Update from Allison Selg, School Board Student Representative
Student Representative Allison Selg highlighted events and happenings from elementary to high schools at the 11/22 school board meeting. In keeping with November’s Anti-Bullying theme, Brooksville Elementary School has instituted a buddy system. According to Selg, the buddy system pairs students with disabilities with other students. It gives them an opportunity to socialize by having breakfast with a friend and cuts down on incidents of bullying.
Brooksville Elementary also welcomed Jeff Brown, a Tampa attorney and avid mountaineer who carried the school’s flag when he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Brown was presented with John F. Kennedy memorabilia at a school assembly. The students chanted, “Climb up, fly down, Jeff Brown!” as Brown paraglided down from the mountaintop.
At Chocachatti Elementary, students are showing kindness in various ways. They can bring in canned foods as part of the “Cans for Caring” program or toys to contribute to the “Toys for Tots” program. Students who are observed being positive are rewarded with special pencils.
CNN (Chocachatti News Network) and the school newspaper are sharing acts of kindness and will include them in their morning broadcasts and issues. Students may also write something they are thankful for on a paper feather to post in the cafeteria.
Eastside Elementary will be participating in the December 6th Light Up Ridge Manor event. Recently the school completed a cookie fundraiser and an ST Math program. Participation in the Urban Gentlemen’s Club is high. Students were also able to participate in showing acts of kindness.
Westside Elementary School’s Tiger Clubs, which meet every other Friday, are enjoyed by the students. The students participated in a Veterans Day celebration by displaying their gratitude to veterans.
Parrott Middle School also held events for Veterans Day. Students sold American flags for $1.00 and donated the money to a charity. They showed their gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy by wearing red, white, and blue.
Fox Chapel Middle School is participating in a digital test drive. The link for the test drive was given in the meeting, and those interested may check out the test drive by contacting Selg for the link.
Powell Middle School’s Halloween festival was a success, Selg said. A Veterans Day breakfast on 11/10/16 honored those who defended our freedoms. Powell Middle School is looking forward to the Winterfest celebration in December.
Middle school delegates met with food services to discuss the orange juice bags, and worked out a solution. Students are requesting an earlier start time for school, and a longer lunch time. Some middle school bathrooms are in disrepair, and students would like money designated to fix them. New Algebra textbooks are needed since the current textbooks are out of date and are in poor condition.
Nature Coast Technical High School’s football team defended their title as district champions. The theatre production of “Scruples” earned a Superior rating in competition.
Weeki Wachee High School started the JV and Varsity soccer teams for both boys and girls. According to Selg, they have begun the season well. The JV football team finished their fourth year with a 3-1 record. The Booster Club collected canned food to provide for area families in need at Thanksgiving.
Superintendent’s Update, delivered by Karen Jordan, PIO
Public Information Officer Karen Jordan began the Superintendent Update by welcoming Linda Prescott to the school board. Among other credentials, Prescott is a University of Florida alumnus, with more than 40 years’ experience teaching from middle school to the university level around the country. A resident of Hernando Beach, Prescott has been active in many community service roles and has served on committees or boards to improve the County and environment.
Fox Chapel Middle School Principal Ray Pinder and Executive Director of Academic Services John Stratton completed the National Institute of School Leadership Executive Development Program. The 15-month long program is funded by the US Department of Education. Jordan stated that the program is considered the gold standard for school leadership development.
The US Department of Education awarded Hernando County a Bronze-Level award as a “Green” school district for the 2015-2016 school year. The award is based on the efforts of the district to “enhance the quality of education while preserving the environment.”
The next Parent Academy “Digital Test Drive” is scheduled for 01/28/17. The planned topic is “Ready for the Journey: Nourishing Healthy Minds and Healthy Kids”.
The 28th annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth was held on 10/29/16 – 11/01/16. More than 1,300 individuals attended, including Shanika Figueroa-Rodriguez, who is the Hernando County Students and Families In Transition Liaison. As a presenter, Ms. Figueroa-Rodriguez and her Pasco County colleague provided tools to attendees at their workshop and encouraged others to balance home and work lives.
SunTech’s automotive program received accreditation from the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF). The program was evaluated on 10 different standards.