Sarasota County Schools News

EVANSTON, IL. — Two students from Sarasota County public high schools are among the more than 1,600 black American high school seniors who are semifinalists in the 46th annual National Achievement Scholarship Program, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The students, Regina Smith from Booker High School in Sarasota and Augustine Obi from Pine View School in Osprey, have an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 800 Achievement Scholarship awards, valued at $2.6 million, to be offered next spring.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition that operates without government assistance. It was initiated in 1964 to recognize academically promising black students throughout the nation and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding program participants. More than 29,500 young men and women have received Achievement Scholarship awards worth $94 million.

More than 160,000 high school juniors from all parts of the United States requested consideration in the 2010 National Achievement Scholarship Program when they took the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Semifinalists were designated within geographic regions and are the highest-scoring program entrants in the states that make up each region.

Approximately 1,300 semifinalists are expected to fulfill additional requirements and advance to the finalist level in the 2010 program. All Achievement Scholar awardees will be selected from the finalist group on the basis of their abilities, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

To advance to the finalist level in the competition, semifinalists must present a record of high academic performance throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the PSAT/NMSQT performance. The semifinalist and a high school official also must complete a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the student’s participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and educational goals.

National Achievement Scholarships provided in 2010 will be supported by corporations, professional organizations, foundations, and by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s own funds. Every finalist will compete for one of the 700 one-time National Achievement $2,500 Scholarships, which will be awarded on a regional representation basis. In addition, corporate and business sponsors will underwrite about 100 Achievement Scholarship awards for finalists who meet criteria set by the grantor. The names of scholarship winners will be released to news media in early April.

SARASOTA – As it does each year, the Sarasota County School District is urging families who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals to apply for the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“The application is simple, and we want to make sure that students in families who qualify are enrolled,” said Beverly Girard, director of Food and Nutrition Services for the district. “It’s completely anonymous; no other students or families will know if a child is being served by the program.”

In the current economy Sarasota County, like many other public school districts in Florida and across the nation, is seeing a rise in the number of families who qualify and apply for the program. The percentage of enrolled K-12 students in the district has increased from 36 percent in 2007 to 40 percent in 2008 to nearly 45 percent this year.

Eligibility for free and reduced-price meals is based on a federal formula keyed to household size. For example, in 2009-10 a family of four with a household income of $28,665 or less qualifies for free meals for their children in public schools. A family the same size with a household income of $40,793 or less qualifies for reduced-price meals. Parents or guardians must provide documentation about their income but the specific income information is strictly confidential and is not used for any other purpose.

“Some parents meet the income requirements but are reluctant to apply for various reasons,” said Girard. “Some may feel that their children will be singled out or otherwise embarrassed in the lunch line, but that’s not the case.”

The general information regarding the percentage of students at a school who receive free and reduced-price meals is used by the federal government to determine what other assistance and programs a school may need, so getting an accurate sense of the true number of families that qualify can help that school in a number of ways.

Among other things, the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-prices lunches determines whether schools are eligible for federal funding to provide extra help to improve student performance in reading and math. “Parents should be aware that they are helping the whole school if they participate in the federal lunch program,” Girard said.

Making sure that all families who are qualified for free and reduced lunches participate in the program also may help control the problem of unpaid meal charges, Girard said. In some cases, parents who may or may not qualify for their students to receive free or reduced-price meals are not paying their children’s meal charges. The cumulative expense for the district runs to tens of thousands of dollars a year.

If a student’s account falls too far in arrears, the district will provide the student a peanut butter or cheese sandwich for 75 cents, Girard said. Most families who are genuinely not able to afford to keep up with the cost of school meals should qualify for the federal program, she said. By applying for the assistance, they can guarantee that their children will receive a nutritious lunch every day without burdening family finances.

The new procedures in place for the 2009-10 school year include earlier identification of students whose families may qualify for the free and reduced-price lunch program, increased principal and guidance counselor awareness of potential challenges at home and an improved parent notification process.

“The new procedures are necessary because of the large number of unpaid meal charges in schools last year,” said Girard. “The plan ensures that all students will continue to be fed regardless of their family’s economic circumstances, while keeping parents, guardians and district staff informed about unpaid charges.

“The changes will allow us to maintain our nominal pricing for meals for all students and their families. The vast majority of families pay for their students’ lunches on time, every time. We want to be fair to them while helping other families as much as we can with information and alternatives, such as the free and reduced-price lunch program.”

More information on free and reduced-price meals and how to apply is available by clicking on the following link:

http://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/departments/fns/default.aspx?id=1634

EVANSTON, IL. – The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists, including 24 seniors from Sarasota County public high schools, in the 55th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The semifinalists have an opportunity to continue in the competition for more than 8,000 National Merit Scholarships valued at more than $36 million. 

