Don Estridge High Tech Middle School

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Don Estridge High Tech Middle School
Image:Dehtmsdragoncrest.jpg
Established 2004
Type Public
Principal Karen Whetsell
Students 1223 [1]
Grades 6-8
Location 1798 NW Spanish River Boulevard,
Boca Raton, Florida, USA[1]
District The School District of Palm Beach County
Colors Red, Black, and Silver/Gray
Mascot Dragon
School hours 9:30 A.M. - 4:05 P.M.
School Grade A[1]
Website Edline

The front entrance of the Don Estridge High Tech Middle School.

Don Estridge High Tech Middle School is a technology-infused public middle school in Boca Raton, Florida that opened in 2004. Integrating technology into all aspects of education, using SMARTBoards (in some classrooms) , Classroom Performance Systems (often abbreviated as CPS), mobile laptop labs, and in-ceiling sound systems in every classroom, the school is able to infuse technology into every subject.

Contents

[edit] Courses

Don Estridge offers a range of courses including:

[edit] Core Classes

  • Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies (World Cultures, Civics, and US History)

[edit] High School Credit Core Classes

  • Algebra I: Regular and Honors
  • Geometry: Honors
  • Integrated Science I: Honors

[edit] High School Credit Elective Classes

  • Computer Networking I & II
  • Computer Programming I (offered in Pascal and C++)
  • Computing for College and Careers (formerly Business Systems and Technology)
  • Mandarin Chinese
  • Spanish I

[edit] Electives

  • Band (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and Beginner Band. Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band are both advanced classes, a student must be enrolled in either one to participate in the Jazz Band unless they play keyboard or guitar.)
  • Beginning Spanish
  • Broadcast Communications
  • Chorus
  • Computer Hardware
  • Computer Programming (Pascal & C++)
  • Exploring Technology (Required one semester elective for 6th graders)
  • Foundations of Technology (Required one semester elective for 6th graders)
  • Intensive classes
  • Music Theory and Keyboarding
  • Physical Education
  • Student Aide
  • Teen Challenges (Home Economics)
  • Visual Art
  • Mandrin Chinese

[edit] Extra Curricular activities

[edit] Sports

  • Baseball
  • Basketball (boys and girls teams)
  • Cheerleading
  • Flag Football
  • Soccer (boys and girls teams)
  • Softball
  • Swim Team
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball (boys and girls teams)
  • Track (boys and girls teams yet they practice together and have same season)

[edit] Other

[edit] Buildings

The main school building was formerly called "Building 051," south of IBM's main complex (now T-REX Corporate Center). After IBM abandoned most of their operations in Palm Beach County, it left vacant until being gutted into the academic building of the new school. Other buildings on the school's campus that were built new, include a cafeteria, gymnasium, and other small utility buildings. Also on the school's campus is the Safe Schools Institute, a branch of the The School District of Palm Beach County that is used for district training and can be rented out as a conference center. The Safe Schools Institute works with the school and on testing student management strategies such as CHAMPS, which is used as part of the "Single School Culture" program.

[edit] Architecture

All of the original IBM buildings, including the main school building, were designed by architect Marcel Breuer. The other buildings on the school campus, which were constructed specifically for the school, are designed to incorporate elements of the modern architecture of the original IBM buildings. These buildings were designed by the West Palm Beach division of BRPH Architects[2], and built by Boynton Beach-based Catalfumo Construction and Development, Inc.

[edit] School Dedication

The school's mascot, the dragon, was chosen via an online poll prior to the school's opening. This cartoon version, sketched by the school's band director, Mickey Gautney, has been abandoned in favor of the new "crest" logo.
The school's mascot, the dragon, was chosen via an online poll prior to the school's opening. This cartoon version, sketched by the school's band director, Mickey Gautney, has been abandoned in favor of the new "crest" logo.

The school was officially dedicated to Don Estridge (known as the "father of the IBM PC") at the school dedication ceremony on May 11, 2005. This event, which was attended by over 300 people, was simulcast to every classroom by the Broadcast Communications class. The same class, currently an elective at the school, produced a video which was shown at the event to promote some of the technology that used at the school. A central event at the dedication ceremony was the presentation of Don Estridge's own original IBM PC, which was previously in the possession of his family. Plans to showcase the PC in the school office are currently underway.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Boca Raton Area Middle (98-GG). Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  2. ^ http://www.brph.com/flash.htm. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.