Dear Parents-
Hello, my name is Frances (Francie) Snyder and I would like to welcome you to
the 2019-20 school year. I have been teaching for over twenty-six years, with the last thirteen years working with the Gifted Population in Manatee County. This year, I will be
working at Abel Elementary on Mondays, Bayshore Elementary on Tuesdays, Prine Elementary on Wednesdays, and Kinnan Elementary on Thursdays and Fridays.
I heard a speaker say once, “Your school should have an academic focus not a
project focus.” This is a statement I whole-heartedly agree with, however, the presence
of projects does not mean that academics take a backseat. On the contrary, academics
are as front and center as ever, which is why we began using the Gifted Program's
motto - WE are a Laboratory and NOT a Factory. Laboratories are
places of exploration, questioning, discovery and the focus is on the learning process. In
factories the focus is usually about the outcome or products. Those in factories are
taught to do something one way and never expected to ask why or to try to find a better
way of completing the task. With those principles in mind, we do what we can to
construct projects in such a way that a multitude of cross curriculum skills are covered.
These skills include: Grade Level State Standards, The State of Florida’s Framework for
the K-12 Gifted Learners, and National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for
Students.
I have tried very hard to ask for very few supplies throughout the years and that continues. I am only asking for a box of Kleenex and a package of baby wipes. Finally, if you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to let me know. The best way to reach me is through my school address snyderf@manatees.net.
Thank you,
Frances M. Snyder (Francie)
Educator of the Gifted
Abel, Bayshore, Kinnan, and Prine Elementary Schools
