STAFF
EVENTS
& NEWS
January 2010
Bradenton Geckos Moving Northwest
Inside...
D avid Leppek, art teacher at King
Middle School, was one of 23
Manatee County art teachers who received
After the boards are finished, the
display will beautify the courtyard as a
permanent gallery with the hope that the
We Believe in grant money through funds raised at this Gecko art board painting project becomes an
Manatee . . . . . . . . . 3 year’s GeckoFest, and the grant is being put annual event.
to good use. King Middle’s art students From www.BradentonGeckofest.org:
Town Hall Meeting designed, drew, and painted art work onto a The Bradenton GeckoFest first debuted
4x8 foot sheet of plywood which was in 2006 as a fundraiser for the Village of the
................4
recently displayed in front of the school. The Arts, creating an important bridge between
paintings incorporate unique geckos of all the business and arts communities. Schools
Manatee Education sizes and are designed to bring awareness to and social groups got involved, and funds
Foundation. . . . . . .6 national and global issues. were raised to augment the County's
A board will also be created to thank shrinking art education budgets. Residents
Bradenton’s GeckoFest for their generous and tourists alike were treated to these
Teachers Gain donation of the grant and for their dedication family-friendly colorful six-foot geckos
Industry Training....7 to the Arts in the School District of Manatee crawling up and down sides of buildings
County. throughout downtown Bradenton.
Teach! Strategies Left: This colorful gecko lives on the side of the District’s School Support Center on Manatee Avenue.
and Resources.……9 Right: Artwork created by David Leppek’s students incorporate geckos.
Holiday Giving Tree.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Teacher’s Wishing
Well . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Leadership Prayer
Breakfast. . . . . . . .18
Happy New Year to You and Yours!
“ Who dares to teach must
”
never cease to learn.
John Cotton Dana
Prohibition of
Discrimination
No employee, student, applicant for admission or
applicant for employment, volunteer, vendor, or member
of the public, shall, on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, disability, marital status, age, religion, or any
other basis prohibited by law, be excluded from participa-
tion in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to
discrimination or harassment under any educational
programs, activities, services, or in any employment
conditions, policies or practices conducted by the
Manatee County Public School System.
Any employee, student, applicant for admissions, or
applicant for employment, volunteer, vendor, or member
of the public who believes he/she has been discriminated
against or has been harassed by an employee, student,
or other third party who is subject to control of the School
Board, is encouraged to use the appropriate grievance
procedures set forth in this policy. Please forward
complaints to:
Rebecca Wells, Director
Human Resources
Inspiring our students to learn, dream and achieve.
The monthly Manatee Educator is produced by Community The inclusion of any advertisement in this
& Press Relations to keep School District of Manatee publication does not constitute an endorsement
County employees informed about the people, events, and of any of the advertisers or their services by the
achievements within our school system. Contributions may
School Board of Manatee County.
be sent to Deb Gambino at gambinod@manateeschools.net.
Page 2 www.ManateeSchools.net Page 2
WE BELIEVE IN MANATEE
January 2010
I hope you had a wonderful holiday break and that during your time off you found a chance to
relax and spend some special time with family and friends. Now that we are back to work, let us
move forward with focus and a real sense of energy and enthusiasm.
I thought the Inservice Day we held on January 4th was a great way to kickoff the second half of the school year. Many of
you had the opportunity to view the video put together by students in the Television Production program at Southeast High.
Other members of the district will have a chance to view this video at a later time. I encourage everyone to watch it because
the students at Southeast did a wonderful job of highlighting specific programs and projects taking place in district schools
that demonstrate our EdVantage Strategic Objectives.
Speaking of our Strategic Objectives – which can quickly be identified as Enthusiasm for Learning, Goal Setting,
Democratic Processes and Global Outreach – I would like to bring to your attention two other initiatives taking place in
our district that tie nicely into these objectives.
The first involves a Legislative Town Hall Meeting scheduled to take place in the Braden River High School auditorium at
7 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2010. Initiated by our EdVantage Mandates Committee, this Town Hall Meeting is
designed to help educate students, parents, employees and our community about exactly how the state legislative process
actually works. In addition, special speakers will discuss hot-button issues such as oil drilling, gambling, class-size require-
ments and other vital concerns. Finally, attendees will learn how each of us can get involved and influence issues that are
important to us.
I want to encourage each of you to not only attend this Town Hall Meeting, but to urge your students and coworkers to
attend. The best way to teach our children and students to get involved in the democratic process is for us to get involved.
This Town Hall Meeting is a great way to demonstrate that each of us can have a voice in our democracy.
The second item I wanted to mention is our new ePIE program put into place by the Business Partnership efforts of our
Community and Press Relations office. A cooperative effort between the School District and the Manatee Chamber of
Commerce, ePIE allows businesses and organizations to go online to find schools to partner with; an important improve-
ment that removes manually intensive paper processes used in the past. To direct someone to ePIE, tell them to look for the
ePIE icon located on the homepage of our district website at www.manateeschools.net
During these difficult economic times, engaging in this type of global outreach with area businesses is a win-win situation
for our schools and our community.
