School Notes
Charlotte County Public Schools understands that Arts Education teaches Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies and Culture. Data from the FL Dept of Education proves that the more Arts classes a student has, the better they do on tests and grades (no matter the socioeconomics or race).
Even in these difficult economic times, CCPS understands the value of Arts Education. We have increased the arts by providing 4th graders an opportunity for band instruction apart from our general music classes. All of our schools have certified music and art teachers on staff.Â
Performances through our Children’s Theater Program (ShowBiz Kids) are presented to all elementary students. These are professional performances brought to our students through grants, community partners, and CCPS. This year, our children’s shows are sponsored by the Charlotte Community Foundation, The Charlotte Symphony, Safe and Drug Free Schools, The Charlotte Choral and CCPS. The community is invited to any performance that has open seats for only $5 per ticket. For availability, please call 255-0808 x 3162.Â
The 2010 Children’s Theater season includes:
Strega Nona (Oct. 13) performed by Maximum Entertainment
The Hundred Dresses (Nov. 4) performed by Eckerd Theater
Peter vs. the Wolf (Nov. 12) performed /sponsored by The Charlotte Symphony
The Ugly Duckling (Feb. 8) performed by Bits ‘N Pieces
Knuffle Bunny (Feb. 14) performed by The Kennedy Center
We have on-site performances for middle and high school students sponsored by Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union’s Foundation and The Charlotte County Jazz Society.Â
We thank all of our partners for helping us teach students through the Arts!
Ellen Harvey
Curriculum Specialist for the Arts & World Languages
September 1, 2010
The school year is off and running with 95 students enrolled in my Spanish classes at Port Charlotte Middle. I owe much of my teaching success to the enthusiasm my students bring to the classroom every year. They have such a desire to learn, and I keep that interest alive by providing appealing ways to hear and use Spanish every day. According to the Center for Applied Linguistics, there are many more bilingual or multilingual individuals in the world than there are monolingual. The Winter Olympics last year was a window in to that multilingual world. Did you not marvel at the ease with which the athletes from so many different countries were able to converse in English? Not only does multilingualism favor global understanding, but it increases economic opportunities as well.
The case for a strong world language program in our district can be found in the work opportunities it provides. A former student, Tim Tolbert, stopped by during Open House this year and told me he was hoping to get a job with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission over in Miami and Spanish was required. I have had various students use their Spanish on mission trips to Central America. A former Port Charlotte High student was able to earn a dollar more an hour at Sports Authority because he knew Spanish. Other students have used their Spanish in the restaurant and construction businesses here in Charlotte County. Let’s continue to prepare our students to compete in this global economy by having another language!
Jeanne Márquez
2011 Charlotte County Teacher of the Year
August 25, 2010
Port Charlotte Middle School: A Culture of Positive Habits
Greek Philosopher, Aristotle, once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." Throughout each school year, Port Charlotte Middle School demonstrates excellence through seven key habits. This year, we are embarking on communicating what those habits are for our entire "Terrier Family." Whether you are a parent, student, or staff member, these guiding principles are an on-going model that allows us to shape and set our own personal and group goals.
During the 2010-11 school year, we will emphasize specifically what those habits are through school announcements, posters, and in our electronic newsletter. This month we are focusing on Habit #1 - Be Proactive. At our annual Back to School Night, 76% of our families were proactive by attending an evening event. Parents and students received class schedules and met with their teachers prior to the opening day of school!
In this article, I am only providing you with the first habit. However, a culmination of those seven habits in previous school years has yielded some very positive results. PCMS has earned an 'A' school status for ten consecutive years and is one of only 65 middle schools in Florida with that distinction. In addition, we are a Positive Behavior Model School and is only one of 20 middle schools in the state with this recognition. Other positive examples from last year included student awards at local, district, and state competitions, a staff member named Charlotte County Teacher of the Year, a partnership with over 20 Charlotte County businesses, 99% of our students were promoted on to the next grade level, and our average daily student attendance rate was over 92%.
As one school poster stated, "Terriers are Creatures of Habit" - 7 Habits that is! To check out our 7 Habits and PCMS, you can go to http://pcm.ccps.k12.fl.us. Welcome to Port Charlotte Middle School!
Demetrius Revelas
Principal, Port Charlotte Middle School
August 18, 2010
New Beginnings
One of the least recognized benefits of our profession is the annual cycle of schooling. Few other professions enjoy the yearly experience of a new beginning. In the private sector and most public sector professions, job functions continue year-to-year with little or no variation. Of course, budgets are adjusted and strategic plans are tweaked on an annual basis, but the fundamental routines of the workplace remain rather static.
In Education, however, we enjoy the privilege of a new beginning at the end of every summer. In August of every year, teachers, support staff, and students return to schools that have been thoroughly scrubbed from top to bottom refreshed and ready to begin a new school year. For the most part, teachers have new students, some teachers teach new or modified courses, and all students begin their new learning experiences with a clean slate. It could be argued that all students begin with an "A" in every class. Students acquire new friends and acquire new knowledge and insights as they move from class to class in new courses taught by new teachers.
This annual renewal carries with it often untapped opportunities for both educators and students. Summer gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on past attitudes and performance and measure what was against what should or could be. Old perceptions can be changed, poor habits improved, new relationships forged, effective strategies can replace ineffective ones, and bad reputations may be overcome.
As we all begin a new year, let us all consider ways we, educators and students, can build stronger relationships, communicate more clearly, and become more effective in reaching higher levels of "Student Success."
Dr. Douglas Whittaker
Assistant Superintendent, Division of Learning
August 13, 2010