TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Spreading Their Wings

ADVERTISEMENT

By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

dlwhite@tampatrib.com

Published: April 1, 2009

VALRICO - If the first day of spring wasn't cause enough to celebrate, students at Cimino Elementary School were given two more reasons to rejoice March 20.

They gathered on the school grounds for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening of the school's new living habitat, a $10,000 project funded by the Cimino PTA and the Odum family in memory of the grandfather of two Cimino students, Paul L. Odum Jr.

In addition, students, parents, faculty and staff recently were notified that the school had been named Florida's 2009 State School of Character and is a nominee for the National School of Character Award.

"It's been an exciting month here," Principal Deborah Talley said as she prepared to help cut the ribbon for the living habitat, a screened structure that will be home to an assortment of bugs, butterflies and flowers. "We were very surprised to hear we'd been named the State School of Character. It's the first time a school in Hillsborough County ever received the award, and it's quite an honor."

The award is presented by the Golden Rule Foundation to schools with outstanding character education initiatives, student behavior, school climate and academic performance. Winners receive grants of up to $10,000 based on student population and the character education program, said Linda Cobbe, spokeswoman for the Hillsborough County School District.

Talley was quick to give credit to Cimino guidance counselor Debbie Minichbauer for undertaking the lengthy application process to nominate the school for the award.

A foundation committee assigned to review the applications chose Cimino based on the seven-year-old school's emphasis on its motto, "Catch the Character Fever," which focuses on six core ethical values: respect, responsibility, honesty, patriotism, caring and thankfulness.

The character traits students study change four times a year. Expected behaviors demonstrating each trait are outlined in lesson plans and serve as guides for weekly activities, service projects and schoolwide programs.

Cimino representatives will receive the 2009 State School of Character award at a luncheon May 20 in Orlando.

"We're very proud to represent Hillsborough County," Talley said.

She said the living habitat goes hand-in-hand with many of the values emphasized at the school, including respect, responsibility and caring.

The PTA began the project last year under the chairmanship of PTA board member Christine Oliver. The group raised $5,000 for the structures and another $5,000 for plants, butterflies, larvae, landscaping materials, wood for the plant holders, plaques and a sign.

Students were invited to submit ideas for names for the habitat. The school then voted and chose Cougar Creatures Vivarium. The students who submitted the winning names - Sarah Overly, who suggested "Cougar Creatures," and Constantino Muniz, who proposed "Vivarium" - won the honor of helping Talley cut the ribbon and getting their handprints permanently imprinted in paving stones.

Runners-up in the contest have their names and their submissions inscribed on brass plates that adorn wood benches inside the habitat. Among them were Olivia Hernandez, who suggested "Look and Learn Garden;" siblings Katherine and Haley Jones, who offered "Cultivation Station;" Breanna Witt, who suggested "Cougar Cove;" Heather Wardrop, who offered "Wings and Things;" and Justin Daly for "Cougar Critters."

The morning of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Oliver and her husband, Todd, also a PTA board member, were affixing the last of the brass plates to the wood benches while 50 monarch and painted lady butterflies she had released into the habitat were still slumbering.

The wooden benches, she noted, are the handiwork of 19-year-old University of South Florida student Phillip Ondrovic.

"He made them all in just three days," she said.

Scott and Nancy Nelson, owners of Brandon Garden Center on Bloomingdale Avenue, advised Oliver on what types of plants to choose for the habitat. She included penta, lantana, Mexican petunia, salvia and Mexican heather, which all provide nectar for butterflies. She also added parsley, dill, basil, mint and butterfly weed to supply food for the butterfly larvae.

In the coming weeks, Oliver will introduce caterpillars and ladybugs so students can study the stages of metamorphosis through child-friendly magnifying glasses strategically located throughout the habitat.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT