Note: The campus itself will close at 3 p.m.
Due to the increasingly hazardous weather conditions, North Florida Community College classes starting after noon. today are cancelled (including any NFCC classes held at off-campus locations). NFCC will resume its regular hours and classes on Monday, June 10, 2013, unless otherwise noted. Current information will be posted on the NFCC website home page at www.nfcc.edu and on the NFCC facebook page at www.facebook.com/nfcc.edu.
The Wednesday, May 22, edition of the Madison County Carrier features photos of graduates from this area’s schools. Pick up your copy today or subscribe to our e-edition online for only $25 ($5 if you are already a print subscriber).
Abstinence isn’t cool with students, community leader Merv Mattair, founder of Boyz 2 Kings, told the school board. It’s not exactly what most parents and school officials would like to hear, but it is mostly true.
Mattair, along with Pam Robinson of the Madison County Health Department, spoke to the Madison County School Board about a sex education curriculum that not only covers the science and biology, but also puts it into a context students can readily understand…how it can effect their lives.
The first unit of the program begins by asking the student to “get to know your dreams” and look closely at their hopes and plans for the future. What do they want to do, study or be? What kind of work and effort will it require to reach that goal?
However, the consequences of sexual activity, i.e., pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, are not consequences teenagers are well equipped to handle. Plans for college, vocational school, or even finishing high school become difficult, if not impossible. Time, energy and resources are diverted to dealing with childcare or medical expenses. Dreams are derailed, education suffers and earning power drops.
Even if a few students are fortunate and manage to escape the pitfalls of early sexual activity, it still has a negative impact on schoolwork.
“When students are sexually active, their mind is not on the FCAT,” said Mattair. “It’s on sex.”
There is also the problem of peer pressure, even for students who might not normally become sexually active. Abstinence is seen as the deviation, not the norm, and that is a challenge the proposed curriculum will meet by making abstinence the ultimate “cool.”
Using the slogan “Abstinence is my Swag,” Mattair and Robinson hope that by getting students to see that choosing not to engage in sexual activity while they’re still in school is not only cool, it is something positive, something that they do for themselves because they understand that their dreams are important.
The program is an eight-hour course that also includes such things as role-playing and developing negotiation skills that help students say “no.”
Students can opt out of particular chapters or the entire program if they or their parents wish; the course is not mandatory.
It is, however, something that would be suitable for churches to use with their youth groups, in getting young people to look more realistically at early sex and the effect it could have on their lives. With the backing of the Health Department, which “110 percent behind this,” Mattair hopes the message reaches the young people of Madison County, especially the ones who most need to hear it.
School Superintendent Doug Brown
The Staff of North Florida Community College’s Marshall Hamilton Library invite the public to the dedication of the Library’s Florida Collection in memory of Joseph “Joe” Alexander Akerman, Jr. The dedication ceremony will be held at the NFCC Library on Sunday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow.
“In honor of Mr. Akerman’s long career and dedication to NFCC, and in honor of his accomplished writing career, the Library staff is proud to dedicate its Florida Collection in his memory,” said Kay Hogan, Director of Library Services at NFCC.
Akerman began his teaching career at NFCC in 1965 and taught several generations of students before retiring in 2009. He was a dedicated instructor of history and while at the college received numerous awards for his writings. In 1976 the Florida Cattleman’s Association published Akerman’s first book, “A History of the Florida Cattle Industry.” This was followed by “American Brahman” in 1982. In 2003, Akerman and his son Mark collaborated on “Jacob Summerlin, King of the Crackers,” published by the Florida Historical Society. This book won the Florida Historical Society’s prestigious Charlton Tebeau Award for its historical value in 2005. In 2004, Akerman received the Dorothy Dodd Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Historical Society. He wrote numerous articles and gave lectures all over Florida on his books and Florida History in general.
Akerman once said that “All American men and boys are cowboys at heart.” Akerman was a professor, author, artist, cowboy and friend to many. The NFCC Library staff invites the community to stop by April 21 and help honor the memory of Joseph Alexander Akerman, Jr. For more information, contact the NFCC Library at (850) 973-9452 or email Library@nfcc.edu.
MADISON, FL – North Florida Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Mu Xi Chapter recently welcomed 38 new members into PTK, the international honor society for two-year colleges. During an induction ceremony on March 21, new members recited the PTK Oath of Membership and walked across the stage of the NFCC Fine Arts Auditorium to accept a white rose and membership in the prestigious organization that was established in 1918. Inductees must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 to join and must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain a member of PTK.
Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 2 million members and 1,200 chapters in the U.S., Canada and Germany. The organization, recognized as the official honor society for two-year colleges, honors and encourages the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.
NFCC students leading the induction ceremony were PTK President Andrew Land and PTK Vice President Christopher Martins. Dr. Michael Stine, NFCC biology instructor, is NFCC’s PTK chapter advisor.
The newest members of North Florida Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Mu Xi Chapter are:
Hamilton County
Rebecca I Jackson Jasper
Wade B Norris Jasper
Jessica E Scaff Jasper
Leslie J Smith Carter Jasper
Tyler C Warfel Jasper
Jefferson County
Mandy L Holley Lamont
Victoria M Holley Lamont
Zachary J Lucero Monticello
Abigail M Starling Monticello
Lafayette County
Shelby K Hart Mayo
Ashlin H Morgan Mayo
Madison County
Anna L Robinson Lee
Danielle C Bentley Madison
Eugene P Buie Madison
Savannah D Cauldwell Madison
Tana L Curtin Madison
Alyssa D Kinsey Madison
Shontea L Lewis Madison
Kaitlin E Littleton Madison
Ian P McClellan Madison
Tarvis M Peacock Madison
Kassidy M Stallings Madison
Logan C Groover Pinetta
Dalton Lee Pinetta
Kelsey E Varn Pinetta
Suwannee County:
Sara D Kolvinsky Branford
Jonathan C Bolick Live Oak
Tawanna L Cooks Live Oak
Lindsey L Garland Live Oak
Laken N Messer Live Oak
Emily G Ross Live Oak
Vassel Sneed Live Oak
Daniel L Boatright McAlpin
Lacey J Caskin O’Brien
Christopher D Curtis Wellborn
Taylor County
Taylor W Bethea Perry
Anna M Ferrer Perry
Micah T McDonald Perry
Alana Ellison receives Student of the Year awards
Elouise Green honored as “Friend to the College”
MADISON, FL – North Florida Community College’s brightest students were honored during the college’s Honors Convocation ceremony April 9 at the NFCC Fine Arts Auditorium. Students from various academic areas and student organizations received recognition for outstanding achievement and character during the 2012-2013 academic year. NFCC faculty and staff announced each award recipient as NFCC President John Grosskopf and Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Sharon Erle presented the awards.
Alana Ellison of Madison received NFCC’s prestigious “Student of the Year” award. Ellison serves as the Student Government Association (SGA) President Elect and is also as a member of Sentinel Service Corp.
“The student who is the recipient of this award not only excels in the classroom with a current GPA of 3.66, but has shown a spirit of generosity and service that few students possess,” said NFCC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Sharon Erle. “She is a member of the Sentinel Service Corp and the Student Government Association. This student cares deeply about her campus and community. During her time at NFCC she has worked as student assistant in the Office of Campus Life as well as an English tutor. This student truly embodies the spirit of a Sentinel through scholarship and service.”
In addition to recognizing outstanding students, NFCC also named its 2012-2013 “Friend to the College.” Elouise Green was recognized for her continuous support of NFCC. Green is a Lafayette County resident and serves on NFCC’s Foundation Board.
“Elouise Green has served on NFCC’s Foundation for many years. She has served countless hours volunteering at NFCC fundraising events. Her love for the college is boundless,” said Grosskopf.
NFCC’s Honors Convocation ceremony is held annually in April to recognize outstanding students and celebrate student achievement prior to NFCC’s Spring Term commencement ceremony in May.
STUDENTS HONORED DURING NFCC’S HONORS CONVOCATION ARE:
HAMILTON COUNTY
Keyla Perez Drawing
Danielle Muzzey Early Childhood Professional Certificate
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Tovya Vargas Human Development
Tori Holley Design
MADISON COUNTY
Krystal McCormick Education
Selena Phillips Economics
Cheltsie Kinsley Accounting
Cody Belinski Business
Amy Stalnaker Computer Science
Alexandra Patron English
Juli Waldrep American Literature & World Religion
Catherine Murphy Painting
Michelle Mandziara Metal Sculpture
Alexandra Patron Biology
Christopher Gifford Anatomy & Physiology
Tarvis Peacock Microbiology
Lakeidra Baynard Early Childhood Education
Emily Curl Early Childhood Program Management
Alana Ellison Student of the Year
LEON COUNTY
Laura Bishop Mathematics
SUWANNEE COUNTY
Lyndee Fletcher Digital Media
Thomas Mofield Psychology
Jonathan Bolick History
Lacey Caskin Ceramics
Christopher Martins Physics
Frederick Mowry Humanities
Tawanna Cooks Promising Scholar
TAYLOR COUNTY
Tiffany Slaughter Sociology
Taylor Bethea Chemistry
Kelli Thomas Nursing
MADISON, FL – North Florida Community College students were honored during the college’s annual Leadership Awards ceremony held April 9 at the NFCC Student Center. Students from various clubs and organizations received recognition for outstanding student achievement and leadership outside of the classroom during the 2012-2013 academic year.
Clubs and organizations participating in this year’s leadership event were Art Club, Business Club, Phi Theta Kappa, Save Our Animal Resources (S.O.A.R.), Sentinel Service Corp, Sentinel Upstage Players and Student Government Association. Students were recognized for membership, service and leadership with a Member of the Year Award presented by each organization.
Individual Achievement Awards were also presented for Rookie of the Year, Unsung Hero and Exemplary Service to the Community. The NFCC Business Club was honored for its Rock the Vote Lecture Series, naming it both Outstanding Campus Initiative and Outstanding Educational Program.
“The student leaders honored here today have had a rich and complete college experience at NFCC, said Director of Campus Life and SGA advisor Kim Halfhill. “They are the very definition of success. Their dedication to being the best that they can be has been an inspiration to their instructors, advisors and student peers.”
NFCC’s Save Our Animal Resources (S.O.A.R.) club was not only recognized as the Outstanding Community Service Organization, but advisor Bonnie Littlefield was named Organization Advisor of the Year. S.O.A.R. Member of the Year, Houston Smith, presented Littlefield with her award stating that she had made a tremendous impact on his life.
The event wrapped up with guest speaker Louis Garcia, CEO, of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend, challenging students to take advantage of their positive experiences at NFCC to inspire others and make changes in their own communities. For more information about NFCC’s clubs and organizations contact Kim Halfhill at 850.973.1623 or email halfhillk@nfcc.edu.
STUDENTS HONORED AT NFCC’S LEADERSHIP AWARDS ARE:
MADISON COUNTY
Jacob Connell Art Club – Member of the Year Award
Tana Curtin Business Club – Member of the Year Award
Selena Phillips Phi Theta Kappa – All-Florida Academic Team Member
Huston Smith Save Our Animal Resources (S.O.A.R.) – Member of the Year Award
Johnathan Cooks Sentinel Upstage Players – Member of the Year Award
& Rookie of the Year Award
Shontea Lewis Student Government Association – Member of the Year Award
Anthony Hampton Unsung Hero Award
SUWANNEE COUNTY
Andrew Land Phi Theta Kappa – Member of the Year
& Phi Theta Kappa – All-Florida Academic Team Member
HAMILTON COUNTY
Winston Crosby Award for Exemplary Service to the Community
ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL COLLECTIVELY BY CONSENT
1
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING (S)
(Doug Brown)
2
PROGRAM AND FUNDING FOR DOE APPROVED 2012-13 TITLE I SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE 1003(a) – $59,343.00
(Cheryl James)
3
ADVERTISE REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 4.03 EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION
(Ramona Guess)
4
ADVERTISE REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD PROCEDURE PR-4.03 EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION
(Ramona Guess)
5
AGREEMENT RENEWAL WITH FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CONTINUE RECEIVING USDA COMMODITIES FOR 2013-14
(Jan McHargue)
6
AGREEMENT RENEWAL WITH FLORIDA VIRTUAL SCHOOL TO PROVIDE VIRTUAL INSTRUCITON PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS TO MADISON COUNTY STUDENTS
(Davis Barclay)
7
2013-2014 SCHOOL CALENDAR
(Paula Ginn/Calendar Committee)
8
2012-2013 PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SALARY SCHEDULE
(Andy Barnes)
9
FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR THE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2013 AND March 31, 2013
(Andy Barnes)
ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
10
SCHOOL ZONE/DISTRICT TRANSFERS
(Doug Brown)
11
GED REQUESTS
(Doug Brown)
12
STUDENT OVERNIGHT OR OUT OF STATE TRIPS
(Doug Brown)
13
STAFF TRIPS – NON-GENERAL FUND (IN OR OUT OF STATE)
(Doug Brown)
14
STAFF TRIPS – GENERAL FUND (IN OR OUT OF STATE)
(Doug Brown)
15
GEORGE ENGLISH WITH THE US TENNIS ASSOCIATION AND MS INA THOMPSON WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD REGARDING TENNIS COURTS AT MADISON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
(Doug Brown)
16
REQUEST EXEMPTION FROM THE MS. WILLIE ANN GLENN ACT TO OPERATE 24 DAYS INSTEAD OF 35 DAYS TO COORDINATE WITH THE SUMMER SCHOOL SCHEDULE – PUBLIC HEARING
(Jan McHargue)
17
REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 7.05 – INTERNAL FUNDS HAVE BEEN ADVERTISED AND POLICY IS READY FOR ADOPTION PUBLIC HEARING
(Andy Barnes)
18
REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 9.011 – PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT HAVE BEEN ADVERTISED AND POLICY IS READY FOR ADOPTION PUBLIC HEARING
(Cheryl James)
19
B.E.A.R. CENTER UPDATE
(D. Barclay/S. Golder)
20
SCREENED SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
(Gwen Hubbard)
21
PERSONNEL CHANGES
(Gwen Hubbard)
22
STAFFING TABLE REVISIONS
(Gwen Hubbard)
23
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST TO THE BOARD
(Doug Brown)
24
PUBLIC INPUT
25
ADJOURN
Madison County High School will be hosting cheerleading tryouts for their 2013-2014 cheerleading squads on April 8-11. Tryouts for JV and varsity will be held during this week. Tryouts will begin at 4 p.m. each day and last until 5:30 p.m. They will be held in the MCHS Gym. There will be a mandatory pre-tryout meeting on Thursday, March 21 at 4 p.m. in the MCHS Gym. If you have any questions please contact Ruth Ann Latner by phone or text at (850) 464-0236 or email her at ruth.latner@madisonmail.us.
The Madison County High School Jazz Band, the Cowboy Nights, would like to announce their annual “All You Can Eat Dessert Concert” for 2013. The concert will be held Friday night, March 15th at 7:00pm in the Madison County High School gym. The Nights will be performing from a variety of jazz genres including blues, swing, Latin and popular music. The special guest artists will include: Shelly Smith, Lynne Sapp, and Jay Hicks. There will also be a trombone duet featuring Mark Branham and Gabe Krell. Student members of the Nights include: Lyric Davis, Taylor Sever, Jesse Smith, Courtney Bailey, Adam Kalinowski, William Terry, Cullen Gudz, Joshua Stafford, Kammeron Joseph, Victor Perez, Tyler Belinski, Jorge Tojeiro, Casey Phillips, Cheyenne Sheffield, Jessica Ross, Kaitlyn Farnell, Jamarian Robinson, William Reaves, Roxanna Whitman, and Kyle Courtney.
The concert this year will also serve as the premier performance for the new Madison County High School Chorus. This group of young people will be performing for the very first time after an absence in the vocal arts at MCHS for over ten years.
Tickets are available for $5.00 through March 14th and will be $6.00 at the door. You may order tickets at geoff.hill@madisonmail.us or call 850.973.5753.
In celebration of Water Conservation Month in April, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) invites schools within the District’s region to learn about the importance of water conservation. This includes all of Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union and parts Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Jefferson, Levy, and Putnam.
For their efforts, we would like to recognize participating schools on the District’s website and send a news release about their projects to the local newspapers. The schools’ water conservation efforts will also be recognized at our Governing Board meeting on May 16.
Teachers may visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com/waterconservation to find project and/or lesson plan ideas. Some ideas that might be considered are:
· Create a poster using water conservation tips;
· Write an essay about how to conserve water; or
· Access the water use calculator to estimate their home water use and make a pledge to conserve during the month of April.
Lessons or projects could be done as a class or by individual students and could easily serve as an addition to a science lesson or a science or FFA club project. The District will accept projects from grades K-12.
Please send project descriptions and/or photos of your projects by Friday, April 19 to Vanessa Fultz at vjf@srwmd.org. For more information, please call 386.647.3150.
Due to the increasingly hazardous weather conditions, North Florida Community College is closing its campus in Madison, FL at 4:30 p.m. today and cancelling all night courses (including any NFCC courses held at off-campus locations). NFCC will resume its regular hours and classes on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, unless otherwise noted.
The Feb. 19 school board meeting, it was business as usual, approving overnight trips for the Madison County High School Softball Team to participate in the Florida – Alabama Challenge in Panama City, and for a group of 25 High School High Tech students to travel to Tampa.Read more
The School Board of Madison County, Florida
AGENDA
FEBRUARY 19, 2013
6:00 PM
WELCOME
CALL TO ORDER NO LATER THAN 6:30 PM
ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL COLLECTIVELY BY CONSENT
1
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING (S)
(Doug Brown)
2
PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 7.05 – INTERNAL FUNDS.
(Andy Barnes)
3
PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 9.011- PARENT/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
(Cheryl James)
4
FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR THE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND JANUARY 31, 2013
(Andy Barnes)
ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
5
SCHOOL ZONE/DISTRICT TRANSFERS
(Doug Brown)
6
GED REQUESTS
(Doug Brown)
7
STUDENT OVERNIGHT OR OUT OF STATE TRIPS
(Doug Brown)
8
STAFF TRIPS – NON-GENERAL FUND (IN OR OUT OF STATE)
(Doug Brown)
9
STAFF TRIPS – GENERAL FUND (IN OR OUT OF STATE)
(Doug Brown)
10
B.E.A.R. CENTER UPDATE
(D. Barclay/S. Golder)
11
SCREENED SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
(Gwen Hubbard)
12
PERSONNEL CHANGES
(Gwen Hubbard)
13
STAFFING TABLE REVISIONS
(Gwen Hubbard)
14
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST TO THE BOARD
(Doug Brown)
15
PUBLIC INPUT
16
ADJOURN
Julius Hackett presents Joanne Ragans with the 2013 Madison County Teacher of the Year Award at the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award Banquet. Congratulations, Jo Ragans!
Photo submitted
Abigayle Reeves, right, of Madison Academy, was the big winner in the Madison County Fourth Grade Spelling Bee held at the School Board Office on Friday, Jan. 25. Alesha McCulley, of Pinetta Elementary School, was first runner-up. They are both shown with Madison County School Superintendent Doug Brown.
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
With FCAT just around the corner, area schools are working diligently to make sure that students are prepared for the test. In order to help students be more prepared for their FCAT writing tests, Madison County Central School will be offering FCAT Writing Workshops during the month of February.
The two workshops are scheduled for Saturday February 9 and Saturday February 16. The workshops will begin at 9 a.m. and last until noon. These workshops are only open to 4th and 8th grade students.
Transportation will be provided to centralized areas in Pinetta, Madison, Lee and Greenville.
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Central School will be offering after school tutoring beginning on February 7. The tutoring will be for those students in need of extra help with their classes or preparation for tests.
The tutoring will be from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Transportation will be provided if students stay until 6 p.m. with the Boys and Girls Club. The tutoring will be available until April 11.
From Doug Brown, Madison County Superintendent of Schools:
Colleagues:
The preliminary 2012 school grades have been released and Madison County High School has earned a preliminary ‘A’ grade!!! The school grades are listed on the DOE website. I must stress that the high school grades are preliminary, but the grades are now displayed on the website for public consumption.
This school grade is testimony to (1) the establishment of high expectations (2) ‘buy in’ to those expectations by students, teachers, parents, and administrators, (3) hard work, dedication, and commitment by all involved and (4) leadership at the school level by the principal, AP’s, and curriculum coaches.
My hat is off to principal Ben Killingsworth, former superintendent Lou Miller, and the entire MCHS faculty and staff for this AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT!!! This is the first time that the high school has earned an A grade, but it will not be the last. The bar is set! BTW, MCHS is the only ‘A’ high school in the six-county region (Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor). Let’s celebrate!!!
