DID YOU KNOW the city of Delray Beach has a full-time education coordinator and and Education Board that includes student representatives from Atlantic Community High School?

Janet Meeks, Delray Beach Education Coordinator since 2001, shared background on her position with the city at the Dec. 3 PTSA meeting:

In 1989 Delray Beach created an committee to study the challenges facing city schools, including overcrowded and outdated facilities, busing and lack of diversity.  As a result the city established the Sharing for Excellence in School program and recommended a permanent education advisory board. The city and the board advocated for the implementation of choice programs, including the Montessori program at S.D. Spady, and improved facilities at Spady and other schools to make them more desirable. 

Over the past two decades city has invested more than $10 million in Delray Beach schools and the environment around the schools, including parks, sidewalks and other infrastructure. 

As Education Coordinator Janet Meeks was involved with relocation of Atlantic high school 10 years ago, and the city continues to support programs at Atlantic, including the construction and criminal justice academies. 

The Eagle Nest construction program is a partnership between the city and Atlantic's construction academy. Construction academy students have built two houses that were sold to families with the proceeds from the sale funding the next house. Groundbreaking for the third Eagle Nest home is Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8:30 a.m. at 108-110 NW 12th Ave. 

In its second decade, the Education Board turned its focus to literacy and family involvement. The city joined the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to address absenteeism, kindergarten readiness and summer learning. The campaign has enlisted the support of non-profit partners in the city to provide an academic component to summer camp programs.

The Education Board is working with Carver Middle School on a matching grant program from the Annenberg Foundation. The city and the chamber are matching funds to build technology programs at Carver and a summer IB program to strengthen the relationship between Carver and Atlantic.

Visit the city's website for more information about the board and the city's support of schools in Delray Beach.

DID YOU KNOW the Atlantic Community High School Criminal Justice Academy has an annual promotion ceremony? The 2013 ceremony was October 25. We asked academy instructor Karl Milenkovic to tell us about the promotion ceremony: 

The yearly promotion ceremony is where we elevate those who are leading by example in the areas of academics, physical fitness, marching and leadership.

• Students promoted to corporal were Raven Peele, Gregory Wright, Nicholas Cooper and Lucas Pereira. 
  
• Sarah Long, Alexis Garnett, Mercy Lewis and Alieza Corona were promoted to sergeant. 
  
• Promoted to lieutenant were Louis Bonet, Ilyana Escalona, Kimberly Acuna and Evena Elison. 
  
• Avencia Pierre was promoted to captain. 
  
• Mariah Little was promoted to the highest academy rank.
  

The Criminal Justice Academy has a strong partnership with the Delray Beach Police Department. Students work alongside police department employees in the community at events such as Paint Up Delray and beach clean-ups, and providing holiday meals to the needy in the community.

DID YOU KNOW Atlantic Community High School has a graduation coach? 

As part of a new DID YOU KNOW? series featuring people at school, we asked graduation coach Mr. Len Peters to tell us about what he does:

I work in close collaboration with the other school counselors to help assure students are aware of their options for further education upon graduating from Atlantic.

This comprises:

1. Meeting students individually to look over their academic history, and support them in obtaining the best possible grades.
   
2. Counseling students in deciding which college or further education program is most suitable, and guiding them as necessary in the application process.
   
3. Assisting students in registering for ACT and SAT tests, and guiding them in proper preparation.
   
4. Assisting students in registering for the NCAA, and developing supportive relationships with their coaches to assure academic success.
   
5. Visiting classes with the junior and senior class counselors to explain my role, and the options students have after high school.
   
6. Meeting with students and college admission counselors, along with the IB counselor, Ms. Bruce. 
   

Students sign up at the Student Services office in Building 2 to see me, or else come by anytime they are free before school, during lunch, or after school.

My other major responsibility is working with Dr. Allen and Ms. Castellano as cooridinator for all comprehensive tests such as the FCAT, Diagnostics, EOCs, PSAT and SAT.

My goal in this position is to make sure every student understands the need for continuing their education after graduating, and to provide necessary support and counseling in the decision making process. I am working to create a vibrant career resource room where students can come and research academic and career options, work on their applications, and register for standardized tests. 

I have worked for 20 years in international schools in the UK, India, and Thailand as a teacher, counselor, development director, and head of school. I have extensive experience in residential construction as an electrician and lighting system designer. I recently completed a MEd. in School Counseling at the University of Massachussets Boston.

If you're interested in supporting the Career Resource Room at Atlantic, please click here to visit Mr. Peters' AdoptAClassroom page.

If you'd like to nominate someone at Atlantic for a future DID YOU KNOW? feature,  please let us know in the comments below or email AtlanticHighPTSA@gmail.com.