Program guides girls into young ladies

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JULY 13, 2009

This story is about fifth-graders.

“Half a year shy of her 12th birthday, Imuneq Johnson is a child walking around in a woman's body. Her older brother stopped inviting his friends to the house months ago because they couldn't keep their eyes off her. Her uncle started picking her up at the school bus stop to spare her the stares and wolf whistles of men three times her age. And more than a year ago, the family pediatrician issued this warning to her mother: You have to tell her about boys and what can happen. She could become pregnant at age 10.”

Imuneq and the other girls at Campbell Park Elementary in St. Petersburg are growing up faster than many people can imagine. And who’s coming to the rescue? The school.

(Times photo by Cherie Diez)

Posted by Times Editor at 11:17:23 am on July 13, 2009 in

Parents and Education

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

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Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

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