Volume 3, Issue 11

EAST COAST EAST COAST EAST COAST

May 2012

Cream of the Crop by Michael LaRoche, Jacksonville

In an effort to prepare stu-

dents for re-entry to high

school , MYcroSchool

Gainesville staff members

are piloting a Leadership

Skills Orientation Institute.

The Institute requires stu-

dent attendance and partici-

pation in a five day work-

shop which stresses the

importance of punctuality,

attendance, positive com-

munication, study habits,

leadership skills, etc.

Demonstration of those

behaviors which will enable

them to be successful stu-

dents is strongly encour-

aged. “They cannot miss a

day or be late,” states Prin-

cipal Randy Starling.

Students who satisfy the

competencies receive a

“Certificate of Achieve-

ment” and a half

a credit in lead-

ership skills.

Mr. Starling is

able to meet

with each stu-

dent to review

his or her ILP,

ensure baseline

testing is com-

pleted, set up

system pass-

words, and pre-

pare students to

start school on

Monday. Mr. Star-

ling and his team feel that

this will make a big differ-

ence in student punctuality,

attendance, retention, and

graduation.

Amber Lee, Jacksonville Math teacher, has always dem-

onstrated that she is cream and cream always rises to the

top. Her dedication as an educator has not gone unno-

ticed as she has been offered a chance to participate in

the Florida Turnaround Leadership Program (FTLP). Col-

leagues are aware of the extra

hours Amber spends helping

students in after-school tutor-

ing and creating positive rela-

tionships that have strength-

ened the Job Corps partner-

ship. Amber demonstrates

that she is a natural teacher

and leader. SIATech Jackson-

ville is very proud of her nomination and views her as an excel-

lent role model. Best wishes for continued success!

Above (l to r): Chuncey Campbell, Khadijah

Cooper, Jade Taylor, and Chevon Williams

complete the first Orientation Institute.

Administrative Professionals

Latrice Harris is the backbone of the SIATech Mi-

ami campus and a pleasure to work with. She is

steadfast, always ready to lend a hand, and takes

pride in everything she does. Her positive attitude

and personality radiate through everyone she

greets around the campus. There is nothing we ask

of Mrs. Harris that she does not put her all into.

Staff and students respect not only her work but

also her intelligence, quick-wit, compassion, and

willingness to do all she can to help make the days

at SIATech Miami successful and enjoyable!

“Penny Sirmones keeps me organ-ized and focused,” says Randy Starling, GVMY. “She keeps every-one organized and focused for that matter. “ The school runs smoother with her help. Students love her and respect her opinion and suggestions. The school could not last long without her.

Yanet Tabares has not worked in

Homestead for long but she has already

proven how much she values the school.

Above, Ms. Tabares demonstrates por-

trait drawing to Art Club Students.

Juliette James is the dynamic administrative

assistant of SIATech Jacksonville. Mr. LaRoche,

Principal has worked with Juliette for four

years and has always found her dependable,

efficient, and unfailingly punctual. She projects

a warm, cheerful attitude to the school‟s

stakeholders. She resolves conflicts and han-

dles difficult situations with remarkable pa-

tience and admirable tact. In the Job Corps

learning community she goes out of her way

to help students, staff, and parents with their

needs. She loves people, works hard, and al-

ways tries to lift the spirits of those around

her. She believes that that “one generation

opens the road upon which another genera-

tion travels.”—Chinese Proverb.

Martha Solis wears many hats at

GMSC. She is the administrative

assistant, the testing specialist and

an ITA in the classrooms. Martha

always has a smile on her face and

embraces challenges as they occur.

She is a team player with a positive

attitude and great work ethic.

