- December 4, 2025
Second grade teachers Gina LaMendola, Ashley Choyka, Denise Corzano, April Knorr, Rosemarie Behulak and Cynthia Smith. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Fifth grade teachers Hollie Hendrickson, Kathy Reynolds, Jim Ravede, Latronda Sparrow-Morris and Anna Resillez. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Special area teachers Gavin Evans, Ramon Andersen, Stephanie Hadjin, Principal Charlie Bynum, Laura Hoskin, Sarah Marzilli and Denise Ray. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Teresa Morrison, Principal Charlie Bynum, Assistant Principal Jody Whittley and Agnes Ingram. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
When it comes to schools, it's all hands on deck.
So when welcoming teachers back for the 2025-2026 school year, Pine Trail Elementary decorated its cafeteria with a nautical theme.
"We are all working together, rowing in the same direction for the same cause," Principal Charles Bynum said. "That's what I believe in."
Teachers returned to Volusia County Schools on Tuesday, Aug. 5, in preparation for the first day of school for students on Monday, Aug. 11.
Bynum said he's been a part of a total of 51 first days of schools throughout his life — including the ones where he was a student himself.
"I love being in school," he said. "I love being around kids. I love being around educators. I love watching them work. That's the one thing that I really mostly enjoy about this job, is being able to watch the educators in the room do what they do. That's fascinating to me."
His goal for Pine Trail Elementary this year?
Maintain the school's "A" grade.
"One of the things that I talked about with the faculty today is that, if I had to pick two words to describe this school, it would be 'high expectations,'" Bynum said. "The expectation is that it's going to be an 'A,' and we will continue that trend."
Preparing for the first day of school? Here are some things the district wants you to know.
Volusia County Schools will continue to provide fee breakfast and lunch for all students during the upcoming school year.
Students attending Pace Center for Girls, Richard Milburn Academy West, and Richard Milburn Academy East will also continue to receive meals for free.
Still need to purchase school supplies? Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday runs through Aug. 31.
Tax-free items include:
Florida House Bill 1105, which prohibits elementary and middle school students from using their cell phones during the school day, went into effect on July 1.
The law states students may not use a wireless device (phone or tablet) from "bell to bell."
High school students are still permitted to use their phones outside of class and during class if permitted by their teachers.
How much reading did your child do over the summer? The Superintendent’s Summer Home Run Reading Challenge concluded on July 31, and students who read at least 200 minutes earned a prize.
According to the district's Facebook page, students who:
Students must have logged their mintes on Beanstack through the VCS VPortal.
The first day of classes in Monday, Aug. 11. Here are other dates to keep in mind:
