School District Seeks Input Into Next Year’s Calendar
December 29, 2008
When would you like Christmas/winter break next year? What about fall break? NSpring break? The Escambia County School District wants to know what you think of their proposed calender for the 2009-2010 school year.
Next year’s proposed school calendar includes a full week for Thanksgiving/Fall Break. The complete calendar includes:
- Labor Day, September 7
- Veteran’s Day, November 11
- Fall Break/Thanksgiving, November 23-27
- Christmas Break: December 21-January 1
- MLK Day: January 18
- Spring Break: March 29-April 2
- Memorial Day: May 31
The proposed first day of school is August 24, and the last day of school is proposed to be June 7.
The school district is conducting a survey for input on the calendar. To complete the survey, first read the calendar requirements by clicking here, then click here for the survey.
Christmas Celebration: Carver/Century Students Receive Gifts
December 20, 2008
Christmas came early for students at Carver/Century K-8 School Friday as Santa Claus and members of Trinity Presbyterian Church handed out Christmas gifts to students.
Every student in grade Pre-K through fifth received gifts from Trinity, a Carver/Century Partner in Education. The church also sponsored a pizza party for the school’s middle school students, and Santa visited the classrooms.
“Wow, it’s really Elmo,” one student screamed has he received a brand new TMX Elmo. “Thank you! I love him!”
For over 20 years, Trinity has provided the Christmas gifts for the Carver students, many of which come from some of the poorest homes in the county. Volunteers from the Pensacola church also provide for the students at other times during the school year, including Halloween bags, Easter baskets, school supplies, free books for summer vacation and sometimes even clothing for a needy child. Trinity Volunteers also tutor students once a week each week during the school year.
Trinity partnered with Carver about 20 years ago after a Carver teacher was telling her Sunday School class at Trinity about the problems faced by many of the Carver students. The church’s “service committee” stepped forward and has spearheaded the “Century Christmas Stars” project ever since.
“This is the highlight of our year,” Trinity member Martee Atkins said. “For some of these kids it is their only Christmas.”
“I really enjoy watching the kids; sometimes it makes me feel like I am a kid again,” Trinity member Bill Tabbe said. “We enjoy coming up here and being part of the children’s lives.”
“It’s really, really special,” Atkins said.
Fischer Price front end loaders, dolls, TMX Elmo dolls, radio control cars and Wilson NFL footballs were among the presents given to the children.
For a photo gallery from Carver/Century and the Trinity gifts, click here.
Pictured: Students at Carver/Century received Christmas gifts from Trinity Presbyterian Church Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rudolph’s Day Off: Santa Arrives At Area School In Helicopter
December 20, 2008
The reindeer got the afternoon off Friday as Santa Claus arrived at Flomaton Elementary School in Baptist Hospital’s LifeFlight helicopter.
“Santa, Santa, Santa,” the students screamed as the jolly old elf in his red and and white suit crawled out of the helicopter. Santa met with boys and girls, hearing those last minute Christmas wishes.
NorthEscambia.com took an aerial tour of Century and Flomaton in the LifeFlight helicopter. We’ll have those photos in a photo gallery Tuesday morning; you don’t want to miss them.
For a photo gallery from Santa’s visit on LifeFlight to Flomaton Elementary School, click here.
Pictured above: Santa arrived in LifeFlight Friday afternoon at Flomaton Elementary School. Pictured below: Santa poses with Flomaton students. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Carver/Century Students Celebrate Christmas
December 19, 2008
Pictured: The students at Carver/Century K-8 School presented their annual Christmas musical and play Thursday morning. The students are expecting a special visit from Santa Claus on Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names Blackburn As Teacher Of The Year
December 16, 2008
Northview High School has named Sascha Blackburn as Teacher of the Year.
Blackburn teaches 9th grade English and television production. She has a Bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from the University of West Florida and also has a Leadership Communication Certification.
Blackburn is in her third year of teaching at Northview. She is a 2001 Northview graduate.
The Northview Teacher of the Year recipient is selected by the Northview teachers.
Pictured above: Northview High School Teacher of the Year Sascha Blackburn talks with student Eric Ickeringill. Submitted photo.
Local Residents Among UWF Graduates
December 15, 2008
Several local residents were among those graduating from the University of West Florida over the weekend.
Our area graduates were:
Century:
Bachelor’s Degree: Rachel Andrews
McDavid
Bachelor’s Degree: Matthew Gunter
Molino
Bachelor’s Degrees: Emily Coleman, Christin Hicks, Anne McGowan, Alicia Nowlin, Deva Rawls, Lester Rawls, Patrick Scully, Jameson Silcox, Christopher Wade
Jay
Bachelor’s Degrees: Nicole Bagley, Tarrah Davis, Lindsey Floyd, Nicholas Golden, Shellie White
Specialist’s Degree: Susan Diamond
Cantonment
Associate of Arts Degrees: Christina Ellison, Jennifer Simmons, Kaitlin Teets
Bachelor’s Degrees: Melissa Aiken, Daniel Bell, Sean Bowers, Cynthia Boyd, Charnai Carrier, Rachel Castleman, Michael Colonna, Ruth Corbin, William Cotton, Nicole Davis, Camillee Deguzman, Mark Deguzman, Susann Fehl, Victoria Fox, Eugenia George, Ryan Harrison, Chad Hetherington, John Hicks, Brandy Ingram, Michael McGlothlin, Brandon McKenzie, Lauren McManus, Christopher Meade, Jessica Miller, Gregory Miller, Aaron Moneyham, Diana Morton, Jonathan Olesky, Gwandoya Price, Mickey Rosalez, Stacy Ross, Brandon Sapp, Steve Schickel, Jeremy Smart, Jamaal Smart, Kurtis Smith, Darron Solensky, Jason Tucker, Julianne Welch, Amy Wright
Master’s Degrees: Jennifer Austin, Jenni Brian, Monte Chappell, Pamela Downey, Jennifer Kelly, Autumn Morris, Gary Peters, Jennifer Rape, Joni Steiner
Northview’s Halteman Named To County All-Star Band
December 11, 2008
A Northview High School band standout has been named to the county’s honor band.
Briana Halteman was named as a flute player for the Escambia County School District’s All-County High School Honor Band for 2008-2009. She was the only Northview Tribal Breat member named to the band.
“I am excited that I made All-County Band since it is my senior year, and am really looking forward to this experience,” Halteman said.
Halteman current serves as the Northview Tribal Beat’s Drum Major (pictured left, click to enlarge).
Students were selected based upon auditions conducted by all District high school band directors earlier this week at Escambia High School.
The Escambia All-County Band will perform January 27 at 7 p.m. at the Pensacola High School Auditorium.
The complete list of band players and their instruments is below.
Northview High School
Briana Halteman, flute.
Tate High School
Rachael Cotton, flute; Leslie Ann Godwin, flute; Caitlin Boutwell, flute; Brianna Latourelle, flute; Samantha Bell, flute; Stephanie Bruce, oboe; Courtney Bonucchi, clarinet; Jill Wilson, clarinet; Alyssa Jackson, clarinet; Denise Rivers, clarinet; Avery Cobb, clarinet; Sarah Barlow, clarinet; Leigh Wisdom, clarinet; Miranda Crider, bass clarinet; Ashley Phillips, bassoon; Randi Silcox, bassoon; Steven Triplett, alto saxophone; Matthew Cassady, alto saxophone; Daeshen Smith, alto saxophone; Chris Hester, trumpet; Ben Carmichael, trumpet; Chris Snyder, trumpet; Kellie Gindl, trumpet; Michael Dobbs, trumpet; Michael Hall, trumpet; Jacob Dearrington, trumpet; Joey Hicks, trumpet; Andrew Fairbanks, French horn; Emily Creahan, French horn; Amanda Heathcoe, French horn; Jackson Willis, trombone; Matt Warren, trombone; Blane Pinney, trombone; Samantha Bruce, baritone; Jakob Wisdom, baritone; Ben Pement, baritone; Jordan Gutierrez, baritone; John Hassell, tuba; Eli Cawthon, tuba.
Pine Forest High School
Jessica Courtney, flute; Danielle Upman, clarinet; Hanna Moulder, clarinet; Joseph Wright, tuba.
