I am so proud of Collier County Public Schools! This February we had the honor of hosting an External Review Team from AdvancED, which is an internationally recognized performance accreditation organization. After visiting 18 schools and speaking with over 380 people, the External Review Team shared that we had earned an External Review Index of Education Quality Score of 329.51 with the AdvancED Network Average being 278.94. What an outstanding indicator of the great work being conducted in our schools!

Additionally, the Gifted Symposium was held on February 15, 2017, with Dr. Diane Heacox from St. Catherine University sharing with us her expertise on gifted education. You will be able to read more details about her visit to Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) later in this edition of the newsletter.

With a focus on gifted education and advanced studies, I am pleased to announce our District is the first public school district in the United States to have all of its traditional elementary, middle and high schools certified as Cambridge sites. With Cambridge Secondary in its inaugural year in the middle schools and Cambridge Primary set to launch for grades 3 – 5 next year, I am thrilled to say our advanced studies options continue to expand across the District.

Finally, the academic competition season is upon us. This year the Spelling Bee was held in conjunction with Lee County, and CCPS had 4 of the top 5 finishers – including 1st place! Odyssey of the Mind is in full swing with 5 of our schools going on to compete at the state competition, and our students are gearing up for both the middle and high school Scholar Bowl tournaments, the Elementary Math Challenge, and of course the upcoming STEAM competitions. All in all, it is a great time to be a student in Collier County Public Schools!

~ Kamela Patton, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) was honored to host the Chief Executive of Cambridge International Examinations, Michael O’Sullivan, MPhil (master of philosophy), and Deputy Regional Director, Sherry Reach. CCPS is proud to be the first public school district in the United States to offer Cambridge courses at all traditional elementary, middle, and high schools, and Mr. O’Sullivan received a tour of a school at each level. He was also able to meet with Dr. Patton, Superintendent of Schools, to discuss the Cambridge program throughout the district.

The day began with a meeting with Palmetto Ridge High School’s administration team, Mr. Jon Bremseth and Mr. Michal Durik, and students who earned the prestigious AICE Cambridge Scholar Award this past year.

by Dr. Lauri Garbo, Teacher on Special Assignment-Gifted Compliance

On February 15, 2017, Dr. Diane Heacox, author, consultant, and professional development trainer, shared her expertise with parents, guardians, and community members in a presentation entitled “Supporting Your Child’s Success.” The Board Room of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center quickly filled as parents and guardians were prepared to learn more about giftedness from the Professor Emerita at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Heacox outlined her objectives for the evening, which included: discerning the cognitive and social-emotional distinctions between gifts and talents, identifying typical characteristics of gifted and talented learners, and distinguishing “fixed” from “growth” mindsets based on the work of Carol Dweck (2006).

Throughout her presentation, Heacox shared anecdotes based on her classroom and parenting experiences. She explained how to best praise a child in order to promote motivation and resilience. For example, she encouraged parents to praise the process of learning instead of just praising the exhibited intelligence. Instead of sharing praise by saying, “You’re an amazing writer!”, Heacox suggested an approach which praises the effort such as, “You worked hard to organize your story and create interesting characters.” This form of praise supports a growth mindset which focuses on the development of intelligence and an understanding of how effort can improve performance.

• When Gifted Kids Don't Have All the Answers, by James R. Delisle
• You Know Your Child is Gifted When..., by Judy Galbraith

• The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids: For Ages 10 and Under, by Judy Galbraith
• The Gifted Teen Survival Guide: Smart, Sharp, and Ready for (almost) Anything, by James R. Delisle and Judy Galbraith

Cambridge Primary Coming to CCPS Traditional Elementary Schools

by Laura Perry, Teacher on Special Assignment for Advanced Studies

Beginning in August 2017, all 29 traditional Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) elementary schools are excited to offer the Cambridge Primary program to students in grades 3-5 who are identified as gifted or high-achieving.

The Cambridge Primary program is designed to help students develop the skills and abilities necessary for the evolving challenges of the 21st century. Emphasis is placed on the development of students’ critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, communication skills, creativity, and the ability to collaborate with peers. Students in a Cambridge Primary classroom will use an inquiry-based approach to learning which focuses on promoting critical thinking, analysis, and strong writing skills.

