Over 200 Ernest Ward Students Receive Awards

June 3, 2009

Today, NorthEscambia.com continues a series of stories with award listings from area schools. Today’s listing contains the names of all Ernest Ward Middle School students that received awards in ceremonies at the end of the year.

(Editors note: If you are a teacher or administrator at an area school, please send any awards lists that you might have to news@northescambia.com for a future story.)

ERNEST WARD MIDDLE SCHOOL

Sixth Grade

Autumn Ates, Penny Banda, Reagan Bell, Shalmali Bhadkamkar, Joshua Borelli, Megan Braun, Jessica Brewton, Kamryn Brock, Tristan Brown, Aquanis Brown, Megan Bryan, Murphy Bryan, Joshawa Burton, Kristen Byrd, Fountain Charmayne, Kendall Cobb, Aaliyah Creamer, Tiffani Cruce, Austin Cunningham, Aden Davis, Alliana Davis, Nelson Deloach, Desire’e Elliard, Elizabeth Fillingim, Chasen Freeman

Hannah Gibson, Jessica Glick, Christian Gould, Kyndall Hall, Davy Hanks, Elijah Harbison, Jon Michael Hart, Jacob Hendrix, Julie Hester, Victoria Ingram, John Hunter Johnston, Justin Kite, Katitlyn Kline, Ariel Langston, Auden Lassiter, Logan Lee, Ben Linam, Brittany Martin, Jessica McCall, Destiny McCullough, Aaron McDonald, Madison McGhee, Brandon McNeil

Andrea Miles, Teamber Moorer, Amy Murph, Kade Parham, Lakelynn Parker, Emily Pippins, Kevin Pippins, Tristan Portwood, Madison Presley, Darby Randolph, Kortney Reid, Mallory Ryan, Smantha Sharpless, Hunter Sherhouse, Rickey Smith, Irene Stewart, Danielle Suggs, Addie Thames, Chelsea Turner, Morgan Ward, Ashlynn Webster, Katlynn Welford, Joselyn Wiedel, Tamara Wise, Kelton Wooten

Seventh Grade

Mariah Albritton, Madison Arrington, Jodie Ard, Montana Ard, Miranda Bailey, Samantha Barrow, Timothy Born, Shawn Boutwell, Kasie Braun, Taylor Brook, Dale Brown, Jessica Brown, Skye Brown, Tristan Brown, Audrey Byrd, Katleyn Calloway, Michelle Carnley, Kira Cartwright, Aaron Cayson, Matt Cayson, Lana Clayton, Jaquoia Collins, Madalyn Coon, Tristen Creamer, Dalton Daniel, Morgan Digmon, Anna Donald, Derrick Edmonson, David Edwards

Anna Fischer, Hunter Gafford, Shaina Gibson, Cheyenne Glenn, Casey Godwin, Marina Gray, Tamara Green, Quanisha Green, Rebecca Grim, Dakota Guidry, Douglas Hadley, Paeton Hadley, Tony Haynie, Logan Holder, Casey Jackson, Wade Jernigan, Courtney Jones, Brainna Jordan, Tori Jordan, Angel Leonard, Chloe Leonard, Courtney Lewis, Jessica Lowery, Jeffrey Macks, Jasmine Maher, Lakota Maloney, Brittany Martin, Alexandria Martin, Audra Martin

Rebekah Miles, Tristen Montgomery, Shelby Nielsen, Will Owens, Natasha Peebles, Tristan Portwood, Mikaela Santos, Danielle Scott, Hilery Scott, Rebekah Sepulveda, Mileah Showers, Danny Slay, Kent Smith, Sharaina Smith, Alkota Snyder, Mason Sochenberger, Jennifer Spears, Jeremy Stacey, Danielle Steadham, Karissa Strickland, Lily Townson, Daulton Tullis, Lauryn Walker, Chelsea Ward, Courtney Weaver, Raven Weaver, Kelton Wooten, Victoria Wright, Roc Young

Eighth Grade

Korey Amerson, Parker Andrews, Colby Baggett, Alison Bardin, Reid Bell, Angela Bellamy, Colby Berry, Hannah Black, Harley Caraway, Ashlynn Clemmons, Devon Coates, Zachary Cole, Joseph Coon, Ashley Cunningham, Harley Davis, Nysha Dunn, Hannah Fiellin, Jazzlyn Franklin, La’Derious Franklin, Ashton Gibbs, Bethany Giveans, Michael Glick, Georgia Goetter, Kaityln Gunn, Ashley Gunter, Justin Halteman

