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SRQ DAILY May 6, 2023

Saturday Perspectives Edition

Saturday Perspectives Edition

"With grade point average and a strong résumé being conventional magnets for scholarship dollars, many of these students, who appear average on those metrics, lose out. "

- Roxie Jerde, Community Foundation of Sarasota County
 

[Education]  Appreciate Teachers in May—and All the Other Months
Jennifer Vigne, jvigne@edfoundationsrq.org

Recognition days, weeks and months are important reminders for breaking us out of our busy routines to reflect on, express gratitude or do something for people and causes essential to our community, our country and even our world. 

In May, attention turns to teachers and the Education Foundation of Sarasota County is grateful that so many people recognize and celebrate teachers and the essential role they play in the lives of their students and in our community. We are honored to support and highlight teachers all year long.  

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—relationships matter. Most of us can easily recall someone in our own lives who made a difference and we understand keenly that the power of a single trusting and caring adult supporting and uplifting a student cannot be overstated.     

The best teachers nourish each and every student. In K–12 classrooms across the district, teachers encourage their students to find their voices and take risks. They revel in the back and forth between student and teacher as questions are posed, claims are defended, and learning happens. In doing this, they model ownership of the material, respect, citizenship, and critical thinking.

Sarasota County is lucky to have so many great teachers committed to fostering classrooms that unite students and help them all realize their full potential. And the Education Foundation is honored to support, celebrate, and highlight these teachers every day.

This past week, thanks to generous donors, we held a teacher appreciation raffle. Each day, we gave away as many as 50 prizes to teachers across the county. We are grateful to everyone who provided gifts for this raffle. Each gift is a token of the deep appreciation the community has for teachers.

In addition to the raffle, in newspaper ads and through social media, we’ve asked the community to share stories about teachers who have made a difference. It is so heartening to hear parents share their appreciation of the role teachers play in the lives of their children.

One parent wrote of Cranberry Elementary School teacher Jessica Meritz, “She does a wonderful job with my daughter who just moved states!” Moving can be so stressful for kids, and having a caring teaching makes all the difference. Of Meritz, another parent wrote, “She’s absolutely amazing! …She’s wonderful and kind and makes learning fun and easy.”

Of Heron Creek Middle School teacher Alyssa Rotondo, a parent wrote: “Teaching math to reluctant students can be challenging. She rises to the challenges every single day.” 

And a parent wrote of Venice High School social studies teacher Jo-ann Kerpchar: “You are a hero to our kiddos and we appreciate you!!”

Teachers are heroes. Their dedication, compassion and passion make all the difference in the lives of so many students.

Teachers, on behalf of the Education Foundation’s board of directors and our team, thank you for all you do. You keep our community thriving. And thank you to our community for recognizing and celebrating the essential role teachers play in Sarasota County.

Jennifer Vigne is president and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. 

Image courtesy Pixabay.

[Community]  Funding Futures: the strategy behind scholarships
Roxie Jerde, roxie@cfsarasota.org

This time of year is always abuzz with excitement as our community’s school-aged students wrap up their current grade with a feeling of accomplishment for all they have learned and how much they have grown since school commenced in fall.

For seniors, of course, the sense of achievement is extraordinary. As they are at a major turning point in their lives, they face opportunities and decisions of a whole new magnitude. Many are moving into post-secondary education, whether that means university, community college or technical school, with the goal of gaining the credentials needed to become contributing members of an ever-changing workforce.

For too many of our community’s graduates, higher education is beyond the reach of their families’ financial means. This is especially true in a landscape of inflation that places a great burden on the pocketbooks of many.

While financial aid via loans is an available option, those looking to bypass stepping into a sinkhole of debt upon graduating from college rely on scholarships as a bridge to their future. 

That’s where community foundations come in: thanks to caring donors whose philanthropic goals include making college attainable for a broader range of students, community foundations are a tremendous resource for scholarships provided to worthy students annually.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County announced its awards to recipients last week, the first announcement since the publication of the State of Scholarships Report in July 2022. The report, commissioned by the Community Foundation in partnership with the William G. & Marie Selby Foundation, identified gaps in college preparation and funding, and made recommendations for best practices for scholarships. Following this guidance, two key themes in funding consideration this year were equitable scoring and renewable awards

Equitable scoring includes factoring in the candidate’s journey prior to reaching this educational milestone. Many high school students shoulder responsibilities within their homes, like taking care of younger siblings or other household residents, that preclude them from participating in extracurricular activities—those activities like sports, arts or school leadership that make their résumés shine. Other households rely on students’ wages to make ends meet, placing pressure on students that can negatively impact academic performance. With grade point average and a strong résumé being conventional magnets for scholarship dollars, many of these students, who appear average on those metrics, lose out. The Community Foundation review committees accounted for these barriers in determining awards, viewing students as more than numbers and achievements, taking a holistic view.

Renewable scholarships within guidelines that candidates meet certain criteria, such as maintaining a grade point average, provide students with a stable source of funding. We have learned this type of scholarship is key to helping many get to the finish line. Vying for dollars each year adds a layer of stress and, sometimes, futility, that can end a college bid prematurely—not only does that deflate individuals who don’t accrue enough credentials to warrant the trek, it simply doesn’t make economic sense as a scholarship provider. We have enhanced our focus on renewable scholarships, this year awarding nearly a quarter of recipients with this type of funding (up from 15% in 2021). 

As the saying goes: “When you know better, you do better.” On the surface, it makes sense to continue the tradition of awarding the crème of the crop, but the story of what put those students in those coveted high ranked positions in the first place is worth examination. The closer look often reveals lifelong challenges that stack decks and entrench gaps in communities nationwide. 

