Class Notes 01.22.15

+ Windy Ridge teacher wins Governor’s Shine Award

Windy Ridge School teacher Paul Caswell recently received the Governor’s Shine Award.

Caswell, in his 24th year, teaches the first grade. He holds an English for Speakers of Other Languages endorsement. In addition to classroom duties, he has served as a technology coordinator, media specialist and an instructional support teacher working with testing and exceptional student education services compliance.

A recipient of the 2013 Florida Elementary Reading Teacher of the Year award, Caswell has taught colleagues various reading strategies, including reading analysis and Literacy SMART Centers.

+ Montverde Academy to host open house

Montverde Academy’s Upper and Middle School Open House will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 31, at the school, 17235 Seventh St., Montverde.

The event serves as an ideal opportunity for prospective students and their families to learn more about the academy’s academic programming, which includes a 100% college acceptance rate; 26 Advanced Placement courses; 53 Advanced Scholars in 2014; 14 honor classes; 10 honor societies and six SAC diplomas.

During the open house, campus tours will be provided by MVA Admissions department representatives. MVA’s Upper-school and Middle-school faculty also will be located in their classrooms to help support MVA’s Admissions team in educating the community about the various methods utilized by the academy to foster positive relationships, provide individualized academic instruction, create responsive academic environments and develop self-esteem and personal development. 

To RSVP, visit montverde.org/upper-school/open-house-registration.

+ Board reviews SafeWalk program

Orange County Public Schools staff updated the Orange County School Board on the district’s initiative to bolster safe walking routes to and from school during a work session Jan. 15.

During the last school year, the Safety and Security and Transportation Services departments launched the SafeWalk program, a deliberate and programmatic approach to enhance the safety of students who walk and bike to school. The pedestrian safety initiative draws on interdepartmental OCPS staff and community partnerships to promote general safety awareness and address traffic safety risks to students.

The district is working with its community partners, using their resources and expertise, to collect information, such as traffic crash data within two miles of schools, conducting traffic safety audits in cooperation with the University of Central Florida and tracking crossing guard vacancies, to help develop recommendations for changes and enhancements to student walk routes.

Some of the participating agencies include: OCPS Safety & Security, Orange County Student/Pedestrian Safety Committee, Orange County Community Traffic Safety Team, Orange County Sheriff Office — School Crossing Guard Unit, Orange County Traffic Engineering, OCPS Transportation Services, OCPS Government and Planning, MetroPlan Orlando, Best Foot Forward, Walking School Bus, the University of Central Florida, and law-enforcement partners.

Schools also play a critical role in supporting the SafeWalk program by distributing awareness and educational materials to parents and students as provided by Safety & Security, partnering with Safety & Security to schedule SafeWalk training sessions during parent meetings at schools, identifying opportunities to integrate SafeWalk awareness discussion into more art and physical education classes, using morning announcements to push information and training videos to students about SafeWalk programs, continuing to promote no-idling zones at schools to facilitate traffic and promote a healthy environment, and handing out “Parent Tips” cards.

+ Windermere Prep students receive sobering lesson

The EAST Injury Control and Violence Prevention Committee, in conjunction with the Society of Trauma Nurses and the American Trauma Society, hosted its fourth annual Community Outreach Program Jan. 13 at Windermere Preparatory School.

This program provides an opportunity for students to learn the priorities of vehicle safety and the hazards of distracted driving. The 2015 program featured numerous hands-on experiences and demonstration scenarios culminating with a rollover car crash event and Air Care (Orlando Regional Trauma Center) helicopter landing and intervention at the school.