Student To Attend Leadership Conference
October 9, 2008
A Carver/Century K-8 School student has been chosen to represent the State of Florida at the National Young Leaders State Conference.
Christiful Madison requested financial help to the attend the conference from the Century Town Council. The council approved giving him $250, which is half of the council’s entire $500 yearly budget for such projects.
The National Young Leaders State Conference in Florida is a unique, life-changing experience specifically geared toward eighth and ninth grade students readying for this critical phase in their life. This regional conference welcomes scholars from Florida. The intense four-day curriculum focuses on eight core leadership power tools: communication, conflict resolution, decision making, goal setting, group dynamics, leadership techniques, project management and self awareness.
This unique program challenges each scholar to step forward with conviction and confidence, to grasp the concepts of leadership and to act upon their dreams of making a difference in their communities. With the insight and guidance of highly trained facilitators and the assistance of their peers, scholars work within each activity to hone their plan of personal leadership, leaving the conference well-equipped to begin their journey.
Pictured above: Carver/Century K-8 student Christiful Madison asks the Century Town Council for financial support to attend a leadership conference. NorthEscambia.com photo.
IP Presents Ernest Ward With Grant Check For Advanced Readers
October 7, 2008
International Paper presented Ernest Ward Middle School with a $1,462 grant Monday afternoon to purchase Interactive Readers for mid-level and advanced reading students.
“One of the main focus areas for IP is literacy,” said Jessica Morris, IP’s Pensacola Mill communications director. “It feels good to be able to support you in the central and north part of the county because that is where IP is, and that is where were are shifting our focus a bit.”
About 60 community groups attended a workshop at International Paper to learn how to submit lengthy grant applications for a share of $50,000 in grant money. Of those, 34 actually applied and 15 groups were chosen by a selection committee to have their project funded.
The mid-level and advanced readers at Ernest Ward did not have new materials and were the focus of Ernest Ward’s grant application, according to Carolyn Findley, reading coach.
“That’s what we thought was special about this application,” Morris said. “This was different because it takes these mid-level readers and bumps them to the next level. Usually these projects are for lower level readers.”
“We were very fortunate and very blessed that IP did choose us,” Findley said.
“We are so appreciative of IP for helping us,” EWMS Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said. “They are helping our middle to higher readers. A lot of the time, the focus is on the lower level readers and the upper level kids are left behind.”
For a complete list of grant recipients, click here for an August 21 NorthEscambia.com story.
Northview Names NJROTC Officers
October 2, 2008
Northview High School has named NJROTC officers for the 2008-2009 school year.
They are front row, left to right:
- Company CDR, c/LCDR Amanda Sellars
- Weapons Officer, c/SCPO Daniel Jordan
- Operations Officer, c/LTJG Deniece Jordan
- Supply Officer, c/ENS Miranda Scott
- Command Master Chief, c/MCPO Jessica Bloodsworth
- Executive Officer, c/LT Dalton Cummings
Back row, left to right:
- Athletics Officer,c/CPO Katie Mann
- First Lieutenant, c/LTJG Harrison Whitehead
- Admin Officer, c/ENS Clinton Davis
- Public Affairs Officer, c/CPO William Conway
- Chaplin, c/CPO Zachary Lamb
The Northview High NJROTC is under the command of Senior Naval Science Instructor Charlie Code.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Of The Month Named At North Escambia Schools
September 29, 2008
The students of the month for Escambia County have been selected. From North Escambia schools, they are:
Bratt Elementary: Lydia G. Smith, second grade; Claudio A. Santander, fifth grade.
Carver/Century K-8: Markayla D. Bradley, fourth grade; Martavious A. Odom, fourth grade.
Molino Park Elementary: Cheyenne R. Gray, fifth grade; Haley D. Brown, fifth grade ; Demarcus J. Dukes, fifth grade; Tasashera L. Granderson, fifth grade.
Ernest Ward Middle School: Charmayne M. Fountain, sixth grade; Courtney A. Weaver, seventh grade.
Northview High School: Luke F. Killam, senior; Jessica M. Mothershed, senior.
The students of the month are awarded certificates from the Escambia Association for Administrators In Education.
Pictured above: Luke Killam (left) and Jessica Mothershed, both seniors at Northview High School, were among the North Escambia students of the month named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. Submitted photo.
Annual See You At The Pole Held
September 25, 2008
The annual See You at the Pole rally was held Wednesday morning at Northview High School.
About 75 NHS students gathered at the flagpole as school began to pray in the non-denominational event.
See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. That means this is all about students meeting at their school flagpole to pray—for their school, friends teachers, government, and their nation.
“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!” from 1 Samuel 3:9b was theme verse for the See You at the Pole event at thousands of schools across the nation Wednesday morning.
“It’s tough being a Christian student today, isn’t it? You have to make a lot of choices about who you are—and who you’re not. You have to try and follow God in a world that misunderstands Christianity and tolerates its principles less and less all the time,” according to the See You at the Pole website.
See You at the Pole is scheduled annually on the fourth Wednesday in September.
Pictured above and below: The annual See You at the Pole event was held Wednesday morning at Northview High School and schools across the country. Scroll down and click the thumbnails at the bottom for more photos. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
School Advisory Councils Decide How To Spend Thousands; Work Hard Behind The Scenes
September 24, 2008
Working behind the scenes at area schools are school advisory councils, and they began this school year with the responsibility of deciding how to spend thousands of dollars awarded by the state.
