In collaboration with local law enforcement, Lake County Schools will host active-assailant training exercises at two school campuses this week. These exercises are part of a continuing effort to ensure that officers and deputies are fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the unlikely event of a real-life emergency. The sessions will be held on Thursday, July 31, at East Ridge Middle School and on Friday, August 1, at Umatilla High School, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The interactive training will include simulated gunfire and student actors to create real-life scenarios.
“We understand that these exercises can raise concerns,” Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth said. “However, law enforcement officials stress the importance of training in realistic settings to be better equipped to protect our students and staff.”
The trainings were intentionally scheduled during the summer when students and teachers are not on campus. Participation is limited to student actors whose parents have provided written consent. The district notified the community in advance through social media and the district and school websites.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership we share with local law enforcement and for their ongoing commitment to keeping our schools safe,” Farnsworth added. “While we all wish this type of training wasn’t necessary, we must prepare. We support our officers and deputies as they train to be there for us when we need them most.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) conducts active assailant training on an ongoing basis as required by state statutes and accreditation requirements to ensure the safety of all involved if such a scenario plays out at one of our schools. It’s especially vital for School Resource Deputies to undergo active assailant training in a realistic environment, as their preparedness can significantly reduce casualties and protect students and staff during such critical incidents, an LCSO spokesperson explained. Demonstrating our teamwork in safety, representatives from Lake County Schools and the Florida Department of Education will also be in attendance at the upcoming training.
“We understand that these exercises can raise concerns,” Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth said. “However, law enforcement officials stress the importance of training in realistic settings to be better equipped to protect our students and staff.”
The trainings were intentionally scheduled during the summer when students and teachers are not on campus. Participation is limited to student actors whose parents have provided written consent. The district notified the community in advance through social media and the district and school websites.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership we share with local law enforcement and for their ongoing commitment to keeping our schools safe,” Farnsworth added. “While we all wish this type of training wasn’t necessary, we must prepare. We support our officers and deputies as they train to be there for us when we need them most.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) conducts active assailant training on an ongoing basis as required by state statutes and accreditation requirements to ensure the safety of all involved if such a scenario plays out at one of our schools. It’s especially vital for School Resource Deputies to undergo active assailant training in a realistic environment, as their preparedness can significantly reduce casualties and protect students and staff during such critical incidents, an LCSO spokesperson explained. Demonstrating our teamwork in safety, representatives from Lake County Schools and the Florida Department of Education will also be in attendance at the upcoming training.
Students will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge in the 2025-26 school year. Learn more here: https://www.lake.k12.fl.us/article/2330002
Are you ready for some football? Join Lake County Schools employees, students, friends, and families in Gainesville as the Florida Gators take on the Long Island Sharks on Saturday, August 30. A portion of every ticket sold will be donated back to the Education Foundation of Lake County to support Lake County Schools! Get your tickets at https://www.gofevo.com/event/Lakecounty60
Freshmen Orientation is this Thursday, July 31 from 8:30am - 11:00am. 9th graders will receive their schedule at that event. All other students can stop by Thursday afternoon on August 7 from 1pm-3pm and pick up their schedule in the cafeteria. If anyone is unable to make any event, our students should be on time to school Monday, August 11 and we will help them find their 1st Period where they will be given their schedule. #GoJackets #TimeforSchool #AttendanceMatters #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn
School is starting soon! Make sure your FOCUS account is active! #BeInformed #SchoolStartsSoon #GoJackets #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn
Sports! It's time to come and try out! Everyone knows that there is remarkable positive statistics linking a student's involvement in sports to both better emotional and physical health. #PlaySports #Participate #GetInvolved #GOJackets #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn
Meet Ms. Lisa Schattie! Ms. Schattie is our Senior Counselor. She has several years of School Counseling experience and is looking forward to supporting all of our Seniors as they prepare for an amazing Senior Year at LHS! Ms. Schattie is also ready to help all of our Seniors pursue their next steps after Graduation. #StartPlanningToday #SchoolCounselors #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #GoJackets
As we inch closer to school starting, we would like to share a few key reminders of the Lake County Schools Student Code of Conduct Dress Code with Parents and Students. #DressforSuccess #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #SchoolStartsSoon #GoJackets
Save the Date! NACAC is the National Association for College Admission Counseling. This event is a College Fair that hosts Colleges from all around the world. Students will get a chance to learn about those Colleges, their Programs, and all of the important things needed to know for College. #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #GoJackets #PlanforSuccess #Class of 2026
Seniors! Here we go! It is time to secure your Parking Spot at LHS! Proper documentation and payment are Due by 7/29/25 in order to Paint your Parking Spot. Parking Spot Painting will be 7/31/25 from 12-3pm and on 8/1/25 from 9am -2pm. Scan or Click on this Link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKjaiUfX_71CILMNMq6Nsp0tIjN0w4h9HBDqDf2GV-ocxXaA/viewform
Update on Payment for Parking: Once you have uploaded your documentation and your information is approved by the team, you will receive an email with a QR Code that will allow you to pay the parking fee online. Please allow a few days for us to work through this new system. Thank you! #Classof2026 #Seniors #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #GoJackets
We want all of our students involved in our programs at our school! Contact our Coaches for more information regarding a Fall Sport you may be interested in this school year! #GoJackets #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #GetInvolved
📢 Parents & Guardians of Future LHS Stars! Your Voice Matters! 📢Get ready to kick off an amazing 2025-2026 school year!
Our High School GPS (Guiding Parents to Success) Committee is gearing up, and we need YOU! ✨This incredible parent-led group is all about empowering and guiding fellow parents to ensure every single LHS student thrives and achieves their dreams. Parental support is the secret sauce to student success! 🚀
Join our very FIRST planning meeting for the new school year!
Date: July 24th
Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: LHS Media Center (aka Tammy Jerkins Learning Center)
How YOU can help make a HUGE impact:
1. SPREAD THE WORD! Share our Freshman Orientation Parents Invitation flyer (link in bio/attached to this post) far and wide! Let's reach every new LHS family!
2. JOIN OUR TEAM! Are you passionate about student success? We'd LOVE for you to join our planning committee! We'll discuss about 7 key meeting dates for the year at this first session. Your insights are invaluable!
3. REFER A STAR! Know another amazing parent or guardian who'd be a perfect fit for our committee? Send their contact info our way! Your continued support fuels our mission! Let's guide our students to their brightest future, together! #LHSGPS #GuidingParentsToSuccess #LeesburgHigh #ParentPower #StudentSuccess #CommunitySupport #LakeCountySchools #GetInvolved #NewSchoolYear #FutureLeaders #ParentCommittee #EducationMatters
📣 Booking is now OPEN for the Class of 2026 senior portrait sessions. You must be photographed by CADY to be in the yearbook. Get photos for grad announcements, senior yearbook ads, and flawless posts on your socials. Book now at cady.com/schedule. #CADYsenior #LHSYearbook #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #GoJackets
Save the Date and Join Us! #WeLoveSchool #Learn #BePrepared #GoJackets #OneTeamOneGoalAllln
For some who may not know... we have Welcomed Mr. Mason to Leesburg High School. Mr. Mason is our new Music Teacher and Band Director. We are so excited for our Music Program. I can't wait for Marching Season! #LHSMusic #JoinBand #GoJackets #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn
Get Ready, Get Set, Get a Clear Backpack! For the 25 - 26 School Year, Clear Backpacks are Preferred at Leesburg High School! #ClearBackpacksAreGreat #WeMissOurStudents #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #GoJackets
We are still a little more than a month away from school starting but we wanted to share our School Supply List now so everyone has plenty of time to plan. #MissOurStudents #ReadyforSchool #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #GoJackets
Hello Jacket Family! We want to share that we are so Proud of our Students, Faculty and Staff. Parents, thank you too! Today we learned that School Grades were released and even though we maintained a "C" grade, we increased 42 points overall! This is Great Work by our kids, our teachers and all of our support staff! We made significant gains in Reading and Science and continued to strengthen our Graduation Rate! Thank you Jacket Family for all your support! We are One Team, with One Goal and We are All In! #GoJackets
We are about a month away from the first day of school. Plan ahead and get your back-to-school and sports physicals completed free of charge in Eustis on Saturday, July 19. Register in advance and get more information at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpmLjUw5yXaDD1oYyQX6gZ8xGTRqyn8N1L1A5Wm8GXCbYcbg/viewform
Jacket Nation! Our very own, Mileysa Lebron Escudero, was named the Orlando Sentinel Girls Weightlifter of the Year. 3x State Champ, 2 State Records, and a Full-Ride Weightlifting scholarship….for those of you who had the chance to know this young lady, she is just simply amazing! #OneTeamOneGoalAllIn #GoJackets #WeAreLeesburg
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/05/28/leesburgs-escudero-is-sentinel-varsity-girls-weightlifter-of-the-year/
