VPK puts safe twist on inaugural graduation ceremony
World of Imagination Center’s first-ever VPK graduation ceremony was nothing like anyone at the school expected it to be when it first opened its doors in August 2019. What the staff did, though, was start a new tradition that will be followed from here on out.
The preschool, located in the old First Baptist Church Learning Center at 402 S. Collins St., held a drive-up ceremony at 5 p.m. May 29 where the parents of 43 of the school’s 50 VPK grads were able to drive their kids down a parade line full of cheering teachers and school staff before getting handed a diploma at the end. Luckily for the school, the ceremony went quickly enough that all the cars beat that evening’s rain.
School director Taelor Highland said the ceremony has been in the works since April, shortly after schools were canceled for what would eventually be the rest of the year. Students and their parents were still able to stay connected with the teachers through World of Imagination Center’s distance learning program over the last few months, but the staff knew it couldn’t miss out on a celebration if there was a way to do it safely.
“We had to make sure we could acknowledge them because they worked so hard and they were robbed of this by COVID-19,” Highland said.
The parade was such a big hit for everyone involved that World of Imagination Center decided it shouldn’t just be confined to one year. Moving forward, she said, the graduation parade will be a fixture of the school’s programming.
“Our graduation parade will be a part of honoring our graduates every year because it turned out so phenomenal and everyone had so much fun,” Highland said.
Local teachers win funding from Sonic
Public school teachers around the country are reaping the benefits of Sonic Drive-In’s Limeades for Learning fundraising program, and several of them are from Plant City.
Six local teachers’ DonorsChoose online fundraisers were recognized by the drive-thru chain in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day, which was May 29. Sonic donated a total of $933 to their projects.
WINNERS:
Gavin Coleman (Advantage Academy-Hillsborough): “Makerspace for Improving and Enhancing Academic Potential!”
James Smith (Durant High School): “360 Degree View” and “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire”
Kim Huston (Durant High School): “Sign Language Teacher Needs Video Editing Technology!” and “These Students Actually Like to Read!”
Samantha Conley (Independence Academy): “Teachers Never Stop Learning How to Get Their Teach On!”
Jaclyn Reeves (Knights Elementary School): “iPads for Learning”
Joanie Petty (Knights Elementary School): “iPad Learning”
“Teachers across the country face new and complex challenges to keep their students learning right now,” Christi Woodworth, vice president for public relations for Sonic, said. “As we continue to celebrate teachers this Teacher Appreciation Month, we sincerely thank educators who are creatively keeping their students learning even as schools are closed. With Sonic’s $1 million donation match, we were able to help teachers obtain resources for their students and will continue to empower them throughout the year.”
Limeades for Learning has raised $16.6 million for teachers since its inception in 2009.
New road testing protocol announced
Road tests are about to look much different in the time of social distancing, Hillsborough County Tax Collector Doug Belden announced last week.
The new process for road testing, which went into effect Monday, takes the driving instructor out of the vehicle and uses Bluetooth or other hands-free communication methods to administer the test. Those in the driver’s seat must be accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older, who must sit in the passenger seat, and no one else. If the tester hears the examiner’s whistle, they have to stop what they’re doing and wait for further instruction.
“We’re utilizing the highest level of mitigation to reduce the risk of infection for both the employees and the customers,” Belden said in a press release.
Testers must have an appointment, a valid vehicle registration and current Florida insurance. Masks are strongly recommended to be worn. Customers with appointments will be screened before entry and will have their temperatures taken.
Visit hillstax.org for more information.