Students Prepare for National History Day

Lake County middle school and high school students are gearing up for the second annual National History Day competition. This competition allows students to create projects on historical topics in the categories of exhibit, paper, documentary, performance, or website.

Students from every middle school and four of the high schools (East Ridge, Eustis, Lake Minneola, and South Lake) will come together on March 5, 2016, at Windy Hill Middle School to be judged on their projects in the morning. In the afternoon, starting at 5:00 p.m. there will be an Open House and the awards ceremony will follow at 5:30 p.m.

Each year there is a different National History Day theme that students use as a guide for creating their projects. Last year’s theme was Leadership and Legacy. This year’s theme will be Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange. Students will be challenged to think, research, and write like historians while exploring human history and its effects on our society today.

The top two winners in each category will be moving on to the state competition, held in Tallahassee, May 1-3, 2016.

For more information or to see how you can sponsor or help with this event, contact Nicole DeLuca, Social Studies Program Specialist, at delucan@lake.k12.fl.us or 352-253-6874.

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Lake students to compete in spelling bee

Students from 22 public and private schools in Lake County will compete next week in the 2015 Lake County Spelling Bee.

The local competition is part of the 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Every year, tens of thousands of schools enroll in the program. During the fall and winter they conduct spelling bee programs at the classroom, grade and/or school level, and send their spelling champions to the next level of competition as designated by their local spelling bee sponsors.

In Lake, first-place winners from each participating school will compete in the county spelling bee, which is being coordinated by Lake County Schools’ Academic Services Unit in partnership with The Orlando Sentinel. The Golden Triangle Kiwanis in partnership with the Educational Foundation of Lake County will present the winner with a $100 check, and the runner-up will receive a $50 check.

The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the Eustis Community Center, 601 Northshore Drive, Eustis FL.

Participating schools are listed below:

Cecil E. Gray Middle             Imagine South Lake Charter          Seminole Springs Elementary
Christian Home and Bible     Lake Preparatory                           St. Paul’s Catholic
Clermont Elementary            Lost Lake Elementary                    Tavares Middle
East Ridge Middle                 Minneola Elementary Charter        Umatilla Middle
Eustis Elementary                 Montverde Academy                      Villages Elementary
Eustis Heights Elementary    Mount Dora Middle                         Windy Hill Middle
Eustis Middle                        Oak Park Middle
Groveland Elementary          Sawgrass Bay Elementary

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Online poll opens for next year’s school calendar

The entire Lake County community is invited to choose between two proposed calendar options for the 2015-2016 school year through an online poll at http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/calendarvote.

Parents, students, employees and community residents have until Tuesday, Jan. 13, to select an option. A summary of the options is shown below.

OPTION 1:
• School starts Monday, Aug. 24, 2015.
• Five days off around Thanksgiving – Nov. 23-27, 2015.
• Spring Break from March 21-25, 2016.
• School ends Thursday, June 9, 2016.

OPTION 2:
• School starts Monday, Aug. 24, 2015.
• Three days off around Thanksgiving – Nov. 25-27, 2015.
• Spring Break from March 21-25, 2016.
• School ends Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

Visit http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/calendarvote to view each option in detail.

The online poll will close on Tuesday, January 13.

The results of the poll will be forwarded to the Lake County School Board. The Board is expected to consider the 2015-2016 school calendar options at its meeting on Monday, January 26.

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Lake County Schools drops October assessments to give teachers more time to work with Florida Standards

Dr. Susan Moxley, Superintendent of Lake County Schools, authorized today the immediate suspension of school district benchmark tests to students in seventh through 11^th grade to give teachers more time to adapt to the new Florida Standards.

“I have heard students, teachers and parents loud and clear,” Dr. Moxley said. “We are drowning in a sea of state-required assessments and anything this school district can do to reduce the burden needs to be done. Assessments are important in the classroom because it is a way for teachers to see if the instruction is working and if the students are comprehending the material. Nonetheless, it’s important to maintain a balance between assessments as an instructional tool and teaching & learning. Teachers need time to teach and students need time to learn.”

The reduction of October assessments is the second time Lake County Schools has decreased the number of assessments it uses to measure student academic growth in preparation for high-stakes state testing conducted in the spring. This past summer the school district made a strategic decision to forgo mini-assessments as the state wrestled with major changes to its standards and state assessments.

“Due to the administration of the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) in grades 9-11 and the administration of the ReadiStep assessment in grades 7-8, Lake County Schools is waiving the Lake Standards Assessments (LSA) and Lake Benchmark Tests (LBA) in English Language Arts and Math in grades 7-11 for the October testing window,” wrote Dr. David Christiansen, Chief Academic Officer at Lake County Schools, in a memorandum to Lake’s high and middle school principals.

Dr. Christiansen added, “The PSAT and READISTEP are national, standardized assessments from the College Board that provide comprehensive data reports on our students in the areas of Critical Reading, Math and Writing. These reports identify areas of development for the students in each area along with Advanced Placement (AP) Potential.”

Students in third through sixth grade will still be required to take district monitoring assessments next week as it will be the first benchmark of their performance. The ReadiStep and PSAT will be administered on Oct. 15. Students in grades 3-11 will take district monitoring assessments in February as teachers and schools will have one last look at their students’ progress before heading into the Florida Standards Assessments for English Language Arts and Math, which are slated to begin on March 23 for students in grades 3-4. A complete testing calendar for Lake County Schools is available online at http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/page/480.

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Parents encouraged to be patient as long pick up lines form at Clermont Middle, Gray Middle and South Lake High

The threats made today at Clermont Middle and Gray Middle have been resolved. Law enforcement has cleared both schools. Parents who want to pick their child may do so by visiting the school’s front office. Please be patient as pickup lines are expected to be long.

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New school gradebook will be unavailable this weekend for data update

Beginning tonight and through the weekend, the school district’s new online gradebook, Skyward Family Access, will be unavailable as data on the site is updated.

Parents and guardians of students who attend Lake County Schools are encouraged to create a Family Access account. Through the Family Access portal, parents and guardians will have the ability to view their child’s grades, attendance and other data.

The Family Access portal is replacing the district’s older online gradebook, eSembler. For parents that had an eSembler account last school year, many received an email on Sept. 17 from do.not.reply@lake.k12.fl.us with a link to begin the process of setting up a Family Access account. Step-by-step directions on setting up a Family Access account are available online at http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/familyaccess.

For parents and guardians who did not receive an email or did not previously have an eSembler account, they will need to print out a Family Access Enrollment Form. The form is available online at http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/familyaccess. Only one email address per form is permitted. Parents and guardians will have to fill out a separate form for each email address.

Due to security concerns, to complete the form parents and guardians are required to either:

• Bring the form and ID to the school and sign the form in front of someone at the school; OR
• Fill out the form; have it notarized by a public notary; and return the form to the school.

After returning the form, the school will verify the information. Once the parent account is created, the district will send an email with sign-in instructions to the parent automatically.

For more information, log on to http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/familyaccess.

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New school gradebook now available for all Lake County parents

After a successful pilot at Eustis High School, the Lake County School District is launching its new online gradebook, Skyward Family Access.

Parents and guardians of students who attend Lake County Schools are encouraged to create a Family Access account. Through the Family Access portal, parents and guardians will have the ability to view their child’s grades, attendance and other data.

The Family Access portal is replacing the district’s older online gradebook, eSembler. For parents that had an eSembler account last school year, they will be receiving an email on Wednesday from do.not.reply@lake.k12.fl.us with a link to begin the process of setting up a Family Access account.

Parents and guardians will use their current eSembler user ID (email address) as their username for Family Access. Step-by-step directions on setting up a Family Access account are available online at www.lake.k12.fl.us/familyaccess.

For parents and guardians who did not receive an email or did not previously have an eSembler account, they will need to print out a Family Access Enrollment Form. The form is available online at www.lake.k12.fl.us/familyaccess. Only one email address per form is permitted. Parents and guardians will have to fill out a separate form for each email address.

Due to security concerns, to complete the form parents and guardians are required to either:

• Bring the form and ID to the school and sign the form in front of someone at the school; OR
• Fill out the form; have it notarized by a public notary; and return the form to the school.

After returning the form, the school will verify the information. Once the parent account is created, the district will send an email with sign-in instructions to the parent automatically.

 

For more information, log on to www.lake.k12.fl.us/familyaccess.

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Transition year brings more A’s and changes in school grades

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) released preliminary school grades today for the 2013-2014 school year for elementary and middle schools.

Lake County Schools increased its number of “A” rated schools in a year it waves goodbye to much of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. A new statewide assessment (AIR) will be administered to students to assess the more rigorous state-approved standards in math, English/language arts (including writing), Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry.

Lake County Schools more than doubled its number of “A” scores from the previous year with Cypress Ridge Elementary maintaining an “A” grade for the 14^th consecutive year and Umatilla Elementary earning an “A” for the second consecutive year. Windy Hill Middle, Lost Lake Elementary and Sorrento Elementary all jumped one letter grade to an “A.” It had been four years since Windy Hill Middle School’s last visit to the top.

“This is a great day for Windy Hill Middle School,” said Amy Cockcroft, Principal at Windy Hill Middle School. “The dedication of our teachers and the hard work of our students is a formula for success. It is very exciting to be celebrating with an ‘A’ grade.”

Sorrento Elementary brought its grade up with a focused approach, according to Susan Pegram, former principal at Sorrento Elementary who will begin the 2014-2015 school year at Lost Lake Elementary.

“The beginning of the year we had an action plan that everybody bought into,” Pegram said. “The teachers really worked hard to teaching the standards and the students were diligent in their work. It all just came together for us. I am so proud of the teachers, students and I am thrilled for the Sorrento community because they deserve this.”

The final year of FCAT proved to be challenging for 14 schools with falling letter grades. The FCAT is based on old academic standards, which are being replaced with the new Florida Standards next year. A new statewide assessment and school grading system will also be released by the state to accompany the new standards.

“Transitioning to new Florida Standards in the classroom while evaluating students on old academic standards definitely was challenging for our schools this year,” said Dr. Susan Moxley, Superintendent of Lake County Schools. “I know our diligent work this past year with the new standards is better preparing students and schools for success long term. I commend all our teachers for their hard work and diligence in this transition year. Congratulations to Sorrento Elementary, Windy Hill Middle, Lost Lake Elementary, Eustis Middle and Altoona Charter for increasing their grades.”

Lake County schools earning an “A” or “B” grade include:

• Altoona Charter School (B)
• Cypress Ridge Elementary (A)
• East Ridge Middle (B)
• Eustis Elementary (B)
• Eustis Middle (B)
• Gray Middle (B)
• Grassy Lake Elementary (B)
• Lost Lake Elementary (A)
• Pine Ridge Elementary (B)
• Sorrento Elementary (A)
• Umatilla Elementary (A)
• Villages Elementary (B)
• Windy Hill Middle (A)

Grades for high schools will be released in the fall as additional components are included in grade calculations. For a complete list of school grades from the Florida Department of Education, log on to http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org.

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School Board approves new appointments for principals

The start of the 2014-2015 school year will bring fresh faces to the top administrator role at nine Lake County schools.

The Lake County School Board approved on June 9 new appointments at Gray Middle School, Mount Dora High School, Tavares Elementary School and Treadway Elementary School. At its meeting on June 23, the School Board approved additional changes at Eustis Heights Elementary, Leesburg Elementary, Lost Lake Elementary and Sorrento Elementary.

Principal changes include:

• Rhonda Hunt, Eustis Heights Elementary
• Pam Chateauneuf, Gray Middle
• Dr. Patrick Galatowitsch, Leesburg Elementary
• Susan Pegram, Lost Lake Elementary
• Dr. Rhonda Boone, Mount Dora High
• Brenna Burkhead, Sorrento Elementary
• Durenda McKinney, Tavares Elementary
• Letizia Haugabrook, Treadway Elementary

Sawgrass Bay Elementary will also have new principal; however, the appointment will come at a later date. The open position was advertised last week and applicants are currently being scheduled for interviews.

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Take Stock in Children of Lake and Sumter Counties inducts 47 students in the program

Lake-Sumter State College’s Everett Kelly Convocation center was a buzz of excitement on April 24 as Take Stock in Children of Lake and Sumter Counties inducted 47 students into the program at a contract signing celebration.

More than 200 students, parents, guidance counselors, principals, school administrators, School Board members, community leaders and sponsors gathered together for one purpose: To celebrate the induction of 47 students from Lake and Sumter counties. As members of the Take Stock program, each student will receive a college tuition scholarship upon completion of the program and graduation from high school. Richard Scott, Vice President of Student Affairs at Lake-Sumter State College, was the master of ceremonies for the event and introduced each student as they signed their contract along with their proud parents.

“It is great to see all of the community support, not only for the Take Stock in Children program, but for the students who are beginning their journey towards a post-secondary education” said Gail Weidner, Program Manager for Take Stock.

• CARVER MIDDLE — Andrew Santiago
• CLERMONT MIDDLE — Tyler Coolidge, Angelica Henao, Andy Hernandez, Asia Lavender, Natalie Moody, Maneshia Neura
• EAST RIDGE MIDDLE — Kayla Abikarram, Kya Casseus, Anna Collins, Adaijah Jackson, McKayler McKinnon, Thalia Ramirez, Giovanni Valencia
• GRAY MIDDLE — Mariajose Arreola, Jasmine Lee, Noelle Nicholas, Jalyn Pace, Uriel Rubio
• MOUNT DORA MIDDLE — Kayla Freeman, Danielle Hoffman, Yanek Sanchez-Morales, Alexander Shepherd
• OAK PARK MIDDLE — Chassidy Berry, Alexis Davis, Joshua Saint-Ulysse
• SOUTH SUMTER MIDDLE — Destiny Brown, Lorenzo Brown, Travis Burkes, Lizbeth Cruz-Garcia, Ana Gamez-Henriquez, Antonio Hernandez, Casey Lovett, Kay-Sha Perkins, Melissa Rodriguez
• TAVARES MIDDLE — Darius Darkin
• UMATILLA MIDDLE — Crystal Harris, Taylor Kennedy, Gisselle Martinez-Perez
• THE VILLAGES CHARTER MIDDLE — Madison Sheets
• WINDY HILL MIDDLE — Shaianne Berry, Katelyn Hixon, Falont Laveus, Dezuray Logan, Valentina Nunez, Natalia Palma, Ieska Uriarte

Take Stock in Children, a program of the Educational Foundation of Lake County, identifies financially at-risk students in the eighth grade, provides them with a mentor and an advocate and then rewards them at high school graduation with a college tuition scholarship. Take Stock in Children is a statewide program that operates in all 67 counties in Florida. Local money raised for scholarships is matched by the state, thus doubling the impact on the community. For Information on volunteering, mentoring or becoming a donor for the organization, e-mail weidnerg@lake.k12.fl.us or visit www.edfoundationlake.com.

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