At the School Board meeting on March 8th, Karen Jordan, Public Information Officer and Student Representative Clay Everett gave updates of what is happening in the district.
One topic of interest was the student delegate meeting late last month. Student delegates met on February 25 at Weeki Wachee High School to learn from different departments in the district. The “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” program was presented by Fox Chapel Middle School. Student Representative Clay Everett thanked advisors and school personnel for helping them understand technology issues and school lunches.
Student committees identified and discussed several concerns and presented possible solutions to the school board. Mr. Everett acknowledged that the issues would require a combined effort from the school board, the community and students. The targeted issues were local standardized tests, diminishing arts and athletic programs, and transportation.
Standardized testing affects students of all ages. Joseph Santana, the delegate from Nature Coast Technical High School, stated the local nine weeks’ exams appear to be standards-based and not content-based. He stated that a solution could be to bring local (nine weeks) exams back to teachers as the teachers know more about their students. Reducing tests will also help reduce anxiety in children.
An elementary delegate noted that at her school, 153 tests have been administered in the first 122 days of school, with very few students passing the test. More time for teachers to actually teach would be helpful. Rather than learn art history, she felt it would be better for students to actually paint and draw.
A delegate from Weeki Wachee High School discussed arts and sports programs at the elementary and middle school level. Possible solutions would include a “pay to play” fee for the arts at the middle school level, fundraising, or grants, all of which could pay for uniforms. The most important component of these enrichment programs is to ensure there are teachers who can lead them.
Transportation issues that were discussed in committee included having consistently late buses, overcrowded buses, and safety issues for students who must walk to school. Student delegates plan to meet with the Director of Transportation to help determine possible routing changes over the summer. The students would like to work with Ms. Danielle Barth from All Children’s Hospital so that students can have safe paths to and from school.
Karen Jordan addressed the School Board to read a portion of a letter from Florida Commissioner of Education, Pam Stewart. “We know more than we have ever known about the impact teaching has on student outcomes. With this knowledge comes the occasion to celebrate successes and also implores us to support all educators in their journey to become effective in the classroom, and the process starts with recognizing you.” Of the hundreds of teachers in Florida characterized as “High Impact” teachers, seventy-five are in Hernando County.
In February, Dr. Lori Romano visited Fox Chapel and D.S. Parrott Middle Schools for her Lunch, Listen, and Learn events. The Differentiated Accountability team completed walkthroughs of five schools from February 24-29.
Ms. Jordan shared PowerPoint slides depicting how writing is being integrated into all subject areas. Students from elementary to high school are showing they can process the content. Ms. Jordan praised high school students, saying, “Their writing is beginning to look very similar to that of students in college.”
The SunTech team attended a college fair at Springstead High, where students showed interest in the welding and cosmetology programs. On the campus of Central High School, SunTech celebrated the ribbon cutting for their new welding facility, which will provide welding instruction for both secondary and post secondary students.
Ms. Jordan expressed sympathy on behalf of the school district for the recent passing of Hernando e-teacher Lara Dewees.