Mrs. Amy Parks
By Jessi Robinson Cedar Key local Amy Parks was recently selected by Principal Sue Ice to become the ESE Teacher Aide, as well as the new CKS Cheerleading coach. Parks` position requires her to aide select children in the first grade classroom during their day-to-day activities. Not only is Mrs. Amy now officially a member of the Shark staff, she also attended CKS her whole school career, graduating in 1994. After graduating she became a substitute teacher on-and-off for almost eleven years. She said she`s "so thankful" to be apart of this school; the faculty and staff have always been so fantastic and cared about their students. Mrs. Amy has lived in Cedar Key her whole life and says sheá€TMd "never dream of leaving."
When asked about her goals as the 2009-`10 cheerleading coach, Parks states, "I want the cheerleaders to create more school spirit, not just at school, but in the community. This year we`re going to be cheering at both the Middle and High School home games. I can`t wait to see all the fans in the stands; Go Sharks!" Cedar Key Welcomes Back Cris Beckham
By Caely Hibbits Cris Beckham is Cedar Key School`s new K-12 physical education teacher and Varsity Boys Basketball coach. Cris grew up in Cedar Key and graduated in 1969. While in high school Beckham played football and basketball. He has said that his time at Cedar Key school has been "great because Cedar Key School is a great school."
After high school he played basketball for Lake City Community College and then went on to the University of Florida to get his degree in Excercise and Sport Science. Cris has one child, Wayland, and a grandchild, Tessa.
The last time Cedar Key had the pleasure of Cris as a faculty member was in 2002.
His goals for the classes are "to have fun while learning new things." He plans to keep field day for the Elementary students. On Tuesdays and Thursdays Coach Cris opens the gym for Open Gym Basketball. Anyone is welcome to join the fun. Cris hopes that by opening the gym he will "give all students more time to play and practice."
Seniors Leave their Mark in Marine Science
By Caely Hibbits
The Marine Science II class has begun their first project, in the Science lab, which is a portable building from when the school burnt down, too which has lockers. These lockers have accumulated rust and the paint has chipped over the years. On the first day of school the five seniors who are in the class decided that they would like to paint the lockers. "As everything else goes it was a harder task then we thought it would be" stated Sara Miller.
The class made a list of paint colors and the next day Mr. Whitman arrived to class with sand paper, primer, and the colors asked for. The project had begun. Caely Hibbits, Sara Miller, and Zoe Stuber began sanding the lockers by hand, while Frankie Beckham and Aaron Esposito got the automatic sander working. By Wednesday afternoon Mr. Whitman had brought a grinder which Aaron says to "have had too much fun with!"
After the inside and outside of the lockers were sanded the students with, Mr. Whitman`s guidance, began to paint the primer coat. This project is continuing through the next week and maybe the week after due to a shortened class period. After the students color the lockers they plan to paint other objects that have to do with marine science, sign their names, and label them with "Class of 2010." Chiefland Graduate Begins Teaching at Cedar Key
By Zoe Stuber
Cedar Key School has several new teachers for the 2009-2010 school year, one of whom is Mrs. Penny Bailey, who is filling the Business Education teaching position. She graduated from Chiefland High School in 1997. After high school she went on to study at the University of South Carolina Aiken and earned her bachelors degree in Business Administration.
A few years after she graduated from college, Mrs. Bailey decided that teaching was something she wanted pursue. "So, I did!" she jokes.
Her goals for her classes, Administrative Office Technology and Business Software Applications are to have the students become industry certified in Microsoft programs. "This will give them more opportunities after high school."
Biz Paeth, the retired business teacher, also handed down the position of sponsor of Cedar Key`s Future Business Leaders of America club (FBLA). Mrs. Bailey plans to increase the number of fundraising project so that the club members can participate in more conferences and competitions throughout the school year.
Although she lived in South Carolina during her college years, Mrs. Bailey has lived the rest of her life in Levy County. The job opening during the summer brought her back to the county where she grew up. She says she really likes the city of Cedar Key, "the small community and relaxed lifestyle." She moved here with her husband and three daughters to begin her first year of teaching. She has high hopes for this school year saying, "I am so happy to be teaching at Cedar Key School. I couldn`t have dreamed of a better place to start teaching!" Meet Mr. G
By Claire Brown Mr. Richard Glinert, known as "Mr. G" to his students, is the new High School Algebra teacher. Mr. Glinert grew up in New Rochelle, New York and attended college at the University of Arizona. When asked what year he graduated, he simply stated, with a laugh, "a long time ago."
Mr. G has been teaching for six years. He has experience in all Middle and High school math and algebra courses. He taught at Marathon High School in the Keys and at a school for youth who are in trouble with the law before coming to CKS.
He said he was inspired to begin teaching by his mother-in-law who taught for over 30 years in kindergarten and first grade. He says that he enjoys using a hands-on approach in his classroom and also likes to take advantage of any tools available to him including overhead projectors, whiteboards, etc.
This past April, Mr. G decided he wanted to come to CKS because he wanted to move back to Florida to be closer to his family. Mr. Glinert said he likes the people of Cedar Key. They`re "warm, friendly, outgoing, and eager to help," he states. He also compliments Cedar Key by saying, "I have been fortunate to travel to several continents, so I am familiar with many cultures. The U.S. has a lot to offer and Cedar Key is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited!" |
