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School Grades Present Mixed Bag Of Blessings

July 5, 2011 Around Madison, Education Comments Off

Pinetta Makes “A;” Lee Makes “AYP;” Central and Greenville Get D

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

The school grades released Thursday, June 30, by the Florida Department of Education contained a mixed bag of blessings for Madison County.

On the up side of the grade scale, Pinetta Elementary School received another “A” and Lee Elementary School once again met Adequate Yearly Progress (ayp).

School Superintendent Lou Miller said that a low percentage making learning gains in math at Lee Elementary School caused it to receive a “B” instead of an “A.” She said that, with the size of Lee Elementary, that a low score by only a couple of students could have prevented the school from earning the coveted “A” grade.

Madison County Central and Greenville Elementary School both received “D” grades.

Eighty-five percent of students at Pinetta Elementary School met high standards in reading while 78 percent met high standards in math; 85 percent met high standards in writing; and 42 percent met high standards in science.

Eighty-eight percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 62 percent made learning gains in math.

Ninety-one percent of students at Lee Elementary School met high standards in reading while 84 percent met high standards in math; 77 percent met high standards in writing; and 61 percent met high standards in science.

Seventy-seven percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 46 percent made learning gains in math.
Fifty-eight percent of students at Greenville Elementary School met high standards n reading while 67 percent met high standards in math; 54 percent met high standards in writing; and 30 percent met high standards in science. Fifty percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 48 percent made learning gains in math.

Forty-five percent of combined students from different grades at the Central School met high standards in reading while 37 percent met high standards in math; 61 percent met high standards in writing; and 20 percent met high standards in science. Sixty-six percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 59 percent made learning gains in math.

The grade has yet to be released for Madison County High School.

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School Grades Present Mixed Bag Of Blessings

June 30, 2011 Education, Front Page One comment

Pinetta Makes “A;” Lee Makes “AYP;” Central and Greenville Get D

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The school grades released Thursday, June 30, by the Florida Department of Education contained a mixed bag of blessings for Madison County.
On the up side of the grade scale, Pinetta Elementary School received another “A” and Lee Elementary School once again met Adequate Yearly Progress.
School Superintendent Lou Miller said that a low percentage making learning gains in math at Lee Elementary School caused it to receive a “B” instead of an “A.” She said that, with the size of Lee Elementary, that a low score by only a couple of students could have prevented the school from earning a coveted “A” grade.
Madison County Central and Greenville Elementary School both received “D” grades.
Eighty-five percent of students at Pinetta Elementary School met high standards n reading on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) while 78 percent met high standards in math; 85 percent met high standards in writing; and 42 percent met high standards in science. Eighty-eight percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 62 percent made learning gains in math.
Ninety-one percent of students at Lee Elementary School met high standards n reading while 84 percent met high standards in math; 77 percent met high standards in writing; and 61 percent met high standards in science. Seventy-seven percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 46 percent made learning gains in math.
Fifty-eight percent of students at Greenville Elementary School met high standards n reading while 67 percent met high standards in math; 54 percent met high standards in writing; and 30 percent met high standards in science. Fifty percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 48 percent made learning gains in math.
Forty-five percent of combined students from different grades at the Central School met high standards in reading while 37 percent met high standards in math; 61 percent met high standards in writing; and 20 percent met high standards in science. Sixty-six percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 59 percent made learning gains in math.
The grade has yet to be released for Madison County High School.

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Madison Kids Go To Florida Music Institute Camp

June 28, 2011 Around Madison, Education Comments Off
Gale Blevins, of the Salvation Army is shown with the five students who attended the Florida Music Institute Camp in Starke. Pictured, left to right: Eli Curl, My ‘Asia Arnold, Brishauna Connor, Jordon Robinson and Jalisa Daniels

Gale Blevins, of the Salvation Army is shown with the five students who attended the Florida Music Institute Camp in Starke. Pictured, left to right: Eli Curl, My ‘Asia Arnold, Brishauna Connor, Jordon Robinson and Jalisa Daniels

Madison kids go to the Salvation Army’s “Florida Music Institute” FMI at Camp Keystone near Starke Florida. While many kids over the years have attended our community camp at Camp Keystone these are the first young people from Madison to attend the Florida Music Institute.
Each young person pictured is a recipitant of a scholarship awarded at last year’s Madison’s Salvation Army’s Music Camp, they continued their music interest/studies during the school year by either continuing with the Madison Music program and or their school band thereby continuing to demonstrate their interest in music. They will be joined by young people from all over the state attending the Music Institute to continue developing their God given talents in Music as well as in the dramatic arts. Our programs at Camp Keystone are staffed with the best instructors and are chosen from all over the USA for their talents in their respective field; The Salvation Army’s Florida Music Institute is one of the finest Salvation Army Music Camps in the USA.
We are very proud of this group of young people; each young person is a musician in their own right and will represent Madison County very well. They have studied hard and have earned the right to performed with the best and brightest that Florida has to offer.