Again, welcome back and have a great second half of the school year.
Tim McGonegal
Superintendent
Manatee County Schools
Page 3 www.ManateeSchools.net Page 3
Page 4 Page 4
Your Community Credit Union
Tropicana Federal is also YOUR Business Partner!
T ropicana Federal has aligned their business
partnership with many of the district’s stra-
tegic objectives. Together we are making a difference
School Supply Survival Kits (Democratic
Process - Seek to Serve and identify commu-
nity needs)
through Enthusiasm for Learning, Goal Setting, De- This partnership deserves to be recognized and
mocratic Processes and Global Outreach. celebrated for the diverse impact it has on our
Below are the programs Tropicana Federal has students, staff, families and community. Tropicana
committed to partnering with us for 2009-2010. Federal is available to expand their partnership to
Migrant Angel Tree - Adopt 30 students for individual schools. For information, contact Suanne
Christmas (Global Outreach - Embrace & White at Tropicana Federal swhite@tropicanacu.com
promote cultural diversity) or by phone 748-7704. You may also contact Dawn
High School Theatre Festival (Enthusiasm Lengel, Coordinator of Community Involvement at
for Learning - Encourage others to learn) lengeld@manateeschools.net or 708-8770 ext. 2048.
Let’s B Safe (Global Outreach - Understand
Global begins in our community)
Lunch N Learn for district employees (Goal
Setting - Inspire others to set goals &
overcome barriers)
1 0 6 . 5 C T Q T e a c h e r o f t h e M o n t h
(Enthusiasm for Learning - Use technology
as a tool )
Exemplary Academy Education Comes to Manatee
D r. Valerie Jones, Assistant
Principal at Palmetto High
School, recently received an award by
There is not an aspect of academy
life that Dr. Jones has not touched. She
is that person who listens without
the National Career Academy Coali- judgment yet always has something to
tion (NCAC) in Philadelphia. offer to make a situation work better.
Dr. Jones received an award for Her experience and leadership allows
“Exemplary Academy Educator” for us to anticipate issues before they be-
the 09-10 school year. Her guidance, come issues and allows teachers to
tenacious support, vision and the teach and work together to make our
dream of an “all academy” high school curriculum relevant and dynamic.
came to fruition in Manatee County.
Page 5 www.ManateeSchools.net Page 5
Manatee Education Foundation Supports
Classroom Grants
O n November 27, 2009, Mary
Glass, Director of the Manatee
Education Foundation, was a guest on the
Gail Shane Live Radio Show on WTMY
1280 AM, sponsored by Neal
Communities. Keller Williams Realty
was the featured guest and the topic of
discussion was how “Price is King”
currently in real estate. The Foundation
was the featured charity of Sunday’s
show. Starting in January 2010, a portion
of each closing by the Cegnar Team of
Keller Williams will be donated to the
Manatee Education Foundation to fund
classroom grants.
For more information, please contact Participation Pays Off
Angie Cegnar at (941) 266-3872 or
C
flproperties@tampabay.rr.com.
ongratulations to Marlene Frick, ESE teacher at
Braden River Middle School and winner of the
Smoky Mountain Cabin Vacation at the Cabins at
Twinbrooks in Maggie Valley, North Carolina! The Manatee
Education Foundation has been running a promotion at all of
the schools in Manatee County to promote and increase
teacher participation in the Payroll Deduction Partner
program. The Payroll Deduction Partner dollars benefit the
Ca$h for Cla$$room Grant program. All district employees
are asked to give just $1 per pay period to MEF to raise a
total of $120,000 per year for the classroom grants. Another
6-day, 5-night vacation will be awarded by random drawing
of all payroll deduction partners in February 2010. So, hurry
up and get those enrollment forms to the MEF office today!
Forms can be found at www.manateeeducationfoundation.org
under the Serving Teachers button.
Mary Glass promotes classroom grants with
the Manatee Education Foundation.
Page 6 www.ManateeSchools.net Page 6
Teachers Trade Saturdays
for Industry Training
A lmost 35 CAD and engineering teachers from the
secondary and postsecondary level from around
the state traveled to Braden River High School in Manatee
Virtual wind tunnels;
Integrating Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and
Premiere with Solidworks;
County for three consecutive Saturdays to learn how to use P o d c a s t i n g a n d m o v i e p r o d u c t i o n f o r
the SolidWorks 3D solid modeling CAD system. These transportation modeling;
teachers spent time learning to use advanced tools and Technology Student Association (TSA)-specific
processes that help their students gain industry certifica- dragsters: drawing, production, and dimensioning;
tions in cutting-edge technology. Teachers are mastering: CNC milling of Solidworks-designed products
Assemblies, mates, variable fillets, spline tools, including dragsters.
and mass properties; Hats off to these dedicated and hardworking teachers
Design-to-CNC principals; who are committed to lifelong learning so that they can
Rendering and animating; equip students with 21st century skills.
