The Carlin Chronicles

January 2025

The Carlin Chronicles
A District Hits Newsletter on the School District’s Priorities.

Teacher with a studentEnsure Safe and Secure Schools

Safe Start Initiative Proposed for 2025-2026 School Year

The School District of Lee County has proposed the Safe Start Initiative for the 2025-2026 school year starting in August. Pending Board approval, the Safe Start Initiative adjusts school start times to align with the School District’s strategic priorities of safety, efficiency, and student achievement.

“I have challenged our team to think differently, to start looking at our challenges in different ways, to be brave on behalf of student learning,” said Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin. “We have an opportunity here to get students to school on time, and I am really excited about this proposal. Of all the things we do in our instructional environment, a high-quality teacher and more time are the only two variables that will improve student achievement.”

The Safe Start Initiative proposal creates three tiers of bell times instead of the current four. The proposed school start and end times for the 2025-2026 school year are:

Tier One

  • High Schools: 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • K-8 Schools, Skyline Elementary, and Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary: 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Tier Two

  • Elementary Schools: 8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
  • Includes Young Parent Education Program and Early Childhood Learning Center

Tier Three

  • Middle Schools: 9:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
  • Includes Buckingham Exceptional Student Center, Royal Palm Exceptional Center, and Success Academy 

“A timely drop-off and pick-up results in greater efficiency during the school day,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Nathan Shaker. “When students are not arriving late and parents are not concerned about the lack of a bus and picking their students early, it allows us to use our instruction time much more efficiently. We really feel this system is going to have an impact on learning and behavior.”

The three-tiered system builds upon the efficiency already provided to busing by proximity-based school assignment zones. Spacing school start times an hour apart allows drivers to finish one tier before moving onto the next. Students will spend less time waiting for a bus and more time engaged in learning. Drivers will be better focused on safety and reliability.

“We are currently setting our drivers up for failure every day,” said Executive Director of Transportation Jarriad McKinney. “Right now, we start with a deficit of 67 drivers every morning and it’s why we run late and need this new system. Three tiers does not decrease the need for drivers but instead increases their efficiency.”

Watch a presentation by School District staff to the School Board of Lee County on the Safe Start Initiative. There will be a second presentation at the 1:00 p.m. School Board Workshop on Tuesday, February 4.

Teacher with a studentIncrease Student Achievement

Gateway High School Student Awarded a Record $389,000 College Scholarship

Gateway High School senior Simpson Lin has always wanted to attend Duke University. The dream started with photos of his mother and grandmother visiting the campus for a tour and grew stronger as he learned more about the university and what it offered. He’s now headed to Duke in the fall thanks to the largest known scholarship ever in the School District of Lee County.

“When I saw the acceptance and thus the full ride that came with it, every cell in my body was filled with adrenaline,” Simpson said. “It was a surreal moment and while I processed everything I just stood there holding my phone and staring blankly at it continuously reading the sentence that announced my acceptance. I was completely overwhelmed and if my friend hadn't been there to share the excitement, I probably would've passed out.”

Simpson is the recipient of a Questbridge Scholarship worth an estimated $389,000. The financial aid package covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses. The QuestBridge National College Match Program connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships to 52 of the nation’s top colleges.

"We are delighted to welcome a record-breaking number of QuestBridge Scholars,” said Ana Rowena Mallari, Co-Founder and CEO of QuestBridge. “These Scholars will contribute a rich diversity of perspectives and experiences to our college partners, enhancing the vibrancy of their campus communities."

Simpson is considering a Biology and Medical Sociology Major, with a Minor in Psychology. His goal is a career that connects the medical and psychology fields to benefit society. Simpson is even thinking of creating a small business or start up on the side. He will be the first in his family to go to college.

“Never once had my parents doubted their choice of sending me to school and they were even willing to go into debt for me to receive the chance of a world class education” Simpson said. “Being offered this full ride is life changing, and I would even say it’s generational. It allows me to be a pivotal point of change for my entire family lineage and no words can describe how thankful I am to God and Duke for this opportunity. They have given me a chance to change the course of fate for my family and our future generations and for that I’m forever grateful.”

To prepare for Duke, Simpson earned his Cambridge/AICE Diploma in just his first two years of high school. Then he dual-enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University as part of Gateway High School’s Collegiate Academy. He says it started as a challenge to see how much he could achieve and then turned into a commitment.

“The Medical Academy at Gateway has been an indispensable part of my academic identity,” Simpson added. “It was the course that gave me a career direction, and the course that I have stuck with even after the switch from Cambridge to FGCU. No matter what year or what part of my High School career we look at, the Medical Academy has always been there to support me.”

Teacher with a studentIncrease Teacher Retention

Dunbar High School Teacher Named Finalist for CYBER.ORG Educator Award

 Dunbar High School’s Academy for Technology Excellence teacher Dan Trembly has been named as one of eight finalists for the prestigious Annual CYBER.ORG Educator Award. This recognition highlights Trembley’s exceptional contributions as one of the top cybersecurity educators in the nation.

Trembley has been instrumental in advancing cybersecurity education since the Academy for Technology Excellence first opened its doors in 2005. Under his leadership, students have achieved professional-level credentials from industry-leading organizations such as Adobe, Certiport, Cisco, CompTIA, and Microsoft. Over the past two decades, many of Trembley’s students have gone on to pursue successful cybersecurity careers in the military, government, and private industry.

"As one of the inaugural teachers in 2004, Mr. Trembley played a pivotal role in the early development and growth of our Academy for Technology Excellence program, which encompasses advanced networking training and cybersecurity acumen for high school students to achieve industry-related IT credentials," said Dunbar High School Principal Carl Burnside. "In part, his leadership has helped propel our programs to global and national acclaim. His recognition as a finalist for this prestigious award is evidence of his outstanding contributions to Dunbar High School and its students."

CYBER.ORG, the academic initiative of the Cyber Innovation Center, is a cybersecurity workforce development organization dedicated to preparing K-12 students for cyber careers. They provide career awareness programs, curricular resources, and professional development opportunities for teachers to promote cybersecurity education nationwide.

The organization’s efforts are supported by a grant from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This funding allows CYBER.ORG to develop and distribute cybersecurity education content at no cost to educators across the country. For more information about CYBER.ORG and the Annual CYBER.ORG Educator Award

Teacher with a studentEmpowering Parents as Partners in Education

School Choice Applications Now Being Accepted

It’s that time of the year again for parents of students entering kindergarten or moving up to middle or high school to submit their Choice Applications. The deadline to turn in your requests is February 28th.

All parents or guardians should have already received a letter detailing what, if any action, they need to take. There are five options:

  • PPL: This indicates your child has been pre-placed and no action is needed. If you want to switch schools, you must email [email protected].
  • PPL-OP: This indicates your student is enrolled at a K-8 school and preplaced at the school but lives outside the proximity zone and transportation is NOT provided. No action is needed to stay at the school, but if transportation is required, then a School Choice Application for a school in your zone must be submitted.
  • OP: This indicates your current school is out of the proximity zone and a School Choice Application for a school in your zone must be submitted.
  • CA: This indicates a Choice Application must be submitted.
  • RS: This indicates a rising student into either Kindergarten, sixth grade or ninth grade and that a School Choice Application must be submitted.

School Choice Applications are submitted through the FOCUS Parent Portal. Families, create a FOCUS Parent Portal or log into their existing one. More information about Student Open Enrollment.