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State honors Adams Middle

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: July 29, 2009

FOREST HILLS - The state education department and Florida Parent Teacher Association singled out an Adams Middle reading program as one of 10 outstanding parent programs.

The 2009 Parent Involvement Award winners were named earlier this month during the PTA's annual leadership conference, held in Tarpon Springs.

The awards recognize different ways to involve families in schools, including volunteering, learning at home, helping the community, communication and policy making. Two winning projects were listed for each of the five PTA regions in the state.

Adams, which is in region IV, attracted attention for "Extreme Read Warrior Style." The Hillsborough school district and its nonprofit volunteer arm also highlighted the student-parent-teacher book club earlier this year.

Extreme Read started eight years ago for eighth-graders and has grown into a school-wide effort. About 150 people participated this year. They split into groups and read one of five books that media specialist Abby Dyer and teaching teams chose.

Everyone has a month to finish the book before gathering in the Adams cafeteria for a roundtable discussion and presentation about what they learned, and pizza.

The other region IV winner was a Polk County elementary reading program for bilingual students.

The Florida PTA is made up of more than 1,300 local units.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (727) 451-2343.

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