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must meet several requirements to advance to the finalist level. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing. Approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

More than 1.5 million juniors in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

To become a finalist, a semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. The semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, which includes the student’s essay and information about his or her participation and leadership in school and community activities.

Approximately 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin or religious preference.

Three types of National Merit Scholarship awards will be offered in the spring of 2010. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored scholarships will be provided by approximately 270 corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 200 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,700 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2010 will be announced from April through July. They will join more than 267,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.

National Merit Scholarship semifinalists from Sarasota County public schools:

Pine View School

Devon Baker

Joel Baranowski

James Bedell

Theodoretus Breen

Allegra Condiotte

Kelsey Davenport

Hillary Ezcurra

Tara Foster

Evan Gibson

William Gilpin

Natasha Hajal

Elizabeth Hannah

Elliott Johns

Anthony Kalosis

Michelle Krotec

Alexandra Lee

Robert McCutcheon

Lillian Ponitz

Megan Sanders

Suzanne Setti

Thomas Silverman

Amy Stockton

Riverview High School

Stephanie Hurwitz

Sarasota High School

Rachel Barry

SARASOTA – In addition to her role as chairwoman of the School Board of Sarasota County, Caroline Zucker was appointed in June to serve a one-year term as chairwoman of the Juvenile Justice Board for the 12^th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which includes Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

The 30-member 12^th Circuit JJB is composed of 19 voting members and 11 non-voting members who review legislative issues that affect the criminal justice system as it applies to juvenile offenders. Similar boards around the state corresponding to other judicial circuits also present their reports and recommendations to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

Zucker has long been involved in juvenile justice issues. She was one of the founders of the Sarasota County Juvenile Justice Council in the early 1990s and served at various times as its chairwoman, vice chair, secretary and treasurer. The council was a forerunner of the Juvenile Justice Board.

Zucker also has served as chairwoman of the State Juvenile Justice Committee for the Florida School Boards Association.

In October, Zucker will meet with other state juvenile justice circuit board chairs in Tampa. They are expected to discuss such issues as the number of students being sent to detention centers and to prison as juvenile correctional facilities are closed down around the state due to budget cuts.

“Education is the key to helping a young person who has been in trouble with the law get back on the right path,” said Zucker. “I became interested in juvenile justice issues when I realized that schooling stopped, or was severely limited, for many of our students who are sent to jail. When they return to society without adequate education they have few career options. As a result they often got in trouble again — sometimes serious trouble.

“Professionals and volunteers in education and juvenile justice need to work together to catch problems early and provide young people with the support they need to become contributing members of our community. That’s why I think this work is so important.”

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently awarded the Sarasota County Vocational/Instructional Program at Venice High School with its 2009 Group Volunteers of the Year Award. The program was recognized in Hollywood, Fla., earlier this month during the association’s annual conference, attended by more than 600 long-term care professionals gathered from across the state of Florida.

The award is given annually to a group of volunteers who show dedication and loyalty, along with a true desire to serve Florida seniors residing in the state’s long-term care facilities. FHCA Past President Tom Kelly will formally present the award to the Sarasota County Vocational/Instructional Program on Friday, September 25, at HarborChase of Venice, located at 950 Pinebrook Road in Venice.

The Vocational/Instructional Program at Venice High School has made a significant impact on HarborChase, a 110-bed assisted living community in Venice. Students help residents with education and exercise, running errands or playing cards. They generously share hugs to bring smiles to the residents’ faces, as well. They also assist with serving food, cleaning, folding laundry and lawn maintenance, which not only benefits HarborChase, but also helps the students build job skills to better prepare for their future.

“These students have a wonderful, youthful outlook and their conversations enrich the lives of our residents through their caring attitudes and generous hearts,” said Tammy Tolley-Hunt, executive director of HarborChase of Venice. “Their enthusiasm and dedication to our residents and our facility is both inspiring and motivating."

About the Florida Health Care Association

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation which serves nearly 1,000 members and represents over 500 long-term care facilities that provide skilled nursing care, short-term rehab, assisted living and other services to the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. FHCA was founded on the premise that its members have a moral obligation to the residents they serve, and since 1954 the Association has worked diligently to improve quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population. For more information about the Florida Health Care Association, visit www.fhca.org.

        Tanice Knopp

SARASOTA – The Sarasota County School District has hired former University of South Florida assistant professor Tanice Knopp to manage the PALS Partners in Education program. Knopp succeeds Sandi Chapnick, who retired in June after 11 years as the head of the PALS program.

Knopp was an instructor, grants administrator and assistant professor in the USF Special Education Department from 1993-2006. She previously worked as program specialist for the Florida Department of Education.

From 2006-2008, Knopp provided consulting services in special education for school districts in Florida and Virginia. Since 2008, she has been the executive director and president of ITNSarasota, a community non-profit organization providing volunteer transportation services to senior citizens.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Millersville State College in Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in special education from the University of South Florida. She earned a doctorate in special education from the University of Florida in 2000.

