A publication by Collier County Public Schools Collier Schools

summer 2014 edition

A Look Back at 2013-2014 SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER

Welcome to Collier County Public Schools. It is our sincere hope that this first edition of the Collier Schools Now publication will provide you with a brief overview of our school district. Whether you are a parent of one of our students, a fellow employee, or a community member, we invite you to browse through the pages that follow to learn more about what we do to educate the students who attend Collier County Public Schools.

As we share highlights of the past year, we trust you will see that it has been a good year. From a communications standpoint, we have continued to evolve. Collier Schools Now is an example of our continuing outreach efforts to enhance communication. We also invite you to visit our website at www.collierschools.com to see an improved home page that will make it easier for you to find the most recent news about our students and staff.

This edition of Collier Schools Now is a look back at the successes of the 2013-2014 school year. It has certainly been an exciting year. During the past month alone, we learned that the Gulf Coast High School “Shark” Marching Band will be representing Collier County and Florida in the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We celebrated the teaching profession by recognizing the Champions For Learning Golden Apple recipients and our district’s outstanding Teachers of the Year. We gathered for our inaugural iSTEM Competition which brought students from all 50 schools together for our first-ever district-wide academic competition. In addition, the entrepreneurship course that was introduced to our eleventh graders this year culminated with the first Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition.

Today, however, we have arrived at one of the most important days in a student’s education - graduation day. We congratulate all graduates who are crossing the stage today and wish them the very best whether they are continuing their education at a post-secondary institution, joining one of our armed forces, or heading straight into the workforce. I am confident that Collier County Public Schools will continue to provide an innovative education for our students.

Kamela Patton, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Seeing student in action during art class

Superintendent’s Student Roundtable (Barron, Naples, Golden Gate) Angels Undercover - Manatee Elementary First Day of School - Parkside Elementary

5775 Osceola Trail www.collierschools.com [email protected] 239.377.0001 Naples, Florida 34109 Fast Facts about Collier County Public Schools AT-A-GLANCE

29 + 10 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 52 Digital Techbooks Elementary Middle High K12 Alternative Technical Total Classrooms are going digital Schools Schools Schools School Center Centers Schools and our use of techbooks, instead of textbooks, puts us on the forefront when it 3200 Teachers 4592 Volunteers comes to digital learning. 49% with advanced degrees 393,670 hours contributed : 1974 Business Partners 2-to-1 ratio students to computer

4 Charter Schools 45,000 Career Academies student 31 high school career 151 Adult Post-Secondary Courses population academies available 622 Community Education Courses 5000 Students in Adult & Community Education Program 29,000 Advanced Placement (AP) 2460 4178 networked Students undertake college-level academic AP Students AP Exams computers learning in high school AP Courses and  may get college credit/placement based on AP Exam scores. Art and Music AICE Diploma at all levels The Advanced International Certificate 2,800 of Education (AICE) diploma program is high school Band, Chorus, available to high school students and uses graduates Orchestra a rigorous curriculum overseen by the middle school prestigious University of Cambridge. high school Scholarships Our graduates receive Dual Enrollment (DE) more than $20 million in scholarships each Drama Students have an opportunity to get a year, including the unique Florida Bright high school head start on college, earning college Futures scholarship and many more from credit, while still in high school - at no our generous community. Athletics cost to them! Champion high Colleges/Universities The majority school athletic teams Advanced Laureate Program of our degree-pursuing graduates enroll Artificial Turf Advanced Placement courses are the in colleges and universities within Florida, on high school foundation of the Laureate Program, but others chose to attend schools like football fields which also includes a college-like Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Penn State, Princeton, (used for a variety research and presentation component. Stanford, and US military academies. of activities)

The Education Channel - Comcast cable 99 Follow @collierschools SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT STARS

ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS

COLLIER COUNTY SPELLING BEE 25TH ANNUAL A-TEAM CHALLENGE 18TH ANNUAL LAWS OF LIFE Amy Maldonado, 8th grade student at Gulf Coast High School took first place in this Essay contest winners were announced during Golden Gate Middle, was crowned the year’s A-Team Challenge. Winning Scholar the Laws of Life Banquet on February 26, 2014. 2014 Collier County Spelling Bee Bowl team members included Peter Torres, Kevin Barry - Tommie Barfield Elementary (elementary) Champion on March 4, 2014. Nathan Brown, Mallorie Huff, West McCann, Emily Hugan - Gulfview Middle (middle) Grayson Lanza, and Cameron Absher. Imogen Bowden - Naples High (9-10) Valencia Fortin - Naples High (11-12)

ADVANCED STUDIES LAUREATE PROGRAM The Advanced Studies Laureate Program is in place to recognize, challenge, and reward some of our most capable students, all while preparing them for college. The 2013-2014 Laureate Candidates are listed below. Barron Collier High Evan Dort Katie Miller Lely High Autumn Armega-Finger Sydney Marsman Samantha Wuschke Catherine Huynh Nicole Ferreira Avnee Mistry Samantha Burns Jovana Calvillo Zachary Pachol Antonia Zea Alley Gonzales Mina Nashed Melissa Gomez Andre Chu Samantha Regala Gulf Coast High Hayley Hansen Wyatt Navarro John Hoenig Lenie Cruz Eleanor Reidy Palmetto Ridge High Ana Boncompagni Kaitlyn Holzer Magnus Nilsson Sanya Prabhakar Catherine Davis Connor Riley Brian Benitez Nathan Brown Carmen Hoyt Sierra Rose Patricia Rojas Eric DeShields Cassandra Schuster Nicole Furlani Mario Chang Kaitlyn Huaroto Chandler Whitehead Gustavo Romero Garrison Kalvin Kristina Svatos Nicole Hamm Diego Chavez Mallorie Huff Jordan Zuccarello Kenneth Kent Sava Vukovic Keturah Lansiquot Samantha Davis Grayson Lanza Taylor Zuccarello Naples High Katherine Lucas Jared Walker Elise Russell Alexander Donnenfeld Jack Lindsay Emily Adams Miranda Mearsheimer Robert Weigel Allison Stanley

Congratulations to all students who participated in academic competitions, art displays, and music showcases throughout the 2013-2014 school year! All-State Music Ensembles Model United Nations Collier County Marching Band Show Mu Alpha Theta Discovery Education STEM Awards Music Performance Assessments High School Scholar Bowl Student Exhibit at The Naples Museum of Art Honors Band Concert Youth in Government Honors Orchestra Concert K-12 Student Art Show Middle School Scholar Bowl and so The Gulf Coast High School “Shark” Marching Band Middle School Debate many more! was invited to attend the 2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Mock Trial Day Parade. Congrats!

5775 Osceola Trail www.collierschools.com [email protected] 239.377.0001 Naples, Florida 34109 Science . Technology . Engineering . Math The district’s inaugural iSTEM Competition was held at Edison State College on Saturday, May 10, 2014. With all 50 schools involved, it was truly a historic event. Over 225 students actively participated in their elementary, middle, and high school divisions. Students i used their problem-solving and analytical skills. COMPETITION A big thank you to Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Presented by Suncoast Credit Union Foundation for generously sponsoring the iSTEM Competition and sincere appreciation to Edison State College for hosting the event at their Collier campus.

Middle - Solar Cars Division Elementary - littleBits Division 1st place - Pine Ridge Middle 1st place - Laurel Oak Elementary 2nd place - Gulfview Middle High - Geocaching Division 2nd place - Pelican Marsh Elementary 3rd place - Immokalee Middle 3rd place - Corkscrew Elementary 1st place - Golden Gate High 2nd place - Gulf Coast High 3rd place - Lorenzo Walker Technical High SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT ATHLETES

Congratulations to all student athletes who received state recognition during the 2013-2014 school year! Barron Collier High School Boys Class 3A State Champions Cross Country State Champions FHSAA Academic State Champions in Football, Track/Field Class 2A 3200-Meter Run State Champion Boys , and Boys Swimming/ Girls Tennis Class 3A State Champions Track/Field Class 3A 300-Meter Hurdles Champions FHSAA Academic State Champions in Girls Tennis Class 3A State Champions Gulf Coast High School Track/Field Class 3A Long Jump Champions Girls Swimming Class 2A State Champions

The Education Channel - Comcast cable 99 Follow @collierschools TEACHERS & STAFF SHINING STARS Congratulations to our CCPS 2013-2014 Employees of the Year!

