Education

By Ashley Wilson
YMCA Media Relations Manager
ORANGE PARK -- Today, 18-year-old Orange Park High School senior Antonio Thomas is a standout cornerback on the Raider football team and a lightening fast track sprinter. This particular afternoon during what would be a typical lunch period, Thomas sat with Dale Crawford – his mentor through Take Stock In Children, a program managed by the YMCA in Clay County – during their weekly visit. Thomas quickly stood out as a very polite and respectful young man – a ‘kid’ with not a care in the world. It became clear that Antonio has dealt with more than his fair share of adversity and throughout his pain, Dale became an essential lifeline.
At any early age, Thomas’ father left and he spent the better part of his upbringing being raised by his mother; but with a younger brother and sister, this teenager often played the role of parent. “It was rough. We all moved into my Grandma’s house so that my mom could work, but we had each other,” said Thomas.
It wasn’t long after that move that his little brother passed away in his arms after a severe asthma attack. “It changed my life,” Thomas recalls. As if that weren’t enough, the Thomas family absorbed yet another blow when his mother suffered a stroke. “I remember it was a Friday and it was during football season. I had just gotten home from playing in a game and got word my mom had a stroke. I went straight to the hospital and she was in the ICU. I couldn’t believe it.”
For the next few months, the high school senior juggled school, football, taking care of his little sister, and attending physical therapy with his mom. While demanding of his time and energy, Thomas says he got his calling. “I’ve always done well in Anatomy and Physiology… and there I was helping my mom throughout her physical therapy and it just hit me. This is what I want to do with my life.”
“Many young men could have acted out – which is a very normal reaction – but Antonio took it all in stride,” said Dale Crawford, Thomas’ mentor.
The two have been working together since Thomas was in the 7th grade through Take Stock In Children – a program that links volunteer mentors with students in need of direction.
The pair spends an hour each week during school hours – studying, talking, exchange life’s trials and tribulations. It didn’t take long to see there’s a strong bond there.
“I’ve got two grown sons and it’s like I’ve gotten a gift and I’m able to help raise another son. Antonio is such a good kid and he means the world to me.”
With graduation in sight, Thomas looks forward to the future. “I plan on attending Florida A&M University in Tallahassee this coming fall to major in physical therapy… and Dale’s coming with me [both laughing]! Just kidding, but we are definitely staying in touch.”
Take Stock In Children, managed by the YMCA in Clay County, is always looking for volunteer mentors to offer their time to help shape a young person’s life. Those wanting to become a mentor may contact Anna Taylor,
Take Stock In Children Director, at (904) 644-0072 or ataylor@FirstCoastYMCA.org.

Following a list of Clay County adult education courses that will be offered this spring. For information, call the Adult Education Office at Orange Park High School, Address: 2306 Kingsley Ave, at (904) 272-8170:

M.S. Word 2007 Level I RHS 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Mondays March 8th—May 3rd, 2010 Fee: $52.00
This class will introduce students to the basic elements of Word 2007, which includes terminology and commands and how they are used. The students will learn how to open and save files, set margins as well as create documents, labels, envelopes and simple tables and how to print them. The class will also explore the special interests of the students.
Introduction to Computers RHS 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Tuesdays March 9th—May 4th, 2010 Fee: $52.00
This computer course is for beginners. Students will gain knowledge of how the computer operates along with general terms of the computer.
Navigation in the windows environment will be introduced. Guarding against viruses will be reviewed. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to start windows, search and find documents. They will also know how to open and close a document, exit windows, and shut down a computer.
M.S. Excel 2007 Level I RHS 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Wednesdays March 10th—May 5th, 2010 Fee: $52.00
This class will introduce students to Excel workbook and worksheets.
Students will gain working knowledge of terms and navigation of the
spreadsheet. Entering, editing, labels and formulas of simple values will
be covered. Formatting of rows, columns and text will also be
explored by the student.
Money Management 101 OPHS 6:00—7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays March 2nd—April 27th, 2010 Fee: $31.00
This course will cover the fundamentals of personal finance. Some of the
Topics covered will be Creating Living on a budget, Credit Cards, Purchasing an automobile, Creating a savings plan, Renting vs. home ownership, etc.
American Sign Language OPHS 6:30 -8:30 p.m.
Thursdays March 11th—May 6th, 2010 Fee: $52.00
This course is an introduction to Sign Language and to the Deaf
Culture. Students will learn basic sign language that will enable them to
communicate with deaf or hearing impaired friends, family members, clients and neighbors.
American Sign Language Intermediate OPHS 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Mondays March 8th, - May 3rd, 2010 Fee: $52.00
This course is a continuation of the Introduction to Sign Language course.
Students will learn sign language that will enable them to
communicate with deaf or hearing impaired friends, family members,
clients and neighbors more effectively.
Beginning Conversational Spanish OPHS 5:45-7:00 p.m.
Thursdays March 11th—May 6th, 2010 Fee: $39.00
Our Spanish class is designed to focus on everyday essential expressions
and more!
Conversational Spanish Level II OPHS 7:00 -8:15 p.m.
Thursdays March 11th—May 6th, 2010 Fee: $39.00
This Spanish class is designed for students who have already attended our
Beginning Conversational Spanish classes, or have some knowledge of
Spanish and want to sharpen their skills.
Photography I OPHS 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Mondays March 22nd—May 17th, 2010 Fee: $52.00
This class is for beginners wishing to get an understanding of basic
photography. It will cover cameras, film and digital, lighting and
Composition. Bring your own camera equipment and learn how to
use it more effectively!

