Q&A about Osceola Science’s Campus Construction Delay

When is the first day of school, and where should my student report?
The first day of school remains Monday, August 12th.

• Kindergarten-3rd Grade students should report to 3540 Pleasant Hill Rd,

Kissimmee, FL 34746 on Monday, August 12th. This school building was most recently
the home of another charter school last year. Principal Murat Cetin and a team of Osceola
Science teachers and staff will be on hand at this campus.

o Morning care start time: 6:45 AM

o Drop-off start time: 7:30 AM
o School start time: 8:00 AM
o Dismissal time: 2:50 PM
o After care end time: 6:00 PM

• 4th Grade-6th Grade students should report to 1925 Nora Tyson Rd., St. Cloud, FL
34771 on Monday, August 12th. This campus houses another charter school, Mater
Academy, and Osceola Science will occupy the building’s 2 nd floor. Dr. Yalcin Akin and
a team of Osceola Science teachers and staff will be on hand at this campus.

o Morning care start time: 6:45 AM

o Drop-off start time: 8:00 AM
o School start time: 8:30 AM
o Dismissal time: 3:20 PM
o After care end time: 06:00 PM

Is orientation for new students still happening on August 10th, and where?
Yes, orientation for students new to our school community will still take place on Saturday,
August 10th according to this schedule:

Kindergarten-1st Grade
▪ Location: 3540 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746
▪ Time: 8:00 AM-10:00 AM
o 2 Grade-3rd Grade
nd

▪ Location: 3540 Pleasant Hill Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746

▪ Time: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
o 4th Grade-5th Grade-6th Grade
▪ Location: Mater Academy, 1925 Nora Tyson Rd., St. Cloud, FL 34771
▪ Time: 1:30 PM-3:30 PM

How will we know when the John Young campus is ready and students need to show up
there?
You will get a message from school administrators, and we will prepare students for the move to
the permanent campus. We will give everyone sufficient notice to make the move. The new
building should be ready by the end of August.

Why can’t we move into the new campus now?

Throughout this project, the unusually wet year that we have been experiencing has affected our
construction timetable. Permitting and inspections have taken longer than expected, too. Our
construction plan built in a standard amount of time for such delays, but it turned out to not be
enough. Lately, the wet ground has prevented the grading and paving of the campus driveway
and parking areas. That work is important to provide emergency access to the campus, among
other reasons. We cannot welcome students and staff safely until it is done.

Why couldn’t we stay at the old campus until the new one is ready?
Our lease at Osceola Science’s former campus ended on June 30th.

Can my child just show up to school once the John Young campus is ready?
No. It is important that all students come to school on day one -- Monday, August 12th. Missing
school negatively affects learning. Please ensure your student(s) are at school, on time every day.
We appreciate that you have chosen Osceola Science and do not want you to lose your spot. We
want your family with us for the 2019-2020 school year. This school year will be especially
exciting because we are moving into a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility that was designed and
built for our STEM-focused curriculum. It will be worth the wait!

Are the temporary campuses safe?

Both buildings were built to be schools and have been used as charter school facilities. School
resource officers will help ensure safety at both sites.

Will there be meal service at the temporary campuses?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch will be available at both temporary campuses to all students, at no
charge to families.

At the 4th-6th Grade campus, which is sharing space with another school, will Osceola
Science students mix with Mater Academy students? Are we sharing any staff?
Each school will have its own classroom space. Use of communal areas will be scheduled to
avoid mixing, and both administrations will provide supervision.

Why didn’t you anticipate this delay?

Our construction partners built a standard amount of time into their schedule to account for
delays due to weather, permitting, inspections and other factors that commonly delay
construction. Because of unusually wet weather and extensive delays getting permits, the cushion
built into the timeline wasn’t quite enough, so we had to make other arrangements in order to
open school on time.
How much is this delay costing our school?
Our construction partners are bearing all the costs of this delay and are doing everything they can
to minimize the length of time we are at these temporary locations.

The temporary campus closer to where I live is not the one for my child’s grade. Can I
drop off my child at the closer campus and then he/she can take the bus to school?
Yes. For families with children at both temporary campuses, we know this is especially
inconvenient. Parents who have students in both campuses have the option to choose one drop-
off location based on their convenience. Transportation will be provided to students who need a
ride to the other campus. Here is the schedule:

o Coach Bus leaves from Pleasant Hill Rd. campus to Mater Academy at 7:30 AM.
o Coach Bus leaves from Mater Academy to Pleasant Hill Rd. campus at 7:15 AM.

How will the busing between campuses affect instructional time?

Student learning should not be significantly affected. The bus schedule aims to have every
student at their respective campus at the start of school day. Also, we do not expect to be at these
temporary sites for long.

Is there a charge for the bus service between campuses?

No.

Will there be any impact on the school’s STEM program?

No. Both temporary campuses have appropriate classrooms and other facilities to support our
STEM program.

Will my child have a different teacher when we move to the permanent campus?
No. Your child’s teacher at the temporary campus will move with them to the John Young
campus once it is ready. Teachers will help minimize the disruption of this transition.

How can families be helpful to the school while the John Young campus is being finished?
We appreciate families’ flexibility, patience and trust we prepare Osceola Science’s new campus
for our school community to enjoy. The way you can be most helpful is by getting your children
to school on time, at the appropriate location, on August 12th and every day. And, let’s all hope
for dry weather so our crews can finish the project as soon as possible!