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Take Stock In Children Launches New Online Virtual Tours Of Florida Colleges

June 28, 2011 Education Comments Off

NFCC Included In The 15 Colleges Selected

 

A new collection of virtual tours of Florida’s most popular colleges has been launched by Take Stock in Children, a statewide non-profit organization with a 16 year history of helping low-income and at-risk youth break the cycle of poverty by providing scholarships, mentors and hope. With funding provided by the Helios Education Foundation, this free online service gives students who do not have the means to travel and tour schools the chance to “visit” them online, and consequently eliminates the financial burden and costs associated with individual campus visits.
Available exclusively through Take Stock in Children’s website, www.TakeStockInChildren.org, the online virtual tours will highlight key aspects of various state college campuses in order to assist students during the college selection process. Scholars will be able to virtually visit 15 of the most-attended state colleges throughout Florida including: Brevard Community College, Broward College, Indian River State College, Florida Gateway College, Miami Dade College, Palm Beach State College, Valencia Community College, College of Central Florida, Tallahassee Community College, North Florida Community College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Santa Fe College, St. Petersburg College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota and Edison State College.

The online virtual tours serve as an invaluable resource to our program participants and all those pursuing a post-secondary education,” says Richard Berkowitz, State Board Chair of Take Stock in Children.

“Many of our students are first generation college attendees and are not familiar with the different aspects of a college campus, and this gives them direct access to view the most popular state colleges in Florida at any time.”
The launch of online virtual tours is part of Take Stock in Children’s continued efforts to enhance technology and improve college enrollment across Florida through a $1 million donation from the Helios Education Foundation. Alongside the online virtual tours, a portion of the donated funds are providing students with college survival toolkits and online educational modules in several languages including English, Spanish and Creole.
“The Helios Education Foundation recognizes the importance of preparing students for success through post-secondary education,” says Paul Luna, President and CEO of the Helios Education Founda- tion. “We are proud to support Take Stock in Children and such an important program that will assist our youth to advance in their pursuit of education.”
“We are excited that Take Stock in Children has launched this online resource allowing students to further explore each college, and thus make a better informed decision about their future studies,” says Will Holcombe, Chancellor of the Florida College System. “It is yet another way that this important organization is helping to provide and increase access to a college education in Florida.”
Students enrolled with Take Stock in Children are identified in middle and high school, and then sign a contract pledging to remain drug and crime free, as well as maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or greater. All students that fulfill these obligations and successfully complete the program then receive full scholarships to a state college or university.
To learn more about Take Stock in Children or to become a valued mentor or supporter, please call 888-322-4673 or visit www.takestockinchildren.org.
About Take Stock in Children
Take Stock in Children is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with a solid 16 year history of providing mentors, educational scholarships and hope for Florida’s low-income and at-risk youth. The organization has provided educational support and college scholarships for over 17,000 children in partnership with more than 800 public schools throughout 67 counties in Florida. It is the only scholarship mentoring program with the mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education, and has attained a high school graduation rate of 92 percent in Florida (as compared to Florida’s average graduation rate of 76%). The program’s multi-year commitment to students and their comprehensive program services begin in middle school and continue through high school graduation and into college.  Special emphasis is placed on student accountability and specific measurable outcomes. Take Stock in Children students pledge to meet with their assigned mentor once a week, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and remain drug and crime free.  Upon successful high school graduation, as a fulfillment of their contractual agreement, students are then awarded a college scholarship to any college, university or vocational school in the state of Florida. To learn more about Take Stock in Children, please call 888-322-4673 or visit www.takestockinchildren.org.

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NFCC Early Childhood Professional Graduate Named Assistant Childcare Teacher Of The Year

June 23, 2011 Education Comments Off
Jo Jo Romie is outside Daisies and Doodlebugs, next to her congratulatory sign.

Jo Jo Romie is outside Daisies and Doodlebugs, next to her congratulatory sign.

North Florida Community College Early Childhood Professional graduate, Jo Jo Romie, was recently named Assistant Childcare Teacher of the Year for the Florida Big Bend.

The award, given by the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region, is based on parent and community nominations that extend throughout the coalition’s seven county service area.

Romie resides in Madison County with her daughter. She recently completed the Early Childhood Professional Certificate program with honors at NFCC and is employed at Daisies and Doodlebugs Pre-School in Madison Fla. She is currently enrolled in NFCC’s Child Care Directors Certificate program,where she will learn many broad transferable skills geared toward directors and managers in the early childhood industry.

The classes that I enrolled in at NFCC were very beneficial and taught me how to be a successful teacher and an intelligent employee,” Romie said.  “Over the past year I have enjoyed working with the children, families and co-workers at Daisies and Doodlebugs Pre-School.”

NFCC offers an Associate in Arts degree with an emphasis in education and certificate programs in Early Childhood Professional and Child Care Director.  For program information contact Tara Orlowski at (850) 973-1789 or email Orlowskit@nfcc.edu.

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Kiwanis Club’s Support Of Take Stock In Children Scholarships

June 23, 2011 Education Comments Off
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Jessica Fralix, TSIC Scholar (right) and Lucile Day, Pres.-Elect, Kiwanis Club are helping in the Take Stock in Childlren program.

The Kiwanis Club of Madison recently presented a check to the Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education, Inc. for another Take Stock in Children Scholarship. Through the years, the local Kiwanis Club has given more than $36,000 for Take Stock in Children Scholars.

