School Zone
Points of Pride
Biscayne Elementary Hosts iMOM Breakfast
Biscayne Elementary recently hosted iMOM Morning, where more than 20 families gathered for a delicious hot
breakfast, donated in part by Sam's Club, one of the school's business partners, and funds from their PTA.
iMOM coordinator and PTA secretary, Carla Matthew, opened the event with a heart-felt welcome, followed by two
students reciting the Biscayne motto.
While enjoying breakfast, both parents and students viewed an informative presentation and participated in
interactive activities on building self esteem.
Throughout the event, Matthew asked the crowd to shout the iMOM cheer where students chant, "Go Mom!" and the
moms reply, "I Mom!"
One of the self esteem activities required students to fill out a "Build Esteem" form where they list some of the
reasons they are special. The moms in turn had to complete an "iMOM Love Note" where they listed reasons they are proud of their
children.
Students also received "Kid Coupons" that could be redeemed for 30-minutes of bonding with their mom while baking
cookies, playing board games or many other fun activities.
"Events like this are so important, because as a parent, you sometimes forget how important it is to build self
esteem in our children," said Pam Crawford, parent of a third-grade student.
The iMOM morning is designed to serve a little breakfast, a little bonding and a lot of fun. iMOM was developed in
2007 by Mark and Susan Merrill as the motherhood program of Family First, a national non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening
families. To see how you can start an iMOM program at your school or to learn more about iMOM mornings, visit
www.imom.com or call 1.800.956.8300.
duPont Students and Staff get a lesson on Stepping
Last month, the students and staff of duPont Middle School were entertained and educated when the Step Africka
dance company visited their school for a special performance.
The group was in town for a performance during the Beaches Fine Arts Series, and stayed a couple of extra days to
perform at Biscayne and Ruth Upson elementary schools and duPont Middle School.
duPont’s visit was coordinated by the school’s choral director, Karen Appelbaum, and the Beaches Fine
Arts Series executive director, Kathy Wallace.
The group put on two performances at the school. The first was open to seventh and eighth-grade students who made
the A,B,C honor roll for the first nine-weeks, and sixth-grade students attended the second performance as a reward for their behavior.
The crowd enjoyed an informative lesson on stepping, which is a dance that uses the body as an instrument.
Stepping, which has roots in African dance and military marching, combines footsteps, claps and spoken words to produce complex rhythms.
The performance was one in which the audience, including Principal Teresa Mowbray, was able to get involved as the
dance troupe taught them some traditional steps.
Step Afrika was founded in December 1994 as the first professional company in the world dedicated to the tradition
of stepping. The company is critically-acclaimed for its efforts to promote an understanding of and appreciation for stepping and the
dance tradition's use as an educational tool for young people worldwide.
World Renowned Trial Attorney and Philanthropist Willie Gary Makes Special Visit to Andrew Jackson High
Recently, the entire student body of Andrew Jackson High School had the privilege of hearing a compelling story of
triumph by world renowned trial attorney and philanthropist, Willie Gary.
Mr. Gary, senior partner of the Stuart, Florida based law firm of Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson & Sperando,
P.L., delivered a highly motivating speech to the students gathered in the school’s auditorium.
A biographical video of Mr. Gary was shown highlighting his accomplishments while boasting the fruits of his labor,
which include a fleet of Rolls Royce vehicles and a personal jet.
Mr. Gary shared his life story and talked about how he was able to achieve success despite his humble beginnings
and limited resources. In an effort to inspire the student body to achieve academic excellence, Mr. Gary challenged the students to not
only excel in high school, but to begin focusing on and preparing for college.
“The road to success is always under construction, and you must work hard to achieve your dreams,”
said Mr. Gary. “Dream big dreams, and refuse to be denied!”
When asked what she hoped her students would take away from Mr. Gary’s visit, Principal Iranetta Wright
replied, “this visit lets our students know that it’s not where you start but where you finish that is most important, and
with hard work and dedication, they can accomplish anything they put their minds to.”
In addition to his motivational appearances, humanitarian efforts, and philanthropic ventures, Mr. Gary is also
the founder of the annual “Dream Big Dreams” College Fair where college and university admission representatives from around
the country discuss programs at their schools and their admissions process.
The seventh annual college fair recently made a stop at William M. Raines High School where more than 200 parents
and students attended workshops that highlighted the college admissions process, what college life is like, and preparing for college.
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