Along with foundations heeding evidence-based reporting and current trends in higher education and the economy, we are proud to be a part of the evolution in scholarship awards, identifying innovative ways to leverage postsecondary award strategies. Cultivating and retaining a talented, creative, highly skilled workforce is one way to continue building our community into one that offers opportunities for all who call it home. 

Roxie Jerde is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

Image courtesy Pixabay.



[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Urbanite Theatre: 2023 Modern Works Festival , May 3 – May 7

2023 MODERN WORKS FESTIVAL Presented by Summer Wallace. May 3 - May 7, 2023. Urbanite Theatre. Back for the fourth time and returning to an in-person experience, the Modern Works Festival is a playwriting contest, reading festival and celebration of women in theatre. See all three finalist readings and become eligible to vote on the festival-winning playwright! Titles of finalist plays will be announced in 2023. For information contact - phone (941) 321-1397, email info@urbanitetheatre.com, website www.urbanitetheatre.com

Urbanite Theatre , 1487 2nd Street Sarasota FL, 34236

[SOON]  MUSIC: Sarasota Orchestra Outdoor Pops, Dancing in the Streets, Music of Motown , May 5 – May 6, 8 pm

Ed Smith Stadium will once again host the Sarasota Orchestra for its annual Outdoor Pops concert on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6. This year’s theme is Dancing in the Streets, Music of Motown, giving fans the chance to hear funky sounds from the height of the Motown era transformed into a symphonic experience. The program will feature hits made famous by artists such as Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder. Songs include Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I Heard it Through The Grapevine, My Girl,  Superstition, and more. The concert will conclude with a fireworks display, weather permitting. Tickets, starting as low as $15, are still available and can be purchased at Orioles.com/Spring or by calling (941) 893-6312.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: Family Art Making at Ringling , May 6, 10 am-1 pm

Family Art Making is a free program that's fun for the whole family. Join us for creative art projects inspired by an object in our collections. Afterwards, visit the museum to see that object in person! You will be able to visit the Museum of Art and the Circus Museum with your FAM wristband that is provided at check-in. To reserve a spot, visit ringling.org. Education Center at Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, ringling.org.

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: LOVN Community Walk and Learn , May 6, 10 am-12 pm

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County Community Health Action Team (CHAT) Coordinator presents CHATs, community-led groups that meet once a month in four parts of the county including Englewood, North Port, Laurel, Osprey, Venice, Nokomis (LOVN), and Newtown. We discuss health issues that people are facing and find ways to address them through projects or events. For the LOVN CHAT, we are hosting a Community Walk and Learn on May 6th from 10am-noon at Laurel Park. This will be a pet and family-friendly walk, where partner agencies and community members can come together and chat about health resources while walking around the neighborhood. We will be providing Italian ice and health resource bags with wonderful information from various organizations. Laurel Park, 509 Collins Rd, Nokomis, contact andremcclerklin@flhealth.gov for more info.

[SOON]  MUSEUM: From the Chambers Honoring John Sims at Ringling Museum , May 6 – August 6, Museum hours

In December 2022, the innovative artist, activist, writer, and filmmaker John Sims passed away suddenly at his studio in Sarasota. The tragic loss of Sims left a deep impact on the art world. His art, informed by mathematics, design, sacred symbols, and poetic text, boldly confronted white supremacy, the Confederate flag, and the deep disparities and division within our society. The Ringling is honored to have had the opportunity to work closely with Sims, who was their artist in residence in 2020. The exhibition From the Chambers, Honoring John Sims brings those two works together, on view publicly for the first time, in conjunction with John Chamberlain’s sculpture Added Pleasure. The exhibition serves as just one part of the significant legacy the artist leaves behind, in Sarasota and beyond. On view May 6 through August 6, 2023 in the Searing East galleries. Ringling Musuem, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota, ringling.org

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: PoetryMic at Bookstore1Sarasota , May 7, 2-3 pm

Bookstore1 PoetryMic will feature Jack Massa, Lois Betterton, and Bubba Henson with readings of original poems by local poets in the loft at Bookstore1Sarasota. Our PoetryMic series introduces you to a varied group of talented poets that live in and around Sarasota. But you never know what visiting, well-known poets may drop by the loft. Bookstore1Sarasota, 117 South Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Monday Night Jazz Cabaret , May 8, Dinner begins at 6:30 pm and concert begins at 7:30 pm

The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents the Monday Night Jazz Cabaret with the Scotty Wright Quintet performing music from Duke Ellington. Doors will open for guest to purchases dinner and drinks at 6:30 pm. To purchase tickets, visit jazzclubsarasota.org. John C. Court Cabaret at Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 1st St., Sarasota.

[SOON]  MUSIC: Grace, The Spirit of Aretha , May 8, 7:30 pm
The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Key Chorale will present a powerful tribute to Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, titled Grace, The Spirit of Aretha. This performance, which will feature WBTT artists Matelyn Alicia and Naarai, singing along with the 100 incredible singers of Key Chorale, takes place at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Show tickets are $35-$100 and are available on the Van Wezel website, vanwezel.org; reception tickets are available for purchase there as well or call the Key Chorale box office at 941-552-8768. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
[SOON]  GALLERY: Lake Club of Lakewood Ranch Art Exhibition , May 8 – July 31, 9 am-5 pm
ComCenter Lakewood Ranch hosts local art groups to exhibit in the main lobby area of the building. The exhibits are open to the public to view Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, and the majority of the art is for sale. The artists are usually treated to a welcome reception by ComCenter as well. The exhibits continually change about every four to six months so there is always something new to see and our ComCenter clients and their clients enjoy the ever-changing exhibits. The next group, The Lake Club of Lakewood Ranch, will be exhibiting for the first time at ComCenter from May 8 through July 31. ComCenter Lakewood Ranch, 9040 Town Center Pkwy, Lakewood Ranch, comcenters.net.

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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