Charlotte County Schools in the News
MOSI "Potions in Motions" Portable Lab Visits Port Charlotte Middle School
On Thursday, February 28th and Friday, March 1st, The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) visited Port Charlotte Middle School with their MOSI In Motion Mobile Unit. All 8th grade students participated in this Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics (STEM) initiative with some hands on experiments as students completed the "Potions in Motion" chemistry lab. Students participated in experiments with acids & bases and explored the differences between exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions. Special thanks to Mrs. Richards, Science Department Head, for organizing the event!!
LA Ainger Middle School Principal Marcia Louden to Speak at the Texas Instruments Conference
Gulf Coast Community Foundation consultant Chris Pfahler and L.A. Ainger Middle School Principal Marcia Louden will discuss the success of Gulf Coast's STEMsmart education initiative at a Texas Instruments presentation for school district leaders later this month at Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry.
Ms. Pfahler and Ms. Louden will join nationally recognized speakers at "Transformation 2013: A Game-Changing Look at Learning with Technology in the Era of Common Core" on February 20, 2013. The half-day conference for district leaders from across the region and state will focus on new transformational strategies in secondary math and science teaching and learning.
Ms. Pfahler has managed STEMsmart since Gulf Coast launched the initiative in 2010 to improve student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math, or "STEM," in several Charlotte and Sarasota county secondary schools. "Through our partnership with the school districts, STEMsmart has helped raise student test scores and given students and teachers unprecedented access to new classroom technology," said Pfahler. STEMsmart accounts for the largest academic deployment of Texas Instruments' TI-Nspire wireless hand-held technology in Florida, and it is also the national flagship for a new TI training program that helps science teachers effectively integrate technology into instruction.
Ms. Louden's school was named "2012 STEMsmart School of the Year" by Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Use of the TI-Nspire technology by all eighth-grade math students at L.A. Ainger Middle School was among the accomplishments cited in the award.
For more information on the STEMsmart program, go to STEMsmart.org.
Port Charlotte Middle Receives $1050.00 Donation from Local Churches for the Student Benevolence Fund
Representatives of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church and Trinity Anglican Church of Port Charlotte came together on December 10, 2102 to make donations in the amount of $1050 to Port Charlotte Middle School's Benevolence Fund. The Benevolence Fund is set up to help our neediest students. Mr. Revelas extends his sincere appreciation to the congregations for their generosity. If you would like to make a contribution to our Benevolence Fund, please contact the school at 255-7460.
Lock 'N Key Restaurant Sponsors Vineland Elementary School Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center is open each Wednesday morning from 7:55 until 8:55 for students and their families to borrow books. Students also have an opportunity to receive books to keep. The Center hosts special visitors each month who help promote the love of reading. Lock 'N Key Restaurant has been sponsoring the Resource Center for several years and recently visited to present Principal Laura Blunier with a check for $2000.00.
Charlotte County School Board Chairman Lee Swift Receives Advanced Boardsmanship Certification Distinction
Mr. Swift was recently honored at the November 28, 2012 Annual Joint conference sponsored by the Florida School Boards Association. The prestigious distinction of Advanced Boarsmandship Certification (ABC) is held only by 6 of the 355 school board members in the State of Florida and is given only to individuals who have met stringent criteria as judged by a panel of peers. This award recognizes school board members who demonstrate exemplary leadership traits through proactive work at the local and regional, state, or national levels.
Dr. Whittaker Named STAR Superintendent of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. Whittaker for being awarded the STAR Superintendent of the Year by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundation during the annual joint conference of the Florida School Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents on November 29, 2012. This award is given to individuals who have shown tremendous dedication and enthusiasm in supporting the efforts of their district-wide education foundation.
Join us for the State of Education Breakfast on January 15 in which our STAR Superintendent Dr. Whittaker will address the business community on the progress the School District has made this past year, as well as the vision for the future school year. The breakfast will also give the Foundation and the School District the opportunity to thank the community for their support and involvement. See how you can be a part of student success. The Breakfast and Presentation will be from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Technical Center Auditorium. The cost is $10 per person and tickets may be purchased online at CharlotteSchoolFoundation.org. Please RSVP by January 7, 2013.
LA Ainger Middle Students Experience The Wall
L. A. Ainger Middle School in Rotonda West, Florida, has had a long-standing relationship with the Vietnam Brotherhood. Every year veterans come to the school and talk about what life was like during the war and back home. On Friday, November 30, the eighth grade students will get a chance to experience the traveling Vietnam Memorial as it makes a stop at Pioneer Park in Englewood. Students will get a chance not only to see the replica (done in scale) but to get up close and even do rubbings of names if they so choose. Students have been given the web site to look up the placement of the name(s) of family members or loved ones who died in the Vietnam War. Students will be given the opportunity to write their feelings as they see The Wall for the first time. At the end of their experience at The Wall, students will take a moment to show their respect as Taps will be played by one of the eight grade students for those who served us so well.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Visits Charlotte High School
Adam Putnam, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Florida State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto visited agriculture students at Charlotte High School on Thursday, August 23, 2012. Click here to read the article written by Merab-Michal Favorite and printed in the Charlotte Sun on Friday, August 24, 2012.
Charlotte High School Awarded Cambridge International School Status
Charlotte High School has been awarded Cambridge International School status by University of Cambridge International Examinations and is now approved to offer Cambridge programs and qualifications, including Cambridge Mathematics, Thinking Skills and General Paper.
University of Cambridge International Examinations is the world's largest provider of international education programs and qualifications for 5 to 19 year olds. It is part of the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s top universities and trusted for excellence in education. Cambridge programs and qualifications are taught in more than 9000 schools in over 160 countries.
Principal Richard Shafer said: "We are very excited about the Cambridge International School (AICE) announcement and what it means for our students. Charlotte High School will be able to provide students with an internationally recognized college readiness curriculum that is geared toward developing next generation critical thinkers. The AICE courses are similar to AP, in that the students will take an examination at the end of the course to determine if they receive college credit. Additionally, the programs are identical to AP in terms of the GPA weighting, Florida Colleges and Universities recognition as well as Bright Futures. The physical world seems to be getting smaller around us, while the demands on our students keep growing larger every day. This rigorous international curriculum will provide Charlotte High School students an opportunity to separate themselves from the crowd. "
Learn more about University of Cambridge International Examinations.
Vineland Elementary Named 26th Lighthouse School by Franklin-Covey
Franklin-Covey Co. named Vineland Elementary the 26th Lighthouse School in the world! In 2009 Vineland adopted The Leader in Me, Franklin-Covey's Education process for teaching leadership at the elementary school level. The official Lighthouse banner is being presented to Vineland on Monday, August 13, 2012. The criteria necessary to become FranklinCovey Lighthouse Schools is available online at www.TheLeaderinMe.org. For more information, read the full press release
Dr. Stephen R. Covey
A true friend and an inspiration to Charlotte County Public Schools
October 24, 1932 - July 16, 2012
Steven Covey was an educator, author, businessman, and a motivational speaker. Ten Honorary Doctorate Degrees highlight his educational accomplishments which are far too many to list. His book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" was named as the #1 Most Influential Book of the Twentieth Century. His impact upon Charlotte County Public Schools is evidenced by the fact that:
- Over 65% of Charlotte County Public Schools employees have been trained in Covey's "The 7 Habits."
- All 10 of our elementary schools have embraced Dr. Covey's program, "The Leader in Me."
- Two of our elementary schools have the distinction of being named, "Franklin Covey Light House Schools."
- Our middle and high schools also have in place Mentoring or Leadership programs that model the Covey principles.
We all share in the loss of this man who opened the minds and hearts of so many in order to make this world a better place.
Congratulations Charlotte County School Resource Officers, Named as "Best SRO Unit" in the Entire State of Florida
CCPS would like to congratulate the deputies and staff from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office SRO Unit for this wonderful achievement. Please read the complete story of this award on the CCSO Facebook page.
Congratulations to the 2nd Annual FSBA Video Contest Winners!
The Florida School Boards Association received more than 40 entries for their 2nd Annual Video Contest. Congratulations to the following winners, and click the link to watch the video.
- 1st Place - Wiregrass Ranch High School, Pasco County
- 2nd Place - Canal Point and Palm Beach Elementary Schools, Palm Beach County
- 3rd Place - Viera high School, Brevard County
For more information about school news, or if you would like to post news information to this page, please contact:
Mike Riley
Manager of Adult Education/Community Liaison
941-255-7430
Michael_Riley@ccps.k12.fl.us