The local Take Stock in Children Program is very proud to announce that 17 students in the Madison County Schools signed scholarship contracts during the last month of the 2009-10 School Year.

May 26th was an exciting time for parents and students at Madison County Central School when nine students signed two-year tuition contracts to North Florida Community College.

Their scholarships are in place and ready for activation when they graduate from high school. Students signing contracts were:

Carissa Blanton, Ryland Crumitie, Nathan Harlan, Briana Hodge, Armonti Miller, Courtney Richardson, Anna Robinson, Joshua Stafford and Jaquantae' Thomas.

Jo Willis, Program Coordinator and Betty Curtis, Student Advocate, were joined by Faye Browning, local Foundation President, and Assistant Principal Dewaine Knight as the students signed contracts with their parents.

Earlier in the month Alexis Bruen of Pinetta Elementary, along with Karita Doty and Anthony Wilhoite of Lee Elementary, signed contracts joined by their Principals, Mrs. Beth Moore and Mr. Jack McClellan.

Madison High School students signing contracts included Felicia Hudson, Don'Quella Christian, Latrevian Cherry, Michael McCool and Snowey Hagan, joined by their Principal, Mr. Ben Killingsworth.

Each of these students will be assigned a mentor as they begin their 2010-11 school year who will support them through their high school years until graduation. Mentors are the key to the success of the Take Stock in Children Program. Please call 973-8583 if you are interested in mentoring a student. You will have a wonderful experience and share in your mentee's accomplishments.

The local TSIC Program now has 67 students who have graduated from high school and are pursuing college degrees or technical certifications. Additionally, 59 students enrolled in grades 6 – 12 are presently working to complete their contracts for high school graduation. The Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education, Inc. is impacting the lives of many Madison County students.

George Willis of the Kiwanis Club of Madison, left, presents Faye Browning, president of the Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education, Inc., with a check for $2,500 toward the scholarship program. This year marks the eleventh year that Kiwanis Club of Madison donated monies to the scholarship fund.

Presently 17 seniors who graduated from Madison County High School in June have scholarships, thanks to the efforts of MCFEE. Watching the presentation is Ronnie Moore, new board member of MCFEE.

The newest teachers at MCCS are: Front row left to right; Lyndsay Morrison, fifth grade support facilitation; Elizabeth Gooden, middle school Paraprofessional; Valerie Bass, Pre-K Parprofessional; Yolanda Smith-Haynes, Assistant Principal; Linda Ledyard, RTI Facilitator; Charla Walker, first grade; Mania Simonelli, second grade; Rich Caisse, eighth grade math and Melinda King, ESE Kindergarten. Back row from left to right; Carnesha Milton, fourth grade math and science; Tresca Alexander, Pre-K; Forrest Murssey, eighth grade language arts; Michelle Kellum, middle grades ESE; Lesli Vester, second grade; Kara Lipscomb, Pre-K; Megan Dickey; sixth grade and Kristen Page, fifth grade.

This meeting was led by Principal Sam Stalnaker and held in the cafeteria. MCCS will be introducing a new program this year called. Positive Behavior Support or PBS. PBS is a program designed to create positive environments for the students and employees.

There was also a session for general information to be shared including many different topics. They discussed creating lesson plans, taking phone calls, planning periods, schedules and how to plan parent meetings.

Also during the meeting, Stalnaker introduced all of the new teachers being welcomed to MCCS this year..

The Florida Department of Education has launched a revised web page that provides information on the implementation of the class size amendment in Florida. The site offers a historical perspective of Florida's class size reduction efforts, as well as factual information on Amendment 8, which proposes to revise provisions in the state constitution relating to class size and will appear on the November ballot.

The web site features frequently asked questions, state and district level budget information, links to additional resources, presentations and news articles about class size reduction in Florida.

"The topic of class size reduction has spurred debate across the state for decades, leaving citizens with an often unrealistic understanding of the initiative and its requirements," said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith.

