Fishing, Boating curriculum continuing at WBMS

Woodlawn Beach Middle School is one of 35 schools in the United States that was awarded the 2005-2006 National Fishing and Boating Education Grant.

Almost 300 students at Shoreline Park South this week will be continuing the grant with help from several professional, state, and federal agencies including the Pensacola Recreational Fishing Association (PRFA).

The PRFA donated a generous amount of money to buy the science department Estuary Water Test Kits so the students can continue to learn what occurs naturally and what pollutants are in the Santa Rosa Sound.

The students tested for salinity, dissolved oxygen, coliform and several other factors that affect the ecosystem. The grant was issued to the school that demonstrated a strong combination of positive exposure and in-depth, comprehensive program design and curriculum layout.

This rare opportunity provided kids information on how to get started, distinguishing different species, tackle and rigging, practicing techniques and strategies, while creating lifelong interest in healthy leisure lifestyles.

All classes of the seventh grade incorporated the fishing and boating curricula according to the respective subject such as learning conservation and ecology in Science.

The grant, submitted by first year teacher Pete Della Ratta, was sponsored by The Future Fisherman Foundation in partnership with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, The American Association for Leisure and Recreation, and The National Association for Sport and Physical Education.