High School Time Changes

High school sports may suffer next year due to budget cuts. Orange County schools changed the times that school started. The times for high schools and middle schools were switched so that high school students wouldn’t start until 9:30 and middle school students would start at 7:20.

Athletics on campus can hold practices from 6:30 to 8:45 a.m. Off campus sports can begin as early as 6 a.m. After school, practices and games usually begin at 4:30 p.m. and can last until 7:30 at night. For games, the schools have been utilizing Wednesdays (which have an hour less of school) and Saturdays.

Because of the accommodations that needed to be made for athletics, all clubs have been asked to meet during lunch hours.

Another sport has also been added to Orange County schools: girls’ flag football.

Budget Cuts for Florida Schools

   Schools throughout all of Florida are receiving severe budget cuts as a result of the poor economy.  Between this school year and the 2009-2010 school year, Brevard County alone will suffer a cut of over $14 million. Volusia with the second highest reduction will be losing $9.5 million. Orange County, although only the third on the list, will suffer the most. Orange County has nearly three times as many students as the other two counties mentioned.

   These budget cuts are evident in all of the schools, however. Seminole County will lose $2 million. Lack of funds have affected more than just the school’s teachers and administration. This year, Seminole County’s Hagerty High School ran out of athletic funds before the spring season began. This caused all athletes to rely on fundraisers for all of their expenses.

   Also at Hagerty High School, breakfast used to be free for all students. Now not only are the schools charging for breakfast, but the prices are going to rise next year. The lunch prices have already received an increase in pricing from the 2007-2008 school year to this year. It will now face another rise.

   Hagerty High School has decided to take action. All teachers have asked their students to write letter to the state legislatures and the governor. Some have even offered extra credit.

Relay for Life

Cancer SUCKS

hope..

relay cupcakes

   This past weekend I participated in an event called Relay for Life. Relay for Life is a 24-hour walk-a-thon for cancer awareness. The event I attended was at a local middle school, Lawton Chiles.  Lost loved ones are honored as well as the currently diagnosed and survivors of cancer.

   Every year local clubs, teams, and oraganiztions place booths around the track or walking area. These booths sell items, food, raffles, and more to raise money for cancer research. There are also games or activities that occur all night long to keep people awake and raise even more money. This year’s theme was “Cancer is No Fairy Tale”.  Surrounding the track was approximately 30 booths. Each booth featured a fairy tale and had decorations and costumes related to their theme.

   I was with the Photography Club from Hagerty High School and we raised about $300. Unfortunately, we started late and it was also our first year, so we didn’t do nearly as well as the other teams.

   There is going to be another Relay for Life in the Oviedo area on May 15th at Shane Kelly Park on Lockwood Blvd. The event starts at 6:00 on Friday, May 15th and runs into Saturday May 16th.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

 

 

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