From the Desk of... - Escambia County School District

V O L U M E
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I S S U E
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S P R I N G
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From the Desk of...
Dr. Michael Roberts
Wildcat Parents:
DR. MICHAEL ROBERTS
PRINCIPAL
Mr. Jeremy Tompkins
Assistant Principal for Facilities
Mrs. Susan Soderlind
Assistant Principal for Curriculum
2012-2013
SCHOOL YEAR
Do Your Best!
Be Your Best!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
This year is moving at one
speed;--Fast! We are over half
way through the school year.
During these past few months, I
have learned the importance of
taking the time to celebrate
success. We are all conditioned
to move at a fast pace—when
we do accomplish a goal, we
neglect to celebrate its success.
Instead, we immediately move
on to the next task. I often wonder how this pace impacts our
personal outlook and affects the
attitudes of our students. As I
reflect on the success of our
first semester, I am overwhelmed with pride in the
growth and achievement of our
students. I encourage all
Booker T. Washington High
School parents to join me in
making it a point to celebrate
the success of your student this
month. Academically, our first
From the Desk of
Dr. Michael Roberts
1
Desk of
Mrs. Susan Soderlind
1
Attention Parents
2
Commencement
3
Finishing Strong
Mr. Jeremy Tompkins
4-5
Recycling
5
Club News
6-7
Dear Parents & Guardians:
Meal Letter to Parents
8
Guidance News
9-11
Seniors
11
Science Department
12
Junior Civitan
13
Senior Dates
14
Healthy Living ...
15
This is a busy time of the
year for students and teachers
with registration and spring
extracurricular activities, as
well as the anticipation of
graduation for the seniors.
There are many important items
for you to note during this time.
Currently, the counselors are
meeting with the underclass-
BOOKER
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semester grade distribution was
impressive; our students are
embracing rigorous coursework
and are excelling. Through
PTSA, Open House and our
guidance department, our families have remained focused on
college & career readiness.
Our student activities have
been equally impressive. This
winter has presented us with
another successful athletic season. The Booker T. Washington
High School band, orchestra
and chorus have put on one
beautiful concert after another.
It seems that our students are
very connected to their high
school - most are involved in
some type of co-curricular activity at BTWHS. I wish all
students were involved in an
extra-curricular. The extracurricular offerings make high
school a truly special time
where positive self-exploration
contributes to the development
of authentic self-esteem. As
you can see, there is much to
celebrate at Booker T.
Washington High School. I
encourage you to surprise your
students with a note on the
bathroom mirror or in their
book bag reminding them of
the pride you have in their high
school performance. Even as
young adults, these small celebrations are especially meaningful.
On a far less celebratory
note I need to share with you
the fact that as principal I find
myself occasionally worrying. I
strongly doubt anyone who
knows me would describe me
as a “worrier” or someone who
over reacts to issues! However,
I think I would be remiss if I
did not share with you a dire
concern of mine, and one I
believe to be quite valid. I am
concerned about the choices
our students are making outside
of school, specifically those
Cont. on p. 2
Desk of Mrs. Susan Soderlind
WASHINGTON
HIGH
men to go over course selection
for next fall. Counselors will
check GPA’s and requirements,
and track the progress of each
student as they meet with them.
The first week of May we will
send home with each student a
copy of the courses they have
been registered to take next
year. Please check this list
closely, and discuss with your
SCHOOL—HOME
child the selections they have
made. Changes can be made
through June 14. After that time,
the schedules are generated and
staffing is completed. No schedule changes can be made after
that date.
February 26 began the first
round of FCAT testing with the
writing test in grades nine and
Cont. on p. 3
OF
THE
MIGHTY
WILDCATS!
WILDCATS
2
Cont. from 1—Roberts
revolving around the issue of
drugs and alcohol. I believe
our students know the difference between right and
wrong. I also believe that all
of our students are very
aware of the dangers and
pitfalls that come with the
use of drugs and alcohol. I
believe we have really great
kids. I also know that despite
all of these things, too many
children still use drugs and
alcohol as a part of their entertainment regimen. I was
recently asked, “What can be
done”? For starters we need
to have very open and clear
conversations with our children about drugs and alcohol
and let them know that you
do not condone either.
