Contact: Debi Stewart, 434-8228
Public Affairs Dept.
May 30, 2008

Two Palm Beach County Schools traveled to the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, this weekend to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals Competition. Bak Middle School of the Arts and Poinciana Elementary School sent teams who are representing the State of Florida in the critical thinking and problem solving competition.

Both schools have advanced through two rounds of competition in order to qualify for the World Finals level. Both schools won at the regional competition, which includes several counties, as well as at the State level.

For more information, contact Terianne Amedee, Bak Middle School of the Arts, (561) 882-3870.

Contact: Ana Sands, 434-8228
Public Affairs Dept.
June 12, 2008

Three new elementary schools will open in August this year. Marsh Pointe Elementary is located in Palm Beach Gardens, Pine Jog Elementary is in Greenacres and Sunset Palms Elementary will open in Boynton Beach.

Marsh Pointe Elementary was built to relieve overcrowding at Timber Trace Elementary, Lighthouse Elementary and Beacon Cove Elementary. This past year the school has actually "housed" Allamanda Elementary which is being rebuilt on its original site.

Marsh Pointe will be opening with a projected enrollment of 450 students but enrollment could be larger based on the number of registrants the school has already received. An After Care (SACC) program will be offered as well as extracurricular activities sponsored by the teachers. Some of the clubs and activities will be Safety Patrol, Student Council, Band, Chorus, Environmental Club, Television News Crew, SECME Club, Art Club and Future Teachers Club.

“The teachers and I are extremely excited about our new home and about working as an outstanding TEAM in an amazing community,” said Marsh Pointe Elementary Principal Maureen Werner. All classrooms are enhanced with student computer stations, Audio Enhancement, Document Cameras and InterWrite Pads.

For more information on Marsh Pointe Elementary contact Ms. Werner at 561-366-6800.

Pine Jog Elementary School will be one of the first LEED Certified Green Schools in the State of Florida and the only one in the nation that will share a campus with an environmental education center and a public university. The school will have a strong partnership with Pine Jog Environmental Education Center and Florida Atlantic University and will be situated on 15 of 150 acres at Pine Jog.

At Pine Jog Elementary School, teachers will provide a rich learning environment that will promote a hands-on approach to all subjects, but with special emphasis on Science, Nature and Art. Students will have the opportunity to explore 150 acres of native Florida vegetation as they gain an appreciation of nature and learn the value of preservation. Pine Jog will relieve overcrowding at Cholee Lake Elementary and Melaleuca Elementary schools.

“We have organized special hard hat tours for our teaching staff so that so that we can orient them to the many green components of this school,” said Pine Jog Elementary Principal Fred Barch. “Everyone is extremely excited to be a part of the school. Our goal is for Pine Jog Elementary to become a national model for green schools.”

Pine Jog will open with a projected enrollment of 560 students and will offer a full range of clubs and activities. The school will open with a Voluntary Pre K program and will have an aftercare program that will be managed by FAU/Pine Jog Environmental Education Center.

For more information on Pine Jog Elementary, contact Mr. Barch at 561-656-5401.

Sunset Palms Elementary School administrators are stressing that ALL students must register to attend the school, even those coming from Hagen Road Elementary, Hidden Oaks Elementary, and Discovery Key Elementary—considered to be feeder schools. Registrations will be accepted through June 30. Hours for registration are Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Hagen Road Elementary School.

Sunset Palms Elementary Principal Karen Riddle says the result of the recent uniform dress code vote is a mandatory dress code for students which will consist of solid collared shirts (any color, with or without the Sunset Palms logo) and solid color bottoms (pants, capris, shorts, skirts, and skorts in khaki, navy, black). Items may be purchased from the Seacoast Embroidery Shoppes of Atlantis on Congress Avenue in Atlantis.

For more information on Sunset Palms Elementary, contact Ms. Riddle at 561-752-1100.

Contact: Debi Stewart, 434-8228
Public Affairs Dept.
June 5, 2008

Eileen Shapiro, Program Planner for the Multicultural Education Department, joins a handful of students, educators, and citizens selected from around the country to receive the Spirit of Anne Frank Educator Award, on Thursday, June 12, (Anne’s birthday) at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. The awards are designed to recognize those who use the diary or spirit of Anne Franks as tools to advance her legacy. The Awards recognize students, educators, and citizens who participate in social and humanitarian programming to engender understanding, equality, and mutual respect among diverse groups. Mrs. Shapiro has been an educator for the Palm Beach County Schools for 23 years, and has served as Holocaust Studies program planner since 1998. The event includes an awards dinner, auction, and awards ceremony.