The following letter was sent to the Clay County School District:

Congratulations to you and your district for achieving recognition as one of the 2009-2010 Academically
High-Performing School Districts by the State Board of Education at its September 15, 2009 meeting.
Based on the latest release of school and district grades, the following 21 districts successfully meet all
eligibility criteria in Section 1003.621, Florida Statutes: Bay, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay,
Flagler, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hillsborough, Indian River, Martin, Nassau, Okaloosa, Palm Beach, Pasco,
Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, Wakulla, and Walton.
With the exception of the statutes listed in Section 1003.621(2), each academically high-performing
school district is exempt from the provisions in chapters 1000-1013 which pertain to school districts and
rules of the State Board of Education which implement these exempt provisions. This includes the
provisions of Section 1001.42(4) (f), Florida Statutes, requiring district school boards to adopt policies for
the opening of schools in the district no earlier than 14 days before Labor Day each year.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Sandy Dilger, at (850) 245-0824 or via e-mail at
sandra.dilger@fldoe.org.
FH/sd
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Dr. Eric J. Smith
Commissioner of Education

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Clay County Adult Education program is offering a variety of classes this fall. Following is a list of classes, date and times when they will meet and the cost per classes:

• American Sign Language, OPHS, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Thursdays (Sept. 10-Oct.29). Fee: $52 -- Course is an introduction to Sign Language and to the Deaf Culture.
• American Sign Language Intermediate, OPHS, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays (Sept. 14-Nov. 2). Fee: $52 -- Course is a continuation of the Introduction to Sign Language course.
• Beginning Conversational Spanish, OPHS, 5:45-7 p.m. Thursdays (Sept. 10-Oct.29). Fee: $39 -- Course is designed to focus on everyday essential expressions.
• Conversational Spanish Level II, OPHS 7 -8:15 p.m., Thursdays (Sept. 10-Oct.29). Fee: $39 -- Course is designed for students who have already attended our Beginning Conversational Spanish classes, or have some knowledge of Spanish and want to sharpen their skills.
• Photography I, OPHS, 6-8 p.m. Mondays (Sept. 14 - Nov. 2). Fee: $52 -- Course is for beginners wishing to get an understanding of basic photography. It will cover cameras, film and digital, lighting and Composition.
• M.S. Word 2007 Level I, RHS, 6-8 p.m. Mondays (Sept. 14-Nov. 2). Fee: $52 -- Course will introduce students to the basic elements of Word 2007, which includes terminology and commands and how they are used.
• Introduction to Computers, RHS, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays (Sept. 8-Oct. 27). Fee: $52 -- Course is for beginners. Students will gain knowledge of how the computer operates along with general terms of the computer.
• M.S. Excel 2007 Level I, RHS, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays (Sept. 9-Oct. 28). Fee: $52 – Course will introduce students to Excel workbook and worksheets. Students will gain working knowledge of terms and navigation of the spreadsheet.
Go online to www.clay.k12.fl.us for more information.

You have to give the Clay County School Board credit. They stepped up and took the action even the Teachers Union felt was necessary -- to adopt a proposed budget that includes an additional levy.
There was no opposition at the meeting to the proposed property tax. It could be that a majority of Clay County residents believe the funds are desperately needed by the district, which at one point this year believed it would have to cut $45 million. While that figure fell to about $22 million now and many teaching positions originally cut have been reinstituted, there are still major funding hurdles expected later this year.