|
|
|
|
|
ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE TOGETHER |
|
|
|
|
Dr. Maria Brown sworn in as Board Member
Maria Brown grew up in Boone County and graduated from Ryle High School in 1996. She graduated from College of Mount St. Joseph in 2000 and completed her doctoral degree at the University of Cincinnati in 2009. She has been married to her husband for 15 years and three of their four children attend Longbranch Elementary. Maria completed the Governor's Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership in 2011 and has been an active volunteer in the Boone County schools. Maria adamantly believes that every child can learn and that education is the foundation for all future success, both in life and in career. Maria is excited and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the Boone County Board of Education.
On Thursday, October 17, 2013 Dr.Maria Brown was sworn in at 3:30 PM by County Administrator Jeff Earlywine. Dr. Brown is the Division #2 Boone County Board Member. |
|
Fidelity Investments teams up with Florence Elementary
This year Florence Elementary is teaming up with Fidelity Investments. Twelve Fidelity employees have committed to volunteer their personal time to become involved in the LEGO League teams at Florence Elementary. The club meets once a week on Mondays from 4-5:30 with the support of Fidelity that is sponsoring five LEGO League teams, two junior and three robotics groups. The mentors will work with students from September through November.
Fidelity and their employees know the value of investing in students, their education and their future. The foundation begins with the basics - a quality, core education delivered in an environment that helps students thrive. There are two levels of teams -Jr. FLL teams comprised of 2nd and 3rd grade students and FLL teams comprised of 4th and 5th grade students. FIRST Robotics programs provide hands-on learning experiences in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer, Math) in addition to stressing 21st century skills that focus on communication, collaboration, problem solving and innovative thinking. FIRST programs have been featured in the media many times because of the gains they are making in inspiring students to pursue STEM careers.
In addition, Fidelity Investments is the title sponsor of the NKY Regional FIRSTŪ LEGO League Robotics Tournament and Jr. FLL Engineering Expo on December 7, 2013 that will be held at Northern Kentucky University.
|
New Haven Elementary introduces Tiger Dads
New Haven Elementary is proud to introduce one of its newest programs, Tiger Dads. Tiger Dads was started in January of 2013 and is a father involvement program that strives to get dads, or other male role models, more involved in the lives of their children, especially as it relates to education. And the best thing about the program? It's 100% dad led. The Fox 19 Morning News show recently invited Tiger Dads founder Bryan Cobb and fellow Tiger Dad Michael Foltz and their children (Zachary & Nicholas) down to the studios for an interview that can be seen here (they even let Zachary and Nicholas do a LIVE weather forecast with Channel 19's own Katy Morgan).
Funded by the PTA and local donations, Tiger Dads meets every month for different events that focus on dads spending quality time with their kids. Every other month starting in September, dads and their kids get together over breakfast before school for All Pro Dad days. All Pro Dad is a national program that is backed by the NFL and the national PTA. It preaches family values and ways to strengthen bonds between children and their male role models, whether it is a dad, step-dad, uncle, brother or ... yes ... even a mom.
Outside of the All Pro Dad days, they have collaborated with Kenton County Schools to host an All Pro Dad day at the Florence Freedom which might become an annual event. This year they are working on hosting a Math/Science night for dads and their kids in which they will give them practical ways to work at home on math skills as well as some cool science experiments! On October 18th, Tiger Dads joined forces with the "Men @ Mann" from Mann Elementary for a Ryle High School football tailgate where they grilled out, played games and competed in the first ever New Haven vs. Mann kickball game!
As well as spending quality time with their kids, Tiger Dads also encourages dads to help out at the school. From volunteering to chaperone field trips to landscaping the school, Tiger Dads really are starting to make a difference at New Haven Elementary! To find out more about Tiger Dads, visit www.facebook.com/tigerdads.
|
Strong Fathers of Florence Elementary
On September 23rd 'The Strong Fathers of Florence Elementary' filled the parking lot going to their child/children's classroom. What the fathers discovered... frightened them. The student teacher relationship had changed drastically from the days when the students sat in rows and worked individually. Now the classes are arranged in groups and promote group work, not to cheat but to improve social skills, showing each other how to work through a problem (problem solving), and working together for a solution. The fathers witnessed their child's expression of self-confidence. They also saw them being well mannered, interacting with the teacher and mastering computer skills. This is what intimidated the fathers, their lack of computer knowledge, having to ask your elementary child how to perform a certain computer task. It lets children feel they are important helping their parents with computers. The kids of today are growing up in a technical world full of computer interactions, cell phones, ipads, twitter and facebook accounts.
Children seek different relationships with each parent. Mom is always associated with food...what is for supper. The father figure impacts their children's education, emotional and mental health, drug and alcohol use, and future relationships. Kids demand and need your attention. Simply by being a good listener, showing them respect and honoring their ideas for only 10 - 15 minutes a day will satisfy their need most of the time.
After the fathers met their child's teacher and friends all the men came together with their child in the cafeteria for 'Donuts with Dad'. Once the students left, Michael Hall, president and founder of Strong Fathers, presented a program allowing the men to discover their true strength as fathers. We had a phenomenal turn out of fathers, grand dads, and uncles for a total of 139 participants who are playing an intricate role in life of their children, especially in the learning process. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
