Study Tips from your Middle School Guidance Counselor
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 Dear Parents,
With final exams behind us, and FCAT ahead, we all need to help our students focus on GREAT study habits. Some tips:
Set up a routine for homework and studying. Students need a quiet place to do work and study. Trying to do math homework at the kitchen table with the TV on while listening to music is not the best environment for studying. Students also need to set aside time dedicated only to homework and studying. Trying to get all of the math problems done between commercials on "That's So Raven" is NOT the best approach! Scheduling time in a quiet place is a great way to approach homework.
One simple behavioral rule is this: Children repeat behaviors that earn attention from their parents. With this idea in mind, try to focus on the ways your child is succeeding and working well. Instead of getting angry and frustrated when s/he does not come home and get right to work, try, "I'm not going to keep reminding you to do your homework because I know you already know how to work hard." Then, when your child does focus on their work, make sure they know you notice.
Kristina N. Pineau
Middle School Counselor
phone: 850-245-3808
fax: 850-245-3838 |
Health & Safety Update
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 GARDENS
The PTSA's preparation of the Florida High
gardens is complete and during a dedication ceremony on December 14th control of
the gardens was turned over to the faculty and students for planting. We
have prepared a 15x18 foot middle and high school vegetable garden plot, a 12x15
elementary vegetable/herb garden plot, and a 8x10 butterfly garden
plot. Thanks to all the students, faculty and parents who have made
this project a reality. Planting is expected to begin in the spring.
Formation of a garden club has been discussed which would allow interested
schoolchildren to use the gardens.
SCHOOL NUTRITION ADVISORY PROGRAM (SNAP)
The PTSA
continues to survey the snacks available to students on campus and the results
so far show the majority of snacks sold or distributed at school exceed the
calorie, fat, saturated fat, sodium and sugar limits in the school wellness
plan that was adopted by the Florida High Board of Directors
last August. The PTSA has requested the school administration call a
meeting of the Wellness Committee to address this situation, but no meeting date
has been set.
The Wellness Plan is required by federal law to
adress the growing child obesity problem in America, and requires the school to
examine the nutritional content of foods available on campus and offer healthier
alternatives. The PTSA is also developing a list of healthier snacks to
replace those that exceed the limits in the plan, and seeking to strengthen the
plan for next year.
HEALTH FAIR
The PTSA will hold a Health Fair on
March 28, 2007 (the Wednesday after spring break) from 3:30PM-6:00PM in the Florida
High Cafetorium, featuring a multitude of exhibitors covering various subjects
relating to health.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for any of the above
projects please contact me.
Danni VogtHealth and Safety Chair
877-5641
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Reading Programs Update
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Hello to All and a Very Happy New Year!!
Our Sunshine State Reading Program is off and running. Our students
are truly excelling on this reading challenge. We are hosting a Hot Chocolate Party
on January 19th at 2:00pm in the library. This party is for the
students who have read three Sunshine State Books and have successfully
passed the AR tests. We already have a total of 30 elementary students
signed up at this point - with just one more week to go before the
deadline date. The students have been eagerly checking out the
Sunshine State Books, and we have been reading them aloud in the
classrooms as well. Students remember that the Sunshine State Books
count as two books on your reading log (the red log - to dunk Mr.
Trafford). Good luck and we hope to see many of you at the Hot
Chocolate Party.
Parents, please help your children to reach our
goal (challenge) of reading 12,000 books by the end of the year - when
the students reach this goal we will be hosting a celebration party
that deals with everything water! One major prize is that our
Elementary Principal, Mr. Neal Trafford, has agreed to be DUNKED!!!!
If you are in need of a red reading log sheet - come by the library or
the front office to pick one up.
We have had an exciting year for 2006 and can only begin the year 2007 by thanking all of you who helped to make 2006 one of the greatest for us at Florida High. This year we have been
able to:
- Offer all new teachers at Florida High a welcome gift of a $100
shopping spree in the Scholastic Resources Catalog
- Offer a $300 shopping spree drawing at the Teacher Preview for the
Winter Wonderland book fair (which was won by Elementary's Ms. Katie Maxon)
- Supply our library with
some much-needed materials for each department (elementary, middle
school and high school).
- Help classrooms purchase much-needed materials for teaching and reading
We have had tremendous success with our book fairs and can only say THANK YOU to all of the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and students for your support and help.
The book fairs take many hours of planning and setting up - we have been very fortunate this year to have a wonderful group of students step forward who are willing to invest the time to "learn the ropes," so to speak, of running a book fair from the "set-up" to the breakdown. We would like to acknowledge these fantastic students at this time: Katie Watson, Tristian Coulbert (our go-to-guy), Sarah Evans, Sarah Rearick, Olivia Rearick, Hunter Rivers, Wyatt Rivers, Cooper Pearlman, Nick Jones, Grant Gandy, Marcus Farley, Nicholas Leon, Sydney Harrison, Brooke Harrison, Olivia Pulver, and Chloe Pulver. A very BIG thank you to each and every one of you!!!! Ladies and Gentlemen - these students do it all - from dressing up as "Book Worms" to helping decorate the stage for performances to running cash registers -- well, you get the idea - they work their bottoms off!!!
Now, let's acknowledge the great support that we have received from the following adults - who without them - none of this would be possible. A tremendous shout of thanks goes out to Paula Rearick (thanks for being an arm, leg, and backbone), Christy Gandy (our go-to-gal), Trish Kill (our baker extraordinaire), Elaine Palmer (the lady who can find anything), Pam Fuqua (the fastest un-packer this side of Texas), Norma Benton (our voice of reason), Teresa Farley, Lydia Lott, Kammie Gargan, Toni Harrison, Nicole Wolfe, Chantel Lancaster, Alicia Cherry, Sundae McMillan, Tuty May, Dana Crosby, Judy Kirtley, Lori Fitzpatrick, Pauline Evans, Renee Edwards and Heidi Abernethy. Thank you to each and every one of you!!!
Last, but not least, on our list of "Thank You's" - we must take this time to show great respect to some of the most outstanding individuals at our school who are unbelievable in their ability to constantly step forward and help us with each program we present. So with that said -- a big THANK YOU to Ms. Linda Searight & her staff (Tomahawk Café). A big THANK YOU to Ms. Barb Davis & her creative students (Art Department - High School), a big THANK YOU to Ms. Debi Barrett-Hayes (Art Department - High School), a big THANK YOU to Ms. Sarah Bender (Home Ec. - High School), a big THANK YOU to Ms. Phyllis Rosati (After School), a big THANK YOU to Mr. Danny Bailey, a big THANK YOU to Ms. Sharon Roberts, a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Lisa Ebener (Elementary Music Teacher), a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Ruthie Platt & Ms. Helena Northup. Let us not forget a big THANK YOU to our administrative staff!!!
But - (I know - how many more thank you's?!!!) We must also thank our entire library staff, Mrs. Carole Fletcher, Mrs. Kathy Broome and Mrs. Becca Raysin . Thank you, Ladies, from the bottom of our hearts!!!!
We are so very blessed to have such a caring and committed "Florida High Family"! Remember, we can build and do wonderful things - TOGETHER!!
As always, we are looking forward to our next program and spending time with our fabulous students and our truly awesome parents!!!
Kate Pulver
Reading Programs Chair
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Elementary Students of the Month
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Congratulations to our Elementary Students of the Month for November and December 2006! We are all very proud of you.
November 2006
Jordin Besczezynski, Zain Bowden, Kianna Brown, Taylor Burns, Dylan Causseaux, Michael Cerio, Brittany Corbett, Nicholas Crowder, Camille Deas, Marcus Farley, Lexi Fitzpatrick, Carmen French, Christopher Fuller, Ma'Asa Gay, Ty Hadley, Brooke Harrison, Natalie Hoffman, Logan Horton, Jenna Hurst, Enrique Ibarra, Anna Key, Hunter Key, Samuel Lane, Troyquel Linder, Sydney Meadows, Landon Ortwein, Gabby Pessin, Samuel Simenov, Sainnice Soares, Zachary Tanglao, Iynkary Vigneswaran, Henry Vogt, Hunter Weathington, Nicholas Wolfe
December 2006
Nicholas Burnaman, Jeffrey Clegg, Sapphire Cooper, Tommy Faoutes, Shawndria Faust, Alexis Foley, Destynee Frazier, Caden Hall, Brooke Harrison, Mackenzie Johnson, Lily Sweet King, Danielle MacVicar, Kobe Mike, Madison Milliken, Olajide Oke, Akshar Patel, Kamal Presley, Joshua Massey, Sami McKee, Keji Medehue, Drew Nunn, Adam Scovera, Savannah Seiverth, Lauren Shirley, Joey Tilk, Eli Torres, Joseph Vastola, Mackenzie Whitmire, Daysha Williams, Heather Yelvington
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| Announcements |
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The Extended Day Program at FSUS will be having a summer camp again this year. Our theme this summer is "Life's a Party." The camp will start on June 4, 2007, and run until August 10, 2007. We will have many activities such as bowling, swimming, skating, crafts, games, and weekly field trips to name a few. For more information please call
Phyllis or Amanda at 245-3843.
- Parents of all seniors are urged to participate in an easy and profitable fundraiser for Project Graduation. We are selling two, very popular children's maze activity books. They are inexpensive and easy-to-sell. They retail for $5.95 each, but we'll sell them as a package of 2 for $10. They will not cost us a cent and all the money raised will go to Project Graduation. There's a sign up sheet at the front desk or contact Señor Guastella at 245-3755 or sguastel@mailer.fsu.edu. Let's make it a great SENIOR YEAR!
- Brownie Girl Scout Troop 465 and other local troops are currently taking orders for Girl Scout Cookies. Each box is $3.50, and we have eight varieties of cookies, including a new sugar-free brownie cookie. If you are interested in ordering cookies, please contact one of our Brownies or our Cookie Moms (Jennifer Shirley, 422-0964, or Christy Griffin, 877-8528). If you already know a Girl Scout affiliated with another troop, please contact her. Thank you for supporting Girl Scouts!
- The Girl Scout Council of the Apalachee Bend needs adult volunteers to serve as Leaders and Co-Leaders for troops at every age level: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors. The council has over 100 girls who are interested in joining Girl Scouts, but do not have a troop with an available opening. If you would like more information on volunteering or would like to place your daughter with a troop, please contact Tracy Arnold by email at tarnold@gscab.org, or by calling the council office at 386-2131.
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