March 14, 2015 Dear Parents and Community Members, SPIRIT WEEK/PEP RALLY/MARCH OF DIMES A great experience all around! As you know, this Spring Spirit Week activity included students in all grades (6-12), and we saw some very creative and funny costuming. Thanks again to Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Midgett, and Mr. Zebkar for running the Friday afternoon Pep Rally. Student Alyssia Small’s March of Dimes creative fundraising initiative was very successful. We’d like to say thanks to the following staff members for being such GOOD SPORTS at the Pep Rally: Whipped Cream Pie recipients included Mrs. Midgett, Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Ness, Ms. Vanbrocklin and Mrs. Gardner. Whipped Cream Pie “givers” included Justin Montalbano, Colin Jones, Stephanie Legge, Sydney Burnett and Melissa Fierro. Buzz Cut getters included Mr. Zebkar, Mr. Carlson, Mr. Alvarez, and Dr. Black, while the “givers” included Alisha Rehak, David Christie, Andres Fernandez and Savanna Spagnoli. MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS Thanks to Ms. Sara Minton and members of the Upper Campus Choir for their stellar performance at Tuesday evening’s Music In Our Schools Concert. This special activity was held at the North Port Performing Arts Center and featured groups from schools in the North Port area. FREDONIA, WHERE’S THAT? This past week, a college representative visited to speak with several of our Juniors. Ms. Karen West is from the Stat- ue University College at Fredonia, and she spoke about the numerous opportunities provided by this medium-sized public State College located on the shores of Lake Erie, just west of Buffalo. Believe it or not, Ms. West also showed many pictures actually proving that there are times that the college is not covered in snow! Fredonia hosts nationally ranked Music Education and Anime degree programs. GRADUATION REMINDERS Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 30, 2015. Beginning at 9:00am, our ϐirst Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center in Punta Gorda. The beauty of this venue is multifaceted: we don’t have to issue tickets, you can bring as many guests as you like, there is no concern about rain or other weather problems, and third, the building is air-conditioned. Parents of Seniors….please remind your student of this date, as well as the MANDATORY GRADUATION PRACTICE, scheduled for approximately 3:00pm on Friday, May 29, 2015 at the Event Center. Seniors will not bring their cap and gown to practice, however, participation in the practice is REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE in the Saturday ceremony. They should make plans and arrangements with their employer (if necessary) to ensure that they have no conϐlict with this practice. TOWN HALL LECTURE SERIES - MARY BUSHER Senior Mary Busher was Imagine School at North Port’s representative to the March 4 Town Hall Lecture Series at the Van Wezel featuring women’s right activist, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, along with BBC reporter, Katty Kay. Here is Mary’s summary and review: IMAGINE SCHOOL AT NORTH PORT IS A FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION “A” SCHOOL!
IMAGINE SCHOOL AT NORTH PORTIS A FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
“A” SCHOOL!
My experience at Van Wezel is something I am proud I participated in. My night began with driving up to Sarasotawhere I spent the evening walking around the beautiful path outside of Van Wezel. Shortly after, I went up to thecenter where I met a man who was holding a sign of the scholarship group I was part of. This man was very friendlyand immediately put out his hand with a smile and self-introduction. Shortly after when all of the other studentsarrived we went into a backstage room where we met Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a women’s’ rights activist from Somalia.We were also able to meet Katty Kay who is also a women’s rights activist. The ladies were very professionaland shook hands with many of the students that were there to see them. Shortly after, we were able to ask thetwo ladies questions. A girl asked Ayaan Hirsi Ali how she should be a good Muslim. Ayaan Hirsi Ali believed it wasgood the girl wanted to continue her faith in Islam but she told the girl to be aware of the hypocrisy in the religion itself.We then all went into the lecture hall to hear her lecture. Ayaan Hirsi Ali had a very interesting life. She was born inSomalia however she lived in Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia growing up because her father as a politician. Shedescribed how her mother was never treated equally to other men and how once they were stuck at an airport inSaudi Arabia and no man would offer her help; the men just completely ignored her mother. Ayaan Hirsi Ali talkedabout how women were not treated equally in strict Islamic societies and she believed there needed to be areformation of Islam.
This experience served me well because I was able to learn about gender roles in different societies. It neveroccurred to me how harshly women are treated in these countries until I was able to listen to Ayaan Hirsi Ali andhear her personal stories about the unfairness. What also alarmed me is that many of these girls can be found in ourcountry too. For many young women coming from these countries, being the first generation is difficult and confusing.Many American girls are allowed a lot more freedom to do what they want while these first generation girls strugglewith identity and are stuck between two different cultures. These girls sometimes end up murdered by their parentsaccording to Ayaan Hirsi Ali. I was shocked to hear this news. Hearing Ali’s speech has made me more curious ofwhat is going on in our country that I was not aware of. I enjoyed Ali’s speech very much and hope to inquiremore information about her beliefs.
websiteandsignupelectronically.Ittakeslessthanaminutetocompletethisprocess.Iftheyhaveanyproblems,alltheyshoulddoiscallthefrontof iceandwewillbegladtosignthemupelectronically.Sincerely,CherGardner SteveBlackAssistantPrincipal Principal
