On Veteranβs Day, our entire school gathered to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Our students lifted their voices in song as a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our nationβs heroes. πΆβ€οΈ
A heartfelt thank you to VFW Post 4300 for joining us and paying tribute to our veterans with the solemn playing of Taps and the three-volley salute. Your presence added deep meaning and reverence to our ceremony.
We are also grateful to the many veterans who were able to join us. Thank you for your service and for the example you set for our students and community.
We honor you. We thank you. We will never forget.
#VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #CTEProud #PatrioticPride









We are excited to share highlights from the Summit Awards, where two outstanding members of our CTE family were honored for their dedication and impact! ππ
π©βπ« Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Denise Hines
Our amazing 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Hines was recognized for her unwavering dedication, inspiring teaching, and the positive difference she makes every single day in our students' lives. Her passion and commitment to excellence shine through in everything she does! ππ
π οΈ School-Related Employee of the Year: Mrs. Sonia Almenteros
Our Plant Manager, Mrs. Almenteros was honored for keeping our school running smoothly and looking its best. Her hard work, kindness, and behind-the-scenes efforts create a safe, welcoming environment for the entire Cracker Trail Elementary community. πΌπ«
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Hines and Mrs. Almenteros on these well-deserved kudos! We are so proud of you!
A heartfelt thank you to our table sponsors and amazing business partners at Glades Electric Cooperative, represented by Trustee Vicki Pontius and Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Koukos, who joined us to celebrate Mrs. Hines and Mrs. Almenteros.
#CrackerTrailElementary #CTERocks #SummitAwards #TeacherOfTheYear #SchoolRelatedEmployeeOfTheYear #MustangProud
π2025 CTE Hoedown Door Decoration Contest! π
β Vote by liking your favorite classroom door!
π³οΈ Votes are open now through Thursday, Nov. 20.
π The winning teacher will be announced at the Hoedown!
Thank you to all of our teachers for getting into the Hoedown spirit! π¨π
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CsrVTvFt2/
πππ€Click on the link below to listen to this amazing group of CTE leaders as they share their mission to help others! What a wonderful way to spread kindness throughout our school today as we celebrate ! πππ€
Send in cans through November 20th.

https://highlands.revtrak.net/elementary-schools-page/cracker-trail-elementary/cte-hoedown/#/list

World Kindness Day is a global celebration dedicated to promoting empathy, compassion, and simple acts of kindness toward others, ourselves, and the world. ππ«
Established in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, this day reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference!
Here at Cracker Trail Elementary, weβre spreading kindness by giving motivational bracelets to every student and staff member! πͺβ¨
π Letβs show our CTE spirit loud and proudβwear your motivational shirt and your bracelet as we celebrate kindness together! π
#CTEMustangs #WorldKindnessDay #ChooseKindness

Thank you, Ms. Jolin, for sharing the Gift of Reading and supporting our Mustangs! π΄π€π







π€π LAST CALL, MUSTANGS! ππ€
Dinners must be pre-ordered!
π½οΈ Last day to purchase meals: November 13th
π Pulled Pork β $7
π Hot Dog β $5
(Each meal served with chips & a drink)
π€ CTE Hoedown
π
November 20, 2025
β° 5:00β7:00 pm
Donβt miss out, Mustangs β order your dinner today!
https://highlands.revtrak.net/elementary-schools-page/cracker-trail-elementary/cte-hoedown/#/list

Our amazing Mustangs shared what kindness means to them β and their words are sure to make you smile! β¨
Check out this heartwarming video of CTE students spreading positivity and reminding us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. ππ«
#CTEMustangs #ChooseKindness #MustangPride #KindnessCounts
https://shorturl.at/ZN02J
Cracker Trail Elementary Veterans Day Program
We invite you to join us as we honor all who served at our annual Veterans Day Program on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 9:00 AM here at CTE.
Our students have prepared a special musical tribute to celebrate and thank the brave men and women who have served our country. β€οΈπ
π 8200 Sparta Road, Sebring, FL 33875
β Special guests include the VFW Post 4300 Honor Guard and Deputy Superintendent Andrew Lethbridge.
If you would like for us to recognize a veteran who will be in attendance, please call 863-471-5777 or scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the form. Or click on this link https://forms.gle/k52UzkLgneESPoTw6 .
We hope to see you there as we honor our heroes! ποΈ

Our Student Leadership Team is on a mission β Letβs Feed the Hungry! π
Weβre collecting donations to support the Heartland Food Bank π π
π Collection Dates: November 10thβ20th
π¦ Drop-off: Boxes will be located in each childβs classroom
π§‘ Please bring unexpired, non-perishable food items to help families in need.
Together, we can make a difference! πβ¨

Cracker Trail Elementary Veterans Day Program
We invite you to join us as we honor all who served at our annual Veterans Day Program on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 9:00 AM here at CTE.
Our students have prepared a special musical tribute to celebrate and thank the brave men and women who have served our country. β€οΈπ
π 8200 Sparta Road, Sebring, FL 33875
β Special guests include the VFW Post 4300 Honor Guard and Deputy Superintendent Andrew Lethbridge.
If you would like for us to recognize a veteran who will be in attendance, please call 863-471-5777 or scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the form. Or click on this link https://forms.gle/k52UzkLgneESPoTw6 .
We hope to see you there as we honor our heroes! ποΈ

Click on the link provided to learn more.
https://shorturl.at/OHR9I
This year's Kiss the Pig π·Penny War fundraiser is now through November 19th. The funds we raise will support our new school initiative, the Caring Closet.
The Caring Closet was created to help students who may not have the resources they need at home. We will stock the closet with essential items like extra clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, and snacks. It will also be a resource for students who have accidents at school and need a change of clothes without having to be sent home.
To participate in the Penny War, students can bring cash π΅or coins πͺ to put in a bucket of their choosing. Each teacher and staff will have a bucket to collect donations. The class that raises the most amount of money will get to see a teacher or administrator kiss a pig at our annual Hoedown on Thursday November 20th from 5-7 PM. π·
We appreciate your support in helping us make a positive impact on our students' lives.

(please be patient as we continue to upload photos this afternoon)










πBrought to you by Mustang Performing Arts, weβre proud to present Disneyβs The Lion King KIDS! π¦πΆ
Auditions are open to all 4th and 5th graders!
More information will be sent home in the coming weeks β get ready to roar with excitement! πΎβ¨

Here in Highlands County, we are celebrating the incredible achievements and innovative spirit of our students. Our elementary gifted students have been exploring this year's hands-on curriculum, "The Carnival of Creativity."
Building Skills for the Future
Our students are engaging in hands-on, collaborative projects that focus on their intellectual growth and the development of critical academic skills:
STEAM & Design Challenges: Students are tackling real-world, carnival-themed STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) challenges. They are applying the engineering design process and using math and science concepts to create a variety of products.
Building Resilience: A key focus is on developing perseverance and a growth mindset. These challenges are intentionally complex, giving students a safe space to practice problem-solving, learn from setbacks, and build grit.
Innovation and Leadership: Through teamwork, students are honing their critical and creative thinking abilities, practicing leadership skills, and developing real-world problem-solving strategies.


If youβre attending the Character Parade tomorrow morning, please remember to have your photo ID ready before walking up to the check-in desk in front of the office.
π’ Check-in begins at 7:30 AM.
We canβt wait to see all of our amazing Mustang characters! πβ¨
We are proud to celebrate two of our amazing teachers, Mrs. Lindley (5th Grade) and Mrs. Cleveland (3rd Grade), for receiving mini-grants to enhance student learning!
π Mrs. Lindleyβs grant will fund an online reading program to support and engage young readers.
π Mrs. Clevelandβs grant will provide additional books for her classroomβgiving students even more opportunities to develop the joy of reading.
A huge thank you to SBHC Superintendent Dr. Brenda Longshore and Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations Mrs. Anjelica Ramos Tinajero for visiting our campus to personally present these awards. Your support helps our teachers continue to make a difference every day!
#CTEMustangs #CTERocks #WeAreSBHC #TeacherExcellence #MiniGrantWinners #ReadingRocks #ThankYou




Our VPK students at Cracker Trail Elementary had a blast painting their tiles for the I am pART of This Community Tile Wall! Each colorful creation represents their teamwork and Mustang pride. π΄π
We canβt wait to see the finished wall come together β a true masterpiece which will include our youngest Mustangs! π«
Special thanks to Mrs. Sebring for leading the painting adventure and our VPK staff members - Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Flowers - for joining in on the fun!
#CrackerTrailElementary #MustangPride #CTERocks #VPK #CommunityArt #YoungMustangs #CreativeKids

