My children's public elementary school is excellent

My three kids go to an excellent public school -- Ozona Elementary in Palm Harbor, Florida.  Today I was volunteering in my daughter's 3rd grade class as I usually do on Thursdays, but instead of grading homework I got to flip the pages of a book while a CD played James Earl Jones reading the story.  The book was The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, by  Susan Wojciechowski,  and Patrick James Lynch
, and it is a beautiful book.

Nothing really blog worthy about the event, except we hear so much about how nutty the public schools have become, and how Christmas has been expunged from "The Holidays."  Well, I'm happy to report that at least one school in Florida, nice Christmas books with a mildly religious message are still on the menu.

Bravo.  Special Double Bravo to Ozona's new Principal, Mrs. Kerry Apuzzo, for maintaining a tradition and standard of excellence.

I've been having so much fun volunteering I've started pondering becoming a teacher myself.  Haven't figured out how to handle the cut in pay, but that's the only thing stopping me.

And the teacher said I could read a book to the kids all by myself next time.  I do a very unique Rainbow Fish -- I call him Comrade Rainbow Fish and I do the whole book in outrageous Russian accent to bring across good Soviet moral of story.  My version of first sentence:

Long vay out in deep blue sea lived fish.  Not just ordinary fish, but most beautiful fish in entire ocean.  Scales every shade of blue and green and purple, with sparkling silver scales among dem....

But that's another post.  For this I just wanted to say "Well done" to the teachers and staff of Ozona Elementary School, Home of the Ospreys.

Comments

[Mikey]

You like that, You'll love Mary Pope Osbourne's Magic Treehouse series

[silvermine]

Comrade Rainbow Fish! Excellent!!! I was really bothered by that book... ;)

[pedro]

I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one bothered by The Comrade Rainbow -- The Good Little Soviet Fish book.

[Sarah Mashburn]

Hello?

I´m not sure who this page belongs to (an Ozona mother?) or what it´s all about - but it´s GREAT!
I was doing a Google search trying to find Kerry Apuzzo´s email address (she was my 5th grade teacher in 1995) - and your site came up, since you gave her ´Special Bravo.´ :)

So my message to you is two fold.
First - if you see Mrs. Apuzzo - tell her I said HELLO ... when she gets a funny look on her face as to our connection, please tell her this interesting encounter :) And tell her I miss her dearly and want to do lunch!

Second - you seem like an amazing person I´d love to meet. Almost everyone associated with Ozona magically is. Your travels, accomplishments, family, and displayed personality intrigue and inspire me. I grew up in Palm Harbor, Hidden Lake actually (very close to Crystal Beach) and miss it dearly. It was the best place to grow up ... and Ozona was the best experience yet. I spent 6 weeks in Costa Rica last year, and have an upcoming month in Barcelona this July ... I´m sure we could find something to talk about :)

Best,

Sarah Mashburn
[email protected]

[pedro]

Thanks a lot, Sarah. You made my day. In fact, you made my blogging for the year. I'll pass your message on to Mrs. Apuzzon when I see her next. She does great work, and the kinder love her.
I'd like to get together with you, too. Let's meet at The Thirsty Marlin one of these nights.
And by the way, I'm an Ozona DAD, not a mom.

[Sarah Mashburn]

wow - 2 years?!
I googled myself (if you haven't done that, you really should) and found this post, and finally, your reply! Sorry about the delay!

An Ozona Dad - even better!!! :)

I've since been in touch with, emailed, and had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Apuzzo! And the Thirsty Marlin - aaahh, another person I know - Brian, the owner! I was just home for Super Bowl and Gasparilla ... now I'm back in Costa Rica - that's where I live and work now!

Pedro - what is your email?
Please shoot me one at [email protected]

DEF look forward to catching up - I'm "home" next in May!

Cheers,
Sarita

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