Anna Held, Nick Helmken, Ashley Hicks, Ariel Holland, Hayden Howard, Joshua Inghram, Zachary Johnson, Alanna Johnson, Samantha Johnson, Trey Johnson, Ashley Joiner, Tori Jordan, Courtney Lambert, Ryan Lambert, Radeja’nique Lewis, Rebecca Masaitis, Blake McCall, John McGary, Angela Mitchell, Ashley Mooney, Jonathan Moretz, Maranda Moye, Jacob Munro, Dylan Nowlin, Dustin Parker, Jarrett Parker, Anthony Peacock

Marisa Penland, Travis Pittman, Blake Presley, Timothy Rackard, Sandy Rainwater, Shila Reid, Stephanie Roach, Johnny Robbins, Kyle Roberts, Marena Roley, Tyler Roley, Sean Rolin, Denisha Showers, Johnnie Smith, Morgan Smith, Lindra Street, Natasha Suggs, Justin Thompson, Julia Thorpe, Dezarae Turner, Garrett Turner, Haley Turner, Dezarae Turner, John Victor, Jessica Warner, Hannah Ziglar, Katelyn Zisa

Bratt Elementary Presents Fifth Grade Awards

June 2, 2009

Today, NorthEscambia.com begins a series of stories with award listings from area schools. Today’s listing is from the fifth grade at Bratt Elementary School.

(Editors note: If you are a teacher or administrator at an area school, please send any awards lists that you might have to news@northescambia.com for a future story.)

BRATT ELEMENTARY FIFTH GRADE

Student of the Year: O’Neisha Spencer

Shining Star Award: Bethany Reynolds

Presidential Educational Achievement –Gold Medal: Bethany Reynolds; David Thorpe; Bradley Van Pelt; Kaitlyn Abbott; Saige Garrett; Gavin Grant; Meagan Ogle; Nathan Donald; Savanna Roux; Brianna Parker

Presidential Educational Achievement — Silver Medal: Jadlyn Agerton; Kayla Caraway; Dariane Guy; Lorri Harrell; Jordan Taylor; Shnala Banks; Mark Lee; O’Neisha Spencer; Christopher Brown; Gavin Coon; Zachary Holland; Tyler Houston; Grady Rigby; Liberty Peebles

American Citizenship Pens: Jadlyn Agerton; Lilly Allen; Tamara Barrows; Allan Brown; Kayla Caraway; Dariane Guy; Lorri Harrell; Bethany Reynolds; Kyle Smith; Jordan Taylor; David Thorpe; Bradley Van Pelt; Kaitlyn Abbott; Shnala Banks; Saige Garrett; Jacob Gibbs; Gavin Grant; Brayden Hubbard; Mark Lee; Danielle Robinson; Nathan Singleton; O’Neisha Spencer; Auston Trump; Christopher Brown; Gavin Coon; Sarah Dutton; Leah Fischer; Natalie Goetter; Megan Hardy; Zachary Holland; Danielle Jackson; Meagan Ogle; Jessica Barrows; Breanna Campbell; Amber Freeman; Laurel Haag; Cole Lambert; Deonte Mitchell; Brianna Parker; Liberty Peebles; Bradley Rolin; Ladarrius Thames

Sons of the American Revolution Award: Lillie Allen; Bradley Van Pelt; Saige Garrett; Danielle Robinson; Meagan Ogle; Savanna Roux; Jessica Barrows; Steve Wilson

Escambia Writes Certificate, 6.0: Meagan Ogle





Byrneville Fifth Grade Math FCAT Scores The County’s Best

June 1, 2009

Fifth grade students at Byrneville Elementary School had the highest FCAT math proficiency score in Escambia County.

With 83 percent of fifth grade student taking the math FCAT scoring a grade level 3 or above, Byrneville’s score was tops in the county.

The district average was 58 percent scoring a grade level 3 or above.

Take A Survey: What Do You Think Of Your Child’s School?

June 1, 2009

The Escambia County School District is giving you the chance to take a survey and rank how well your child’s school and its staff performed.

The survey, offered on the district’s web page, allows participants to rank many school performance areas based upon how they feel about statements such as:

  • I feel welcome at this school.
  • Learning is interesting at this school.
  • The principal at this school communicates effectively.
  • Students are challenged to their ability at this school.
  • Students receive recognition for good performance in academics.

