Lipscomb Elementary Counselor Named Finalist For National Magazine’s Educator Of The Year Award
August 5, 2020
A Lipscomb Elementary School counselor has been named a top four finalist for a national magazine’s Educator of the Year Award.
Patricia Swanz-Reiners was named a finalist for the award to be presented by Reinvented Magazine. She was nominated by Angela Cleveland, the director of NCWIT (National Center for Women & Information Technology) Counselors for Computing Program. The two met at the annual National Math and Science Initiative annual conference last year. Swanz-Reiners’ participation in last year’s NMSI conference built relationships that provided the opportunity to present to various groups. She became a Counselor Consultant with Counselors for Computing and has been presenting virtually in several states since the pandemic closed schools in the spring.
“Swanz-Reiners was the counselor representative on the ECSD (Escambia County School District) team last year and it was the initial year that NMSI offered a week on coding and computer science. We spent the week in sessions specific to our areas and NCWIT was the leader in the group for counselors. Pati has stayed involved with her NCWIT contacts and she traveled to speak at events and she has presented at a couple of NCWIT virtual events,” explained Lauren Thurman from ECSD’s Instructional Technology Professional Development Department.
“Part of my presentation to other school counselors includes talking about the Grant for Excellence which Lipscomb received from the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation for a program we call Google Expedition: Voyage into the Unknown,” said Swanz-Reiners. She worked with Thurman to present the Expedition to Lipscomb’s students last year.
“Google Expedition incorporates both virtual and augmented reality and challenges students to not only be consumers of technology, but also producers of technology. By introducing new opportunities that engage our students in cutting edge technology, we are leveling the educational playing field for all students. We are providing equity in the classroom regardless of the student’s socioeconomic status, race, or gender.”
“Being recognized as a finalist gives me the opportunity to highlight the importance of the work I am doing in my school, that many of us are doing in our school district, and the work I am doing with so many other school counselors,” said Swanz-Reiners when she learned to the Education of the Year Award nomination.
Reinvented Magazine has a single mission in mind, she explained. Their mission is to reinvent the general perception of women in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) while inspiring interest in STEM for young women worldwide. “The Educator of the Year award recognizes the critical role that K-12 educators have in sparking an early interest in STEM and opening opportunities for young people, especially those underrepresented in the field,” Swanz-Reiners said.
“Being selected as one of 20 finalists from around the world is an honor that elevates the role of educators who are impacting change in their sphere of influence and serving as a role model of how we can integrate inclusive strategies to engage more students in STEM with creativity, advocacy, and collaboration,” said Swanz-Reiners. ”Finding out I was in the top four finalists was so exciting! It truly is an honor to be among amazing women who are doing great things in the world and making it a better place for all of our students, especially our girls. It was thrilling.”
Reinvented Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aspires to break barriers and aid the movement to get more girls involved in STEM by creating the nation’s first print magazine for women in STEM.
Meet Maple, K-9 Cop Sniffing Out Computer Criminals
August 5, 2020
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s police dog Maple has been been on the job for a little over a year, sniffing out electronic storage devices hidden by suspects in an effort to conceal their crimes — everything from child pornography to terrorism.
“The work of this 4-year-old rescue cannot be overstated. Because of Maple, there is no doubt we found devices that we otherwise would not have,” said FDLE Pensacola Special Agent in Charge Jack Massey. “Thanks to Maple and the dedication of Special Agent Cassidy, our community is safer.”
During her first year, Maple has been deployed 34 times assisting FDLE as well as federal and local agencies. She is FDLE’s only canine that can sniff out the electronic storage devices and one of only two in the Pensacola area. To date, Maple has found 73 concealed devices in closets, door frames, shoes and vehicles.
Her handler is FDLE Special Agent Stephanie Cassidy, who is assigned to the cyber squad. Agent Cassidy trained Maple to sniff out anything that can digitally store information like USB drives, hidden cameras, computers, thumb drives, cell phones, CDs and DVDs.
Pictured: Florida Department of Law Enforcement K-9 Maple and her handler Special Agent Stephanie Cassidy. Maple sniffs out electronic storage devices. Photos courtesy Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Sample Ballots Are In The Mail
August 5, 2020
Sample ballots for the August 18 primary election in Escambia County are in the mail, according to Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
The sample ballot, in both English and Spanish, includes a ballot image, the voter’s polling location and information on the three ways to vote: early, vote-by-mail, and on election day.
In Florida’s closed partisan primary elections, you are only eligible to vote in primary contests for the party in which you are registered, unless it is a universal primary or nonpartisan contest. Due to the structure of Florida’s primary elections and Escambia County’s single-member districts, not all voters will receive a ballot in the August primary election. Your party affiliation, district and precinct determine which contests appear on your primary election ballot. For some voters, there are no primary contests in which they are eligible to vote.
Voters have three different ways to cast their ballot:
- By Mail:Voters may vote by mail using a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov, or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850) 595-3900, e-mail (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and the address, and must be received no later than Saturday, August 8. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location on Election Day. Voters may now drop-off a vote-by-mail ballot during Early Voting hours at any of the nine area locations.
- Early Voting: Early voting will be available Saturday, August 8 through Saturday, August 15 at the following locations and times:
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- University of West Florida Conference Center, Building 22, University Parkway (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
- At Your Precinct: The third option for voters is to cast a paper ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, August 18. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
10 Additional COVID-19 Deaths Reported Tuesday In Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties
August 4, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST.
There were 10 total new COVID-19 deaths – the most in a single day – reported Tuesday in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The four Escambia County deaths were female ages 55, 68, and 91, and a 75-year old male. The Santa Rosa deaths were women ages 55, 69, two age 76, 90, and 91. At least two total from both counties were long-term care facility residents.
Escambia County cases increased 137 to 8,262. An additional 68 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 3,552.
Of the 867 tests results returned on Monday in Escambia County, 12.7% were positive, and 12.8% were positive from 464 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 11.8%.
There were 215 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Tuesday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 101 deaths in Escambia County, 60 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 30 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and four in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 497,330 cases including 491,773 Florida residents. There have been 27,952 hospitalizations* and 7,402 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 8,262 (+137 since Monday)
Non-Florida residents — 873
Pensacola — 6,480 (+85)
Cantonment — 600 (+4)
Molino— 92
Century — 79 (+3)
McDavid — 39
Bellview — 10
Walnut Hill — 9
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 5 (+1)
Current hospitalizations: 215 (-2)
Deaths — 101 (+4)
Male — 3,240
Female — 4,026
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 38
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 3,552 (+68 since Monday)
Non-Florida residents — 25
Milton — 2,000 (+45)
Gulf Breeze — 513 (+6)
Navarre — 416 (+4)
Pace — 260 (+6)
Jay — 94 (+1)
Bagdad — 8 (+1)
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 171*
Deaths — 30 (+6)
Male — 2,064
Female — 1,449
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 39
Florida cases:
Total cases — 497,330
Florida residents — 491,773
Deaths — 7,402
Hospitalizations — 27,952*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
Century Council Questions Safety Of Town Hall After Positive COVID-19 Cases
August 4, 2020
The Century Town Council questioned Monday ight if the town hall is safe for workers and the upcoming primary election day because it has not been professionally cleaned since two employees were diagnosed positive for COVID-19.
On the afternoon on July 24, the town announced two employees that work in the building were positive, and they had gone home to quarantine.
Following a question by council member Brenda Spencer, Mayor Henry Hawkins said town workers had cleaned the building. He said “the little disinfecting we do in the day works”. The town does not have any cleaning personnel on the payroll.
In response, the council quickly voted to hire a professional company to clean the building with hopes that it will be eligible for federal CARES Act reimbursement.
A Monday night town council meeting in building was open to the public. All of the council members attended by Zoom but others did attend in person, including Hawkins, Interim City Manager Vernon Prather, two other town employees and at least one member of the public. And the building will be open as a voting precinct on August 18. Otherwise, it’s been closed to the public for weeks.
Staff has continued to work in the building, but Hawkins said he has them assigned to only work one at a time.
“That’s extremely dangerous,” council member James Smith said. “…When you put yourselves and other people at risk, it’s not a good thing.”
Councilman Luis Gomez expressed concern that the town was not adequately addressing COVID-19 concerns.
‘We as the city leaders, we need to start discussing this a little more,” Gomez said. “It’s digging deeper into the town of Century and its citizens.” As of Monday, the Florida Department of Health reported 76 total COVID-19 cases in the Century zip code.
Gomez said four people he knows have recently tested positive, and he mentioned a town employee by name and his wife that he said were infected with the virus. He said the town needs a plan just in case numerous employees become infected, and he believes employee were not getting tested.
“This virus is not playing,” Gomez said. “I’d rather one get sick and go home on quarantine than keep it hush-hush.”
There are only five employees, in addition to the mayor and city manager, that make up the full staff working inside the Century Town Hall.
Town Clerk Kim Godwin said one of the two currently out due to COVID-19 retested positive, and the second is expected to be tested again on August 5.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Q&A With The Semifinalists For Escambia School Superintendent (With Video Responses)
August 4, 2020
There are six semifinalists under consideration to be the next Escambia County school superintendent, and now the school board and the public are getting a chance to hear from them.
In November 2018, Escambia County citizens voted to move from an elected to an appointed superintendent. Malcolm Thomas, the current elected superintendent, will retire in November. A selection committee was formed and narrowed a list of 27 applicants to the six semifinalists.
Each of the six has provided a combination of written and video responses to questions from the school board about their leadership skills, education and other topics. The board will consider the responses and then move forward with some or all of the six for in-person interviews.
To read and watch the responses from each candidate, use the links below. Also, their resumes are available by clicking their names.
Marques L. Stewart
9th grade principal Fredrick Douglas High School, Atlanta, 929 students, July 2019 to present. Previous: Principal Harper Archer Middle School, 486 students, January 2015-June 2019. He is a 1996 Woodham High School graduate.
Stewart’s written responses are here.
Dr. Earl Johnson
Executive director Leadership/Operations Flagler County Schools (FL), 13,000 students, 2017 to present. Previous: High school and elementary principal Flagler County, 2004-2017.
Johnson’s written responses are here .
Keith C. Rittel
Superintendent, Provo, UT, 18,000 students, 2012-present. Previous: Deputy superintendent, Clover Park (Lakewood, WA), 12,000 students, 2008-2012.
Rittel’s written responses are here.
Rittel submitted his video responses in two parts:
>
Dr. Timothy A. Smith
Executive area director of high schools, Orange County (FL), 212,000 students, June 2018 to present. Previous: Principal of Winter Park High School (FL), 3,400 students, July 2010-June 2018.
Smith’s written responses are here.
Smith submitted his video responses in two parts:
Keith Leonard
Assistant superintendent of Human Resource Services Escambia County, 40,500 students, June 2020-present. Previous: Director of Human Resources, Escambia County, 2007-2020.
Leonard’s written responses are here.
Dr. Vincent F. Cotter
Co-founder Exemplary Schools Organization, 2014-present. Previous: Consultant 2011-2013: Superintendent Colonial School District (PA), 4,966 students, 2000-2011.
Cotter’s written responses are here.
Cox Recognizes Inspirational Student Heroes From Local Schools
August 4, 2020
Cox Communications once again honored a special group of Escambia and Okaloosa County students this year as Cox Inspirational Student Heroes. Combined, 84 students were celebrated for having overcome extreme hardships in their lives.
The students were chosen by a committee of leaders at their school, due to their resilience in the face of adversity. Whether they have overcome a loss of a family member, medical issue, difficult family situation or other hardship, they did so with a smile on their face and continued to encourage and inspire others around them.
Due to COVID-19, Cox was unable to recognize the students in the usual award ceremonies held at the University of West Florida in Pensacola and Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. Instead, the Heroes received their recognitions in the mail, and a special television show is available in the video above.
This year’s award recipients in Escambia and Okaloosa Counties are:
- AK Suter Elementary School – Stephen Dunn
- Antioch Elementary School – Tristan Murawski
- Baker School – David Legros III
- Bellview Elementary School – Alex Campbell
- Bellview Middle School – Kaleb Donaldson
- Beulah Academy of Science – Christian Hollingsworth
- Beulah Elementary School – Aiden Hollingsworth
- Beulah Middle School – Ja’siya Bender
- Blue Angels Elementary School – Kaitlyn Graves
- Bluewater Elementary School – Austin Smith
- Bob Sikes Elementary School – Temperance Custer
- Bratt Elementary School – Zachary Weaver
- Brentwood Elementary School – Roger Cabrera
- Brown Barge Middle School – Kylee Lovell
- Bruner Middle School – Tristin Blackman
- Byrneville Elementary School – Gabrielle Hawsey
- CA Weis Elementary School – Anthony Mack
- Camelot Academy – Joquan Williams
- Camelot Academy – Joquarise Williams
- Choctaw High School – Keone C. Corpuz
- Crestview High School – Carri Brown
- Davidson Middle School – Tyler Nesmith
- Destin Elementary School – Rickey Schaffer
- Destin Middle School – James Devarona
- Edge Elementary School – Sean Britton
- Eglin Elementary School – Giovanni Alvarado
- Elliott Point Elementary School – Andrew Guity
- Ensley Elementary School – Juan Fernando Zaldivar-Meija
- Ernest Ward Middle School – Brandon Odom
- Escambia High School – Anthony Goodwin
- Ferry Pass Elementary School – Calvin Peoples
- Ferry Pass Middle School – Jeanine Clark
- Florosa Elementary School – Haley Curry
- Fort Walton Beach High School – Sebastian Riker
- Global Learning Academy – Jacob Emrico
- Hellen Caro Elementary School – Trent Henry
- Holm Elementary School – Jaylen Phillips
- Jim Bailey Middle School – Anwyn Butler
- Kenwood Elementary School – Jeremiah Parker
- Kingfield Elementary School – Luca Bradley
- Laurel Hill School – Andrew “Moon” Wiggins
- Lincoln Park Elementary – Ja’Kayline Vickers
- Lipscomb Elementary School – Elizabeth Burdeaux
- Longwood Elementary School – Tatianna Gary
- Mary Esther Elementary School – Jayda Oleson
- McArthur Elementary School – Carlie Rushing
- McArthur Elementary School – Zoe Rushing
- Meigs Middle School – Desi Goble
- Molino Park Elementary – Jonathon Campbell
- Montclair Elementary School – Stormy Golden
- Myrtle Grove Elementary – Kamren Dixon Jr
- N.B. Cook Elementary School – Ryan Kostelnik
- Navy Point Elementary School – Demarious Anderson
- Niceville High School – Katlin Flores
- Northview High School – Tyler Wade Simmons
- Northwood Elementary School – Brenda Gonzalez
- Oakcrest Elementary School – Angela Bessent
- OJ Semmes Elementary School – Carnell Dawson
- Okaloosa STEMM Academy – Brynne Massey
- Pensacola High School – Tiffany Vo
- Pensacola High School – Genevieve Wilhelm
- Pine Forest High School – Jaylen Clausell
- Pine Meadow Elementary School – Dennis Wilson
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School – Nehemiah “Nemo” Perez
- Plew Elementary School – Kayla Norman
- Project Search – Timothy Emanuel
- Pryor Middle School – Kayden Sutton
- Ransom Middle School – Kriseya Wheeler
- Richburg School – Emaun Blackwell
- Riverside Elementary School – Angel Martinez-Rodriguez (Jojo)
- Ruckel Middle School – Joseph Jones
- Scenic Heights Elementary School – Kristina Hinton
- Shalimar Elementary School – Mason Litwiller
- Sherwood Elementary School – Brooke Holland
- Shoal River Middle School – Ahmad Thomas
- Silver Sands School – Dalton Malone
- Southside Primary School – Vincent Bloom
- Tate High School – Tyler Ramsey
- Walker Elementary School – Amanda Andujar
- Warrington Middle School – Logan Ming
- Washington High School – William “Billy” Hoover
- West Florida High School – Antoinette Heno
- West Pensacola Elementary School – Noah Jones
“Unfortunately, we were unable to recognize these great students in person, but Cox still wanted to make sure they knew what an inspiration they are to others around them,” said David Deliman, Cox Gulf Coast market vice president. “These students have overcome so much in their young lives while maintaining positive attitudes and bringing joy to others. They deserve their time in the spotlight for being such an inspiration to us all. We’re glad we were still able to tell their stories.”
In the mail, each student received a personalized engraved medallion and certificates of honor from Cox, United States Congressman Matt Gaetz and Florida State Senator Doug Broxson.
UWF Site Prioritizing COVID-19 Testing For Symptomatic People And Those Over 65
August 4, 2020
Beginning Wednesday, Florida will prioritize COVID-19 testing for those with symptoms or that are 65 or older at state sponsored testing sites.
Drive-thru sites across the state — including the one at the University of West Florida in Pensacola — will offer expanded lanes for symptomatic individuals and individuals 65 and older. The priority lanes will offer self-swab tests, under the supervision of health care personnel, with results available within 72 hours.
All state-supported drive-thru testing sites will also begin offering COVID-19 antibody testing to assist with asymptomatic testing.
“This testing initiative will provide expedited results for symptomatic and vulnerable populations, enable faster data reporting, make contact tracing more effective, and enable a greater understanding of the transmission of the virus in the general population,” the Florida Division on Emergency Management said in a statement.
More state sponsored test site information:
UWF – The drive-thru only test site is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, seven days a week, unless there is inclement weather. Self-swabbing is available by appointment. Ages 5-17 require an appointment. Appointments can be made by the following methods: “doineedacovid19test.com” or by calling, 1-800-635-8611. It is located at the SP2 parking lot, which is on the east side of campus, near the East Sports Complex. Individuals are asked to remain in their vehicles, which must have a window. Pre-screening is not required. Must be 18 or older to be tested. FL ID required for adults.
Sunny, Hot And Mostly Dry The Next Few Days
August 4, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Early Voting Begins Saturday In Escambia County At These Nine Locations
August 4, 2020
Early voting begins Saturday in Escambia County at nine locations.
Early voting will begin Saturday, August 8 though Saturday, August 15. Each location will be open from from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., with the exception of the Supervisor of Elections Office which will be open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- University of West Florida Conference Center, Building 22, University Parkway
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Pensacola Library, 239 N Spring Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
As of Monday night, 14,596 ballots had been cast by mail in Escambia County.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 18.