ACLU Lawsuit, Judge’s Order Prompts Prayer Rally At High School
March 5, 2009
An ACLU lawsuit and a federal court judge’s order against any prayer or promotion of religion has prompted over a dozen Santa Rosa County churches to organize a prayer service at Jay High School.
“We are going to come as Christians, not any denomination, and offer prayer that our students will serve the Lord,” said Pastor Mitch Herring of Poplar Dell Baptist Church. His church is located in North Escambia, but he is taking part in the service because he lives in Jay.
“We want the children to know we are for them, even though they took Baccalaureate away from them,” the pastor said.
U.S. District Court Judge Casey Rodgers issued an injunction banning prayer and religion in Santa Rosa County Schools following an ACLU lawsuit against Santa Rosa County. That injunction prevents the school district from promoting or sponsoring prayers during school-sponsored events, including graduation; planning or financing religious Baccalaureate services; holding school-sponsored events at religious venues when alternative locations are reasonably available; and prohibits school officials from promoting their personal religious beliefs in class or during school-sponsored events and activities.
That order has also prompted many Escambia County high schools, including Northview, to eliminate a school sponsored Baccalaureate this year.
Several Jay churches are currently working together with the Jay Royals senior class to organize a Baccalaureate service.
At 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, at least 14 churches will come together on the baseball field at Jay High School to pray for the students in the Jay area. Herring said the gathering will not be impacted by the judge’s order because the event is not school sponsored, and the churches are paying to rent the facility under district guidelines.
“We want to encourage these kids to stand in their faith,” the pastor said, “and let them know that they have people praying for them. We want the Lord to raise up leaders at our schools.”
Under the judge’s order, Herring said, teachers are not even allowed to pray for students if the student asks for prayer.
Want to go? The prayer service will be held at Jay High School, Saturday, March 14 at 4 p.m. It is open to the public, not just to people connected to Jay High School or Santa Rosa County.
Honors For Bus Drivers From Bratt, Carver/Century And Molino Park
March 5, 2009
Three North Escambia bus drivers have been named as School Bus Operator of the Month at their elementary school.
Drivers of the month are Mikie Johnson from Molino Park Elementary, Vicki Godwin from Carver/Century School, and Vicki Eubanks from Bratt Elementary.
Tina Vickery, route supervisor for the north sector of the Escambia County School district, says the three were chosen by their peers for professionalism, team support and overall good work.
“These drivers work so hard to safely transport students everyday to school and back home,” Vickery said. “I am very proud of each of these ladies.”
At a recent awards ceremony at the Panhandle Restaurant in Century, the drivers were given their award and a gift bag.
Pictured above: North sector School bus Operators of the Month are (L-R) Vicki Godwin from Carver/Century, Mikie Johnson from Molino Park Elementary, and Vicki Eubanks from Bratt Elementary. Submitted photos for North Escambia.com.
Students Make Wacky Photos Of Teacher
March 3, 2009
Northview High School celebrated National FBLA week with several contests, including a typing contest and a wacky photo contest.
In the fastest typing contest, Joshua King won a $20 gift card to Walmart for being the FBLA’s best. He typed 84 net words a minute for three minutes.
The students also took part in the wacky photo contest. They were given a photo of business technology teacher Donna Smith (left) and told to make it “wacky”.
Eric Ickeringill’s rendition of Mrs. Smith as a PBS star Bob Ross from the “Joy of Painting” won. He also received a $20 gift card.
In the wacky photo contest, students were told use “Photoshop, Paint, or whatever software program you wise, enhance Mrs. Smith’s photo. For example, you can give her a halo, horns, mustache, etc. Be creative!”.
To see other entries in the wacky photo contest, click here..
Pictured top: Eric Ickeringill’s wacky photo of Northview business technology teacher Donna Smith. Pictured middle: The original photo. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Byrneville Principal Takes Issue With Comments In PNJ; Says School Is Not Racial Biased
March 2, 2009
The principal of Byrneville Elementary School is speaking out after a Sunday article in the Pensacola News Journal that includes terms like “white flight” to describe the predominantly white school.
The article quotes Sandra Edwards, director of the county’s school choice office as say that white children in the Carver/Century K-8 School attendance zone would “find a reason” to transfer to Byrneville or Bratt.
About 12 percent of Byrneville’s students are minorities; at Bratt, that number is 21 percent. The PNJ articles states that of the 130 students in the Carver/Century zone that attend Byrneville, only four are black.