This gift of over $36,000 has been a great investment in the students of Madison County as these dollars have been matched most years and even tripled some years by other partners and agencies. The membership of the local club and other Kiwanis Clubs across the state of Florida have noted that the Take Stock in Children Programs around the state have a student monitoring process which keeps students on a positive track toward high school graduation and entry into college or technical training. Kiwanis members know that they are truly taking stock in children and getting the most for their dollars through this outstanding program, which has the capability of generating additional funds.

The Kiwanis Club of Madison has sponsored 11 Take Stock in Children Scholars through the years. One of the students, Magenta Hall, graduated from FSU this spring with a degree in Nursing. Others are now working toward high school graduation or on their college degrees.

Our most recent high school graduate, Jessica Fralix, was a special guest at the club in May, along with her Mother, Vivian Fralix. Jessica, a recent honor graduate at Madison County High School, will enter NFCC in the fall and plans to pursue a degree in Psychology.

Also, members of the club have been very active in the mentoring facet of the program.

The Kiwanis Club has various fundraising events throughout the year to fund this important project with the annual Citrus Sale being a major one. When you purchase Citrus Fruit from the Kiwanis Club in December of each year, you are helping the youth of Madison County further their education, move into careers and professions with well-developed skills and to be productive citizens in our community.

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Project Safe Zone Committed To Rebuilding PTO

June 21, 2011 Around Madison, Education Comments Off
The lovely ladies of the Madison Youth Initiative, the DREAMERS, provided support to ensure the Parent and Mentor Appreciation Dinner was a great success

Parent participation is essential to sustaining academic success, especially when behavior challenges are present. In fact, in a recent survey conducted by Project Safe Dozen of dozens of middle school parents from Madison County Central School, over 97 percent agreed that connecting with teachers should be a top priority. In spite of this overwhelming sentiment, however, parent participation in the Central School PTO was very limited during the 2010-11 school year.

The Madison County High School Drama Team, under the direction of Teacher of the Year, JerriAnn Webb, provided a powerful presentation that brought the audience to its feet.

Project Safe Zone, which is concluding its second year as a Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant recipient, is committed to addressing issues of safety and misbehavior, such as campus and bus security, bullying, mental health, and all forms of violence. In order to promote the parent and community involvement needed to achieve its mission, Project Safe Zone employs a communications plan that utilizes parent focus groups, among other outreach tools, in order to develop promotional media, both print and web-based, which are thematically designed to support these goals.
Working closely with Communications Consultant Michael Curtis to launch this strategic media plan, Project Coordinator Octavious Tookes and the Project Safe Zone staff noted that the Central School PTO was experiencing extremely low participation.

The lovely ladies of the Madison Youth Initiative, the DREAMERS, provided support to ensure the Parent and Mentor Appreciation Dinner was a great success

Recognizing the obstacle this gap presented to achieving successful implementation of their objectives, the team quickly organized a Parent and Mentor Appreciation Dinner, which was held on May 12 at 6 p.m. at the Central School cafeteria.
To begin the PTO rebuilding process, Curtis raised $1,200 in community donations from Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Madison County Community Bank, The Lee Day Committee, Madison Masonic Lodge, Madison Shrine Club, Steve McHargue, Tim and Mary Ann Sanders, Ksena Zipperer, and Madison Media Group, which allowed organizers to provide a catered barbecue dinner and hundreds of dollars in awards and prizes to ensure adequate attendance.
These sponsors were joined by a host of volunteers, including the lovely young ladies of the Madison Youth Initiative, Karen Pennington, Doug and Cecilia Freer, and Shelly Renfroe, who gave generously of her photography expertise to ensure the evening’s success.
Each of these supporters served almost one hundred parents, twenty mentors, and several dozen guests in attendance. Local officials and civic leadership were also well represented, including Madison County School Board Chair VeEtta Hagan, Superintendent of Schools Lou Miller, Madison Mayor Jim Catron, Madison County Commissioners Renetta Parrish and Alfred Martin, Supervisor of Elections Jada Woods-Williams, Clerk of the Court Tim Sanders, Waste and Recycling Coordinator Jerome Wyche, MCHD Administrator Kim Barnhill, Chamber Director Cindy Vees, MCCB President Ed Meggs, and NFCC President John Grosskopf. These community stewards were complemented by Judge Augustus Aikens, a Madison County native currently serving as Leon County Judge, who traveled to Madison to echo the message that few things more important to achieving a healthy and financially secure future for Madison County than parent involvement in their children’s education.
The event focused on middle school grades. To set the stage, Teacher of the Year, JerriAnn Webb, graciously brought her Drama Club from Madison County High School to perform. Heather Welch’s Journalism students also supported the cause, creating numerous posters that were placed throughout the cafeteria.
Following opening remarks by Principal Sam Stalnaker and Superintendent Miller, NFCC President John Grosskopf encouraged parents to not only recognize the importance of parental involvement, but also to take advantage of the local college resources that are available to all successful graduates. SRO Officer Maurice Alexander then introduced Judge Aikens ,who skillfully combined humor with a serious message, connecting well with the audience. Tookes and Mentor Coordinator Jodie Price then rotated with Curtis to complete several practical elements of the evening, including recognition of the men and women who served in the mentoring program during this school year, with a special recognition going to Mentor of the Year Merv Mattair.
Over the summer, those in attendance and other parent volunteers will be recruited for the middle school PTO. Focus groups and parent committees will also be formed around specific student and classroom goals. For more information or to volunteer a few hours a month as a mentor, please phone Project Safe Zone at (850) 973-5037.

