Class Notes 10.02.14

+ County parks to offer fall programs

Orange County Parks’ West Orange Recreation Center, 309 S. West Crown Point Road, Winter Garden, is celebrating the fall season with the following programs:

Kids Night Out. Activities include games, crafts, a movie and snack. Cost is $6 per child; open to children ages ages 5 to 12. Takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 11, Nov. 15 and Dec. 13.

Piloxing with Kimberly May. A high-energy class that mixes Pilates with boxing. Cost is $5 per person per class. Classes are from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Zumba Toning with Kimberly May. Cost is $5 per person per class. Classes are from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

For more information, call (407) 254-9304 or visit OrangeCountyParks.net. 

+ Baptiste awards grant to WOHS

West Orange High School recently received a grant from Baptiste Orthodontics that will benefit the school’s Science Department.

Dr. Andre Baptiste donates $100 for every West Orange High student he treats to a scholarship grant. Based on an application submitted by Rod Larsen, Science Department head, West Orange High was awarded a check for $1,426. 

 In addition to this grant, Baptiste also sponsors the school’s Student of the Month program and visits the school each month to meet and greet these students and their parents and present them with their award. 

+ Orlando Science Schools partners with Florida Institute of Technology

Orlando Science Schools was named a Panther Ambassador of the Florida Institute of Technology during a recent presentation on the OSS campus.

The partnership between the two schools will encourage collaboration efforts, spark interest and help OSS high school students learn about STEM-based career opportunities. Orlando Science Schools, a public charter school in Orange County that serves grades K-12 and focuses on STEM education, is the first school to be selected to receive the Panther Ambassador honor from Florida Tech, known as The STEM University. 

Aviator, shuttle astronaut and U.S. Navy Capt. Winston E. Scott spoke to the students about his life experiences at the recent presentation. Scott currently serves as the senior vice president for external relations and economic development at Florida Tech. He also holds the rank of professor of aeronautics in the College of Aeronautics and professor of music in the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. 

“We were looking to establish a relationship with STEM-focused high schools, and we saw a lot of synergies with Orlando Science Schools,” said Leslie Hielema, vice president of Florida Tech’s Orlando Center. “We want students to know that STEM-based jobs are exciting. It doesn’t mean you have to sit in a lab all day.”

Campus tours and presentations will provide OSS high school students with a broad understanding of career paths. In addition, competitions and camps will promote strong teamwork and increase students’ knowledge in specific skill sets.  

“We are thrilled to be working with FIT to identify ways to connect our students with higher learning potential,” said Orlando Science Schools Executive Director Dr. Yalcin Akin.

+ W.O. receptionist receives award

West Orange High School receptionist TammiBrown recently was awarded a special coin from Orange County School Board Member PamGould, West Orange High Principal DougSzcinski, Senior Assistant Principal John Linehan and West Area Superintendent Dr. BridgetWilliams. 

Brown was presented the award for stellar customer service. Brown has been at West Orange for more than 17 years.

+ Orange County educators to meet

The Orange County Retired Educators Association will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St., Orlando. Dr. Bob Stamps, of the Audubon Society, will present a program titled, “Wildlife-Friendly Landscaping.”

Anyone who has worked in education is invited to attend.

For more information, visit ocrea-fl.org or call (407) 677-0446.

+ Health department to offer meals

Florida Department of Health has announced it is sponsoring the Afterschool Meals Program, a subcomponent of the Child Care Food Program, at several Orange County public schools.

The schools in West Orange County that are included are Tildenville, Citrus, Ocoee, Frangus and MetroWest elementaries.

The program is designed primarily to provide nutritious snacks and meals to children in after-school programs. Snacks and meals are available at no separate charge to the children at these sites.

+ Ocoee High launches clothing, recycling bin

Are you looking for more space in your closet? Are your children outgrowing their clothes? Ocoee High School has set up a recycling bin next to its stadium marquee for anyone who wants to donate old clothes and shoes.

The items will help the less fortunate in the community, and a percentage of the proceeds go back to Ocoee High and its athletic teams.