Community College Month Kicks Off With Recognition of Florida’s Outstanding College System Students
In recognition of Community College Month, Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith, Community Colleges Chancellor Willis N. Holcombe and college presidents honored the 2009 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Florida Academic Team on April 2. This year’s team consists of 92 outstanding students representing Florida’s 28 state, community and junior colleges, one independent college and one independent university.

The students were recognized during an awards ceremony held at Florida State University followed by a tour of the Capitol and special acknowledgment by the Florida Legislature and other state leaders. As part of the awards ceremony, team members were presented with PTK medallions and certificates. To learn more, visit http://www.fldoe.org/news/2009/2009_04_02.asp.

Seminole Community College Student Named To All-USA First Team
Seminole Community College (SCC) honors student Trishelle Copeland-Johnson is the College’s first to be named to USA Today’s All-USA First Team – and the only Florida student to receive the honor this year. The Apopka woman is also SCC’s first student to be named a New Century Scholar.

New Century Scholars are the top scorers from each of the 50 states in the Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team program. Copeland-Johnson, 20, has been named to the All-Florida First Team.

Pasco-Hernando Community College Students Named As National Finalists By Coca-Cola
Two Pasco-Hernando Community College students have been named as national finalists in the 2009 Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team. These students are D’Angelo Ferguson, of Spring Hill, and Katherine Young, of Royal Highlands. As finalists, they will each receive a check for $1,000. Ferguson is a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society and founding member and vice president of Men of Excellence student organization and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. Ferguson is pursuing an Associate in Science degree in computer networking.

College President Wants To Lead Way In Human Trafficking Fight
St. Petersburg College (SPC) President Carl Kuttler wants his college to lead the way in fighting human trafficking. Kuttler recently met with Nobel Prize winner Betty Williams in Tallahassee to discuss how SPC can help in this endeavor. Williams, a native of Northern Ireland and president of the World Centers of Compassion for Children and chairperson of the Institute for Asian Democracy, is best known for denouncing violence and war. Williams is also working to end human trafficking in women and children.

Kuttler envisions a program, working in conjunction with the college's public safety study curriculum that offers a specialization in gangs. Kuttler said thinking creatively, forming partnerships and being open to new ways of doing things have made the college an example to others across the United States.

Grant Opportunities Available
Jobs for Florida’s Graduates (JFG) has announced grant opportunities to directly benefit classrooms in the area of Middle School Career Exploration, High School, Out of School - School to Career and Life skills.

Applications for Career Exploration JFG Middle School Programs must commit to help students stay in school and transition into high school; improve their academic performance, school behavior, attendance, participation and self-esteem.

Applications for In-School or Out of School - School to Career Program must commit to keeping students in school through graduation and transitioning successfully into an entry-level job, enrollment into post secondary education and/or military service.

JFG is a private, non-profit organization established in 1998 by the Florida State Legislature, with a mission to identify students who face barriers to education, and to guide each one on to a successful path toward continued education, a meaningful career, and productive adulthood. Application deadline is April 29, 2009. To learn more information, visit http://jfg.wiki.zoho.com/.

English Language Learners Learning Module
The Department of Education (DOE) Office of Early Learning released the English Language Learners in the VPK Classroom learning module in February 2008. Over the past year, the Department has received numerous questions regarding the awarding of a certificate and/or continuing education units (CEU’s) from participants who had successfully completed the learning module. As a result of a collaborative effort with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), participants may now register for a small fee to attend the English Language Learners in the VPK Classroom as a course via DCF’s Web site at https://training01-dcf.myflorida.com/dcf/cct/inf0001.html. Those participants who successfully complete the course and online assessment will receive a Certificate of Completion. CEU’s are also available for the English Language Learners in the VPK Classroom course through DCF.

For additional information regarding the English Language Learners in the VPK Classroom course, please contact Erika Hall at (850) 245-9674 or via e-mail at Erika.Hall@fldoe.org. For additional information regarding CEU’s for the English Language Learners in the VPK Classroom course, please feel free to contact Tara Orlowski at (850) 921–4713 or via e-mail at Tara_Orlowski@dcf.state.fl.us.