“Sandra Edwards’ remarks about the pending closing of Carver Century School, quoted in the article in the Pensacola News-Journal March 1 edition, imply that Byrneville Elementary School, Inc., a charter school, is racially biased. That is false,” Byrneville Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan told NorthEscambia.com Sunday evening.
Wolfe-Sullivan points out that figures that state 130 students are leaving Carver/Century to attend Byrneville are misleading. When the district voted to close Byrneville, it became a charter school ran by a board of directors rather than directly by the Escambia County School Board. The former Byrneville district was eliminated; students that lived near Byrneville Elementary suddenly were with the Carver/Century zone.
“Edwards’ statement that 130 of our students are in the Carver Century zone is misleading. The zone for Carver Century was expanded by the District to include the old Byrneville zone the same year the District closed Byrneville and we opened as a charter school. Our students never left the Byrneville zone to attend Carver Century,” Wolfe-Sullivan said.
NorthEscambia.com was unable to reach Edwards for comment Sunday night due to the school district office being closed.
Wolfe-Sullivan stressed that Byrneville is not a racially biased school in any manner.
“Since we opened as a charter school we have admitted the children who came to us, black, Native American, Latino, Asian, and white,” she said.
What Will Happen To Byrneville Elementary?
In an exclusive story on January 22, NorthEscambia.com explored how Byrneville might be impacted by the closure of Carver/Century K-8 School. That closure is expected to be finalized at a March 17 meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
The facts are simple: Only about 44 percent of the students in the Carver/Century district actually attend the school. On the elementary level, 126 attend Carver/Century, 130 attend Byrneville Elementary and 32 attend Bratt Elementary. But where will the 126 elementary children at Carver/Century end up next year?
The official answer is Bratt Elementary, because Century will become part of Bratt’s district.
But Dee Wolfe–Sullivan, principal at Byrneville, feels like many parents and guardians may choose to send their children to her school rather than having them bused to Bratt. Byrneville Elementary is a charter school ran under district guidelines but under its own set of rules; those rules would allow Byrneville to accept Carver students.
“Some of those parents will want to enroll their children here,” Wolfe-Sullivan said. “But the issue becomes if we have room or not.”
There are currently 166 students at Byrneville, and the school only has a capacity of about 200.
“It is possible that applications may exceed our capacity next year if Carver Century is closed. We will continue to follow our own board’s admissions preference policy, which does not regard race or minority status. That policy gives first preference to students who live in the original (District system) zone; then dependents of staff and board members; then siblings of students; and then any Florida student,” she said.
In our January 22 story, NorthEscambia.com presented a “what if” scenario to Wolfe-Sullivan. “What if the school board closed Carver/Century and then offered the Carver/Century facility to Byrneville Elementary?” we asked.
“We have not discussed the Carver/Century building, so I would have no comment at the present time,” she said.
“If parents want to send their child to Byrneville, we certainly welcome them,” Wolfe-Sullivan added. “We are a small school. Every teacher knows every child, and they know most of the families. It is a great atmosphere.”
Pictured top: Byrneville Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan at lunch with a group of students. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Groups Helps Gulf Coast Kid’s House
March 2, 2009
Northview High School’s FCCLA program recently conducted a fundraiser to support the Gulf Coast Kid’s House. The FCCLA worked in conjunction with the Escambia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.
FCCLA (Family, Career, & Community Leaders of America) members sold Valentine Grams to students at Northview High School. The funds were then used to purchase personal care items for the Kid’s House.
The Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a center where abused and neglected children receive services from a number of agencies. While the Kid’s House is located in Pensacola and serves all of Escambia County, a fair number of the children served are from our area.
The FCCLA is the leadership program of the Family & Consumer Science Department at Northview High School.
Pictured above: FCCLA members Kayla Rentz and Allie Vidak organize items purchased for the Gulf Coast Kid’s House. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Mailing Letter To Parents
February 27, 2009
Ernest Ward Middle School is mailing a letter to every parent or guardian with a few tips to help students do their best of the FCAT.
The school placed Connect-Ed call to parents Thursday night letting them know that the letter is on the way. The letters will be mailed on Friday and should arrive in mailboxes Saturday or Monday.
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test will be take place March 10 and 11.
To read a copy of the letter than parents will receive in the mail, click here (pdf).
Lawsuit Stops Organized Baccalaureate Services At Northview; School Turns To Community For Help
February 26, 2009
For the first time in the history of Northview High School, the school will not sponsor a Baccalaureate service. The change is due to decisions made by the Escambia County School District following a judge’s decision in favor of the the ACLU in a lawsuit against the Santa Rosa County School District.