Karen Pelletier Celeste Duplaa Dulcie Neiman Bob Moore Nilda Nuñez Pelican Marsh Elementary Oakridge Middle Lorenzo Walker Technical High Immokalee Technical Center Parkside Elementary Elementary School Middle School High School Post-Secondary School-Related Teacher of the Year Teacher of the Year Teacher of the Year Teacher of the Year Employee of the Year

2013-2014 Champions For Learning Golden Apple Recipients Frederick Rimmler - Immokalee High, Ryan Shore - Pelican Marsh Elementary, Suzanne Szczepanski - Lely High, Jacqueline Williams - Lely High, Adam Winkle - Mike Davis Elementary Champions For Learning Golden Apple Celebration of Teachers Dinner VOLUNTEER SHINING STARS 2013-2014 Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the Year Nancy Pignone (“Miss Nancy”) GALAXY OF STARS from Eden Park Elementary The following individuals have contributed 1500 or more hours, cumulatively, throughout their years as district volunteers. 1500-2999 Hours Our volunteers have Michleen Kang Melissa O’Brien Eric Grundeman Martha Sosa Heather Westphal James Schott donated more than Lynette Coffey Sharon Rickner Cassandra Ramirez Beau Crevier William MacNeil Charles Rainey $8.8 million Michelle Creech Julie McCann Sabina Sandoval worth of their time Cassie Gomes Elise Egan Gina Horton Corinne Olayos Ashley Dimaria Liandra Wilson Gabriela Chawah Susan Shiveler Kimberly Cortez 2013-2014 Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year 3000-4999 Hours 5000-10000 Hours Susan Bane from Osceola Marta Martinez Ruth Conly Bonnie Gosch Elementary. Also named Ruth Audrus Jack Visgaitis Jeffrey Carney Florida’s Region IV Outstanding Diana Bird Hank Mattfield Constance Welch Adult School Volunteer

5775 Osceola Trail www.collierschools.com [email protected] 239.377.0001 Naples, Florida 34109 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

SUPERINTENDENT’S CEO BRIEFINGS Each school year, four CEO Briefings are held on a variety of topics aligning with the district’s strategic plan or needs. Local CEOs and industry professionals share their best practices, experiences, and suggestions with Dr. Patton and school district staff. TOPIC: ENGINEERING Al Reynolds, Stantec; Tom Taylor, Holes Montes; Ricardo Albertorio, Arthrex; Jim Carr, Agnoli, Barber & Brundage; Dr. Michael Stephen, Coastal Engineering; Matt Nolton, Forge Engineering; Jeff Davidson, Davidson Engineering; Dr. Kamela Patton, Collier County Public Schools; Bob Fletcher, Structure Medical; George Hudak TOPIC: GIRLS IN STEM (Front Row ) Mariann McDonald, NCH Healthcare System; Dr. Dulce Dudley, TOPIC: LEADERSHIP NCH Healthcare System; Cathy Roderick, Naples Daily News; Kelly Blake, John McGirl, NCH Healthcare System; Stantec; (Back Row) Caroline Crew, AAUW STEM Girls Count; Dr. Tina Dr. Kamela Patton, Collier County Public Ottman, Edison State College; Dr. Kamela Patton, Collier County Public Schools; CJ Hueston, Corporate Dimensions; Schools; Rebecca Beck, Audubon-Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary; Sharon Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Audrey, Collier Enterprises; Tatiana Lawson, ASG; Katie Johnson, Florida Collier County Sheriff’s Office; Robert Gulf Coast University; Laura Frost, Florida Gulf Coast University; Mitch Ruzek, Feerick, Horizon Partners; Michael Wynn, Algenol Biofuels; Allyson Swanson, Stantec; Sharon Hood, eBella Magazine; Sunshine Ace Hardware; John Cox, Karen Galleon, Distal Extremities, Arthrex; Tabitha Whalen Stadler, Rookery Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve; Michelle Shaw, McAfee

