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“Good Things Happening Around the Manatee County School District”
STORY IDEAS--PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Contact: Michael Barber, Press Relations (941) 708-8770, ext. 2283
Bradenton, FL - January 31, 2008
APPLE HONORS WILLIS ELEMENTARY FOR INFUSION OF TECHNOLOGY
Robert E. Willis Elementary School is one of 18 schools in the nation, and one of just two schools in Florida, to receive the Apple Distinguished School Designation for demonstrating extraordinary vision, leadership and the successful infusion of technology into its classrooms. According to a recent letter from Apple Vice President John Couch to Superintendent Dr. Roger Dearing, Willis Elementary's “approach to assessing the impact of technology in the classroom is, in my view, a model for other schools around the country.” Apple representatives plan to make a formal presentation to Willis Principal Bill Stenger and the school at a future meeting of the Manatee County School Board. For more information, contact Bill Stenger at 316-8245, ext. 201.
TERRIFIC TRIO TO PROMOTE AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN DAY AT TILLMAN
Mary Simpson Strong, Rebecca McCall and Elaine Brown will visit kindergarten classes at Tillman Elementary on Monday, February 4, 2008, at 9 a.m. to promote African American Read-In Day. The Read In, which is sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English, is a special way to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month, which is celebrated throughout February. Ms. Strong is a former long-time educator in Manatee County and the Full Service Center at Tillman is named in her honor. Ms. McCall is the Hematology Supervisor at Manatee Memorial Hospital and Ms. Brown is a retired Business Teacher at Palmetto High School. For more information, contact Tillman SIP Director Nancy Porter at 723-4833, ext. 2257.
KING MIDDLE ASKS: 'ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 6TH GRADE MATH STUDENT?'
Students and staff at King Middle School have found an exciting way to get ready for the FCAT math test - they're going to hold an evening competition titled “Are You Smarter Than A 6th Grade Math Student?” The competition will pit King students against teachers and school staff members and will be held at the school on Thursday, February 7, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Parents and the public are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact King Middle Math Teacher Debi Miele at 798-6820, ext. 236.
OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR SCHOOL CHOICE RUNS THROUGH FEB. 8TH
The school district's Open Enrollment for School Choice runs from Tuesday, January 2, 2008, to Friday, February 8, 2008. This is the only time during the year when parents can apply to have their child attend a school other than the one to which they are assigned without giving a specified reason for the move. School choice applications are available at school sites, or at www.manateeschools.net by clicking on the quicklink titled “School Choice,” or at the award-winning Parent Information Center located at 234 Manatee Ave. E. For more information, contact the Parent Information Center at 708-4971.