(BRADENTON, FL - October 20, 2008) Colorful kites carried student wishes into the sky on a bright Friday afternoon recently at Bayshore Elementary School in Bradenton. All of the students that took part in the kite-flying festivity are enrolled in an Exceptional Student Education class taught by first-year teacher Tracy Parker.

“We have a theme for the year in our class that we call, ´Around the World in 180 Days,´” Ms. Parker said. “Each month we study the customs, culture and celebrations of a different country. The kids love it because they get to choose the country we´re going to learn about each month.”

During the month of September, the students selected China as the country to study. While reading a book about China, the students learned of a Chinese tradition of making kites to send wishes into the sky. The students then set out on an exciting journey to create their own kites to give flight to their wishes.

Raquel and Amanda made Panda kites that represent happiness. Aundria made a Butterfly kite to represent love. And Angela, Antonio, Dakota, Dezroy and Luis made kites representing an Eagle, Ox, Lion, Bats and a Shark that all represented forms of power or success.

On Friday, October 17, 2008, the students lined up and carried their kites out to the school´s playground. After a few snapshots, a line was formed. Then all of a sudden the students were off and running, wishes held fast by strands of white string as the kites fluttered in the breeze behind them.

Bayshore principal Annette Codelia was on the playground watching the students run with their kites.

“I love Ms. Parker´s idea of incorporating a theme of studying a different country each month,” Ms. Codelia said. “It gives the students something to focus in on and by doing that they can incorporate all different types of lessons in reading, math and hands on activities.”

The “Around the World in 180 Days” concept also reflects the global focus of the Manatee District´s EdVantage Strategic Plan. “The mission of the Manatee School District is to inspire students with a passion for learning, empowered to pursue their dreams confidently and creatively whole contributing to our community, nation and world.”

In addition, one of EdVantage´s Strategic Objectives is for each student to actively engage in global outreach. By studying the cultures and customs of different countries, students in Ms. Parker´s class at Bayshore Elementary will be better prepared to understand their neighbors in different parts of the world.