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Pinellas school news: Big recognition for Jamerson Elementary, fine arts scholarships, and more

 
Ryan Martin, 13, Tristen
Wedlock, 12, and Ben Hense, 12, from Buchanan Middle School in Tampa, answer questions from the judges about their model “Green City,” during the finals of the Future City competition on Jan. 16 at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental School. Each team of contestants created a large tabletop model of a city, then presented it and answered questions from the judges. This year’s challenge encouraged students to design a citywide waste management system. Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa took home the first-place award. Buchanan finished second, followed by John Hopkins Middle School in third.
Ryan Martin, 13, Tristen Wedlock, 12, and Ben Hense, 12, from Buchanan Middle School in Tampa, answer questions from the judges about their model “Green City,” during the finals of the Future City competition on Jan. 16 at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental School. Each team of contestants created a large tabletop model of a city, then presented it and answered questions from the judges. This year’s challenge encouraged students to design a citywide waste management system. Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa took home the first-place award. Buchanan finished second, followed by John Hopkins Middle School in third.
Published Jan. 21, 2016

Magnet at Jamerson Elementary named top STEM program

The Center for Mathematics and Engineering at Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary was named the top elementary STEM program in the nation at the Future of Education Technology Conference in Orlando earlier this month. The school was selected from hundreds of programs around the country. The award recognizes excellence and innovation in the field of STEM education — science, technology, engineering and math — in elementary, middle and high school. Winners are selected from each level. The programs were evaluated based on the use of interdisciplinary curriculum, collaboration, design, problem solving and the STEM experiences offered.

Applications up again for special programs

The number of Pinellas County students applying for magnet programs, fundamental schools and high school career academies continues to grow each year, according to school district data released this week. A total of 11,514 students applied for seats during the application period that ended Jan. 15, compared to 11,233 last year. Three years ago, the number of applicants was under 10,000. Each student can apply for up to five programs, so the number of applications also went up — from 28,726 last year to 29,079 this year. The process for the 2016-17 school year is not over yet. Those who applied must log back into the district's Student Reservation System between Feb. 3-10 to see if they received an invitation to a program. Failing to accept an invitation will render a student's application invalid. For more information, call the district's student assignment office at (727) 588-6210 or visit pcsb.org/choice.

Group offers fine arts scholarships

The Miniature Art Society of Florida is encouraging students who wish to pursue a fine arts career to apply for its annual scholarship program. The scholarships range from $500 to $1,500 depending upon available funds and the number of qualified applicants. The society encourages applications from high school seniors in Pinellas County and former scholarship recipients who are college freshmen. Since 1985, the group has given more than 80 scholarships totaling about $120,000. Applications must be received no later than Feb. 12. Those who qualify will be notified no later than Feb. 26, and will be interviewed on March 12 or March 19. For more information, visit miniature-art.com/scholarships.html or call scholarship committee chairman Mike MacDonald at (727) 409-0459.

Elementary school lunches

Students can choose from a variety of fruits, juices and milk.

Monday: Max sticks, teriyaki chicken bowl with roll, chef salad, turkey and cheese hoagie, stir-fry vegetables, veggie dippers.

Tuesday: School Favorite Day: Menu to be chosen by a group of students at each individual school

Wednesday: Chicken nuggets, spaghetti and meatballs, farmer's salad, ham and cheese croissant, carrots, sliced cucumbers.

Thursday: Beef or pork tacos, bean and cheese burrito, chicken Caesar salad, Italian sub, marinara cup, refried fiesta beans, mixed or tossed salad.

Friday: Pizza, Baja fish sticks with hush puppies, veggie double dipper salad, school favorite sandwich, wax beans, veggie dippers.