North Port, Florida's Elementary "I" Searches for a Name

The new North Port elementary school is presently under construction and is due to open in August 2009, in time for the 2009/10 school year. It was designated to relieve attendance congestion experienced in Toledo Blade Elementary School. In 2008, Woodland Middle School opened and included fifth graders to also help alleviate the overcrowding at Toledo Blade Elementary School.

The new school has utilized the services of BRPH Architects/Engineers of Fort Myers, Florida, and Jon F. Swift General Contractors of Sarasota, Florida, a popular choice for the Sarasota County School Board's new school construction projects. The structure will be designated a Hurricane Shelter and seeks a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED] certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

With these construction goals and more student facilities on the 35-acre property, including various sports fields, the academic goals and planning have been equally ambitious and promising. A series of Town Hall meetings have been scheduled over the months of construction to receive ideas, feedback and answer questions. There appears to be one item left, the school needs a name.

Referred to by its working title, Elementary I, needs a name. A School Naming Committee has been formed including parents, school officials and community members. Students have been strongly encouraged to contribute to the naming process.

The School Board of Sarasota County's policy states that school should be named after the street, city or area where the school is located, or in honor of a person who has made a significant contribution to the city, county, state or nation. Schools also may be named for individuals who provide major financial subsidies for the construction.

Name submissions must include an explanation of the name's significance and why he/she believes the name would be important for the school. Submissions also must include contact information for follow-up from the School Naming Committee.

After the School Naming Committee has concluded on a name, it will be submitted to the School Board for the final approval. The Sarasota County School Board retains the right to deny any school name suggestions and decide on a name of the Board's own choosing, without Committee involvement.

Suggestions for Elementary I names should be submitted to Principal Kirk Hutchinson no later than Friday, March 13, 2009 at 4 PM U.S. Eastern time. Suggestions can reach the principal in the following ways: Email Kirk_Hutchinson@sarasota.k12.fl.us; Fax, Attention: Kirk Hutchinson to 941-257-2319; U.S. Mail to Kirk Hutchinson, Elementary I, 4701 Huntsville Avenue, North Port, Florida 34288

Sources:
Sarasota School District: Kirk Hutchinson, Principal;
Elementary School "I" Website