February/March 2020

Hello Baby Rattlers! I hope this communique finds you well as we are moving full speed ahead into our spring semester. As I mentioned in the January letter, we will be embarking into testing season which may be an understandably a stressful event for our students. Let’s all ensure our students understand and we encourage them to perform their best on all tests and understand this is not the final defining moment for them, but rather a snapshot of their leaning.

This letter also serves to provide a few student-safety updates. Student safety is our first priority at FAMU DRS. First, we will be conducting safety drills, as mandated by the state of Florida. This will help us better prepare in the event of an actual emergency. Please note, safety preventive measures do not prevent issues from occurring, but they do, however, help us plan and prepare for emergencies should they arise.

Our district, the FAMU police department, and others are committed to ensuring our facilities are secure and our students and staff are protected. We have taken many steps to improve and upgrade our safety practices, programs and procedures.

On behalf of district leadership and with the support of Dean Allyson Watson, Ph.D., the following procedures have been implemented to prevent security breaches and to deter incidents of violence in our schools:

A full-time School Resource Officer (SRO), Officer King, from the FAMU police department has been assigned to our campus. There are two security officers now monitoring our schools throughout the entire academic day. Officer King and/or another member of FAMU police is present at our evening events. All assigned officers collaborate with various school leaders and staff.

Our district’s comprehensive safety plans and security plans are being updated as needed to meet or exceed state mandates.

Security and school personnel are present before and after school to ensure smooth transitions before and after school.

We have a new sign-in process in our front office and visitors are required to have their photo taken when visiting our campus. All campus visitors must present valid identification, and unverified visitors will not be granted access to the campus. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Entrance to our campus is controlled electronically within the district offices.

All schools practice fire and security drills. Security drills include lockdown, shelter-in-place, active shooter and evacuation.

We have updated our camera systems and our campus is under daily, 24-hour surveillance.

Administration and staff participate in yearly trainings to stay abreast and informed of our policies and procedures.

FAMU DRS has numerous programs and practices in place to ensure students’ safety. The partnership between school, home and the community are essential to providing a secure environment. We encourage the DRS family to remain vigilant and report any inappropriate social media content or online interaction to school personnel. The most minute and mundane issues have the potential to negatively impact the well-being of our schools, students and faculty and staff. Therefore, we must work together to ensure the best outcome for our DRS family.

Onward,

Micheal D. Johnson

Micheal D. Johnson, Superintendent Florida A&M University

Developmental Research School

February/March 2020

Elementary School Student of the Month

Chayce Cromer

Chayce Cromer is a fourth-grade

student attending FAMU DRS. Chayce

is being recognized because he has

shown himself to be a well-rounded,

knowledgeable student. At a young age,

he is well traveled and is a sport

enthusiast. Upon graduation, Chayce

plans to become a professional athlete

and has the potential to major in

broadcast journalism to become a

sports commentator.

February/March 2020

Middle School Student of the Month

William Kelly

William Kelly is a sixth grade student who

desires to be a professional basketball or

football player. William, who has been at

FAMU DRS since second grade, is known

for his helpful attitude and inquisitive

nature. Upon graduation, William said he

plans to attend Florida A&M University.

We look forward to seeing great things from

this future FAMU Rattler.

February/March 2020

High School Student of the Month

Jaylin Love

Jaylin Love is a ninth grade student who is

new to FAMU DRS this year. Jaylin, who

has a pleasant and laid-back demeanor, is a

self-described “sports fanatic.” He enjoys

running track and playing basketball while

also balancing his academics. The discipline

and commitment required to be a well-

rounded scholar athlete will help him with

achieving his goal to serve his country by

joining the United States Air Force upon

graduation.

February/March 2020

Shanetta Ligon

This month’s Teacher of the

Month is Mrs. Shanetta Ligon.

Mrs. Ligon teaches social studies

and science to our middle school

students. Although this is her

second year at FAMU DRS, Mrs.

Ligon brings over 14 years of

teaching experience to the

classroom. Her positive disposition

and encouraging attitude helps to

make the learning environment

both engaging and fun. She also is

an Extended Day After School

Program teacher for students in

Grades 5-8.

February/March 2020

Veronica McCarthy

Ms. Veronica McCarthy came

to FAMU DRS in 2018 as the

Front Desk Clerk/Receptionist.

With over 22 years in the

FAMU Registrar’s Office, Ms.

McCarthy came out of

retirement to help meet the

needs of the many parents,

teachers, and staff who walk

through the FAMU DRS front

office doors on a daily basis.

February/March 2020

The FAMU DRS National Honor Society, led by Ms. Raquista Claitt, is a

nationwide organization for high school students in the United States and outlying

territories, which consists of many chapters in high schools across the nation.

Selection for induction into this prestigious program is based on four criteria:

scholarship (academic achievement), leadership, service, and character.

February/March 2020

The FAMU College of Education

Teacher Education & Clinical Preparation Academy at FAMU Developmental Research School

The Teacher Education and Clinical Preparation Academy (TECPA) at FAMU DRS is a strategic partnership

between the DRS and FAMU College of Education designed to provide enhanced professional development

training to admitted teacher candidates in addition to creating a direct pipeline of Education majors from the

DRS to the COE. Conceptualized by Dr. Rebecca Blankenship (ATE Clinical Educator Fellow), Dr. Serena

Roberts (Director, Center for Academic Success), and Ms. Temecia Shelton (Director of Field Clinical

Placements), the first phase of TECPA launched spring 2020 with the addition of required field experience

hours and class time at the DRS for pre-Education majors enrolled in EDE 1005 Introduction to Education in

addition to enhanced field clinical placements at the DRS for admitted majors. The second phase of TECPA, launching fall 2020, will be the establishment of a Future Florida Educators of

America (FFEA) chapter at the DRS open for students from 8th to 12th grade in addition to dual enrollment

Education courses for DRS students. Also anticipated in fall 2020 is reciprocal teaching and professional

development between DRS teachers and COE faculty.

