By Tamas Mondovics
Yates Elementary Hosts Grand Opening Ceremony for New Covered Court
As current president of the Walter S. Yates Elementary PTA, Karlise Guzman was pleased to announce plans for a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the purchase and construction of a cover for one of the schools basketball courts last month.
“Over the last 10 years the PTA has been saving up to purchase a cover,” Guzman said. “This is a great addition to our school so our current and future students will have a shaded area to play at PE and recess.”
First Place Win Puts Bailey Elementary In Spotlight During Florida Literacy Week
For the sixth consecutive year, Florida’s First Lady Ann Scott has celebrated literacy week by reading to students in schools throughout the state.
Promoting literacy and celebrating the joy of reading locally, Scott has joined hundreds of Hillsborough County Public Schools students last month.
Scott’s schedule on the special week of activity included the kickoff event on Monday, January 25 at Strawberry Crest High School. Superintendent Jeff Eakins and Hillsborough County Schools Board Members joined the more than 700 students from Strawberry Crest High School, Tomlin Middle School, Orange Grove Middle Magnet School, Bailey Elementary School, Cork Elementary School, and Lutz Elementary School to launch the weeklong event, with the focus of recognizing the importance of literacy through songs, dance, skits, and oral interpretation of America’s founding documents.
According to school officials, the theme of the state’s literacy and civics-based week was Literacy Changes Our World, encouraging schools to get involved in promoting reading and good citizenship in schools and in the community. Students are encouraged to set aside 20 minutes every day to read.
After taking part in this year’s literacy-civics school service project, Bailey Elementary was pleased to learn that it placed first and was awarded by Scott and Chancellor Hershel Lyons at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee. For more information about Hillsborough County Public Schools, visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.
Student’s Exhibits Honor Black History Month
For the first time at the Florida State Fair, exhibits were arranged to be on display featuring local African Americans who made significant contributions to the community. The 12 displays, six from local area schools, included a collection of videos depicting African American leaders and their contributions for equality in Tampa. News clippings from the historical sit-ins for equality in downtown Tampa and a pictorial display of the life and contributions of the three African American School Board members were also on hand.
The Black History Month display booths were located adjacent to the annual school exhibits in the Florida Center. Live performances depicting the achievements of such people as Frederick Douglas, Mary McLeod Bethune, James Brown, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other prominent African Americans were also on the roster. Visit www.floridastatefair.com.
