Osceola School District's
May 11, 2012

Osceola School District's

WEEKLY MEDIA TIP SHEET                       

Cypress Elementary's "Dare To Be Perfect" Attendance Dinner Program Earns State Parent Involvement Award
Cypress Elementary School in Osceola County encourages students, parents, and families to "Dare to be Perfect."  In recognition of the school's innovative program that has increased family involvement, the Florida Department of Education has named Cypress Elementary as a regional winner of the 2011/2012 Florida Department of Education/State Parent Teacher Association Parent Involvement Award.

One of the goals in the school's improvement plan this year is to improve student attendance and to decrease the amount of tardies, early dismissals, and student absences.  The "Dare to be Perfect" program was created to stress the importance of attending school every day, including arriving to school on time and staying at school for the entire day.  The students and families who accomplish this are recognized and rewarded each nine weeks at the "Dare to be Perfect" dinner events.  During the dinners, the teachers and staff volunteer their time to act as servers for the night and wait on the students and families while they enjoy a performance from one of the school's many dance or drama groups.  Many community business partners also play a vital role in making this program successful by helping with communication to parents and providing incentives for the attendees.  To date, the school has served 340 parents and 170 students, and involved four parent volunteers, 104 staff volunteers, 56 student volunteers, and had the support of 14 community partners.

As a result of this program, the school's average daily attendance rate has increased from 94% to 95%.  The school has also seen a drastic decline in the number of tardies and fewer students leaving early.  The amount of parent volunteer hours has also doubled from 2,078 in 2010/2011 to over 4,759 already this school year.  Students are also getting the important message that if they are not in school, they miss out on the curriculum being taught.

The school will be honored at the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) State Leadership Conference luncheon on Saturday, July 14, 2012, in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

TECO – Pharmacy Technician Program Receives Accreditation
The Technical Education Center Osceola (TECO) adds another accreditation to its list this week. The Pharmacy Technician program is now accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists. The ASHP’s decision to grant TECO this honor was based on the training programs credentials. The instructors, Brenda Myers and Emily Stine, took the initiative to apply for the accreditation on behalf of the school. TECO’s Pharmacy Technician program is challenging and rewarding; offering training in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This accreditation term is valid for six years with renewal options following. TECO offers 24 different career programs; all of which are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). For more information about TECO, visit www.teco.osceola.k12.fl.us

Osceola Schools Recognized With State Awards For Outstanding Volunteer Programs

Osceola schools have earned a total of 59 Golden and Silver School Awards, the state's highest recognition for community involvement. The Golden School Award is given annually by the Florida Department of Education to recognize schools with exemplary volunteer programs. The award is presented to schools that meet certain criteria, including faculty training on how to work with volunteers and program policies and procedures. The school principal must designate a school volunteer coordinator to provide leadership for the school volunteer program, and the school must have a total number of hours of volunteer service that equals twice the number of students enrolled in the school.

2011/2012 Golden School Award Winners:
Elementary Schools:  Boggy Creek, Central Avenue, Chestnut Elementary School for Science and Engineering, Cypress, East Lake, Flora Ridge, Hickory Tree, Highlands, Kissimmee, Koa, Lakeview, Michigan Avenue, Mill Creek, Narcoossee, Neptune, Partin Settlement, Pleasant Hill, Poinciana, Reedy Creek, St. Cloud, Sunrise, Thacker Avenue Elementary School for International Studies, and Ventura

Middle Schools:  Denn John, Discovery, Horizon, Kissimmee, Narcoossee, Neptune, Parkway, and St. Cloud

High Schools:  Celebration, Harmony, Liberty, Osceola, and St. Cloud

Multi-Level Schools:  Celebration K-8, Harmony Community, Osceola County School for the Arts, and Westside K-8

Charter Schools:  Bellalago, Canoe Creek Charter, and Kissimmee Charter The Silver School Award is presented annually to recognize secondary schools whose students provide exemplary volunteer services to elementary and secondary schools. Student volunteer hours must equal at least one half the total numbers of students in the school.

2011/2012 Silver School Award Winners:
Middle Schools:  Denn John, Discovery, Horizon, Kissimmee, Narcoossee, Neptune, and St. Cloud
High Schools:  Celebration, Harmony, Liberty, Osceola, and St. Cloud
Multi-Level Schools: Harmony K-8, The Osceola County School for the Arts, and Westside K-8
Charter Schools:  Bellalago

During this school year, more than 13,032 parents, senior citizens, business leaders, concerned adults, and students have donated well over 188,248 hours to Osceola County schools. Likewise, over 325 businesses joined with Osceola schools in win-win partnerships through the Partners in Education Program.  As society continues to increase its demand on the role of teachers, and with a limitation of funds at issue, OASIS volunteers extend teachers' and staffs' professional skills and assist in the effort to meet the unique needs of each student.

Individuals interested in becoming a school volunteer, mentor, or business partner are encouraged to contact the OASIS School Volunteer Office at 407-870-4080 today.

Award of Excellence In Public Procurement
The Osceola School District's Purchasing Department has earned the Award of Excellence in Public Procurement for 2012 from the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, Inc (FAPPO).  The district is one of only 10 agencies to receive the Award of Excellence in Florida.  The district also received Honorable Mention recognition for its submittal for the 2012 FAPPO Best Practice Award. 

The Award of Excellence was established to recognize organizational excellence in procurement.  It recognizes agencies that meet or exceed benchmarks and best practices in the procurement profession, and is achieved by those organizations that obtain a high score on a rating of standardized criteria.  The program is designed to measure innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership attributes of the procurement function.

"The Purchasing Department is incredibly proud to receive this honor, and we will continue to work as hard as possible on behalf of the entire school district," said Jeffrey Pegler, Director of Purchasing/Contracts and Warehouse Services.  The district will be recognized for this impressive achievement at the FAPPO's 45th Annual Conference and Trade Show to be held in Tampa on May 14, 2012.

Osceola Schools Receive Books from Read for My School Campaign
On February 14, 2012, the Pearson Foundation challenged public elementary schools around the country to read 150,000 books online in 30 days at We Give Books. America’s schools not only met the challenge, but they did so in just 10 days!

By the end of the school year, the Pearson Foundation will have donated over $1,500,000 worth of quality children’s books to elementary schools around the country through Read for My School, and this year, they will fulfill their pledge to give 1 million books around the world.  In Osceola County, Bellalago Academy will receive 85 books and Pleasant Hill Elementary will receive 83 books.

Osceola Virtual School – Open Enrollment
Osceola Virtual School K-12 and Osceola Virtual Secondary School 6-12 will hold their first open enrollment for the 2012/2013 school year beginning on April 23 - July 21, 2012. A second enrollment period will run from July 23 - September 7, 2012. For information on the registration process and requirements, please contact the Osceola Virtual Schools office at 407-870-1445, Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sponsor A Student's Future, Buy A Work Of Art
Osceola County's many talented arts students dream of Broadway and beyond.  With the support of our community, they can achieve their dreams.  The Osceola School District will hold an Art Exhibit and Auction Fundraiser on May 19, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Dakin Street (just off Broadway) in downtown Kissimmee.  All community residents are invited to sponsor a student's future by purchasing a work of art at the event, with all the proceeds benefiting the Osceola County Arts Intensive.  The Art Exhibit and Auction Fundraiser will feature student and professional art for sale, student performances, and a recognition ceremony for sponsors.  Monetary and in-kind donations will be accepted.  Some of the artwork that will be available for purchase can be viewed on the first floor of Kissimmee City Hall the week prior to the Downtown Benefit event.  Stop by Kissimmee City Hall the week of May 14 to view these exemplary pieces of art.

The Osceola School District has joined with teaching artists from the Juilliard School in New York City to provide an extremely unique and life-altering experience for our very talented students.  Together for the third year, they will participate in the Osceola County Arts Intensive, which will run July 16-28, 2012. The program will culminate in a final showcase performance on Saturday, July 28, 2012.  Over the course of two weeks, students will receive a comprehensive introduction to professional-level singing/voice/instrumental, improvisation/theatre games/movement, poetry, dancing, acting, visual art, costume, prop and stage design, and sound and lighting instruction.  Throughout the Intensive, students will also have an opportunity to attend seminars to work on monologues and individual pieces, as well as discuss topics such as rehearsal etiquette, auditions, agents, and preparing for the workforce.

With the support of our community, our Osceola students can achieve their dreams.  For more information about the Osceola County Arts Intensive, visit www.osceolacountyartsintensive.com or call 407-346-2444.

Schools Perform at Star Spangled Celebration
Osceola County’s Star Spangled Birthday Celebration will take place on Saturday, May 12, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Shingle Creek Regional Park. The following student performers are lined up to entertain during the event:

Performance Schedule:
10:00 – 10:15                           Vocals by Mia DuPuis from Bellalago Academy
10:30 - 11:50                            Seguro Que Si; Latin Jazz Combo from the Osceola County School of the Arts
10:50- 11:10                             Cultural Dances from Boggy Creek Elementary
11:10- 11:25                           Vocals by Wendy Nunez, Yalizalee Ortiz, Ganesh Avelez from Denn John Middle School and Nureliz Adorno from Cypress Elementary
11:30 – 12:15                           Continuum - country rock musicians from several Osceola County high schools
12:30 – 1:00                           Fiddlin’ with Jonita and Friends - Jonita Aadland is the string instructor for the School District’s VPK Violin Literacy Pilot Project
1:00 – 1:20                               The Groove Team from Harmony High School
1:30 – 2:00                               Coqui Dancers from Cypress Elementary
2:00 – 2:15                               Students with Voices from Cypress Elementary
2:15 - 2:30                                B2S (Born to Sing) from Denn John Middle School
2:30 – 2:45                             Salsa Project - Latino dance performed by dancers from several Osceola County middle schools
2:50 – 3:30                             The OCSA Project with Jacob Virkler and Friends from the Osceola County School for the Arts

Osceola County’s All County Guitar and Orchestra Festival
Osceola County’s first-ever All County Guitar and Orchestra Festival will be held on May 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Cloud High School Performing Arts Center. The festival will feature string students from the following schools:

 -Denn John Middle School

 -Gateway High School

 -Harmony High School

 -Narcoossee Middle School

 -Neptune Middle School

 -Osceola County School for the Arts

 -Parkway Middle School

Plus Osceola County elementary students from the following schools:

 -Bellalago Academy

 -Boggy Creek Elementary

 -Cypress Elementary

 -East Lake Elementary

 -Highlands Elementary

 -Narcoossee Elementary

 -Reedy Creek Elementary

 -Sunrise Elementary

 -Thacker Ave Elementary for International Studies

 -Ventura Elementary

Come celebrate history in the making as Osceola County’s first-ever All County String Orchestra and All County Guitar Ensemble performs.  Also featured will be an Honors and Elementary Orchestra. A $5.00 donation will be accepted at the door; children under 12 and School Board employees with ID get in free.

Bellalago Academy – Receives Donated SmartBoards
A very generous donation from the Educational Facilities Benefit District (EFBD) is allowing Bellalago Academy to add SmartBoards to every classroom on campus.  The set-up will include the board, a projector, and an Elmo.  The items have already been ordered and should be installed this summer for next school year.

Bellalago will also purchase 15 sets of Smart Response Systems, more commonly known as Senteos, many of which will be available for checkout.  A few sets have been designated for specific grades or departments. This donation is in addition to the previous one in December of the two new computer labs.

The EFBD is donating this as the remaining balance of an account they had.  It will deplete the account as the two donations total over a quarter of a million dollars.

Central Avenue Elementary – Family Night
The last Family Night of this school year at Central Avenue Elementary will be held on Wednesday, May 16, at McDonald’s from 4:00 p.m. – 7:0-0 p.m. Parents are invited to have dinner and entertainment with teachers and staff. Fifteen percent of proceeds will be donated to the school.  

Central Avenue Elementary – Fun Night
Family Fun Night "Reading Palooza!" will be held on Wednesday, May 23; from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Parents will receive summer bridge activities workbooks to help their child over the summer for the upcoming academic year. There will be reading activities, prizes, resources and bounce house.

Central Avenue Elementary – Book Fair
The Scholastic Book fair will be held in the Media Center May 21-25. On May 23, the book fair will be open late from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. for parents who wish to purchase books with their children.

Cypress Elementary – Book Fair
Cypress Elementary’s Book Fair will run from May 11 - 18. 

Highlands Elementary – Math Night
Highlands will host Math Night on Tuesday, May 15, in the cafeteria.  Lots of fun games and activities will be available.  Horace Mann insurance will be serving dinner from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. and math night will run from 6:00 - 7:45 p.m. 

Highlands Elementary – Field Day
Highlands Elementary will be holding its annual Field Day on Thursday, May 31, and Friday, June 1.  Volunteers are needed to help out with all the activities. If you haven't signed up to be an OASIS volunteer, now is a great time to sign up.  The application can be found at https://volunteer.osceola.k12.fl.us 

Highlands Elementary – Uniform Donations
If you have a student who will no longer be attending Highlands Elementary next year, either moving out of the area or moving on to middle school, please consider donating your gently-used uniforms to the school’s Uniform Closet.  Highlands is in need of all sizes of uniforms, socks, and belts. Monetary donations for the closet, as well as for the Food Pantry, will also be accepted.  All donations can be sent to Highlands Elementary -- Attention: Food Pantry/Uniform Closet (specify one).

Lakeview Elementary – PBS Game Day
PBS Game Day at Lakeview Elementary will be held on Monday, May 14, from 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. The students earn Splash tickets throughout the year for being “Respectful and Responsible Problem Solvers.”  The PBS committee sponsors different events throughout the year that students can spend their Splash tickets on. One of those events is PBS Game Day. Students will play inside and outside games during that time. This event will cost the students 25 Splash tickets. 

Lakeview Elementary – World of Wonders Cultural Folktale
Lakeview Elementary's fourth and fifth grade students will have the opportunity to watch a performance by the Wondermakers on Tuesday, May 15. This group will provide two thirty-minute interactive programs based on cultural folktales in which the audience is revealed to the "soul" of a society through the literary form of traditional folktales. The arts offer a great avenue into developing and engaging a student's imagination.  Through theatre, students can learn more about the world around them.

Lakeview Elementary – Field Trips
Lakeview Elementary's kindergarten classes will be going to the Brevard Zoo on Wednesday, May 16, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  This field trip will help enhance students’ knowledge of animals and their habitats.

Third grade students will be taking a class trip to the Environmental Center where they will participate in a number of activities to enhance their environmental awareness. The third grade classes will be going as follows:

--Mrs. Askew's, Mrs. Thomas' and Mrs. Sorrough's class will be going on Thursday, May 17, from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

--Mrs. Torres' and Mrs. Pedicone's class will be going on Friday, May 18, from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Every year, fourth grade students have the opportunity to go on a field trip to St. Augustine, Florida.  What a wonderful way to gain more knowledge of Florida history then visiting the oldest city itself.  The students will be going on Friday, May 18, from 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Lakeview Elementary - Ensemble Concert
Lakeview Elementary's Beginning and Advanced Ensemble students have been very committed by coming to practice twice a week, all year long. The students will perform a concert in order to show their skills and talents they have learned throughout the year.  They will perform for the third - fifth grade students on Thursday, May 17, from 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m., and then again for the Grade K-2 students from 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.  They will also have a night performance for all of their families and friends from 7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. 

Mill Creek Elementary – BOGO Book Fair
Mill Creek Elementary’s BOGO Book Fair will be held in the library from May 23 to May 30 from 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. 

Mill Creek Elementary - "Kick-off" to Summer Reading
Mill Creek Elementary’s Literacy Council will host "Kick-off to Summer Reading” on May 24 from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m.  All are invited to listen to teachers read and act out their favorite books, experience Readers Theater, and hear a guest author. Hot dogs, snacks, and water will be offered. The Book Fair will also be open that evening. 

Mill Creek Elementary - Joins Relay for Life 
Mill Creek Elementary has a Relay for Life team that will take part in the 24-hour event filled with fun, food, and friendship, surrounded by people of all ages joined together to honor cancer survivors and remember loved ones who lost their battle.  Mill Creek Elementary School's faculty, staff, and students are participating in Kissimmee's Relay for Life at Gateway High School beginning at 6:00 p.m. on May 18 and ending on May 19.  Relay for Life is a lot of fun, but it’s serious business too.  It raises money so the American Cancer Society can help people who have been touched by cancer.  It also raises money to fund research to cure different types of cancer.  Please join the team in teaching students the importance of helping others.  If you would like to join in during the walk or donate money to the team, contact Maritza Torres, Mill Creek Elementary, at 407-935-3660.

Mill Creek Elementary - Kindergarten Swimming
Mill Creek Elementary’s kindergarten students will go to the Denn John Pool for swimming lessons from May 21 to 25.

Mill Creek Elementary - Love and Log Parent Workshop
Mill Creek Elementary’s Love and Log Parent Workshop will be held two nights on Tuesday, May 15, and Tuesday, May 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Learn tips and techniques to: 

 -Get kids to take out the trash or do other chores around the house; 

 -Become a black-belt in the art of out-arguing even the most challenging kids; 

 -Raise responsible kids who feel great about themselves; and

 -Learn practical skills that can be used immediately. 

Partin Settlement Elementary – SAC Parent Survey
The time for Partin Settlement Elementary’s SAC Parent Survey has been extended until Sunday, May 20.  The survey can be found at http://advanc-ed.org/survey/public/1811133

Partin Settlement Elementary - Book Fair
Partin Settlement Elementary will have a Book Fair from Friday, May 18, through Friday, May 25. Shopping hours will be 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.  (May 25 only open until 1:30) Additional hours are:

 -Saturday, May 19 - open during Spring Fling

 -Thursday, May 24 - open during the talent show

You can shop online for the Book Fair by going to http://pses.osceola.k12.fl.us/media/default.aspx and then click Book Fair on the left side. Online shopping will be open from May 14 - May 28.

Partin Settlement Elementary - Lunch With Someone Grand Event
Parents and grandparents at Partin Settlement Elementary are invited to eat lunch with their child and shop the Book Fair on the following dates:

-Kindergarten - Friday, May 18

-First grade - Monday, May 21

-Second grade - Tuesday, May 22

-Third grade - Wednesday, May 23

-Fourth grade –Thursday, May 24

-Fifth grade - Friday, May 25

Please remember that the Book Fair will only accept cash, credit card, or debit card -- no checks.

Pleasant Hill Elementary – Tropicana Speech Contest
Working with youth in Grades 4-6, the 4-H/Tropicana Public Speaking contest helps thousands of young people annually learn how to write and deliver a speech. More than 150,000 young people in over 50 Florida counties in Grades 4-6 participated in the contest on an annual basis.  

Student Molly Lavoie from Mrs. Livingston's class competed in the school-wide contest and won first place at the county level for Pleasant Hill Elementary. Molly will now go on to compete at the district level, where she will compete with three other school districts within the state.

Tropicana has sponsored the contest since 1969,and provides trophies for county winners, summer camp scholarships, and Tropicana orange juice refreshments for county contests. Close to two million students have participated in this program since its beginning 

Harmony Community – Math Olympiad
The Harmony Community School Math Olympiad Team won first place this year. Two students won second and third place in the individual competition. The team members are: Turner Small, Bryn Hudson, Taylor Smith, Second place winner Brien Boudreau, and Third place winner McKenzie Eaddy.

Harmony Community – Upcoming Events
 -May 7-10: Book Fair

 -May 11: Field Day for second, third, fourth, and fifth grades

 -May 14: Blood Drive from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

 -May 15: Select fifth graders participate in the Science Olympiad competition at East Lake Elementary

Westside K-8 – Golden School Award
Westside is proud to have received The Golden School award for the second year in a row. This award recognizes schools that have double volunteer hours as student enrollment. The school needed 2,740 hours, and with the help of the school's awesome volunteers, Westside K-8 was able to get over 3,000 hours. 

Denn John Middle School – Art Auction
Denn John Middle School will have an Art Show and Auction on May 23 at 5:00 p.m. at the school’s media center. Proceeds will benefit the school’s media program.

Denn John Middle School – Art at City Hall
A selection of art from Denn John Middle School is currently on display at the Kissimmee City Hall. The exhibition will run through the month of May. 

Denn John Middle School – Chorus Concert
The Denn John Middle School Choir, under the direction of Jessica Lopez, will be held on May 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the school’s gym.

Denn John Middle School – Art Display
Denn John Middle School’s art students’ poster art will be featured at the Star Spangled Osceola 25th Anniversary event, which will be held on May 12 at the Shingle Creek Regional Park.

Denn John Middle School - Sports
Softball Schedule - Game Time: 5:15 p.m.:

 -Monday, May 14 – Denn John at Narcoossee

 -Thursday, May 17 – Kissimmee Middle vs Denn John at TBA

 -Monday, May 21 - Semi-finals

 -Thursday, May 24 - OCMSAC Finals at Osceola High School at 6:00 p.m. Track and Field

 -Wednesday, May 16 - Finals Boys and Girls at St. Cloud High School

Denn John Middle School – Club Meetings
Mondays:

 -Matheletes, 3:15 p.m.

 -Asian Culture Club with Manga Club, 3:15 p.m.

 -Strategy Game Club, 3:15 p.m.

Tuesdays:

 -Student Council, 3:15 p.m.

 -New Family Program, 3:15 p.m.

 -Exercise Team, 3:15 p.m.

Thursdays:

 -AVID Club, 3:15 p.m.

Fridays:

 -Book Club, 3:15 p.m.

Neptune Middle School – Eighth Graders Are Energized
Students in Karen Perry and Allyn Short’s science classes at Neptune Middle are exploring renewable and nonrenewable forms of energy this week. The teachers have worked together to create 32 hands-on lab stations where students can mine for coal, cook hotdogs and chocolate chip cookies with solar heat, explore the power of harnessing wind, and learn how to reduce their carbon footprint.  

Neptune Middle School - Osceola County Judge Addresses Civics Classes
Osceola County Judge Hal Epperson taught The Bill of Rights to Kraig Kristich’s seventh grade civics class on Tuesday, May 8.  As students learned their constitutional rights and responsibilities, an energetic debate on freedom of speech ensued. “It is encouraging to hear seventh grade students have a scholarly dialog on their basic rights,” stated Mr. Kristich.

Neptune Middle School - Students Mentoring, Instructing, Learning, Evaluating, and Serving
SMILES Learn and Serve students have designed and composed over 120 letters of inspiration to give to senior citizen mothers this weekend through the Osceola Council on Aging “Meals for Mom” Program. Mothers will receive a SMILES card from Neptune Middle School students, a meal, and a flower courtesy of Kissimmee Florist on Mother's Day, May 13.  Created in 1971, the Osceola Council on Aging, Inc. is the largest social services organization in Osceola County, providing a wide array of services and programs to meet the needs of the community.

SMILES Learn and Serve students have written over 75 personal letters of thanks and appreciation to their elementary and middle school teachers who have impacted their lives positively. Students shared stories of their learning experiences and values learned in their teacher’s classroom.

SMILES students will present a check to the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center on May 22 at 8:00 a.m. The funds will be used to purchase supplies for children who are victims of child abuse. SMILES Learn and Serve students raised over $275.00 to donate to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Osceola County on “Get Out Your Blues” Day on April 27, 2012. The purpose of the fundraiser was to raise awareness and gain support for the Children’s Advocacy Center for Osceola County by encouraging students to wear blue shirts. Students paid one dollar to wear a blue t-shirt of their choice.

SMILES Learn and Serve students wrote over 300 letters to welcome incoming sixth grade students at Neptune Middle School.

Neptune Middle School - Intramurals
Softball practice and game schedule:

 - Monday, May 14, at *5:15 p.m.       AWAY at St. Cloud High School

 - Tuesday, May 15, at *5:15 p.m.    AWAY at Narcoossee

 -Wednesday, May 16, practice at 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

 - Thursday, May 17, at *5:15 p.m.       HOME vs Parkway

*Make-up Games:      Friday, May 18                 TBD

 Game- Semi-Finals:  Monday, May 21              TBD

Neptune Middle School - Perfect Attendance Reward
For perfect attendance the entire school year, Neptune Middle students will be invited to enjoy a day at the ice skating rink on Thursday, May 24.  Admission, skate rental, transportation, and lunch will be provided for each student.

Neptune Middle School - Homeroom Contest For Parent Surveys
The homeroom at Neptune Middle that has the highest parent climate survey participation will receive a pizza party on Friday, May 11. Parents are encouraged to visit Neptune Middle School’s website. In the lower right hand corner of the website is a link to the parent survey. Complete the survey, print the last page, and have your child bring it to his/her homeroom teacher. Input from the survey will help guide Neptune’s School Improvement Plan.

Neptune Middle School - Team Field Trips
The students in Mrs. Monroe’s deaf/hard of hearing classes will be going to Partin Triangle Park on Friday, May 11, for a picnic in the park.

The students in Mr. Medina’s, Mrs. Mercado’s, and Mrs. Phillips’s classes will be going to the Orlando Science Center on Thursday, May 17.

The seventh grade Dolphin, Sea Star, and Stingray Teams will be going to SeaWorld on Friday, May 18.

Neptune Middle School - School Dance
The last school-wide dance for this school year at Neptune Middle is scheduled for Friday, May 11, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Only Neptune students may attend. Parents are welcome to help chaperone and serve pizza.

Parkway Middle - Fundraiser
Parkway Middle raised $200.05 for the Children’s Advocacy Center for Osceola County (CAC), Inc. in honor and support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Students were able to donate $1 in order to dress out of uniform in anything blue for the “Turn the Town Blue” campaign on April 27. The money will be given to the CAC and used to purchase prevention materials, such as the YelloDyno program child abduction prevention program.

Parkway Middle – Shot Clinic
Parkway Middle’s sixth grade students will have the opportunity to receive and become current on their shots at the Shot Clinic on May 17. Students must submit a signed permission slip in order to participate. Forms are due no later than May 14. The Clinic will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Parkway Middle – Upcoming Events
Sixth grade students will visit Wonder Works on Wednesday, May 16. Students will depart campus at 9:00 a.m. and return by 2:30 p.m.