February/March 2020

February/March 2020

STREAM ROBOTICS PROGRAM PARTICIPATES IN FAMU DAY AT THE CAPITOL

On February 06, 2020, FAMU's College of Education and our amazing FAMU DRS STREAM Robotics Program participated in FAMU Day at the Capitol. Mrs. Yolanda Foxx-Palmer, our FAMU DRS after school STREAM Robotics Program Coordinator, and FAMU DRS Scholars Ms. Kenya Walters and Mr. Malik Webb helped make the FAMU College of Education presentation table at this even an overwhelming success!

GIRL’S BASKETBALL TEAM WINS DISTRICT 1-2A CHAMPIONSHIP

Congratulations to Coach Ericka Cromartie, Coach James Brown, Coach Ravonda Claitt, Coach Crystal Jackson, and the entire Baby Rattler Girl’s Basketball Team! Using debilitating defense to jump-start fastbreak offense, FAMU DRS built a 28-point halftime lead and rolled to a 59-31 win over North Florida Christian on Saturday, February 8, 2020, to capture the District 1-2A title. The Girls’ Basketball Semi-Finals will be held at the FAMU DRS Gymnasium on Thursday, February 11, 2020 at 7:00 pm.

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ACADEMY STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN FLORIDA AG DAY/4H DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Led by Mrs. Cynthia Holloway, FAMU DRS students participated in Florida Ag Day/4-H Day at the Capitol, held January 30, 2020 in Tallahassee, FL. Students had the opportunity to get involved with the legislative process by meeting with elective officials, attending meetings, hosting opening and closing sessions, and more.

FAMU DRS SCHOLAR WINS ESSAY CONTEST

Congratulations to Miss Corrin Hobbs, a 5th grade scholar at FAMU DRS. Corrin Hobbs is a First Place Winner of the First Annual Eva B. Mannings “I Am BLACK HISTORY” Student Essay Contest. The competition was part of the First Annual Black History Month Festival. Miss Hobbs was honored during a ceremony to honor her and other winners at the Black History Month Festival Kickoff Reception. The ceremony was held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Historic Union Bank (formerly Freedman’s Bank) in Tallahassee, FL.

COMMUNITY PARNTERS DONATE TO THE FAMU DRS PANTRY

The FAMU DRS Food Pantry has been filled with 1,680 pounds of food, which includes noodles, assorted lentils and beans and other non-perishable items thanks to donations from FAMU DRS Community Partners, Tim Mosley and Tallahassee’s own Radio Celebrity DJ Dapp, Program Director of WWLD Blazin 102.3. Mosley and DJ Dapp joined forces to assist FAMU DRS students and parents who are in need of a helping hand throughout the school year. Through foundations like The Less Fortunate Matters, spearheaded by Mosley and The Loreen Mathis Foundation, operated by DJ Dapp, FAMU DRS is able to add to our FAMU DRS Food Pantry stock and provide assistance to students/families enrolled at FAMU DRS this school year.

February/March 2020

FAMU DRS FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA (FFA) TO HOST FFA AWARENESS DAY EXPO

On Thursday, February 20, 2020, FAMU DRS Future Farmers of America (FFA) will host an FFA Awareness Day Expo. The expo will be held at the FAMU DRS Courtyard from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Students, faculty, parents/guardians, families, and community members are invited to attend this exciting event which is designed to introduce participants to various professions and interests in agriculture, the environment, food science, and natural resources. We look forward to seeing you there! For additional information, contact Mrs. Cynthia Holloway at cynthia.holloway@famu.edu or at 850.412.5930. Vendors for the event may also register at https://bit.ly/2TTXLlD.

STREAM ROBOTICS AND ENGINEERING STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN “COLOR IN STEM: CELEBRATING IN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF

WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE” EVENT

On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, FAMU DRS scholars from the STREAM Robotics and Engineering programs attended and participated in the "Color in STEM: Celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science" in Jake Gaither Gym. Hosted by Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and sponsored by FAMU and several area partners, including Tallahassee Community College (TCC) and the Tallahassee Scientific Society, the event to provided young girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with opportunities to interact with women who are already successful in STEM-oriented fields. The event included mentoring and networking opportunities, as well as interactive STEM-focused activities to further provoke girls' interest in these career fields.

Allyson Watson, Ph.D., dean of FAMU's College of Education, and a featured speaker at today's event said, "as women, now more than ever, we have to support and teach girls about the endless possibilities they have in STEM careers… I look forward to energizing passion in these young ladies and sharing how they can shape our future in STEM.”

FAMU DRS VENOM CHORUS GIVES PERFORMANCE

On Monday, February 03, 2020, the FAMU DRS Venom Chorus, under the direction of Choral Director Andrew Thompson, performed at the Black History Month Kick Off for the Meek Eaton Union Bank.

FAMU DRS BOY’S BASKETBALL TEAM GIVE BACK

On Saturday, February 1, 2020, Coach Dione Desir and the FAMU DRS Boy's Basketball Team spent the day giving back to the community through volunteer service at the Kearney Center. Way to go Baby Rattlers!

FAMU DRS SENIOR SIGNS WITH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Congratulations to Baby Rattler Derrick McKinnon. On Thursday February 6, 2020, Derrick McKinnon, a FAMU DRS football player, signed a football scholarship to play football at Dakota State University. The signing day ceremony took place in the FAMU DRS Media Center. Go Baby Rattlers!

February/March 2020

Onward to Excellence February/March 2020