The Palm Beach Gardens resident was born in Kew Gardens, New York and grew up in a small town in New Jersey called White Meadow Lake. Her husband, Rabbi Howard Shapiro, is retiring this month and has been the Rabbi of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach for 27 years. Their two grown children, David and Rachel, are both married and between the two, have blessed Eileen and her husband with five grandchildren.

The district Holocaust Studies Program Planner said that teaching the lessons of the Holocaust to students and teachers is part of her effort to make this a better world. “I believe I must try to make sure that a holocaust does not happen again to any people. It is as if it is a sacred task.--the Survivors with whom I partner have a limited time to tell their stories of what they witnessed,” she said. “I feel that I am their link to the generations to come,” she adds. Department Executive Director Ana Meehan said she wasn’t surprised at the award. “Mrs. Shapiro has worked tirelessly and educated thousands of students and teachers about the Holocaust through her diligent efforts during the last decade, " she stated.

Mrs. Shapiro gives special credit for the program’s success to the League for Educational Awareness of the Holocaust, LEAH, who provide the funds for many of the programs implemented in the school district. For more information about the award, contact Richard Stepler, (212) 431-7993 ext. 304. Contact Eileen Shapiro, Multicultural Education Department, (561) 434-8169.

Drema Brazelton--a consumer science/family career and Community Leaders of America teacher at Palm Springs Community Middle School has worked with her students and created nine soft, fleece comfort bags for the Children's Home Society. Many children for various reasons find themselves in the lonely, stressful situation of being homeless.

These comfort bags are designed not only to give some immediate solace as a pillow for the child, but to also double as a bag to carry their essential hygienic needs and worldly possessions. The team hopes each bag will reassure a child during those difficult times. Mrs. Brazelton's career focus has long mirrored the motto of the Children's Home Society, -- "No Effort on Behalf of Children is Ever Wasted".

For more information, contact Martin Weingart, school contact, at (561) 357-5018.

Seminole Trails Elementary Students Read Over 100,000 Books This Trimester

Contact: Vickie Middlebrooks, 434-8228
Public Affairs Dept.
May 30, 2008

At the beginning of the school year, Judith Garrard and Robert Paschall, Principal and Assistant Principal at Seminole Trails Elementary School, challenged their Pre-K through 5th grade students to read, read, read! During the 3rd trimester, the students read over 100,000 books. To celebrate their progress, a special assembly was planned.

Josie Sutton, Reading Coach, tabulated weekly totals to monitor student progress. Each book read by the students in the classroom or at home or read to the students by teachers and parents counted towards the total.

Special guests DJ Reggie D from X 102.3 Radio, Stanley C. Panther, mascot for the Florida Panthers, and a few other surprise guests stopped by to join in the fun activities. Special rewards were given to the students showing the most progress. Stanley C. Panther issued a special challenge for Principal Judith Garrard and Assistant Principal Robert Paschall. Two assemblies were recently held in the Seminole Trails Elementary School bus loop.

As a part of Palm Beach County School District, Seminole Trails Elementary School hosts a diverse population of students in Pre-K ESE (Exceptional Student Education) to 5th grade. The school is also home to an autistic cluster for Pre-K to 5th grade students. The energetic staff wants to motivate all of the students to be the best readers they can be!

For more information about this special event, please contact: Lisa M. Horn, Speech-Language Pathologist, Seminole Trails Elementary School at 561-640-5051 or 561-213-9148.

Boynton Beach High, Woodlands Middle and several schools in the city of Riviera Beach have organized a food drive to help the people in need in Haiti facing the scarcity and high prices of food. With the support of their teachers and other staff members, the students collected non-perishable food items to contribute to a local effort to help our neighboring country.

“I think this is a great initiative,” said Shaundrika Taylor, a teacher at Woodlands Middle. “The school Language Facilitator, Thierry Isaac, and I discussed with our students ways we can show that we care,” she added. Boynton Beach High principal, Kathleen Perry, along with teacher Allison DeGregory supported the students’ idea at their school, and coordinated the delivery of the food to the instance that will send it to Haiti. Several district staff loaded their trucks for pickup and delivery and were happy to donate their time assisting the students in their effort.

Mayor Thomas Masters initiated the Riviera Beach Emergency Food Drive for Haiti and has solicited the schools in his municipality to help in the endeavor. After his visit to Haiti, a couple of months ago, he made contact with officials to facilitate the delivery of food relief there.

The students are proud that they can make a difference. Most of them have are from Haiti, and still have relatives living on the island nation.

All the donations were delivered to the Riviera Beach Emergency Food Drive for Haiti.

For more information, call the City of Riviera Beach Emergency Food Drive For Haiti at (561) 242-8326.

Contact: Nat Harrington, 434-8228
Public Affairs Dept.
June 10, 2008

Strategies Include Improving Reading Interest and Teaching Reading to African and African American Students

This five day training Institute, June 16 through June 20, includes three national speakers, tour of Norton Museum's "Personal Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey" African American Art Exhibition and an excursion to Florida colleges and cultural sites.

Institute sessions are free and open to the public and media.

>Click for more information.

Free Summer Meals Program To Serve Palm Beach County’s Youth

Contact: Debi Stewart, 434-8228
Public Affairs Dept.
June 3, 2008

>Read information

The 15th Annual Spotlight On Young Musicians To Air On The Education Network

The Education Network (TEN, Comcast Channel 19) in association with K-12 Arts Education is proud to debut two, two-hour specials capturing the best of the Palm Beach County School District musical and vocal talent, in the 15th Annual Spotlight on Young Musicians.

Filmed over the course of two evenings, in the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Hall of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the two specials showcase the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County (Symphony, String, and Philharmonic Orchestras), the All-District Middle School and High School Honors Concert and Jazz Bands, the Beginning and Advanced Honors Handbell Choirs and the North Elementary and South Elementary Honors Chorus.

This sensational array of young talent is the result of the dedicated staff of the Palm Beach County Music Educators’ Association, the K-12 Curriculum Arts Education Staff of the School District, and the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County, Inc.

Hosted by Alan Gerstel from The Education Network, and Kelley Dunn from WPTV NewsChannel 5, these four hours of joyous entertainment are a “must see” for students, parents, educators, and administrators. The first two-hour offering airs beginning Sunday, June 1st (and all of that week) at 8 pm on TEN. The second two-hour offering airs beginning Sunday June 8th (and all of that week) at 8 pm, as well. Additionally, in July these specials will air as a 4-hour compilation, for an entire evening of musical enjoyment.

For information regarding the talented students and instructors involved in these productions, contact Dr. Tom Pearson (K-12 Arts Education Administrator) at 434-8161 and for information regarding The Education Network or questions as to air dates and times, contact Greg Kenney (Production Manager) at 738-2926.

School District Retirees Honored At Appreciation Breakfast

Several hundred teachers, administrators and non-instructional employees attended the Retiree Appreciation Breakfast this morning. Over 400 School District employees will retire this month after years of service to Palm Beach County students and schools. Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson along with School Board Chair Bill Graham, Chief Academic Officer Ann Killets and Chief Operating Officer Joseph Moore, thanked the group for their many years of service to the School District. Dimension 20 from Forest Hill High School provided the entertainment for the breakfast held in the cafeteria at The Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center.

Students, Teachers And The Public Gain Access To Valuable Information With New Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Website

The Palm Beach County School District Planning Department has released a new GIS web site with numerous graphic and technological features. The website includes a “map catalog” for over 70 maps created by the Planning Department. Both the maps and GIS layers are available for download from the site. Contained within the site is a wealth of information on how GIS is used in Facilities Management for school planning and the impact of this powerful application in K-12 schools. “Using GIS in the classroom enhances computer skills, increases the range of students’ learning styles, promotes critical-thinking skills, and hones communication and presentation skills,” according to Donna Goldstein, School District GIS Coordinator.

In addition there is timely information on how GIS has become a necessity in various industries, spurring current GIS job market opportunities, and the proliferation of GIS in higher education academic programs. “The School District recognizes that using GIS in the classroom may enhance overall academic achievement as well as provide students with additional technology tools to succeed in the global environment,” said Ms. Goldstein.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are information management systems tied to geographic data. The system combines various types of layers for features that lay on the earth, for example lakes and rivers, road networks, boundaries such as zip codes, cities, land cover, and demographic features. Each of these layers has datasets tied to them that can contain hundreds of pieces of information about a specific feature. The GIS provides the tools for spatially analyzing these data, their relationships, patterns and impact. The results of the analysis can be displayed in a report or visually as a map.

