School Board Meeting

In attendance at this school board meeting were the Winter Springs High School wrestling team, the Winter Springs High School Cyber Patriots, parents of wrestlers and Cyber Patriots, Winter Springs assistant principal, Winter Springs athletic director, School Board members, parents of a boy who died of a disease from Naegleria Amoeba, Dr. Shaw and Dr. Cummings.

The Winter Springs wrestling team was presented in front of the board for being "outstanding wrestlers".  Some were individually introduced for their achievements but they all went and shook hands with each board member.  The Cyber Patriots were also recognized for their "outstanding achievements".  They went to a competition in Washington D.C. and scored a perfect score in one of the categories.  Thought that was so amazing!  They also got to shake hands with each board member.  Leaders in digital learning presented a power point presentation to the board on how to make e-learning better for the upcoming school year.  A man was presenting his application for a charter school in Seminole County.  Didn't think it was going to pass because one of the arguments of one of the board members was that the board members for the new charter school had no ties to anything or anyone in Seminole County.  In the end, they approved the application.  A couple's presentation was about their son who had died of a disease that came from the Naegleria Amoeba.  They want to raise awareness of what this amoeba is capable of as far as causing a deadly disease.  They felt if flyers were sent home with children on the last day of school it would help raise awareness with the children as well as the parents/guardians.

What type of school business was dealt with and/or other agenda items?  There was quite a few items of school business being discussed.  Some of it was discussed a little too quickly for me to make note of but I got the important items.  Dr. Shaw and Dr. Cummings discussed the start of many new pilot programs starting next year, including a math/science STEM program.  I believe they also want to implement foreign language into all 36 elementary schools in the county.  That would be so cool!!  It's easier for children to learn a foreign language at a younger age.  A board member mentioned that a parent had brought it to her attention that elective finals counted too much towards their final grade.  Instead of it being worth 20% of the students final grade, the parent felt the elective final should only be worth 10-15% towards their final grade.  The hot topic of the night seemed to be the school calendar for next school year.  Some feel Seminole County schools should start a week earlier next school year.  In doing this, the first semester would end before winter break.  Not a bad thing considering students don't do much studying over any break really.  Starting a week earlier also ends school a week earlier.  Instead of it ending AFTER Memorial Day, it would end before the holiday.  Doesn't really make sense to have a holiday and then two half days of school after that.  Start a week early and end a week early.

There wasn't much interaction between those attending other than the groups being recognized shaking hands with members of the board.  Board members did ask questions/comments to those making presentations.

This meeting was interesting.  I had no idea what went on or what was discussed at these meetings.  They truly are no joke and being on the School Board does not seem like an easy job.  Two and a half hours of school related topics, some were approved and passed while others were put on the back burner.  Once I start teaching, I would probably sit in on a meeting every now and then.  The information is interesting.

The Sanford Student Museum is located in Sanford, Florida.  This "Romanesque revival style" school building was built in 1902 and was the area's first high school, Sanford High School.  In 1911, it became a grammar school.  The museum is run by a partnership between The University of Central Florida and the Seminole County Public Schools.  In 1984, the Sanford Student Museum was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Today, the museum is a fun place for a field trip to learn about Sanford history.
The exterior was brick, just like the old school houses from the past.  You can also see a bell that one of the volunteers rang before the tour started.  Once inside, the classrooms were turned into different eras and places.  My favorite room was the Turn of the Century Classroom.  I enjoyed learning the history of the dunce cap.  I never knew the name came from an actual person, that was very interesting.  It was also cool seeing the schoolwork from the past and how it was all written in cursive.  The Pioneer Exhibit was interesting as well.  I enjoyed learning the evolution of how they lived.  What I mean by that is, seeing how they started.  For example, their original housing only had three sides.  As time went on, their housing improved.  The pioneers eventually ended up living in full log cabins.  I also had a nice time in The Gardens.  It was neat learning the different planting styles of the pioneers and the Timucuan people.
I had a great time at the museum.  Learning about the past is interesting to me.  Seeing all the old pictures in the halls was so cool.  The first graduating class from Sanford High School was four females!!  WOW!!  We really have come a long way as a society.  I hope we continue to grow and in a positive way.