Mayor Awards Dunedin's 'Top Apple' Schools

Mayor Dave Eggers awarded several Dunedin schools during a "Top Apples Award" program this month. 

The second annual event recognizes Duendin schools or employees for achievements and contributions in six categories, according a news release from Pinellas County Schools.

Winners were announced, along with the following remarks from the Pinellas County Schools release:

Dunedin High School was recognized for Achievement in the Arts for "extensive success and recognition by the Florida School Music Association regarding the success of the DHS performing arts programs, including the Scottish Highlander Marching Band, the jazz ensemble, the Highlander symphonic winds, chorus, pipe band, orchestra, and advanced placement music theory programs."

Dunedin Highland Middle School was recognized for Excellence in Technology because of "Microsoft Office Certification for seventh and eighth grade students, with 100 percent of the students earning a Microsoft Office Specialist certification in at least one area of specialization, with others working towards bundle certification."

Garrison-Jones Elementary School received a Green Apple Award for its environmental achievements. The city honored the school's "annual canned food drive with students collecting the most cans of any school in the city."

Curtis Fundamental Elementary School received a Top Apple Award for Health & Wellness Initiative because of the school's "creation of extensive student and faculty wellness programs" including:

• "SPARK, which involves students participating in high levels of physical activity daily;
• Nutrition Bag, which is intended to encourage physical activity with the family at home, and
• Wellness Wednesday, where teachers encourage students to be active for an additional 10 minutes daily, above and beyond P.E. and recess activity."

Principal Christopher Bates (Dunedin Highland Middle School) received a Top Apple award for Visionary Leadership because he:

• "Partnered with the Greenwood Community and the Greenwood Substation to provide extra tutoring opportunities for students, 
• Initiated the “Heat Program” where students are called into his office to provide a personalized review of the needs for students who are falling behind in their school work, and
• Initiated extensive mentoring programs, including “Under their Wing” and the “Talented Two” programs."

Garrison-Jones Elementary, Curtis Fundamental Elementary School, Academie Da Vinci Charter School, and Athenian Academy Charter School received Top Apples for earning an “A” grade from the State Board of Education or improving their letter grade from the previous year.