Vivian Covington is supercalifragilisticexpialido-

cious! She is the super glue that holds SIATech

Gainesville together. She is extremely well organ-

ized, capable of placing priorities, and is conscious

of the importance of time management. She keeps

the Principal informed as to the status of projects

and problems that may arise. Ms. Covington main-

tains a positive can-do attitude at all times. She

places a high priority on meeting and exceeding

the needs of the entire faculty and is courteous,

tactful, and cooperative with everyone. She rec-

ognizes the importance of teamwork. She is cur-

rently the Gainesville Employee of the Year and

the Mentor of the Month for Job Corps!

Above: James O’Conner summarizes

The Last Will and Testament of

Lemuel Higgins.

Volume 3, Issue 11

Both SIATech and Job Corps staff from across three Miami-Dade campuses took part in ACT

preparation training. This effort is due to their commitment to see every student succeed. By

sharpening their own skills, instructional staff members will be better equipped to help students

improve their scores and achieve their graduation goals.

World Book Night is an annual celebra-

tion designed to spread the love of read-

ing and books. During this event, local

authors visit their communities and pro-

mote reading by giving out free

copies of their books.

Students at the Greater Miami

Service Corps campus were lucky

to be visited by local author and

lawyer, Patrick James O‟Connor.

Mr. O‟Conner gave a brief presen-

tation on a book by titled The

Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar

Wao by Junot Diaz. He summa-

rized his own book titled, The

Last Will and Testament of Le-

muel Higgins. Students enjoyed

having Mr. O‟Conner take the

time to visit GMSC.

Page 3

Another First for NELA by Catherine Bonnewell, Greater Miami

GMSC Visits Miami Lakes Ed Center by Dustin Mounce

Greater Miami Service Corps

celebrated their first NELA

graduate, Darian Baldwin.

Darian is a most deserving

young man who is a testa-

ment to patience and dili-

gence. The support this

young man was given, by staff,

is to be thanked and com-

mended as well. It takes

dedication on both sides in

order to make success like

this happen.

On April 4, 2012, Greater Miami Service Corps students were invited to

tour the campus of Miami Lakes Educational Center. The center offers voca-

tional-technical pathways in the areas of nursing, culinary, automotive, child

care, electrical engineering, and health

care. Students were provided informa-

tion on the programs and given a hands-

on demonstration by a body shop paint

instructor. Each career path instructor

presented the group with insight into

specific programs and answered ques-

tions. Students were able to see current

.

Jacksonville staff members commend Students of the Month for demonstrating their knowledge of Career Success

Standards.

Congratulations!

Jacksonville Students Shine by Vivian Camacho

One Community, One Goal by Michael LaRoche

Page 5

Principal Michael LaRoche (bottom center) attends a City of

Jacksonville leadership seminar with Jacksonville Job Corps

senior management.

Leadership is

“organizing a

group of people

to achieve a

common goal."

Individuals can and do emerge

as leaders across a variety of

situations and tasks.

East Coast Social Studies Compiled Dates & Announcements:

EOCE US History Field Test

April 30— June 1, 2012

Mother’s Day

May 11, 2012

Memorial Day

May 28, 2012

wire fences and other hazards that

claim these animals‟ lives. So what's

wrong with this picture?

Koalas are supposed to exist in the

wild and are not meant for mingling

with humans in our environment.

According to National Geo-

graphic research, 430,000 Koa-

las thrived in 1990 and an esti-

mated 44,000 are left. Govern-

ment agencies report higher

numbers, but the real fact is

50% of the population has be-

come infertile due to disease

hence increasing their vulner-

ability. This fact cannot be de-

nied so the pressure is on to

take action.

Despite a comeback from near

extinction, koalas are facing an

uphill battle unless the federal

government steps up like they

have in the past. The loss of

habitat is a new problem due to urbani-

zation and disease impeding on their

reproductive possibilities. Chlamydio-

sis is transferred from mother to baby.

Scientists are unsure how it was intro-

duced to the population, but it has

been present in the wild as a species.

National Geographic‟s May issue

published an article that caught my

attention. This is the picture on the

front cover and of course, who

wouldn't be curious?

I just love the cuteness of the Koala

bear and clung to a

stuffed one as a child,

so I was touched by

this story. They have

these distinct yet co-

medic faces that can

touch your heart. But

all cuddles aside, they

are actually not bears,

but marsupials like the

Kangaroo because

they have a pouch for

their young.

The disheartening

news is these pouch

carrying bears are

losing their habitat. A

whopping 2/3 of the forests have

been consumed by humans since

their settlement in 1750 on the east

coast of Australia thus forcing koalas

to share an already crowded space

with humans; throwing both humans

and koalas into crash course of co-

existing. But it is not working.

Losing their eucalyptus trees is at the

core of the problem. Koalas are in

search of these trees in the backyards

of Queensland residents. Unfortu-

nately, domestic animals may be wait-

ing for them. Koalas and their baby

joeys often become victims of prey in

fatal attacks. But dog attacks aren‟t all.

Speeding cars are taking out the koala

on the road while they are in search of

food and mates. Every year hundreds

are killed on the roads alone. Further-

more, there are barriers like barbed

“The greatness of a nation and its moral

progress can be judged by the way in

which its animals are treated.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

Page 7

Researchers believe the stress

induced from the loss of habi-

tat exacerbates the disease

and they are seeing a lot more

of it than ever before.

There are many reasonable

solutions that have been pre-

sented to the Australian Sen-

ate, but they haven't stepped

up. The first step is recogniz-

ing there is a problem and

listing the Koalas as a threat-

ened species.

Right now grassroots organi-

zations are taking action yet

they cannot do it alone.

It is important that students

understand how the individual

can make a difference and find

out what it feels like.

Students can read this article

and examine the photographs.

They will then have a good

understanding of the issue and

proposed solutions. Students

will have enough background

to write letters of concern to

members of the Australian

Senate. They can also write a

letters to the editor for the

SIATech newsletter, Upfront

magazine, and their local pa-

per.

This is a perfect example of

connecting a current issue to

the Social Studies curriculum

and spreading seeds of com-

passion to create a healthy

world of coexistence at the

same time.

Photograph: Body Count

Joel Sartore, National Geographic

“Killed in a single week by

cars or dogs, the koalas were

mourned at the vet clinic

that tried to save them.”

New Civil War Unit:

Thanks to the Learning Support Team,

teachers finally have a new Civil War unit

for U.S. History. Lori Belzman will inte-

grate this unit into the new U.S. History

module. It will then be available to order

from Office Depot. All resources in ANGEL

are ready for students to

use. This unit went

through several revisions

with input from the Social

Studies leads. A lesson

plan created by Larry

Rivero and me for this

new Civil War unit photo

analysis project will be

shared. Please feel free to

contact Lori Belzman for

more information about

the Civil War unit and

Larry or myself about the

lesson plan.

Government Assessment

Exam:

Lori Belzman recently

shared a Government

exam by Gino Franco from

the Los Angeles site. This

exam covers the concepts

taught in the government

module. It is an exam with

The exam also has a list of vocabulary to

study prior to the exam are studied in

both the old and new Government mod-

ule. For additional information, please

email Shelly.Haines@siatech.org for a

copy.

US History End of Course (EOC) Exam:

Students who enter 9th grade in the 2012-

2013 school year will have the EOC exam

count as 30% of their grade. We have iden-

tified the gaps in our curriculum and want

to hear from the Social Studies teachers.

What do you need to cover the gaps

and to prepare stu-

dents for the EOC

Exam?

1) Angel “boot camp”

course covering all skills

with opportunities for

group lessons.

2) Angel “boot camp”

course covering gaps

with group lessons.

3) Each teacher uses

their own focus calendar

and LST suggested re-

sources to prepare stu-

dents.

4) Something else??

Ideas??

Volume 3, Issue 11

“ A liberal education

is at the heart of a

civil society, and at

the heart of a liberal

education is the act

of teaching.”