Our children are too valuable for the adults in this
community to simply stand
by and wait for a tragedy to
occur. As adults it falls on us
to have the difficult conversations, to be “the concerned
parent.” We need to be vigilant and aware. Parenting is
hard work. As a school, the
same is true for us…. but in a
different sense. I know my
staff cares deeply about our
students and the choices they
make outside of school. I
hope you care enough to have
the courageous conversation.
Thank you for your role in
developing a safe and positive culture for our students.
And remember to celebrate your success! Go Wildcats!
MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
9-12
Reminder to parents that in order to give
medications of any kind at school, whether
over-the-counter or prescription, the medication MUST be in the original container
and we need written consent from you. If
it’s a prescription medication, we need an
order from the doctor indicating dosage, time
to be given, etc.
ADDRESS CHANGES
Parents are asked to please notify us of an address change as soon
as it occurs. We often receive returned mail with the following note
from the post office: “moved left no forwarding address” or with an
address correction by the post office. Call 850-475-5257 or email
[email protected] to report any address/phone changes.
BOOKER
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WASHINGTON
HIGH
SCHOOL—HOME
OF
THE
MIGHTY
WILDCATS!
WILDCATS
Cont. from 1—Soderlind
nine and ten. FCAT retakes will
be April 8. Tenth grade FCAT
reading will be the week of April
16 and the ninth grade the week
of April 22nd. End of course exams will be administered in geometry, algebra, U.S. history, and
biology in April and May. In
addition, Advanced Placement
exams will be administered
throughout the month of May. A
testing calendar is available on
the school district website. With
all the testing that occurs, instructional time becomes very valuable
to teachers. Please make sure that
your child is in school everyday
to take advantage of the instruction provided, and to be well prepared for the tests as they begin.
The summer transition program for rising ninth graders has
been tentatively schedule for August 7th and 8th. All ninth graders
on are invited on campus for two
days of orientation activities to
help them make the transition
from middle school to high
school. Student leaders will
guide them through activities in
time management, conflict resolution, relationship building, study
skills, along with tours of the
campus, locker assignment, and
distribution of textbooks. If you
have a special needs child coming
into the ninth grade, please let the
school know prior to August 7 if
they will be attending. It is an
exciting and fun filled two days
for the new freshmen. Mark your
calendar now to keep those two
days open. More information will
be sent out through the middle
schools sometime in May.
Thank you for your
continued support of
our efforts to have the
best programs in the
school district here at
Booker T. Washington
High School.
Sincerely,
Susan Soderlind,
Assistant Principal
for Curriculum
Graduation/
commencement
is an
A Message to Our
Commencement Audience
2013
From Dr. Roberts, Principal
The graduation/
commencement ceremony is considered a rite of passage wherein
a generation of young people is
publicly certified to be eligible to
move on to take their rightful
place in society as adults. At
Booker T. Washington High
School, we take great pride in this
certification ceremony.
We are so serious about the
graduation/commencement ceremony that our faculty and staff
precede the graduates as they
march into the arena. They then
are seated alongside the senior
class, giving visible endorsement
to their certification.
Certainly, graduation/
commencement is an excitementfilled occasion for graduates and
their families, and well, it should
be. Graduation/commencement is
the most important culminating
event in the public school career
of the student. It is a significant
milestone that has been achieved
by the student as each approaches
the stage to receive his or her
diploma.
BOOKER
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Gradation/commencement
should be a stately, dignified,
regal event that is steeped in
splendor, pomp, and circumstance. It should be an occasion
that has the air/atmosphere of a
coronation wherein one is about
to be crowned or one is ascending
to take their rightful place on a
throne!
Air horns, confetti, placards
and signs have no place at a
graduation/commencement ceremony! Likewise, excessively
loud, boisterous, yelling and
cheering has no place at the
graduation/commencement ceremony either!
WASHINGTON
HIGH
We ask that as you attend this
ceremony that you imagine that it
is being held in your Church,
Mosque, Cathedral, Synagogue,
or Temple, and Coliseum – NOT
at a sports event or rock concert!
We are confident that if you
conduct yourself accordingly
then, and only then, will we all be
able to enjoy this momentous
occasion to the fullest!
excitementfilled occasion
for graduates
and their
families….
Thank you,
Dr. Roberts on behalf of the
Booker T. Washington High
School Administration, Faculty,
Staff and Student Body.
SCHOOL—HOME
OF
THE
MIGHTY
WILDCATS!
3
WILDCATS
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Wildcat Pride: Finishing Strong
By: Jeremy Tompkins, Assistant Principal
The 2012/2013 academic school year is quickly
passing by us, which is why reflection thus far is so
important. Our goal is to finish the remaining part of
the school year as strong as possible to ensure continued progress at Booker T. Washington High School
(BTWHS).
There are four areas under the direction of facility
operations that require ongoing attention in order to
achieve our goal of finishing the year strong. These
areas include: 1. decreasing the number of office discipline referrals, 2. promoting school spirit throughout
our student body, 3. increasing the number of school
affiliated business partners, and 4. continuing to provide a safe and productive learning and working environment for all students, faculty and staff. By maintaining our focus on the above mentioned areas, the
2012/2013 school year will conclude with great strength and much success.
Decreasing the number of office discipline referrals for the school is essential for school improvement. Parents, we need your help at home. In order for discipline referrals to continue to decline, there
are two things you can do to assist us: 1. please be cognizant of our school dress code as this plays a
significant role in the working and learning environment of our students. As spring time arrives and the
warm weather appears again, students tend to forget there is a dress-code policy in effect; as a result,
the number of dress-code referrals increase; 2. please encourage your student to arrive at school and
class on time. The number of tardies is beginning to increase and we need your help in keeping them
under control. Your support is necessary and greatly appreciated by everyone who is on board with
maintaining a school environment conducive to a successful future for your child.
On a positive note, our positive behavior support program (PBS) is working extremely well. Since
our PBS program has become an active presence throughout our school, we have seen a significant
decline in poor and unproductive behavior issues. I am pleased to announce our referrals are at an alltime low and are continuing to decrease at a steady pace. As a reward for our success, Booker T. Washington High School has been awarded by the state a prestigious PBS Bronze School status. This is an
accomplished recognition; we are very proud to have achieved this honor within such a short time
frame of implementing the PBS program. The administration would like to thank all of the educational
stakeholders who have contributed to the success of this program.
Our school spirit is what makes being a wildcat so special and unique. With everything at BTWHS,
we strive for continuous improvement. The word complacency is not within our vocabulary. Therefore, our Student Government Association (SGA) and the 100 th Anniversary Committee are teaming up
this year to increase our school spirit during this special time at Booker T. Washington High School.
Several upcoming events have been proposed to the administration and we are looking forward to fulfilling some of their ideas over the next few weeks. In addition to new school spirit ideas, we strongly
encourage our students to get involved in extracurricular activities. Research shows students who participate in extracurricular activities have a higher success rate in high school. 1 Many students have experienced enjoyment through the involvement of athletics. Our spring sport seasons such as baseball,
softball, boys weightlifting and track are in full swing and we are excited to watch them progress over
the next few months. Please encourage your child/children to get involved with school spirit, attend
athletic events, and support our mighty wildcats in achieving great success!
Community leaders, local businesses and national affiliates are essential for the ongoing growth and
improvement of our school. Our community business partners are committed to sustaining a foundation
for success at Booker T. Washington High School. The following businesses are substantial partners
who greatly serve our school, and we sincerely appreciate their support:
Cont. on p. 5
BOOKER
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SCHOOL—HOME
OF
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WILDCATS
cont. from p. 4—Mr.
Tompkins
Sonny’s BBQ
Lowe’s
Honey Baked Ham
Guthries
Zaxby’s
Rolly Polly
Just Judy’s Flowers
Herff Jones
Smith Family Carpets
Dunkin Donuts
Winn-Dixie Eastgate Plaza
Publix
Wal-Mart
Sam’s
Berry Yogurt
Men’s Warehouse
Jim Owens Studios
O’Charley’s
Wing Zone
Belk
Currin Graphics
Pods
Lawn Masters
David’s Bridals
Stone’s Studios
If you know of any businesses that would like to become partners in education with us, please have them contact me at 475-5257
ext. 223.
