Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 11-8-19

Features
New Charter School To Open In 2021
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
A new charter school com- pany that’s coming to Tampa will have two campuses when it opens for the 2021-2022 school year.
Each campus of the Texas- based IDEA Public Schools will feature a K-2 academy and grade 6 to start, with other grade levels added each additional school year, said Julene Robinson, executive director of IDEA Tampa Bay.
Founded in 2000 by two Teach For America alums, IDEA’s curriculum focuses on college preparation. The IDEA schools will add to the 52 other charters in Hillsborough County, where nearly 30,000 students are enrolled, accord- ing to the district’s website.
While a building has not yet been secured, Robinson said the schools likely will be in areas where neighborhood schools are not meeting the needs of local students.
“This is really about pro- viding those students with real options,” she said. “When you look at Tampa, there’s not a lot of choice.”
While the locations have yet to materialize, principals for the schools have been hired. Those leaders are now in Texas participating in a year-long training program. Recruitment is underway now for teaching fellows, Robin- son said.
IDEA schools are known for small classes with person-
JULENE ROBINSON ...Executive Director of IDEA Tampa Bay
alized learning. Reading effi- ciency is heavily pushed at the kindergarten level, with phon- ics and decoding part of the curriculum.
It’s a strategy that pays off: about 90 percent of kinder- garteners move on to first grade reading at or above grade level, Robinson said.
But it’s not all books and learning. Students will have access to extracurricular activ- ities to ensure that students have a well-rounded educa- tion, she said.
Creating a “joyful school” that produces engaged citi- zens is the goal, Robinson said.
“It’s about our kids getting the quality education they need,” she said. “You build in the things kids love that brings them back every day.”
Officials will host town halls next year introducing IDEA to the community and learn from parents and stake- holders, Robinson said.
Visit www.ideapublic- schools.org to learn more.
Program Set For Minorities To Get Super Bowl Business In 2021
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
It’s anticipated that Super Bowl LV will bring mil- lions$$ into the Tampa Bay economy in 2021 and on Monday, the members of the Host Committee unveiled a program that will help mi- nority and small business owners get a piece of that pie.
A few dozen people gath- ered at Raymond James Sta- dium to learn more about Super Bowl Business Con- nect, the NFL’s special event supplier diversity and inclu- sion program that will serve as the clearinghouse for di- verse small businesses to compete for Super Bowl con- tracts.
Among the qualifying cri- teria, businesses must be cer- tified woman, minority, disabled, veteran, or LGBT- owned and have operated for at least three years. The com- pany must have offices in Tampa and its services must match requests from NFL contractors.
More information about the program will be shared next week at a workshop at Glazer Jewish Community Center.
About 300 businesses will be selected to participate in
Tampa City Councilman Orlando Gudes, Host Committee, co- chair Derrick Brooks, Bemetra Salter Liggins, Mayor Jane Castor, Business Connect Director, LaKendria Robinson, B. J Waymer rep- resenting the NFL, and Tampa Host Committee president and chair- man, Rod Higgins at the meeting on Monday.
the program, said Business Connect Director, La- Kendria Robinson.
Business owners also will have access to networking opportunities and business development, she said.
But most importantly, the program provides a way for the small business commu- nity to leave a legacy, Robin- son said.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor called the NFL’s ef- forts to envelope minority- owned small businesses into the Super Bowl “exciting.”
“Small businesses are the
backbone of the community, so their success is our suc- cess,” she said.
The Super Bowl puts Tampa on a world stage and Business Connect is “a chance to showcase the wealth of talent we have here,” said host committee co-chair Derrick Brooks.
“I’m glad I get a chance to be involved from the ground up,” he said.
Minority business owners having access to bid for Super Bowl contracts is in- credibly important, said City Councilman Orlando Gudes.
The Super Bowl’s last ap- pearance in Tampa 12 years ago left a sour impression with the African-American community, with many feel- ing purposely excluded from the contracting process.
Things can be different in 2021 if organizers are proac- tive, Councilman Gudes said.
“I think the key has to be information and we have to go out to the people,” he said. “Don’t rely on just a work- shop. We’ve got to go out to the people.”
Super Bowl Business
Connect Workshop:
If you are interested in learning more about Tampa Bay Business Con- nect, a free workshop will be held from 8 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center, 522 N. Howard Ave. Visit www.tampabaylv.com/bu sinessconnect for more information.
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