District to collaborate with pre-K programs

The School District of Lee County received a $40,840 grant to collaborate with community pre-kindergarten programs to help children to be ready for school and schools to be ready for children.

A pre-K to third grade collaborative committee has been formed, which includes elementary school principals, primary teachers, pre-K teachers, pre-K center directors, higher education, the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida and district staff.

Its work will help develop systematic communication and transition.

The committee will develop criteria for pre-K providers, and providers who meet the designated criteria will be recognized by the district.

The committee will align and refine kindergarten expectations and its pre-assessment, along with how the information is articulated to families and providers.

The project will recognize the pre-K providers who meet the criteria with a designation associated with the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida’s quality rating system.

The designation will indicate the pre-kindergarten provider is successful in preparing children for kindergarten, and the provider will receive additional incentives that will support a smooth transition for children and families.

Community invited to education forum

The School District of Lee County will host an education forum today, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Cypress Lake High School, at 6750 Panther Lane, Fort Myers.

It will feature a question-and-answer session with Superintendent Dr. Greg Adkins and the school board and an update on the district’s Vision 2020 plan.

Attendees will also get to choose from the following:

– Help at Home: Learn about the online literacy and math curriculum, which offers a personalized learning path for each student. Plus, find out how to access it from home.

– Career Academies: Learn about the district’s career academies, including aerospace technology, digital design, health professions, culinary arts, law, veterinary studies and more.

– Scholarship Opportunities: Learn how to track down scholarships to help pay for college education. Plus, advice on how to fill out the applications.

– Student assignment: Understand the district’s innovative open enrollment system, how it is changing and essentials for selecting the right school for a child.

Open House Week set

Florida SouthWestern State College will host its spring Open House Week from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:

– Feb. 27: Charlotte Campus, at 26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda

– Feb. 28: Hendry/Glades Center, at 1092 East Cowboy Way, LaBelle

– March 1: Collier Campus, at 7505 Grand Lely Drive, Naples

– March 2: Thomas Edison (Lee) Campus, at 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers

Open houses are free and public events for the community.

Attendees are encouraged to register in advance online at: www.FSW.edu/openhouse.

Scholarships offered

The Lehigh Cavaliers Domino Club is offering $1,000 scholarships to Lehigh Acres students for the 2017 academic year through the Louise Moore Scholarship Program.

To qualify, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, been accepted to an accredited college, university or vocational school, and be a resident of Lehigh Acres.

The deadline for applications is April 14.

For information or an application, contact Mrs. Cummings at 239-369-0621 or Mrs. Slater at 239-823-0597.