Principal Relieved Carver/Century To Remain Open; Ready To Work
June 17, 2008
Carver/Century K-8 School Principal Jeff Garthwaite said he was relieved to get a phone call Monday letting him know that Superintendent Jim Paul did not plan to recommend closing the school before the upcoming school year.
“We got the news we needed to get,” Garthwaite said. “We can now move forward with our plans for the next school year. There were a lot of logistical, operational and planning things that just would not let them close the school this year.”
Garthwaite told NorthEscambia.com that he has no plans to step down as the school’s principal; he said will remain there for the school and students.
“My plan is to be here and continue to make this the best learning institution that it can be,” he said.
Latest FCAT Scores Released For North Escambia Schools
June 11, 2008
The latest round of FCAT scores were released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Education.
NorthEscambia.com has a complete look at the results from each school. Scroll down for charts with the results, and click the links below for a detailed look at each school.
- Bratt Elementary School
- Byrneville Elementary School
- Carver/Century Elementary
- Carver/Century Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- Molino Park Elementary
- Northview High School
Community Rallies Behind Carver/Century In Effort To Keep School Open
June 11, 2008
About 70 Century residents rallied behind Carver/Century K-8 School at a public forum Tuesday night.
Escambia School Superintendent Jim Paul has discussed the possibility of closing the school to shave about $680,000 from the district’s budget, perhaps as early as this next school year.
But those that stood together in support of keeping their school open Tuesday night are hoping for at least one more year to continue to improve the failing school.
“We are going to go over the mountaintop with this thing,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said of the community coming together to support the school. “All we need is another year from Mr. Paul.”
“No one in the history of the school district has ever written a position paper as to why their school should not be closed,” Rev. Irvin Stallworth, a member of the town’s blue ribbon committee to save the school, said. “But that is what we are going to do.”
He said that ideas collected by the committee at Tuesday night’s meeting will be considered when the blue ribbon committee meets over the weekend to draft a position paper in support of the school. That position paper is expected to be backed by the town council at their Monday night meeting, and then it will be presented to Paul.
“We are going to keep the school open, but we are going to make some changes,” Stallworth said. Those changes, he said, will include more community involvement in the school.
That was a common sentiment among those that spoke during the meeting in the Carver/Century cafeteria.
“I love this school,” former principal Mary Watson (pictured left) said. “This school has put out some really outstanding students.”
“Some of our problem is that the parents are not as involved as they should be,” she said. She said that when she was principal at the school, she tried providing rides, door prizes and refreshments to lure parents to meetings, but most would not attend.
“The problem here is directly related to race. There is a division there,” Watson said. “It’s not just here (at Carver/Century), it’s all over the United States.”
But the biggest problem at Carver/Century, Watson said, has been the mass exodus of student leaving the F-rated Carver/Century for higher rated schools. If all those students returned, she said the school would be “busting at the seams”.
“I see the community as angry; they are not happy,” Jessie McCants (pictured left) said. She said she hears a “loud cry” in the community about its discipline problems and cultural differences.
“You are part of the solution to this problem, and I ask you today to take a stand,” McCants told the crowd.
Sharon Scott, a town council member and member of the blue ribbon committee, asked current principal Jeff Garthwaite if the school had a PTA. He replied that it does not.
“That’s the first thing we need to hop on,” Scott said. “We need a PTA.” She also said the school needs some type of incentive for parents to bring their students back to Carver/Century from other schools in the area such as Bratt and Molino Park elementaries.
Annie Savage agreed that a PTA is needed at the school. She said she has served as PTA or PTO president at least eight times during the school’s history, and she would be willing to serve again even though she no longer has children in the school. “Once a parent, always a parent,” she said.
“This came about because somebody could not balance their budget. Closing a school to balance a budget is ludicrous. The picked us because they thing we are uneducated, poor and most are black,” resident Terri Sanders said.
“Until we can put aside prejudice, as long as we are divided,” she said, “they can conquer us.”
“I will stand with Century to keep the school open,” Myra Simmons, a candidate for school superintendent said. “I believe children should stay in their neighborhood, close to their families.”
