School Beat: Golden Apple nominations top 1,900

Students, parents and community members have nominated 1,925 Lee County public school teachers for the prestigious Golden Apple award, a program now in its 17th year.

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools collected a record-breaking 6,100 nomination forms this fall, the first step in selecting six local instructors whose accomplishments in the classroom merit a Golden Apple.

Those 1,925 teachers have received a congratulatory letter from the foundation, but must complete an application to continue in the program. A 12-member committee comprised of community and business representatives will screen applications before narrowing the pool to 30 finalists. Each will be interviewed and observed in their classrooms before the committee selects six instructors for the top prize.

Winners will be surprised in March, then honored at a formal banquet on April 2.

Bonita Elementary will have a book fair Wednesday through Nov. 18, with evening hours for families on the final day. Interim reports will be sent home on Nov. 21. Bonita Elementary has begun its extended school day program to enhance educational achievement, with classes held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through February.

Bonita Springs Charter is hosting its first Family Night on Friday, complete with a chicken marsala fund-raiser dinner provided by Carrabba's Italian Grill. The PTO also will sponsor a bake sale and raffle gift baskets created by each class, and members of the public are welcomed to tour the new facility. The school also is holding an official dedication ceremony on Nov. 20.

Pinewoods Elementary families are encouraged to visit the annual fall festival on Friday, and the PTO/SAC meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 18. All grades will have first quarter award ceremonies on Nov. 20.

San Carlos Park Elementary has a school skate night on Nov. 18 and a SAC/PTO meeting on Nov. 20.

Spring Creek Elementary has a first grade parent reading night on Nov. 18, a fifth grade Colonial Craft Fair on Nov. 19 and a second grade program on Nov. 20.

Three Oaks Elementary has a Veterans Day recognition ceremony at 2 p.m. Monday, a SAC meeting at 5 p.m. on Nov. 17, a PTO meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 and a Roman Holiday for third-graders on Nov. 21.

Bonita Middle has a SAC meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 18. Interim reports will be distributed on Nov. 20.

Three Oaks Middle's sixth-graders will attend a presentation on the meaning of Veterans Day at 10:30 a.m. Monday. The alpha team will be selling cookie dough from Nov. 17-24 to finance its science trip, and there is a PTO meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 24.

Estero High has a SAC meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday and a band booster meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Canterbury School in south Fort Myers has scheduled an open house for prospective students from 1-3 p.m. on Nov. 16.

The School District of Lee County and Southwest Florida Symphony are coordinating "Pride and Patriotism: Youth Celebrating the Arts," a music and patriotic event that begins at 7 p.m. Monday at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. In addition to music, student artwork and essays will be on display in the lobby. Tickets are $6 for general admission seats. For more information, call the Symphony Box Office at 418-1500.

Lee County public school students will not have class Tuesday in honor of Veterans Day.

The next meeting of the Lee County School Board begins at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the Dr. James A. Adams Public Education Center in Fort Myers. Board members will elect a new chair and vice chair at the meeting.

South Lee County parents have several opportunities to provide input about the future of student assignment for public school students. School staff will be stationed at the K-Mart in Bonita Springs from 1-5 p.m. Friday to record opinions about school choice. A public forum also is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 24 at Estero High.

The eighth annual Take Stock in Children Auction is set for 5:30-9 p.m. Thursday at Royal Palm Yacht Club in Fort Myers. Items to be auctioned include: resort/hotel getaways to Boca Grande, South Seas Resort and Useppa Island; dinner parties hosted by local celebrities; golf packages; pieces of art; jewelry; unique gift baskets; dinners at local restaurants; tickets to sporting events and much more. Call the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools at 337-0433 for tickets or more information.

The San Carlos-Estero MOVERS mentoring program needs volunteers to help children in all eight south Lee County public schools. Adults with spare time and an educational background are being sought to help children succeed academically. To become a mentor, call 992-6080.

Contact Education Reporter Dave Breitenstein by telephone at 213-6033. School-related story ideas and pictures can be sent by e-mail to debreitenstein@naplesnews.com ; by fax to 213-6099; by mail to Bonita Banner, 9102 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 or delivered in person at the Banner office in Sunshine Plaza.