MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT


Thursday, Sep 21, 2023

Dear Families,

We are off to a great start to the 2023-2024 academic year, and we want to share some exciting updates.

National Merit Scholarship Program
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and college scholarships. The National Merit Scholarship Program has recognized forty-three members of our senior class.

Thermo Scientific Winners
Caitlin O'Sullivan, Anya Gupta, and Ben Liu have been named Top 300 Junior Innovators in the 2023 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC), a program of the Society for Science. 

Recent Student and Faculty Publications

  • Lesley A Colgan, Paula Parra-Bueno, Heather L Holman, Xun Tu, Anant
  • Jain, Mariah F Calubag, Jaime A. Misler, Chancellor Gary, Goksu Oz, Irena Suponitsky-Kroyter, Elwy Okaz, Ryohei Yasuda. 2023. Dual regulation of spine-specific and synapse-to-nucleus signaling by PKCδ during plasticity. Journal of Neuroscience. https://www.jneurosci.org/content/43/30/5432.abstract.
  • Dr. Pilar Taylor, 2023. Balancing the Equation: Using Socratic Dialogue to Increase Student Engagement and Achievement in a Middle School Mathematics Classroom. Florida Journal of Educational Research. 60 (1). https://journals.flvc.org/fjer/article/view/132866.
  • Aryana Sahai, 2023, Authored a book: The Crystal Curse

High-Performing School of Excellence
Once again, we have been designated by the Florida Department of Education as a School of Excellence. This designation is a testament to the hard work of our faculty and staff as they continue to develop and deliver incredible instructional lessons.

New Playground and Facilities
We are delighted to unveil our brand-new playground, a vibrant and safe space for our students to play, learn, and grow. This addition was made possible through the collective efforts of our dedicated staff, generous donors, and supportive community members. We love seeing our students' joy as they explore and create cherished memories on this playground.

Thanks to the support of FAU President Stacy Volnick and Dr. Larry Faerman, Vice President of Student Affairs. Our playfield next to the gymnasium is being renovated. The renovated field is expected to be completed in January.  

Expanding Opportunities for Middle School Students
In our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional education, we are excited to announce the launch of college credit-earning classes for our middle school students. This initiative empowers our young learners to excel academically and prepare for future educational endeavors.

Preparing for the Future
Middle School families, mark your calendars! We will host a College Readiness Night where parents and students can learn how to prepare for higher education. This event is a valuable opportunity to gain insights and resources to navigate the path to college success.

New School Resource Officer
We are excited to welcome a third School Resource Officer to our team. Officer Cave joined us in August and has been an outstanding addition to ADHUS and FAUHS.

Elementary Science Labs
Hands-on learning is at the heart of education, and we are thrilled to introduce new science labs in our elementary schools. These labs will ignite curiosity and foster a deep understanding of scientific principles, creating a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

New Flight Simulator Lab
Our new Boeing Flight Lab was installed over the summer, and we are excited to have our 6th- 8th-grade students climb into the cockpit of our simulators and learn the fundamentals of aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight instruments, radio communication, aviation weather, and navigation.

Thrilling Athletic Season
Get ready for an action-packed athletic season! We are hosting an impressive 36 athletic home events this year. Moreover, we hosted the Florida Atlantic University Women's Volleyball team for their annual Red and Blue game in our gymnasium. Such events contribute to the vibrant spirit of our school community and provide opportunities for our students to showcase their talents and sportsmanship.

Our Junior Varsity Women's Volleyball team started the season with a fantastic victory against Calvary Chapel. This victory is a testament to our athletes' and coaches' hard work and dedication.

Additionally, we are thrilled to share that our boys and girls golf teams are off to an undefeated start this season. Their commitment to excellence on and off the field sets a remarkable example for all of us.

Celebrating Achievements
It is with great pride that we recognize the accomplishments of our community members. This year, we congratulate Chris Clevenger for being honored by the "Extra Yard" Foundation for their outstanding educational contributions. His dedication is truly inspiring and impacts the lives of our students every day.

PTO
Please join the PTO and support the many incredible events they host throughout the year! Visit the PTO site for upcoming dates of many exciting family events.

A Heartfelt Thank You
We sincerely thank all parents for their unwavering support of our "Home is a School Zone Too!" initiative. Your efforts to ensure your children arrive at school on time and engage in conversations about the importance of education resonate deeply with our school's values. Your dedication to reinforcing the lessons of Character Counts and encouraging your children to give their best daily is commendable.

 

As we embark on this new school year, let us remember that our collective efforts shape the future of our community. Together, we create an environment where students thrive, achieve, and become responsible citizens of tomorrow.

Here's to a fantastic year ahead, filled with growth, achievements, and countless moments of joy. Thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children.

Sincerely,
Joel Herbst, Superintendent of Schools

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