Florida State Senator Don Gaetz: Bluewater Elementary Cited as ‘Best of Best’ by Florida Senate
Aug 28, 2009
The Office of Florida Senator Don Gaetz issued the following press release on August 27, 2009:
Bluewater Elementary Cited as “Best of Best” by Florida Senate
The students of Bluewater Elementary School have a reason to be proud today. The school was honored by Senate President Jeff Atwater and Senator Don Gaetz as “The Best of the Best” among the state’s public schools.
Atwater (R-Palm Beach) joined Gaetz at the Niceville school this afternoon to praise Principal Janet Norris, staff, volunteers, parents and students for leading the state in math and writing and scoring near the top in science and reading, as measured by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
The school now proudly displays an impressive framed citation from the Florida Senate, signed by both Atwater and Gaetz.
In 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and again in 2009, Okaloosa County was the top performing school district in Florida. During the most recently completed school year Okaloosa had the highest composite FCAT scores and the highest percentage of A schools.
“Okaloosa schools have led the way forward in Florida with higher standards and effective teaching,” Atwater said. “Bluewater Elementary deserves special recognition because their teaching faculty, dynamic principal and involved families are the best performers in the best school system in our state.”
The Senate President paid special tribute to General Gary Turner, chairman of the school advisory council, and Amy Moye, Bluewater’s PTO president. Atwater’s wife, Carole, is a teacher and the Atwaters are public school parents. “Caring, concerned parents who become deeply involved in their own children’s education and give their time and skills to the school can transform good into great. Clearly, that’s what’s happened at Bluewater.”
The recognition of Bluewater was more than routine for Senator Gaetz. His children attended the school. He served as Bluewater’s school advisory council chairman before being elected to the Okaloosa School Board and then as Superintendent of Schools.
“Every school in our county has contributed to Okaloosa’s steadily rising performance,” Gaetz said. “With so many truly excellent schools, it’s a joy each year to see how much better nearly all of them are doing. The mutual support and cross-pollination among our schools and teachers is one of Okaloosa’s greatest assets.”