FCAT Scores Released: A Complete Look At North Escambia Schools
June 30, 2010
Writing scores increased on the 2010 FCAT for schools in the North Escambia area, while Northview, Tate, Ernest Ward and Ransom recorded some of the highest scores in the county at some levels.
The state decreased the grade level baseline score from 3.5 to 3.0 in writing, creating an increase of grade level students at almost every school in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The news was not good for Bratt Elementary, with fourth and fifth grade scores falling — sometimes at the double digit level — in reading, math and science.
The percentage of students at Northview High School scoring at grade level or above in eleventh grade science was the highest in the county at 58 percent. Northview and Tate tied for second best in the county for the highest high school writing scores and the best ninth grade math scores. Tate had the second highest number of students in the county at grade level in tenth grade math.
Ernest Ward and Ransom middle school sixth and seventh graders had the second highest percentage in the county at grade level in math. Ernest Ward’s writing scores were the third best in the county.
Scores for each North Escambia area school are below. At the bottom of the page, this story continues with a school by school analysis.
School by school analysis
Writing scores improved at every grade level taking the test at every school the North Escambia area.
Bratt Elementary’s scores decreased in a year by as much as 17 percentage points across the board in reading, math and science.
At Byrneville Elementary, there were decreases in fifth grade reading and math, and gain in fourth grade reading. Fourth grade math and fifth grade science scores were consistent from 2009 to 2010.
Jim Allen Elementary’s scores decreased from 2009 in fourth and fifth grade reading and fourth grade math. Scores improved in fifth grade math and science.
Jay Elementary’s scores decreased in fourth and fifth grade math, and improved or held steady in fourth and fifth grade reading and science.
Ernest Ward Middle’s scores decreased in reading and math at all grade levels and increased in eighth grade science. At Ransom Middle, scores over the past year decreased at all grade levels in reading, seventh grade math and eighth grade science. There was a slight increase in the school’s sixth grade math. At the 6-8 grade levels at Jay, there were decreases at all levels in reading and seventh and eighth grade math. Jay’s scores improved in eighth grade science and math.
Northview High’s scores over the past year fell in tenth grade reading and math and increased in ninth grade reading and math, and eleventh grade science. At Tate High, scores over the past year fell in ninth grade math and tenth grade reading. Tate’s scores increased in ninth grade reading, tenth grade math and eleventh grade science. At Jay High, there were decreases in ninth grade math and eleventh grade science. Jay’s scores increased or held steady in ninth and tenth grade reading and tenth grade math.
NWE Girls Remain Undefeated In Tourney With Win Over Niceville
June 30, 2010
The Northwest Escambia 11-12 year old All-Stars beat Niceville 5-1 in six innings Tuesday night at Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park.
Mallory Ryan pitched all six innings for NWE with six strikeouts and no walks. Ryan, Penny Banda, Courtney Peebles, Kristen Byrd and Peighton Dortch each scored one run for Northwest Escambia.
With the win, undefeated NWE advances to play again Thursday night at 6:00 against the winner of a 6 p.m. Wednesday game between Niceville and DeFuniak Springs.
Submitted photo by Kim Ryan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Arrest Robbery Suspect; She May Be Responsible For North End Crimes Too
June 30, 2010
(Updated) Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested the suspect in a Pensacola armed robbery that they say may also be responsible for crimes in the north end of the county.
Cheraina Cristle Campbell, 19, is charged with armed robbery with a firearm and public order crimes for wearing a mask or hood during the commission of a felony. She is being held without bond after being arrested late Tuesday night.
Campbell charged in connection with a robbery that occurred Monday at approximately 11:20 a.m. at the TQ Mini Mart located at 1112 East Olive Road. During the robbery, deputies said Campbell entered the store wearing a mask and pointing a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. Deputies said she removed her mask as she fled the store and turned to look back at the store allowing the clerk to see the her face.
A K-9 unit tracked the Campbell to a nearby abandoned trailer. There was no one inside the trailer, but a photo of Campbell was found inside. The store clerk positively identified Campbell from the photo as the person who robbed the store at gunpoint.
“Investigators also believe the same suspect may be responsible for several other robberies in the north end of the county but are not releasing the other businesses involved at this time,” according to a press release from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Tri-County 11-12 Boys Beat Destin
June 30, 2010
Tri-County beat Destin 16-1 Tuesday night in the Florida District 1 All Star Tournament for 11-12 year old boys baseball.
Chase Shell had three big homers for Tri-County, while AJ Nash had one home run.
Tri-County, 1-1 in tournament play, will face either Shalimar or Niceville Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Pictured top: Action as Tri-County beats Destin Tuesday afternoon. Pictured inset: Chase Shell rounds the bases on his third home run. Submitted photos by Jo Morgan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jeff Davis Nursing Partners With University Of Alabama
June 30, 2010
Advanced nursing degrees will be within easier reach for area registered nurses through a new Internet-based partnership between Jefferson Davis Community College and The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing.
Representatives from Jefferson Davis and UA will formalize the agreement during a partnership signing ceremony July 14.
Representatives from UA scheduled to attend the ceremony, include Dr. Sara Barger, dean of UA’s Capstone College of Nursing, and Dr. Jeanette VanderMeer, assistant professor in the Capstone College of Nursing and coordinator of the program, known as RN Mobility.
Through the use of the Internet, participants can complete the required nursing courses for the BSN degree in one year, without facing the restrictions of being in class on a specific time and day. Instead, RN students have the flexibility of choosing the best time to go online and complete the requirements. Clinical activities are designed on an individual basis, and efforts are made to arrange locations and times convenient to students.
UA’s Capstone College of Nursing has established similar partnerships with 16 Associate Degree in Nursing program sites at community colleges and universities and 10 clinical agencies.
Make A Little Magic: Camp Fire USA
June 30, 2010
The children at the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center were recently visited by Beau Broomall with his Magic Moments show.
“The children had an exciting time and even participated in the magic show,” said Camp Fire Century Director Pam Townson.
Broomall, who started learning magic at the age of 10, has been a professional magician for the past 20 years, performing across the country.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FCAT Results Released For Escambia, Santa Rosa
June 29, 2010
FCAT scores for 2010 were released today by the Florida Department of Education, and they were mostly good news for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Over all, Escambia County’s scores had slight decreases in reading for grades 4, 5, 6 and 9; math for grades 5 and 9. Compared to last year, there was improvement in every other subject and grade level test. The most significant gain was in writing, with the percent of fourth graders scoring at grade level or more increasing from 81 to 89. Eighth grade writing scores increased a full 10 percentage points from 85 to 95 at grade level or above.
Santa Rosa’s scores decreased overall for reading in grades 4, 5, 6 and 8; in math for grades 6 and 7 and 11th grade science. Compared to last year, there was improvement in every other subject and grade level test Santa Rosa’s writing scores increased from 85 percent of fourth graders at grade level las tyear to 94 percent this year. Writing scores improved from 94 to 97 percent for eight grade and 80 to 97 percent for tenth grade.
It should be noticed on the dramatic increase in students at grade level in writing that the standard was decreased this year from a 3.5 being grade level last year to a 3.0 being grade level this year.
Individual student results will not be available for another week or so, according to Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
In an automated telephone call to the parents of Escambia students Monday night, Thomas urged those parents not to contact their child’s school with the release of today’s school report. An additional automated call in the coming days, he said, will notify parents when they can pick up their child’s paper report.
“It is the school district’s desire to release your child’s FCAT scores just as quickly as possible,” he said.
NorthEscambia.com will have complete school by school results for each area school on Wednesday morning.
Tuesday Escambia Oil Update
June 29, 2010
Here is the latest BP oil spill information specific to Escambia County for Tuesday, June 29:
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Important Phone Numbers For Citizens
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Junkyard Business Or Not? Council Works To Decide; Residents Fight Against
June 29, 2010
The Town of Century held a public workshop Monday morning as they work to decide if a local man is operating a junkyard on his residential property and if what he claims to do for a living is or is not a business — all part of the process to determine if the council will vote to change the rezoning on his property to commercial.
George William Philyaw has been cited by Escambia County Code Enforcement for his property at 120 Front Street because it is zoned residential which does not allow his type of business to operate. He has told the town council that he simply collects metal for recycling until he has a “load” and then it is sold.
While Philyaw says he is operating a recycling business, the Century Town Council has questioned if it is not actually a junkyard behind his privacy fence. And the council has also questioned if his money-making operation is a business.
According to Council President Ann Brookes, Philyaw attempted to purchase a business license three years ago, but he was denied that option because his property was residential.
“From that time till to today, he has followed on with the same functions that he was at that time, and I think nothing has been said about it in all these years,” Brookes said Monday. She noted that Philyaw claims to not sell directly to the public from the property; rather, he sells his metal and other items on a wholesale basis.
She said it is an issue “whether or not there’s really a business that is going on there”, and she said that she was told that Escambia County would not require him to have a business license.
But residents surrounding the property are not happy with what they perceive as a junkyard in their neighborhood.
“It brings down the property value of all of our homes that are around there, and I think that ought to be taken into consideration,” Century resident Rose Wilson said as she presented the council with a petition containing about three dozen signatures of Century residents against rezoning Philyaw’s property.
The town’s land use consultant, Debbie Nickles said that Century’s ordinances do allow for “home occupations” in residential areas, but she described them more as being home offices. She said “home occupations” do not allow a visible change to the outside of a residence except for a small sign.
“This is not a home occupation,” she said, “Based on my site visit, I consider this a junkyard…junkyards refer to storage of materials.”
“He has a fence up. And if he closes those gates and we can’t see what he’s doing in there,” Council man Henry Hawkins argued. “We know what’s he doing, but if he erects a fence we don’t know if it’s still in there or not.”
“He himself applied for a business license, so therefore it’s a business,” Flomaton resident J.R. Jones told the council. Jones mother owned property near Philyaw until her passing a few months ago.
Longtime Century resident Lina Showalter spoke out against rezoning the property or allowing a junkyard to be located on Front Street, which she described as being the entrance to Century’s Historical District.
She also cited public outcry against the junkyard in the comment section of a recent NorthEscambia.com story. She read a comment from someone identified in their comment as “Parent of NHS Student (with Century address)”:
“Century’s past mayor had started a campaign to work on “cleaning up” and beautifying the town, while enforcing certain codes. I have seen an improvement and am encouraged by it. (Love the changes to the road side park on Hway 29). Don’t stop now. The businessman should abide by the laws in place. You owe it to the people who elected you to office. Have a heart to the people living in the residential area and have to drive by the place. Maybe the businessman could lease or rent a small area in a properly zoned area and use it as a business expense on his tax return,” the comment read by Showalter states.
According to Escambia County records, there is an active Escambia County business license for the property at 120 Front Street for a “retail peddler” business owned by Every Philyaw.
Every Philyaw (pictured left) told the council that she purchased the business license in order to sell lamps and other household items at a Pensacola flea market. She said the license, which was first active in 2008, was not purchased for William Philyaw’s business.
The council heard just two opinions in favor of allowing Philyaw to continuing operating from his Front Street property.
Samantha Rigby, who told the council she does not live in Century, said, “I think it’s a good thing he’s handling the recycling”, and a petition from the Century Lodge was presented to the council in favor of allowing Philyaw to operate a junkyard if it’s approved by the council.
Mayor Freddie McCall said that many of the Century Lodge members do not reside in the town. Jones pointed out that they occupy their building, which is located by Philyaw’s property, just a few hours per month while the residents in the area are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The council took no action on Philyaw’s rezoning request during their Monday workshop. Any decision will come at a future town council meeting. The next regular council meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 5 at the Century Town Hall.
Philyaw has deposited $600 with the town to be used for actual costs toward rezoning. If his rezoning request is denied, he will still forfeit the town’s actual costs.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty To Assault, Battery On Wife; Resigns Job
June 29, 2010
An Escambia County deputy first arrested in January after getting into a fight with his wife pleaded guilty to battery and assault charges Monday in Escambia Circuit Court.
Edward Henley was sentenced to one year probation, during which he will not be allowed to carry a weapon. He will also pay a $625 fine.
Deputies responded to a 911 call on Kingsfield Road in Cantonment about 12:45 a.m. on January 16 where they found a marked ECSO patrol car in the driveway. Inside, they found Henley’s wife who claimed that she and Henley had been at a party earlier in the evening. She told deputies that they got into an argument that later escalated into a physical confrontation, according the Sheriff’s Office. Henley’s wife told deputies that he struck her several times at the residence.
The former sergeant has since resigned from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He had been a deputy for 22 years.