School News - 02/16/12

During a field trip to LegoLand, Lake Whitney Elementary second-graders in Heather Driscoll’s class, (l. to r.) Eshan Ruparelia, Paige Fisher, Matt Lewis, Daniel Ruggieri, Eric Roesch, Cam Costa, Tony Sabella, Makayla Quinones and Emily Charleibois, visit a Lego-constructed model of Grand Central Station.

Whispering Oak Elementary third-graders in Constance Murphy’s science, technology, engineering and math lab were given the task of building a free-standing structure using no more than 20 pieces of uncooked spaghetti, one yard of tape, and one yard of string. The STEM students worked in collaboration to draft a blueprint and create the tallest structure they could in only 18 minutes. When completed, the structure was required to support the weight of a marshmallow.

Former Dillard Street Elementary Assistant Principal Diana Greer was welcomed as Windermere Elementary’s new principal. WES’s PTA held a welcome breakfast, which was attended by Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn.

Congratulations to Ocoee Middle student Samantha Chery for winning the school’s 2012 spelling bee. Samantha will represent OMS on March 9 at Orange County Public Schools’ district spelling bee.

Southwest Middle’s PTSA and fine arts department are co-sponsoring the school’s second annual Fine Arts Festival and Auction on March 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The public is invited to an evening filled with art, music, drama and entertainment. Food will be available for purchase, and students will operate games and other activities. Proceeds from the event will co-benefit the fine arts department and PTSA projects.

As part of Dr. Phillips High’s Center for International Studies magnet program, Sand Lake Hills residents Cydney and Lyndsey Taylor traveled to Dourdan, France. The DPHS juniors stayed with a host family and attended classes at the local high school. During their trip, Cydney and Lyndsey toured the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Versailles, Sacré-Coeur Basilica and other historic sites.

Orange County Public Schools representatives announced that 19 traditional high schools posted their best results in 13 years of school grading. Sixteen of the 19 high schools earned high-performing A or B grades. For the first time, there were no D- or F-graded traditional high schools in Orange County. Dr. Phillips High earned a B rating, which represents its seventh consecutive A or B; Ocoee High received its first B in six years; Olympia High, a high-performing school since 2003, earned its third A rating in four years; and West Orange High raised its C grade to a B, marking its third high-performing grade in the school’s history.

Foundation Academy kindergartners celebrated the 100th day of school by decorating silly hats with 100 items. All three kindergarten classes participated in a parade throughout the academy, as well as took part in 100-themed activities.

Foundation Academy introduced cutting-edge technology to students in grades eight through 12. OnLion is designed to seamlessly integrate iPads into FA’s curriculum, with the purpose of increasing student engagement, technological skills, integration and college readiness.