Education Bulletin

Trinity Prep student athletes commit to colleges

On Nov. 11, Chloe Chemtob, George Reuter, Caroline White, Daniel Levitan and John Michael Night of Winter Park participated in Trinity Prep’s Athletic Signing Ceremony. Students came dressed in their respective college apparel and signed their commitment documents to play a sport for a specific college in front of friends, family, coaches, and school faculty. This occasion is tremendously important to not only signal the student's continued commitments in college, but to remember all of the hard work these athletes have put into their sport. The following seniors have verbally committed to play their respective sports in college: Chloe Chemtob will play squash at Stanford University, George Reuter will swim for the University of Chicago, Caroline White will swim for Williams College, Daniel Levitan will play tennis for Babson College and John Michael Night will play lacrosse for Mercer University.

Winter Park resident earns scholarship

Winter Park resident and Logan Creasman, a graduate of Circle Christian School, recently received the Denison Founders Scholarship, a first year merit scholarship at Denison University. The scholarship is based on academic achievement, leadership and personal merit. At Denison University, one of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges, motivated students from around the world tailor educational experiences in pursuit of their highest aspirations. Innovative faculty and a completely residential campus provide an integrated learning environment for students to develop as critical thinkers, perceptive moral agents and active citizens in a global community as they prepare for rewarding lives of purpose and impact.

Dommerich Elementary names teacher and support person of the year

Dommerich Elementary in Maitland recently honored Mrs. Catherine Howat as Teacher of the Year and Mrs. Bethanne Seel as Support Person of the Year. Mrs. Howat says being selected Teacher of the Year is an honor and she is humbled to work at a school with such talent. “I truly enjoy the time I spend at school and look forward to enhancing the lives in my class and building relationships with my colleagues.” The Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year are selected annually by the faculty and staff at Dommerich Elementary. The selection process is geared toward identifying the teachers who best demonstrate the highest levels of dedication to the school, the children, and families, and the Dommerich community. Bethanne Seel was first a parent of children who attended Dommerich then served as a substitute teacher for three years prior to accepting a position as a clerk in the media center in 2014. She is honored to be selected as Support Person of the Year but says she wishes she could share the award with her colleagues.

“Everyone here is dedicated and hardworking, and everyone has the children’s best interest in mind,” Seel said. “There is so much preparation behind the scenes, but every day when the doors open it’s like a well-rehearsed dance and they all make it look so effortless.” Dommerich Elementary currently serves over 600 students from the Maitland, Winter Park and Eatonville communities.

OCPS recognized for sustainability

Orange County Public Schools has been named a Silver Level District by the Florida Green School Network in recognition of systemic changes that promote environmental sustainability. The award was one of six presented at the seventh annual Learn Green: Florida’s Green Schools Conference, which was held in Boynton Beach on Nov. 16. The award recognizes environmentally-friendly measures undertaken districtwide. Those efforts include switching to biodiesel fuels, building schools to green standards and schools that have reduced their carbon footprint through increased recycling and reduced energy use. OCPS was the recipient of the 2013-2014 Florida Schools District Level Award, the top sustainability award in the state, and the Florida nominee for the 2014-2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award.