To access the site please go http://pbcschoolplanning.info and click on the "GIS home page" button.

For more information contact Ms. Goldstein at 561-434-7468.

Palm Beach Lakes High Educator Named Coordinator Of The Year

Loretta Barnes, Career Specialist, at Palm Beach Lakes High School was named “School Coordinator of the Year” by the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program for helping change the world one young woman at a time. Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship program recently honored more than 450 graduating senior girls representing 93 high schools from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and awarded approximately $350,000 in scholarships to applicants during the organizations Ninth Annual Graduation Celebration luncheon. Ms. Barnes was recognized as the “School Coordinator of the Year” at the celebration luncheon. Women of Tomorrow is about women helping women and has showed statistically significant improvement in the self-esteem of the young girls participating.

Ms. Barnes has been an educator for twenty-eight years and believes this program gives her the opportunity to help enrich the lives of young women. She meets monthly with a group of young women and discusses their ambitions, hopes, positive attitudes necessary for success and practical solutions to life’s problems.

New TEN TV Show Focuses on Students of Character

More than ninety Palm Beach County students who embraced and exemplified the Character Counts! Pillarsof Conduct, are the focus of a new TV show airing on The Education Network (TEN- Comcast Channel 19) through Sunday, June 8th at 7:30 p.m. During the show, Superintendent Art Johnson and Chief Academic Officer Ann Killets address the students and encourage them to continue their journey to successful careers.

The students were honored at the Character Counts Awards Gala held at Boynton Beach Community High School.

As Character Counts participants, students embrace and are trained on six pillars of conduct:

- Trustworthy

- Respectful

- Responsible

- Caring

- Fairness

- Citizenship

"At a time when a few young people get most of the public attention for negative behaviors, the community should know that the majority of young people demonstrate character each day and many seek this kind of training to equip themselves with tools to stay on the right path," said Kim Cotton Williams, Prevention Center, Asst. Director and Character Counts program director. "It's a show all parents and students should see," she said.

The Prevention Center of the Department of Safe Schools has been the torch-bearer for teaching Palm Beach County School District students, that “who you are, when no one is watching”, and the impact of being a person of character, is vital to success both as a student and as an adult.

For information regarding the Character Counts! curriculum program, please contact Kim C. Williams, 494-1540; and for information regarding The Education Network or air dates and times, contact Greg Kenney, TEN Production Manager, 738-2926.

Citrus Cove Student Meets Legendary Baseball Players’ Daughter

As one of the winners in a Major League Baseball writing contest, Citrus Cove Elementary student Treyden Chiaravalloti recently met Jackie Robinson’s daughter, Sharon Robinson. Ms. Robinson visited with Treyden and his family at the school in Boynton Beach and presented him with a laptop computer. Treyden was the second place winner in the National Writing contest, "Breaking Barriers," sponsored by Scholastic Books and Major League Baseball in honor of the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s ground breaking of the color barrier in baseball.

A student in Maryann Cain’s fourth grade class, Treyden wrote an essay titled "Breaking Barriers-A Boy Dancer." There were over 100,000 entries in the national writing contest and Treyden’s essay was the second place winner. Treyden also won a free trip to a Marlin’s baseball game while his class received a class set of Sharon Robinson’s book, "Promises to Keep" and each student got a "Breaking Barriers" T-shirt.

For more information contact Citrus Cove Elementary Principal Judith Asbury at 561-292-7000.

Summer Activities For The Students At Pine Grove Elementary School

The students at Pine Grove Elementary School in Delray Beach will be busy this summer. Each student will be taking home a Summer Book Bag of educational fun.

For the past week, the students have made ecologically friendly book bags. Publix at the Plaza at Delray donated 400 brown paper bags. These bags will go home on Friday with fun activities that will keep the students engaged in academic activities throughout the summer. Each bag will have 2 books, pencil, crayons, a Math Packet, and a Reading Packet. Each packet is designed for the specific grade of the child. Activities range from reading a book and doing a book reflection to practicing the times tables using flashcards.

Research shows that children can “lose” up to 4-months of education over the summer if they are not encouraged to read and do mathematical activities. It is the hope of the teachers and staff at Pine Grove that these Summer Book Bags will keep the students sharp and ready for school in the fall.

L.C. Swain Middle School Students To Celebrate FCAT Gains

Students at L.C. Swain Middle School in Greenacres participated in an FCAT incentive celebration June 4th at the school. “This year we have implemented many exciting programs to help our students achieve developmental gains on the FCAT,” said Michelle Harrison-Williams, ESE Team Leader/ Speech and Language Pathologist.

The school’s first "Jump for George" incentive celebration recognized students who have made 150, 250, and 400 point gains on the FCAT. Teachers, parents and community members watched and cheered students as they earned prizes for their gains.

For more information contact Ms. Harrison-Williams at 561-649-6900.

Poinciana Elementary Odyssey Of the Mind Team Repeats World Championship In Vehicle Design At The 29th Annual Odyssey Of The Mind World Competition In Maryland

You can say WORLD CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!!! Poinciana’s vehicle team, called “Odyssey Road Rally” came in FIRST PLACE out of 57 teams. Poinciana Elementary Math, Science, and Technology Magnet School's Odyssey of the Mind Vehicle Team will return tonight from the World Competition held at the University of Maryland, College Park from Saturday, May 31 through this Tuesday, June 3. Students from around the world competed in the 29th Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. This competition emphasizes creativity and teamwork. It has grown into the largest international creative problem-solving competition because Odyssey of the Mind makes learning fun while giving kids the chance to explore their imaginations and express their creativity. The team of seven Poinciana students presented their solutions to their problems along with students from all over the world. Odyssey of the Mind is truly a worldwide competition. Participants included teams from Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, and practically every state in the U.S. The annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is an event to behold. It embodies the international spirit of creativity!

Millions of students from kindergarten through college have participated in the Odyssey of the Mind. Since the Odyssey of the Mind eliminates the fear of criticism, even shy students are afforded the opportunity to open up and express themselves. Students learn to work in teams. Each year, five new competitive problems are presented for the teams to solve. These long-term problems are solved over weeks and months.

Their problem was to combine two popular activities -- Road Rallies and Sporting Events. Teams were to design, build, and operate an original vehicle, which they will drive in a road rally that has four checkpoints. At each checkpoint, the vehicle will compete in a sports-related event. The team will choose three of the events from lists in the problem and will create an original sports-related event for the fourth checkpoint. The team will also develop a theme for its road rally. This year’s team members: Angelo Sierra, Claire Collins, Giselle Vergara, Mariah Joy, Austin Pomianowski, Craig Carrier, and Bryce Connolly were coached by Gloria Gibson, Poinciana’s SACC Director, and Scott Pomianowski, a supportive parent.

“I truly believe this team’s hard earned recognition is a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, positive attitudes, commitment to students, and most importantly, teamwork,” said Peter T. Slack, the school principal. “To win the World Finals and receive the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award is an amazing feat.” “Great things always occur when a group of people or a TEAM is unified, works together towards a common goal, and recognizes and values the contributions of each member. I offer a special THANK YOU to our Odyssey Coach, Gloria Gibson, for laboring tirelessly with Poinciana Odyssey of the Mind Program to achieve these phenomenal, unprecedented levels of performance,” he added.

For more information about Odyssey of the Mind go to www.odysseyofthemind.com

For more information regarding Poinciana Elementary Math, Science, and Technology Magnet School go to www.PoincianaES.com

If you would like to Support Poinciana’s Odyssey of the Mind Program, please call (561) 739-5700 or send contributions to Poinciana Elementary 1203 North Seacrest Blvd. Boynton Beach, Florida 33435.

For more information contact Peter T. Slack at 561-739-5700

Suncoast Student To Receive Scholarship In Washington

Jordan Dulcie, a recent graduate of Suncoast High School, will receive a $1,000 scholarship from The National Society of High School Scholars tomorrow, May 30, in Washington, D.C. Jordan was selected for the award from among 11,000 applicants for excellence in academics, leadership and community service.

Claes Nobel, senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes and founder of The National Society of High School Scholars, will present the scholarship to Jordan at a recognition ceremony in the U. S. Senate Dirksen Building in Washington, D.C. Mr. Nobel stated, “I am deeply honored to recognize Jordan as one of our most outstanding students.” Jordan was an honors student in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Suncoast High School.

For more information contact Susan Thurman with The National Society of High School Scholars at 866-343-1800.