A federal judge issued preliminary injunction against any policy or practice that promotes prayer or religion in the Santa Rosa County School District. The American Civil Liberties Union has also requested documents concerning prayer from Escambia County Schools.
“As part of a district-wide change in procedure, to be implemented with the graduating class of 2009, high schools will neither sponsor, direct, nor organize future Baccalaureate services for graduation,” Northview High Principal Gayle Weaver said.
But the policy does not necessarily mean an end to Baccalaureate services for Northview Seniors.
Baccalaureate services may still be organized and sponsored by the members of the senior class, parents, community leaders, pastors or other interested persons. The school itself is not allowed to organize the service.
Luke Killam, the NHS senior class president, and other class officers met with Northview administrators Wednesday morning to hear about the district’s decision and to begin planning initial steps to assume responsibility for Baccalaureate.
After that initial between administrators and class officers, a meeting of the entire senior class was called Wednesday to explain the situation and ask for assistance.
“Northview High School is very optimistic that the parents, community leaders, pastors, etc. will come together and will work with the officers and their Baccalaureate committee to make decisions relative to a place to hold the services, when to hold the services and who will be a part of the program,” Weaver said.
“The administration, faculty, and staff of Northview High School have been proud to sponsor all of the Baccalaureate services since the school’s inaugural 1996 graduating class. It is believed that the Senior Class of 2009 will rise to the challenge of having an off-campus Baccalaureate services and will not only have a wonderful service but also one which may serve as a model for future years,” Weaver said.
Supporters of Baccalaureate in Santa Rosa County have launched a website to assist in the understanding of their efforts. The site is www.gotyourbacc.com and may be of assistance and guidance to individuals, Weaver added.
Pictured above: The Class of 2008 Baccalaureate service at Northview High School. Pictured inset: First Baptist Church of Bratt Pastor Gary Wieborg delivers the address at last year’s Northview Baccalaureate service. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Holds Breakfast
February 26, 2009
FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School did their part to celebrate National FFA Week with a Wednesday morning breakfast for faculty and staff.
“Step Up, Stand Out” is the theme of National FFA Week this year as more than half a million members around the nation are participating in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels. Stepping up and standing out is not only a way of life for FFA members, but it’s also a call to action for others. FFA members set a positive example with their leadership, work ethic and community service activities
Students cooked a breakfast of eggs, grits, biscuits, bacon, sausage and more for the EWMS faculty and staff.
Click here for a photo gallery from the breakfast.
Pictured above: FFA members at Ernest Ward Middle School served breakfast to school staff Wednesday morning as part of their National FFA Week activities. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Businesses, Students Of The Year Named
February 25, 2009
Awards for outstanding students and outstanding businesses were handed out Tuesday night at the Flomaton and Century Joint Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet.
Scroll down for award winners and photos.
Bud’s Refrigeration Service was named the Flomaton Business of the Year, and Whataburger was named as the Century Business of the Year. Pictured are (L-R) Buddy and Maxine Smith from Bud’s Refrigeration Service and Jeff Jennings, manager of the Century Whataburger.
Flomaton High School student Kaitlyn Hambrick was named the Flomaton Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Student. Northview High School senior Luke Killam was named as the Century Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Student.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EREC Youth Tour Participants Visit Tallahassee
February 24, 2009
Escambia River Electric Cooperative took 16 juniors from its service area to Tallahassee recently to learn more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives as part of its Youth Tour.
While in Tallahassee, the students met with Representatives Clay Ford and Dave Murzin and had the opportunity to tour the governor’s mansion. The students participated in a mock session in the house chambers and in the Florida Supreme Court as well. In addition, the students enjoyed visiting the Mary Brogan Museum and seeing the “Our Body – The Universe Within” exhibit.
Participants included Jessica Bloodsworth, Erica Bogden, Emma Bone, Sandra Boyett, Jordan Bray, Clint Davis, Kathryn Floyd, Drew Garcia, Travis Hatfield, Bridget Jacobs, Heather Lee, Austin Lowery, Miranda Scott, Felicia Settle, Allison Spence and Allison White.
The Youth Tour program provides students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact with other students from co-ops throughout the state. It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group.
Pictured above: EREC Youth Tour students outside the Governor’s Mansion. Front (L-R): Sandra Boyett, Heather Lee, Allison White, Kathryn Floyd, Erica Bogden, Jordan Bray, Jessica Bloodsworth, Miranda Scott, Felicia Settle and Allison Spence. Back (L-R): Emma Bone, Bridget Jacobs, Drew Garcia, Austin Lowery, Travis Hatfield and Clint Davis. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.