The Core

Florida Leads the Nation in Advanced Placement Participation
The Sunshine State is ranked number one in the nation, topping Maryland for the percentage of 2010 seniors taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams while in high school according to the 7th Annual AP Report to the Nation by The College Board. The first-place ranking of 43.5 percent of seniors taking at least one AP exam during their high school career bettered the national average of 28.3 percent. In addition, 22.3 percent of Florida seniors passed an AP exam with a score of three or higher, tying the state at sixth in the country and exceeding the national average of 16.9 percent. The rankings are fueled by solid gains in participation and performance of Florida’s African-American and Hispanic students. Visit http://www.fldoe.org/news/2011/2011_02_09.asp for more information on Florida’s participation and performance on AP exams. For more information on The College Board’s 7th Annual AP Report to the Nation, visit http://apreport.collegeboard.org/.

CTE Day on the Hill
As part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, the Florida Department of Education hosted CTE Day on the Hill on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. The day-long event showcased many of the great CTE programs from around the state and participants experienced interactive displays and demonstrations that included flight simulators, massages and health screenings. Culinary treats including fresh Florida seafood were also available for participants. For more information about career and technical education in Florida, visit www.fldoe.org/workforce/programs/.

Florida’s Top STEM Students Honored as Sunshine State Scholars
Florida’s highest achieving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students joined their peers from around the state Feb. 17 - 18, 2011, in Orlando during the newly revamped Sunshine State Scholars program. The two-day awards and recruitment event recognized Florida’s top 11th grade STEM students and encouraged them to pursue their postsecondary education in Florida – increasing the likelihood that they will join Florida’s future workforce. The event began with a welcome reception keynoted by Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith on Thursday and continued Friday with a breakfast headlined by Chancellor of the Florida College System Dr. Will Holcombe and Chancellor of the State University System of Florida Frank Brogan. A recruitment fair enabled scholars to meet with higher education officials to discuss their future goals at a Florida postsecondary education. The event was capped off with an awards luncheon where scholars listened to Mark Woodbury from Universal Orlando Resort share details about the growth of immersive storytelling and ground-breaking technology found in Universal Orlando’s most iconic attractions. For more information about the Sunshine State Scholars program and a list of student scholars, visit http://www.floridaeducationfoundation.org/.

Outstanding School Volunteers Recognized
The 2011 Outstanding School Volunteers have been named by the Florida Department of Education in recognition of their exemplary 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 receives a congratulatory letter from Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith and a plaque sponsored by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. For the complete list of 2011 Outstanding School Volunteers, visit www.fldoe.org/successstories.

Simon Malls Kidgits Club “Book Blast” to Collect Books
Are you cleaning out your bookshelves? How about donating some of those used books to a local school? The Florida Department of Education, MetaMetrics and seven Simon Malls in Florida will promote the importance of reading and collect new and gently-used books at each mall’s Simon Kidgits Club’s “Book Blast” events throughout March. The books will support the goals of DOE’s “Just Read, Florida!” initiative and be distributed to schools in the vicinity of the participating mall through donations to the Florida Education Foundation.

The remaining events will take place on the following Saturdays:

March 5, 2011– Tyrone Square (St. Petersburg): noon to 2 p.m.
March 12, 2011– Melbourne Square (Melbourne): 10 a.m. to noon
March 12, 2011– Miami International Mall (Miami): 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
March 19, 2011– Coral Square (Coral Springs): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
March 19, 2011– Seminole Towne Center (Sanford): 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to activities and giveaways, select book blast events will feature DOE’s “Find a Book, Florida,” tool, created by MetaMetrics, that will help attendees locate new and intriguing books tailored to their own reading interests based upon the attendee’s reading ability. For more information, visit www.simon.com/kidgits or www.fldoe.org/news/2011/2011_01_19-3.asp.

Holocaust Education and Research Council Essay and Art Contest
Students in grades four through 12 in Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison and Gadsden counties are invited to enter the fourth annual Holocaust Student Essay and Art Contest sponsored by the Holocaust Education and Research Council. Students should submit an essay or art (including sculpture, drawing, painting or poster) using the theme “Through the Eyes of a Child: Remembering the Children of the Holocaust” by April 29, 2011. Scholarships ranging from $75 to $250 will be awarded to the top essayists and art students. Visit www.holocaustresources.org for complete contest details.

Green Energy Challenge
Educators, schools and students are encouraged to join the 2011 Green Education Foundation (GEF) Green Energy Challenge. The campaign teaches K-12 students that small changes can add up to big savings for their school community and can lead to a positive impact on the planet. From green classroom pledges to school-wide energy audits, GEF’s website features all the resources necessary to participate in the program. Schools that participate will be spotlighted for their efforts and can enter to win GEF Green in Action awards. Registration and all featured resources are free. For additional information, visit www.greenenergychallenge.us or contact Jessica Drench, Director of Programs at GEF at (508) 668-2278.

Seeds of Success

Daytona State College Suicide Prevention Program Named a National Model
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has identified the suicide prevention program at Daytona State College as a model among the nation’s colleges and universities. The college was recently recognized at the National Conference on Suicide Prevention for training thousands of students, staff and faculty to become knowledgeable about suicide warning signs and how to assist those in crisis.

Orange County Leader Named Innovative Principal of the Year
Sharyn Gabriel, Principal of Ocoee Middle School in Orange County, has been named the 2011 Innovative Principal of the Year by the Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders. Gabriel was recognized for demonstrating that successful technology programs further student achievement. Students at the school routinely use iPod Touches, iPads, iMacs, MacBooks, Skype and much more to expand their learning opportunities.

Duval School Library Named One of the Nation’s Best
The library at Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School in Duval County has been selected as an outstanding Florida school library program by the Florida Association of Media Educators. Dr. Nancy Everhart, president of the American Association of School Librarians will also visit the school to raise awareness of what an outstanding school library can do for students, the school and the local community. The school was also inducted as an inaugural Florida Power-Library School in 2009.

Branching Out

College Goal Sunday Florida
Feb. 20, 2011
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Locations throughout Florida

Florida high school seniors and their families are invited to attend College Goal Sunday on Feb. 20, 2011, to get free help with completing financial aid application forms. Held at 46 locations throughout Florida, the one-day event features higher education leaders and organizations assisting with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which is required to determine eligibility for some state and all federal financial aid such as Pell grants, work-study aid and loans. Visit www.collegegoalsundayflorida.org for a list of locations.

National At-Risk Education Network National Conference
Feb. 22 – 24, 2011
Edgewater Beach Resort
Panama City, Fla.

The National At-Risk Education Network will host its 8th Annual National Conference Feb. 22 – 24, 2011, in Panama City, Fla. The conference will focus on successful programs and practices for at-risk learners. The keynote speaker to kick off the conference is nationally-known writer and educator Lynn Stoddard, author of “Educating for Human Greatness.” For more information about the conference, visit http://atriskeducation.net.

Black, Brown & College Bound Annual Summit
Feb. 23 – 25, 2011
Renaissance Hotel
Tampa, Fla.

The Black, Brown & College Bound Annual Summit explores how current issues affect Latino and African-American males’ educational opportunities. Summit participants will have an opportunity to address these and other issues and work with practitioners to develop potential solutions. More information about the Summit, including details on registration, can be found at www.blackbrowncollegebound.com.

League of Environmental Educators in Florida 31st Annual Conference
March 24 – 27, 2011
Montgomery Presbyterian Conference Center
Starke, Fla.

The League of Environmental Educators in Florida 2011 annual conference, Sustainability Puzzle: Piecing It Together highlights more than 40 concurrent sessions, workshops and field trips, and includes keynote speakers on topics such as Florida Ecosystems, Hands-on Science, Watersheds, and Reading and Literature Applications. For more information, visit http://leef-florida.org. Questions may be directed to Conference Chair Jennifer Seitz, at (352) 226-6837.

Florida Association for Staff Development Spring Forum
May 2 – 3, 2011
Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront
Melbourne, Fla.

Education personnel are invited to attend the Florida Association for Staff Development Spring Forum May 2 – 3, 2011, in Melbourne, Fla. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of learning experiences related to improved professional development that supports student achievement. For more information, visit www.fasdonline.org.

Plant Camp 2011
June 12 – 16, 2011
University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Gainesville, Fla.

Science teachers in upper elementary grades, middle and high schools are invited to apply to attend Plant Camp 2011, a free summer workshop to learn more about the native flora and fauna that make our state unique. Twenty-four applicants will be selected through a competitive process that demonstrates his or her commitment and history of sharing new science knowledge with students and colleagues. Participants can earn up to 32 hours of professional development credit. The deadline to submit an application packet is Feb. 25, 2011. Visit http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/education for more information.

National Agriculture in the Classroom Annual Conference
June 22 – 25, 2011
Marriott Harbor Beach Resort
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Language arts, math, nutrition, social studies and science teachers will benefit from the 2011 National Agriculture in the Classroom conference June 22 – 25, 2011, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Engaging interactive workshops and tours will showcase unique agricultural operations in South Florida and illustrate how educators can incorporate real-life agriculture applications into their lesson plans. Visit http://www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aitc/ for more information and conference registration.

National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar
June 26 – July 29, 2011

Educators are invited to apply to attend the Summer Seminar offered by the National Endowment for the Humanities June 26 – July 29, 2011. During the five-week program, participants will study the economy of the North Sea region in northwestern Europe. The seminar will meet at the Institute for Historical Research at the University of London for the first week and at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Studies in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, for the remaining four weeks. For an application and a full description of the seminar, visit http://www.umassd.edu/euro/neh_prosp_app.cfm.

Subscribe or unsubscribe to The Core.
For more information on this electronic newsletter, please e-mail thecore@fldoe.org.