Updated: 12/11/2023 2:40PM

GAINESVILLE, FL - A release issued by Alachua County Public Schools announced information received Dec. 11, 2023, from the Florida Department of Education.

A majority of the local elementary schools currently in ‘School Improvement’ or SI/turnaround status boosted their grades this year, according to a report released this morning by the Florida Department of Education.

Alachua (D to a C), Idylwild (D to a C), Terwilliger (D to a C) and Lake Forest (F to a D) elementary schools all increased their grades under the state’s revised accountability system, which this year was based on new tests and new cut scores for those tests. In fact, the state is referring to this year’s grades as ‘informational baseline’ grades.

Two other SI schools (Shell and Rawlings) maintained their grades, while Metcalfe fell from a D to an F. However, that grade will not affect Metcalfe’s current SI status.

Because of the testing changes, the new grading system for this year does not reflect student gains (changes from year to year), which are typically a significant element of school grades.

“No negative consequences shall result from these grades, as they are purely informational” said the state’s senior chancellor of the Florida Department of Education Adam Miller in an email to Florida’s superintendents. “However, a school may receive the benefits of these grades, in terms of qualifying for School Recognition and/or exiting turnaround status.” (Schools qualify for School Recognition by increasing their overall grade or maintaining an A grade.)

Alachua, Idylwild and Terwilliger will all move out of SI status as a result of the new grades, while Lake Forest will have an opportunity to move out based on its 2024 grade.

“It’s important to recognize the hard work and commitment of school leaders, faculty, staff, families, district personnel, our community partners and everyone involved in our schools,’ said Superintendent Shane Andrew. “This was a team effort, and we look forward to continued improvement at all our schools.”

Overall, 11 ACPS schools boosted their grades this year, four dropped and 20 remained the same, with 22 earning either an A or B grade. The district’s overall informational baseline grade for 2023 is a B.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

HIGH SPRINGS, FLA. – Just after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, High Springs firefighters were dispatched to the area of N.W. 142^nd Avenue and NW 268^th Street, in High Springs’ Oak Meadows neighborhood for a reported brush fire.

Upon arrival, High Springs Engine 29 reported a one-acre, fast-moving brush fire with multiple structures threatened. Fighting a southerly wind, blowing the fire north toward a mobile home, Engine 29 set up structural protection, to prevent the fire from consuming the home, while Brush 29 worked the main grass fire. Additional resources from the Newberry Fire Department and Alachua County Fire Rescue were requested to aid in the blaze.

Thanks to the quick efforts of firefighters, the fire was stopped less than ten feet from a mobile home, saving the structure and its two housebound residents. The cause of the fire is believed to have come from a legally sized outdoor burn pile that spread beyond the fire pit.

The High Springs Fire Department reminds you to exercise extreme caution when burning outside. Pay attention to weather conditions and have a water source nearby. Burn piles must be 8 feet in diameter or less, 25 feet from your home, 25 feet from any wildlands or brush, 50 feet from a public road, and 150 feet from other occupied buildings. To learn more about burning outdoors in Florida, visit FloridaForestService.com

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

Donation from local broadband provider used to purchase Walmart Gift Cards for families in need

 HIGH SPRINGS – Today, representatives from Cox Communications (Cox) presented High Springs Police Chief J. Antoine Sheppard with gift cards totaling $4,000 to support Operation Holiday Cheer. The gift cards will be distributed through the Police Department’s annual holiday-giving initiative to families in need of a little extra support this holiday season.

“Private and public partnerships are essential during community outreach. Through this relationship, we all win by giving back”, said High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard.

“In my mind, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without good food to share with family and friends,” said Aimee Pfannenstiel, Central Florida market vice president for Cox. “When we learned of the opportunity to enhance the Operation Holiday Cheer program by providing funds to also feed families in need, it was an easy yes.”

The High Springs Police Department with the help of our wonderful community has been overseeing the Holiday Cheer program annually for many years. The program works with the local schools to coordinate a list of candidates to receive items each year around the holiday season to spread Christmas magic and cheer.

Cox expanded its services into High Springs earlier this year. Currently, more than 500 homes now have access Cox’s fiber broadband network, with plans for more than 1,500 more to be connected throughout 2024.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com