This year, West Navarre Intermediate School welcomed in a new administrator. Mrs. Shana Dorsey became the new principal this year after serving as assistant principal at WNIS for the last for few years. When asked why she wanted to be a principal she answered,” I wanted to be a principal to have a greater impact on students.” Her desire is to “create lifelong learners at WNIS, to educate and nurture children, and help develop responsible students who are ready for the future.” Mrs. Shana Dorsey graduated from the University of Alabama, and went on to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida.
You may have heard of the Caring and Sharing program, but many may not know what it is really about. Come along with me as I tell you about the “Journey of the Food”.
“Paper, paper!” shout kids with a still warm, fresh copy of iNKSTAND at their fingertips. There are so many talented kids at West Navarre Intermediate School, many of whom are talented in writing. This was one of the reasons Mr. Long and Mrs. Baer, both gifted teachers at WNIS, started this program last year. When questioned about the program, Mr. Long said, “We didn’t want this to just be for our gifted students, but an opportunity for anyone and everyone,” and added, “…specifically, we wanted to also include students who may be struggling, or have lack of interest in their school work, with hopes of getting them motivated and turned on to learning.”
Does your child save money, or does it burn a hole in their pocket? If saving is difficult for you or your child, consider the advice and research of a few local students who found ways to help with that struggle.
During a recent meeting of Florida’s Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott recognized four outstanding educators from around the state with Governor’s Shine Awards. The Shine award is presented to teachers and administrators in Florida who make significant contributions to the field of education.
Teacher of the year is indeed a distinction among teachers. The winners find great honor in the award because they are selected by their peers. In her sixth year at the school, Emily Simon is West Navarre Primary’s award winner this year.
Teresa Berg is Holley-Navarre Intermediate’s Teacher of the Year. An 18-year veteran in the classroom, with 13 years at HNIS, Berg says she never stops learning and never tires of seeing the students learn something new. “I like teaching them something new and seeing their faces when they learn it,” Berg said.
Eighteen teachers from Santa Rosa County schools have been named ACCELerator Grant Program award winners, nearly double the total from a year ago when only 10 received grants.
On Oct. 23 signs were placed in each school of Santa Rosa County that read, “Students are invited to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country, but they are not required to do so.” Santa Rosa County Director of Middle Schools David Gunter says the signs were in response to a complaint from a parent who alleged that her son was forced to stand during the pledge of allegiance even though he expressed his unwillingness to do so. The school stood firm referring to F.S. 1003.44 and the Code of Student Conduct and referenced a section that states: “When the pledge is given, civilians must show full respect to the flag by standing at attention.”