TOPIC: TECHNOLOGY (planned for May 30, 2014) Joe Buckheit, Media Brains; Ravi Chandran, Arthrex; Wendy Gehring, Hodges University; Harvey Lewis, Collier County Sheriff’s Office; Dr. John Meyer, Edison State College; Stefan Muehlbauer, Arma Home Services; Pat O’Connor-Benson, Florida Gulf Coast University

NEW DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARDS FOR 2013-2014 ENTREPRENEURSHIP The Entrepreneurship Advisory Board provides leadership and guidance for the entrepreneurship program established at all district high schools this school year. The program provides the ADVISORY BOARD opportunity for students to acquire the skills and knowledge required for entrepreneurship. The first-ever district Business Plan Competition was held on May 21, 2014.

(Front Row) Courtney Stahlman, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida; Cotrenia Hood, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce; Anne Frazier, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida; Nicole Litchko, Collier County Public Schools (Back Row) Dale Johnson, Collier County Public Schools; Karl Gibbons, Third Eye Management; Dr. Kamela Patton, Collier County Public Schools; Ben Fleischer, Pyure Brands; Philip McCabe, Inn On Fifth; CJ Hueston, Corporate Dimensions; Vicki Tracy, The Arlington of Naples; Stefan Meuhlbauer, Arma Home Services, Inc.; Don Paullin, Lifestyle Weight Experts; Randy Smith, Naples Transportation and Tours; Andrew Buschle, BB&T; Luis Solano, Collier County Public Schools (Not Pictured) Bruce Register, Collier County Business and Economic Development; Guy D. Blanchette, Eaglevue Technologies

CASTLE ADVISORY BOARD The Collier Area STEM Teaching and Learning Environment (CASTLE) Advisory Board empowers the region’s capacity to develop a talented, robust, and eclectic STEM-oriented workforce. Advisory Board members include:

Sarah Falkowski, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve; Cotrenia Hood, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Robert Jones, Edison State College; Dr. Robert Kenny, Florida Gulf Coast University; Richard Lewis, Conestoga Rovers & Associates; Susan McManus, Champions For Learning; Jack Mulvena, Naples Zoo; Dr. Tina Ottman, Edison State College; Jennifer Sabo, Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples; Scott Sherman, Arthrex; Sabra Smith, Algenol; David Webb, Conservancy of Southwest Florida

The Education Channel - Comcast cable 99 Follow @collierschools SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY

If you are a parent of a child enrolled in one of our schools, please know that the safety of our students is a top priority. Rest assured knowing your child attends a school that is a safe haven for learning thanks to our incredibly unique relationship with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. For 37 years, the Sheriff’s Office has been blanketing our schools with Youth Relations Bureau deputies, something that is not common elsewhere. Together, we are focused on a common goal: providing a safe learning environment for our students, school staff members, parents, and volunteers. Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and Superintendent, Dr. Kamela Patton PHOTO GALLERY

High School Student Roundtable Everglades City School, Lely High, and Lorenzo Walker Technical High Rookery Bay Marine Science Film Premier 2013-2014 STEM Conference Immokalee High BETA Club at National Convention

Principal For A Day First Lady Scott at Manatee Middle Middle & High School Honors Band Mike Davis Elementary students learning science

BYOD in action!

unty Publi r Co c Sch llie oo Co ls High School Student Roundtable Gulf Coast High, Immokalee High, and Lizzie Sider at Laurel Oak Elementary Palmetto Ridge High Lely High UNIQUE Science Fair bring your own device Collier County Public Schools’ NEW Online Centralized Registration

REGISTRATION AVAILABLE NOW! Visit www.collierschools.com for more information or call (239) 377-0547