An effort to make middle schools safer in Sarasota County could soon change the disciplinary environment for eight schools. Following an investment by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and facilitation of the program by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, the Restorative Strategies initiative will expand from a pilot program at Booker Middle School to start serving multiple campuses, and won’t be stopping there. “We have designed this program to be large-scale,” says Jennifer Vigne, executive director of the Education Foundation. “We will continue to expand this.” 

The program is designed to promote positive behavior through problem-solving, conflict resolution and the careful establishment of expectations. Rex Ingerick, a program specialist with the Sarasota County School District, says the effort stems from successful efforts in Minnesota. The proactive approach increases dialogue between students and administrators through community-building circles. “There are no wrong or right answers in these circles,” he says. School officials will bring the circles into lessons, and conversations will be followed with problem-solving discussions where students themselves are encouraged to come up with solutions for behavior problems in school. 

The effort will also facilitate dialogue when students have problems such as bullying. Ingerick notes that in a social media-connected society, physically separating students at school often doesn’t erase the contact or conflict. “Rather than an arbitrary suspension from school, which for some kids isn’t a penalty and just allows a problem to fester, this seeks to solve the problem that caused the incident to occur,” he says.

The initiative will be employed at Booker Middle, Brookside Middle, Sarasota Middle, McIntosh Middle, Laurel Nokomis, Venice Middle, Heron Creek Middle and Woodland Middle schools.

Howard Tevlowitz, executive director of The Jewish Federation, says the effort will boost the quality of education for all enrolled in the schools. His organization will invest $15,000 to cover the expansion. That money covers the expansion at seven of the schools, while a federal grant will continue to fund the effort at Booker Middle. “Students cannot succeed to the best of their potential if they are subject to difficult and confrontational situations, particularly as it relates to online and in-person bullying, racism and anti-Semitism,” Tevlowitz says. “We believe this investment will help mitigate that problem.” 

Cacti make cute houseplants, but you don’t want them scratching against your skin all day. That is, until you meet this soft, off-the-shoulder top whose 1970s Texas vibe translates well to scorching—but no less stylish—Sarasota summers. The breathable, lightweight fabric powers through sweltering temperatures and pink blooms on the cacti print add a touch of sweetness to the otherwise spiny creatures. The subtle adjustable band up top allows for weekend-friendly bare shoulders, as well as work-ready coverage. Add a pair of wide-legged bellbottoms (or, given the heat, a fringed mini-skirt) and you’ll land in the Dallas streets circa 1976. 

Pictured: The off-the-shoulder, cactus-print top at Malibu Fox. Photo by Heidi Stone.

Malibu Fox, 5275 University Pkwy., #103, University Park, 941-312-2439.

Southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, Neal Communities, has topped Builder magazine’s list of the top 10 local homebuilding leaders, with 747 closings and over 19 percent of the market share in 2015. Neal Communities also recently moved up to #45 on Builder magazine’s national list of the 100 best homebuilders in the United States. 

Neal Communities

Anital Keitel has received her license as a Florida registered architect. Working for Hall Architects for the past year as an architectural design intern and experience in commercial, educational, hospitality and residential design, Keitel is also an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gulf Coast Chapter. 

Hall Architects

Successfully demonstrating her expertise in the luxury home marketplace, Shayla Twit has earned the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) designation form the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. The CLHMS designation recognizes agents who have completed a two-day intensive classroom course and perform in the top 10 percent of their markets. Twit has also been admitted into the Million Dollar Guild. 

Luxury Home Marketing