| Every school district must strive for excellence. | | | | excellence. The programs are designated to attract |
| Orlando Schools are no exception. From Magnet | | | | students from across the district with transportation |
| Schools to new bus mufflers, from backpacks to | | | | provided for elementary and middle school students, |
| free or reduced lunches, the Orlando Schools system | | | | who reside in specified areas. |
| is working to continuously improve itself. | | | | Orlando Schools grades 9-12 magnet programs |
| BACKPACKS: The S.T.A.R.S. program (Supplies To | | | | provide unique personalized learning communities. |
| Assist Our Students) is the only program that | | | | These programs of study are aimed at increasing |
| provides backpacks and basic school supplies to | | | | student achievement and permit a student to focus |
| elementary, middle and high school students in | | | | on interest, talents or career goals. Middle and |
| Orlando Public Schools in West Orange County. | | | | elementary magnet programs in Orlando Schools |
| Students will have the tools they need the first day | | | | provide students with the opportunity to participate |
| of school. The goal of S.T.A.R.S. is to coordinate | | | | in challenging experiences that engage them in |
| community based and individual efforts to efficiently | | | | learning. |
| and effectively assist Orlando Schools students in | | | | MUFFLERS: An ambitious attempt across the nation |
| need so every child who needs a backpack gets one. | | | | to remove nasty and lethal ingredients from diesel |
| FREE/REDUCED LUNCHES: The Orlando Schools | | | | exhaust has taken aim at the tailpipes of Orlando |
| district is accepting applications from families who | | | | Schools buses. The original mufflers on 90 buses |
| want to qualify for free or reduced-price meals for | | | | have been replaced in recent weeks with a type that |
| their children. | | | | incinerates a portion of pollutants. That's good for |
| Applications are available at all schools. Orlando | | | | students, motorists and pedestrians who breathe |
| Schools families must complete the application and | | | | fumes from those buses. Dirty diesel exhaust has |
| return it to the school their child will attend. For more | | | | been linked to illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma and |
| than one child, one application may be used for all, | | | | cancer. Environmental improvements for other school |
| and it may be returned to any school one of the | | | | buses will come gradually because of cost and the |
| children will attend. To qualify, families must be at | | | | long lives of diesel engines. |
| 200% below the poverty level. | | | | Nearly 1,300 school buses serving Orlando Schools still |
| MAGNET SCHOOLS: Magnet programs have been | | | | don't have the devices, called "diesel-oxidation |
| established at Orlando Schools elementary, middle and | | | | catalysts," which cost about $1,000 each. |
| high schools to provide an opportunity for students | | | | "I wish we could get more," said Steve Huckeba, |
| to engage in intensive study in specific areas. Orlando | | | | senior administrator of Orlando Schools system |
| Schools magnet programs offer the opportunity for | | | | operations. "[but] We can't take education dollars to |
| students to discover their talents and explore their | | | | do that. |
| interests while focusing on strong academic | | | | |