Eighth grade students will participate in Grad Night on May 18, 2012. Students will depart campus at 4:00 p.m. and travel to Islands of Adventure. Students should return to campus by 12:00 a.m.

Parkway will have an Art Show the evening of Thursday, May 17, at 5:00 p.m. All participating art students and their families, as well as community residents, are invited to attend. For more information, please contact Mr. Fenn, art teacher, at 407-344-7000.

Parkway Middle - Sports
Softball schedule:

 -May 14   -- Home vs. Kissimmee at 5:00 p.m.

 -May 17 -- Away vs. Neptune at 5:00 p.m.

Track schedule:

 -May 16 -- 12:00 p.m. at St. Cloud High School

Liberty High School – Upcoming Events
-May 11-13 - Spring Musical “CHICAGO” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Matinee at 2:00 p.m.

 -May 12 - JROTC Awards Night at 4:00 p.m. in the cafeteria

 -May 14 - JAZZ Band performing at Solivita’s Starlight Ballroom at 7:00 p.m.

 -May 15 -  Band Concert at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium

 -May 16 -  Piano Recital at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium

 -May 17 – Choral Program “Magic of Motown” at 7:00 p.m.

 -May 18 - Dance Team Recital at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium

Liberty High School – Senior Information
-May 14-16 - Senior exams 

 -May 17 – Make-up day

 -May 21 - All obligations/debts must be cleared by 2:00 p.m. on May 23

 -May 22 - Senior Breakfast at 7:45 a.m. in the cafeteria.  Senior meeting to follow.

 -May 22-23 - Graduation practice in the auditorium at 9:00 a.m.  Seniors must attend both days.

 -May 23 - Graduation tickets will be distributed at the end of practice.  Each senior will receive 15 tickets.

 -May 23 - Senior Awards Night

 -May 24 - Graduation at Silver Spurs Arena at 8:00 p.m.  Seniors must arrive by 6:00 p.m.

Liberty High School - Calculus Team Goes To Nationals
The Liberty High School Calculus Team made it past local, regional, and state competitions, and competed at the National Math Competition on Wednesday, May 9.  The 2012 Liberty High School Calculus team members are: Cathy Almendarez, Gary Arriaga, Jennifer Arriaga, Javier Arteaga, Emily Brouillard, Mekia Edwards, Monika England, Brandon Gonzalez, Stephanie Ortiz, Alberto Santos, Ameer Thompson, and Nathanael Torres

St. Cloud High School – Upcoming Events
St. Cloud High School’s Theater Company will present Les Miserables on Thursday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, May 11, at 7:00 p.m.

“Breakfast with the Bulldogs” for the Cheerleading Squad will be held at Beef O Brady’s in St. Cloud on Saturday, May 12, from 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

St. Cloud High School’s Band will be performing “Festivals of Music” in the St. Cloud Auditorium on Saturday, May 12, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Bulldogs Weightlifting Banquet will take place on Tuesday, May 15, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

Playwright Festival will be on Wednesday, May 16, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the school auditorium.

FCCLA will be working at Give Kids the World on Bass Road in Kissimmee on Monday, May 14, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

TECO – Evening Summer Classes
TECO will be holding another four-week basic computer class on Tuesdays June 19, 26, July 10, and July 17 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.  Please contact Student Services to register. TECO will also offer an Introduction to Excel 2010 class on the same dates.

Zenith Career Center – Impact Lab Saturday School
The last Saturday school session for students taking courses in Plato at Zenith will be on Saturday, May 12, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Students must have a signed permission slip before attending the session.  There will be no bus service or lunch available, but students will be allowed to bring their own lunch.  For more information, contact Mr. Catala at 407-846-3976, extension 39102.

Zenith Career Center – Exams
The end-of-ourse (EOC) exams for students taking Algebra at Zenith are schedule for the following dates: May 14, 15, and 16, 2012.  All senior exams will take place on Thursday, May 17, 2012, and Friday, May 18, 2012, in all career classes. 

Zenith Career Center – Senior Breakfast
Zenith’s annual “Senior Breakfast” and awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 201, at 8:00 a.m. in the cafeteria.  After the ceremony, students will receive their caps, gowns, and tickets for the graduation ceremony.  For more information, contact Ms. McCulley at 407-846-3976, extension 39225.

Zenith Career Center – Graduation Ceremony
Zenith’s senior graduation ceremony will be held at the Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park on Thursday, May 24, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.  The doors will open 45 minutes prior to the ceremony.  For more information, contact Delilah Phillips 407-846-3976, extension 39740.

ALCO – Osceola Cooperative Extension Named School Business Partner of the Year
The Adult Learning Center Osceola (ALCO) is excited to announce its Business Partner of the Year is the Cooperative Extension of Osceola County.  In early March, the Cooperative Extension secured grant funding from the University of Florida to offer a gardening and nutrition program for students at ALCO. The grant paid for materials and plants needed to build ten raised-bed container gardens to grow vegetables on the ALCO campus. The Extension faculty, led by Grisel Negron and Eva Pabon, worked with both Challenger high school students and adult English students to help construct the container beds, plant the vegetables, and conduct educational workshops with the students. The workshops were designed to help students learn about horticulture and the nutritional value of the foods that are planted in the garden. 

This project would not have been possible without the Extension securing the grant funding from the University of Florida and providing their expertise and time by working with the students two mornings each week. This project has been especially unique because it provided the opportunity for adult and high school students to work together, collaborate, and learn from each other throughout the project.  The students are now continuing to work together to share the responsibilities for maintenance of the garden. 

In addition to the gardening project, the Extension has also partnered with ALCO to provide a number of other student activities at ALCO, including the following events and programs:

 -Presentation of four Food & Nutrition classes to adult English students;

 -Presentation of four Personal Finance five-week courses to adult English students; and

 -Hosting three consumer-wise supermarket learning-centered field trips. Each field trip included providing a $10 gift card to each student to make healthy purchases.  Students had to use the gift card to purchase a food item from each of the five groups, making healthier choices and using a calculator to figure unit price.

The following ALCO staff members worked hard on all of these projects: 

 -Melissa Padgett for working with the Extension to secure all the programs;

 -Karen Varney and Dodie Baez for supervising the gardening project;

 -Beth Welcher and Grisel Guiterrez for supervising and assisting with the supermarket field trips;

 -Irma Mercado and Melissa Padgett for hosting the Food & Nutrition classes; and

 -Dodie Baez and Melissa Padgett for hosting the Personal Finance classes.

ALCO – Annual Job Fair
ALCO’s annual Job Fair will be held on June 7, 2012, from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  Local businesses will be on hand to talk to job seekers about careers that are available in their companies.  This is a free event provided by ALCO to the community.  Companies that would like to participate are asked to contact Diana Martinez at 407-518-8140.  There is no cost to participate. 

ALCO – Online Training Summer Offer for Students and Teachers
Register for an ed2go SAT/ACT Test Preparation course or Teaching and Education course in May, June, or July and pay just $74.  (Regular price is $89.) Ed2go courses are six weeks in length, and new sessions start monthly.  The summer sessions begin on May 16, June 20, and July 18. You will have a dedicated instructor who facilitates every course, answers questions, gives feedback, paces learners, and facilitates discussions. View the available courses at  www.ed2go.com/alco. Then, click the “Teaching and Education” link on the left side of your screen.

ALCO – Basic Microsoft Excel 2010 Offered (English)|
In this six-hour class at ALCO, students will learn basic concepts required to navigate, enter data, create simple formulas, and format cells in a Microsoft Excel worksheet.  Students should have a basic knowledge of keyboarding and a Windows computer before taking this class.  Class will be held on Tuesday, June 12, and Thursday, June 14, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.  Cost is $49.00.  Register in person at the Adult Learning Center Osceola, 2320 New Beginnings Road in Kissimmee, or by phone at 407-518-8140.

ALCO – Corporate Services Institute Training Classes Offered
The following ALCO business training classes are open to businesses and the community:

--Motivating Your Employees: Tuesday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Cost is $39.

--Business Writing That Works:  Monday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 22 from 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. This is a 2-day workshop. Cost is $79.

Register in person at the Adult Learning Center Osceola, 2320 New Beginnings Road in Kissimmee, or by phone at 407-518-8140.

New Dimensions Charter High School - Great Education for Free
New Dimensions Charter High School, a Grade “A” school, is taking applications for the 2012/2013 school year.  The environment is comparable to private schools, both from a safety viewpoint and academic atmosphere.  In fact, a study conducted by the Orlando Sentinel revealed the school had the highest percentage of students maintaining a GPA of at least 2.0 of all public high schools in the greater Orlando area.  Free transportation is provided to students residing in Osceola County. To apply or if you have questions, call the school at 407-870-9949.