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Madison County Libraries Host “One World, Many Stories”

June 14, 2011 Around Madison, Education Comments Off

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
During the month of June, the three public libraries in Madison County, Greenville, Madison and Lee, will be hosting “One World, Many Stories.” This event is being held to help students explore the world through their local library. The library will use books, stories, music, puppets, creative skits and even special guests to help inform students about the world.
Madison and Greenville will have their “One World, Many Stories,” event on June 14. Madison’s will be from 10-11 a.m. and Greenville’s will be from 2-3 p.m. Lee will have their event on June 17 from 10-11 a.m. All students are invited to attend, but for groups of 10 or more, please call your library to check space availability.
The libraries are also hosting other events each week throughout the summer that everyone is invited to attend.
Greenville, Lee and Madison host, “You Are Here! Teens.” This is a program especially designed for teenagers. On Tuesdays from 2-3 p.m., Madison hosts the program. On Mondays from 2-3 p.m., Lee hosts this program, and on Wednesday’s from 2-3 p.m., Greenville hosts the program.
All three libraries also host “Fun Days.” This is a program for all ages and includes arts and crafts, movies, games and other activities designed to entertain, educate and excite children of all ages. Madison hosts this program on Wednesdays from 3-3:30 p.m.; Lee hosts the program on Fridays from 3-4:30 p.m.; Greenville hosts the program on Fridays from 3-4 p.m.
Madison hosts “Preschool Story Time” on Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This program is designed especially for preschool students. Those who attend will travel the world with books, stories, puppets, crafts and other exciting activities.
Greenville and Madison are both hosting “Movies @ the Library” during the summer. This is a chance to bring the entire family to the library to enjoy some family friendly movies. You can contact the library for which titles will be playing that week. Madison hosts their movie night on Thursdays from 2-3:30 p.m.; Greenville hosts theirs on Wednesdays from 2-3:30 p.m.
The Lee Library also hosts “Game Days” on Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. This is a chance for those students who attend to play board games and many other games. Students will also be taught how to make their own games to play.
For more information on these classes feel free to contact your local library. Madison’s Public Library can be reached at 973-6814, Lee Public Library’s phone number is 971-5665 and Greenville Public Library can be reached at 948-2529.

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NFCC Enrolling Now For Summer And Fall Classes

June 14, 2011 Education Comments Off

North Florida Community College is enrolling now for summer and fall classes. Class schedules for both terms are available at www.nfcc.edu or from NFCC Enrollment Services. Register now for Summer Term B. Classes begin July 5. Open registration for Fall Term 2011 begins July 18 with classes starting Aug. 24.
The admission and enrollment process at NFCC is easy. Whether you are looking to take one course or deciding on a college career path, NFCC academic advisors are available to assist with course selection and career planning. NFCC has a variety of programs and courses to choose from including its new Digital Media / Multimedia Technology degree and certificates, popular Allied Health and EMS programs, standard courses for an Associate in Arts degree, as well as new courses in photography, weight training, humanities film and more. NFCC graduates also have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree on the NFCC campus through partnerships with Saint Leo University.
For more information and a complete list of available courses, programs and opportunities, call (850) 973-1622, stop by the NFCC campus located at 325 NW Turner Davis Drive (off US Highway 90) in Madison, or visit www.nfcc.edu. NFCC’s summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (open Fridays after Aug. 22).

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PDF: Suwannee River Regional Library System Offering Great Summer Programs

June 10, 2011 Around Madison, Education Comments Off
summerprogram

Click on link to view what’s in store at Madison County libraries this summer
summerprogram

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Madison County High School Band Holds Annual Banquet

June 9, 2011 Education Comments Off
New band officers were elected for the upcoming year. From left to right: Kristi Ferrell (drum major), Joshua Stafford (equipment officer), Lyric Davis (woodwind captain) and Alana Ellison (executive officer).

New band officers were elected for the upcoming year. From left to right: Kristi Ferrell (drum major), Joshua Stafford (equipment officer), Lyric Davis (woodwind captain) and Alana Ellison (executive officer).

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Next year’s band members and senior band members were recognized at the annual band banquet Thursday, May 26.
Alana Ellison was chosen executive officer for the band for 2011-2012.
For the third year in a row, Kristi Ferrell was chosen the band’s drum major.
Jonathan Cooks was recognized as Most Improved in the band for the past school year.

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Video: School Board Discusses Potential Budget Reductions with Audience in Lee

June 8, 2011 Education, Front Page Comments Off

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Smart Horizons Career Online Education Partners With North Florida Community College To Open Career Online High School

June 7, 2011 Education Comments Off

Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE), based in Pensacola, FL, announced that it has partnered with North Florida Community College (NFCC) to launch the North Florida Community College Career High School.
SHCOE is a private online high school district that gives students returning to the education process an opportunity to earn an 18-credit high school diploma, as well as complete course work for a career certificate in childcare, office management, protection services, transportation services, or homeland security. SHCOE was granted district accreditation by AdvancED/SACS as the world’s first online school district in February of 2011.
North Florida Community College, located in Madison, FL, was ranked among the nation’s “Top 50 Community Colleges” in Washington Monthly magazine’s 2010 College Rankings edition. Rankings are based on information from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement and graduation rates published by the U.S. Department of Education.
“North Florida Community College excels not only in providing a quality education, but also in offering students access to a broad range of learning opportunities and educational resources,” said Wendy Kauffman, Chief Operating Officer for SHCOE. “Because of NFCC’s innovative approach in integrating new tech- nologies into the education process, adding an adult career online high school was a natural fit. We look forward to this ongoing collaboration.”
“We are tremendously excited by this new partnership,” said NFCC President John Grosskopf. “This career online high school will become part of a larger spectrum of opportunities available to the citizens of our district. When combined with NFCC’s other programs, the excellent technical centers in our district, and the adult education programs run by the respective county school systems, students now have a complete menu of options to suit any educational need.”

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Madison Academy 4th Grade Class Human Body Project

June 7, 2011 Education Comments Off
The fourth grade class are showing off their completed cutouts of the human body on Crazy Hair Day at Madison Academy. Front row, left to right: Blake Sevor, Claire Maultsby, Cody Smith, Marcial Lopez, Caroline Jennings, Aubrey Day, Kaylee Groover and Reese Rutherford; Back row left to right: Christian Nitschke, Dilan Lawson, Logan Lepper, Brandon Bunch, Jarod Johnson, Brad Bunch, John Luke Waring, Dawson Rutherford, Summer Blair, Olivia Graham and Roderick Shaw

The fourth grade class are showing off their completed cutouts of the human body on Crazy Hair Day at Madison Academy. Front row, left to right: Blake Sevor, Claire Maultsby, Cody Smith, Marcial Lopez, Caroline Jennings, Aubrey Day, Kaylee Groover and Reese Rutherford; Back row left to right: Christian Nitschke, Dilan Lawson, Logan Lepper, Brandon Bunch, Jarod Johnson, Brad Bunch, John Luke Waring, Dawson Rutherford, Summer Blair, Olivia Graham and Roderick Shaw

By Crysti Hanfield,
4th Grade Teacher
Madison Academy
Do you know what comes together to form tissue?  Do you know which system of your body is in charge of feeding your cells?   Well, the fourth grade class at Madison Academy can answer these questions and more!  They studied the human body for quite some time this spring.  They learned that every part of your body is made up of cells joined together to make tissues.  They also know that those very same tissues join together and make organs, and when those organs work together they create an organ system.  The students also took time to learn about the function of each system.  When all of those systems join together, humans have what everyone knows very personally as the human body.  It was neat for the students to realize that most of the work that happens inside of the body is automatic, meaning that they do not even have to think about it for it to work properly.
As the students learned about each system, they colored and cut paper representations of organs.  Once each organ was ready, the students placed all the pieces together on a paper cutout shaped like the human body.  Many of the pieces move so the students can lift or turn the organ and see another organ underneath.  Students even drew faces and made hair for their cutouts.
Making these examples of the human body is a tradition for the fourth graders at Madison Academy.  Each year when the project begins, the students know that summer is near, and they are soon to become fifth graders.  It is a tradition that is truly enjoyed by both teachers and students.

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Academy Students Visit Kennedy Space Center

May 31, 2011 Education Comments Off
Seen alongside an astronaut mannequin from left to right are: Jordan Williams, Teagan Dunn, Zackery Peterson, Michael McCamman, Kyle Rogers, Dorian Alberti, Clay Hall and Dalton Gramling.

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Three, two, one…Blast Off! The students of Mrs. Leigh Ann Browning’s seventh grade class got to experience first-hand the excitement of everything space related on their trip to the Kennedy Space Center. This overnight adventure gave them the opportunity to experience things that most people will never be able to.
The group of teens did not get to see the final launch of the Endeavor Space Shuttle, however they were there the day after the launch was made. They got to go to the Astronaut Hall of Fame and see some of the most famous people in aeronautic history. While there the students also got to right space simulators. The group spent their evening sleeping under the Saturn V rocket; it is the largest rocket ever built.

Seen alongside an astronaut mannequin from left to right are: Jordan Williams, Teagan Dunn, Zackery Peterson, Michael McCamman, Kyle Rogers, Dorian Alberti, Clay Hall and Dalton Gramling.

While at the Kennedy Space Center, the students were able to go on scavenger hunts and to tour the Rocket Garden. The students also got to ride on the Shuttle Launch Experience, which, as one might guess, simulates a real life space shuttle launch. The group also got to see an IMAX 3D movie about the Hubble Telescope.
The group also got a chance to listen to and speak with Jack Lousma. Lousma was one of 19 astronauts selected by NASA in 1966. He was a pilot on Skylab III in 1973 where he logged over 1,619 hours in space. He also spent 11 hours on two spacewalks outside of the Skylab III. Lousma was also the spacecraft commander of the third flight of the space shuttle Columbia.

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Magic and Monsters: Madison School District Recognizes Creative Writers

May 31, 2011 Education Comments Off
(Kindergarten) Mason Good, Aneshy’a Mitchell, Bethni Stalnaker and Joshua Watts are the winners.