“We have to have something in Century to make people want to live here,” said John Hartman, a candidate for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County Commission. “One of the core things you’ve got to have for economic development is a school.”
“Go home and talk to your neighbors and get them involved,” McCall said.
“For me it is irrelevant why they want to close it,” Stallworth said. “We are going to work to keep it open.”
Pictured above: The community gathered at Carver/Century K-8 School Tueday night to support keeping the school open. Pictured below: Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite addresses the crowd. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bergosh Pens Handwritten Letter To Student On Carver/Century Closing
June 5, 2008
Escambia County School Board Member Jeff Bergosh received a handwritten letter from a Carver/Century K-8 School student opposed to closing the school, and he responded with a handwritten letter of his own.
In the letter to Bergosh, who has repeatedly advocated closing Carver/Century to save about $680,000 this year, the student expressed their concerns about an 18 mile trip from Century to Ernest Ward Middle School or 25 miles to Ransom Middle School.
“That would be a really long bus ride. Plus if I were hurt or got sick at school my mom would not be able to pick me up and take me home. I like to participate in sports and other after school activities. If I go to another school, I probably would not get to do those things,” the student wrote.
“These concerns are valid and they are real. But, I can assure you that if the decision is made to close Carver/Century, the district will bend over backwards to help you and your classmates adjust to the change. I guarantee you that,” Bergosh wrote in his response.
In his letter, Bergosh did not deny that he was the driving force on the school board for closing the school.
“I will not attempt to assign blame to others as I have been the one member of the board who has continued to advocate the closure of underutilized facilities to save money. Unfortunately this includes Carver/Century,” he wrote.
But he said he believes the closure and consolidation of the school would be a positive move for the students.
“In my heart I believe that the closure of Carver/Century, if this occurs, will lead to a positive outcome for the students who currently attend your school,” Bergosh wrote.
Below is the complete text of the student’s letter, followed by the complete text of Bergosh’s handwritten response.
Mr. Bergosh,
I am a 7th grade student at Carver/Century K-8 School. I’ve read articles in the newspapers or on the television that my school may be closing. I am proud to be a Carver/Century blackcat. I want to know where I will be going to middle school if this school is closed. Ernest Ward Middle School is 18 miles from here. I would have to wake up earlier than I do now to get to school on the bus. My mom would not be able to drive me there if I were late getting ready. Another school might be Ransom Middle School. It is about 25 miles from Century. That would be a really long bus ride. Plus if I were hurt or got sick at school my mom would not be able to pick me up and take me home. I like to participate in sports and other after school activities. If I go to another school, I probably would not get to do those things. Thanks for taking time to read my letter.
Sincerely,
A Student at Carver/Century.
June 3, 2008
Student at Carver/Century,
Thank you for taking the time to write. I understand your concerns regarding the potential closure of your school. I do not take lightly any decisions that affect students, and I understand that if Carver/Century school is closed, this will be difficult for you and your classmates. I will not attempt to assign blame to others as I have been the one member of the board who has continued to advocate the closure of underutilized facilities to save money. Unfortunately this includes Carver/Century.
If the decision to close Carver/Century is made, the district will save roughly $600,000.00. This is a large amount of money, and will help us out of our current financial crisis. At the heart of the reasoning for the closure and consolidation of schools is the necessity operate more efficiently to save money while at the same time allowing every student the opportunity to attend a safe and effective public school. In my heart I believe that the closure of Carver/Century, if this occurs, will lead to a positive outcome for the students who currently attend your school. The plan for the middle school students would be to have them attend Ernest Ward Middle School. Ernest Ward is a fantastic school with excellent students and faculty. Ernest Ward Middle is also ranked as an “A” School by the state and has been an “A” school for a number of years.
Your classmates at the elementary level would most likely attend Molino Park Elementary or Bratt Elementary. Both of which are “A” rated schools by the state.
As far as your concerns about participation in extracurricular activities, I understand that this will be a challenge. I also understand your other concern about an earlier bus departure and also the fear that if you are sick at school this will make it difficult on your parents. These concerns are valid and they are real. But, I can assure you that if the decision is made to close Carver/Century, the district will bend over backwards to help you and your classmates adjust to the change. I guarantee you that.
Most importantly, I want to make sure that I re-iterate to you that no decisions have been finalized on closing Carver/Century. I cannot tell you with 100% certainty what will happen. I can only say that decisons on this budget have been very difficult, and I appreciate your input. I will take your concerns into account as I wrestle with the idea of closing this school.
Regardless of what happens, I feel confident that you will continue your education, you will do well in school, and you will end up being a valuable member of your community. You will also learn a lot about yourself and your classmates if the decision to close your school is made. The important point to note is that you have distinguished yourself by taking the time to write me a hand written letter and express your concerns. Thanks for being a part of this process!
Sincerely,
Jeff Bergosh
Escambia County School Board, Dist. 1
Byrneville Coach Scores $10,000 For School’s P.E. Program From Governor
June 4, 2008
Byrneville Elementary School has scored an extra ten grand for its P.E. department compliments of the governor.
James “Coach Mac” McDaniel, Byrneville’s physical education teacher, received a $10,000 check from Governor Charlie Crist as part of the Governor’s Fitness Challenge. The money will be used to purchase new P.E. equipment for the charter school.
Coach Mac had 100 percent participation in this year’s fitness challenge at Byrneville, and he was one of just four P.E. teachers in the state to receive the $10,000 award from the governor’s office. A total of about 300 schools, including three in Escambia County, participated in the Governor’s Fitness Challenge.
“We are ecstatic at that thought of getting more equipment to motivate these students to achieve their best physically,” Coach Mac said. “We love them and always want to do what is best for them.”
Byrneville Principal Mrs. Dee Wolfe-Sullivan is a huge supporter of physical fitness. Since becoming principal at Byrneville, she has made P.E. a daily activity for students. She also encourages wellness in students and staff, including offering Jazzercise for school staff. She has even done Jazzercise routines with the students.
Coach Mac, who also is a huge supporter of staying fit and well, encourages students to commit to exercising and tries to motivate them daily.
He received the check from Gov. Crist at the signing ceremony for Senate Bill 610 expanding physical education at the elementary and middle school levels at all Florida schools.
Proposed by Senator Lee Constantine and co-sponsored by Representative Chris Dorworth, Senate Bill 610 requires middle schools to offer students in grades six through eight one class period per day of physical education for one semester, beginning in the 2009-10 school year. Additionally, the bill expands current requirements to include physical education for students in grade six who are enrolled in a school with one or more elementary grades (K-5). These elementary students must participate in at least 30 consecutive minutes of physical activity per day.
“This legislation demonstrates Florida’s commitment to fostering healthy lifestyles in every young Floridian at an early age,” Gov. Crist said. “By emphasizing the importance of physical fitness, we can teach these students how to make smart choices about exercise that will improve their health throughout their lives.”
The Governor’s Fitness Challenge was an eight-week program that provided guidance and incentives to schools in helping boost physical fitness for children.
Pictured above: Byrneville Elementary School’s James “Coach Mac” McDaniel receiving $10,000 check from Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Pictured below: Byrneville Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan and James “Coach Mac” McDaniel with a $10,000 check for P.E. equipment from the governor.
Bratt Elementary To Offer Voluntary Pre-K Program This Summer
June 4, 2008
Bratt Elementary School will be among the schools in the county offering a voluntary Pre-K program this summer.
Parents whose children will be entering kindergarten in August 2008 and who have not yet attended voluntary prekindergarten during this school year have the option to have their child participate in the Summer Voluntary Prekindergarten Program. The program will run from from June 9 through August 4.
The host schools for the program will be Bratt Elementary, Beulah Elementary, Hallmark Elementary, Holm Elementary, Lipscomb Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, and West Pensacola Elementary.
For more information on this program parents should contact Mary Anderson at 595-6915 ext. 227 or Linda Green at 595-6915 ext. 232.
Beloved Molino Teacher Passes Away After Waving Goodbye To Students
June 2, 2008
Molino Park Elementary fourth grade teacher Sharon Smith was set to retire Friday. She stood outside the school, waving goodbye on the last day of school to her students.
