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An "A" Rated District for 10 Years 

 
Martin County
 School District
500 East Ocean Blvd.
Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 219-1200
 
Superintendent
Nancy Kline
 
School Board Members
Dr. David L. Anderson
Michael Busha
Laurie Gaylord
Susan Hershey
Maura Barry-Sorenson   

Inside This Issue:
MCSD Teacher of the Year
SWE Student Wins Spelling Bee
Science Fair Awards
Welcome Martin Cares
SMS Chorus Rocks with Foreigner
PCE's Newest Additions
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"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.


Message from the Superintendent  

Citrus Grove P.E. Instructor Named  2012 Teacher of the Year    

  

MCSD Teacher of the Year Danny Rendell
Teacher of the Year Danny Rendell (pictured in front row in green shirt) with Citrus Grove Elementary staff at the Teacher of the Year Celebration

Dear Parents and Community Members:

 

Congratulations to  

the District's 2012 Teacher of the Year Danny Rendell.  Mr. Rendell is highly respected by his peers, as well as by the students and families of Citrus Grove Elementary.  He works to bring his passion for physical fitness into everything he does at the school; he looks for ways to get children to be more physically active and promotes living healthy lifestyles - all while the students are having fun. 

   

High School and Middle School Teachers of the Year
High School Teacher of the Year Stella Boland (SFHS) and Middle School Teacher of the Year Kelly Coleman (HOMS)

I also congratulate our Hidden Oaks Middle School Teacher Kelly Coleman for being named Middle School Teacher of the Year, and South Fork High School Teacher Stella Boland for being named HIgh School Teacher of the Year.  They are both excellent, committed teachers who are dedicated to their students' success.  

 

The Teacher of the Year Celebration is always a highlight of the school year, providing us the opportunity to honor all that our outstanding educators do for our schools.  Again- congratulations to our winners and to all of the nominees.

 

School Grades 

 

Effective yesterday, February 28th, the State Board of Education has changed the way school grades are calculated.  The new grading formula makes it more difficult for schools to earn an A or a B grade.  The state released a simulation of how schools may have performed last school year based on last year's FCAT scores, if the new formula had been in effect.  For Martin County, the simulated results show several schools may have had their A grade reduced to a B, one school may have been reduced to a C, and one school increased to an A.  To view the Florida Department of Education's simulation for all schools across the state, click here.

 

School Site Visits

The change in the school grading formula is in addition to the recent changes in FCAT cut scores for student performance levels.  Recently, I completed school site visits which were aimed at providing school faculty and staff with updated information on the State's new FCAT cut scores, the budget, and the state mandated implementation of the new teacher evaluation system under Senate Bill 736.  I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet and speak with employees and hope that these meetings were informative and helpful in understanding the many changes impacting schools statewide. 

 

I will continue to provide additional information on these topics as it becomes available.

 

FCAT Testing 

The first round of FCAT is now underway with the Writing portion of the required assessment.  The Writing assessment is administered to students in grades 4, 8 and 10.  The Reading, Math, and Science portions of the FCAT will be administered District-wide in April.  I know that our teachers, administrators and staff have worked hard to prepare our students and I am confident that they will do well.  Parents can help testing days go as smoothly as possible by ensuring students arrive to school on time and have a healthy, nutritious breakfast. 

 

As always, thank you for your support of our students and schools. 

 

Sincerely,

Nancy Kline

Superintendent

Martin County School District

Finance Department Earns Prestigious Award 
 

The Martin County School District's Finance Department is being honored for earning the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International. The District was recognized for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

 

According to ASBO, the Certificate of Excellence award confirms the District's commitment to financial accountability and transparency. "This award represents a significant achievement and reflects your commitment to the highest standards of school system financial reporting," stated ASBO Executive Director John Musso in his award notification letter to the District.

 

"Our dedicated staff is committed to excellence at all levels. We are proud to consistently meet the highest industry standards for financial reporting," said Executive Director of Finance Bryan Thabit.

 

This award marks the 5th consecutive year the District's Finance Department has been recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting by ASBO International.

Career Academies Take the Spotlight  
 
CTE Business Partner and Students of the Year
Pictured L-R: Connie Scotchel-Gross (CTE Coordinator), Ryan Strom (Business Partner of the Year), Brandan Ianiero (MCHS CTE Student of the Year), Hannah Borchelt (JBHS CTE Student of the Year), Seth Eden (SFHS CTE Student of the Year), Dr. Lori Romano (Director of Adult, Secondary and Virtual Education)
 
On Monday, February 13th, hundreds of students and parents attended the District's Career Academy Showcase, which was held in the Martin County High School cafeteria.  The event included displays and live demonstrations from the District's 24 Career Academies.  The goal was to provide middle school families with information on the high school Career Academy opportunities. 
 
In addition, in honor of February being Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, the District honored its CTE Teachers, Business Partners, and Students of the Year during the February 21st School Board Meeting.  Congratulations to:
 
CTE Teachers of the Year:
Shaun Southwick, Martin County High School (Culinary Academy)
Hans Heinz, Jensen Beach High (TV Production Academy)
Nick Wood, South Fork High School (Finance Academy)
 
CTE Business Partner of the Year:
Ryan Strom, Executive Vice President of Team Parks Construction
 
CTE Students of the Year:  
Seth Eden, South Fork High School (Academy of Architectural Drafting)
Hannah Borchelt, Jensen Beach High School (Academy of Nursing Assistant)
Brandon Ianiero, Martin County High (Academy of Marketing Management)
 
Each of the high schools also received their CAPE funds during the School Board Meeting.  These funds are provided by the State based on the number of high school students who graduate with industry certifications earned through their Career Academies. 
SeaWind Elementary 5th Grade Student Wins County-Wide Spelling Bee 
 
Spelling Bee Winner - Newsletter
County-Wide Spelling Bee Winner Varun Lakshmanan (SWE)

 

How do you spell "braggart?"  Just ask SeaWind Elementary 5th grade student Varun Lakshmanan.  It proved to be the winning word in the annual County-Wide Spelling Bee on February 23rd.   