Finally, we are working hard to make sure Booker T. Washington High School is a safe and clean place to learn. GCA our custodial
contractor has been working very hard to keep the school clean and student friendly. They have been very willing to go above and
beyond to make sure all the schools needs have been met. Also, we have a new security fence that
has been built around the campus, a new digital sign is scheduled to be installed by the first week of
April and the new culinary lab will be completed by the first week in March. All of this is going to
continue making us a safe and student friendly school.
I know that if we meet all four of these components, that Booker T. Washington High School will
finish the year strong. Thank you for all your help in making the first half of the school year great
and as always remember it is great to be a Wildcat!
Help us get rewards at Office Depot
when you use our school name during purchases.
BOOKER
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WASHINGTON
HIGH
SCHOOL—HOME
OF
THE
MIGHTY
WILDCATS!
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WILDCATS
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On January 26 through February 1, Future
Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members
participated in district performance events, online
testing, and skills events. FBLA attended the District Leadership Awards Conference at UWF on
February 13. Guest speaker Mr. David Anderson,
founder of Nautilus Financial Strategies, LLC
inspired members of FBLA to strive for success in
all aspects of life.
BTWHS FBLA walked away with many awards.
Winners are listed below:
Business Presentation
2nd Place
Pariss Plair
Eriel Adams
Je’Shawn Williams
Economics
3rd Place
Skeva Phiri
Desktop Publishing
3rd Place
Megan Broadley
Alexandria Martin
Digital Video Production
1st Place
Megan Wilkes
Breyanna Chapron
Katelyn Walker
Emerging Business Issues
2nd Place
Deshon Stroud
James Waldroup
Job Interview
3rd Place
Grace Whaley
Public Speaking 2
1st Place
Angel Mitchell
Computer Problem Solving
1st Place
Andrea Tolbert
Maurika Newberry
Health Care Administration
12th Place
Kayla Miller
Health Care Administration
13th Place
Addonise Crews
Technology Concepts
2nd Place
Darrell Green
BOOKER
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WASHINGTON
Latin Club is Treated to Special Lecture
Dr. Kristina Kilgrove, from UWF's anthropology
department, entertained and enlightened Latin
Club students at the February meeting. Dr. Kilgrove, one of the few experts in bio-anthropology
in the world, discussed via slides diseases of the
ancient Romans based on excavations of their
bones. She kindly spent time answering questions
after her lecture, and encouraged everyone to become members of the Archaeological Institute of
America. Dr. Kilgrove's humor and enthusiasm
made her visit a real treat.
Dr. Kilgrove with Latin Club president
Carson Quillinan, left, and Vice-President
Mallory Killam, right
HIGH
SCHOOL—HOME
OF
THE
MIGHTY
WILDCATS!
WILDCATS
The Spanish club is hosting SALSA
CLASSES this semester! Come check it
out, and join the fever!
PLACE: Cafeteria
TIME: 3:30-4:30 pm
DATES: Feb 13 & 20
March 6 & 20
April 10
7
For more information visit: www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes cell phones, computers, and tablets. Communication tools such as social media
sites, text messages, instant messages, and websites are also used. Kids who are cyber bullied are bullied in person as well. Bullying of any kind has a negative impact on
kids. For more information on cyberbullying, go to http://www.stopsbullying.gov.
The Danger of Energy Drinks
More and more teens are consuming energy drinks. One can understand why due to the pleasant flavors
and the availability for purchasing them. They are marketed to appeal to the youth. Energy drinks contain
high levels of caffeine which may lead to caffeine toxicity. Although there are no recommended safe levels
for caffeine intake, researchers consider 100 to 200 mg of caffeine per day a moderate intake for adults.
However, it is recommended that children and adolescents abstain from any form of stimulant-containing
energy drinks.
Adapted from information from The Center for Prevention and Counseling
BOOKER
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HIGH
SCHOOL—HOME
OF
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MIGHTY
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J.E. HALL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CENTER
30 EAST TEXAR DRIVE, PENSACOLA, FL 32503
PHONE (850) 432-6121, FAX (850) 469-5394
www.escambia.k12.fl.us
MALCOLM THOMAS, SUPERINTENDENT
February 15, 2013
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Providing students healthy, nutritious meals while they are at school is the goal of the district.
Students are being served more fresh fruits and vegetables to encourage healthy eating habits and
support nutrition. In addition, students have more choices for both lunch and breakfast meals.
