Eight Brevard Schools Receive Florida Power-Library Schools Award

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA -- Eight Brevard Schools were among the 15 schools chosen as 2012 winners of the prestigious Florida Power-Library Schools (FPLS) award - a statewide recognition awarded to schools that involve their school faculty members in developing and implementing outstanding library media programs focused on student achievement, according to a news release from Brevard Public Schools. 

Teacher/librarian collaborations, supportive administrations, and dynamic library media programs are hallmarks of the winning Florida Power-Library Schools (FPLS).  The Florida Association of Supervisors of Media and the Florida Department of Education’s Library Media Services launched the program in the fall of 2008. 

After a rigorous review, including site visits, eight Brevard Schools were among the 15 schools chosen as this year’s winners of the prestigious FPLS award. These schools provide quality library media programs that encourage students to become lifelong readers and engage students in problem solving and inquiry-based activities.  

The eight awarded Brevard Public Schools are:

School	Principal	Media Specialist
Apollo Elementary	Dr. O'Kell	Melissa Slack
Audubon Elementary	Lisa Paniale	Kathy S. Crisafulli
Harbor City Elementary	Christine Moore	Coleen Ward
Hoover Middle School	Mollie Vega	Ana Woodbrey
McNair Magnet School	Rosette Brown	Julie Wales
Ralph M. Williams Elementary	Cynthia Ford	Joye Kralovec
Turner Elementary	Tanya Knowles	Sharon Justin
Viera High School	James Hickey	Beth Harris Eryn Worcester

According to the statewide study conducted by Dr. Donna Baumbach entitled Making the Grade: The Status of School Library Media Centers in the Sunshine State and How They Contribute to Student Achievement,  results showed that in schools that had well-staffed, well-stocked, well-managed library media centers student achievement improved and standardized test scores were higher.  The FPLS winners are committed to the standards embodied in this study. They are staffed by professional library media specialists, have excellent resources, and represent the “best of the best.” 

A list of all 15 winners is posted on the Florida Power-Library Schools (FPLS) site. The schools will also receive a large banner for display at the school and FPLS logo pins.  Throughout the next three years, these outstanding schools will serve as mentors to other schools in their district and region.

For further information, please visit http://www.fasmnet.org.