2001
MAYOR’S EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP GRANTS

PROJECT SUMMARIES 

This project is designed to create a center for botanical and horticultural studies.  The garden will be designed, managed and implemented by the students who will become great tour guides of the gardens.  Mentors and students will plant the garden and engage in learning discussions.  Reading stories related to agricultural science will give students the ability to have an educational experience that is not common in city schools.

The 2001 science project offers hands-on learning of science objectives, both individually and in a team setting.  The project’s goal is to define and share scientific objectives with students.  The science lab provides a method to assess the results in a unique forum to enhance skills through the process of science.  The lab will be shared with students and teachers establishing a routine water-testing regime.  Students will tour Clear Lake to identify problem areas and take charge of miniature environments in the form of aquarium projects.

This project will focus on students identified as needing remediation in language skills according to performance on last year’s FCAT as well as other school-based assessments.  Each student will have a pen pal and use the Internet and e-mail for correspondence.  Volunteer tutors from the community will instruct and assist the students with the Travel Buddies Concept on LightSpan.com, a provider of education-based software and Internet resources and services. 

Residents of the Southport community will collaborate with school staff members to plan and implement an after-school math and science club for students in grades 2-5.  The Junior Aviator’s Club will emphasize a hands-on approach to solving “real world” math and science problems that will focus on an aviation and aerospace theme.

This program’s emphasis is to get children ready to read, 
write and master other basic skills when they enter their local Orange County Public School.  The intent is to provide an early learning environment where children can be spiritually, intellectually, physically and emotionally prepared to succeed.

This project is designed to reach all aspects of a young person’s life and reinforce positive messages.  It will provide tutoring in mathematics, science, communication and academic activities that reflect the child’s developmental levels and personalities.  The project will provide year-round services that involve parents, community leaders and school staff volunteers.

This project will provide quality group and individualized tutoring/mentoring to approximately 300 students in grades third through fifth.  The goal of the program is to provide extended learning experiences focused on acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to master standardized test developed to measure competencies in reading, writing and mathematics.  This project will utilize Lightspan, which is a research-based interactive technology program using the Sony Playstation and CD-ROMS that teach and test reading, language arts and mathematics.

This project has three goals:  (1) provide rich, intensive integration of reading, writing (English), mathematics and technology, (2) work with “At Risk” high school students to help them pass the HSCT/FCAT exams and (3) provide tutorial support for students with special academic needs.  In addition, this project will help increase students’ self-esteem, increase their technology knowledge and expand their employability skills.

This project will work in conjunction with two existing programs at the school.  C.O.M.E.T would add a computer component.  Students’ needing additional academic assistance in reading and math will be tutored by computer, school staff volunteers and neighborhood volunteers.  Skills in reading, mathematics and problem solving will be practiced and enhanced through a program of cross-curricular activities using computers.

This project will provide mentoring and academic tutoring to approximately two hundred students in the Holden Heights Community.  Members of Americorp will be dedicated tutors to this project.  The Legacy Foundation will model Junior Achievement’s free enterprise approach to educational assistance by recruiting private sector employees as tutors and mentors.  All school children from kindergarten through 12^th grade will be invited to attend this tutoring project.  The project’s emphasis will be on reading, language skills and math enhancements.

This project will help students develop their reading comprehension, critical thinking and an appreciation of literature.  It will help the students become fluent readers, storytellers, critics of literature, storywriters, publishers and producers.  Students will work on plays in small groups.  The students will be given critical issues and/or current events to work on with their tutor to critique and write about.

SECME is a nationwide organization whose mission is to encourage and prepare all students to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.  School staff and members of the College Park Neighborhood Association will work together as a team during weekly meetings to excite the students about various fields in science.  During the after-school program students will experiment, investigate science careers, explore the neighborhood ecosystem and use the Internet and science related software to record findings.

This project will provide opportunities for students to participate in a real-world cultural arts experience. Students and teachers will choose a monthly theme on cultural arts.  Teachers, parents and volunteers will work with students to research themes using the public library, the Internet and the encyclopedia.  This project will address the Florida Sunshine State Standards, the School District Benchmarks and the School Improvement Plan, while providing high-interest learning activities for students.

This project will target ESOL students as well as native English-speaking students needing additional English proficiency skills.  Teachers and volunteers will engage students in familiar multi-media settings that encourage them to use English in their everyday lives.  The project will utilize a language development software program that will combine high-interest, high-activity listening, speaking, reading and writing components to encourage higher-order thinking skills.

This project will allow all students to work on reading, writing and mathematic skills.  The school will provide a certified teacher to assess, instruct and assist students while in the lab.  The neighborhood association will also volunteer to help students, as they need assistance.  The software selected for use in the project will support many of the Grade Level Expectations the Sunshine State Standards mandated for each grade level.

This program will be community based with an experiential learning modality.  The components of CLASS are leadership skill development activities, academic tutoring, cultural awareness, community service and field trips.  The objectives are to help students improve their academic studies and teach them fundamental study skills.

This project is designed to build a positive working relationship with parents, students and the community, by providing resources and strategies that improve academic achievement and self-esteem for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.  It will also introduce and reinforce basic readiness skills and activities for the classroom and home.  This project will also improve student standardized test scores in reading, writing and mathematics.  The Washington Shores Neighborhood Association members will assist with after school tutoring and serve as career mentors.