Education Notes
Back-to-School Block Party set
The School District of Lee County is kicking off the school year with a Back-to-School Block Party on Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bell Tower Shops, at 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers.
Presented in partnership with Safe Kids Southwest Florida, the event is free and open to the public, offering family-friendly fun for all ages, including a “Safe-to-School” Safety Zone, interactive games, a bounce house, giveaways, music and a visit from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, multiple school resource officers and Deputy Dogs.
The “Safe-to-School” Safety Zone will get K-12 students ready to roll for straight-A safety, highlighting important safety tips for pedestrians, bicyclists, bus stop safety, driving and other student-related safety recommendations.
Education Notes
State releases 2019 school grades
The School District of Lee County recently reported that the Florida Department of Education released the preliminary school grades for the 2018-19 school year.
According to the results, 60 percent of traditional Lee County public schools, not including charters, earned an “A” or “B,” an increase of 8 percent over last year. The district maintained its “B” grade for a sixth year in a row, however increased in total points, moving it within three percentage points of an “A” grade.
Eighteen schools increased their school grades, and 55 schools maintained their letter grades.
According to the Florida Department of Education’s report, The Sanibel School maintained its “A” grade, which it has held since 1999.
Seven schools dropped their school grades – a decrease of 50 percent from last year.
Lee County is the only district of the top 10 largest in Florida that does not have a “D” or “F” school.
Education Notes
Black named on honor roll
More than 5,700 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring semester.
John Black, of Captiva, a student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was among them.
The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in their college or school. Honor roll criteria vary among the university’s academic units. Some honor the top 10 percent of students enrolled, some establish a minimum grade-point average, and others raise the minimum GPA for each year students are in school.
Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.
Education Notes

‘Classroom grandparents’ sought
Training for the Foster Grandparent Program of Southwest Florida will start in July and August.
The program provides meaningful and challenging volunteer opportunities and community involvement for more than 150 foster grandparents to serve special needs and at risk children through tutoring and mentoring the youth in the classroom.
Paid stipend, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays, vacation and sick time included.
For more information, call Teresa at 239-332-5346 ext. 107 at The Dr. Piper Center for Social Services, at 2607 Dr. Ella Piper Way, Fort Myers.
Spiro named Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Jeff Spiro has been appointed chief academic officer for The School District of Lee County.
He began his new role on July 1.
Spiro is moving to chief academic officer from principal at Cape Coral High School. He will be responsible for developing and implementing a high-quality pre-kindergarten through adult instructional programs.
Spiro has served as an administrator in all three zones, and at all three levels – elementary, middle and high – of the district. His career started as a teacher at Caloosa Middle School. His first assistant principal position was at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School. Spiro’s first job as a principal was at Alva Elementary.
He has also been principal at Lehigh Senior High School and North Fort Myers High School, an assistant principal at North Fort Myers Middle Academy of the Arts and Cypress Lake High School, and executive director over all high schools, middle schools and JROTC programs.