E VA N S C O M M U N ITY S C H O O L
Connections
Home of the
February 2014
Empowering students and strengthening the community for lifelong success
We’re excited to share how Evans Community School is fulfilling its mission.
EVANS COMMUNITY SCHOOL: BUILDING LIFELONG SUCCESS
Star
Student:
Cristina
Perez
“I am happy that I’ve
finally learned how to
overcome my
challenges. I’ve
learned to not allow
my past to negatively
impact my present.”
Find out how Evans
Community School is helping
Cristina face adversity and
strive for success
at
EvansCommunitySchool.org.
Jarvis Wheeler “Pays it forward” as Evans
Community School Director
Evans Community School Director Jarvis Wheeler grew up
here in Orlando, was an Orange County Public Schools
student and was raised in a single-parent home. During high
school, he kept a tight schedule working 30 hours a week at
Chick-fil-A and participating in varsity football and
weightlifting. Although Mr. Wheeler graduated from
Dr. Phillips High School, he spent much of his time in the
Pine Hills community with church family and friends. Upon his graduation, Mr.
Wheeler attended Florida State University (FSU) as a sports management major.
During his first year at FSU, he was paired with a mentor. Initially, Mr. Wheeler
was skeptical about the value of having a mentor. However, as time progressed,
the relationship had a profound impact on his life.
The mentor spent time helping to groom him as a young man and student.
Mr. Wheeler also gained valuable advice that would change his life forever. As
Mr. Wheeler matured, he realized that youth cannot emulate what they do not see.
“If my friends and I had role models when we were younger, we could have
escaped traps during our teenage years and avoided pitfalls. I want to mentor
students in the same way, so they can have different experiences than I did,”
Mr. Wheeler said.
As Evans Community School Director, Mr. Wheeler can continue to impact
students’ lives but now has a bigger responsibility to also help create unity among
students, faculty, staff and the community so students can achieve lifelong success.
“When we create more unity, we will also increase accountability because we’re not
only upholding principles for ourselves but also for those who will work alongside
us,” Mr. Wheeler explained. Moreover, he would like to make more people aware
of one of Pine Hills’ “best kept secrets” by bringing more engagement, visibility
and accessibility to the great programs Evans Community School offers.
Read the full story at www.EvansCommunitySchool.org
4949 Silver Star Road
Orlando, Florida 32808
407-522-3412
www.EvansCommunitySchool.org
EVANS COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORNER
On-site medical
Chase supports Pine Hills’
consultation available
community goals
We welcome Dr. Dixon to Evans
Community School, thanks to a
partnership with Central Florida Family
Health Center, Inc. Dr. Dixon has
always loved working with youth and has
dreamt of working on a school campus, so Evans
Community School was the perfect fit! Dr. Dixon (pictured
left) and her nurse, Yasmine Mortimer-Snead (pictured
right), are located in the Administration Building. Currently,
Dr. Dixon helps students with annual physicals, sports
physicals, urgent care issues, and minor procedures.
Evans Community School funding partner Chase and
Orange County Public Schools recently held an event
recognizing teachers, students and community partners.
Chase announced $425,000 in funding for nonprofit partners
in the Pine Hills neighborhood, including Boys and Girls
Club, Elevate Orlando, ONIC, Orlando Science Center,
Children’s Home Society of Florida, City Year and United
Way. The event also celebrated Evans High School achieving
a B grade from the Florida Department of Education for the
second consecutive year.
Students who experience urgent care needs will be seen first
by school nurse, Chanel Woods, RN, who will determine if
they need to be seen by Dr. Dixon. Students may also
schedule appointments by contacting Yasmine.
“Investing in our youth is the most important investment in
strengthening our communities,” said Michael Dosal, market
president for Chase in Central Florida. “The collaborative
work being done in Pine Hills is exceptional and we cannot
wait to see what the future holds for these young students.”
STUDENT ADVOCATE SPOTLIGHT
Diana Soto, MSW— Empowering students to
build lifelong success
Teenage life can be challenging. Evans Community
School is proud to have Student Success Coaches like
Diana Soto available to help students get through some
of those difficult moments. Ms. Soto has been a Student
Success Coach at Evans Community School since
October of last year and has loved every minute she has
spent with students. “I’m really enjoying being a part of the community school.
Being here has opened my eyes to the community school’s value and how
fortunate the community and students are to have this gem. Not every school has
a place that students AND parents can come for support,” Ms. Soto said.
All services are centered on students’ desired achievements and outcomes.
Students are referred from guidance counselors, teachers and deans but can also
visit on their own. If students decide to meet with a success coach ongoing, the
coach helps them identify and develop personal goals and long-term plans if
necessary. For more information, stop by the Administration Building Room 1 –
116. (Assistance available in Spanish and Creole.)
Learn more at www.EvansCommunitySchool.org.
We thank these friends for their
generous contributions!
Mary Shearer
Mr. and Mrs. Garceau
Les Josephson
Ms. Vicki Booher
Mr. Sol Schick
Dr. and Mrs. Charles Glosson
Ms. Karen Savage
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Horvath
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Pribell
Ms. Wendy Wingrove from BB&T
Lynn Helmsteadt
Fern Lefkowitz
Photos by Abi Bell/UCF
Did You Know?
PAGE 2
The on-campus doctor provides services for students and staff.
Parents must sign a consent form for students to be seen by the on-campus doctor.
Juniors and Seniors who are looking for part-time jobs should stop by The Hub for more information