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West Shore and Edgewood high schools in Florida have been ranked among the top 10 in the state and top 100 nationwide, according to a report from U.S. News and World Report. The rankings are based on factors such as college readiness, curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, and graduation rate. Florida had the fifth highest number of high schools in the top 25% of the rankings. West Shore Jr./Sr. High and Edgewood Jr./Sr. High were also ranked in the top 100 high schools in the nation. Other Brevard high schools that made the state and national rankings include Satellite High School, Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School, Viera High School, Melbourne High School, and Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. The rankings provide valuable information for parents and students looking for the best high schools in Florida.

 

Florida Today

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is considering sanctioning competitive video gaming, or esports, as an official sport due to increasing interest from member schools. During a recent meeting in Gainesville, the FHSAA Board of Directors discussed esports and conducted a survey to gauge school interest. According to the survey results, 26.4% of responding schools reported sponsoring an esports team or club. Specifically, 24.9% of public schools, 25.2% of private schools, and 39.1% of charter schools indicated having esports programs. For esports to be officially sanctioned by the FHSAA, the organization requires at least 20% of schools in at least two of its four regional sections to offer the sport. With the survey data revealing notable interest in esports programs, the FHSAA is now considering the next steps towards potentially recognizing esports as an official high school sport in Florida.

 

PalmCoastObserver.com

Orlando Sentinel

School Leadership’s Guide to Building an Online Learning Program

No two students learn the same way, and alternative options for education have never been more necessary than they are right now. Online learning has become an option that’s gained traction nationwide. According to a recent study, 81% of parents believe online learning helps their children better prepare for the future and 94% believe it positively impacts their children’s ability to understand courses.*

This guide will help school and district leaders like you learn more about the fundamentals of online learning and its benefits.

Topics include:

• Debunking common myths about online education
• An outline of the first steps to create and implement a new program
• Strategies for creating open communication with parents, students, and staff
• How to select the best industry partner to help develop your new program

*FlexPoint 2021 Parent Survey

Download the Guide

 

Michael George, the Principal of Atlantic Coast High School in Duval County, has been named Florida's Principal of the Year, according to an announcement from state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr.'s office. "School leadership plays a pivotal role in the success and future of our students, teachers and state,” Diaz said in an announcement, singling out George and others for exceptional performance. As a twenty-year veteran educator, George humbly accepted the recognition on behalf of his school's staff, students and the surrounding community.

 

The Florida Times-Union

The Lee County School District is combatting its teacher shortage by implementing a student teacher program. The Flyers Program allows students from Florida Gulf Coast University to gain real-life experience in classrooms and determine which grade and subjects are the best fit for them. The district hopes to hire these student teachers upon their graduation. Rachael Peitz, a student teacher in the program, expressed her gratitude for the paid internship, which allows her to focus solely on school and her internship. The program has been successful, with several student teachers already securing jobs by the end of the semester.

 

WINK News

Edward Lanza, a retired U.S. Army veteran and paraprofessional at Saddlewood Elementary School in Ocala, has been named the Florida Department of Education's School-Related Employee of the Year for 2024. Lanza, who works in the school's media center, was selected from thousands of contenders statewide. His nomination was made by the school's principal, Heather Lipira, who described Lanza as someone who listens to students and honors their humanity. Lanza, a Vietnam War veteran, enjoys working with the students and resolving technical issues. The award includes a trophy and a $10,000 cash prize. This is the first time a School-Related Employee of the Year has been chosen from Marion County since 2016.

 

Ocala.com

Gadsden County is focusing on providing more opportunities for students to learn about STEM careers. Dr. Renee Gordon, the STEM Program Director at Tallahassee Community College, emphasizes the importance of exposing kids to STEM at a young age to help them explore potential career paths. TCC recently hosted over a hundred students from Gadsden County to introduce them to STEM activities, including experiences with 3D printers and learning about various STEM careers. Currently, Gadsden County does not have a dedicated STEM school, and many students are unfamiliar with what STEM entails. Despite the costs associated with implementing STEM education, Superintendent Elijah Key highlights that there are funding opportunities through grants to support the development of STEM programs in schools. Dr. Gordon encourages students of all ages to develop a love for STEM and not be afraid of challenging content, as TCC prepares to host a free STEM summer camp for students from Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla counties.

 

Tallahassee News

In efforts to reduce food waste, Sand Lake Elementary School has implemented a food recovery initiative. The school has donated close to 25,000 pounds of unused food to local nonprofits. Students also participate by depositing leftovers in compost bins. The compost is then used by schools with community gardens. Additionally, the school has "share tables" where students can leave unused food for donation. Sand Lake Elementary School has donated approximately 9,800 pounds of food or milk this school year. The initiatives not only help the environment but also educate students about sustainability.

 

News 13

Local 10 News' eARTh Day Art Contest has celebrated South Florida art students' creativity and environmental awareness for the seventh consecutive year. Since 2018, the contest has granted $27,000 to six schools in the region. Students at Miami's Epiphany Catholic School were this year's winners. The winning artwork, titled “Mangrove Delight,” is a striking seven-foot piece proudly exhibited in the school's parent pick-up area. Notably, it was crafted entirely from recycled materials. Art teacher Carolina Hernandez guided her students in transforming collected trash into art, blending her passion for art and boating. The contest's sponsor, Publix, provided Hernandez and her students with a $4,500 prize to purchase additional art supplies, further fostering creativity and environmental consciousness among the young artists.

 

Local10

Actor Kevin Bacon returned to Payson High School in Utah, where the movie Footloose was filmed, for a charity event organized by the student body. The students volunteered for Bacon's charity, Six Degrees, and built 5,000 kits filled with essentials for those in need. The event raised over $865,000 worth of product distribution. Bacon expressed his gratitude for the students' commitment and the power of the movie to bring people together. He also received an honorary diploma and a varsity jacket from the students.

 

Chronicle Online

The Miami Herald