Mustang Message
12/14/2014
Message from the Principal
The holidays are upon us again and it feels as though this time of year comes so fast, turns our lives upside down and is over before we know it. I hope you take time to slow down during the holidays, enjoy your family and find time for yourself.
As we say good-bye to 2014 it is also time to say goodbye to Eduardo Cruz, a valuable member of the LWIT/LWTHS family, who has poured his heart and soul into making the automotive program better and has contributed in so many ways to our campus, including his daughter, who graduated from the surgical technology many years ago. Eduardo will be retiring on Friday and we wish him the best in his post LWIT/LWTHS life.
Denise Duzick has known Eduardo longer than I have and I asked her to share his story with you. "Eduardo serves as role model for many of our students who like him persevere to make a better life for themselves. Before coming to the United States, Eduardo was a well-known automotive engineering professor in Cuba; however he left it his position at a university behind when he had the opportunity to come to the United States. Upon his arrival in Naples, LWIT was one of his first stops, where he expressed an interest in teaching. Unfortunately at the time, a position was not available.
Eduardo obtained a different position in the school system but continued to maintain his contact with the school and soon was hired as an aide, then a teacher. He brought his skills as a facilitator to quickly get us identified as an AYES school. He brought the school to the attention of local dealerships and we continue to benefit from their knowledge till this day. His efforts earned national attention when he was named the AYES teacher of the year! In every action he took he made the LWIT automotive program a shining star."
TECH CORNER
Spotlight on Strategies - A-E-I-O-U: This strategy helps learners engage in content in various perspectives, which not only allows for different learning styles, but also provides multiple points of elaboration. While viewing a video or reading content, students respond to the following and then discuss:
A - Adjective - one or two descriptors
E - Emotion - how did it make you feel?
I - Interesting thought/idea/etc
O - “Oh!” i.e., describe something that was surprising
U - “Uhm?” i.e., ask a question about the content
The original strategy description and example are here. Please note the important advice about showing video and note-taking there, as well. My take on this strategy uses Voki as a further engagement and elaboration tool (Marzano #11 - Helping Students Elaborate on New Content) with the sample reading/listening sample on ListenCurrent (Fixing Genes) and the resulting Voki.
Tech Tool Tuesday will resume in 2015!
Just for Fun! Even though we don’t expect snow for the holidays, you can make your own digital snowflake to enjoy and share with others. :) Check out Snowdays.
HAPPENINGS
- Welcome to Kameron Greer who joins us as Practical Nursing instructor starting Tuesday
- Party!! Party!! There will be a staff Holiday Potluck party on Friday, 12/19 at noon in the dining hall. Everyone is invited to bring a covered dish, and enjoy some holiday cheer with your coworkers. This event is in lieu of in-service so there will be a sign-in sheet. If you are participating in the ornament exchange, please bring your ornament to the party.
- There will be a PBS Celebration Event (music and raffles) in the courtyard during lunch on the Early Release Day, 12/19.
- If you are interested in serving on the School Recognition Funds (A+) Committee, please contact Jeff Rexford by Friday. We are looking for LWTHS instructional staff, support staff and Dual-Enrollment instructors.
REMINDERS
- LWTHS teachers please review the exam schedule. There is a rotating schedule for 9th and 10th grade only. If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Rexford or Lynne Bruce.
- PLT Reflection forms for the month of December are due 12/19.
- As the holiday break approaches, please remind students of expectations as necessary and be visible in hallways during transition times as this will encourage positive behaviors.
- The Angel Tree still has angels available if you would like to donate a gift. Please return all gifts to Angie by Wednesday, 12/17. On behalf of our students, thank you for your generous donation to make a child’s holiday special. Angie will be distributing the angel gifts to students on Thursday 12/18 and Friday 12/19.
- LWIT teachers please keep in mind that Friday 12/19 is the last day of the Fall term. Please touch base with your advisor in reference to students completing as student exit surveys need to be done as well as withdrawal paperwork completed.
- LWIT teachers please remind your students that are expected to return for the spring term that they should register this week as we will not be open during the break.
- Dual-Enrollment instructors please make sure that you get your letter grades to Sabrina Medal for first semester grades as soon as you have them ready.
- Make-up exams are 12/19. If you need to have students take a make-up exam and need them tested outside of your room, please email Jeff the name and provide a copy of the exam if it is paper based by the end of the day Thursday.
Kudos to . . .
- Stephanie Scott and Ed Laudise for being named "Teachers of Distinction" by Champions for Learning
- Peter Quail for a successful Phlebotomy graduation
- Eduardo Cruz, Benjamin Kurke and Armando Padilla for hosting the Mercedes Benz Club and securing $2,000 in scholarship money for automotive students
- Bob Jackson and the Entrepreneurship/Marketing Students for their Annual Networking Luncheon
- Amy Wilkins and Chef Geri for being flexible and serving lunch in Mustang Alley on Friday
- Khris Betten-Jutasi, Laurie Lattarulo and Key Club students for ringing the Salvation Army bell on Saturday
- Amanda Vazquez and Ariel Pechokas for their work on the COE Annual Report
- Khris Betten-Jutasi, Stephanie Scott, Tiffany Hall, Katherine Cummings, Rita Kentros, Lindsey Simmons and Bob Jackson for hosting guest teachers from the District who spent the day observing best practices
- Laurie Lattarulo and the Key Club for painting faces and decorating cookies at the Shadowlawn Elementary's Winter Festival
- Maureen Tea and the Medical Assisting students for their collection of toys for needy children
- Laurie Lattarulo and Lynne Bruce for arranging the impromptu celebration to honor our teachers of distinction
- Chef Geri, Chef Becca and culinary students for supporting Parkside Elementary School's Environmental Club and STEM Academies by demonstrating "Farm to Table" presentations for students and families.
Happy Birthday
- Chris Fowler
- Daniel Miller
- Jean Cardarelli
- Ariel Pechokas
Staff Meetings and Trainings
- 12/15, U.S. History EOC training for LWTHS teachers who were given calendar invitation
- 12/16, SAC Meeting, Conference Room 6:00 p.m.
- 12/17, Team Meetings, 2:00 - 2:35 p.m.
- 12/18, PBS/RTI Meeting, 2:00 -2:35 p.m.
LWIT/LWTHS
Email: floresyo@collierschools.com
Website: lwit.edu
Location: 3702 Estey Ave., Naples, FL
Phone: 239 377-0900 239 377-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lorenzo-Walker-Institute-Technical-High-School/594212217283585
Twitter: @LwitLwths