School Board Student Representative’s Update
Allison Selg, Student School Board Representative and Nature Coast Tech Senior gave her regular update to the School Board on Dec. 13, 2016.
She began with Brooksville Elementary’s food drive to help students in need and their continued screening of kids during computer lab for their buddy program. Also at Brooksville Elementary, students are being picked for student council.
Chocachatti had a winter wonderland festival on Saturday Dec. 9.
At Explorer K8, Literacy Week and the Book Fair will be held Jan 23-27. There will also be a vocabulary parade in January. Selg informed school board members that K8 delegates would like to see more programs and after school activities for elementary students such as Beta Club. They would also like to continue strengthening communication throughout schools and the district.
Powell Middle School had a Winterfest Concert for the Performing Arts and a Christmas Parade.
The Student Government wrapped boxes and decorated them In SWAT colors for the Brooksville Parade.
Hernando High School partnered with Parrott Middle Chorus in performing a holiday concert on Dec. 8th. On Dec 16th, Hernando High Band hosted its annual Holiday Spectacular in the auditorium.
The Nature Coast Tech Theatre program received all superior and excellent ratings in the District 14 Individual Event Competition. Additionally, NCT Student Government held a “Ten days of Giveaways” to reward Sharks with positive behavior. The NCT National Honor Society donated gifts to over 70 children of Hope Children’s Home in Tampa.
At Springstead High School, the National Honor Society held a pancake breakfast on Dec. 10th.
Beta Club members are preparing for the state convention in January. Beta Club also went Christmas carolling on Dec 10, performing at Forest Oaks retirement home. The Beta Club currently has over 70 members.
Also at SHS, the Interact Club recently went shopping for children and families in need. They also will be giving gifts to children in need via the Christmas Angel Program and hosting a food drive for the holiday season. All toys will be donated to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
Additionally, the Young Adults against Cancer toy drive ran from November 21st through December 16th and the SHS Theatre program put on 8 performances of “A Christmas Carol.”
At Weeki Wachee High School, dual enrollment students finished their first semester of college classes at PHSC. On January 9, Keiser University will be at Weeki Wachee High School from 8:45 – 9:45 AM and on January 10, Bene’s Career Academy will be visiting from 9AM – 10AM.
Girls basketball hosted a holiday tournament at HHS on Dec. 19th and 20th.
Superintendent’s Update
Karen Jordan began the Dec. 13 Superintendent Update with congratulations to all School Related Employee and Teachers of the Year. The school related employee celebration will be on Jan 7, while the Teacher of the Year celebration will be held and hosted by the Foundation on Jan 19th.
She further congratulated the 2016-2017 US Presidential Scholar nominees. Jordan explained that this honor was established in 1964 by executive order of the President. It recognizes the country’s most distinguished graduating seniors. In 1979, the program was expanded to recognize students that demonstrated talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015 honors were added to recognize students in technical areas of study. Each year school districts are asked to choose students who meet the criteria for recognition, which includes excellence in academic rigor, technical competence, employability skills, ingenuity, and creativity. Each high school nominates students who meet these standards and one student is selected from each category to represent the Hernando County School District. These students are entered into the state level competition for the scholarship.
This year’s US Presidential nominees are Ana Torres of Weeki Wachee High School as the academic scholar nominee, Antonio Johnson as the career and technical scholar nominee from Nature Coast Technical High School.
Jordan informed the school board that the Parent Academy will present “Ready for the Journey: Nourishing Healthy Minds and Healthy Kids” on Jan. 28th at Explorer K-8 at 8:30AM – 12:30PM. Interested parents can see the parent academy website to register.
The Students and Families in Transition Program was able to assist 65 families for Thanksgiving this year. On behalf of the school district, Jordan thanked Encouraging Word Ministries, Great Life Church and Sacred Walk Home for all of their help in making Thanksgiving a special occasion for these needy families.
In the area of School Improvement, a grant from Hernando County Teacher Association and Education Foundation allowed a team of Hernando County School leaders to participate in a Montgomery Institute workshop. The topic was leading to organize for diversity and justice.
The SunTech Educational Center held a meet and greet to introduce the accreditation team to school board members and Superintendent Romano. They are awaiting the decision of the Council on Occupational Education in regard to accreditation status.
School delegates and school board members participated in the Brooksville Christmas Parade as well as student volunteers.