Lisa D’Cato
Poinciana Writer

Although the current school year is nearly over, students in the “next level” phases might be anxious and concerned about moving on. Help them enjoy a stress-free summer by introducing them to their new school.
A kindergarten round-up will be today at 6 p.m. at all Osceola County schools, including those in Poinciana. Parents of children who will be at least 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 re encouraged to attend their child’s future school. Pick up a school registration packet and enroll for 2011-12. This also is an opportunity to meet teachers, principals and school staff. Tour the school facility and learn about school procedures and programs. Parents can also find out about the different ways to be involved at the school.
All schools in the Osceola County School District also will hold student orientation night for incoming sixth- and ninth-grade students. Future ninth-graders may go to their school on Wednesday, May 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. Incoming sixth-graders may go to their middle school on Thursday, May 19, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Any time a student transitions, it can seem a little intimidating for both parents and students. Conquer those fears by attending these important sessions.
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The Golden School Award is given annually by the Florida Department of Education to schools with exemplary volunteer programs. The award is presented to schools that meet a certain criteria, including faculty training on how to work with volunteers and program policies and procedures. The school principal must designate a school volunteer coordinator to provide leadership for the school volunteer program and the school must have a total number of volunteer hours that equals two times the number of students enrolled at the school.
Silver School Awards are given to schools whose students provide exemplary volunteer services to elementary and secondary schools. Student volunteer hours must equal at least one-half of the total number of students in the school.
This year, Osceola County schools were awarded a total of 53 Golden and Silver schools awards. Of those, several were Poinciana schools.
Earning Golden School Awards were Chestnut School for Science and Engineering, Poinciana Academy of Fine Arts, Koa and Bellalago Academy.
Earning Silver School Award were Discovery Intermediate, Horizon Middle and New Dimensions High Schools.
Kudos to these schools. There’s always room for more.
The National Education Association awards grants each year to select teachers. Recently, it recognized a team of teachers from Chestnut School for Science and Engineering as recipients of a $5,000 School Achievement Grant.
Teachers Christine Carter and Abrahams Berrios will introduce their third-grade students to an integrated curriculum focusing on science, technology, engineering and math. In this construction challenge, students will design and test scale roller-coasters. The project will encourage students to use math and problem-solving.
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Last month, I had the opportunity to chat with Michael Freeman on his radio show, Freeline Media. Freeman is the former editor of The Reporter newspaper. I was invited to talk about the Poinciana Expo and all things Poinciana. During our chat, I mentioned the closing of Slice of NY. Slice of NY was such a good restaurant, one of the few places we had here in Poinciana where you could sit down, meet and enjoy a fine meal. I’d like to think my whining on-air paid off. Slice of NY has re-opened in the same location with a new name. Borinquen Restaurant is the name of Danny Hernandez’s place. Hernandez owned and operated the Slice of NY, so we can expect the same great food and service. They are open now at Cypress Parkway in the former Winn-Dixie Plaza.
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If you have any Poinciana news or information that you would like to share, call Lisa D’Cato at 407-846-7122 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .