Martin County
500 East Ocean Blvd.
Stuart, Florida 34994
(772) 219-1200
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Regular School Board Meeting Dates
June 22, 2010
7 P.M.
July 20, 2010
7 P.M.
August 17, 2010
7 P.M.
Sept. 21, 2010
7 P.M.
Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held in the School Board Meeting Room of the MCSD Administrative Offices, 500 East Ocean Boulevard, Stuart. |
"Martin Minute"
is published by the
Office of Public Information and Community Relations.
For more information, please contact
Cathleen Brennan at MCSDnews@ martin.k12.fl.us.
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Message From the Superintendent
During this busy time of the year, it is inspiring to see all of the positive events taking place at our schools. Graduations, awards presentations, end of year celebrations, and special activities highlight the accomplishments of our students.
One of many the notable activites taking place at our schools is the S.O.S. campaign. S.O.S. stands for Save Our Seas/Save our Shores. The District launched S.O.S. on Monday, May 24th, as a way to provide students with a positive outlet regarding the massive oil spill in the Gulf waters. We have already received incredible feedback from our schools about the amazing projects underway, such as student artwork, songs, visual presentations, and much more. I look forward to seeing the finished projects over the next couple of weeks. Selected projects from each school will be presented to the School Board at the June 22nd meeting.
Also this week, the third meeting of the Superintendent's KEY Committee was held. This was the last meeting for the group this school year; and I would like to thank all of those who participated. Among the topics covered during this week's meeting were the status of the District's Attendance Campaign, FCAT changes for next year, and the District's 2010-2011 Budget Plan. The next School Board Budget Workshop will be held on June 22nd at 5:30 P.M. I encourage anyone interested to attend this important meeting.
The Florida Department of Education released FCAT scores for 3rd grade students this week. The results show Martin County students continue to score higher than the state average in both Reading and Math. I would like to thank our instructional staff, administrators, and support staff for all of their hard work in preparing students for this mandatory assessment. The remaining FCAT scores for grades 4 through 11 are expected to be released between June 7th - June 11th.
Finally, I would like to commend our Food and Nutritional Services Department for its successful Federal audit conducted by the Florida Department of Education. The Department's staff worked diligently to prepare for this audit, as well as three other audits this school year, and the state reviewers had many positive comments regarding the quality of our District's program. Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Nancy Kline
Superintendent
Martin County School District |
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MCSD Finance Department Earns Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
MCSD Finance Department (L-R) Executive Director Bryan Thabit, Accounting Manager Betty Hickox, Secretary Debbie Rabener, Accounting Specialist Patty Walkonen, Accounting Specialist Mary Higgins, Capital Accountant Debbie Jenkins, Budget and Business Analyst Helene DiBartolomeo, and Grant Accountant Sheila Hulick.  |
The Martin County School District is proud to announce it has earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2009 fiscal year. This is the fourth consecutive year the District has received this prestigious distinction from the Government Finance Officers Association. This is the highest form of recognition for government accounting and financial reporting. "I would like to thank all of our Finance Department staff for their hard work. This award is a true representation of their dedication to fiscal responsibility at every level. The Finance Department continues to provide excellent service and high accountability under the new leadership of Executive Director Bryan Thabit," said Superintendent Nancy Kline.
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Bessey Creek Elementary
Team Green Wins Regional Parent Involvement Award
The Martin County School District is proud to announce that Bessey Creek Elementary (BCE) Team Green is the regional winner of the Florida Department of Education's Parent Involvement Award. This award recognizes innovative school practices that increase family involvement.
BCE Team Green recruited 4th and 5th grade students to participate in activities that promote the preservation of the Earth's resources. It operates under the direction of BCE faculty advisors Celeste Norup and Claire May, parent advisor Jacquie Mancini, together with the help of dedicated parent volunteers. The club is sponsored through generous donations made by the Mancini family. "This club would not be successful without the help of our parents. I'm so glad they are being recognized for their hard work," said Norup.
BCE Team Green was chosen for the Parent Involvement Award based on its efforts to raise funds for the non-profit organization, charity: water which builds wells in developing countries to provide clean, safe drinking water for people who desperately need it. The BCE Team Green hosted a T-Shirt for Charity Water Drive on February 24th. Students were able to wear a T-shirt of choice to school by donating a dollar or more for the fundraiser. The club also recruited students, friends and families from Palm City Elementary, Crystal Lake Elementary, Citrus Grove Elementary, and Hidden Oaks Middle to participate. The fundraiser was a success, raising a total of $5,708! The money will provide 285 people with clean, safe drinking water for 20 years! "This fundraiser skyrocketed," stated Norup. "Families were so supportive; some children even chose to give up birthday presents in order to raise more money."
In addition to the charity: water fundraiser, BCE Team Green has also worked to increase recycling efforts at the school this year. With the help of parent volunteers, they recycle paper, plastics, and cardboard. They also partner with a private company to upcycle items such as juice pouches and chip bags, while earning money for their school at the same time. "This is something that the children are really passionate about. They want to do something to preserve the earth. It really touches home for them. They realize the impact they are making and it is amazing what they have accomplished," continued Norup.
The BCE Team Green was recognized during the Regular School Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 18th. The BCE Team Green will also be honored during the Florida PTA Leadership Conference in Tarpon Springs on July 17th.
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Jensen Beach Elementary Celebrates 40th Anniversary
A special birthday celebration took center stage at Jensen Beach Elementary on Friday, April 23rd. Students, faculty, staff (current and former) and community members gathered to mark the 40th anniversary of the school. The event included an evening Open House, the creation of a Memory Book, and a colorful parade during the school day of students dressed in costumes paying tribute to four decades of history for JBE at its current home off Savanna Road. The School relocated to the 14-acre facility in August of 1970 from its former home at what is now the Environmental Studies Center.
Also during the April 23rd birthday celebration, the school's Viking mascot, Jenguard, was rededicated in memory and honor of Mr. Dale W. Clark, who was principal of Jensen Beach Elementary in 1970 when the new school opened, until his retirement in 1982. Students also sang along with Cliff Buckosh, a former JBE teacher who wrote the Jenguard song. "It was wonderful to see former students and staff members reuinite to reminisce about this school, which has positively impacted so many people's lives," said Principal Don Merritt. "I would like to thank all of those who made this event a huge success!"
Pictured Left-Right: Becky Buckosh (former JBE teacher), Tom Prestopnik (former JBE Teacher), Superintendent Nancy Kline, Donna Gosik (JBE Media Assistant), Cliff Buckosh (former JBE teacher and author/performer of JBE "Jenguard" song), Georgia Justice (former JBE teacher) and Principal Don Merritt.  | |
Martin County High School Students Take Flight with Special PBS Reward
MCHS Assistant Principal Jack Valerio, Dr. Rex Sentell, and MCHS Principal Joan Hunt | Four Martin County High School students were treated to a unique reward earlier this month. As part of the school's Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program, they took to the sky with an aerial tour of Martin County, courtesy of local resident and pilot, Dr. Rex Sentell.
Dr. Sentell came up with the idea for the flight after hearing a presentation about the PBS Program at Martin County High. He suggested making the flight a reward that up to four students could win. The school worked with the District to get all of the necessary approvals and scheduled the flight for Sunday, May 2nd. "The students loved the flight. One of the students was a complete novice who had never flown before and had a really great time," said Assistant Principal Jack Valerio.
Martin County High School Principal Joan Hunt agreed, "This is another example of the tremendous support that our community provides for our schools. It offered a truly unique experience for our students," said Principal Joan Hunt.
The PBS program utilizes evidence-based strategies and systems to help schools increase academic performance, increase safety, decrease problem behaviors, and establish positive school cultures. Currently, nine schools participate in PBS across the district. |
Felix A. Williams Elementary Shines with New Marquee
 After more than a year of work, a "green" project at Felix A. Williams Elementary (FAWE) is finally complete. Principal Gail Olsen says the school wants to do its share to be environmentally conscious, so it is taking advantage of renewable energy resources such as solar lighting and Xeroscaping (planting to minimize water consumption). "The use of solar energy to light the marquee sign on Baker Road and identifying plants that are drought-resistant provides a valuable science lesson for the many generations of students, parents, and grandparents that are involved in the school and the community," said Olsen.
The school's efforts to be environmentally conscious were supported by a Lowe's Education Tool Box Award of $5,000. "Parents Cathy Ellis and Colleen Patterson were instrumental in obtaining this grant and an 'army' of volunteers helped the dream come true. Susan and Rick Fronstrom from Palm City Palms assisted with the xeroscaping plans. FAWE is proud to add the solar lighting and xeroscaping to the Energy Star Award received in 2008," continued Olsen. "We are 'Shining A Little Light' on FAWE!"
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Outstanding School Volunteers and Business Partners Recognition Ceremony
 The Martin County School District's Outstanding School Volunteers and Business Partners Recognition Ceremony was held on April 21st at Stuart Middle School. Nominees from each school were recognized and received certificates for being outstanding school volunteers. The District winners of the Outstanding School Volunteer and Business Partners Award are as follows:
District Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year Brook Duchene, J.D. Parker School of Science, Math and Technology District Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year Edward Prokop, Pinewood Elementary School
District Outstanding Business Partner of the Year Indiantown Gas Company, Inc., Indiantown Middle School Students from the following schools were also recognized:
Jensen Beach Elementary School- District Outstanding Elementary School Volunteer of the Year
Indiantown Middle School -District Outstanding Middle School Volunteer of the Year
Martin County High School- District Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year
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