Schools like this will soon be full of students. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Break out your notebooks and No. 2 pencils: School is back in session. Many Florida counties begin the 2025-2026 academic year today, Aug. 11, including Orange County.
This school district serves over 215,000 students, including the incoming kindergarten class — aka the class of 2038. Here are some A+ tips for the new year:
Expect roads to be busier, and be aware of students + buses.
Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday continues through Sunday, Aug. 31.
Audubon Park Community Market | 5-8 p.m. | Audubon Park Garden District | Free | Swing by the artisan market on the way home from work to pick up foods like fresh produce, cheese, bread, and decadent desserts.
Orlando Police Department Hispanic Senior Safety Summit | 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Engelwood Neighborhood Center | Free | Learn about tips and resources for seniors to stay safe and remain empowered in their communities at this Spanish-language session.
Bourbon Coyotes | 7-10 p.m. | RockPit Brewing | Free | Sip on local beer as you listen to the Southern Rock band take the stage.
Collin Oliver Trio | 7 p.m. | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | $24+ | Groove into the week with this trio known for blending genres from top 40 hits to jazz classics.
Wednesday, Aug. 13
Stroller Tours | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Orlando Museum of Art | $15 | Gaze at art and inspire an infant as you walk through the gallery with your stroller — this week’s focus is the J. Hyde Crawford and Anthony Tortora Collection.
Clipse | 7 p.m. | The Vanguard | $100+ | After 15 years, the rap duo is back to “Grindin’,” and you can catch them performing with EarthGang.
A new White Castle location has slid into Clermont and will have its grand opening tomorrow at 9 a.m. The Clermont Castle can be found in Plaza Collina and is the chain’s second free-standing Florida location. It brings 75 jobs to Lake County.
Biz
Amazon has purchased eight parcels of land in Brevard County, totaling 90 acres, for $59 million dollars. The West Melbourne site was determined to be a prime location for an operations facility to serve Central Florida. The project is in its early stages with no further details released. (Orlando Business Journal)
Eat
Are Gen Z cereal killers? Sales of the boxed breakfast have fallen by 13% in the US compared to 2021 — a decline attributed to changing preferences in young Americans. But who can blame them when they have local brunch options like this? (New York Post)
Stat
1.75%. That’s the percentage of income Orlandoans should expect to spend on clothing, based on a study by WalletHub. This outfits the City Beautiful at No. 38 on the site’s list of cities where people spend the most to get dressed (when comparing the 100 largest US cities).
Trending
“Hot Girl Summer” ruled in 2019. “Brat” summer took over in 2024. Now, this summer has been dubbed “brain rot summer” — a season with no viral anthem, no clear vibe, and scattered cultural chatter. If that makes you want to unplug entirely, touch grass on a local hike. (Business Insider)
On This Day
Today marks 159 years since the first public roller skating rink opened to the US public back in 1866. Thankfully, Orlando has a lot more options to keep the kiddos entertained these days. (WUN)
Shop
Nintendo recently announced a pricing increase for the original Nintendo Switch family of systems + products due to market conditions in the US — think: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, the OLED model, and accessories. Mamma mia, we’ll see what Gamers Go Retro has in stock first.
Mansion Mondays
Get lakefront views of Lake Nona with this Laurel Pointe home. Inside, you’ll find five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two dedicated offices, and a private theater room. Then, head outside to see the covered patio where you’ll be able to enjoy a meal at the water’s edge.
Inside these walls you’ll find a comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
You don’t need major funds to have major fun in Orlando — which can come in handy during back-to-school season. If you want to learn something outside of the classroom, check out these A+ destinations that can be 100% free. Morse Museum of American Art | This one’s a must-do for the Louis Comfort Tiffany lovers among us, the museum has the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by the artist. Stop by on Friday evenings from November through April for free entry.
The Central Florida Railroad Museum | Dive into Central Florida’s rich railroad history for free and chug through the museum’s photos, exhibits, maps, and historic railroad artifacts.
Orange County Regional History Center | Visit the historic courthouse on the third Thursday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. to browse the Smithsonian affiliate for free. There are four floors featuring exhibits on people who have called Central Florida home.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I know the first day of school can be a mixed bag of emotions, and I was not a fan as a kid. Thankfully, my mother was empathetic and would take me to get ice cream after school. If you like this idea, I’d recommend a spot like Ginther’s Swirls Ice Cream because I love soft serve.