Superintendent To Surprise School-Related Employee Of The Year

Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson will surprise Gee Fong, Head Custodian at S. D. Spady Elementary School in Delray Beach, tomorrow, Friday, May 30, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. Fong was selected from approximately 9,000 dedicated support staff members to represent the School District in the Florida School-Related Employee of the Year Program.

Boynton Beach Art Exhibit To Showcase Emerging Talent of District High School Artists

An art show featuring the work of two dozen Palm Beach County high school students from 10 schools will be on display at Urs Art Studio Gallery of Boynton Beach and open to the public at no charge on May 30, from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

The show was organized by Erika Rains, a teacher at Lake Worth High School who is also the director of the gallery. She asked art teachers throughout the district to have their seniors who are going on to major or minor in art or related fields to participate.

The gallery envisions as many teachers and district employees as possible having the opportunity to see what their students have created. The event will be held at *802 N. Federal Highway in Boynton Beach, between Gateway and Boynton Beach Boulevards on the east side of Federal.

For information about the show, contact Erika Raines, (561) 533-6300.

*Look for a gold two- story building with parking in the back.

American Museum Of Natural History Honors Zaki Moustafa As 2008 Young Naturalist Award Winner

Zaki Moustafa, a recent graduate of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts is one of 13 winners of the 11th Annual Young Naturalist Awards contest, a research-based, nationwide essay contest for students in grades 7 through 12, presented by the American Museum of Natural History and sponsored by Alcoa Foundation.

The program challenges youngsters to embark on their own scientific expeditions and to then document their research, observations, and analyses of the natural world. Expeditions undertaken by this year’s winners ranged from exploring the nesting preferences of the alfalfa leaf-cutting bee to studying adaptations of grasshoppers in the alpine regions of the Rockies. The 13 students, who demonstrated accuracy in observation and thoroughness in research as well as creativity in writing and drawing, traveled to the Museum from their hometowns in eight different states on Friday, May 30, 2008, to accept cash awards ranging from $500 to $2,500, meet Museum scientists, take a behind-the-scenes tour, and be recognized at an award ceremony.

Judges from the Museum’s scientific, educational, and editorial staff used the following criteria to evaluate the essays: originality; demonstration of the ability to conduct research, thoughtfulness in analyzing and interpreting findings; and creativity and clarity in written and visual presentation. In addition to a cash prize, the winning entries are published on the Museum’s Web site, and excerpts are featured in Natural History magazine. (The public can visit the Young Naturalist Awards Web site at www.amnh.org/youngnaturalistawards to view winning essays and learn more about the program. Inquiries may also be made via email to yna@amnh.org.)

Following is an excerpt from Zaki’s winning project:

Zaki Moustafa

A.W. Dreyfoos High School of the Arts, West Palm Beach, Florida

Resilience of a Red Sea Fringing Coral Reef under Extreme Environmental Conditions: A Four-Year Study

Four years ago, while vacationing on the shores of the Red Sea, a diving expedition led Zaki to make an amazing discovery—a fringing coral reef just offshore. Over the next four years Zaki continued to observe the reef and document his findings. His goal was to identify the species living there, determine the reef’s health, identify natural and human influences, determine water quality characteristics, and share his results with the scientific community.

“I sat gazing out at the Red Sea’s distinct and beautiful waters, majestic mountains jutting upwards from the desert landscape behind me. Little did I know that very day would give a higher sense of meaning and accomplishment to the next four years of my life. It was that day that I uncovered a hidden treasure by discovering the existence of a pristine coral reef just meters away from the beach.”

Instructional Materials Adoption Committee To Meet

WHAT: Instructional Materials Adoption Committee Meetings for K-12 Language Arts/Literature/Grammar.

WHEN: All meetings are from 8:30-3:00 daily: 6-12 Literature (July 14-17, 2008), AP Literature (July 14-17, 2008), AP Language, (July 14-17, 2008), 6-12 Grammar (July 14-17, 2008), and K-5 Grammar/Composition (July 28-30, 2008).

WHERE: Instructional Materials Department, School District Support Center, McKesson Building, 1400 North Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33409

WHO: Selected committee members: Teachers, Community Members, and District Curriculum Staff

WHY: The School District of Palm Beach County will convene committees of teachers, community members, and District Curriculum Staff for the purpose of evaluating and recommending for adoption new instructional materials in the curricular areas listed above. All committee meetings are open to the public.

For more information contact William J. Purtell, Instructional Materials Specialist at 561-684-5145, purtellb@palmbeach.k12.fl.us.