 

 

Forty-nine students from public and private schools across Martin County took part in the competition, which was held in the Armstrong Wing of the Blake Library. 

 

The top 10 winners from the County-Wide Spelling Bee will now go on to compete in the Scripps Treasure Coast Regional Spelling Bee on March 22nd at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center.  The winner from the Scripps Treasure Coast Regional Spelling Bee will then be eligible to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee to be held in Washington, D.C., May 27th - June 1st.

 

 

Top 10 Winners 

 

 

1st Place:  Varun Lakshmanan, 5th grade, SeaWind Elementary School

2nd Place:  Shantanu Jakhete, 7th grade, Murray Middle School

3rd Place:   Rohan Jakhete, 4th grade, Port Salerno Elementary School

 

Listed below are the remaining top ten finishers in alphabetical order:

  • Harita Alla, 8th grade, Hidden Oaks Middle School
  • Presley Dooner, 6th grade, Stuart Middle School
  • Chase Finney, 6th grade, The Pine School
  • Eric Frahm, 8th grade, Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School
  • Jacob Kern, 6th grade, Hidden Oaks Middle School
  • Jaden Israel Mazariegos, 8th grade, Indiantown Middle School
  • Sarah Paust, 8th grade, Murray Middle School
Students Shine during Science Fair Awards 
 
Intel Awards Winner- Science Fair
State INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair Winner MCHS Student Kirsten Geiger during the Science Fair at the Treasure Coast Square Mall
The District's annual Science Fair Awards ceremony took place on Thursday, February 23rd.   
 
More than 275 awards were presented during the ceremony for elementary, middle and high school students.  
 
Among the top winners:
  • Best of Show (Elementary)- Varun Lakshmanan, SeaWind Elementary (who is also the County-Wide Spelling Bee winner)
  • Best of Show (Middle School)-  Shantanu Jakhete, Murray Middle
  • Best of Show (High School)- Vishalakshi Lakshmanan, South Fork High  
  • INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair - Kirsten Geiger, Martin County High and Vishalakshi Lakshmanan, South Fork High School
  • I-Sweep- Patricia Licu, Charlotte Clement de Bona  - South Fork High School

In addition, nine students qualified for the State Science Fair: Shantanu Jakhete (MMS), Vicki Li (MMS), Paige Banks (SMS), Sara Haman (SMS), Vishalakshi Lakshmanan (SFHS), Jessica Li (SFHS), Kirsten Geiger (MCHS), Michael Seggebruch (JBHS), and Andrew Price (JBHS).

 

"I'm always inspired and encouraged by the enthusiasm, dedication and love of science that is shown by these young, budding scientists.  Everyone was a winner," stated Linda Stitely, 8th Grade Science Teacher and Director of the Science Fair.

 

Schools Welcome Martin Cares Participants
 
OPUS Performs for Martin Cares
Martin County High's OPUS performs for Martin Cares on February 23rd
 
On Thursday, February 23rd, more than 40 Martin Cares participants took part in a tour of Martin County schoolsThe group visited Challenger School, PInewood Elementary, Jensen Beach High, Martin
Martin Cares Visits JBHS Health Science Academy
Martin Cares Visits the Health Sciences Academy at Jensen Beach High
County High, and

Stuart Middle. 

 

 

During the tour, participants visited classrooms, learned about Career Academies, took part in a question and answer session with middle school students, enjoyed a performance by OPUS, and were treated to lunch prepared by Culinary Academy students at the Tigers Den.  They also had the chance to speak with the Superintendent and Board Members during the luncheon.   

 

Stuart Middle School Chorus "Rocks" with Foreigner 
Stuart Middle School's Chorus Performs
on Stage with the Rock Band Foreigner
on February 10th
On February 10th, the Chorus at Stuart Middle School (SMS) enjoyed the show of a lifetime.  They were invited to perform onstage with the rock group "Foreigner" during a concert at the Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce.  They sang back-up as the group sang one of its greatest hits, I Want to Know What Love Is. 
 
SMS Chorus Performs with Foreigner
Stuart Middle School Chorus backstage with Foreigner band members on February 10th
"The girls were very nervous right before we got on stage.  I don't think they realized how loud it would be and how many people would be in the audience.  The minute they walked on stage they were so professional, so calm and they did an awesome job.  I was incredibly proud of them," said SMS Choral Director Bridget Glass.   "The Sunrise Theater staff was very kind and we could not have had a better experience.  A couple of the kids were even given drumsticks as souvenirs by the band.  It was an amazing experience," continued Glass.
 
 
Newest Additions to Palm City Elementary

Students at Palm City Elementary are enjoying the newest additions to the school.  These Button Quail Chicks (pictured right) were born last week in the school's Science Lab.  Students have been studying life cycles and were able to purchase the incubator and eggs thanks to a Classroom Enrichment Grant by the Education Foundation of Martin County.  The Button Quail are very small, about the size of a thumb. 

According to Palm City Elementary Science Teacher, Brooking Bullock, the chicks will live at the school through the end of the school year.  After that, several families have asked to adopt them.