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Magic pencils and monsters and alien invaders…oh my, the things that populate young imaginations, incredible things that might be forgotten with time were it not for that extra spark of creativity that drives some of them to write these flights of fancy down.

(Kindergarten) Mason Good, Aneshy’a Mitchell, Bethni Stalnaker and Joshua Watts are the winners.

Friday, May 20, the Madison School District’s Creative Writing Awards recognized 30 students from Greenville Elementary (GES), Pinetta Elementary (PES), Lee Elementary (LES) and Madison Central (MCCS), who excelled at putting their dreams and visions into words on paper.  “All of you are here today because you’ve put forth that extra effort,” said School Superintendent Lou Miller, who announced the medal winners for Kindergarten through eighth grade, then the three top winners for divisions Kindergarten through second grade, third though fifth grade, and sixth through eighth grade.

In Kindergarten, the gold medal went to Aneshy’a Mitchell (GES); silver, Mason Good (PES); bronze, Bethni Stalnaker (MCCS) and Joshua Watts (LES).
First grade: gold, Shelby Shipley (PES); silver, Justin Moseley (GES); bronze, Eli Bull (MCCS) and Gabe Pitts (LES).
Second grade: gold, Matthew Gassler (MCCS); silver, Savannah Pitts (LES); bronze, Alesha McCulley (PES) and Skylyn Haire (GES).
Third grade: gold, Caitlyn Jordan (LES); silver, Jocelyn Davis (GES); bronze, Ellie Cherry (PES) and Mareshah Johnson (MCCS).
Fourth grade: gold, Quinn Lee (GES); silver, Gage Washington (PES); bronze, Joycelynn Ford (MCCS) and Caleb Watts (LES).
Fifth grade: gold, Jakiera McNair (MCCS); silver, Jamorris Collins (GES); bronze, Jacob Curtis (LES) and Eric Rykard (PES).
Sixth grade: gold, Tyler Burnett; silver, Joshua Bradley.
Seventh grade: gold, Tony Wooten; silver, Jessica Ross.
Eighth grade: gold, Anna Robinson; silver, Talena Voss.

In the overall divisions, Shelby Shipley took top honor for Kindergarten through second grade, with her story of a magical but evil princess in “The Princess and the Pig.”  “Ruby,” a tale of a flying horse owned by a fairy, brought Caitlyn Jordan the top spot in the third through fifth grade division, and Officer Ronald finally gets his man – or woman, as the case may be – in Anna Robinson’s “The Magic Key.”  A modern/medieval tale of time travel and treachery, it made Robinson the winner for the sixth through eighth grade division.

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Pinetta Elementary Students Harvest Vegetable Garden

May 31, 2011 Education Comments Off
Left to right, Wally Davis, Johnnie Woods, Laura Coleman and Dolly Ballard talk to the children about what makes a garden thrive.

Left to right, Wally Davis, Johnnie Woods, Laura Coleman and Dolly Ballard talk to the children about what makes a garden thrive.

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
While some children might not like eating their vegetables, the third and fourth graders at Pinetta Elementary School at least seem to enjoy harvesting them.
As school draws to a close this month, Dolly Ballard, Ann Paquette and Laura Coleman met with over forty students from the third and fourth grade classes on a sunny morning, May 18, to see the results of the spring vegetable garden they had been working on for months with the children.
Every month during the school year, Ballard and other Madison Garden Club members have made the trip out to Pinetta to work with the students, some of whom are also members of 4H Club, the Youth Gardeners of Madison and the Boys and Girls Club; the Garden Club ladies help these children with their club projects and prepare them for 4H and other summer camps as well as teaching them about the importance, enjoyment and benefits of growing their own vegetables.  Ballard also brings along a guest speaker each month, who does a presentation on a garden or environmentally related subject, such as whooping cranes, other kinds of birds or wildlife, or the different kinds of butterflies that visit the school’s butterfly garden, built by school principal Beth Moore’s father, Randall Buchanan, before his death.
Several of the children were no strangers to having gardens, naming the different things their parents grew, among them, sweet onions, beans and cucumbers.
Wally Davis, who formerly owned and operated the Farmer’s Supply Company on Range Street until his retirement last year, did the guest presentation on fertilizing and watering techniques for vegetable gardens, but the favorite part of the entire morning was when Pinetta Elementary’s Johnnie Woods, director of the Boys and Girls Club, helped the children harvest three large heads of cabbage and several small yellow squashes.  The cabbages were destined for the cafeteria kitchen, to be cooked for lunch the next day.
Another favorite segment was Davis digging holes and demonstrating the proper way to plant pumpkin seeds.  Ballard then handed small envelopes containing two pumpkins seeds to each child and told them about the pumpkin growing contest set for next fall, when they return from a summer spent (hopefully!) diligently tending their pumpkins.  The largest pumpkin is worth a $25 prize.  Second place will net $15, and third, $10.
Results will be determined in October.

