Past Programs

Leon County Schools Professional Development - June 2004

In an effort to provide a high tech corporate training environment for Leon County educators, WCS partnered with TCC’s Center for Economic & Workforce Development to facilitate three simultaneous trainings: LIFE (Laptop Initiative For Education), the Florida Reading Initiative and the Principals Technology Academy June 7-10, 2004.

Over 185 teachers and administrators enjoyed a corporate setting in a campus environment while using wireless connectivity, digital media and creative instruction techniques that can be applied curriculum-wide. It is because of the partnership with Tallahassee Community College and corporate sponsors like IBM, Insight, and the Tallahassee Democrat that WCS was able to raise the bar of professional development for the Leon County educators.

Bond Elementary Career Day a Success - May 2004

On May 7, 2004 Bond Elementary, in partnership with WCS, conducted their 3rd annual Career Day and Vehicle Expo dedicated to planting the seeds of career interest in the minds of Pre-K through 5th grade students.

The keynote address, given by Lyn Stanfield, a native Tallahasseean and Manager of Strategic Initiatives in Florida for Apple Computers, challenged the students to define their path to success with stepping stones of hard work, goal setting and commitment. Student winners of the essay and poster contests were also recognized in the opening assembly.

Students returned to their classrooms for engaging presentations from area businesses. Special thanks to Carlton Denson of AmSouth Bank, Benson Green of Benson’s Heating & A/C, Condace Cooper with Capital Health Plan, Jim Hunt of ElectroNet Intermedia Consulting, Kevin Storr with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Greg Owens with Talla-Tech, Inc., Byron Dobson with the Tallahassee Democrat, Joe Thomas with Tallahassee Parks & Recreation, Captain James Smith and the U.S. Army.

Also, participating in the Vehicle Expo were Benson’s Heating & Air Conditioning, FDLE Crime Lab, Leon County Ambulance, Leon County Animal Control, Leon County Sheriff’s Department, Tallahassee Police Bomb Squad, Tallahassee Fire Department, Talquin Electric Bucket Truck, and a special visit from a Bond parent with his tractor-trailer rig.

Ready, Set, Learn! Reading Academy - Summer 2004

A $10,000 grant from Bank of America continues to support Ready, Set, Learn!, a summer reading program for at-risk first, second and third graders in Leon County, now in its third year. Held at Bond Elementary during June and July 2004, this program is aimed at providing reinforcement in fundamental reading skills so that students begin the school year on target.

Laptop Initiative for Education (LIFE) - April 2004

L.I.F.E. is a program of Leon County Schools funded through several grants to facilitate the infusion of technology into the classroom. Teams of teachers in 3rd and 6th grades in six pilot schools received laptops from Apple and Dell and entered into a 5 month training program in the use of wireless technology, digital media and sound enhancement in the classroom.

WCS has teamed with Tallahassee Community College to provide a high-tech corporate training environment for the required training. Teachers will incorporate the use of laptops in their instruction beginning with the 2004-05 school year. The district goal is to provide laptops to the 3rd and 6th grade students in the pilot schools in the spring of 2005.