June 24, 2009 by Soma.

FAMU Environmental Science Institute

2009 Environmental Science Summer Camp Award Reception
Rattler Den, FAMU Student Union

Wednesday, June 24, 12-2 PM
Tallahassee, FL 32307

The 2009 FAMU-NOAA Environmental Science Institute’s  Summer Camp students (four separate groups) presented their lab projects and their video projects this afternoon at The Rattler Den in Florida Mechanical & Agricultural University’s Student Union Building. About 100 people parents of the students, summer camp staff, graduate students of the Institute and judges of the projects attended the function, reception, and the award ceremony.

VTS and another student were the presiding officers. They first welcomed everyone to the function and invited Dr. Roboinson, Director of the Institute to speak. Following the speech there was lunch. Then the student’s video project were shown and winner (group 4) was announced. Then the science project was presented. Finally the Summer Camp Coordinator presented all the students with their certificates and their trophies.

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June 8, 2009 by Soma.

Env Sci Summer Camp

Environmental Science Institute

Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU)

Tallahassee, FL 32307

The Environmental Science Institute at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU.edu) summer camp sponsored both by FAMU ESI and National Oceanic and Atmospheric  Administration started in earnest today.

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May 28, 2009 by Soma.

Eighth Grade Graduation Ceremony 

Betton Hills Preparatory School
Thursday, May 28, 2009, 2-4:30 PM
Goodwood Gardens & Museum
1600 Miccosukee Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308

Early in the afternoon I picked VTS and we all went to Sears Portait Studios for a family portrait. After the session we selected some photos to be printed and deliverd to us in about 15 days. Then we headed toward Goodwood Gardens and Museum at 1600 Miccosukke Road for  the Betton Hills Preparatory School’s eighth grade (10th year of graduating 8th graders) ceremony. The graduation was scheduled between 2 and 4:30 pm. The class photographs couldn’t be taken at 2 pm due to heavy rains the photographer showed up late and they took the class photos at 4 pm.

The ceremony began at 3 PM. Eighth grade techers Mr Scott, Ms Erica and Ms Garner spoke, and then Ms Ilona Faust, Owner and Principal spoke and presented the kids (both 7th and 8th graders) with individual gifts, books, and diplomas. Then the children spoke briefly about the school and teachers.

Then class pictures were taken. Following the picture almost everyone went for a dinner at Little Italy Restaurant at Magnolia Drive.

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April 23, 2009 by Soma.

First Show of “Check Please”

Betton Hills 7-8th Grade Show

BHPS Field

Tallahassee, FL 32308

Thursday, April 23, 2009, 7-8:15 PM

The first show of Check Please, the 7-8th grade show was staged under “The Tent” in “The Field” at Betton Hills Preparatory School.

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April 21, 2009 by Soma.

FSU Town Hall Meeting

Askew Student Life Center Auditorium
942 Learning Way

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

3:30 - 5:30 PM

Tallahassee, FL 32306

Today there was a town hall style meeting about Budget Crisis at FSU at the Askew Student Life Center Building where the President, Provost, Faculty Senate President and Vice-President of Florida State University were present. First the President gave a talk about the situation, explaining the hole FSU is in. He also showed graphically how the general revenues have declined over the last three years and told that even the optimistic projection for the next two years don’t even fill the hole fully.  Then both members of the Faculty Senate addressed the audience alternating with each other. Once they presented their talks, the question and answer session began.

 There were five general area of questions and the first one pertained to Panama City Campus. Then the rest of the questions pertained to Deadman School of Hospitality and Golf Management. Later questions were about how will the students be able to complete the courses they were already registered. The answers to these questions were that no final decision has yet been made about closures and students already enrolled will be allowed to complete their courses.

 Once the on-line and e-mail questions were done, the audience questions were heard. The general theme was what was the reasoning behind selecting 21 programs that were targeted for closure. The Provost said there were no single criteria for their selection. He said that there were three proposals one of the proposal was what was published.

Both the President and Provost stressed that no final decision about closing any of the programs have been finalized. They asked everyone to concentrate on the political process rather than worry about the program cuts. But again and again the questions were raised why for example Russian languagae program has been targeted while the cost of running the program is minimal.

They asked people to call their Senators, Representatives, and the Governor first to reduce the cuts. Then they said we can worry about the program cuts. However, they stressed that FSU will be very different from now than it was 4-5 years ago.

Archived webcast can be seen at this link: http://mediasite.apps.fsu.edu/Mediasite/Viewer/?peid=a31b4966b6d3448db4c078006fdd326c (You need to have Internet Explorer or install Microsoft Silverlight to see the webcast).

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April 15, 2009 by Soma.

Proposed cuts a surprise

Tallahassee, FL 32317

The proposed cuts to programs in FSU came as a surprise to many. The extent of the cut rather than whether there will be cuts in the program was the biggest surprise. Everyone at FSU knew there will be furloughs or pay-cuts but no one was expecting such a large and deep cuts across the school affecting 21 programs (elimination) 15 programs for restructuring.

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April 14, 2009 by Soma.

FSU Proposes to close 21 Programs
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tallahassee, FL 32317

In today’s morning news both in print (Tallahassee Democrat) and radio (WFSU) everyone in Tallahassee learned about the proposed closure are about 21 programs at Florida State University. The proposal has been put forward by the FSU budget committee based on the expected reduction (not finalized yet) in funding for higher education from Florida legislature.

The news was a big shock to many since there were no indication that the cuts this deep were in the planning.

More links:

Tallahassee Democrat article Proposal
Tallahassee Democrat article Department Response

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January 30, 2009 by Soma.

Middle School Year-End Choir

Friday, January 30, 2009; 5:30-6:15 PM

BHPS Field

This evening we had the middle school year-end choir. It was conducted under the new tent accquired by the school. First Kindergarten kids performed their musical numbers, about four of them.

Then the middle school and elementary school performed their musical numbers about six of them. In some there were more students than the rest due to the need for saparanos.

Despite the cold weather it was fun to watch the kids sing.

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December 6, 2008 by Soma.

Ramayanam and Krazzy4 Preformances

Fairview Middle School

International Gala

Saturday, Dec 6, 2008, 12:30 PM

On this day Members of India Association of Tallahassee participated in two events that were part of the International Gala and Fundraiser for Fairview Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida.

Our group redid the Ramayanam skit in English second time today (first at Riley House Museum) at the Cafetarium in Fairview Middle.

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October 29, 2008 by Soma.

BHPS Career Day

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tallahassee, FL, US

Today was Career Dress-up day at BHPS and it was part of Red Ribbon Celebration week. VTS dressed up as a physician and went to school.

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