Back to school: Parental involvement welcome at Lee County schools

From page 8

With that, there is a higher percentage of time for high school and middle school students to arrive to school on time, as the district operates on a three-tier system with elementary schools falling into the second tier This will also improve students arriving home on time

Some routes remain uncovered, but the district continues to move people through the human resources pipeline with the hope of getting them started on the first day of school.

Bernier said the after school programs are up and running at the elementary schools Some schools have already started wait lists due to the demand

“They have established a pool of fingerprinted young people to work after school in these programs to eliminate the wait list,” Bernier said, adding that they are reaching out to the local universities to track their talent as well

This year the district will start to explore a proximity plan for middle schools, compressing attendance zones so children can attend schools closer to home

Volunteers needed

Many meet-the-teacher open houses took this week in advance of first day of school on Thursday

“Parents, we want your involvement,” Bernier said, adding that could come with conversations with their child about school, volunteering, or becoming a field trip chaperone

He said by becoming involved it really sends the message to a child the value of public school education

“We encourage (parents) to find opportunities in the school To volunteer and be an integral part of your child's education,” Bernier said

Post-Ian changes

Almost a year later, the district is still feeling the impacts of the destruction Hurricane Ian left behind

There are still two sites where students will not return to “their” schools Hector A Cafferata Elementary School will remain at the portable campus behind Cape Coral Technical College This month the board will vote on contractors to begin working on the K-8 school in mid Cape Coral

The other school, Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, will not be in its home either Bernier said the tentative plan is to get the students back into their historic building some time this fall

Most maintenance is complete, or nearing completion for other buildings that had hurricane damage He said there are still roofs that need to be worked on, which will be with earnest and great speed

Those who would like to see an update regarding a specific school can visit the district's website, leeschools net, and click on the hurricane icon Here the community can get an updated transparent scorecard with progress of all the work being done

Also to roll out this year is a PSA regarding bike ride and walk safely Bernier said the district has worked with the mayors of Cape Coral and Fort Myers, as well as police chiefs to ensure students are safe to and from school

The district is also promoting the “see something, say something” initiative He said they can put all the technology in place, but they need students and staff to be their eyes and ears

This year the district has added more than 2,000 seats in the neediest area, Lehigh Acres, with the opening of Amanecer Elementary, Lemuel Teal Middle School and additional seats at Lehigh Acres Middle School

“I am excited and thankful for the half penny sales tax Without that money, those buildings are not possible,” Bernier said.

The community can also look forward to the refreshed strategic plan, which focuses on such areas as academic outcomes in reading, writing, math, graduation, discipline, recruitment and retention, operation and mainte- nance

“Those will have public facing score cards located on the website,” Bernier said “The community will have a score card much like a student report card ”

The school board will discuss the refreshed plan at the Aug 16 board meeting He said they are looking forward to getting that approval and sharing the work at town halls and touring the community

Bernier said he is excited about getting back out and spending time in the community