Class Notes 01.29.15

+ Lake Whitney laces up for Dolphin Dash

More than 300 residents pounded the pavement for Lake Whitney Elementary School annual Dolphin Dash 5K and children’s fun run.

The run was the Parent-Teacher Organization’s only fundraiser this school year, and proceeds will benefit the PTO’s programs and events.

+ District agrees to salary increase

More than 13,000 teachers will be offered a salary increase of 6.3%, on average, based on a two-year agreement reached Jan. 15 between Orange County Public Schools and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association.

The raise will be retroactive to August 2014. Teachers who were employed during the 2013-14 school year will receive a $1,000 bonus for their instructional practices, which were instrumental in earning the Broad Prize for the district and scholarships for 25 students.

“We’re continuing to make great strides with student achievement, and we are narrowing achievement gaps,” Superintendent Barbara Jenkins said. “I’m so proud of our classroom teachers and all supporting instructional staff who are leading our students to success. Our school board values our instructional staff, and we thank them for their exceptional work.”

 Based on the 2013-14 school year data, the breakdown is as follows:

• 74% of district teachers have been rated highly effective and will receive $3,100.

• 14% of district teachers have been rated effective and will receive $2,000.

• 12% of district teachers will receive $500 (those not rated at effective or highly effective).

The district also approved raising the new beginning teacher minimum to $38,500 for the 2014-15 school year and $39,000 for the 2015-16 school year. All teachers below the minimum in the prior year will be brought up to the minimum.

+ Ocoee Middle to host winter dance

Ocoee Middle School students will enjoy a Winter Wonderland Dance from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at the school, 300 S. Bluford Ave., Ocoee.

Admission is $5 or $3 with a donation of a pair of new or gently used shoes or three canned-food items.

+ SunRidge student performs in honors band

Roman D’Argenio, eighth-grade student at SunRidge Middle School, attended the FMEA Professional Development Conference in Tampa.

Roman, a French horn player in the wind ensemble directed by Missie Ellis, was the school’s only participant in the All-State Middle School Honors Band.

Auditions and rehearsals spanned two full days ending with a concert Jan. 18.

The conference is one of the largest music education professional development events in the United States. In addition to about 250 clinic sessions and concerts, it is host to the all-state bands, orchestras and choruses for the state.

Roman also auditioned and made first chair French horn player for the All-County Band.