School meals are provided at an exceptional value; however, some parents/guardians
occasionally fail to send money with their students for lunch or breakfast. Any parent who is
unable to send money with his /her child to purchase lunch or breakfast and needs financial
assistance should contact the school to begin the free or reduced lunch application process. An
online meal pay program is also available that allows parents/guardians to put money into their
student’s account.
Please note the policy for all schools:
1. Students who have excessive charges will receive an alternative meal.
2. In order to receive a regular lunch again, all charges must be paid in full.
3. No charging will be permitted after May 3, 2013.
We need parents/guardians to take responsibility for their student’s meals and ask for assistance
in ensuring that all students’ meal balances are kept current. We are willing to assist in any way
we can to support families who are unable to provide breakfast/lunch money for their children.
We appreciate your help and support.
Sincerely,
Affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
WILDCATS
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February/March 2012
By Shirley Bordelon
General Information:
Registration for current students for the 2014 school year is under way, and counselors are meeting one-on-one with their students. Students will receive a copy of their course requests in May. If any changes are desired, course change forms will be available and must be
submitted to guidance by June 14, 2013. No request can be honored unless students have obtained proper signature/approval.
FCAT Writing for 9th and 10th graders took place on February 26, 2013. FCAT retake reading and math will be given April 8-12, 2013.
FCAT reading for 9th and 10th graders will be April 15-19, 2013. Scores will be available in June. Retake scores will arrive before school
ends and will be distributed to those juniors and seniors immediately.
Counselors will adjust student schedules in the summer to include any remediation classes that may be required as a result of FCAT
scores. Counselors will be available to meet with parents and students when they are working during the summer. Summer work dates for
each counselor will be accessible on www.btwash.org and at the front office.
Each student is given a copy of his/her transcript when the registration card is completed with the grade level counselor. Parents are
encouraged to ask for this and to refer to it whenever there are questions about credits or GPA. GPA and credits change only twice each
year: at end of first semester and at end of the school year.
Identified juniors took the PERT in February based on criteria from the Florida Department of Education. Student scores on this PERT
testing may dictate specific math and/or English classes for seniors next school year. Current juniors or their parents who have questions
regarding this should contact Mrs. Shirley Bordelon, counselor for the Class of 2014.
Some 10th and 11th graders also took the college placement test (PERT) on our campus for the purpose of qualifying for dual enrollment
opportunities. Dr. Thomas from PSC will be on our campus in April to register students who qualify for and plan to attend summer school
at PSC for dual enrollment and for those rising seniors who plan to Early Admit at PSC in the fall. Dr. Thomas will return to Washington in
mid July, 8 A.M. -1 P.M. to register rising juniors and seniors who plan to part time dual at PSC in the fall. The exact date will be given to
students when it is finalized. Students must come to Washington’s campus to register on the date that will be determined– they cannot register at PSC. Students who have completed sophomore year and are interested in dual enrollment should discuss criteria with their grade level
counselor. To participate in dual, students should have completed sophomore year, have a 3.0 non-weighted GPA, and have passing scores
on the PERT or ACT.
College Visits:
Juniors and seniors are allowed a total of 3 college visits. Approval forms may be received from the counselor or Mrs. Soderlind. This
must be completed in advance with parent, teachers, and administrators signatures BEFORE the visit. Take the completed form to the visit
and have it signed by the college admissions office. On first day back to school, form should be taken to Ms. Mitchell in the attendance for
changing absence to excused field trip status. No college visits are allowed the last 6 weeks of the school year.
Summer Opportunities:
Students who need to replace failed classes or improve GPA should check with their counselor about the summer adult program. Students must be at least 16 years of age to participate in summer school through community school. Registration must be completed with the
grade level counselor before school is out. Details about summer school opportunities will appear in the May newsletter. Courses that have
an EOC requirement are no longer taught in summer or night school.
All students are encouraged to use the summer months to acquire community service hours. This activity must be something that
reaches into the community and cannot be connected to a church or synagogue worship service. Likewise, it cannot be a part of any organization for profit nor can it be baby-sitting for family or friends. Service hours are now required for all levels of Bright Futures Scholarships.
For other scholarships that require a community service component, students should initiate a project or have intense and lengthy involvement in one meaningful activity that has a specific impact on others. Service hours are not required for graduation.