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Meister And Cortez, 2011 MCHS Graduates, To Join Marines

May 26, 2011 Around Madison, Education, Sports 2 comments

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
While some graduates of the class of 2011 have no clue what their future may hold, others have a well thought out plan as to what they want their lives to bring. Some students will go to a university and get degrees before entering the workforce, others will go straight into the workforce and there are a few proud students who will enter the military to serve their country.
Eric Cortez and Jonathan Meister are two of those brave students who will spend the next several years of their life serving their country as Marines. Jonathan is the son of Brad and Jeannie Meister; he has a sister named Jessica. Eric is the son of Nancy Torralbas and Rony Cortez; he has a brother, Casey Wiggins, and a sister, Aylin Torralbas. Both boys are 18 years old and will be graduating from Madison County High School on June 3.
Jonathan has already begun his Marines career. He has already taken and passed his ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) and has begun his training. He does workouts at the YMCA in Valdosta several times a week to prepare for basic training. Jonathan also meets with his recruiter and other future Marines from surrounding counties to do IST (Initial Strength Test) Training.

Jonathan Meister (left) and Eric Cortez (right) will represent Madison as Marines following their graduation.

Eric has laid out his future plans to join the Marines and hopes to be able to enlist at the end of this month or early June. He still has to pass his ASVAB test but has also begun his training to prepare for basic training. Eric has spent the last several months preparing his self to become a Marine.
Both boys will have to go through basic training camp before being able to serve fulltime in the Marines. Jonathan leaves for basic training on August 8. Eric hopes to leave for basic training in November at the latest. Basic training is a 13-week program that will test the boy’s physical and mental strength. They will be taught how to handle official military situations. They will also be trained to become stronger, faster and how to become better Marines.
While in basic training, they will have little contact with the outside world. They will be able to write letters, but phone calls will be few and far between. When asked what they will miss most, both boys said their friends and their family. Eric told this reporter, “I’ll definitely miss my family, my friends and my dog.”
When asked what made him decide to join the Marines, Jonathan stated, “I always wanted to be in the military. I want to help my country and travel the world. You never know what the next day will bring, but you know it is always going to be something new and exciting.”
Eric’s response to that question was, “I have always wanted to serve. I just want to be a part of something bigger than myself. I want to know that I served my country well and that I did it with pride and honor.”
At first, the boys planned to join the Air Force together on the buddy system. However, due to Jonathan’s eyesight he was unable to serve for the Air Force. So Jonathan and Eric then decided to join the Marines. The fact that Jonathan passed the ASVAB test before Eric also meant that he would qualify to join the Marines before Eric, so they were unable to join together.
“We are just two small town kids trying to make a difference by going into the service. We are just trying to make our friends, family and community proud,” said Eric.

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4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Contest Winners

May 26, 2011 Education Comments Off
Slowly walking to the podium at the front of the room, deep breath, those first words coming easily and confidently, wowing the audience…this is the feeling of excellence. Ask anyone who attended the 2011 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Contest and they will tell you excellence is what they witnessed that day. The 4-H Tropicana speech contest is an opportunity for youth to gain valuable public speaking skills. This annual contest is a school enrichment project offered through the UF/Madison County Extension 4-H Youth Development program. As with all 4-H programs, there are specific lifeskills targeted in this project including: building self-esteem, communication, planning, organization, and critical thinking. The project is designed to assist teachers in helping their students achieve the required benchmarks in FCAT and other standardized testing. Without the help of our wonderful teachers we would not be able to have such a successful program. Thank you to all of the curriculum coordinators and teachers that are involved in helping these students develop their speeches; you are our driving force. Dolly Ballard, Heather Futch, and Pat Lightcap performed the difficult task of judging the speeches of these inspiring students. Before the awards ceremony, the judges congratulated each of the competitors on a job well done and gave them general tips on improving their public speaking skills. Each of the judges encouraged the students to continue developing their speaking skills while reminding them how important this lifeskill will be to them as an adult. In the fourth grade division: 1st Place- Ashonee Anthony “My First Day at Greenville Elementary School” from Greenville Elementary; 2nd Place- Journey Aust “Kids Can Make A Difference” from Pinetta Elementary; 3rd Place- Claire Maultsby “My Sister and Her Cancer” from Madison Academy; Honorable Mention went to Chyna Frazier “My Family and Me” from Madison County Central School. In the fifth grade division: 1st Place- Hannah Zimmerly “Childhood Obesity” from Madison Academy; 2nd Place- Ahmod Powell “My Life as a Farmer” from Greenville Elementary; 3rd Place- Callie Henderson “The Fur Coat Animal” from Lee Elementary; Honorable Mention went to Denetra Lee “The Steps for Becoming an Actress” from Madison County Central School. In the 6th grade division: 1st Place- Tyler Burnett “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up” from Madison County Central School; 2nd Place- Summer Langell “In the Blink of an Eye” from Madison Academy; 3rd Place- Kaitlyn Kinsey “My Brother Levi” from New Testament Christian Academy; Honorable Mention went to Tru’vell McNealy from LATMA. Congratulations to each of our winners at the classroom, school, and county levels! By: Becky V. Bennett 4-H Youth Development Agent The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity—Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations.  U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A.&M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.

Slowly walking to the podium at the front of the room, deep breath, those first words coming easily and confidently, wowing the audience…this is the feeling of excellence.  Ask anyone who attended the 2011 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Contest and they will tell you excellence is what they witnessed that day.
The 4-H Tropicana speech contest is an opportunity for youth to gain valuable public speaking skills.  This annual contest is a school enrichment project offered through the UF/Madison County Extension 4-H Youth Development program.  As with all 4-H programs, there are specific lifeskills targeted in this project including: building self-esteem, communication, planning, organization, and critical thinking.  The project is designed to assist teachers in helping their students achieve the required benchmarks in FCAT and other standardized testing.  Without the help of our wonderful teachers we would not be able to have such a successful program.  Thank you to all of the curriculum coordinators and teachers that are involved in helping these students develop their speeches; you are our driving force.
Dolly Ballard, Heather Futch, and Pat Lightcap performed the difficult task of judging the speeches of these inspiring students.  Before the awards ceremony, the judges congratulated each of the competitors on a job well done and gave them general tips on improving their public speaking skills.  Each of the judges encouraged the students to continue developing their speaking skills while reminding them how important this lifeskill will be to them as an adult.
In the fourth grade division:  1st Place- Ashonee Anthony “My First Day at Greenville Elementary School” from Greenville Elementary; 2nd Place- Journey Aust “Kids Can Make A Difference” from Pinetta Elementary; 3rd Place- Claire Maultsby “My Sister and Her Cancer” from Madison Academy; Honorable Mention went to Chyna Frazier “My Family and Me” from Madison County Central School.
In the fifth grade division:  1st Place- Hannah Zimmerly “Childhood Obesity” from Madison Academy; 2nd Place- Ahmod Powell “My Life as a Farmer” from Greenville Elementary; 3rd Place- Callie Henderson “The Fur Coat Animal” from Lee Elementary; Honorable Mention went to Denetra Lee “The Steps for Becoming an Actress” from Madison County Central School.
In the 6th grade division:  1st Place- Tyler Burnett “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up” from Madison County Central School; 2nd Place- Summer Langell “In the Blink of an Eye” from Madison Academy; 3rd Place- Kaitlyn Kinsey “My Brother Levi” from New Testament Christian Academy; Honorable Mention went to Tru’vell McNealy from LATMA.
Congratulations to each of our winners at the classroom, school, and county levels!
By:  Becky V. Bennett
4-H Youth Development Agent
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity—Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations.  U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A.&M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.

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NFCC Recognizes College Employees For Professional Achievement And Years Of Service

May 26, 2011 Education Comments Off
NFCC’s “Above and Beyond Award” recipients are, left to right: Kim Halfhill, Marie Guest and Lisa Barden.

Lisa Barden, Marie Guest and Kim Halfhill receive NFCC’s “Above and Beyond Award”

NFCC’s “Above and Beyond Award” recipients are, left to right: Kim Halfhill, Marie Guest and Lisa Barden.

North Florida Community College employees gathered in the courtyard of the NFCC Walter L. Bishop Administration Building April 26 for the NFCC Courtyard Party. The gathering honors all NFCC employees for their contributions to the college, recognizes NFCC’s Above and Beyond award recipients and honors employees for years of service to NFCC.
Three NFCC employees were selected to receive NFCC’s Above and Beyond Award for 2010-2011 – Lisa Barden of Madison County, Marie Guest of Lake Park, Ga., and Kim Halfhill of Madison. Barden is an art instructor at NFCC. She also coordinates the NFCC Hardee Center for the Arts and is advisor to the NFCC Art Club.
Guest is a business and digital media instructor at NFCC, serves as Department Chair of Social Science, Business, Education, and Computer Science for the college, and is an advisor to the NFCC Business Club.
Kim Halfhill is Director of Student Services at NFCC and is advisor to NFCC’s Student Government Association (SGA).  The Above and Beyond awards are given each year to NFCC employees, staff and faculty members, who go above the call of their regular jobs to assist students, to assist their colleagues or to benefit the college.
Fifteen employees received service awards from NFCC recognizing years of service ranging from five years to 25 years. They are:
25 Years: Doug Brown (Madison County); Margie Phillips (Madison County); and Kathy Smith (Madison County).
20 Years: Cissy Adleburg (Madison County); Cindy Gaylard (Madison County); and Karen Surles (Madison County).
10 Years: Betty Starling (Madison County) and Annette Thornton (Madison County).
Five Years: Denise Bell (Suwannee County); Tammy Horne (Madison County); Skip James (Madison County); Phillip Taylor (Madison County); Susan Taylor (Jefferson County); Wesley Thompson (Madison County); and Margaret Wilkerson (Madison County).

NFCC employees (left to right) are: Tammy Horne, Denise Bell, Susan Taylor, Skip James and Margaret Wilkerson are recognized for dedicating five years of service to NFCC.

Thirteen employees received special recognition for professional achievement. The awards were given in honor of employees completing degrees, publishing works, and serving on state and national boards among other things. Those honored include Jefferson County residents Bonnie Littlefield and Susan Taylor; Lake City, resident Efrain Bonilla; and Madison County residents, Debbie Bass, Vickie Bossé, Doug Brown, Amy Ellison, Kathy Fields, Skip James, Rose Knox, Tara Orlowski, Julie Townsend and Julie Walden.
Retiring foreign languages instructor Rosie Leparulo was also honored during the ceremony. Leparulo, a resident of Tallahassee, began teaching at NFCC in 1987 and built a very impressive career that spans more than two decades.
For more information contact College Advancement at (850) 973-1653 or email news@nfcc.edu.

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