FREE/NEFEC Newsletter - February 2022

Foundation for Rural Education Excellence

Supporting Academic Achievement in

Rural Northeast Florida Communities

February 2022 Newsletter

The Foundation for Rural Education Excellence, a registered 501 (C)(3) organization, was founded in 1998 to facilitate philanthropic support for rural school districts of the North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC): Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, Suwannee, and Union Counties as well as Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and PK Yonge Developmental Research School. Working collaboratively, our mission is to enhance academic success and career opportunities for rural students in northeast Florida.

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ISRD Hosts Wonderful Winter Institute

The Institute for Small and Rural Districts (ISRD) hosted its annual Winter Institute on January 18-20 in Gainesville. The theme this year was LIGHT: Leaders Ignite Growth, Health, and Teaching. The Institute started with a motivational address by Garrison Wynn on “Change is Mandatory, but Stress is Optional” and ended with an informational address by Julie Weatherly, Esq. on “Options for Dealing with Students with Disabilities Who Present Dangerous Behaviors.” ESE Directors, ESE Staffing Specialists, School Psychologists, Social Workers, and School Nurses spent time collaborating and attending various professional development sessions offered by representatives from the Bureau of Student Support Services (BoSSS), as well as numerous Bureau of Exceptional Student Education (BESE) Discretionary Projects. The Institute was a huge success with over 155 educators from 32 small and rural districts coming together from all over the state.

NEFEC First Annual College and Career Fair

On February 3rd, nearly 600 students from numerous NEFEC districts attended the First Annual NEFEC College and Career Fair in Starke.

Nearly 50 representatives from technical colleges, four-year universities, state colleges, apprenticeship programs from all over northeast Florida, Jax USA, and STEM2 Hub also attended the event.

Exhibitors provided demonstrations of their programs and shared career opportunities for students post high school. A graduation coach provided breakout sessions covering graduation requirements, scholarship letter writing, and how to earn community service hours.

Students were given an event Passport to have stamped by each exhibitor as they visited each booth. The Passport also served as an exit ticket to enter students into a drawing for door prizes.

One of Interlachen Junior/Senior High School's counselors, Brittani Phillips, said, "I loved it!! The students were super excited! The students loved talking to the tech schools especially those that offer healthcare related programs. The National Guard booth was also a big hit with our students. We can't wait to go back next year!"

Participating districts included Baker, Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Putnam Counties.

NEFEC staff are excited about the potential for next year to be even bigger and better.

Annual School Counselor Forum

Over 100 school counselors throughout the NEFEC service region attended the NEFEC & ISRD Annual Counselor Forum on February 15th. This year’s theme was Next Steps: Preparing Students for the Future.

Participants had the opportunity to hear an inspiring message from Joshua Nelson, Florida’s School Counselor of the Year. The school counselors also had the chance to attend breakout sessions with a K-12 focus including Trauma Informed Care, MTSS, Intervention, Addressing Attendance, Middle School Career Planning, Reality Academy, College and Career Acceleration Tracking, and many others. Lunch was provided by Rethink Ed. The group left refreshed and recharged!