June 11, 2010 |
Vol. 4, Issue 12 |
News Slices
Tell Us What You Think
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Two Florida Educators Selected as Winners of Prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence
The White House has announced the selection of science teacher Allan Phillips of South Plantation High School in Broward County and math teacher Michelle Voelker of Walton Middle School in Walton County as the Florida winners of the 2010 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Phillips and Voelker were among those chosen in recognition of their dedication in bringing science and mathematics to life for their students.
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is given annually to the best pre-college-level science and mathematics teachers across the country. Winners receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion, and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the award ceremony and educational and celebratory events. For more information about the award, visit www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-math-and-science-teachers-award-release. Congratulations!
School-Related Employee of the Year Announced
Christina Guhl, an Education Paraprofessional at Lancaster Elementary School in Orange County has been named the 2010 School-Related Employee of the Year. Guhl was surprised in her reading lab at the school on June 7, 2010, by Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith and Orange County Schools Superintendent Ronald Blocker. She was recognized for organizing her school’s service learning projects and raising reading achievement levels for many of her students. Guhl received a check for $1,000 in honor of her outstanding efforts and superior commitment to the children she serves.
The following were finalists for the 2010 School-Related Employee of the Year award:
- Lorena Bruneau, Bookkeeper from Horizon Middle School in Osceola County
- Susan Campbell, Guidance Secretary from Niceville High School in Okaloosa County
- Margaret Tidmore, Title I Parent Liaison from New Horizons Learning Center in Bay County
- Johnny Weeks, Building Supervisor from Bonita Springs Middle School in Lee County
The School-Related Employee of the Year program recognizes outstanding education support personnel for the significant contributions they make to their schools and district school systems. Award winners receive $1,000 and finalists receive $400. For more information about the School-Related Employee of the Year program, visit www.fldoe.org/profdev/yearemp.asp.
K-12 Common Core Standards in English-Language Arts and Mathematics Unveiled
After a year-long process led by governors and chief education officers in 48 states, two territories and the District of Columbia, the K-12 Common Core Standards for English-Language Arts and Mathematics were launched June 2, 2010, at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee Ga. The standards were developed in collaboration with content experts, teachers, school administrators and parents to define and establish clear goals for learning that will prepare America’s children for success in college and work. The release of the standards marks the end of the development phase and the beginning of the adoption and implementation process by states. In the coming months, each state will follow its own procedures and processes for adopting the standards. To learn more about the K-12 Common Core Standards for English-Language Arts and Mathematics, visit www.corestandards.org.
Department of Education Announces District Data Leader of the Year Award
The Florida Department of Education has announced an exciting new award program designed to recognize school superintendents who show exemplary leadership in using data to increase student achievement in their district . The first-ever District Data Leader of the Year Award highlights the critical role district leaders play in supporting and encouraging the use of data, and in communicating its relevance to teachers, administrators, parents, students and other stakeholders. For more information about the Award, visit www.fldoe.org/arm/1011ddlya.asp. The deadline for submitting nominations is Sept. 1, 2010.
Governor Crist Submits Race to the Top Phase Two Application
On June 1, 2010, Gov. Crist submitted Florida’s application for Phase Two of the federal Race to the Top competition to the U.S. Department of Education. The application had the support of 65 of Florida’s 67 school districts, three of the state’s four lab schools, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and was reinforced with commitments from 54 local teacher unions. Up to $700 million in funding has been requested to implement locally developed, comprehensive education reform plans. Winners of the competition are expected to be announced in late August/early September of 2010. For more information about the Race to the Top competition, visit www.fldoe.org/ARRA/RacetotheTop.asp.
Families Encouraged to Explore Adoption
The state of Florida has an opportunity for families to consider adoption. If you are willing to open your hearts and homes to children in Florida’s public adoption system, the state’s Explore Adoption initiative may be just for you. This campaign promotes the benefits of public adoption and encourages Florida families to consider adopting children who are older, disabled or part of a sibling group. There are unique benefits for participating, including a legally-secure process, financial assistance, and children waiting right now for loving homes and families. Visit www.AdoptFlorida.org to learn more about this life-changing experience and visit with children looking for a home.
Federal Loan Forgiveness and Tuition Reimbursement Programs Available for Public Service Employees
Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created two new programs designed to assist in paying for federal financial aid – the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
- The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program was created to encourage individuals to enter and continue working full-time in public service jobs such as education. Under this program, borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on their eligible federal student loans after they have made 120 payments. For more information, including a list of eligible public service jobs, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/LoanForgivenessv4.pdf (PDF).
- The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low income families. If you are interested in learning more about the TEACH Grant Program, contact the financial aid office at the college where you will be enrolled to find out if they will participate in the TEACH Grant Program. For a listing of the TEACH Grant eligible institutions, visit http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/030210TEACHGrant.html. For more information about the TEACH program, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/TEACHGrant10-11.pdf (PDF).
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Outstanding School Volunteers Recognized The 2010 School Volunteers have been honored by the Florida Department of Education in recognition of their outstanding dedication and commitment to quality education in Florida. The winners were selected based on the number of volunteer hours of service, years of service and a unique contribution or characteristic of their services. The award recognizes a student, adult and senior volunteer in each of Florida’s five reporting regions. Each winner received a congratulatory letter from Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith and a plaque sponsored by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. For a list of the 2010 Outstanding Volunteers, visit www.fldoe.org/family/pdf/osvolunteer.pdf (PDF). Marion County Middle School Student Wins State Poster Contest Lake Weir Middle School in Marion County is in the state spotlight for the fifth year in a row for winning the Florida’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) poster contest. Sarah Thomas, an eighth grade student at the school, won this year’s contest for designing the top poster. She will receive a framed poster, gift cards, a $100 savings bond and other prizes for her award-winning artwork. Orange County School District Achieves National Title for Food Services The Food and Nutrition Services Department with Orange County Public Schools has earned the 2010 District of Excellence designation from the national School Nutrition Association. The award is determined after comprehensive assessments and evaluations in four key areas: Administration, Communications and Marketing, Nutrition and Nutrition Education, and Operations. The only district in Florida to achieve the national title, Orange County’s Food and Nutrition Services was also acknowledged for increasing the number of meals served by 42 percent between 2003-04 and 2008-09. Orange County staff employed major strategies to increase productivity and efficiency while allowing more student input into food offerings. The district is now eligible to apply for the District of the Year award that offers a grant of up to $25,000. Brevard High School Named AVID National Demonstration Site Eau Gallie High School in Brevard County is the first high school in the state to become an AVID (Advanced Via Individual Determination) National Demonstration Site. AVID is a college preparatory program for students who have potential for success in advanced academic programs in high school and college, but need a support system outside content-area classes to achieve success in the rigorous curricula. Less than three percent of the 4,500 AVID schools world-wide have been given the National Demonstration status. For more information about AVID, visit www.avid.org/. Polk County Schools Recognized For Music Education Programs The Polk County School District has been named one of the best school districts in the nation for its music education programs by the California-based NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation. For the second time in three years, Polk was included in the 2010 “Best Communities for Music Education” list, and was among 174 school districts in 30 states to be selected. The designation recognizes schools and districts across the United States for their commitment to and support of music education in schools. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, visit www.nammfoundation.org/. |
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Branching Out |
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Working With the Experts for Speech-Language Pathologists
12th Annual Family Café Conference
Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter
“Summer Camp” Workshop for STEM Teachers
Summer Institutes for English and Mathematics College Success/Readiness Courses
Summer Academy for Teachers of Health Education
Interdisciplinary Center for Ongoing Research/Education (ICORE) Summer Institute
Academic Alignment Summer Institute for Career and Technical Education Teams
Americans With Disabilities Act 20th Anniversary March for Opportunity
Components of a Quality Career and Technical Education Program Summer Institute
Florida Association for Career and Technical Education Annual Conference
Working with the Experts for Occupational and Physical Therapists |
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