Washington High School
Sasha Tittel, flute; LaKrista Battle, flute; Jeremy Watson, clarinet; Monique Starke, clarinet; Christina Ferguson, clarinet; Miriam Bellamy, clarinet; Jessica Harris, clarinet; Wilson Virgilio, bassoon; Raymond Spencer, tenor saxophone; Scotty Poyner, baritone saxophone; James Westmark, trumpet; Daniel Campbell, trumpet; Colin Mitchell, trumpet; Kalee Burns, trombone; Lindsey Harris, tuba; Brandon Spencer, tuba; Eric Kyles, tuba; Tevin Purifoy, tuba.
Pensacola High School
Dosom Bae, flute; Eileen Morse, baritone saxophone.
Escambia High School
Janae Baptiste, flute; Ralf Romero, flute; Hannah Bergstrom, flute; Katelin Greene, flute; Jovy Carambas, flute; Mary Murphy, oboe; Alehna Crowe, clarinet; Megan Beebe, clarinet; Chierstie Braas, clarinet; Allison Kane, clarinet; Lauren Burns, clarinet; Ashley Vanstraten, clarinet; Angelita Moore, clarinet; Nicole Samuels, clarinet and bass clarinet; Erica Thornton, bass clarinet; Ellie Margedant, contra clarinet; Bryson Viquelia, contra clarinet; Brandon Ramsey, alto saxophone; Mitchell Green, alto saxophone; Zack Blessing, alto saxophone; Larry Hughes, tenor saxophone; Richard Shasteen, tenor saxophone; Drew Pritchard, trumpet; Chris Polk, trumpet; Joel Everette, trumpet; Taylor Vanstraten, trumpet; Colin Slavin, trumpet; Kevin Unruh, French horn; Dontye’ Johnson, French horn, Jessica Dennis, French horn; Stephen French, trombone; Brendan Landrum, trombone; Steven Saul, trombone; Westin Giles, baritone; Ryan Ludvik, tuba; Dalton Dennis, tuba; Alex Berg, mallets; Jeff Cutaio, mallets; Dimitri Baptiste, mallets; Randall Massey, mallets; DeJarvea Bryant, percussion; Nicholas Berg, percussion.
Home-school
Kyle Hansen, French horn.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
December 11, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their students of the month for November. They are (L-R) Ashlynn Clemmons, Lily Townson, Harold Harrison and Austin Cunningham. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Many Escambia Students To Receive Health Report Cards Beginning Today
December 3, 2008
Escambia first, third, sixth and ninth grade students will be given their health report cards beginning today.
Over 11,900 students in those grades took the Escambia County Health Department’s screening for vision, hearing, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI).
The overall county data shows no increase in obesity rates among first and sixth graders, and a one to two percent increase for third and ninth graders. Even with the two percent increase, ninth graders remain below their highest rate of the past five years.
“While this is very encouraging news for our county – and comes at a time when we know that America’s obesity epidemic is at record-level highs – it also demonstrates that we must broaden our efforts beyond our schools,” said Health Department Director Dr. John Lanza. “Our city and county must commit to a community-wide effort that makes physical activity and healthy eating our way of life.”
The numbers show that a full 20 percent of the 11,933 students in the survey were overweight with a high BMI. Another 16 percent were categorized as being at risk for becoming overweight. Two percent were classified as underweight. That left 62 percent in the normal category.
BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight and is used to screen for health problems associated with an unhealthy body weight. The measurement of students’ BMI in first, third and sixth grades is required by the State of Florida.
The measurement of students’ Body Mass Index in first, third and sixth grades is required by the State of Florida.
A portion of a sample report is below. For a complete same report in pdf format, click here.
Molino Park PTA Fund Raiser Now At $2,000
November 25, 2008
With new donations received on Monday, the Molino Park Elementary School annual fund raiser has reached $2,000 on its way to a goal of $8,000.
Rather than asking the children and their parents to sell something like in past years, Principal Alice Woodward says the school’s has simply asked parents, grandparents, guardians and their friends and families to make a contribution to the school.
The math is simple, Woodward said. With over 400 children, if each gathers about $20 in donations each, the school will quickly reach its goal of $8,000.
Donations should be sent to school with Molino Park students before Wednesday, donations can be made in the school office, or checks can be mailed to the school. If any community members would like to donate they can make checks to Molino Park PTA and send to 899 Hwy. 97, Molino, FL 32577.
Some of the recent projects funded by the PTA include SuccessMaker software, supplies and materials for each of the school’s teachers, grandparent’s day, field day and more.
As of Monday afternoon, donations were at $2,000.