There is also an open-ended question designed to recognize outstanding persons in the school district: “Can you identify one individual in the Escambia School District who has had an impact on you or your family during this school year?”

The survey is completely anonymous with no attempt to identify the participants, the district says, and the survey asks for “frank and honest” responses.

To take the survey, click here and then click on the red “Take the School Climate survey” link near the upper right corner of the page.

Northview High School Class Of 2009 Graduates; With Photo Gallery

May 31, 2009

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Over 100 members of the Class of 2009 graduated Saturday afternoon from Northview High School.

“God cannot be ignored,” Valedictorian Luke Fletcher Killam said in his address, referring to the ACLU lawsuit against Santa Rosa County concerning religion in schools.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

“It seems in this day that we’ve ignored that,” he added, saying that our nation was founded on God. “Separation of church and state will never mean separation from God.”

“Let the hand of God guide all that you do,” Killam told his fellow graduates.

Escambia County School Superintendent  Malcolm Thomas’ address to the graduating seniors centered around their class motto.

“God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; the courage to change the things we can; and the wisdom to know the difference,” the Northview Class of 2009 Motto says.

“The way they got here is that attitude, that motto, they set at the first of the year,” Thomas said. “I challenge you to dream the dream; then go and have the courage to go and make it true.”

“By conquering our fears, I believe we can accomplish,” Salutatorian Lanie  Jeannine Eubanks said.

For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Northview High School Class of 2009 graduation program, plus behind the scenes photos following graduation,click here.

Comments are welcome below, including comments with well wishes for your favorite graduate.

Pictured top: Graduate Jessica Mothershed shares a tearful moment with teacher Tommy Weaver following Saturday’s graduation exercise at Northview High School. Pictured below: The caps fly following graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2009 Saturday afternoon at the school.  Pictured bottom: Hundreds packed the school gym while others watched a video feed in the school theater. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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An Emotional Day: Carver/Century Closes

May 30, 2009

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There was a range of emotions Friday as the final bell rang at Carver/Century K-8 School.

There was that last day of school excitement as students headed toward their buses. Goodbye hugs between teachers and students, playful laughter, the attempt to balance crayon boxes and report cards while running after a friend. It was, for most of the kids, an end that marked an exciting beginning to summer vacation.

century-final-bell-13.jpgBut for the teachers and staff  gathered on the sidewalk outside the school, the emotions were much different, more of an ending that a beginning. That final bell marked the end of public schools in the town of less than 2,000. The Escambia School Board voted in March to close Carver/Century, the last school in Century, at the end of this school year. When that moment arrived Friday, reality set in.

Some of the teachers and staff members stood alone, quietly sobbing. Others hugged and consoled coworkers. Some lingered, watching the buses full of waving children until long after they were out of sight.

They gathered in the school cafeteria for a meal. A plaque was presented to Principal Jeff Garthwaite by Mayor Freddie McCall, honoring him for his service to the school and the community.

Words about the school closure were few. The pain was evident on faces around the room. Someone passed around a box of Kleenex. The staff shared the meal, shared a lot of laughter over a school “Biggest Loser” weight loss contest that had been ongoing.

They talked about who would be heading to Ernest Ward, who would be heading to Bratt Elementary. Once staff member fought back tears, saying that she would likely be headed to the Hall Center. It would be the first time in over 30 years in the school system that she will not work close to home.

Schools and lumber were the backbone of the communities that would later become Century. Now the lumber company sits empty and overgrown. Townspeople hope that their school building does not face a similar weed-covered future. They hope they one day the laughter of school children will return to their town.

Some said they felt defeated with the loss of Century’s last public school. Others just could not talk about it.

But they all knew that while Century’s schools were now officially gone, they would always live on forever in the hearts and minds of those that had walked their hallways. That’s what they call Blackcat Pride.

For a photo gallery from the final bell at Carver/Century K-8 School, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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NHS Holds Senior Honors Night

May 29, 2009

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The Northview Class of 2009 held Senior Honors Night at the school Thursday night.

For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.

The following awards, honors and scholarships were presented:

Summa Cum Laude (4.0 or higher GPA):  Luke Fletcher Killam, valedictorian; Lanie Jeannine Eubanks, salutatorian; Olivia Kaylen Bryan; Briana Renea Halteman; Amanda-Ann Morgan Sellars; Ashley Arlene Snow and Brittney Dawn Brown.

Magna Cum Laude (3.85 or higher GPA): Gabrielle Renae Hicks, Brett Andrew Hanks, Chelsea Ellen Sims, Gretchen Danea Boughner, Stormy Brooke Hayes and Danielle Althea Brown.