Elementary HapPAWNings: Students Have Fun Playing Chess While Increasing Logic, Critical Thinking, and Creativity Skills

by Laura Perry, Teacher on Special Assignment for Advanced Studies

Chess is cool at Osceola Elementary School! Nearly 65 students have had the opportunity to learn lifelong skills at Osceola Elementary School’s after-school chess club.

With the support of the school’s PTO, Dr. Brian Castellani, principal of Osceola Elementary School, has begun an after-school chess club for students interested in learning how to play. Dr. Castellani points out that he did not do it alone; volunteers and teacher supporters such as Osceola fourth grade teacher, Mr. Geithmann, have been instrumental in helping the program succeed.

At Osceola Elementary, current fourth and fifth grade students are invited to attend one or both of the 2 six-week long sessions offered in either the fall or spring. The students meet once a week after school to learn the fundamentals of chess, and, for more advanced players, hone their skills.

Curious About History

by Colleen Witzke, Teacher on Special Assignment for Advanced Studies

Creating a link between real world events and cross-curricular topics is a beneficial practice for learners identified as gifted or high-achieving. The students learn by hearing from industry leaders on the process, barriers, and joys of becoming successful. 

The Southwest Florida Holocaust Museum offered such an opportunity to the fifth grade students of Collier County Public Schools. The museum sponsored a presentation with Louise Borden, award winning author of children’s literature, at Avalon Elementary School.

Students Engage in Real-World Problem Solving

By Lee Zwerin, Science Teacher at Golden Gate Middle School

As a teacher of Cambridge Secondary 1 Science, I am always looking for a great way to have the students employ critical thinking skills and collaboration to solve real world problems.

  A fantastic opportunity arose when the students began to discuss the benefits of recycling. We conversed about how we could make a difference one school at a time. I asked if anyone would be interested in starting a recycling program at our own school, and, lo and behold, every student’s hand went flying up in the air!

This began Golden Gate Middle School’s successful recycling program. We are a large school, so there was a lot of planning involved, and the students were actively engaged in the decision-making from the beginning. We had to determine when our local recycling truck picked up at the school, which days we would collect the recycling, how we could manage pickup during the school day, and how we would dispose of the recycling contents.

Shark Lovers Unite Through Skype

By Eric Mazurkewitz, AICE Marine Science Teacher at Immokalee High School

AICE Marine Science students at Immokalee High School had the incredible opportunity to Skype with OCEARCH Education Ambassador Lindsay Laughner. OCEARCH is a recognized world leader in generating critical scientific data related to tracking and biological studies of keystone marine species, such as great white and tiger sharks.

During this session, students not only heard first-hand from someone who has been directly involved in the research process, but, more importantly, they were able to ask their own questions and interact with an expert and professional. Through this experience, students were able to better understand the importance of marine science, keystone species, conservation efforts, the research process, and they learned more about how they could pursue a career in this exciting field.

Presenting Research Projects Entirely in Spanish!

Healthy living in Latin American countries was a theme for students in Ms. Nora Rosas’s AICE Spanish course at Gulf Coast High School. Following extensive research on individual topics, the students compiled and organized information to formulate informational speeches which were supported by graphs and images in PowerPoint presentations. The presentations were shared entirely in Spanish.

Each speech was approximately 4 minutes in length and allowed students to share well documented information about current issues in Latin America, such as eating disorders, quality of hospitals, educational issues, and child obesity. Following each presentation, the students focused on the idioms which were used during their presentations and also provided an opportunity for their peers to ask questions.

Combining real world issues, listening and speaking skills, and research ability proved to be a winning combination for these students!

Commissioner's Academic Challenge Team Works Together and Aims for First Place

By Dr. Lauri Garbo, Teacher on Special Assignment for Gifted Compliance

With hands poised above the buzzer, eyes laser-focused, and bodies tense, 8 team members ready themselves for the next question in the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge (CAC) practice session.

Before part four is completely read, the students are buzzing in to give the correct multiple-subject answers. “1. Plank; 2. Patton; 3. Puccini; 4. Perot.”

Cory Hixon, a senior, is the captain of this year’s CAC team which is composed of 8 students from public and private schools in Collier County. When asked about how he benefits from his involvement, Hixon stated, “Working with fellow scholars has taught me more than I could have asked for at the onset: more education, more teamwork, more about comradeship, and more about myself.”