Campus Connections
October 16, 2016
Fall Advisory Committee Luncheon and Meetings
Message from Jeff and Yolanda
Jeff's speech at the Advisory Committee Luncheon captured the essence of our what you do each and every day to change the lives of students. Here it is in case you missed it.
This year marks the 10th year celebration of the opening of LWTHS. Our counselor, Abby Lambley, has been here since the beginning. She tells the story that for the first couple of years, administration enrolled any “body” to fill the seats and keep the high school open. We started out with just 138 students enrolled as 9th graders. Now we are a school of 600; 150 per grade level. Like any business, it took time to create a successful brand. The first year we were eligible for a school grade, we were rated as a D. With time, we increased our grade to a “C” then to an “A” and have maintained our “A” for the last five years. When I came to the school, I often heard comments that LW was a school where students go when they weren’t successful or weren’t going to college.
That perception has definitely shifted, and we now have more students on the waiting list than are able to be accepted each year. The schools of Lorenzo Walker have so much to celebrate. To name a few, for the past 4 years we have had the highest graduation and attendance rate for high schools in Collier County. Our students’ test scores have been in the top one or two in Collier County for English Language Arts, Algebra, U.S. History, and Biology and we have had a 100% passing rate from our AP Spanish Language exam for the past two years. This year we were also contacted by the Florida Trends magazine to be included in a story highlighting successful Title 1 Schools. Based on the school grading system, we rated as the number 1 non-charter Title 1 School in the State of Florida.
So why do I share these accomplishments and successes of our high school? Is it because I’m incredibly proud of our students and staff?—Of Course! But also to acknowledge that our successes are a product of Lorenzo Walker Technical College.
Don’t get me wrong, we have the best teachers at the high school but students don’t attend LWTHS to take a math or science class here instead of at Naples High. The draw for our students are the programs at LWTC. The students recognize and take advantage of the opportunity to not only graduate with a high school diploma, but to also graduate with industry certifications in areas of interest. The students use these skills to enter the work force in high wage fields, use the programs as stepping stones in a career pathway or as a financial means to put themselves through college and university. We are fortunate to have Advisory Committees and business partners to support our students and programs.
To share a story, three years ago a senior in our Practical Nursing program was participating in a clinical rotation at Glenview at Pelican Bay. She had established a rapport with a patient at the facility and she and her husband were so impressed that she was in a nursing program as a high school student. She was caring, considerate, and had a direction in life at such a young age. The patient and her husband were intrigued that such a school existed in the community where they have spent their lives. They acknowledged the commitment and forward thinking it takes for teenagers like Stephanie to make such a mature choice to leave their friends and go to a school like Lorenzo Walker instead of a traditional high school.
The patient’s husband went on to award not only her but the other top 20 graduates that year with a $100 dollar scholarship. The class of 2016 received $200 each. He did this all as an anonymous donor. He didn’t want any credit for making the scholarship donations.
This year, he shared an article with us about the importance of welding and how it is an occupation that has more people retiring than people to fill those vacancies. He and his wife finally took us up on the offer of visiting the school and touring the programs. He donated money to purchase Performance Packs for our welding students who had financial need for equipment. He has also been in communication with the instructor on how he can help to support the program with equipment needs. This is just one example of how one person can make an impact on the lives of others.
Each one of you here has made an equal impact. Whether it be financial support to help our students or programs, opportunities for our students to learn from you in the field, being business partners, clinical sites, COOP’s or by serving on the Advisory Committees. All of this helps shape the direction of our programs so we can best meet the needs of industry, the community and our students. It is the quality of the programs that helps to recruit the high caliber of student who leave a lasting impact out in the community. Success breeds Success at the schools of Lorenzo Walker.
Our 2016 class will mark only our 8th graduating group from LWTHS. These are not just any “Bodies”. These are “Somebody’s”. They are working in our dental offices, surgery centers, hospitals, architect offices, automotive service centers, marinas, and airports. They are serving our country in the military and they are making us proud at colleges and universities around the state and country. Thank you again for your commitment to our students and programs.
Michael Komara
- TSA Launch Code Speaker, Michael Komara, inspired us with a motivational message that will guide us into becoming not only more effective instructors, but also more productive individuals! We must learn how to think, speak and act more effectively so that we can be more productive versions of ourselves.
Happenings
- Rebecca Merhar for leaving a lasting impact at LWTHS in such a short amount of time. We will miss her but we wish her luck in her new endeavor at Big Cypress Elementary. She will be at school on Tuesday, Wednesday and potentially Thursday as part of her transition.
- On 10/20/16 we will have our State Requirements for Educational Facilities (SREF) inspection at LWTHS/LWTC. Victor has been around to make notes of areas that need to be addressed. Victor will be stopping by to see you if he determines that your area may result in a write up during the inspection. In preparation for the inspection check your offices, classrooms and storage areas for the following:
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1. If there are any items on the very top of bookcases or open shelves in your closet or storage areas, make sure to move them.
2. Make sure the inspector can walk into the closet or storage areas. There should be nothing on the floor that gets in the way.
3. If you are using laptops, ensure that wires are not trip hazards.
4. Ensure that none of your electrical cords are daisy chained.
STEAM Conference
Everyone is welcome! Sign up your whole family up to participate in the STEAM Village and fascinating sessions through the Collier County Public School website. See website below.
Event Details: Saturday, October 29, 2016
Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m.
9:00 - 9:50 Opening keynote
10:00 - 10:40 First session
10:50 - 11:30 Second session
11:30 - 11:50 Snack Break
11:50 - 12:30 Third session
12:35 Closing comments and giveaways
Wellness Corner
- Moe's 5K Walk/Run on 10/13 was a huge success! We had such a great showing that LWTHS won a trophy and certificate for the most participation. Those who participated will be invited to a fajita lunch provided by Moes in the near future. Thank you to all who came to support the schools. Go Mustangs!
Reminders
- School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting is this Tuesday, 10/18 at 6:00pm in the Culinary Arts Formal Dining Hall. Come join us!
- PSAT Testing will occur for 10th and selected 11th grade students on Wednesday, 10/19 from 7:15-10:45 a.m. Valerie has sent out a revised schedule for 9th and 10th grade.
- Staff Shirts will be sold at the LWTHS staff lounge from 10:15-11:05 a.m. and at the LWTC Dining Hall A from 11:30-2:30 p.m on 10/20.
- PLT Reflections are due October 31st.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter by scanning the QR Codes below with your phone or tablet. If you need any assistance with installing or using a QR Code scanner, please email John Monda.
Important Professional Opportunities
- FGCU Doctor of Education Program and Master of Education Program Open House at the Ad Center on Friday, October 28th from 4PM-6PM. See iBriefing #9966 for more information.
- FSU Masters/Specialist Educational Leadership online program applications deadline is October 14th for Spring 2017 semester. See iBriefing #9971 for more information.
- Kagan Training on Saturday, October 22nd at GGHS from 8:00-4:00PM. See iBriefing #9964 for more information.
October's Staff and Students of the Month!
We had a great time celebrating this month's staff and students of the month over an awesome lunch! It provided an opportunity for us to thank staff and students for their hard work and hear from them why the Lorenzo Campus is such a special place. Please make sure to nominate!!
Students
- 9th Grade - Tori Moxam
- 10th Grade - Daisy Zapata
- 11th/12th Grade - Skylar Erickson & Leidi Osorio
- Post Secondary - Steve Souder
Staff
- GCA - Miriam Mendez
- LWTHS - Tiffany Hall
- LWTC - Scott Schnappauf
Kudos to . . .
- Fay Warfield, Carolyn Casserly, Jean Carderalli, Sam Green, Shauna Kelly Cynthia Murin for the preparation and clean-up provided to make the Fall Advisory Committee Luncheon a huge success!
- Chef Geri, Chef Abdo, culinary staff and students for the delicious luncheon.
- To all the LWTC Support Staff for taking minutes during the Advisory Committee meetings.
- To all the Instructional Faculty for the planning which made the Fall Advisory Committee Meetings productive and able to guide students on their career pathways more effectively.
- Lisa Perez for organizing and updating all of our 504 plans.
- Diana Childs, Vanessa Alvarez, Lianne Elliott for facilitating PD on Friday. All of the sessions were meaningful and can be taken and used in class right away.
- Vanessa Alvarez and Dave Gabriel for being our FOCUS POC and communicating and offering assistance to all of our teachers as we navigate through the new program.
- Dulcie Neiman, Khris Betten-Jutasi for being our Wellness contacts at LWTHS/LWTC and helping to garner support for the Moes run and other healthy lifestyle choices.
- Rita Kentros and Steve Parnell for pushing the Moes run to our new running club and our work out club!
- Dulcie Neiman and Laurie Lattarulo for registering all of the participants and arranging transportation for our students to Moes.
- Rita Kentros and Lindsey Simmons for being brave and riding the school bus with our students to and from the Moes run.
- Pat Metcalf for doing an outstanding job as an instructional coach with assisting our new instructors to learn the fundamentals needed to plan effective instruction for our students!
- John Monda who represented LWTC at the Safe Communities Event at the Golden Gate Community Center last Wednesday. The event brought a huge turnout of middle school students interested in attending LWTHS, recent graduates wanting to attend LWTC and adults desiring to learn English in our ACE programs.
- Cindy Emanul, Bruce Peters and students for representing LWTC/LWTHS at the CCPS Benefits and Health Fair.
- Khris Betten-Jutasi and Melissa Mierendorff for planning a scavenger hunt at Barnes and Nobles for the ELCATE Academy students
- Lynn Bruce and Belynda Williams for promoting our schools at various community events this week.
Happy Birthday!
23 Armando Padilla
Upcoming Staff Meetings and Trainings
- See the lwcampus.wikispaces.com for the LWTC/LWTHS meeting calendar.
- Next Clinical Education classes start November 2nd. Sign up to get certified to become a teacher mentor!
Campus Activities
- Afterschool Homework Academy, HOPE Lab, 2:35-3:45.
- Coupon Books for sale: $20/ea., please see Dawn Peck.
- Scary Fall Ball on Oct. 21st from 7 to 10pm, LWTC dining hall, Tickets are $5/ea. please see Rick Ponton/Creators Club.