The Osceola School District has been awarded a $300,000 Enhancing Education Through Technology grant from the state to help improve reading scores and update traditional teaching practices.
About 650 students from New Dimensions High School and Zenith School who have been identified as low-performing readers based on FCAT scores will receive a handheld Palm for their studies and recreational reading.
The grant also provides each school with a subscription to the World e-Book Library, which will enable the participants to download e-books onto the handheld Palm.
Throughout the year, an instructional technology teacher will offer book club meetings, literature reviews and opportunities for students to share lessons and projects created with the Palm. Parent meetings, student workshops and student evaluation are included in the program.
Health and safety awards
Five Osceola School District head custodians were recently presented with “Pride in Our Schools” awards for their dedication in providing safe and sanitary conditions for students and staff.
Award recipients were Gary Padgett, Thacker Avenue Elementary; Joseph Spina, Lakeview Elementary; Anthony Thomas, Partin Settlement Elementary; Don Williams, Parkway Middle School and Angie Workman, St. Cloud High School.
Disney liquidation sale
The dance department at Osceola County School for the Arts will be sponsoring its Second Annual Disney Liquidation Sale from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the school, 3151 N Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee.
Disney merchandise such as T-shirts and stuffed animals will be on sale. Prices will be marked down 50-70 percent off retail with proceeds to benefit the dance department.
Details: Rena Avant, 407-931-4803.
Principal recognized
Ken Meyers, principal at Kissimmee Elementary, has been selected as a regional finalist for the 2005 Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership from the Florida Department of Education.
Five elementary principals from different regions of the state will be honored later this week at a conference in Ponte Vedra.
Meetings, etc.
The OMEGA program at Boggy Creek Elementary, 810 Florida Parkway, Kissimmee, will have a Parent Night from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday for parents of children with special needs. Parents will be introduced to the ESE staff, reading coach, ESOL compliance specialist and guidance counselors. Details: Shernelle Wiltshire, 407-344-5060.
Cypress Elementary will have its second Family Fun Night from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the school, 2251 Lakeside Drive, Kissimmee. The topic will be geometry and art in the real world. Details: Pam Ollis, 407-344-5000.
A School Advisory Council meeting for Poinciana Elementary is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the media center, 4201 Rhododendron Ave., Kissimmee. Meetings are open to all parents and interested community members. Spanish translation will be available. Details: Tara Horton, 407-343-4500.
The Cub Scouts will meet at 6:30 p.m. today in the school cafeteria at Pleasant Hill Elementary, 1253 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee. For more information, visit www.cfcbsa.org.
The first-grade classes of Narcoossee Community School will have a Parent Night from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at the school, 2700 N. Narcoossee Road. St. Cloud. Details: Cindy Greschner, 407-891-6600.
Katrina relief drive
Cypress Elementary, 2251 Lakeside Drive, Kissimmee, will be receiving relief items during morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up through Friday.
Drop-off containers are located in the loops so that children can donate nonperishable food items, clean/washed clothes, shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, laundry detergent, diapers or wipes for families who have relocated to Osceola.
Community members may drop off items to the main office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Details: Pam Ollis, Cypress Elementary, 407-344-5000.
FCAT retakes
FCAT retakes will be given at Gateway High School, 93 Panther Paws Trail, Kissimmee, Monday through Oct. 7 for students who did not pass one or all parts of the FCAT. For information, contact the school’s guidance department at 407-935-3602.
Pinwheels for peace
Partin Settlement Elementary students joined others across the country to create Pinwheels for Peace on Sept. 21, World Peace Day.
As part of the project, students wrote their thoughts about war and peace, tolerance and living in harmony with others in poetry, prose, haiku or essay style. Students decorated pinwheels by drawing, painting and collage. The pinwheels will be “planted” along the driveway to the school.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Poinciana Elementary, 4201 Rhododendron Ave., is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15. As part of the celebration, classes are encouraged to “adopt” a country and spend time learning about that country and its culture.
On Thursday, these classes will have displays outside their classrooms for students to visit during their block period. Parents are also welcome to tour the displays anytime that day. Details: Tara Horton, 407-343-4500.
Homework on Internet
Denn John Middle School parents may log on to the new homework Web by going to osc.ve.osceola.k12.fl.us. Parents must register using the school code (2055) in order to view their student’s homework assignments. After registering, parents can click on the “manage class” subscription list and then choose the appropriate teacher(s).
Details: Maria Thompson, 407-935-3560.
Student receives award
Gateway High School sophomore Nathaly Hewawasam was recently named the “Good Kid Project” winner by the Barber and Beauty Emporium of Celebration.
Nathaly, an International Baccalaureate student at Gateway, is from Sri Lanka, one of the countries hit hardest by last year’s tsunami. After the tsunami, she organized her own relief effort by stationing donation boxes around town and at the school. She raised $4,200, all of which was used by a nonprofit Buddhist organization in Sri Lanka to rebuild six houses.
