Molino Park Does Poorly On Science FCAT, Reading OK
June 11, 2008
Molino Park Elementary School did poorly on the Science FCAT, but scores were moderate on the Reading FCAT, according to numbers released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Education.
At Molino Park Elementary, 79 percent of the fourth graders taking the Reading FCAT scored a 3.0 or above, a level that is considered to be on grade level by the state. That is compared to 74 percent of Molino Park fourth graders last year.
Of the Molino Park fifth graders taking the Reading FCAT, 64 percent scored at grade level this year, compared to 78 percent last year.
And on the Science FCAT, just 35 percent of the fifth grade students at Molino Park Elementary scored a 3.0 or above. That was down from 48 percent last year.
Of the 86 fourth graders taking the Reading FCAT at Molino Park, 12 percent scored a 5.0 or greater, 37 percent scored a 4.0, 30 percent scored a 3.0, 12 percent scored a 2.0 and nine percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 74 fifth graders taking the Reading FCAT at Molino Park, five percent scored a 5.0 or greater, 27 percent scored a 4.0, 31 percent scored a 3.0, 18 percent scored a 2.0 and 19 percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 74 fifth graders taking the Science FCAT at Molino Park four percent scored a 5.0 or greater, seven percent scored a 4.0, 24 percent scored a 3.0, 39 percent scored a 2.0 and 26 percent scored a 1.0.
Northview Improves Slightly On Reading And Science FCAT
June 11, 2008
Northview High School’s Reading and Science FCAT results improved over last year, according to numbers released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Education.
At Northview , 52 percent of the ningth graders taking the Reading FCAT scored a 3.0 or above, a level that is considered to be on grade level by the state. That is an improvement over 38 percent of Northview ninth graders last year.
Of the Northview tenth graders taking the Reading FCAT, 35 percent scored at grade level this year, compared to 34 percent last year.
And on the Science FCAT, 40 percent of the eleventh grade students at Northview scored a 3.0 or above. That is up from 34 percent last year.
Of the 149 ninth graders taking the Reading FCAT at Northview, six percent scored a 5.0 or greater, 10 percent scored a 4.0, 36 percent scored a 3.0, 28 percent scored a 2.0 and 20 percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 140 tenth graders taking the Reading FCAT at Northview, 12 percent scored a 5.0 or greater, five percent scored a 4.0, 18 percent scored a 3.0, 31 percent scored a 2.0 and 34 percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 117 eleventh graders taking the Science FCAT at Northview, none scored a 5.0 or greater, two percent scored a 4.0, 38 percent scored a 3.0, 35 percent scored a 2.0 and 25 percent scored a 1.0.
Ernest Ward Posts Reading FCAT Gains
June 11, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School’s Reading FCAT results showed improvement over last year, according to numbers released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Education.
At Ernest Ward , 68 percent of the sixth graders taking the Reading FCAT scored a 3.0 or above, a level that is considered to be on grade level by the state. That compares to 54 percent of Ernest Ward sixth graders last year.
Of the Ernest Ward seventh graders taking the Reading FCAT, 66 percent scored at grade level this year, compared to 58 percent last year.
Of the Ernest Ward eighth graders taking the Reading FCAT, 51 percent scored at grade level this year, compared to 53 percent last year.
And on the Science FCAT, 49 percent of the eighth grade students at Ernest Ward scored a 3.0 or above. That is up from 44 percent last year.
Of the 167 sixth graders taking the Reading FCAT at Ernest Ward, eight percent scored a 5.0 or greater, 20 percent scored a 4.0, 40 percent scored a 3.0, 15 percent scored a 2.0 and 17 percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 149 seventh graders taking the Reading FCAT at Ernest Ward, four percent scored a 5.0 or greater, 24 percent scored a 4.0, 38 percent scored a 3.0, 23 percent scored a 2.0 and 11 percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 128 eighth graders taking the Reading FCAT at Ernest Ward, two percent scored a 5.0 or greater, 14 percent scored a 4.0, 34 percent scored a 3.0, 36 percent scored a 2.0 and 13 percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 127 eighth graders taking the Science FCAT at Ernest Ward, one percent scored a 5.0 or greater, seven percent scored a 4.0, 41 percent scored a 3.0, 31 percent scored a 2.0 and 20 percent scored a 1.0.
Aztec Dancer Visits Library
June 11, 2008
Aztec dancer John Jaramillo kicked off the Century Branch Library’s summer reading program Tuesday afternoon. He performed traditional Aztec dances from Mexico.
Jaramillo has performed regionally, nationally and internationally since 1983. His Pueblo Indian Native American heritage inspired his concept for Old Man Kokopeli – a masked theatre and puppetry production that was featured as part of the famed NYC International Fringe Festival in 1997.
Jaramillo has performed at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in New York City, Popejoy Center for the Arts at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, The Circle (theatre) at the American Indian Community House in New York City, Historic Christ Church in Philadelphia, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque and the Institute of American Indian Art Museum in Santa Fe.
For a complete photo gallery, click here.
Byrneville Reading FCAT Scores Among County’s Best
June 11, 2008
Byrneville Elementary School Reading FCAT scores were among the best in the county, according to numbers released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Education.
At Byrneville Elementary, 86 percent of the fourth graders taking the Reading FCAT scored a 3.0 or above, a level that is considered to be on grade level by the state. That compares to 74 percent of Byrneville fourth graders last year.
Of the Byrneville fifth graders taking the Reading FCAT, 73 percent scored at grade level this year, compared to 78 percent last year.
And on the Science FCAT, 53 percent of the fifth grade students at Byrneville Elementary scored a 3.0 or above. That is up from 45 percent last year.
Of the 28 fourth graders taking the Reading FCAT at Byrneville, 11 percent scored a 5.0 or greater, 39 percent scored a 4.0, 36 percent scored a 3.0, four percent scored a 2.0 and 11 percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 15 fifth graders taking the Reading FCAT at Byrneville, seven percent scored a 5.0 or greater, 20 percent scored a 4.0, 47 percent scored a 3.0, 20 percent scored a 2.0 and seven percent scored a 1.0.
Of the 15 fifth graders taking the Science FCAT at Byrneville, none scored a 4.0 or greater, 53 percent scored a 3.0, 33 percent scored a 2.0 and 13 percent scored a 1.0.
Local Fire Deparments Respond To Multiple Brush Fires
June 10, 2008
Lightning and downed power lines are being blamed for at least three brush fires across North Escambia Tuesday afternoon.
The Molino Volunteer Fire Department responded to a brush fire in the 6000 block of Schaag Road about 2:25. A caller reported the woods on fire behind a house, possibly due to a lightning strike. The fire was reported out at 2:50.
The Century Volunteer Fire Department responded Tuesday afternoon to Hilltop Road where a power line reportedly shorted out against a cable television line. There was also a small brush fire caused by the power line problem. The incident was reported about 1:35 this afternoon. The fire department was on scene until about 2:15. The McDavid Volunteer Fire Department was originally called to this fire, but they were canceled before arriving.
The Century Volunteer Fire Department was also called to a brush fire from a downed power line reported about 2:00 on Bass Road and Benauer Road, about three tenths of a mile from Highway 4A. That fire was reported out about 2:10.
FCAT Results Released Today Are Mixed For Carver/Century
June 10, 2008
The latest round of FCAT scores were released today by the Florida Deparment of Education, and they show mixed results for Carver/Century K-8 School.
Superintendent Jim Paul cited previously released low FCAT scores at Carver/Century as a factor in his upcoming decision whether or not to close Carver/Century.
On the Reading FCAT grades 4-10 released today, Carver/Century improved at every grade level except eighth grade. Some increases were only slight, while some were dramatic percentage wise.
On the Reading FCAT, the fourth grade score improved from 33 to 35 percent scoring a 3.0 or above. The percent at grade level in the fifth grade increased from 29 to 41 percent. In the sixth grade, the percent at grade level increased from 26 to 57 percent. In the seventh grade, the percent at grade level increased slightly from 22 to 26 percent. At the eighth grade level, the percent scoring 3.0 or greater fell from 36 to 18 percent.
On the Science FCAT, the percentage of Carver/Century students at 3.0 grade level or above improved in the fifth grade, at 22 percent, up from 18 percent last year.
On the eighth grade Science FCAT, the percentage of Carver/Century students at grade level or above fell from 29 percent to 11 percent.
NorthEscambia.com will have complete FCAT results for all North Escambia schools posted tomorrow.
Molino Park School Says Goodbye To Teacher Sharon Smith With A Poem
June 10, 2008
Molino Park Elementary School said goodbye to beloved teacher Sharon Smith last week with a poem penned by a fellow teacher.
She died Friday, May 30, the last day of school, moments after waving goodbye to her students. That Friday were her last day before retirement; her retirement party was set for last Thursday.
Instead of a retirement party, her funeral was last Thursday. At that funeral, Molino Park Elementary School Principal Alice Woodward read a poem entitled “The Celebration.”
That poem was written by Jennifer Jones who retired from Molino Park Elementary last year, Woodward said.
She said that many people had requested a copy of the poem.
We have posted the entire poem below.
THE CELEBRATION
It was a wonderful and happy day, I was finished with my job,
But then I heard my friends praying and others start to sob.
I couldn’t understand it all, to me it wasn’t clear,
Why all of this commotion among those I hold so dear?
Then I found it very strange when I saw a shepherd man.
He said for me to come with him, there’d been a change of plan.
At first I didn’t want to go and miss the celebrations.
I was to march across the stage and receive by congratulations.
A party had been planned and many friends were invited,
Family and loved ones, too, and I was so excited.
But as the shepherd reached out and took my trembling hand,
Amazingly it didn’t seem to matter, all that had been planned.
Things were growing strangely dim, and I couldn’t help but fear,
But I kept my eyes on Him, as He wiped away my tear.
He told me of a place prepared, He’d promised long ago,
He said we’d walk across a valley, and then His plan I’d know.
Suddenly it dawned on me, I know this shepherd’s face,
So I was willing to go with Him to see this wondrous place.
When we arrived at last, on His arms I had to lean,
For my Lord had planned my party, the best I’d ever seen.
I saw many of my kinfolk, and loads of friends were there,
And then I turned and saw my loves, I saw a precious pair.
When the two most dearest of my heart were before me there,
The joy I felt was almost more than anyone could bear.
I was so very happy in this new and special place.
And as I lifted grateful eyes, I saw my Savior’s face.
I knew His plan was best, it was glorious to see,
So do not mourn and do not cry, but celebrate for me.
…….Weeping may go on all night,
But in the morning there is joy.
Psalm 30:5
In memory of Sharon Smith, My dear friend and coworker.
–Jennifer Jones
Pictured above: Sharon Smith with her Molino Park Elementary School Class shortly before her death. Poem by Jennifer Jones, reprinted with permission.
Public Meeting To Discuss Carver/Century Tonight
June 10, 2008
The public will get the chance to let a Century committee know their thoughts about the closing of Carver/Century K-8 School tonight.
The town’s blue ribbon committee to save the school will hold a public meeting in the school cafeteria at 6:30 tonight.
Parents and community members will have the opportunity to voice their opinions and their ideas for saving the school.
The committee met behind closed doors with Escambia School Superintendent Jim Paul on May 30. NorthEscambia.com was the only media at that meeting.
Paul began that May 30 meeting by telling the Carver/Century supporters that “this is not a decision making meeting,” and said again at the end of the meeting that his mind about a recommendation to close Carver/Century is not made up.
“I want to do what is right for the children of Century, Paul told Century Mayor Freddie Mcall; Blue Ribbon Committee members Laura Nelson, Rev. Willie Carter, Rev. Irvin Stallworth and Brenda Spencer; and Century resident Lina Showalter.
Facing millions in budget cuts, Paul said that the district must look at efficiency and the cost per student at every school. He said that with a principal, assistant principal, a curriculum coordinator and a declining enrollment, Carver/Century is expensive to operate.
“I’ve always been reluctant to close Carver/Century even though the numbers said to close it,” Paul said on May 30. “I continued to keep Carver/Century off the closure list. But when the first grades came out about a month ago, it now became a matter of what is best for the children.” Carver/Century’s FCAT Writing+ score released about a month ago were the worst in the county.
“There are members on the school board that feel strongly that the school should close,” he said. “The school board cannot shut down a school without my recommendation. My staff is recommending that I recommend that the school close. I am here to hear what you have to say before I decide.”
Pictured above: A prayer service for Carver/Century K-8 School was held May 3. Pictured below (L-R): Blue Ribbon Committee members Century Mayor Freddie McCall, Brenda Spencer, Lina Showalter and Rev. Willie Carter listen to Escambia School Superintendent Jim Paul at recent meeting at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
VBS At First Baptist Bratt , Walnut Hill Mennonite, Other Churches
June 10, 2008
Vacation Bible School is underway at several area churches.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will hold “Outrigger Island” Vacation Bible School from 8:30 until 11:30 each morning this week. There will be crafts, recreation, cool music, yummy snacks and lots of fun for ages three to those that just completed the sixth grade. The church is located on Highway 4 between North Highway 99 and Northview High School.
On Monday, dozens joined in the the “Worship Rally” to kickoff Bratt’s VBS. Then the students spread out across the church for their classes, crafts, snacks, recreation, music and more.
The second week of Vacation Bible School will continue at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m for ages five to tenth grade. For more information, contact Eric Koehn at 327-6180, Brian Decker at 327-9596 or Kerry Boeckner at 327-4708. Everyone is welcome. The church is located at the intersection of Highway 97 and North Highway 99.
The First Assembly of God Church in Atmore will hold hold Vacation Bible School each day this week from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. “God’s Big Backyard” is for age two through the sixth grade. For more information, call (251) 368-4637.
For a photo gallery from VBS Monday morning at the First Baptist Church of Bratt, click here.
Pictured above and below: VBS “Outrigger Island” at First Baptist Church of Bratt Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