Computational fluid dynamics;
CAD and Engineering teachers learn 21st Century Skills
Farm Bureau Supports Agriscience Programs and Teachers
At the High School Level...
dent, were on hand to present the checks. Each
H igh school agriculture teachers
were presented a check in the
amount of $500 from the Manatee
teacher brought with them a summary of what
they plan to use the funding on for the 2009–10
school year. Teachers spoke of using the fund-
Farm Bureau this year. Mr. Ray- ing to help with FFA conference registrations,
mond Lee, Executive Director, the purchase of FFA jackets for their Chapters
and Mr. Ralph Garrison, Presi- and the purchase of a scale used in their
Page 7 www.ManateeSchools.net Page 7
(Continued from page 7)
programs to weigh animals. The financial support
provided by the Manatee Farm Bureau speaks
volumes related to community support of this very
thriving curricular area. Agriculture is one of the
strongest Career and Technical Education area
provided to the students of Manatee County.
At the Middle School Level...
I
Left to right: Trish Litton, Ralph Garrison, Sheryl
n January 2010, all four middle school
Wingard, Vanessa Giammanco, Julie Tillett, Deb
Agriscience teachers received a check in the Barry, and Raymond Lee.
amount of $150 from the Manatee County Farm
Bureau. Mr. Raymond Lee, Executive Director and
Mr. Ralph Garrison, Farm Bureau President will
present checks to Greg Egan, Buffalo Creek Middle
School; Karen Ciemniecki, Haile Middle School; Kim
Lough, Li ncoln Middle School; and Stefani
Heidenthal, Nolan Middle School. For many years the
high school Agriscience teachers received financial
support from the Farm Bureau, and this year it was
decided to extend additional support at the middle
school level. Teachers will present information on
how they intend to use the funding in support of their
programs.
The school district is very grateful to the Farm
Bureau for their continued support of Agriscience
programs here in Manatee County. Each middle and
high school Agriscience FFA Chapter receives
additional funding at the year-end banquets from Farm Middle school agriscience teachers. Top L-R: Greg
Bureau. The ACT Department is extremely fortunate Egan and Karen Ciemniecki. Bottom L-R: Kim
to have an active and supportive Farm Bureau working Lough and Stefani Heidenthal.
closely with our school district.
Education is not the filling of a
pail, but the lighting of a fire.
William Butler Yeats
Page 8 www.ManateeSchools.net Page 8
Curriculum News
Teach! Strategies and Resources:
Four-Corners Debate
T each! Strategies and Resources (TSR) includes
a compilation of current thinking on the best
practices and research in a wide range of topics with
lesson or a unit, because it is a way of having students
evaluate what they have learned.
Further information regarding the TSR and other
which every teacher is concerned. It offers familiar Manatee Core Curriculum (MCC) materials can be
theories and approaches, as well as new ideas and twists found by visiting the Curriculum Team website at
on putting them into practice. www.manatee.k12.fl.us/curriculum/index.htm. If you are
The TSR is an excellent resource to use during the asked to provide a password, use the term EdVantage
unit and lesson planning process and can open up (case sensitive).
dialogue between educators on how to apply some of If you have any MCC questions, please contact a
these ideas within their department or school. The member of the Curriculum Team at 751-6550.
majority of what is in the binder is applicable to all
teachers, and it can help create a common instructional Linda Guilfoyle: Director of Curriculum, ext. 2100
vocabulary across disciplines. Lindy Carlson: HS Reading and Language Arts, ext.
As teachers, we want our students to be able to face 2106
their journey with anticipation and excitement. The ideas Judy Griffin: Science, Physical Education & Health,
and materials in this binder will help you in that cause. ext. 2103
When students walk into your classroom, instead of Moira Hendricks: MS Reading and Language Arts,
saying, “What now?” they will be inspired to ask, ext. 2105
“What’s next?” Joe McNaughton: Mathematics, ext. 2110
One way of accomplishing this is to engage students Eric Silenzi: MCC Implementation Coordinator, ext.
in a Four-Corners Debate, (TSR, pp.259-261). A four- 2102
corners debate is a technique that has students classify Elizabeth Smith: Social Studies, Foreign Language
their point of view on a controversial statement along a & Character Ed., ext. 2113
continuum from strongly agree to strongly disagree.
After group discussion, students reflect, reconsider their
point of view, reclassify their point of view, and
construct arguments supporting it.
It can be used as an opening activity or as the
starting point for a class discussion. It can also follow a
reading selection or direct instruction as an informal
assessment of students’ comprehension of the material.