PALS is an acronym for Partners and Alliances Linking Schools. The program recruits, trains and places volunteer reading tutors in schools. The program also facilitates business partnerships and mentoring programs.

PALS coordinates the work of about 12,000 volunteers. It is recognized as one of the most active school volunteer programs in Florida. The monetary value of the services provided by PALS volunteers is estimated at about $3 million a year.

Knopp said her training and experience are a perfect fit with the PALS program. “After almost 30 years in Florida education, I stepped away to lead the development of a community non-profit organization,” she said. “While I found that work most rewarding, I sincerely missed working with teachers and schools for the benefit of students.”

Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Lori White said Knopp is a consummate professional who will provide excellent leadership for the PALS Program. “I have worked with Dr. Knopp in a variety of situations over the years,” White said. “She has a strong educational background, superior organizational skills and a deep commitment to student success. The district is very fortunate to have her on our team.”

Knopp’s appointment is scheduled to be on the Sept. 15 School Board agenda.

President Obama delivered a national address to students at noon Eastern Time, Tuesday, Sept. 8, from Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va., via the Web site www.whitehouse.gov/live and the national public affairs cable TV channel, C-SPAN. In his address the president challenged students to work hard, set education goals, and take responsibility for their learning. The speech is available on the www.ed.gov Web site.

The text of the speech was posted to the Web on Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 7. For more information on the address to students, and the text of President Obama's prepared remarks, please visit the following Web site:

• http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html

The superintendent has directed that watching the speech live or viewing it later should be left to the discretion of individual teachers. If they think watching it will benefit their students and/or be relevant to their curriculum they may include it in their classroom activities.

Students whose parents prefer that they not watch the speech may inform their teachers and will not be required to watch it. There will be no classroom credit associated with watching the speech and no penalties for not watching it.

SARASOTA — Local high school students got the chance to meet representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities from across the U.S. when Sarasota County Schools hosted the 2009 College Fair. The free event was held Sept. 10 at Robarts Sports Arena in Sarasota.

Schools represented at the event included 10 post-secondary institutions in the State University System of Florida as well as public and private colleges and universities from around the nation.

“This is an annual event we sponsor as a benefit for our students and parents,” said Katrina Ward, guidance specialist for Sarasota County Schools. “It’s a great opportunity for students who are planning their next steps after high school to explore a number of options by going to one place.”

2009 College Fair: institutions represented

AUBURN UNIVERSITY

BARRY UNIVERSITY

BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE

BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC

BERRY COLLEGE

BOWDOIN COLLEGE

BREVARD COLLEGE

BROWN UNIVERSITY

BRYANT UNIVERSITY

CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA

COLGATE UNIVERSITY

THE CENTER FOR CULINARY ARTS/KEISER UNIVERSITY

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA County

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

DAVIDSON COLLEGE

DREXEL UNIVERSITY

ECKERD COLLEGE

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE

EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY

EVERGLADES UNIVERSITY

FLAGLER COLLEGE

FLORIDA A & M UNIVERSITY

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY and fau WILKES honors college

FLORIDA COLLEGE OF NATURAL HEALTH

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY

FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

FLORIDA SCHOOL OF ARTS

FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

GALEN SCHOOL OF NURSING

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

HOLLINS UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY

JOHNSON AND WALES UNIVERSITY

KEISER UNIVERSITY

LENOIR RHYNE UNIVERSITY

LYNN UNIVERSITY

MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE

MERCER UNIVERSITY

MEREDITH COLLEGE

NATIONAL AVIATION ACADEMY

NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY

NORWICH UNIVERSITY

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

OLGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY

NORWICH UNIVERSITY

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

PALM BEACH ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY

ROLLINS COLLEGE

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

ST. LEO UNIVERSITY

SALEM COLLEGE

SARASOTA COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

SARASOTA COUNTY Career and technical education

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

SELBY FOUNDATION

SHORTER COLLEGE

SMITH COLLEGE

SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY

STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA

STETSON UNIVERSITY

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

TROY UNIVERSITY

U.S. AIR FORCE RECRUITING

U. S. ARMY RECRUITING

U.S. MARINES RECRUITING

U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY

U.S. NAVY RECRUITING

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS - PHILADELPHIA, PA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADY

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH WESTERN OHIO

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA - ST. PETERSBURG

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA - SARASOTA/MANATEE

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA - TAMPA

UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA and ut rotc

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

VASSAR COLLEGE

WARNER SOUTHERN COLLEGE

WEBBER INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

WELLESLEY COLLEGE

WELLS COLLEGE

WESLEYAN COLLEGE

WEST POINT

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE

YALE UNIVERSITY

YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE