The Core

Florida Virtual School Educator Wins Nation's First Online K-12 Teacher of the Year Award
Teresa Dove, an educator with the Florida Virtual School, has been named the 2010 National Online Teacher of the Year by the two nonprofit organizations that founded the program - the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). Dove and two other finalists were selected from among 50 nominations of online educators in public schools and state virtual schools in 24 states. For the past four years, Dove has been an online mathematics/Algebra II teacher for grades 6-12 and a Literacy Coordinator at the Florida Virtual School. Dove and the two other finalists were recognized during the SREB's joint annual meeting on Sept. 8, 2010. She was presented with an art glass sculpture designed by Hans Frabel and an all-expense paid trip to the Virtual School Symposium sponsored by iNACOL in Nov. 2010 in Glendale, Ariz. The Florida Virtual School was founded in 1997 and was the country's first state-wide Internet-based public high school. Today the school serves more than 125,000 students in grades K-12 and provides a variety of custom solutions for schools and districts to meet student needs. For more information about the Florida Virtual School, visit www.flvs.net. Congratulations Teresa!

New Book Selections for Literacy League Announced
The Florida Department of Education's Literacy League has announced the participation of authors Edward Bloor and Adrian Fogelin for this quarter's reading activities. Bloor's Taken and Fogelin's Crossing Jordan will serve as the next selections for Literacy League, the popular interactive book club that uses direct interaction with authors to promote a more active engagement in reading among Florida's middle school students. Each quarter a book is selected and students are able to submit questions via e-mail or video for the authors to answer through a recorded podcast. Students interested in submitting questions for Taken should send them to literacyleague@fldoe.org by Oct. 1, 2010, and questions for Crossing Jordan are due by Nov. 3, 2010. For more information about Literacy League, visit www.fldoe.org/literacyleague.

"Find a Book, Florida" Helps Students Locate Books
Students now have an additional reading resource to help them find exciting new books tailored to their own interests or school assignments. The free online search tool, dubbed "Find a Book, Florida," allows users to build custom reading lists based on each student's individual interests from a growing database of fiction and nonfiction titles. The database also allows students to locate books that best complement their reading ability. Using Lexile® measures, the standard for matching readers with books, "Find a Book, Florida" aims to make it easier for students and families to select the right books and then locate these selections at their local public library. Since the program's inception in Florida this summer, "Find a Book" has scored more than 40,000 unique visits to the site, each averaging nearly 10 minutes in a book search. This joint project between the Florida Departments of Education and State, and Lexile-developer MetaMetrics® aims to encourage students to consistently read throughout the year. To use this resource today, visit www.fldoe.org or http://florida.lexile.com.

Navigating Your Financial Future Training Offered
The Florida Department of Education's (DOE) Office of Student Financial Assistance is proud to offer free training and support for individuals who advise students and their families on how to fund education beyond high school. Professional trainers present comprehensive up-to-date information about federal and state student financial aid programs, scholarship searches, and financial aid fraud. Participants also learn how to access free resources to help them help their students. For more information about this training opportunity, contact a member of DOE's Navigating Your Financial Future team at (800) 366-3475 or www.navigatingyourfinancialfuture.org/ContactUs/School_Rep.aspx.

NEXT Magazine Helps Students Plan For Life After High School
Florida Trend’s NEXT magazine is arriving at high schools across Florida at no charge to the schools or to students. The magazine is a valuable resource full of information that can help students make smart choices during their high school years about their plans after graduation. This year’s issue includes the Florida College and Career Planner™, a comprehensive guide about postsecondary options and preparing for college admissions; the Get Smart Guide™ that includes a list of Florida public and private colleges and universities, state and community colleges, and technical, trade and career schools with contact information and admission criteria; a higher education how-to that includes information on college testing, admissions essays, and articles from real college students sharing their own experiences; tips on money matters important to teens – from buying a car to learning how to spend less and save more; pointers on writing resumes, finding internships and preparing for the world of work; and articles on making the most of the high school years, both in school and through extracurricular activities. Check out Florida Trend’s NEXT website at www.FloridaNEXT.com.

Floridians Invited to Participate in Hispanic Heritage Student and Teacher Contests
As part of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2010, Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to participate in student contests centered around the theme, “Recognizing Florida’s Hispanic Heritage: Past, Present and Future.” Parents, teachers, students and principals are also invited to nominate full-time educators in elementary, middle and high schools for the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award. Winners will be recognized at the Governor’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration to be held in Tallahassee in October.

Student Contests

Art Contest for Grades K-3

Two winners will be selected from entries submitted by students in grades K-3.

Grades K-3 Art Contest Prompt: Luis Nunez is a Hispanic-American artist living in Florida. Students should think about how his paintings "Egret and Mangroves," "Blue Heron," and "They're Humans, Junior, Let's Go," make them feel about the importance of protecting Florida's wildlife, marshes, and beaches. Students should draw a picture of their favorite animal that is native to Florida showing it in its natural habitat.

Essay Contest for Grades 4-12

Three winners will be selected - one at elementary (grades 4 and 5), one at middle (grades 6-8), and one at high school (grades 9-12) - from among essays submitted by students in grades four through 12.

Grades 4 and 5 Writing Prompt: Students should discuss a well-known Hispanic Floridian whose contribution has made a difference in their life or their community.

Grades 6 - 12 Writing Prompt: Students should interview and describe a Hispanic American whom they know has devoted his or her life to the service of others. The essay should answer the question, "How has this person's life strengthened his or her community and Florida as a state?"

Excellence in Education Award

The Education Excellence Award is open to all Hispanic full-time educators at an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners - one each from elementary, middle and high school - will be selected. Nominations can be made by students, parents, or school principals.

All contest entries must be postmarked by Sept. 20, 2010, and each student is limited to one entry per contest. Winners will be notified the week of Oct. 4, 2010. Full details about the Hispanic Heritage Month contests, including guidelines and entry forms, can be found at www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.

Creative Ideas Sought to Promote Florida KidCare
Florida middle and high school students are encouraged to submit their ideas to promote Florida KidCare, the state's health insurance program for children under the age of 19. The Florida KidCare Act-Out For Health Contest asks students to produce a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) or design a billboard showing how children with health insurance tend to have healthier lifestyles and perform better in school. The grand prize winning PSA will air on television stations statewide and online. The grand prize winning billboard design will be placed in the winner's hometown or closest billboard location. Contest winners will also be awarded scholarships and their schools will receive an award. The deadline to submit entries is Dec. 1, 2010. For more information about the Act-Out For Health Contest, visit www.actoutforhealth.net/students/.

Aquaculture Resources Available for Teachers
The "Discover Florida Aquaculture" multi-media program developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is available online for interested educators. The program is designed for middle and high school students and highlights the varied occupations associated with the seafood industry. Florida plays a major role in aquaculture production and occupations ranging from biologists, botanists, chemists and researchers to divers, business and operation managers, and sales and marketing professionals, and these individuals are integral to providing food for hungry consumers. To learn more about Florida Aquaculture, visit www.FL-Seafood.com and click on the "Info For Teachers" tab on the left to find out about free resources.

Statewide Online Tobacco Prevention and Intervention Teacher Training Project
Beginning Oct. 1, 2010, the School District of Palm Beach County will make available a statewide online tobacco prevention education course designed for K-12 teachers and guidance counselors. Through videos, quizzes, articles and discussion boards, this professional development opportunity will provide educators with increased knowledge, skills and classroom delivery strategies on tobacco prevention and intervention education. Participants will have access 24 hours a day to integrated approaches in delivering tobacco prevention instruction that encompass science, social studies, language arts, math, health and physical education. There is no charge for the online course and districts may award up to 60 inservice points toward teacher recertification. For more information, visit www.tobaccopreventiontraining.org.

World's Largest Rocket Competition Now Open
Registration for the 2011 Team America Rocketry Challenge is open through Nov. 30, 2010, for student teams in grades 7-12 from any U.S. school, home school or non-profit youth organization. The annual rocket contest, sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association, challenges teams of three to 10 students to design and build a rocket that will climb to 750 feet with a raw egg payload and stay aloft for 40 to 45 seconds with the egg returning to Earth unbroken. Up to 750 teams can register. Contest rules and registration information are available at www.rocketcontest.org.

Department of Education Partners with Florida NFL Teams for Discounted Tickets
Florida educators can still take advantage of a new partnership with two National Football League teams - the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins - that will allow all public school and district education personnel (pre-K through grade 12) to buy football tickets at discounted prices this fall. Each team has single-game discount tickets available to show their appreciation for education employees who make a difference in Florida's classrooms each and every day. More information about the discounts, including specific details about single game offers, can be found on the Just for Teachers website at www.fldoe.org/justforteachers/discounts.asp.

Volunteer USA Contest Offers Free Children's Books
Thanks to a generous donation from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, classrooms, schools, libraries and other non-profit organizations are encouraged to post their story on Facebook about what makes them stand out and why they should receive the books. The books, which include "Monkey and Me" "Diego's Wolf Pup Rescue," "Duck for President," "When Dinosaurs Came With Everything," and "Romeo and Lou Blast Off," are suitable for children between the ages of four and eight. The deadline to post ideas at www.facebook.com/pages/Volunteer-USA/72766903352 is Sept. 30, 2010. The first 100 non-profit organizations to post will win 10 free books to add to their library.

Seeds of Success

Broward County Students Compete in Solar Car Challenge
After working eight to 12 hours a day during the summer of 2010 on their student-built solar car, a group of dedicated students at South Plantation High School in Broward County placed second in the nation in the classic division of the 2010 Hunt-Winston Solar Car Challenge in July 2010. The race lasted eight days and covered an 850 mile route through 45 cities from Fort Worth, Texas to Boulder, Colo. Under the direction of teacher Allan Phipps, a 2011 Florida Department of Education/Macy's Teacher of the Year finalist, the students developed and built the Solar Knight II to rigorous structural and engineering requirements. The car placed in the top spot four out of seven race days earning second place in the classic division and fourth overall. For more information about the Hunt-Winston Solar Car Challenge visit www.winstonsolar.org/challenge/. For more information about the solar program at South Plantation High School visit www.sphssolarknights.info/ or contact teacher Allan Phipps at allan.phipps@browardschools.com. Great work!

Seminole Elementary School Wins Essay Contest
Lake Orienta Elementary School in Seminole County has won $5,000 from CFE Federal Credit Union for an essay by Casey Huff, the school's K-5 Math Coach, called "Growing a Garden." The essay was selected as the winner in the MyCFE4Schools Dream Essay Contest that asked school employees in three school districts to "dream big" to help their school or district. When implemented, the "Growing a Garden" idea will impact all current and future students by exposing them to new ways of understanding science and by fostering a positive behavior atmosphere at the school.

Lee County Teacher Wins Distinction
Annette Trossbach, a drama teacher at Edison Park Elementary School for the Creative and Expressive Arts in Lee County, has been named a Gulfshore Business "40 Under 40" leader who has distinguished herself within the community. Trossbach teaches Shakespeare to students and the community, and was recognized for her efforts in teaching and promoting the arts. For more information about the arts programs at Edison Park, visit http://epe.leeschools.net.

Lake-Sumter Community College Nursing Program Earns National Accreditation
After months of intensive review, the nursing program at Lake-Sumter Community College (LSCC) has earned accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. The school was visited by an accreditation team earlier this year and recently received notification that the program will join nursing programs across the nation that meet or exceed the standards and criteria for educational quality. For more information about the nursing program at LSCC, visit www.lscc.edu/nursingprogram/.

Miami-Dade College Graduates Get More Than A Diploma
Twenty-two recent graduates of Miami Dade College's (MDC) Wolfson Campus Clean Energy Institute got more than just a diploma - they also got a job. The Clean Energy Institute, begun in 2006, is a joint partnership between MDC and Florida Power & Light designed to educate workers to replace the aging power plant workforce. After two years of college-level study and earning an associate in science degree, the graduates now work as technicians at the Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant in Homestead. For more information about the Clean Energy Institute at MDC, contact Dr. Richard White, director of the School of Computer and Engineering Technologies, at (305) 237-3735 or rwhite@mdc.edu.

Branching Out

Florida Association for Staff Development Leadership Conference
Sept. 20 - 22, 2010
Tradewinds Resort
St. Petersburg Beach, Fla.

The Florida Association for Staff Development Fall Leadership Conference will be held Sept. 20 - 22, 2010, with the focus of providing educators with skills, tools and information to strengthen student achievement through high quality professional development. The featured speaker is Lois Easton who will facilitate two general sessions to include both background knowledge and skill application through practice with the lesson study model. For more information about the conference, visit www.fasdonline.org/events.asp or contact Joyce Menz, Conference Co-Chairman, at (904) 491-9888 or Joyce.Menz@nassau.k2.fl.us.

Florida Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Annual Conference
Sept. 24 - 25, 2010
Orlando, Fla.

"Creating Innovative and Technology Enriched Classrooms in 21st Century Schools" is the theme for the 50th Annual Florida Association for Curriculum and Development Conference in Orlando. The Sept. 24 meeting will take place at the Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel and the Sept. 25 meeting will be held at Lake Nona High School, also in Orlando. Featured speakers are Dr. Eugene Carter, Executive Director for the International Association of Curriculum and Development, and Jim Warford, Executive Director of the Florida Association of School Administrators. For more information about the conference, visit www.fascd.org.

2010 Florida Statewide Prevention Conference
Sept. 28 - Oct. 1, 2010
Rosen Centre Hotel
Orlando, Fla.

The 2010 Florida Statewide Prevention Conference is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and tools for individuals to provide intervention and prevention services relevant to Florida's cultural diversity. The conference theme "Different Roles, Common Goals: Advancing and Empowering Lives" strengthens the commitment to collaboration while honoring personal expertise. Pre-conference training in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills is also available. For more information about the conference, visit http://www.faspc.org/index.html.

2010 Dropout Prevention Institute/School Attendance Symposium
Oct. 4 - 7, 2010
Hilton Walt Disney World® Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The 2010 Dropout Prevention Institute/School Attendance Symposium will be held in conjunction with the National Dropout Prevention Center Oct. 4 - 7, 2010, in Lake Buena Vista. The theme, "Be There to Get There: Engaging the Promise of Every Graduate" will offer more than 80 workshops on topics of interest to public and private administrators, teachers, school social workers, faith and community-based leaders, attendance specialists, college administrators and others who provide services to students who are truant and/or at risk of not graduating from high school. More information about the conference can be found at www.dropoutprevention.org/conferen/conferen.htm#2010SchoolAttendanceSymposium. If you have questions, contact Tameka Thomas at (850) 245-0845 or tameka.thomas@fldoe.org; Dr. Kimberly Davis at (850) 245-0551 or kimberly.davis@fldoe.org; or Dr. Gria Davison at (850) 245-7837 or gdavison@usf.edu.

Read for the Record 2010
Oct. 7, 2010
www.wegivebooks.org

Florida teachers and students are invited to join millions of record-breakers around the world to Read for the Record on Oct. 7, 2010, featuring Ezra Jack Keat's classic book, The Snowy Day. Everyone who reads the book at www.wegivebooks.org is automatically registered toward a new world record. For more information about this year's Read for the Record campaign, visit www.readfortherecord.org or www.wegivebooks.org.

Florida Dance Education Conference
Oct. 8 - 9, 2010
News-Journal Center
Daytona Beach, Fla.

Dance educators from throughout the state will work together in meeting the challenges of bringing dance to the next generation of young artists at the Florida Dance Education Conference Oct. 8 - 9, 2010. This year's conference, hosted by Daytona State College, features Lynn Simonson, renowned dance educator and internationally respected master teacher of jazz dance. Conference sessions address dance technique, wellness, safety, technology, certification, and a preview of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Dance. New this year is the expanded National Honor Society of Dance Arts student programs. For more information, visit www.fdeo.org/.

Florida Association of Teacher Educators Annual Conference
Oct. 8 - 9, 2010
Carillon Hilton
St. Petersburg, Fla.

"Transforming Teacher Education for the 21st Century," is the theme for the Florida Association of Teacher Educators Annual Conference Oct. 8 - 9, 2010, in St. Petersburg. The conference features more than 70 presentations by local and national speakers in addition to an informative panel discussion on Florida and Teacher Preparation for the 21st Century Learner. Featured speakers include Sarah Enterline, Director of Assessment and Accreditation at Lynch School of Education at Boston College and Larry Daniel with the College of Education at the University of North Florida. For more information, visit www.fate1.org.

Florida Association for Theatre Education Conference
Oct. 14 - 16, 2010
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Downtown
St. Petersburg, Fla.