A four-corners debate can also provide closure after a
Page 9 www.ManateeSchools.net Page 9
Paw Prints of Pride
O range Ridge-Bullock Elementary School
has initiated a new fundraiser this school
year: the Panther Pride Walk. The fundraiser is the
brainchild of Donna and Ron Gray. Families and stu-
dents are encouraged to buy a Panther paw print with
their name on it, and the paw prints are then painted
on the walkways and sidewalks of the school. The
fundraiser is sponsored by WBRC Architects of Lake-
wood Ranch and Bradenton’s Sherwin Williams Paint
Store. Almost one hundred paw prints have been pur-
chased this year. Paw Prints were painted by Mr. Wolf
Roggenbuck and Mr. Dupouy with help from Ron
Gray, Donna Gray, Josh Gray, and Doug Whitney.
Go Panthers!
Donna King Transitions Multi-Cultural Celebration
to Duette Education Kicks Off the Holidays
Foundation
O range Ridge-Bullock Elementary School
celebrated its first annual Multi-Cultural
D onna King, a teacher from Duette
Elementary School, officially retired from
the Manatee County School District on December
Celebration on Friday, December 11th. Every grade
level team sponsored a country and created a display
for the entire school to view. Mrs. Lenora Parfrey was
18th. Duette will not be losing Donna's talents, the teacher who sponsored the celebration. Students
however, as she will continue to teach under the new were given an Orange Ridge-Bullock passport; every
Duette Education Foundation. The School Board time a student visited a country, they had their passport
recently entered into a contract with the Board of stamped for entry. The passports included a photo of
Duette Education every student. This school-wide celebration addressed
Foundation to continue the Edvantage core belief that all people have value
operations. and can add value. The celebration day was culminated
Congratulations to by a world-wide holiday
Donna! music performance directed
by Mrs. Elizabeth Kimbrell.
This event was a great way
Donna King with Gerald
to start the holiday season,
Groover, President of the and a good time was had by
Duette Education all.
Foundation.
Page 10 Page 10
www.ManateeSchools.net
The Holiday Giving Tree: Generosity Generates Joy
F or more than ten years, the
staff in the ESOL/Migrant
Department has placed a Holiday
cannot provide any extras this year.
Without the generosity of those
within and outside of the School
Manatee County took 25 names and
delivered beautifully wrapped gifts
from its members. Employees at
Giving Tree in the second floor Support Center, these children Tropicana Federal Credit Union
hallway at the School Support would do without during the holiday took 30 names, and Johns Eastern
Center. The tree is decorated with season, but thanks to many generous Company adopted 20 students.
ornaments bearing the names of individuals, 180 children had a hap- Bealls donated hundreds of new
students in our schools who have a pier holiday. Employees of the toys! Also, the Church Women
wish for the holidays. These wishes SDMC provided over 100 gifts; in United of Bradenton, the Church
are from children whose families addition, the Junior League of Women of the United Methodist
Church, and students in the Spanish
Clubs at Southeast High School and
Manatee High School donated gifts
and school supplies for our neediest
children. All of these gifts were
delivered by the ESOL/Migrant
Home School Liaisons to the
children’s homes where they were
hidden away until that special
morning.
All of us in the ESOL/Migrant
Department truly want to thank
everyone for making this a real
community affair. We all had a
happier holiday knowing that these
children woke up to wonderful gifts
that helped them believe that wishes
can come true. Thanks to all of you
for your help and generosity!
A teacher affects eternity;
he can never tell where
his influence stops.
Henry Brooks Adams
Page 11 Page 11
www.ManateeSchools.net
MTI Instructor Gains National COMMUNITY & PRESS RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Recognition
Communication is the key to success…
P adraic (Paddy) McCarthy, major appliance repair
W
instructor at Manatee Technical Institute, is e would like to
among a very select group of major appliance service tech-
welcome Deborah
nicians in the United States to be certified as a Certified
G am bi n o t o our t e a m t o
Appliance Professional with a Master Technician rating.
support us in our daily endeav-
To achieve this status, McCarthy has taken and passed
eight different comprehensive examinations that measure ors. The department is a vital
the individual’s skills in consumer relations, diagnostic and vibrant informational link
techniques and repair ability for all types of domestic ma- between the school system and
jor appliances. area residents by working with
The Master Technician rating is the highest available local, regional and national
level of recognition for technical expertise given by the media.
major home appliance industry. Certification is strictly Deborah is the primary contact for The Manatee
voluntary, and only those who possess extraordinary skills Educator. If you have any information you would like to
in the field of appliance repair attempt the rigorous testing
communicate, please contact her at:
procedure. Congratulations, Paddy!
gambinod@manateeschools.net or (941) 708-8770 ext.
The Professional Service Association (PSA) is a not-
2045. Welcome, Deb!
for-profit national trade association representing independ-
ent appliance and electronic service centers.
Go
Canes!
