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The district's school libraries hold 865,426 books!

Important Dates in January

Jan 2 and 3: No School (Winter Break)

 

Jan 4: No School (Staff Development Day)

 

Jan 5: Students Return to School

 

Jan 10: Regular School Board Meeting, 4:00 pm

 

Jan 11: Early Dismissal for Middle and High School Students

 

Jan 12: Early Dismissal for Middle and High School Students

 

Jan 13: Early Dismissal for all students. Second Quarter Grading Period Ends.

 

Jan 16: No School (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

 

Jan 17: No School (Teacher Work Day)

 

Jan 18: Religious Freedom Day (High Schools)

 

Jan 23-27: Celebrate Literacy Week

 

Jan 25: Report Cards Distributed

 

Jan 28: Super Science Saturday

Virtual Flyers

Parents -
Find out what this means for you at www.collierschools.com

Message from the Superintendent

In the education world our “new year” begins in August when we re-open our doors to students, and it ends in June when our graduates walk across the stage. Starting a new calendar year allows us to reflect at the mid-point of the school year while we prepare for the second half of the year. As we look ahead to 2012, it will be very busy – filled with everything from Saturday Success Academies for many of our high school students, forums and a STEM conference for the community, to Data Dialogues for school leadership teams and more in between. I will continue to keep you in the loop.

I wish you and yours a HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~ Dr. Kamela Patton

Message from the School Board Vice Chair

Happy New Year! I hope that many of you have had the time to rest and refresh after a very busy Holiday Season perhaps with family and/or friends. It’s true 2012 will have many challenges for all of us. This is an election year and there is much uncertainty as to what that will mean. However, we know for sure that our teachers, administrators, and staff will be working hard to provide the best educational experience for the children in Collier County Public Schools in spite of increases or decreases in school funding. In regard to funding, we will be asking voters to once again approve a referendum which allows the District to add .25 mills tax to the operating budget, and in return, the District commits to reducing .25 mills tax from the capital budget. This is a tax-neutral event, but gives the District the flexibility of funding in very tight budget years. Please look for this item when it does appear on the ballot in either August or November. Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve the children here in Collier County and to represent the taxpayers who pay the bills. ~ Barbara B. Berry

Feedback Welcome

Let us know what you think about the newsletter, our website, or if you have suggestions for future newsletters. We'd love to hear from you at feedback@collierschools.com


Avalon Elementary School's Global Garden was recently recognized by the University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department, receiving a first place award in the department's School Garden Competition.

Gulf Coast High School Glee Club students performed at the regular School Board Meeting in December. Student artwork and musical performances are now part of all regular School Board Meetings.

Congratulations to Naples High School English teacher Janet Glancy who was recently named a 2011 University of Florida Distinguished Educator. Janet was recognized at the university’s 2011 Fall Commencement in December.

Dental assisting students at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology get to see dental procedures performed first hand by local dentists who donate their time each week at the school's Friday Dental Clinic.

Meals of Hope is a local non-profit organization that has packaged and distributed over 13 million fortified meals to those in need since 2007. The organization is providing meals to families of Collier County students in need during the school district's winter break.


Meals of Hope volunteers at a
meal packaging event.

"Mr. Lehr, I did all the questions on my reading homework by myself last night." "Mr. Lehr, I remembered what you told me and I didn't forget my glasses today." These are some of the comments you'll hear third grade students at Sea Gate Elementary School telling volunteer Robert Lehr. After a successful career in law, the Brown University graduate and Colorado resident decided it was time to give back to his retirement community, and for the last ten years has been volunteering in our schools. When asked what he gets from volunteering, he replies, "children's smiles!"

 

Thank you to our volunteers like Robert who spend their time and talents giving to our students!

Collier County Public Schools
(239) 377-0001


For additional information on the features highlighted in this newsletter,
please visit our website at www.collierschools.com

School Board
Mr. Roy M. Terry, Chair • Mrs. Barbara Berry, Vice Chair
Mrs. Pat Carroll, Member • Mrs. Kathleen Curatolo, Member • Ms. Julie Sprague, Member

Superintendent
Dr. Kamela Patton