In 2002, the Florida Constitution was amended to set limits on the number of students in core classes in the state's public schools beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. Since that time, school districts throughout the state have followed an implementation schedule that has steadily reduced core class sizes at district and school levels by at least two students per year. In 2009-10, 97 percent of prek-3 classes, 99.8 percent of grade 4-8 classes, and 99.7 percent of grades 9-12 classes were in compliance with school-level class size requirements.

During the 2010 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature approved a joint resolution to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot allowing Floridians to vote to change the current maximum class sizes to "school-wide average class sizes." If the amendment is approved by voters, maximum class sizes would continue to be calculated based on the school-wide average of the number of students in core classes beginning with the 2010-2011. These averages would remain: 18 students in prek-grade 3; 22 students in grades 4-8; and 25 students in grades 9-12.

To view this resource and learn about Florida's class size reduction efforts, visit www.fldoe.org/classsize.

Dear Parents: This summer, we implemented a summer math assignment for students attending Madison County High School for the 2010-2011 school year.

Our goal is to increase student success in mathematics classes at MCHS by having them ready with basic math skills at the beginning of the school year. When students struggle in Algebra or other math classes, often they do not know elementary math facts like multiplication.

The two basic skills to focus on this summer are:

multiplication facts (zeros through 12x12)

operations with fractions (add, subtract, multiply, and divide - no mixed numbers)

If your child struggles with these skills, they need to PRACTICE.

During the first week of the 2010-2011 school year, all students enrolled in MCHS mathematics classes will be given two timed tests. The tests will be part of their mathematics course grade. Exact time limits will be determined later, but students need to be able to do the multiplication worksheet in about 3 minutes or less with no errors. (Note: if your child has documented accommodation needs which allow more time, the time limit for these tests may be adjusted on an individual basis.)

Here are some ideas for additional practice:

Make your own (or purchase) flash cards for multiplication facts through 12x12.

Practice at least a few days every week. A few minutes DAILY, is even better.

Try an internet search and you'll find many free resources, even games.

Practice worksheets and answer keys are available on the MCHS website: http://www.madison.k12.fl. us/mchs/. Click on "Summer Math".

If you would like to practice more skills, another very important algebra skill is "operations with integers". This skill will be tested, but not during the first week of school.

For more information, contact me.

Alan Androski

Madison County High School Math Coach

androsa1@madison.k12.fl.uss

Energized is the perfect word to describe North Florida Community College's newest student leaders, Jimmy Smith, Jr., 2010 NFCC Student Government president, and Stephanie Rodriguez, SGA vice president. The two have been working with NFCC's student services director Kim Halfhill this summer formulating a plan to increase student involvement and student based activities on campus this coming fall term.

"One of our main goals is to offer more activities based around students," said Smith. "I want to make a difference for the students."

The Student Government Association is an organization of the students, by the students, and for the students. It seeks to represent the best interests of the student body. SGA works to bring the college community together by conducting campus-wide programs and social activities.

"I'm looking forward to doing some great stuff and being involved," said Rodriguez. "We want to get more promotions out about SGA and let students know what we do."

The Student Government Association office is located in the NFCC Student Center in Bldg. 9, giving Smith and Rodriguez a convenient location to work on SGA projects and garner support from the student body. SGA will accept applications this fall from students wishing to serve in open SGA executive board positions such as treasurer, secretary and public relations officer.

"Jimmy and Stephanie are brainstorming a lot of new ideas to engage our student body," said Halfhill. "I am very excited about working with them. I am confident that this is going to be a great year."

Smith, a 19-year-old Madison County native, is working toward his Associate in Arts degree and plans to continue his education at Florida State University majoring in computer engineering. He began his NFCC career while still in high school taking dual enrollment courses, graduating from Madison County High School in 2009. Smith is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Club, NFCC's Astronomy Club, and is proud to have never missed a day of school from kindergarten through 12th grade – "I'm the only one to achieve that in Madison," said Smith. "I still maintain a perfect attendance in college." Smith served as an SGA senator before becoming SGA president.

Rodriguez, a 19-year-old Live Oak resident, is originally from El Salvador. She and her family moved to Suwannee County 10 years ago. A 2009 Suwannee High School graduate, Rodriguez is currently working toward an Associate in Arts degree with plans to continue her education at the University of Florida majoring in biochemistry. Ultimately she hopes to attend medical school. In addition to being an SGA officer, Rodriguez also serves as NFCC's Phi Theta Kappa president and is an active member of Save Our Animal Resources (S.O.A.R.), The Sentinel Rocketeers and the NFCC Art Club.

Smith and Rodriguez, already making a positive impact on campus, stand out as strong and active student leaders. Their energy, enthusiasm and dedication are sure to make NFCC's Fall Term 2010 outstanding. For more information about NFCC's student government, contact Kim Halfhill at (850) 973-1623 or email halfhillk@nfcc.edu.

Most Madison residents know Dr. Julie Schindler: however, many do not know her son, Jacob Schindler. Jacob will be entering the eleventh grade at Lowndes High School this fall. The son of Julie and her husband Eric Schindler, he is also the treasurer of Lowndes' County's FFA chapter. This, however, is not what makes Jacob famous.

So, what is it that has universities such as Auburn, the University of Florida and the University of Georgia calling his home several times? The reason is a drill. That's right a drill.

This drill, however, is no ordinary household tool; Jacob's drill is a helium blowing, Kudzu killing machine.

Kudzu, or "the vine that ate the South," is a plant that grows at such a rapid rate it covers over 150,000 acres a year. Many farmers in the southeast face issues with kudzu every year. Pesticides and trimming will temporarily kill kudzu; however, Jacob's invention kills the plant permanently.

The idea sprouted from an FFA Agriscience fair that Jacob competed in the sixth grade. With the help of agriculture teacher, Spencer Taylor, Jacob came up with the idea to reclaim Mars' and the Earth's deserts with plant life. Jacob came up with the idea of using kudzu due to its durability and growth rate. After realizing that this idea was not possible due to gases in Mars' atmosphere, Jacob changed his theory and decided to try to find a way to kill kudzu.

Jacob began to experiment with the use of helium, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide as killers of the consuming plant. His results showed that helium was the most deadly to the plant. He then presented his findings at the FFA Agriscience Georgia state fair. He won second place. Following this, he presented his theory at the national competition, and placed second once again.

This science fair project, however, did not stop in the sixth grade. Jacob wanted to find a way to disperse the helium more efficiently to the kudzu. The original administering of the helium was a tiresome and drawn out process.

After concocting the invention in his mind, Jacob, with the help of his neighbor, Raymond Dasher, began creating his first prototype.

The first prototype was made of copper. The material, however, began to wear and was not extremely durable. Jacob and Dasher then created the now cherished and praised, drill out of steel.

This creation digs deep into the ground and sprays helium into the root system of the plant. This permanently kills the entire plant that feeds from that root system.

For those who are worried about the adverse effects helium could have on other plant life, Jacob's studies have also proven the helium to have positive effects on the trees surrounding the kudzu plants.

The drill and method are both currently patent pending. Jacob will also travel to Indianapolis, Ind., in October to compete in the National FFA science fair. He will be competing in the senior division for the first time.

Jacob's apparatus has grown enormously in popularity and he shared that he has received several calls from numerous people in the south offering to buy his prototype. As for whether he plans to sell his invention, "I don't plan on selling the idea anytime soon. I plan to hold onto the idea and see if I can turn it into a marketable item."

Attending the "Mathematics for College Readiness/Success Training" workshop at NFCC on July 8 are, left to right, Regina Crews (Jefferson County Middle High School), Alan Androski (Madison County High School), NFCC's Bonnie Littlefield, FLDOE's Teresa Sweet, Neena Brown (Suwannee High School), Ryan Mitchell (Hamilton County High School), Jesika Curry (Taylor County High School), and Kelvin Norton (Jefferson County School Board). Participants not pictured are Lisa Roland (Aucilla Christian Academy), Carolyn Barnes (MCHS), MCHS Principal Ben Killingsworth, and Elizabeth Gonzales, Coordinator of Developmental Education Resources at NFCC.

