Aug 23, 2010 4 min read

Principals and staff of North Fort Myers schools have celebrations, plans and special events both during the first week of school and for the upcoming school year.

“North High will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year,” said North Fort Myers High School Principal Kimberly Lunger. “We hope to highlight this event at our homecoming football game, October 15.”

Students throughout Lee County returned to school Monday, Aug. 23.

“The first week of school is dedicated to information disbursement, class meetings, safety drills, book distribution, and day-to-day procedures,” Lunger said.

“The first week of school we will be making sure everyone is set for the year, and introducing our different subjects,” said Dr. Douglas Santini, who is the principal at North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts.

“A big event for us this year will be December 16 event at the Barbara Mann Performing Arts Center – “The Nutcracker.” We will also be doing “Fiddler On the Roof” in the spring and “Romeo and Juliet” in November. It looks like a great year.”

Principal Monica Broughton and Assistant Principal Robert Cooper of Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary School both said they have special plans for the year.

The staff and students at Robinson Littleton Elementary returned to a campus full of glitter and glamour. They were “movie stars” with a starring role in “Red Carpet Readers,” Littleton’s own twist on the Accelerated Reader Production.

“As students reported to class, they were greeted by their greatest fans; their teachers, office workers, paraprofessionals, custodians, administrators, and volunteers,” said Cooper.

Third grader Erin Ramey was excited about going back to school at Littleton Elementary. Staff literally rolled out a red carpet to welcome students back.

“Our first week and throughout the school year, students will engage in Kagan Cooperative Learning Activities, AIMS Science, and work on their shiny, brand new SMART Board,” Cooper said. “As our school experienced a technology upgrade over the summer, teachers attended in-service training on how to use SMART Boards to keep students engaged in fun activities that enhance their learning experience.

“Our year is well planned with exciting opportunities for our students. Our community can look forward to students working hard to improve the quality of life for all those who live in North Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Our school received a $6,500 grant to support Student Service Learning. Students will learn to grow vegetables, teach others to grow them and help distribute their garden’s bounty to needy families in our area.”

Students will also learn water conservation and land preservation strategies to help the environment. “Our Littleton Lariats and Lace group will continue to entertain the community with their line dancing,” Cooper said. “We will welcome the return of our clubs on campus including the Book Club, Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Clubs, Reader’s Theater Club, Environmental Science Club, and Runner’s Club.”

As Littleton maintains its focus on quality teaching and learning, he said, teachers will continue to strive to learn new and improved methods of teaching to challenge and engage students at their own individual level. “Our students will have ample opportunities to conquer whatever challenges they choose to undertake. It’s a great day to be a Littleton Owl!”

Principal Kelly Thornton of Hancock Creek Elementary School talked about her school’s plans.

“During the first week of school, our teachers work very hard to establish relationships with students and parents. They will try to initiate contact with every parent either at our open house or by phone. Much of the first week for students is spent learning routines and expectations so that they are off to a successful year.”

Math and science will be highlighted at the school this year.

“We are very excited with our new math program and look forward to seeing increased achievement in math. Our new science lab is up and running and will be facilitated by our gifted program teacher, Carol Evenson. All students will have scheduled visits to the science lab this year.”

“During the first week of school the teachers will be working with students to build a community of learners,” said Bayshore Elementary School Principal Lynn Herrell. “Students will be engaged in activities to get to know each other and all the expectations at Bayshore Elementary. Teachers will be assessing where students are right now academically and helping students set goals for their own learning.”

Traditions will be back at Bayshore. “This year we will have our annual school picnic and of course our Bayshore Survivor week,” Herrell said.