Cum Laude (3.5 or higher GPA): Alexander Martin Abbott, Melissa Nicole Garrett, Jody Wade Levins, Jessica Maria Mothershed, Richard Kyle Braun, Jamison Blayne Garrett, Amy Nicole Conner and Samantha Ann Macks.

Atmore Chamber Ambassador: Patrick McPherson

Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars: $400 recipients: Gretchen Boughner, Lanie Eubanks,Briana Halteman, Luke Killam; $300 recipients: Kayla Brewer, Amy Conner, Stormy Hayes, Melissa Garrett, Jessica Mothershed, Chelsea Sims and Ashley Snow.

Charles and Mayson Scholarship: Luke Killam

Escambia River Electric Cooperative: Olivia Bryan

First National Bank of Atmore Award: Luke Killam

McDonald Award: Shaquania Lewis

Pensacola Civitan Club: Amanda Sellars

Pensacola Junior College: Chelsea Sims and Garbell Wesley

Principal’s Leadership Award: Luke Killam

Spirit of the Chief Award: Luke Killam

Qunit and Rishy Studer Group Scholarship: Briana Halteman

Tri-City Rotary Club: Luke Killam

United Bank of Atmore Award: Lanie Eubanks

University of West Florida: Luke Killam, Olivia Bryan, Lanie Eubanks, Briana Halteman and Gabrielle Hicks

US Army Scholar Athlete: Luke Killam and Briana Halteman

USNA/NROTC: Amanda Sellars and Shaquaina Lewis

Jim/Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship: Kayla Brewer and Amanda Sellars

Walnut Hill Ruritan: Patrick McPherson

Beta Club Stoles: Brittney Brown, Samantha Macks, Olivia Bryan, Jessica Mothershed, Lanie Eubanks, Amanda Sellars,Briana Halteman,  Chelsea Sims, Luke Killam and Ashley Snow.

Beta Club Medals: Jessica Mothershed, president; Lanie Eubanks, vice president; Olivia Bryan, secretary; Luke Killam, treasurer

Rho Kappa: Ashley Snow, Lanie Eubanks, Luke Killam, Amanda Sellars, Briana Halteman, Olivia Bryan and Brett Hanks.

Delata Kappa Gamma-Eta Chapter: Chelsea Sims

Dr. Alec Kessler Memorial Student-Athlete Scholarship: Luke Killam

EHS Class of ’62 Scholarship: Gretchen Boughner — $1000

Faulkner State College: Jamison Garrett

Huntingdon College: Patrick McPherson

Florida Bright Futures Recognition

Florida Medallion Scholars — 4 years: Alexander Abbott, Stormy Hayes, Gretchen Boughner, Gabrielle Hicks, Richard Braun, Luke Killam, Kayla Brewer, Samantha Macks, Brittney Brown, Samantha Merritt, Danielle Brown, Kristina Nellums, Amy Conner, Amanda Sellars, Lanie Eubanks, Chelsea Sims, Jamison Garrett and Ashley Snow.

Florida Academic Scholars — 4 years: Olivia Bryan, Briana Halteman and Brett Hanks.

Gold Seal Vocational — 2 years: Jody Levins and Patrick McPherson

John E. Frenkel, Sr. Educational Grants: Samantha Merritt

Pensacola Civitan Club Scholarship: Luke Killam — $1000

The King’s College:  Olivia Bryan – $ 48,000 (4 years)

Subject Area Awards

Agribusiness:
Jody Levins

Art
Jessica Taylor, Visual Arts HAA
Jacqueline Loewen, Visual Arts Exemplary

Band
Briana Halteman – Drum Major & John Philip Sousa
Jake Carlson – Outstanding Marching Award
Lanie Eubanks – Outstanding Marching Award

Business Technology
Web Design 1 – HAA
Samantha Merritt
Web Design 2 – HAA
Garbell Wesley
Web Design 3 HAA
Brandon Coburn

Diversified Education
Jessica Mothershed — HAA
Ashley Snow –Exemplary
Amie Sutton — Exemplary

Family & Consumer Science:
Chelsea Sims

NTV Television Production:
Olivia Bryan and Brandon Coburn

Language Arts
Hon Eng Lanie Eubanks – HAA
Hon Eng Luke Killam — Exemplary
Reg. Eng Ashley Snow — HAA
Reg. Eng Chelsea Sims — Exemplary

Mathematics:
Lanie Eubanks – HAA

Science
Briana Halteman – HAA Chem Honors
Lanie Eubanks – Exemplary Chem Honors
Luke Killam – Exemplary Chem Honors

Spanish:
Shakeria White

Social Studies
Chelsea Sims — HAA Eco. H
Jody Levins — HAA Eco.
Gretchen Boughner — Exemplary

Technology Education
Kenneth Jackson – HAA–Construction Tech
Cordell Paige- Exemplary – Construction Tec
Brandon Coburn – HAA — Drafting
Luke Killam – Exemplary — Drafting
Ashley McGhee – HAA — CCC

Pictured above (L-R):  Luke Killam, Lanie Eubanks, Olivia Bryan, Briana Halteman, Amanda Sellars, Ashley Snow and Brittney Brown were among the award winners at Northview High School’s Senior Honors Night.

Elementary School FCAT Scores Released

May 28, 2009

Fourth and fifth grade FCAT score were released Thursday by the Florida Department of Education. The following details how each North Escambia school performed.

Numeric scores are based upon the percentage of students to score at grade level or above.

At Bratt Elementary School, fourth grade scores fell slightly from 84 to 83 percent in fourth grade reading, fell in fourth grade math from 93 to 84 and rose slightly in fourth grade writing from 85 to 87. Fifth grade reading improved slightly from 78 to 79, math improved from 73 to 77 and science scores improved from 60 to 63 percent.

At Byrneville Elementary, fourth grade scores in reading fell from 86 to 71 percent, fell in math from 75 to 74 and held steady in writing at 71 percent. Fifth grade reading improved from 73 to 76, fifth grade made improved from 60 to 83, and fifth grade science delined from 53 to 52 percent.

At Carver/Century, fourth grade reading scores fell from 35 to 24 percent, math increased from 17 to 38 and writing scores skyrocketed from 20 to 65.  Fifth grade reading fell from 41 to 38, math fell from 19 to 12 percent, and science fell from 22 to just 6 percent at grade level.

At Molino Park, fourth grade reading scores fell from 79 to 75 percent, math improved from 73 to 75 and writing jumped from 75 to 86 percent. Fifth grade reading jumped from 64 to 70 percent, math went from 51 to 81, and science increased from 35 to 56 percent.

Middle, High School FCAT Scores Released

May 28, 2009

Middle and high school FCAT scores were released today by the Florida Department of Education. The following details how each North Escambia school performed.

Numeric scores are based upon the percentage of students to score at grade level or above.

At Ernest Ward Middle School, sixth grade students improved from 68 to 77 percent in reading and improved from 56 to 68 percent in math.  Seventh grade students improved from 66 to 80 percent at reading grade level and improved from 73 to 75 in math. Eighth grade students improved from 51 to 61 in reading, fell slightly from 76 to 75 in math, held steady at 91 in writing and fell in science from 49 to 44 percent.

At Northview High School, ninth grade fell from 52 to 44 percent in reading and 70 to 66 percent in math. Tenth grade students held steady at 35 percent in reading, improved from 72 to 74 percent in math and decreased in writing from 86 to 83 percent. Eleventh grade  science scores decreased from 40 to 37 percent.

$10 Million To Save Or Create 130 Escambia School Jobs

May 28, 2009

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The Escambia County School District will save or create about 130 jobs using $10 million in federal stimulus funds.

The plan approved Wednesday by the school board will see $5.2 million used for reading coaches, teachers for in-school suspension programs, psychologists, bus aids and clerk. Of the $5.2 million, about $1.8 million will go toward the goal of funding a reading coach at every county school. The reading coaches work with existing staff to implement specific goals in a school’s reading program.

The school district currently has 14 reading coaches in a program called “Reading First”.  In North Escambia, schools with reading coaches this year are Bratt Elementary and  Carver/Century K-8 School. Escambia County’s program was recognized as one of the top 25 percent in the state. But Congress has cut funding for the program.

Another $2 million of the stimulus funds will be used for materials, training and equipment for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs, including $155,000 for a district audiology clinic to be located at Holm Elementary.

The district has allocated $438,000 for professional development and training, and $264,000 for advanced student programs in middle and high schools.

Another $1.5 million is earmarked for Warrington Middle School, a low performing school in a “turnaround” program.

Pictured above: Lee Cassady (left), Reading First coach at Carver/Century K-8 and Tammy Calloway (right), Reading First coach at Bratt Elementary. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

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