EOC Exams:
End of course exams are given in algebra I, algebra IB, geometry, biology, and regular and honors American History. U.S. History
EOC’s are scheduled for April 29-May 2, Biology EOC’s are May 6-9, Algebra EOC’s are May 13-16, and Geometry EOC’s are May 2023. Check with your student’s counselor to know if passing the exam is required for earning credit or if the exam counts 30% of the total
grade. The year of graduation dictates this.
Cont. on p.10
BOOKER
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HIGH
SCHOOL—HOME
OF
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MIGHTY
WILDCATS!
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cont. from p. 9
February/March 2012
AP Exams:
Advanced Placement exams will be given May 6-17, 2013. Students will have an exam schedule and a student/parent information letter (will also be available on S. Bordelon’s website). All AP exams will be given in
Washington High School’s fine arts auditorium. Morning exams require the students to be seated at the testing
site by 7:30 A.M. Afternoon exams have an 11:30 A.M. arrival time with start time at 12 noon. All AP students should check with their teachers before the testing date. They must be on time and follow all guidelines
that are given from College Board. If students miss an exam, regardless of the reason, they must pay a $15.00
unused fee that is charged by College Board. This charge is in addition to the $87.00 fee that the state and
school district pay for each student exam. There are no make-up exams.
Since exams are now on our campus, students are not excused from school on exam days. Students
will report to regular classes after each morning exam, and they will attend morning classes until afternoon exams.
NEW ITEMS FROM Florida DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
Early Graduation: Any student at the high school level who can complete the state required 24 credits prior
to the student’s final semester before graduation may exit early if the following criteria are met:
Successful completion of all state-mandated assessments
*College Ready status as determined by PERT,ACT, or SAT; AND
Declaration of intent to graduate no later than 10 days into the semester in which the student intends
to exit.
College Ready Test Scores :
PERT: Reading – 104
Writing – 99
Math – 113 (Int. Algebra)
ACT:
English – 18
Reading – 21
Math – 22
SAT:
Verbal – 440
Math – 440
Science – 24
New ACT/SAT Concordant Scores for Grade 10 FCAT 2.0 Reading:
ACT – Reading 19
SAT – Verbal 430
Please note that grade 10 students are required to take the grade 10
FCAT Reading even if they earned a concordant score prior to 10 th grade
test administration.
BOOKER
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HIGH
SCHOOL—HOME
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Cont. on p. 10
SENIOR ITEMS:
Seniors should have completed the Bright
Futures Scholarship application by now at
www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org. This online application must be submitted before
Bright Futures will evaluate a transcript.
Seniors must apply BEFORE graduation date
or they will forfeit all future eligibility for a
Bright Futures Scholarship. No Bright Futures monies will be released to colleges
until students have completed a FAFSA.
Registered students will receive award notifications via e-mail based on the evaluations
that take place in February. Students will be
re-evaluated in June for an award or to see if
they have met requirements to upgrade to a
higher level. Only seventh semester students
who have been declared eligible by Bright
Futures will be recognized at Senior Honors
Night. Washington High School cannot determine eligibility – only Florida Department
of Education can do that. In addition to
Bright Futures, letters for ALL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS should be brought to Ms.
Wells by May 17, 2013 for recognition at
Senior Honors Night on May 30, 2013.
Parents of seniors should complete the
FAFSA financial aid forms ASAP. These
forms are only available at
www.fafsa.ed.gov. Both UWF and PSC offer
assistance for completing these forms. Contact the financial aid offices at either institution for those schedules.
Mr. Jeremy Tompkins, assistant principal,
is the contact person for all senior activities
that are non-academic. This includes graduation ceremonies, senior practice, invitations,
caps and gowns, etc. He may be contacted
via e-mail on the school web site or at extension 223.
Senior parents are encouraged to contact
Ms. Wells regarding questions about their
child’s graduation status. Students must earn
26 credits, pass required classes, have a nonweighted 2.0 GPA, and pass the reading and
math parts of the FCAT or ACT in order to
earn a standard high school diploma. Seniors
and senior parents are reminded that all
Florida Virtual School grades must be
complete so that Ms. Wells receives these
from FLVS by May 17, 2013.
With Highest Honor – Gold tassel: 4.0 or
higher weighted GPA.
