The drought ends seven straight years of Bs, after a four-year streak of As before that. Twenty-four of Florida’s 67 districts are A-rated, 54 are either A or B rated.
Bunnell Elementary
Flagler Students Mostly Improve in Math, English and Civics, Ranking District in Top Third of State, But Struggle in Science
Imagine School at Town center had a particularly strong showing in English and math, as did Old Kings Elementary. Buddy Taylor middle school had concerning numbers in math’s Florida Standards Assessments but stronger numbers in geometry and algebra.
At Walk-Ins Across 9 Flagler Schools, a Call to Lawmakers To Stop Undermining Public Education
Teacher and service employee unions organized the walk-ins at the schools to pressure lawmakers to improve per-student allocations and lessen the favored financial and other terms granted charter and voucher programs.
Classrooms as Career Incubators: Flagler School District Showcases Students’ Paths to Local Jobs
The Flagler County school district showcased its 21 flagship programs at 10 schools, each designed to give students means to experience careers first-hand while completing academic requirements.
Pick-Up Rear-Ends Bunnell-Bound School Bus With 40 Students Aboard in Palm Coast’s LL Section
A pick-up truck rear-ended a school bus that was approaching the end of its morning run in Palm Coast’s L Section this morning, a collision one witness described as “like a bomb.” One child suffered neck pain, the drivers were not hurt.
Old Kings Elementary’s Addison Davis Survives Being ‘Eviscerated’ and Wins County Spelling Bee on a Pretzel
Addison Davis, 11, a fifth grader at Old Kings Elementary, won the county-wide spelling bee Wednesday and goes on to the regional bee in Jacksonville on Feb. 19.
Paul Anderson, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Paul Anderson is one of five candidates in two races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 28 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Trevor Tucker, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Trevor Tucker is one of five candidates in two races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 28 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Carl Jones, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Carl Jones is one of five candidates in two races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 28 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
John Fischer, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
John Fischer is one of five candidates in two races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 28 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Janet McDonald, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Janet McDonald is one of five candidates in two races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 28 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Flagler School District Scores a B For 7th Year In a Row, Ranks 32nd Out of 67
Only Indian Trails Middle School scored an A while Old Kings and Rymfire elementaries dropped a grade. Other schools maintained last year’s grades.
For Flagler Students, Slight Declines In English and Math Mask Stronger Gains in the Details
When broken out, the declines tend to be more isolated than systemic, and despite the declines, the district remains above the state average in both English and math.
Bunnell Police Find Weapon Used in School Incident, a BB Gun, and Locate 2nd Boy
The gun allegedly brandished during a school-related incident was a BB gun, and the second boy located in relation with the incident may not be facing charges.
Details Behind 6th Grader at Center of Bunnell School Incident Point To a “Gun,” a Troubled History and Family
The 6th grader at the center of the alleged gun incident by a Bunnell Elementary playground has had a history of suspensions and an unstable home life.
For Sheriff and Flagler Schools, Clear Accord: No to Arming Teachers, Yes to More Deputies
At a joint news conference later this week, Sheriff Rick Staly and Superintendent Jim Tager will outline new security measures and initiatives and a plan for additional school deputies, but no weaponizing of teachers.
School District Advised to Cut Down on Car Riders and Push Bus Riding Instead, For Safety
Detailed studies for each of the Flagler district’s elementary and middle schools reveal problematic safety issues with too many car riders, too few sidewalks, and disobeyed traffic laws.
Flagler Is a B-Rated School District For 5th Year In a Row, But State Ranking Keeps Rising
Indian Trails Middle and Old Kings Elementary returned to A form, FPC climbed to a B, but Wadsworth Elementary fell to a C. Other schools maintained their grades–either B or C.
At International Competition, FPC’s Teams Take Grand Champion and 1st, Bunnell Takes 2nd
An FPC team’s project designed to cater to those who cater to the sick in hospitals won grand champion, the project that built bat houses to combat the Zika virus won first place.
Flagler 3rd Graders’ Reading Scores Jump, And Exceed State Average By 11 Points
The Flagler school district average of 69 percent of students at proficiency or better exceeds the state average of 58 by 11 points as every elementary school showed strong improvement.
Eyes on International Prizes, Flagler’s Problem Solvers Launch Flocking Fund-Raising Season
Two mayors, two county commissioners and a school board member gathered Monday for the launch of Flagler Schools’ Future Problem Solvers’ fund-raising season to help send 51 students to international competition in Wisconsin in June.
Why Are Flagler Schools Talking Rezoning Despite 2,000 Empty Seats? One Word: Choice
Old Kings and Belle Terre elementaries are overcapacity because they’ve allowed too many out-of-zone students to enroll. Some Board members want limits on such “choice” enrollments before rezoning takes place.
Marcus Sanfilippo Will Succeed Richard DuPont as Bunnell Elementary Principal
Marcus Sanfilippo had been an assistant principal at Indian Trails Middle School. He is a former county Teacher of the Year and in 2015 was the assistant principal of the year.
Bunnell Elementary Leads the Way as Flagler’s Problem Solvers Shine Again at Internationals
Flagler County’s nearly 60 community problem solvers accomplished at this year’s international competition what their predecessors have almost every year for more than half a decade: they cleaned up in wins, trophies and plaudits.
After Reaping 69 Awards at State Competition, Flagler’s Problem Solvers Go International
Students from four Flagler County schools collected dozens of awards and many were invited to international competition in Michigan in June, but that means fund-raising is intensifying to get them there.
Flagler School District Is Rated B For Third Straight Year, All Schools Either A or B
This year’s grades are almost eight months late. They’re less reliable than in previous years. And they’re still facing bitter criticism because of the state’s troubled standardized testing system.
Florida’s Black Cowboys: An Exhibit Tours All Flagler Schools, Bucking Stereotypes
The Florida Black Cowboys exhibit, produced by the Agriculture Museum, opens a window on a little-known part of Florida and American history. The exhibit will appear at every Flagler County school.
Bunnell Elementary’s Sean Gilliam Is Flagler County’s Champion, Buoyant Speller
Sean Gilliam, a sixth grader at Bunnell Elementary, correctly spelled the word buoyancy to defeat 16 competitors. Fifth grader Grayson Ronk of Wadsworth Elementary School was the runnerup.
Matanzas Woods Construction Forces Temporary School Bus Routes For Nearby Students
As school resumes Monday, transportation changes are afoot in the Matanzas High area, while the sheriff’s office has issued a series of cautions and tips to parents and students.
In a Victory for Students, Divided School Board Relaxes High School Dress Code Substantially
Starting in fall, students in high school can wear school t-shirts, club shirts or team jerseys, as well as plaid and striped collared shirts. The policy does not change existing rules for middle and elementary school students. The board voted 3-2 to adopt the new policy.
We’ve Been Flocked! All Flamboyance For Future Problem Solvers’ Fundraiser
It was fabulous to wake up to a flock of pink flamingos on our lawn, part of a fund-raiser for Flagler County’s Future Problem Solvers, who head for international competition in Iowa in June.
Superintendent Oliva Scraps 28 End-Of-Course Exams in Lower Grades in 1st Step of Broad Testing Revamp
The Flagler district is immediately scrapping 28 end-of-course exams in kindergarten through 3rd grade for science, social studies and special areas, with more eliminations likely for higher grades next year as the district implements a new, more flexible state law.
7 Flagler Schools Share $668,000 in Bonus Dollars for Improving or Keeping High Grades
The money rewards schools that either maintain A or B grades or improve significantly toward such grades. It is one of the reasons Florida’s high-stakes testing has been facing criticism, as student testing is directly tied to monetary consequences.
District Adopts School Calendar It Did Not Want, Starting Late and Shortening Thanksgiving Break
The Flagler School Board wanted to start school in early August to give students more time to prepare for exams, but state law forbids it, forcing a calendar of its own on local districts.
Lynnette Callender, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Lynnette Callender is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Janet McDonald, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Janet McDonald is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Toni Baker, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Toni Baker is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Michael McElroy, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Michael McElroy is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Trevor Tucker, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview (2014)
Trevor Tucker is one of eight candidates in three races for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election: all Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Andy Dance, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Andy Dance is running in District 1 for Flagler County School Board and facing Maria Barbosa in the Aug. 26 primary election. All Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
John Fischer, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview (2014)
John Fischer, the incumbent in District 2 of the Flagler County School Board, faces three challengers. He has refused to amnswer any questions about his candidacy.
Maria Barbosa, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Maria Barbosa is challenging incumbent Andy Dance in District 1 for Flagler County School Board in the Aug. 26 primary election. She is one of eight candidates in three races for the school board. All Flagler voters, regardless of party affiliation and address, may cast a ballot in these races.
Flagler Schools’ Latest Student Code of Conduct: Zero Tolerance Endures, More Infractions Added, But Also More Vagueness
The proposed 2015 Student Code of Conduct in Flagler County Schools adds a series of infractions, including cussing, slurs, harassment,and use of social media, but despite Superintendent Jacob Oliva’s stated opposition to zero-tolerance policies, those remain unchanged, and many of the changes exhibit alarming vagueness.
All Flagler Elementary Schools Will Have School Cops This Year, Even as SRD Total Won’t Change
The Flagler School district approved a plan that spreads its five full-time School Resource Deputies between 11 schools, reducing FPC’s cops to one full-timer, with the other dividing time between three elementary schools, and cops at two middle schools covering an elementary school each.
Flagler School District Rated B For 2nd Straight Year Despite Seven A-Rated Schools
A-rated schools included Bunnell, Rymfire, Old Kings, Wadsworth and Belle Terre elementaries, along with Indian Trails Middle and Palm Harbor, the charter school that just two years ago was failing. The district will earn several hundred thousand dollars in bonuses.
Flagler Students Post Wide Gains in State Rankings in FCAT Reading, Math and Science
Overall, Flagler students improved their rankings in Florida in 12 categories while dropping back in seven, providing many bright spots but also a few worrisome ones.
Stand-Up Comedian Skyler Wahl, Pianist Kayla Byrne and Singer Angel Brown Are Flagler Entertainers of the Year
The 2014 Spotlight started out with just over 50 acts auditioning in early May for a spot in this year’s show. When all was said and done, 27 act made the cut, and each one prepared for the chance to being named a Flagler County Youth Entertainer of the year.
Flagler District’s 4th Graders Rank 6th in Writing in Florida, 3rd Graders Rank 10th in Reading
The Flagler County school district had a few results to celebrate as the Department of Education on Friday released FCAT writing scores for 4th, 8th and 10th graders and reading and math scores for third graders.
As Baker Acting of Children Soars, Flagler School Board Grapples With Perceptions of “Outrage”
Baker Acts involving children in schools has reached 32 so far this year, three times more than last year, prompting one school board member to call herself “outraged” at the police-led manner in which most such Baker Acts are carried out, even with teens and younger children.
Back From Budget Brink, Flagler Youth Orchestra Begins 9th Year on New and Record Note
The Flagler Youth Orchestra is back for its ninth year with a new artistic director–and what appears to be another record-setting enrollment–three months after the school board had considered eliminating the program altogether.