School District employees gathered to show their support
to the MHS Hurricanes on Friday, December 18th as they
headed to the State 5-A Football finals. We are proud!
Page 12 Page 12
www.ManateeSchools.net
Employee Benefit News
New Prescription Benefit—Walgreens Retail 90 Program
Beginning January 1, 2010, employees and dependents on the District’s health insurance plan now have two conven-
ient choices for filling 90-day maintenance medication prescriptions—through Walgreens Mail Order, or now at more
than 7,000 Walgreens community pharmacies—both at the same co-pay (meaning members receive a three-month
supply for the price of a two-month supply at a retail pharmacy). A maintenance medication is a prescription that is
used long-term to treat or control chronic conditions (i.e., high blood pressure or diabetes). To take advantage of the
Walgreens Retail 90 Program, a new 90-day prescription will be required. Remember that maintenance medications
must be ordered in a 90-day supply from either the Walgreens Retail 90 Program (and filled at a local Walgreens
pharmacy) or Walgreens Mail Order Program. Other medications can be filled at any participating pharmacy.
Employee Assistance Program Available January 1
Any of us can experience personal problems that might affect us on or off the job. Stress, conflicts, family worries,
financial/legal issues and balancing work and home life are some examples. The School District of Manatee County
would like to announce an exciting new benefit available to you and your family members January 1, 2010, and
encourage you to take advantage of these Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services.
Corporate Care Works, Inc. (CCW), our provider, helps employees solve challenges in a confidential manner and
here’s how it works:
It’s FREE- Access to licensed counselors for EAP assessment, short-term problem resolution, and/or linkage to
community resources is all included. You have up to 8 (eight) sessions per issue to talk to a counselor at no cost.
It’s CONFIDENTIAL – The services are delivered within legal parameters for counseling services. The participating
employer receives a “statistics only” report unless information is disclosed to a counselor that is either safety-sensitive
or involves suspected child or elder abuse and reporting laws apply.
It’s VOLUNTARY – It’s your choice to utilize our EAP services.
It’s PROFESSIONAL – Licensed counselors are available 24 hours a day.
We hope that you will choose to avail yourself of these valuable services should you or a family member have a need.
Contact Corporate Care Works at 1-800-327-9757, or www.corporatecareworks.com
Important Benefit Change
Beginning in 2010, there is an important change in the colonoscopy benefit for members with BlueCross BlueShield
of Florida (BCBSFL) insurance coverage. On all three insurance plans offered, preventive screenings after the age of
fifty (50) will be covered 100%. Preventive means that it is a routine screening and no abnormalities are found. All
other screenings are considered diagnostic and a $100 co-pay will apply. This will be the maximum cost for all
colonoscopy services including the facility, doctor, and anesthesia charges.
(Continued on page 14)
Stay Healthy! Let 2010 be the year we eat right and get moderate exercise. We can do it!
Page 13 Page 13
www.ManateeSchools.net
H1N1 Flu Vaccine Coverage
Employees and dependents on the District’s health insurance plan will be able to receive the H1N1 vaccine free of
charge throughout this school year. If the vaccine is administered at an in-network provider, the member should not be
charged anything at the point of service. If the vaccination is administered by an out-of-network provider, the member
may have to pay a fee at the point of service, but then can submit a claim form to be reimbursed. Claim forms can be
found by clicking the Employee Benefits icon on the District’s intranet home page.
Page 14 Page 14
www.ManateeSchools.net
Open House Plea
se
dona conside
February 6th and ting r
Teac to th
e
March 6th Wish her’s
ing W
7 a.m. to 10 a.m. ell!
Thank you to everyone who participated
in the TWW Silent Auction. 100% of the
proceeds will be used to purchase new
supplies for the Open Houses.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED YEAR ROUND
at the following drop-off locations:
School Support Center, 215 Manatee Avenue West, 2nd Floor
Professional Support Center, 2501 63rd Avenue East, Lobby
of Bradenton Police, 100 10th Street West, Lobby
City
Bright House Networks, 5413 State Road 64, Lobby
Page 15 Page 15
www.ManateeSchools.net
Innovative New ePIE System Makes Becoming a
Business Partner “Easy as PIE”
C reating a business partnership with a school in
Manatee County has never been easier thanks
to the development of an innovative and convenient web
development company. ePIE is unique as it’s not a
website but rather a web-based application.
“We understand the need for the school district to
-based application known as ePIE—where PIE stands connect with the local business community, and that’s
for Partners in Education. why we were honored to be a part of this important
The new application is available to all businesses in initiative,” said Troy Newport, Business Development
Manatee County and encompasses every school in the Director for Webtivity Design Solutions.
District. The program was “The School District and the
launched at Palma Sola Manatee Chamber of Com-
Elementary School during merce teamed up to create the
American Education Week in original Business-Education
November, in conjunction partnership program almost
with Career Day for the 20 years ago,” said Jacki
students. Business Partners Dezelski, Vice President of
were recognized during the the Manatee Chamber. “With
morning festivities and were more than 300 partnerships
then escorted to the school’s computer lab where they flourishing locally, our students and community reap the
were formally introduced to ePIE. benefits of an involved, committed business community.
“The beauty of ePIE is that it eliminates time- ePIE is the next step and will bring the partnership
consuming paperwork and allows businesses and program into the digital world.”
organizations the ability to register as a business partner ePIE can be accessed on the home page of the
by simply clicking on an ePIE icon on the school district’s website, www.manateeschools.net. To have
district’s website,” said Dawn Lengel, Business Partner your school’s needs posted to this site please contact
Coordinator for the District. “Once a business or your school’s business partner coordinator. For
organization is registered, ePIE helps them initiate additional information, contact Dawn Lengel, 708-8770
partnerships that enhance student learning and promote x2048 or lengeld@manateeschools.net.
school involvement in the community. Through
successful Partnerships in Education, schools and
businesses are able to develop unique methods of
accomplishing educational goals that would not be
possible otherwise, especially in these trying economic
times.”
The development of ePIE was a collaborative effort
involving the Manatee County School District’s Office
of Community and Press Relations, the Manatee
Chamber of Commerce, and Webtivity Design
Solutions, a Bradenton-based website design and
Page 16 Page 16
www.ManateeSchools.net
Manatee Technical Institute News
MTI Earns CAAHEP Accreditation
M anatee Technical Institute’s Surgical
Technology program has earned initial
accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of
the largest programmatic accrediting agency in the
health sciences field.
Surgical Technology joins the long list of MTI
Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The programs that offer students the opportunity to earn
accreditation will allow adult students the opportunity national industry-recognized certifications. The
to earn a national industry-recognized credential. 13-month program prepares students for employment
According to CAAHEP president M. LaCheeta as surgical technologists. For more information on the
McPherson, PhD, “The recent peer review conducted MTI program, contact assistant director Dr. Priscilla
by the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Haflich, at (941)752-8100, ext. 222, or
Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/ haflichp@manateeschools.net.
STSA) and CAAHEP’s Board of Directors recognizes
the program’s substantial compliance with the nation- The mission of Manatee Technical Institute is to
ally established accreditation Standards.” meet and exceed our community’s training and educa-
The accreditation standards are established by tional expectations. MTI is a 2007 Tampa Bay Business
CAAHEP and the American College of Surgeons and of the Year and has won more SkillsUSA medals than
the Association of Surgical Technologists. CAAHEP is any other school in the nation for the past six years.
Nancie Yonker's
massage therapy
students from Manatee
Technical Institute pro-
vided complimentary
massages to District
employees who
attended the Women's
Wellness event at
Manatee Memorial
Hospital on December
12, 2009. Ed-Vantage
Objective: Each student
will engage in global
outreach.
Page 17 Page 17
www.ManateeSchools.net
Legendary Bobby Bowden, Keynote
Speaker for Leadership Prayer Breakfast
T he legendary former head foot-
ball coach for Florida State Uni-
versity, Bobby Bowden, will be the
create common ground in building strong communities.
Coach Bowden will inspire the audience on
Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. at the Braden-
keynote speaker at the third annual ton Auditorium, Bradenton, FL. The Leadership Prayer
Leadership Prayer Breakfast to benefit Breakfast includes many local dignitaries, business and
Take Stock in Children of Manatee religious leaders, educational and community leaders
County. Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and provides an opportunity to support local students.
who leads the ten-county Diocese of
Venice will be a special guest at the event, and will join Take Stock in Children (TSIC) is a college
other local and regional religious leaders in offering scholarship and mentor program for low-income, at-risk
prayers and blessings. students. Students are accepted as early as the sixth
The Florida State coach is the second winningest grade through an application process. Once the student
coach in the history of major college football. Bobby is selected, the student along with their parent or guard-
Bowden, one of the icons of college football, is second ian, sign a performance contract committing to good
among active coaches for winning percentage in bowl grades and behavior, remaining drug free and crime
games, second for all-time bowl wins and second for free, and most importantly, to meet with a mentor for
bowl app earances. Bowden’s list of c oaching thirty minutes per week, every week during the school
accomplishments is remarkable and is headlined by his year, on the school campus. Upon graduation, as long as
induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, having the student has maintained their agreement, they receive
produced over 150 former FSU players to be drafted by a 4 year college scholarship. The Take Stock in Children
the NFL. program has a 96% success rate, of keeping students in
Couch Bowden spoke twenty years ago at the school, receiving their diploma, attending college and
first Manatee County Prayer breakfast to a sold-out entering the workforce.
crowd at the civic center, sponsored by the Bradenton
Kiwanis. The Leadership Prayer Breakfast is mirrored CONTACT:
after the National Prayer Breakfast held in Washington, Diana Dill, TSIC Program Director (941) 751-7012 ext.
