Subdivision and Chapter News…

We invite you to share the all of the wonderful activities and wonderful news regarding your Subdivisions and Chapters. Email Denise at dgudwin@dadeschools.net and Magda at mssalazar@dadeschools.net for submission in the next newsletter.

Subdivision News   

 Florida DDD

On February 17, 2007 Florida DDD held a Drive-In Conference: Blasting Off to Success at the UCF Teaching Academy in Orlando. We began the conference with keynote speaker Dr. Jonathon McIntire presenting “Inclusion: Why should we include students with increasingly complex disabilities in the general curriculum and classrooms?” Throughout the conference, 14 break-out sessions were delivered on topics from autism to the mentally handicapped population. Approximately 75 members/students attended.

Our appreciation goes out to all our presenters and everyone who helped to make this day a success.

Chapter News    

    Chapter #296/Sunset News for 2006-07

Chapter 296 in Sarasota and Manatee Counties is always quite busy trying to hold at least one event per month. We served a hearty breakfast to all the new teachers hired to teach in Sarasota County in August. We then held a Beach Walk at Siesta Key on Sept. 30 to raise funds for teacher mini-grants for members & to enjoy fellowship with our membership families.

October saw us headed to Panama City for the wonderful FCEC conference and we celebrated our own president, Mary Alice Hratko, being interviewed as a finalist for FCEC teacher of the Year. November included a Membership holiday Social at our local Salt Water Café. Mary Alice then finished out the year by holding a very special dinner event at her meticulously decorated home for all the Sunset board members.

In 2007, we started off with a January 27th fundraiser held at McCurdy’s Comedy Club, with funds going to support the attendance of members at state and national conferences. February included an author’s book signing for two members who have authored a book. MaryBeth Ditmar shared her thoughts involving the experiences and finally death of her son from cancer in Christopher’s Journey.

Susan Hentz, (former 296 president and FCEC Teacher of the year in 2002) authored Teach Smart-Practical strategies and tools for educators. In March we already raised over $1100 through a Tennis Tournament held at Lakewood Ranch’s Legacy Athletic Club.

Ahead of us in April is the national CEC Conference to be held in Louisville April 18-21. In May is the annual Awards Banquet to be held at Heritage Oaks County Club and the 8th annual CEC Golf Tournament to be held at Plantation Golf and Country Club. The golf event is the best event for us as it is the largest fundraiser of the year and proceeds all go towards the funding of Summer Camp Scholarships for needy community family members who are students with disabilities. These scholarships are what our chapter is all about-service to individuals and families of those with disabilities.

Our numbers total just under 100 dedicated people in the membership and we would love to have you belong if you have an interest and you live in our region. Please contact Paula Evans if you wish more information at pmcan@comcast.net

     Chapter 75

CEC member Gloria Simmons was one of four finalists chosen for the EVE award in the field of education on June 2. Seven hundred attendees honored women of accomplishment in the areas of volunteerism, employment, and education at the awards luncheon at the Hyatt Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville.

Gloria is an Instructional Program Support Specialist in High School Organization for the Duval County Public Schools, and a member of Local CEC Chapter 75 Executive Committee.

Flagler Chapter * NEW *

Members of the newly organized Flagler County CEC chapter celebrated their active membership status in the ESE Suite of the new Flagler County Government Building in Bunnell, Florida. 

Cassie Meyers, President of the new chapter, presented the celebration cake and Dr. Myra Middleton, Director of Flagler County ESE, congratulated the new chapter and gave her support as an active member.

     Miami Chapter 121

In February, Chapter 121 celebrated the successes of our special education teachers, inclusion teachers, rookie teachers of the year, and administrators of the year. We had over 300 attendees join us at the Sheraton Mart Hotel, with support and representation from our district office. We would like to congratulate the following runner-ups/winners:

Coming up in May: Our annual “send a student to summer camp” fun-filled Saturday. Last year we honored 26 SPED students with a check for a camp scholarship. Scholarship funds come from our ESE WEEK t-shirt/polo shirt sales, from which we raised approximately $7,000 for our Scholarship Fund!

We are also working diligently on the October Conference –Be sure it’s on your calendar – it will be an awesome conference!! See details in this newsletter!

Leadership Fund Share Session - Susan (Gatorland), Jan, and Janet (Volusia)