"Master Your FATE with the Three R's: Rigor - Relevance - Resurgence" is the theme for the Florida Association for Theatre Education (FATE) Annual Conference Oct. 14 - 16, 2010, in St. Petersburg. Sherron Long, Florida Cultural Alliance president and leading arts advocate will be the keynote speaker for the conference that includes a broad array of workshops and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.fatefirst.org/.

Florida Art Education Association Annual Conference
Oct. 14 - 16, 2010
The Florida Hotel and Conference Center at the Florida Mall
Orlando, Fla.

The Florida Art Education Association's 2010 Conference will feature keynote speaker Jacqueline Roch, national award-winning pastel artist, and Dr. Ron Yrabedra, artist and Professor of Art Education at Florida A & M University. The conference will also include the fourth annual Digital Student Exhibition, more than 100 workshops and special interest sessions for arts educators and administrators, the Artists' Bazaar, Members' Digital Exhibition and a Meet and Greet to link students in pre-service education programs with Florida Arts supervisors across the state. For more information about the conference, visit www.faea.org.

Florida Distance Learning Association Fall Conference
Oct. 15 - 16, 2010
Nova Southeastern Student Education Center at the Millennium Mall
Orlando, Fla.

"Distance Learning: Future Possibilities" is the theme for the Florida Distance Learning Association Fall Conference Oct. 15 - 16, 2010, in Orlando. Featured speakers include K-12 educators, college and university professors and expert technology providers. For more information about the conference, visit http://fdla.com/.

Education Beyond Borders
Oct. 15 - 17, 2010
Sofia, Bulgaria

Education institutions of higher learning are invited to attend the 2010 "Education Beyond Borders" Oct. 15 - 17, 2010, in Sofia, Bulgaria, to showcase their programs to Bulgarian students interested in studying abroad. The conference will be held at the National Palace of Culture and is a forum for secondary and higher education institutions and organizations of worldwide importance. For more information about the conference, visit www.education-world.eu/index.php?m=930&lang=2.

College Equity Officers Technical Assistance Conference
Oct. 27 - 29, 2010
Valencia Community College
Orlando, Fla.

The second annual College Equity Officers Technical Assistance Conference will be held Oct. 27 - 29, 2010, at Valencia Community College in Orlando. Attendance is encouraged for college equity officers responsible for civil rights compliance and equal access to admission and employment within the Florida College System although other interested individuals may also attend. For more information about the conference, contact Lynda Earls with the Florida College System at (850) 245-9468 or lynda.earls@fldoe.org.

Working with the Experts for Occupational and Physical Therapists
Oct. 27 - 29, 2010
Miami, Orlando and Gainesville, Fla.

Practical strategies for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders is the focus for regional Working with the Experts for Occupational and Physical Therapists Oct. 27 - 29, 2010. The two-day training will be provided in three regional locations and is free of charge for participants. Interested individuals should contact their school district Occupational or Physical Therapist Coordinator to register. If you have questions about the workshops or need assistance, contact either Peg Sullivan at Florida Gulf Coast University at msullliva@fgcu.edu or (239) 590-7748 or Sheryl Sandvoss with the Florida Department of Education at sheryl.sandvoss@fldoe.org or (850) 245-0478.

First Annual STEMtech Conference
Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2010
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Orlando, Fla.

Sponsored by the League for Innovation, the first annual STEMtech conference will be held Oct. 31 - Nov. 3, 2010, in Orlando. STEMtech is an interactive learning conference with a strong focus on the STEM disciplines - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - in general education and workforce training. Numerous STEM and tech tracks will allow participants to discuss and exchange ideas with hundreds of colleagues. For more information about the STEMtech conference, visit www.league.org/stemtech.

2010 Florida Charter School Conference
Nov. 8 - 10, 2010
The DoubleTree Hotel at Universal Studios
Orlando, Fla.

"Florida's Charter Schools: Rising to the Challenge" is the theme for this year's Florida Charter School Conference Nov. 8 - 10, 2010, in Orlando. Over the past 14 years, the number of charter schools in Florida has grown from the original five to more than 400 today. Parents, educators and interested individuals are encouraged to attend the conference and find out how charter schools provide effective programs and school choice to Florida's diverse student population. For more information about the 2010 Florida Charter School Conference, visit http://charterschoolconference.com/.

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