School Briefs
Gulf Breeze Elementary holding Book drive for foster children

Submitted Photo Best of the best Above: These 10 students made the top 10 in the recent Gulf Breeze Middle Spelling Bee: Front, left to right: Madison Penico, Gillian Werner, Aspen Lee, Mark Canekeratne and Justin Shoemaker. Back, left to right: Jordan Battel, Tucker Chestney, Michael Paton, Nick Bookout and Brandon Vogt. Below: The winners were (front row, from left): Mark Canekeratne (first place), Gillian Werner (third) and Brandon Vogt (runner up). Back row, Suzanne Holzworth (sixth grade geography), Jennifer Granse (principal), Richard Cobb (vice principal) and JoAnn Considine (seventh grade geography and Bee Coordinator).

Gulf Breeze Elementary is doing a book drive for foster children in Escambia and Santa Rosa County in partnership with Baptist Healthcare Foundation.

The school is collecting new and used books for ages 2-12. People can also make a cash donation at the school for books to be purchased. Checks need to be made out to Mike Rodgerson.

The deadline to donate is Feb 8. Any questions can be directed to Mike Rodgerson at 934-5185 or rodgersonm@mail.santarosa. k12.fl.us

Pensacola Teen Board Prom Show Feb. 10

The girls of the Pensacola Teen Board, Inc. are having their annual Prom Show on Sunday, February 10 at Center Stage Ballroom on Davis Hwy in the old Food World shopping Center. There will be two showings at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are only $5.

The show will feature the year's hottest colors and styles featuring designs by Jovani, Nicole Bakti, La Femme, Studio 17 and Niteline.

The Teen Board will give away a grand prize of: dinner, dress, tanning membership, tuxedo, makeup and much more! Tickets can be bought from any Pensacola Teen Board member or at the Fashion Connection in Cordova Square.

A $250 cash prize will be awarded to the school with the most guests present.

For more information please check out our web-site: www.thefashionconnection.net. Find instant FCAT essay writing tips at local library

Submitted Photo Doing their duty Cub Scout Den 11 from Pack 11 picked up trash around the Gulf Breeze Elementary School Jan. 22. They are: Jacob Martin, Ben Cunningham, Reid Binion, Austin Perez (front), Madison Teneja and Noah Woods.

Tuesday, February 12 is fast approaching, when students in fourth, eighth, and tenth grades will be taking the FCAT Writing Test. Use the Learning Express Writing Improvement Program to find out how your students' writing measures up before they have to write that important essay.

The program offers several different instantly scored essays for elementary, middle school, and high students! Visit the library home page at www.santarosa. fl.gov/libraries to link directly to this resource.

Instant essay scoring is based on more than 40 years of research. It models the decisions of professional graders to produce scores that deliver unparalleled accuracy and reliability.

Each test features state-of-the-art instant diagnostic grading, giving writers the feedback needed to improve their writing skills by receiving a detailed, individualized score report that pinpoints the strengths and weaknesses of their written work.

Visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/libraries to register for a library card, use their online e-resources, learn about upcoming library programs, and to see a list of all libraries and hours.

The Santa Rosa County Library System is a department of the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners. Libraries are located in Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Navarre, and Pace. Further information can be found at www.santarosa. fl.gov/libraries.

Rep. Evers Announces page and messenger contest

Rep. Greg Evers (R-Milton) will begin accepting applications for the Page and Messenger Program for the upcoming Legislative Session. Each House member can sponsor one page (between the ages of 12 and 14) and one messenger (between the ages of 15 and 18).

To be selected, the contestant must fill out an application and write a short essay on what it would mean to be selected as a page or messenger and return it to Rep. Evers' office by February 15.

For more information and applications please contact Rep. Evers' Milton office at (850) 983- 5550. The office is located at 5224 Willing St., Milton, FL32570.

Santa Rosa Education Foundation seeking sponsors

The Santa Rosa Education Foundation is seeking sponsors for its annual Golden Apple Awards Banquet to be held on February 22 at New World Landing.

During this event honoring all teachers, the Santa Rosa School District will recognize the Teachers of the Year from each school as well as the teacher selected as the district's nominee for Florida Teacher of the Year 2009.

Sponsorship levels are available at Bronze $100, Silver $250, Gold $500, and Platinum $1,000, levels. Tickets to the event are $25 per person.

To reserve a ticket or for more information on sponsorships, please contact Cathy Purdon at 983- 5043, purdonc@mail.santarosa.k12.fl.us, or visit the SREF website, www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/sref.