www.putnamschools.org

PARENTPORTAL

A Year of Progress

DISCOVERY ED PHS Hosts Family Science Night

RAIDER’S DELEONFirst in County Art Show

Volume 3.4May 2012

page 2 May 2012

Townsend Addresses State Board

Putnam County School Superintendent Tom Townsend told the State Board of Education that Florida should pool the buying power of its 67 school districts to lower prices from vendors on resources critical to the growing state trend of online education.

Townsend was among state leaders asked to speak at the meeting on educational issues centered on virtual and blended learning.

“That’s a great suggestion,” State Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan told Townsend, making a note of it as he spoke to the board.

The meeting of the state board, which includes Florida Department of Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson, was held at Miami’s TERRA Environmental Research Institute, a magnet school incorporating hands-on learning,

scientific research projects and more.

Members of the school’s first graduating class of 2013, now juniors, led guests and speakers upstairs to the school library, where the board meeting was held. As the meeting began, TERRA Principal Carrie Montano introduced junior Paula Carozzo, who showed board members and others packing the library how a device strapped

to her left leg delivers a shock of electricity, stimulating nerves blocked by her Cerebral Palsy, allowing her foot to move and her to walk with more ease. She is using the medical device she wears as part of research she is conducting at the high school.

Townsend’s presentation to the board on Putnam County using technology to assess teacher performance, included discussion of Learning

Gains Index and the use of Interim Assessment Data for student growth and progress monitoring.

Other speakers included Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools

Alberto Carvalho and St. Petersburg College President Bill Law, all addressing the board on the narrowing gap between virtual classes and face-to-face instruction. As online learning expands, state schools and colleges face funding and infrastructure challenges.

Steve Wallace, President of Florida State College at Jacksonville, said online classes are growing at unprecedented rates, and, in some cases, learning online is necessary as the cost of college textbooks approach that of tuition on many campuses.

Townsend told the board that one of Putnam’s biggest challenges is buying resources from vendors whose prices are often higher and customer service poorer in rural districts. Board members resolved at the meeting’s end to form a task force that will look into suggestions including increasing the buying power of the state’s small school districts.

Deirdre Finn, Deputy Director for Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education, said Putnam and Miami-Dade are leading the state in implementing blended learning, which combines face-to-face and

virtual learning.

Jerry Thomas wants Putnam County students considering a welding career to know a job is right around the corner after graduation.At the Jacksonville Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 234, Thomas is Training Director of the Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust.He said a lot of welders in North Florida are retiring over the next few years and the free apprenticeship program is a great start for those fresh from welding programs in Putnam high schools.“They enter the program and they go to work for a contractor right off,” Thomas said. “There are going to be shortages. And the program pays for their education while they’re working.” First Coast Technical College also offers a welding program from which many Putnam students have graduated.Thomas was a judge at a February welding competition between Crescent City Jr./Sr. High School and Palatka High School that was hosted by the Panthers.Overall winners in the competition’s three divisions were: Melchor Delarosa, CCJSHS

(Advanced), Lazario Ortiz, CCJSHS (Intermediate) and Shatzie Szcygie, PHS (Beginner).Thomas and Palatka High School head welding instructor Sonny Brewer each said the day wasn’t about who finished first.“The kids are really just competing

against themselves,” Brewer said. Brewer said the welding profession is an avenue to a good life for ambitious kids who are not necessarily headed to college.“We’re still building this country,” Brewer said. “Name me something structural that doesn’t have a weld in it. Even a nuclear power facility, when they get it all down on a piece of paper they get a guy like me to put it together.”Corrie Carter, a senior welding student at PHS, said she likes

the competition that has helped place her among the district’s elite student welders.“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “And sometimes I just want to do it to show the guys up – show them that girls can do it better.”Former PHS welding instructor

Michael Lanzer came back to be a judge at the competition, in which students were scored on categories including the uniformity of the bead in a weld and following instructions.A welder entering the union program goes from apprenticeship status making $14.65 an hour to journeyman status, at which time he or she makes a better salary and has

the advantage of the program’s combined continuing education and real work experience, Thomas said.Lanzer is a graduate of the Local 234 apprenticeship program, which he strongly advocates for high school graduates. He was Brewer’s PHS welding instructor.“I taught him 20 years ago,” Lanzer said. “There are a lot of people we have who are out there making a living.”

May 2012 page 3

Welding Students Certification and Careers

Mimi TammyCoach

page 4 May 2012

MiMi Ho State WeigHt Lifting CHaMpion!

The strongest girl at Palatka High School often gets lost among taller heads and shoulders in the school’s hallways.A 17-year-old senior, Mimi Ho won her second straight state weightlifting championship Feb. 11 at the FHSAA State Girls Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee, breaking two state records in her 101-pound weight class. When she brought the Kissimmee Civic Center crowd to its feet that day by benching a state-record 170 pounds, Ho weighed 97.4 pounds. The bench press broke her own state record of 160 pounds set last year in the 101-pound class.She got another standing ovation

with her clean and jerk of 140 pounds, bringing her total lifted in the two events to 310 pounds – another state record.The 310 pounds bested her closest opponent by 50 pounds and

would have been good enough to finish first in the 110 pound and 119 pound weight classes.Despite the eye-popping numbers, Mimi said she doesn’t think anything inherent helps her to elite status. “I think anyone could do it if they were really determined to,” she said during second-period duties as a runner for the dean’s office.During the Panther’s weightlifting season, which runs from the start of December to mid-February, Mimi practices at the school under Weightlifting Coach Bobby Humphries. At season’s end, she starts lifting at local gym, USA Fitness. “You have to train year round,” Mimi said. “If you start lifting weights when we start, you’re already behind.”Mimi has lifted all four years as a Panther. She said she didn’t exercise much before starting weightlifting as a freshman. “When I started it, I didn’t really like it that much

because it made me so sore I couldn’t do anything in general,” Mimi said. “But I went to the first meet and I got excited about it.”After graduating this summer, Mimi and her cousin and fellow Panther weightlifter Tammy Phan will leave for college in Orlando, where the two girls will room together. “She’s really nice and generous,” Tammy said of Mimi. “She’s helped me a lot in weightlifting.”The girls will get their AA degrees at Valencia Community College, then pursue majors, but Mimi said she won’t be setting any more weightlifting records.“I’ll still work out, but I’m not going to compete in weightlifting anymore,” Mimi said. The championship medals on her bedroom wall will go with her to Orlando, she said.She said she isn’t worried about losing some of the strength it takes tireless work to achieve.“It took me four years to work up to it,” she said. “I was getting strong really fast, but from my junior to senior year it slowed down.”Humphries said Mimi will be hard to replace at PHS. He was one of those on his feet at the state meet as Mimi dominated her weight class.“I was excited, very excited,” Humphries said. Humphries said Mimi’s elite strength is part hard work and part nature.“Her situation would be like being seven-feet tall and you are the only one who can dunk a basketball,” he said. “And if you’re four-feet tall, you still have to play with her. She works extremely hard, but she’s talented. Combined with the work – that’s what makes it.”

May 2012 page 5

A Year of ProgressFourteen months ago, creating an interactive online portal allowing parents a virtual ticket into their children’s classroom was a vision of the Putnam County School District.Today, Parent Portal provides that ticket to more than 3,000 parents and guardians of about 4,300 local students. Parents now view their children’s grades, attendance and assignments online – in real time.“Updating our information system for the first time since 1984 and including the Parent Portal was an important catalyst to inspiring more direct parent involvement in the classroom,” PCSD Superintendent Tom Townsend said. The new integrated information system, Skyward, was rolled out by the school district in January 2010, starting with employees who could access time off records and other information logging in through www.putnamschools.org.Then came Parent Portal, which to parents, often working two jobs with limited time to visit their child’s school, is an information system in itself.Among the thousands of parents (3,058 as of March 21) using Parent Portal is Palatka resident Lori Griffith, who has a child attending Palatka High School. “I think it’s a great tool,” she said. “I use it to check grades, attendance, missing assignments – not that she is missing any; but it keeps everybody in check. I use it every day and have had a great experience.”Adam Azula, a district implementation specialist who helped launch the Portal, said the constant accessibility of real-time data to parents is key.“The interactive calendar is one of the really cool features because it organizes assignments from teachers, parents can see its status and if the grade is posted, they can see that too.”

Azula said Palatka High School parents are leading the effort linking to Parent Portal. “Palatka High has about one-third of the logins,” Azula said.Since its launch, Parent Portal has been logged into more than 70,000 times.“To me, its importance centers around the 24/7 access,” Azula said. “People work different hours, different shifts. The mill (Georgia-Pacific) has three different shifts. The Parent Portal gives each of those people

access to details they’ve never had before, and they can access it 24 hours a day.”PCSD Technology Specialist Marsha Cruce, who has been a Putnam County teacher, parent and now a district Technology Specialist, was part of the team that launched Parent Portal, leading training sessions throughout the district and

creating online tutorials.“The Portal enables greater accountability

for everyone involved,” Cruce said. “That we have so many parents online, checking in

on the everyday business of their children’s classroom, is a very encouraging sign. Our

parents care as much as those in any district. And I think they needed Parent Portal to maximize their ability to get involved.”Parent Portal is part of an overall district strategy of empowering the community to take a larger role in local education.In the works is a Student Portal, which will enable kids to track their progress and compare it to other students – whose names and personal information will be encrypted – across the district.“We are so excited by the participation in the Parent Portal; but this is just the beginning,” Townsend said. “Everyone in this community has a tangible stake in the excellence of local education, and to see that realization grow is extremely encouraging.”

page 6 May 2012

“She is the greatest inspiration ever.”

That’s how Amber Hutcheson describes colleague Belinda Taylor, the Browning-Pearce fourth-grade teacher named the 2011-2012 Putnam County School District Teacher of the Year Feb. 9 at the district’s annual ceremony.

“She cares for these students as though they are her very own biological children.”

That’s how Allyson Paiges’ E.H. Miller School family described her in words read by PCSD Assistant Superintendent Mary Beth Hedstrom, master of ceremonies at the event. Paige is the new PCSD School-Related Employee of the Year.

The two women were honored with 46 other district employees nominated to represent their schools and departments.

Speaking for the district was PCSD Associate Superintendent Sam Foerster, filling in for an ill Superintendent Tom Townsend. Foerster said getting to know many of the people in the room has been an honor in three years of working for local schools. But, he said, some things about them still make him wonder. He told them he wonders how bus drivers and mechanics safely and with courtesy move about 6,000 kids a day – how

food service employees feed about 10,000 for $2.60 a day and how high school teachers with so much on their plates have Putnam kids graduating in record numbers.

“We’ve accomplished all of these things because of you, because of your commitment, your pride and your willingness to work hard,” Foerster told the award winners.

Teacher of the Year - Browning-Pearce Elementary

Belinda TaylorSchool Related Employee of the Year - E.H. Miller

Allyson Paige

May 2012 page 7

Florida Teacher of the Year Alvin Davis, one of four finalists for the national 2012 Macy’s Teacher of the Year award, spoke at the event, which was held at the Putnam County Commission complex.

“We chose the right profession,” Davis assured the crowd. “Be proud that we have chosen the path less traveled. The most important thing we can do is understand our strengths and weaknesses and how to get better.”

Gary Frost, Vice President at Georgia-Pacific spoke, recalling a teacher he said inspired him to reach for what might seem impossible in life. “That’s a gift you can’t get just anywhere,” Frost said.

Lucas Bennett, Putnam’s 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year, said even if he is never nominated for the honor again, it was a great year. “I can say that I was Teacher of the Year once and I’m blessed for that,” Bennett said.

The two new Putnam County award winners said they were shocked when their names were called.

Both women said the best part of their jobs and what drives them each day is the kids whose lives they touch, who in turn touch their hearts.

“Surprised and honored,” Paige described herself as feeling when her name was announced. Taylor was also emotional. “I’m still shaking,” she said.

Hutcheson said though they now teach different grades, she goes consistently to Taylor for advice and

input. “Any time I need anything, I go to her; she has non-stop ideas,” Hutcheson said. “She is the greatest inspiration ever.”

Only one man among the 20 teachers of the year was absent to hear the kind words spoken about him and his service to children – Interlachen High School’s

Teacher of the Year Neil Stephenson.

Stephenson, the longtime local educator, passed away the Saturday before Easter after a brave battle with cancer. A teacher to the end, Stephenson remained in his Science classroom until just before his death.

Blended LearningAt the April 3 meeting of the Putnam County School Board, Chairman C.L. Overturf Jr. read a letter from the Excellence in Education Foundation inviting PCSD Superintendent Tom Townsend and two team members to an upcoming tour of Northern California schools using blended learning.

Blended learning combines online instruction and face-to-face teaching, a model Deputy Foundation Director Deirdre Finn said at a recent State Board of Education meeting that Putnam and Miami-Dade are leading Florida school districts in implementing.

