News
The City of Delray Beach’s local government education programs have been featured in a video documentary “Partnering for Excellence in Schools,” which was produced by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) - a professional membership organization for City and County Managers around the country and world. The video highlights the City’s 20 year partnership with local elementary, middle and high schools as well as the School District of Palm Beach County. The five (5) minute documentary was presented at the September 20, 2011 City Commission meeting and was featured at this year’s 97th ICMA Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where more than 2,200 attendees had the opportunity to learn about the renaissance that our local schools experienced.
The documentary provides the viewer with an understanding of the deteriorated state that our City and schools were in during the late 1980’s. It was at this time that the community, along with the City, completed a strategic planning process (Vision 2000) and determined that the key to changing the City’s culture was dependent on the improvement of our schools. Our local schools were broken and their negative reputation kept families from making Delray Beach their home. As a result, the City (even with some perceived community concerns) became fully committed to investing staff time and financial resources to develop educational programs that would enhance the learning opportunities for children within the City of Delray Beach. These programs helped to repair and improve our educational system to the point that it is now known for its excellence.
The video outlines the City’s commitment over the years to raise the standard of education and invested over $10 million in local academic initiatives. Through its partnership with the County’s School District, Delray Beach has helped to develop, fund and staff numerous successful educational programs, including the Atlantic Community High School’s Construction and Criminal Justice academies and Carver Middle School’s morning program and Civics Education programs.
ICMA selected the City of Delray Beach as one of a limited number of cities to profile. This video documentary was completed with the intent of promoting City programs and achievements to help raise awareness of local government best practices. The City of Delray Beach’s video, “Partnering for Excellence in Schools,” was featured at ICMA’s 2011 Annual Conference and is posted on their website.
About the International City/County Management Association: Founded in 1914, ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government worldwide. Its mission and vision is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional management to build sustainable communities that improve people’s lives worldwide. ICMA provides member support; publications; data and information; peer and results-oriented assistance; and training and professional development to nearly 9,000 city, town, and county experts and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. For more information, visit www.icma.org.
The City of Delray Beach has been selected by the Florida League of Cities (FLC) as a recipient of their 2011 Florida Municipal Achievement Award - Florida Citizenship Award. This award recognizes the City’s innovation and excellence in developing civics educational programs for the Delray Beach community.
The FLC’s Florida Municipal Achievement Awards are presented to Florida municipalities in recognition of their superior and innovative efforts in three award categories - Citizenship, City Spirit and Environmental Stewardship. This honor was awarded to Delray Beach for its Connecting with Our Schools - Civics Education in Delray Beach Program, which consists of various civics educational programs that are offered by the City to residents of all ages - from students to retirees.
The City developed four (4) civics outreach initiatives that offer interactive programs/activities to promote a stronger knowledge of local government. Included in this effort are the Residents Academy - Bi-annual course that has educated more than 450 attendees; High School Student Residents Academy - Educates high schoolers about local government functions and responsibilities; Carver Middle School Mock Election/Commission Meeting - Practical learning experience about campaigning, voting and the decision-making processes; and Palm Beach County Teacher Training Day - A program to educate teachers who then teach students the importance of local government.
“This award provides recognition for our long-term and comprehensive efforts in developing educational programs for our community,” stated City Manager David T. Harden. “We are pleased to receive this significant honor on behalf of our organization and our community.”
These types of programs contribute to the City Commission’s continued efforts to meet its Strategic Goal of “Quality Educational Opportunities.” Further, they serve as an economic development tool to strengthen the City’s competitive future by creating an educational environment that assists in preserving the high quality of life within Delray Beach.
The extensive civics and local government training resources and tools that are available from the City and the FLC are provided here on the City’s website. These tools are not only useful for citizens and teachers within Palm Beach County, but they can also be utilized by educators around the state.
Florida League of Cities - Quality Cities Magazine - 2011 Florida Municipal Achievement Award
This presentation provides information for elementary school aged children on how they can be more green and sustainable. This tool provides children in 5th grade and below with various green and sustainable concepts as well as some easy to play games that promote an understanding of the need to protect and conserve our renewable and non-renewable resources, including through recycling.
The City’s Green and Sustainability Presentation was developed to be utilized to teach our community members (of all ages) about the importance to preserve and conserve our natural resources. This presentation was used for the first time at St. Andrew’s School, in Boca Raton, to their 4th grade class, who was preparing to develop a persuasive essay on why people should go green.
Atlantic Community High School is proud to announce that six of their graduating students have received athletic scholarships to local and national colleges.
Wedley Estime, J’Rod Beard, Luther Maddy, Spencer Kashmere, Ezekiel Turner and Jephete Matilus signed National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Letters of Intent during the National Signing Day ceremony held at the high school on February 2, 2011. Parents, coaches and teammates were in attendance to witness this historic occasion.
Also present were City of Delray Beach Deputy Vice-Mayor Angeleta Gray and Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Clowney, a former graduate of Atlantic High School.
“It’s a defining moment in these athletes’ lives, and we’re so proud to be the place where they got their start,” said Atlantic High School’s principal, Dr. Kathleen Weigel. “Atlantic High School and Delray Beach provide the foundation our athletes need to have a successful life. Likewise it’s always exciting to have former players like David Clowney come back to be a part of what we’re doing now and give back to younger generations.”
Three students have been recruited to play football in Virginia: Wedley Estime & Luther Maddy at Virginia Tech University and J’Rod Beard at Hampton University. Jephete Matilus has committed to play football with the University of Minnesota. Ezekiel Turner signed to play football with Florida International University and Spencer Kashmere has signed with Palm Beach State College to play baseball.
For more information, please contact Amanda Orndorff, Atlantic High School Career Academy Coordinator, at (561) 266-0900 or E-mail at chapmana@palmbeach.k12.fl.us.
The City of Delray Beach and the Florida League of Cities offer the following resources for use in developing civics training and activities for students.
Civics PowerPoint Presentation
Mock City Commission Meeting - Election Rules
These resources resulted from the City's participation in innovative civics learning programs for students and teachers that were held at Carver Middle School during Florida City Government Week (October, 2010) and as part of the school district’s Government Training Classes for Teachers, held at Royal Palm Beach High School (November, 2010). The Florida League of Cities has more information about Florida City Government Week.