Leading the workshop were Teresa Sweet, Math Curriculum Specialist with the Florida Department of Education; NFCC Math and Biology Instructor Bonnie Littlefield; and Hamilton County High School's Ryan Mitchell. The trio outlined objectives and major components of the initiative, responsibilities of area high schools and NFCC, and strategies for success.

The College and Career Readiness Initiative covers not only math, but also the areas of reading and writing. It requires that high school students be given the state's postsecondary readiness assessment exam before the 12th grade. Students who pass by meeting or exceeding the minimum test scores are eligible for enrollment in college credit for two years without retesting. Students who do not pass must be provided an opportunity to remediate while in high school and remediation must be a collaborative effort between district high schools and the college.

The overall goal is to make sure high school students are ready for that next educational step up to college. High schools are responsible for identifying students to be tested and providing testing locations. Florida colleges, such as NFCC, are required to administer and score the exam and to provide test results to high school representatives.

Representatives from Jefferson, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties attended the "Mathematics for College Readiness/Success Training" workshop at NFCC. Attending from Jefferson County were Jefferson County Middle High School teacher Regina Crews, Aucilla Christian Academy teacher Lisa Roland, and Kelvin Norton, Teaching and Learning Resources, Jefferson County School Board. Madison County High School representatives were MCHS principal Ben Killingsworth, math coach Alan Androski and guidance counselor Carolyn Barnes. Attending from Suwannee High School was teacher Neena Brown and representing Taylor County High School was Jesika Curry. Elizabeth Gonzales, Coordinator of Developmental Education Resources at NFCC, also participated in the workshop.

For more information, contact Bonnie Littlefield at (850) 973-1687 or emaillittlefieldb@nfcc.eduu.

Area educators met at North Florida Community College on July 8 with the objective to help improve the college and career readiness rate of high school students. They want to reduce the percent of high school students needing postsecondary remediation in mathematics after graduation.

Leading the NFCC Mathematics for College Readiness/Success Training workshop were Teresa Sweet, Math Curriculum Specialist with the Florida Department of Education; NFCC Math and Biology Instructor Bonnie Littlefield; and Hamilton County High School's Ryan Mitchell. The trio outlined objectives and major components of the initiative, responsibilities of area high schools and NFCC, and strategies for success.

"The participants were glad to get the information relating to who was suggested to be in the two classes and that it was guided by the scores the students received, as opposed to just another math class," said Littlefield.

Centered on requirements outlined in the Career and College Readiness Initiative (Senate Bill 1908) and Section 1008.30(3) of the Florida Statutes, the workshop explored how area high schools and NFCC can work together to help better prepare local high school students for college level work, especially in the area of math, while meeting mandatory expectations set forth by the state.

The College and Career Readiness Initiative covers not only math, but also the areas of reading and writing. It requires that high school students be given the state's postsecondary readiness assessment exam before the 12th grade.

Students who pass by meeting or exceeding the minimum test scores are eligible for enrollment in college credit for two years without retesting. Students who do not pass must be provided an opportunity to remediate while in high school and remediation must be a collaborative effort between district high schools and the college.

The overall goal is to make sure high school students are ready for that next educational step up to college. High schools are responsible for identifying students to be tested and providing testing locations. Florida colleges, such as NFCC, are required to administer and score the exam and to provide test results to high school representatives.

Representatives from Madison, Jefferson, Suwannee and Taylor counties attended the Mathematics for College Readiness/Success Training workshop at NFCC. Attending from Madison County High School representatives were math coach Alan Androski and guidance counselor Carolyn Barnes.

Attending from Jefferson County were Jefferson County Middle High School teacher Regina Crews and Kelvin Norton, Teaching and Learning Resources, Jefferson County School Board. Attending from Suwannee High School was teacher Neena Brown and representing Taylor County High School was Jesika Curry. Elizabeth Gonzales, Coordinator of Developmental Education Resources at NFCC, also participated in the workshop.

Littlefield said, "They enjoyed the collaboration between NFCC and the other county schools, and their suggestions." Participants were also pleased to receive two free supplementary workbooks with reproducible teaching materials and a notebook to keep all of the materials labeled and together.

For more information, contact Bonnie Littlefield at (850) 973-1687 or email littlefieldb@nfcc.edu.