WEST PALM BEACH — For the third consecutive year, Roosevelt Middle School in West Palm Beach has been named a 2013 National Magnet School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America (MSA), the National Association for Magnet and Theme-Based Schools.
Roosevelt Middle is the only school in Palm Beach County to receive the honor.
“This is a result of the dedication and hard work by the students, teachers and administration,” said Todd LaVogue, Roosevelt Middle School Magnet Coordinator. “It means a great deal to us to be nationally recognized for our achievements.”
To receive National Magnet School of Distinction, MSA member schools must submit a detailed application that is scored by a panel of educators. Every school with a magnet program in the county is a member of the MSA.
“Magnet schools throughout the country are being awarded for their excellence in demonstrating student achievement, innovative and engaging instruction and curriculum, community engagement, professional development, and a commitment to diversity,” said Magnet Schools of America Executive Director, Scott Thomas. “This is a competitive process that awards only a small fraction of the magnet schools nationally. Schools that win our Merit Awards represent the best in education, innovation, equity and opportunity for all students in our nation.”
Roosevelt Middle School Principal Jo Anne Rogers, who said she is extremely proud of the entire Roosevelt community, will accept the school’s National Magnet Schools of Distinction award during an awards ceremony at the 31st National Conference on Magnet Schools in Tulsa, Okla., May 5-8.
More than 30 engineers from Lockheed Martin recently visited the pre-engineering magnet students at Roosevelt on Feb. 21 in celebration of National Engineering Week, Feb. 18-22.
The engineers worked on a series of building activities with approximately 240 pre-engineering students over a five-hour period. The students were divided into small work groups and assigned the task of building a tower at least six inches tall that would support at least one can of tuna.
The only materials the students were given were toothpicks and Dots candies. The small collaborative work groups brainstormed ideas, agreed on a concept, and constructed towers of all sizes and shapes under the watchful eyes of the team of Lockheed Martin engineers.
Prizes were awarded to teams that achieved the goal.
“We learned real-world applications for engineering,” said sixth grader John-Mark Phillips. “We also learned that teamwork is very important when putting something together.”
Lockheed Martin engineers discussed the work being conducted at their Riviera Beach location. The engineers brought video, allowing students to see the products being worked on.
*Pictured above is Roosevelt Middle School Principal Jo Anne Rogers.
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