School advisory councils are made up of a team of people representing the various segments of the community, from parents and teachers to students, administrators, support staff and local business people.
Based on the state’s school grading system, schools that either receive an “A” grade or improve at least one grade from the previous year were eligible to receive the recognition funds. Bratt Elementary received $33,492. Carver/Century K-8 School received $17,319. Molino Park Elementary was awarded $36,436. Charter school Byrneville Elementary got $13,830. Ernest Ward Middle School received $38,973, and Northview High School was awarded $46,887.
At Tuesday morning’s meeting of the school advisory council at Bratt Elementary School, the council voted to split Bratt’s $33,492 among all current school employees that were on the payroll last year — including teachers, lunchroom employees, custodians and other staff — as a bonus. It’s the same thing Bratt has done with their awarded school performance funds for each of the past several years, according to Principal Sheryl Pomeroy.
At Northview High School’s School Advisory County meeting Tuesday afternoon, members voted to form a committee to report back on possible uses for the school’s $46,887. The committee will consist of parents on the SAC, teachers and faculty. The committee will report back to the SAC at a future date.
By law, the funds can be used for non-recurring faculty bonuses, educational equipment, new technology or hiring temporary personnel to assist in maintaining and improving student performance.
“I want to give praise to our students, faculty and staff for their hard work. We were just six points away from an ‘A’. We were very close,” Northview Assistant Principal Mike Sherrill told the SAC of the B-graded school.
At Bratt’s school advisory council meeting, members were also informed that Bratt was rated as the only Five Star School in North Escambia.
“It’s an honor to be the only one in the north end,” outgoing SAC advisory council member Tami Calloway said. “It’s an honor that Bratt got that.”
The overall purpose of a school advisory council is to assist in the preparation and evaluation of the results of the school improvement plan and to assist the school principal with the annual school budget. Additionally, SAC’s receive funds to be used by the SAC at their discretion and monies to be used to reach the goals of the school’s improvement plan.
Pictured above: Assistant Principal Mike Sherrill at Northview’s School Advisory County meeting Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Ernest Ward Holds Open House
September 19, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Open House Thursday night.
Parents had the opportunity to meet each of their child’s teachers by changing classes and following their daily child’s schedule.
Pictured above and below: Parents had the chance to meet their child’s teachers during an Open House Thursday night at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Area Schools Awarded Cash For Good Grades
September 18, 2008
Thousands of dollars have been awarded to North Escambia Schools for their academic achievement and improvement during last school year.
Based on the state’s school grading system, schools that either receive an “A” grade or improve at least one grade from the previous year are eligible to receive the recognition funds.
Bratt Elementary received $33,492. Carver/Century K-8 School received $17,319. Molino Park Elementary was awarded $36,436. Charter school Byrneville Elementary got $13,830.
Ernest Ward Middle School received $38,973, and Northview High School was awarded $46,887.
“Florida’s students, teachers and administrators are to be commended for their continued achievements in increasing school performance and student learning,” Governor Charlie Crist said. “Education is the foundation for every student’s future success, and we remain diligent in ensuring the best learning environment possible for Florida’s children.”
“I’m honored to recognize these outstanding schools for their unwavering commitment to the success of our students,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “Through the collaborative efforts of teachers, parents, and school administrators, we can continue to inspire our children to achieve to their highest potential.”
Schools that qualify for the recognition funds are awarded $85 dollars for each student at the school. The funds are then allocated based on a joint decision by the school’s staff and school advisory council. These funds can be for non-recurring faculty bonuses, educational equipment, new technology or hiring temporary personnel to assist in maintaining and improving student performance.
Statewide, the program awarded $147.1 million. A total of about $1.7 million was awarded in Escambia County.
Bratt Elementary Named North Escambia’s Only Five Star School
September 18, 2008
One elementary school in North Escambia has been awarded the Five Star School Award from the Florida Department of Education.
Bratt Elementary School was one of 14 Escambia County elementary schools to receive the honor.
The award was established to recognize outstanding community involvement in schools across the state. In order to qualify, schools must demonstrate high levels of participation in business partnerships, family involvement, volunteers, student community service and school advisory councils.
In addition to Bratt, the other elementary schools to receive the honor were: Jim Allen, Beulah, Hellen Caro, NB Cook, Cordova Park, Ensley, Lipscomb, McArthur, Pleasant Grove, Scenic Heights, Sherwood, AK Suter, and Warrington.
The schools were official recognized at the last meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
Nearly 1,000 Sign Petition To Keep Carver/Century Open
September 18, 2008
The Century Blue Ribbon Committee has hand delivered a petition to the Escambia School District asking the district to keep the doors open next year at Carver/Century K-8 School.
The town’s mayor, Freddie McCall, delivered the petitions containing just a few names shy of 1,000 signatures to the school board.
“I hope they’ll listen and keep our school open,” McCall said.
The closure of Carver/Century K-8 School by next year, if approved by the board, would save the district $680,000. Many of the town’s residents have strongly been against the closure, and the town formed the Century Blue Ribbon Committee to fight the closure.
The signatures were collected over the past few weeks at businesses, churches and other public locations in and around Century.