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USF Health Byrd Institute Brings Award Winning Play
Three Area Charter Schools To Hold Commencement Ceremony
The USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute has teamed up with African Amer- icans Against Alzheimer’s to host the award winning Gar- rett Davis play, “Forget Me Not” at 2 p. m. Saturday, June 27th at USF Theater I, 3755 USF Holly West.
The production is part of a national campaign to help ed- ucate the African American community about the mem- ory-robbing neurodegenera- tive disease and increase minority participation in clin- ical trials.
African Americans are two to three times more likely than white Americans to develop Alzheimer’s disease, yet they are less likely to be diagnosed. While Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, it is the fourth leading cause of death for
GARRETT DAVIS
older African Americans. Alzheimer’s is the only disease in the top 10 with no cure, treatment, or prevention.
A critical factor in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s is partic- ipation in clinical trials, the step-by-step process testing of
new procedures, drugs, or vac- cines for prevention, treat- ment, screening or improving the quality of life. African Americans make up more than 13% of the population but comprise only 5% of all clinical trial participants. This participation rate is even lower for older African Amer- icans, who are more likely to develop the disease.
African Americans Against Alzheimer’s spearheads a na- tionwide effort to increase en- rollment in clinical trials by meeting African Americans in churches, community centers, and through leading organiza- tions. The focus is arming African Americans with infor- mation they need to know about the clinical trials so that they are better prepared to discuss the option with their doctors and families.
On June 26th, 6:30 p. m. in Ballrooms C and D at the Tampa Convention Center, Ac- celerated Learning Solutions will be presenting a com- mencement ceremony for three of their charter schools.
Seminole Heights Charter School on Florida Avenue, West University on Fowler Av- enue, and Town ‘N Country Charter High School on West Waters will collectively gradu- ate 120 students.
Accelerated Learning Solu- tions Board Chair, James Simmons, said this is the first year they will be holding a ceremony for three schools.
“In 2013, we had ceremonies for Seminole and West Uni- versity. Last year’s ceremony was held in the auditorium of Hillsborough High School, and we quickly realized we didn’t have enough room for all the people. That’s why we decided to move over to the Convention Center.
“At our three charter schools, we specialize in giving students special attention, and we allow them to work at their own pace in a more controlled and smaller setting.”
Mr. Simmons said among the success stories of students who’ve attended the schools is one who went on to attend Harvard University.
“We may be the only charter school in Hillsborough County to send a student to Harvard.
“Our schools are for second chance students, and we’re looking to open another one to serve eastern Hillsborough County next year. We will also start giving our students bus passes to help them get to and from school and take some of the pressure off their parents to drop them off and pick them up.”
Mr. Simmons said the schools are operated on three shifts: 8 a.m. to 12 noon; 1 p.m.to4p.m.and5p.m.to9 p. m.
“Each shift has different stu- dents and different instruc- tors. We do this because it works for those students who have different schedules be- cause of jobs or other respon- sibilities.”
Mr. Simmons thanks the community for supporting the
JAMES SIMMONS
schools, and he wants to con- tinue to be a part of giving young people a chance to fin- ish their education in a setting better suited for them.
To enroll at the three Char- ter Schools, you can visit the school, enroll online, or e-mail an application to apply@als- education.com.
Seminole Heights Charter School is at 4006 North Florida Avenue; West Univer- sity Charter School is located at 1401 East Fowler, and Town and Country Charter High School is at 7555 West Waters Avenue.
All three schools are tuition free public high schools serv- ing students ages 16 to 21 who prefer a non-traditional learn- ing environment with flexible scheduling options. Students are given the choice to enroll in the session that best fits their personal schedule.
Every student works ac- cording to his or her personal- ized academic plan and receives individual attention and assistance from instruc- tors.
The teacher-directed com- puter-based courses make it easier for students to focus and track their progress. By re- ceiving immediate feedback, students become motivated to attend school every day and complete what they start.
Students are also aided in planning their next steps after high school, since a diploma give them more choices for college, employment, military service, or other career op- tions.
For any questions about the schools, cal (813) 234-0809, or (888) 437-9353.
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