The Excellence in Education Foundation was founded and is currently chaired by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Finn was also Bush’s Deputy Chief of Staff during his time as Florida’s governor.

“Putnam County School District was selected because of its leadership in leveraging technology and data to improve student achievement,” Overturf read from the letter.

The Excellence in Education Foundation will pay all expenses for the Putnam delegation, including round-trip airfare, lodging, and incidentals including meals and parking.

“Our school district being recognized by the Foundation directly reflects our teachers embracing technology and continuing to do their best to improve the lives and futures of their students,” Putnam County School District Assistant Superintendent Mary Beth Hedstrom said.

e

Wpage 8 May 2012

Science for Putnam County Students

Family Hands-on science nigHt

With its eight science stations, “Mythbuster” questions and hands-on experiments, Putnam Schools Family Science Night made teachers into students and at least one student into a teacher.Alyssa Warren, a fourth-grader at Interlachen Elementary School, manned the “Separating Mixtures” station at the Feb. 23 event hosted at Palatka High School and organized by the school district and Discovery Education.“I like science; it’s my favorite subject,” said Alyssa as she moved from one side of her station to the other explaining the “what’s” and “why’s” of experiments.“It’s a good learning experience – hands-on,” said Jovan Dixon who attended with his wife Hope and their two children, Moseley Elementary student Mariah Dixon and Beasley Middle School student Darius Dixon.Karen Reddish, PCSD Science Director, told families that science curriculum in local schools integrates Discovery Education’s platform with other standards including Project Lead the Way, the hands-on science curriculum Putnam schools were the first in the country to implement last year.“We’ve been really pleased with it in the school district,” Reddish said of the synergy among curriculums. “We’re looking forward to another

year and the year after that because it just keeps getting better.”Brad Fountain, Director of Instruction and Implementation with Discovery Education, called out questions to audience members – asking them to guess whether discarded pet alligators thrive in New York City sewers (myth) and whether the weight of all the world’s ants is roughly equal to the weight of the entire human population (fact). Discovery Education had several representatives attending, including Erica White, Director of Implementation for the company’s “Techbook” used in the school district. Aidan Leonard, a second grader at Browning-Pearce Elementary School, said his favorite experiments were at Alyssa’s station.“I liked the sifting the best,” Leonard said. “It’s really cool that little girl was showing us about stuff.”Grace Bunch, a third-grader at Interlachen Elementary School, said she enjoys the Discovery Education being part of her everyday learning.“It was really fun having them here,” she said of the Discovery Ed team. “I actually go on the website at school a lot.”Reddish said opening local students’ minds to the wonders of science is her passion. “Our kids are smart kids, they’re already starting to ask

‘Why?’” Reddish said. “That’s when we’ve got them. When they start asking that simple question.”Reddish said she was pleased with the inaugural Family Science Night. “Just seeing their faces – the kids who jumped up and clapped – that’s exciting,” she said.Brushing the remnants of the night’s sifting experiments into her palm -- her first night of teaching science almost behind her – Alyssa said she learned from the experience. “I think it’s pretty cool,” Alyssa said of teaching. “I’m just trying to clean up a little bit of sand right now.”

May 2012 page 9

Levi Ayers, a second grader at Moseley Elementary School, shakes the hand of Putnam County School District Superintendent Tom Townsend as Levi is honored at the Feb. 21 PSCD School Board meeting.

Ayers, 7, found a $100 bill on the ground at the school and turned it in to the front office. The money had been dropped by a school custodian.

Moseley Principal Laura France spoke at the meeting, praising Levi for his honesty and for being a shining example to other students.

The local Wal-Mart gave Levi a gift card. After leaving the board room to a standing ovation, Levi said a moment of doubt hit his mind before turning the money in to the office.

“I thought for a second about keeping it,” he said, surrounded by family in the school board parking lot. “But I knew it wouldn’t be right.”

Moseley Elementary

Student Returns $100 to Office

The Jenkins Middle School Archery “A” team brought gold home to Putnam County, winning overall grand champion honors in Newberry.Team member Michael Cothron placed first overall among all middle school boys in the state as Jenkins swept the category with Clayton Faircloth finishing second and Joel Albritton third.Lauren Muskrove placed third among girls in the state competition. Jenkins sixth grader Clay McCool placed first in the boys elementary school division and Shane Brown finished third.Jenkins “B” team placed second in the state in the competition. Both teams are coached by Jenkins teacher Lucas Bennett and travel to Kentucky in May for National Archery Competitions.

Grand Champion Archers!

One Book One Putnam

page 10 May 2012

By Lameria CampBeLLWhen you ask someone who has made a huge impact in their life, the typical answer is usually someone famous. However, in my case, this is not true. The person who has impacted my life the most has been my roommate for 16 years. This young woman taught me through her actions how to be responsible, persevere, and excel in school. Some people call her Adrianna, others call her “Adri” but I call her, “my sister”.

To begin with, my sister’s impact on me began years ago. Adrianna is the eldest of six kids: five girls (two sets of twins), and one boy. My parents separated and divorced when I was young leaving my mom, now a single parent, to raise her six kids.

Adrianna stepped up to the plate, making it her business to assist my mother however she could. While my mom worked, Adrianna baby sat, cooked, and helped us with homework. I watched my sister care for us without complaint; I gained from her a sense of responsibility and the power of perseverance.

When I become discouraged, I remember how my sister supported my mother and handled so many duties at a young age and I am rejuvenated. It makes me believe I can achieve anything!

In addition to her strong will, my sister’s excellence in school inspired me. During her high school years, Adrianna participated in numerous clubs and extracurricular activities. One specific club she participated in that I really admired was the National Honor Society (NHS). As a result of my admiration, I worked hard to make sure I maintained a high GPA and when the opportunity came for me to fill out the application to join NHS, I didn’t hesitate one bit.

My sister served as Class President for three years. She was a great leader who always listened and did what she could to help her classmates if they had any concerns or issues. When I got into high school I took this opportunity to become a leader and ran for class President, a position I currently hold. My sister recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with several scholarship offers. When I saw how her hard work paid off, I started to intensify my study habits in order to excel just like I have. I will graduate with honors, and earn an even longer list of scholarship offers than my sister.

I have watched my sister grow and mature, I have gained from her the values and principles of responsibility, perseverance, and a spirit of excellence. I will never be able to repay her the debt that I owe for what she has taught me. I will do my best to make her as proud as she has made me. I remember my dad always saying, “Adrianna has already paved the road for you and the rest of your siblings.” My father was indeed correct, my sister paved the road for me; I will continue to travel it until I reach my final destination, SUCCESS!

By Harley Strickland By Eliodoro Ortiz

Deleon Wins Top Honor at All County Art ShowMargarita Deleon (right) stands with Brenda Atkins, Director of Plant Operations at Seminole Electric Cooperative, at the Feb. 25 All County Arts Show at the Larimer Arts Center. A first-year artist, Deleon placed first overall at the show sponsored each year by Seminole and featuring student artists throughout the county.

Putnam County School Superintendent Tom Townsend, Beasley student Jasmine Miller and Beasley student Malaysia Crooms (right) at the All County Arts Show. Miller won a first-place ribbon and Crooms a second place finish at the show held each year at Larimer. Miller and Crooms study pottery under Darcy Phillips in PCSD’s after school program.The second place entry (far right with ribbon) is by Interlachen High School freshman Saharra Richards.

Deleon is a senior and a student of Esme Coward’s at Crescent City Jr./Sr. High School. Her award winning, mother and child chalk pastel(right) won her the top award.

May 2012 page 11

Congratulations!The following students passed the AWS Welding Certification test on March 30.

CRESCENT CITY Jr./Sr. HIGHDawight Demps

Kyle BrooksJose Iniestra

Timothy BeardSaul Santiago

Melchor De La Rosa

PALATKA HIGHAshton CassidyDontavian Poole

Dominique BrownBrandon RegisterChristopher DavisMichael Coleman

Jesse KightEthan MenefeeRaymond Fisk

PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOLS200 South 7th StreetPalatka, FL 32177386-329-0510

www.putnamschools.org

Latest District News Blogswww.putnamschools.org

Volume 3.4May 2012

Jeb Bush Foundation Recognizes Townsend and TeamThe Excellence in Education Foundation, founded and chaired by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, has asked Putnam County School District Superintendent Tom Townsend and two team members to tour Northern California schools implementing blended learning, which combines online and face-to-face curriculum.

PCSD was recognized by the Foundation for being a state leader in the quickly growing learning model.

Read the story in this edition of Insight.