She turned back toward her Molino Park Elementary school and lost her breath. Sharon Smith, 57, passed away a short time later.
“She loved ‘her children’ in her class,” Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward said. “She was happy all day today; it was her retirement day. She didn’t feel bad at all.”
Molino Park fifth grade students “walk the walk” and wave goodbye to cheering friends and family on the last day of school. Mrs. Smith walked too, arm around another retiring teacher as they waved to the cheering crowd.
Then the students left on the buses, Mrs. Smith waving goodbye to them.
“She was excited to go outside and wave goodbye to ‘her children’ as they left school,” Mrs. Woodward said. “She was so happy. Then she turned around and went inside. That’s when she started having trouble breathing.” Mrs. Smith died a short time later.
Funeral services are set for Thursday, the day the school had planned to throw a retirement party for her.
Mrs. Smith had experienced more than her fair share of tragedy in the past months, with both her husband and son passing away within six months of each other. Her husband, President Smith, Jr. passed away May 1, 2007, and her son Reginald Smith died on October 20, 2007, at the age of 23.
“She retired, then she went home to the Lord to be with her husband and son,” Mrs. Woodward said.
“We were her family; she was ours,” Mrs. Woodward said. “We are really going to miss her.”
Mrs. Smith began teaching in 1972 at Molino Elementary School, where she remained until 2002 before moving to the new Molino Park Elementary School. Friday was set to be her last day before her planned retirement.
“We thank you and feel blessed that we got to share this awesome teacher and woman with the world,” her aunt Doreatha Jackson said. “She finished her work here.
“And due to her faithfulness in spreading the love of God to others inspite of her pain and heartache,” Jackson said, “He rewarded her by reuniting her with her husband and child. We will miss her greatly but she is happy and at peace! Thank you, Molino Family for loving her.”
Family members say Mrs. Smith suffered one heart attack at the school. She was revived, then died on the way to Pensacola’s West Florida Hospital.
“She finished the race,” Mrs. Woodward said. “She finished the race.”
NorthEscambia.com invites your comments on this article and Mrs. Smith. Email news@northescambia.com or click here for our contact form. To read the comments we have received, click here for our memorial board.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Sharon Smith will be held at 11:00 Thursday morning at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church at 1120 North Sixth Avenue in Pensacola.
Pictured above: Mrs. Sharon Smith and her fourth grade class wave goodbye about five minutes before their final walk to the buses Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School. Pictures below: Sharon Smith (top left of photo) and Elaine Barrow pose with students just minutes before they took their retirement walk; and Mrs. Smith at Thursday’s class party. Submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Exclusive: Jim Paul And Top Staff Meet With Carver/Century Supporters
May 30, 2008
Escambia School Superintendent Jim Paul and top members of his staff met Friday morning with Carver/Century K-8 School supporters to discuss the school’s future.
Paul began 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. “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.”
Paul said he basically has three options: recommend the closure of the school before the next school year begins, recommend closure in a year for the 2009-2010 school year, or simply do nothing.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Paul Fetsko said he had worked with Carver/Century for the past 25 years both as an assistant superintendent and as a special education coordinator. He said the school has more technology, more supplies and more resources per student that any other school in the county.
“The resources available to the students is phenomenal,” he said. But he said the “more capable students” had fled to the charter Byrneville Elementary School when it opened in 2002.
Laura Nelson said that Carver/Century is more than just numbers. She related the story of a bus driver who keeps a box with extra clothes and toothbrushes on her bus. “Parents will sometimes put the kids on the bus still in their pajamas.”
“There is a need here. They need us,” she said. “I know numbers, but sometimes you have to go forth with what is best for the kids.”
To make a change at Carver/Century, the group needs more time than just a year, Barbara Spencer said.
“I ask that you do allow us as a group to do these things that we need to do,” she said. “You can’t change these things in just a year. We are at a point now where we have reached the bottom; we can only pull ourselves up.”
“Why not close another school? This is the newest school,” Century resident Lina Showalter said. “Why not bring children from older schools to Carver/Century? Has Ernest Ward been condemned?”
“No, it has not,” Assistant Superintendent for Operations Shawn Dennis responded.
“All the kids ends up here together at Northview High School, Associate Superintendent for Public and Interagency Affairs Ronnie Arnold said. “And it seems to be working here at Northview.”
Showalter proposed that students in Pre-K to second grades be sent to Bratt Elementary, students in third to fifth grades be sent to Carver/Century and students in grades six to eight be sent to Ernest Ward Middle School.”
“Failure is not an option when it comes to our children,” Rev. Irvin Stallworth said.
As for closing Ernest Ward Middle School and moving those students to Carver/Century, parents could simply use school choice laws to immediately transfer their students away from the “F” school at Carver/Century, said Director of Elementary Education Wayne Odom. He added that while some have complained about the distance that Carver/Century students would be bused to Bratt or Ernest Ward, many Bratt and Ernest Ward students are already bused a greater distance every school day because it is a large rural area.
“Mr. Garthwaite (the principal) and the others there are super,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. ” I am begging for at least one more year to turn Carver/Century around.”
“Carver/Century is very important to me,” Paul said. “I have not yet made up my mind what I am going to do. It is going to be a long weekend for you and me while we think about this.”
Others in attendance at Friday’s meeting were Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business Services Barbara Linker and Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross.
NorthEscambia.com was the only media at the meeting. The meeting was not a public, or “town hall” meeting, but an invitation only meeting.
Pictured above: Rev. Irvin Stallworth listens as Escambia County School Superintendent Jim Paul speaks. Pictured below (L-R): Century Mayor Freddie McCall, Brenda Spencer, Lina Showalter and Rev. Willie Carter listen to Paul. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Carver/Century Class of 2008 Graduates Amid Uncertain Future For School
May 30, 2008
The eighth grade students at Carver/Century K-8 School graduated with a bit of uncertainty Thursday night, not knowing if they would be the last class ever to complete middle school at Carver/Century.
“We are going through some hard times right now,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said about the fight to keep the school open. The Escambia County School Board has discussed closing the school, possibly as early as this fall.
” You can continue to support this school,” McCall told the graduates as he encouraged them to help invited back students that have left Carver/Century for other schools.
McCall, a 1959 graduate of Century High School, also offered the students words of encouragement as they move forward from Carver/Century.
“The groundwork has been laid in this school,” the mayor said, “and you can succeed in whatever you make up your mind to do.”
“We are the graduating class of 2008 from Carver/Century,” honor student Melanie Foust told her fellow students with pride as she reminded them of the good times they have had as Blackcats. “All of my teachers have taught me things that I’ll use for years to come.”
Assistant Principal Andy Gott presented a picture of Student of the Year Logan Brown to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Brown. “They were going to take him out (of Carver/Century) and put him in another school, but they didn’t,” Gott said.
Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite was unable to attend Thursday night’s eight grade graduation because he was attending his own daughter’s high school graduation,” Gott said.
Click here for a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the graduation.
The Carver/Century Middle School Class of 2008 includes:
- Marquita Allen
- Logan Brown
- Shantia Brown
- Sim Brown
- Mariah Burt
- Na’Keetric Davison
- Andrew Farrow
- Melanie Foust
- Ann Galvan
- Brandon Harigel
- Jessica Hedgepeth
- Talisa Jackson
- Cory King
- Sean Knight
- Montaio Mitchell
- Talisa Presley
- Jacob Sims
- Breanah Taylor
- Nathan Therrell
Pictured above: Honor Student Melanie Foust addresses the Carver/Century Class of 2008 Thursday night. Pictured below: Graduates presented a single rose to their parents or guardians. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Carver/Century Kindergarten Students Head Under The Sea
May 29, 2008
The kindergarten class at Carver/Century K-8 school recently took a magical reading adventure in an ocean bubble to conclude a week of ocean adventures.
They students learned about lots of ocean creatures and where they live. The students even created ocean animals to put in their ocean bubble. The students enjoyed creating fish, turtles, a killer whale, jellyfish, a shark, a seal, an octopus, seaweed and few other ocean creatures.
Mrs. Foster’s first grade class helped the kindergarten students create the animals.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos, click to enlarge.
