FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
     
    S
      
    TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
     
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
     
    Members
    DONNA G. CALLAWAY
    ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
    PHOEBE RAULERSON
    KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
    LINDA K. TAYLOR
     
    John L. Winn
    Commissioner of Education
      
     
      
     
      
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    February 20, 2006
     
     
     
    M E M O R A N D U M
     
     
    TO:
    District School Superintendents
    Elementary School Principals
     
     
    FROM:
    John L. Winn
     
    SUBJECT:
    Severe Weather-Themed Storybooks
     
    Soon your elementary schools will be receiving copies of three severe weather-themed
    storybooks intended to be read in the classroom by first, second, and third grade students.
    While we cannot prevent severe weather, there is much each of us can do to prevent injury to
    ss begins with each individual, no matter how
    young. To that end, through a partnership with the Department of Community Affairs and the
    Florida Department of Education, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has
    commissioned these storybooks for children throughout the state.
     
    The storybook for first graders, The Adventures of Rabbit, Possum, and Squirrel in The 30/30
    Rule, teaches young children how they can protect themselves from lightning strikes. Professor
    Tinkermeister and the Wacky, Whiz-Bang, Weather-Watching Wonder, allows the second grade
    reader a chance to learn about and protect themselves from the powerful nature of thunderstorms
    while traveling on a fantastic journey in a magical machine. In The Acorn Club, third graders
    will learn about how they can create a Disaster Supply Kit for their families to prepare for a
    hurricane. Each of these books was created at the appropriate reading level for each grade. The
    science is presented in a matter-of-fact and non-threatening manner so as not to create undo fears
    in our children.
     
     
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org

    Memo to District School Superintendents and Elementary School Principals
    Page 2
     
    Each of the books also comes with an accompanying guide for teachers and parents. Each guide
    explains some of the science presented in the books and answers questions that children are
    likely to have while reading the stories. The guides also explain how the books can be used to
    help our children to become better readers. The guides can be found on-line at
    http://www.FloridaDisaster.org/kids under “Teacher Planning.”
     
    We hope you find the books and accompanying guides for teachers and parents helpful. Thank
    you for your continued support in helping Florida’s children protect themselves from the hazards
    of severe weather.
     
    JLW

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