With High Honor – Silver tassel: 3.5 – 3.99
weighted GPA.
SENIORS
Mrs. Susan Kelley
With Honor – White tassel: 3.0 – 3.49
weighted GPA
Senior final rankings and GPA will be
based on all eight semesters of high school
work. This will not be available until final
grades are posted.
Graduating seniors will be recognized
with three levels of honors using the following criteria:
BOOKER
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SCHOOL—HOME
OF
Graduation 2013 will be held on Monday
June 3, 2013 at the Pensacola Civic Center at
11a.m.
MANDATORY Dress code for gentlemen: dark dress pants, shirt, tie, socks, and
dress shoes. Jackets are discouraged.
Graduation gown will be worn over dress
clothes. No tennis shoes or flip-flops will be
permitted!
MANDATORY Dress code for ladies:
blouses and skirts or dresses no longer than
the graduation gown. Dress shoes should be
worn - no tennis shoes or flip-flops. Make
sure you wear heels in which you can comfortably walk. Ladies should not bring
purses.
Seniors who are out of Mandatory
Graduation Dress Code will not walk at
Graduation 2013.
All seniors met with Herf Jones representatives to be properly sized for a cap and
gown. All Class of 2013 Seniors should be
sized for a cap and gown – at no cost – even
if they do not plan on participating in graduation. If you missed this important event,
please contact Herff Jones immediately to
schedule your fitting.
Olive Baptist Church will host our 2013
Baccalaureate Service – date and time to be
announced.
All fines/fees – including Senior Dues,
Textbook fines, Library fines, etc. – MUST
be paid in full prior to participating in Prom
2013 and Graduation 2013.
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Our students did very well at the West Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair awards ceremony held on Thursday,
January 31 at the UWF conference center.
The following students were awarded ribbons, certificates, and/or
money.
Name
Category
Award
Haley Mahoney
Behavioral
Honorable mention
Weston Pope
Behavioral
3rd place, Navy and Marine Out-
Emily Dawson
Behavioral
Honorable mention
Jestin Hall
Biochemistry
Honorable mention
Cecilia Calvert
Botany
3rd
Lindsey Cook
Chemistry
Honorable mention
Catie Ales
Chemistry
Honorable mention
Rachel Warren
Chemistry
2nd place
Rachael Barnett
Chemistry
Jessica Dormi
Chemistry
1st place, Daugrell Award, American Chemical Society Award
Reginald Butler Memorial Award
($200)
3rd place, Gulf Power Award
Mary Parker
Environmental
Water Federation Award
Ty Weaver
Engineering
Honorable Mention and BRACE
Mariah Bush
Environmental
3rd place, Water Federation Award
Haleigh Williams
Environmental
Omega Psi Phi Check and Certificate
Friends of Perdido Bay $50
Elizabeth Bothwell
Microbiology
Escambia County Medical Society
Micah McGinn
Physics
Honorable Mention
Cole Bernstein
Physics
3rd place
Kevin Do
Physics
Honorable Mention
Sydney Allen
Zoology
3rd place
Brecklyn Groce
Zoology
Ted Veve Medical Award $50
Cassie Andrews
Mrs. Hicks
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Reginald Butler Memorial Award $50
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Junior Civitan
By: Chris Nguyen
What is Junior Civitan? Quite frankly, I’ve never heard of it, or even thought to join it; however, God called me to serve my community in an idiosyncratic way. This organization has
manifested opportunities that I strive to obtain: patience, leadership, and fortitude. From building ramps for the physically disabled and playing bingo with the mentally disabled, I’ve learned
to appreciate the little things and be thankful for all the blessings that God has bestowed within
me. Being a Junior Civitan opened not only my heart, but also my vision of my community by
simply doing little things that aid my community in making a difference. It’s crucial for every
citizen to take part in their community and build their community together. Junior Civitan has
impacted my life dramatically and I strive to get the message to other students who yearn for
righteousness to serve their community and making a
difference.
Building a
ramp for the
physically
challenge.
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Senior Dates to Remember:
February 1, 2013
Cap and Gown Late Fee
Increase
Herff Jones
8-4
February 20, 2013
Senior Cap and Gown
pictures
BTWHS
8:30-2:45
March 20, 2013
Senior Cap and Gown
Make-Ups
BTWHS
8:30-12:00
April 3, 2013
Grad announcements
BTWHS
11 – 1
April 4, 2013
Grad announcements
BTWHS
11-1
April 13, 2013
Prom
NAS
8-12
May 24, 2013
Senior Breakfast
BTWHS
9
May 24, 2013
Cap and Gown
BTWHS
10
distribution
May 30, 2013
Senior Honors Night
Gym
6
May 31, 2013
Grad Practice
Gym
2
June 2, 2013
Baccalaureate
Olive Baptist
1:15
June 3,2013
Graduation
Pensacola Bay Center
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Although the FDA banned flavored cigarettes in 2009, non-cigarette flavored tobacco products and
dissolvable products are increasingly popular with young people because of their sweet taste and cheap
price tag. The FDA ban on flavored tobacco does not include such products as smokeless tobacco,
chew, snuff, snus, cigars, and cigarillos. It also does not include dissolvable tobacco products such as
sticks, orbs, and strips which often also have the appearance of common candy products. Flavored
tobacco products are as addictive and carry the same health risks as regular tobacco products including
lung disease, cancer, and stroke.
According to the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (2011), across Florida:
· 1 in 6 children between the ages of 11 and 17 have tried flavored tobacco.
· 19% of high school students have tried a flavored cigar.
· 9.8% of high school students have smoked a flavored cigar at least one time in the last 30 days.
· 7.9% of high school students have tried flavored smokeless tobacco.
· 4.6% of high school students used flavored smokeless tobacco in the last 30 days.
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As a nutritionist and certified personal trainer, I have a true passion for health and wellness; however, I am well aware that not everyone, especially teenagers, shares my passion for living as organically as I do. Whether you are a health nut, or someone who eats
junk food all day, you can’t deny the obvious-as a nation, we have a serious problem.
Research shows that nearly one in every three children and adolescents are either overweight or obese. 1 Childhood obesity is an
even more serious health concern because of the increased risk in becoming obese into adulthood, which can lead to severe health
problems such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. 1
So what should parents and teenagers do to help fight the battle against obesity? It begins with your attitude. How you choose to
approach eating the right foods and exercising on a regular basis can make a huge impact on your life. For starters, forget the word
“diet” and all of the anxiety that goes along with it. Living and eating healthy is not about dieting; it is a lifestyle and behavior change
that can happen, but only if you want it to. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “The key to achieving
and maintaining a healthy weight isn’t about short-term dietary changes. It’s about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular
physical activity, and balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses.” 2
Unfortunately, most people create unrealistic goals for themselves, which only sets people up for failure, and no one wants to feel
like they have failed. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends setting goals that are specific, attainable, and most importantly forgiving.3 Start with small achievable goals and work your way up. For instance, commit yourself to taking the stairs next time
instead of the elevator, or choose a parking spot further from the entrance instead of in the front. If you drink three sodas a day, try
limiting your soda intake to just two a day for the first week, and then down to only one for the following week, eventually weaning
yourself off of soda altogether. Now here is the important part; if you mess up, forgive yourself and keep going because you haven’t
failed. You are already winning simply by your efforts and choosing to live a healthier life.
I realize you may be skeptical, or perhaps you think small changes simply won’t make a difference in your life, but you may be
surprised at just how big those small changes really are. In fact, research shows people who are obese and those who are severely overweight, can drop five lbs. a week just by cutting soda from their diet. 4 I don’t know about you, but five lbs. a week sounds pretty fantastic to me!
Nothing is more important than your health. Without it, what do you have? Therefore, start making yourself a priority and take
charge! I promise you won’t regret making a conscious decision to change your life. You make the choice; choose to live smart,
choose to eat healthy, and most of all, choose to be the best you there can possibly be and make the most out of your life.
References
2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (2010). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/
dietaryguidelines.htm
Healthy Weight - it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle! (2011, August 17). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://
www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/index.html
Guide to Behavior Change. (n.d.). National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/
heart/obesity/lose_wt/behavior.htm
Oz, M. (2013). 10 Simple Rules to Lose 5 Pounds. Oprah.com. Retrieved from http://www.oprah.com/health/Lose-5-Pounds-Dr-OzWeight-Loss-Advice/3
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