A. Bartlett Giamatti

Letter to a Government Representative by Jimmy Fanfan, Homestead Student

“The Liberty Bell cracked long ago, but as an icon of freedom its voice has never been stilled. To

Americans who demanded independence on this site, and to those who even now seek self-

determination, it still declares „Proclaim Liberty throughout All the land unto All the Inhabitants

Thereof.‟ Its crack is a reminder that liberty is imperfect, hopefully evolving to include those who

have been denied full participation in a democratic society.” (National Park Service, U.S. Depart-

ment of the Interior)

The Liberty Bell first rang in 1753 at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (currently known

as Independence Hall). It was rumored to ring again when the Continental Congress signed the

Declaration of Independence. The bell was meant to symbolize the rights and freedoms valued by

all people everywhere although it has become the symbol of freedom in the United States. No one

knows how it cracked, but some say the bell cracked the first time it was rung. The bell was recast

at least twice, but it remains cracked to this day.

In the 1830s, abolitionists adopted the bell as a symbol of their cause and, in fact, named it the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell also traveled

the country to help heal the nation‟s divisions of the Civil War. It once again became a symbol of unity along with the American flag. In

1915, the bell finally came home to Philadelphia. After World II, the bell became a symbol of freedom for used in the Cold War as well as

the site of several protests for the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War.

Today—more than 200 years later—people still celebrate the bell‟s message and the power of liberty.

Dear Representative,

I am writing as a student of SIATech at the Homestead Job Corps. I read recently

about a bill that proposes to prohibit protest activities within a specified distance of

funeral or burial property lines. The consequences for violating this proposal could be

criminal penalties.

I am writing to ask you to support the bill for Protest Activities CS/HB31. The pur-

pose of the bills is to respect the dead, the families, and society.

I think this is an important bill. It will benefit the community by letting the dead have

a respectful burial and helping families of the dead feel safe.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Fanfan

On Monday, April 23, SIATech Gainesville students

partnered with Job Corps to celebrate Earth Day.

The day started with a recycling seminar hosted by

the City of Gainesville. Students and staff then en-

gaged in the adopt-a-highway and center clean-up

project. The weather was beautiful so we continued

our Earth Day awareness activities outside.

Students and staff worked together to design

Earth Day t-shirts. We even made “Pet Rocks” and

bracelets out of recycled materials.

After a picnic style lunch, SIATech science students

worked to beautify our existing butterfly/vegetable

garden. We were able to obtain recycled paint and

other materials to add color and an artistic flare to

the garden. Students made new planters out of

stacking old tires and were challenged to use their

creativity to bring the garden to life. This year‟s ad-

dition was a new garden bed with assorted flowers

including gardenias and towers of strawberries and

assorted flowers. The math class toured the garden

and planted seeds in our greenhouse.

Other activities planned for the week included mak-

ing birdhouses and feeders, pencil holders and

photo frames out of recycled materials such as sea

shells, buttons, tiles and glass.

East Coast Science News

Compiled by Joumelide Pierre, Area 3

Science Lead

Page 9

Stretches are just the little break you

need to re-energize. They are even

useful right before test taking.

Teachers can model for students to

help them with test anxiety.

Remember to take just a few min-

utes and recharge with these simple

stretches. It may be a benefit to you

and your students!

Throughout the day teachers are

performing many jobs simultaneously!

It begins to wear on the body and the

mind. Take time to give yourself a

dose of Tender Loving Care (TLC).

A Little TLC-By Joumelide Pierre

Storm Chasers by Joumelide Pierre, Miami Gardens

Tami Hocker and Marti Dayton attended

a seminar by Reed Timmer, TVN Leader

Storm Chase

Meteorologist through Discovery

Education

Discover more on:

http://dsc.discovery.com/search/results.html?

query=storm+chasers

Log on to weareteachers.com to find dynamic grant opportunities.

This month there is a special feature for teachers who would like to

incorporate technology with in the classroom. For more information

be sure to visit the website.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES