater experience was the brilliant idea of one of our very own talented 5th graders,Malorie Lett!👩‍🎨💡

Malorie didn’t just share a casual idea—she took total initiative and put together a complete, professional proposal for Principal Sanders, mapping out every single detail and plan for the event! To bring her creative vision to life, she worked hand-in-hand with Mrs. Zent to coordinate and execute the perfect celebration.

From the decorations to the high-energy fun, it was the perfect way to make a splash and celebrate our amazing students. We are so incredibly proud of Malorie’s leadership, creativity, and dedication to her school community! Way to go, Malorie! 🌟🐚

A special thank you to Healthy Schools Escambia with United Way of West Florida for sponsoring this fabulous event!

Check out some of the highlights from our deep-sea adventure below! 👇📸

🎉 5th Grade, You Did It! ✨

On Wednesday, we officially celebrated our incredible 5th graders during their Promotion Ceremony! It was a beautiful day filled with proud families, happy tears, and so much well-deserved recognition.

From the opening procession to the final dismissal, our students shone incredibly bright. Here are a few highlights from our special day:

Special Area & Academic Honors: Our Dolphins were recognized for excellence in Music/Chorus, Art, P.E., Media, and Small Group Reading, alongside our hard-working Honor Roll students. 📚🏆

Hard Work Paid Off:
We celebrated major growth with our Most Improved awards, FAST Certificates of Achievement, and our dedicated Outstanding Attendance students (4 or less absences!). 💯

Character Counts:
Shoutout to our Stellar Citizenship recipients who maintained A&B conduct all year long! 🏅

Inspirational Awards:
Cox Hero Award: D.J. White 🌟
Shining Star: Tanayia Milton ⭐
Distinguished Dolphin Awards: Ireanna Mitchell & Boris Menjivar 🐬

A massive thank you to Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Watford, Mrs.Carithers, Mrs. Zent, Mrs. Terbecki, Mrs. Williams, and our amazing coaches (Mr. G, Mrs. Lewis, Ms. Stein) for making this ceremony so memorable.

To our promoted 5th graders: As you turn the page to middle school, remember to keep swimming strong, dream big, and always stay distinguished. We are so proud of you! 🩵🐬🎉

🍎🕊️End of an Era: Honoring Two Legends of O.J. Semmes🕊️🍎

Today, our hearts are incredibly full, yet beautifully heavy, as we announce the retirement of two extraordinary educators who have quite literally shaped the heart and soul of our school: Mrs. Jones, our beloved 3rd-grade teacher, and Mrs. House, our wonderful Pre-K teacher.

How do you find the words to say goodbye to the hands that held our youngest babies as they took their first steps into school, and the heart that guided our 3rd graders as they grew into independent, confident thinkers?

✨To Mrs. House: You have been the very first chapter of the school story for so many of our little ones. Your classroom was a sanctuary of patience, warm hugs, and pure joy. You did so much more than just welcome our students—you wrapped your arms around our families, too. You intentionally equipped parents with the essential resources and skills needed to confidently continue bringing learning to life at home. You built the foundational bridge between home and school that will help our students shine bright!

✨To Mrs. Jones: You have been the anchor for our 3rd graders during some of their most pivotal academic years. Your fierce belief in every single child who walked through your door transformed struggling students into confident leaders. You didn't just teach math and reading; you taught resilience, character, and self-worth.

Combined, these two incredible women have given decades of love, late nights, and triumphs to the O.J. Semmes community. They have loved children that weren’t their own, cheered the loudest for our school, and left an indelible mark on the hearts of hundreds of families. Teachers like Mrs. Jones and Mrs. House don't just retire; they leave behind a legacy that will echo through our hallways for generations to come.

Mrs. Jones and Mrs. House, as you step into this next beautiful chapter of rest, family, and new adventures, please know that you are deeply, deeply loved. You will always be a part of the Dolphin family.

Thank you for giving your hearts to our children. Happy Retirement. 🐬💙