D.C. since 1953. Every U.S. president since Dwight D. 2047 or DianaDill@manateeschools.net
Eisenhower has participated in the breakfast, which Alex Chavez, Leadership Prayer Breakfast Chairman
brings leaders together to develop relationships and (941) 737-1447
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A Word From Project HEART
Maintenance and Operations
M y name is Veronica Bazan, and I am writing to inform
you that I am a new employee of Project HEART Department Sponsors
(High Expectations for At-Risk Teens) at the Harllee Full Service Family in Need
Family Center. As a member of Project HEART, I am delighted
T
to serve as a Home School Liaison resource for you and your his Christmas, our Maintenance &
students. I am bilingual (English/Spanish) and have extensive
Operations Department decided to
experience in communicating with youths and their families. I
can be reached at 941-753-0958 ext. 204 or by email at adopt one of our district’s homeless families
bazanv@fc.manatee.k12.fl.us. from Project Heart. Even with huge budget
Students who live in shelters, motels, or campgrounds, who cuts, reduction in pay, and the downward fall
are awaiting placement in foster care, or who are "doubled-up" of the economy, our Maintenance & Opera-
are eligible for Project HEART services, including students who tions Department dug deep into their pockets
are homeless and not in the care and custody of a parent or a to help a family have a nice Christmas.
court appointed guardian (unaccompanied youth). Project
The family had an 8-year-old boy, a
HEART assists with initial school enrollment, transportation to
remain in the school of origin, provides school supplies, school 12-year-old girl, and a mother. We collected a
uniforms and school related expenses, emergency food packages, box of food for their Christmas dinner and a
helps with educational and career planning, gives access to few other meals as well as gift cards to a
medical services, and provides referrals to community agencies. grocery store & Wal-Mart. For the mother we
Given the recent economic hardship, it is important for obtained some toiletry items. The boy
students to have an opportunity to fully participate in school
received a Didj game, Bakugan toys, Tech
regardless of their living situation. A homeless situation can
burden the student by causing difficulties in getting to school
Decks, and blanket; the girl received two
and/or doing their best in their classrooms, which can in turn lead purses, bath gels, a blanket, clothes, CDs, and
to excessive absences and low grades, credits or GPAs. a few other items.
To address this crisis and not leave any child behind, I will To top it off, one of our employees got
need your assistance in identifying students in homeless their address and delivered a turkey to their
situations. I will primarily be working with the middle and high aunt's house (their present home for now) on
school students, identifying and attempting to meet their needs,
Christmas morning so they could have a nice
monitoring their academic performance, and making sure they
stay on track. This will assist the student in overcoming barriers hot meal! Despite of all the financial issues
they may be facing that prevent them from doing well in school. and stresses we are all facing at work, it’s
Feel free to call or email me if you suspect that a student great to see people pull together and help out
may be eligible for Project HEART. If you are interested in those who are less fortunate.
having me meet with a particular student that meets our criteria at
your school, contact me to schedule a time that would be
convenient for all of us.
I look forward to talking with you and providing any
assistance that can aid our efforts in the successful educational
outcome of each student.
Sincerely,
Veronica Bazan
Home School Liaison, Project Heart
Harllee Full Service Family Center
6413 9th Street East
Bradenton, Florida 34203
(941) 753-0958 Ext. 204
Fax (941) 753-0996
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WELCOME TO THE MONTHLY GRANT OPPORTUNITIES UPDATE
Here are a few upcoming opportunities, free resources, and award programs. If your school is writing grants, please
make sure that the Grant Application Form is completed and sent back. It is critical to know what everyone is doing so
that we can build upon existing grant opportunities, and learn about successful programs and grant applications. Thank
you for all that you are doing for our students!
– Melissa Schwab, Grant Resource Specialist, ph: 708-8770 ext. 2226
Calvin: You can't just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood. Hobbes:
What mood is that?
Calvin: Last-minute panic.
EDUCATION~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE LITERACY EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION (LEF)/MATCHING BOOK GRANT PROGRAM
Purpose: Matching grants available for guided and independent reading collections.
Awards: Up to $40,000 worth of books for $20,000.
Deadline: March 31, 2010
Contact: http://www.lefbooks.org/matching_book_grants/
RGK FOUNDATION
Purpose: Funds K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), teacher development, and literacy. All applicants must
complete an electronic Letter of Inquiry from the Web site as the first step.
Awards: The average grant is $25,000 with only one Letter of Inquiry per organization in a twelve-month period.
Deadline: Rolling
Contact: http://www.rgkfoundation.org/
WILBOOKS
Purpose: Wilbooks has several programs for various free books.
Deadline: Rolling
Contact: http://www.wilbooks.com/freebooks/
TECHNOLOGY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DIGITAL WISH – ONGOING!! REGISTER TODAY!
Purpose: All teachers who submit a technology-based lesson plan on Digital Wish will be automatically entered to win as many as 43 tech-
nology grants! Awards: Products worth $300 -$1,000
Deadline: On-going
Contact: http://www.digitalwish.com (On the website, go to “Teachers Get Started”)
AWARDS~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
Purpose: To recognize outstanding math and science teachers working in grades K-6th. Nominees must: have at least a Bachelor's de-
gree from an accredited institution, be a full-time employee of the school/school district, teach at least 50% of the time, and have at least
5 years of full-time (K-12) teacher experience prior to the 2009-2010 academic school year. This is a one-time award. (Self-nominations are
encouraged!)
Award: Up to $10,000
Deadline: April 1, 2010
Contact: http://www.paemst.org/controllers/home.cfc?method=view Continued on following page
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GRANT OPPORTUNITIES, CONTINUED
BEST BUY @15 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM– February 15th deadline!
What: Scholarships for students in grades 9-12 who plan to enter a full-time undergraduate course of study upon high school
graduation.
Nominees must: have solid grades, a record of volunteer involvement, and/or have a work history. Students must be planning to
attend a college, university or technical school in the fall immediately following their high school graduation. Grants are a one-time
award.
How: Best Buy @15 Scholarship Program Scholarship applications are available only to “@15 members”. Become a member for
free on at15.com.
Award: 1,000 scholarships of $1,000
Deadline: February 1st to earn 1,500 bonus points! February 15th is the final deadline.
Contact: http://www.bestbuyinc.com/community_relations/scholarship.htm
GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA The Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award
Purpose: Reward the enterprising spirits of girls ages 12 to 18 who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship, are taking the first steps to-
ward financial independence, and make a difference in their schools and communities.
Nominees must: be a female student between the ages of 12 and 18 as of 12/31/09, a legal U.S. resident, enrolled in middle school or
high school, and nominated by an adult (parent, friend, counselor, teacher, etc.).
Award: $1,000 -$10,000, (15) awards. Funds to be used to further their entrepreneurial pursuits or save for college.
Deadline: February 26, 2010
Contact: http://www.guardianlife.com/womens_channel/girls_going_places/girls_going_places.html
ING UNSUNG HEROES® 2010 AWARDS
Purpose: Fund innovative class projects. All awards must be used to further the projects within the school or school system. Indirect
costs or administrative fees should not be paid or withheld from the grant award.
Award: Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 for their classroom initiative. Three of those winning educators are cho-
sen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000.
Deadline: April 30, 2010
Contact: http://www.ing-usa.com/us/stellent2/groups/dc/documents/companylobinformation/001143.pdf
Congratulations to Frank Brunner, Manatee High School; a winner of the 2009 ING Unsung Heroes Awards Program for the "Gamble Plantation
Historic Park Restoration Project".
FREE SOURCES~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FLORIDA AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM, INC.
What: Free classroom sets of the nutrition activity newspaper “Growing Up Healthy with Food from Florida” for students in 3rd through
5th grade. It teaches students about eating healthy with food grown in Florida.
Contact: http://www.flagintheclassroom.com/index.html
SMITHSONIAN EDUCATION LESSON PLANS
What: Free lesson plans in Art & Design, Science & Technology, History & Culture, and Language Arts.
Contact: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/
GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants/www.dollargeneral.com/ServingOthers/Pages/GrantPrograms.aspx
HP Global Social investment/http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/secondaryschools.html
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Page 23 Page 23
Thinking of retiring?
O ur annual retirement workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 24,
2010, at 4:30 p.m. The workshop will be held at Braden River High
School Auditorium.
If you are considering retiring or entering the Deferred Retirement Option Program
(DROP) in the near future, this workshop will be beneficial to you. The workshop will
include representatives from the Florida Retirement System, Social Security Administration,
Bencor, Risk Management, Manatee County Retired Educators Association and Human
Resources. All aspects of entering DROP and retiring will be discussed.
Please RSVP prior to January 18, 2010, if you plan to attend this workshop (feel free to
include a guest). You may RSVP to Robin Castle at 708-8540, extension 3022 or
castler@manateeschools.net.
Should you have any questions about the workshop or questions concerning your
retirement plans, please feel free to call Robin Castle at the number listed above, Chuck
Banks at 708-8540, extension 3039 or Lisa Montanye at 708-8540, extension 3059. We are
here to assist you in making an easy and stress-free transition into retirement.
HAPPY RETIREMENT!
IMPORTANT DATES
Town Hall Meeting &
January 28th
Legislative 101
2010 Heart & Soul Gala January 29th Strategic Objective
Each student will actively
2010 Leadership Prayer
February 4th engage in global outreach.
Breakfast
Teacher’s Wishing Well Open
February 6th
House, High School Theater
Retirement Workshop February 24th
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