MetroWest 07.27.17 AllPages

CONNECT

In Partnership with Observer Media Group

AUGUST 2017

LIVE. WORK. PLAY. CONNECT.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL ISSUE

2 • MetroWest CONNECT

August 2017

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August2017

MetroWest CONNECT • 3

MetroWest Corner

MetroWest Master Association

2121 S. Hiawassee Rd., Suite 132 Orlando, FL 32835 (407) 601-5995 www.metrowestcommunity.com

MetroWest

CONNECT Published four times a year by:

in partnership with the MetroWest Master Association Publisher

Dawn Willis

Dear Friends: One of the most valuable gifts you can give to others is your time.

And there is an upcoming opportunity for you to invest your time into making MetroWest the best community it can be. The MetroWest Master Association is seeking qualified, communityminded residents to serve a two-year term on the MetroWest Master Association Board of Directors.

To qualify as a candidate, a Member: • Must be a parcel owner as defined in the Governing Documents; • Cannot be delinquent in the payment of any fee, fine, or other monetary obligation to MWMA for more than 90 days; • Cannot have been convicted of any felony in this state or in a United States District or Territorial Court, or have been convicted of any offense in another jurisdiction which would be considered a felony if committed in this state, unless such felon’s civil rights have been restored for at least 5 years as of the date on which such person seeks election to the board.

• Must not be involved in active or ongoing litigation or claims with or against the MWMA. This qualification shall not prevent an existing Board member from being nominated when the litigation was initiated against them or by them while already a seated Board member.

• There shall not be more than one (1) member of the Board nominated or elected from any one Community Association.

Be on the lookout for the first notice with candidacy information mailing out to all Members on Monday, October 2 with candidate submittals due on Friday, October 20. Then, mark your calendars for Election Day – Wednesday, December 13. Whether you are running for a Board position or voting for the candidate of your choice, it’s important to let your voice be heard by participating in this democratic process.

I look forward to connecting with you in MetroWest.

Executive Editor

Mike Eng

Creative Designers

Kathleen Carreiro Tony Trotti Advertising Executive

Ann Marie Vibbert avibbert@orangeobserver.com or call 407-656-2121

Sincerely,

Jim Drayton

Jim Drayton President MetroWest Master Association Board of Directors

4 • MetroWest CONNECT

August 2017

NEW BUSINESSES COMING SOON: The MetroWest Master Association welcomes the following businesses to our community!

Soultry Lounge on S. Hiawassee Road • Izziban Sushi & Korean BBQ restaurant on Via Lago Lane – coming in September

WHAT’S NEW IN METROWEST? The McDonald’s at 2944 S. Kirkman Road recently underwent a renovation to modernize the look and feel of the location. Gone is the safari theme and cafeteria ambiance and in its place, visitors will experience a streamlined, modern look featuring artwork and pops of color throughout along with self-service kiosks to shorten the line at the counter. Here are some photos taken at its recent grand opening featuring a visit from Ronald McDonald.

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Representatives from the MWMA Board and management stopped by MetroWest Elementary School to present their bi-annual donation to Principal, Christine Szymanski.

Pictured (left to right) are Miguel Ubiles, MetroWest Assistant Community Manager, Jim Drayton, President of the MetroWest Master Association Board, Christine Szymanski, MetroWest Elementary School Principal, Julie Sanchez, MetroWest Community Manager, and Evangeline Slaughter, MetroWest Elementary School’s Assistant Principal.

7/7/17 12:27 PM

August2017

MetroWest CONNECT • 5

MetroWest MusicFest Wowed Crowd with Multiple Musical Genres 5th Annual, Free Community Event Featured Local Talent The MetroWest Master Association, managed by FirstService Residential, hosted its 5th Annual 2017 MetroWest MusicFest, presented

by Diamond Sponsor Girard Environmental Services, on Sunday, May 7 at the MetroWest Golf Club.

This free, family event attracted a crowd of over 2,000 people that enjoyed a relaxing, sunny afternoon filled with multiple music genres of talented local bands and school groups.

Entertainment at the inaugural MetroWest MusicFest featured a capella sensation, Pop Fusion, Mighty Swell, a multiple instrument

MWMA-234 CONNECT_MF_article_1pg.indd 1

Bluegrass/Pop group and I-4 Band, a high-energy dance/top 40 band. The event also highlighted the community talents of a jazz combo from the Valencia College East Campus Music Department, the Olympia High School Band and the Chain of Lakes Middle School Jazz Band featuring vocalist Vrishti Pires. Local business exhibitors shared information and delicious food options were available from numerous food trucks and vendors.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event.

7/19/17 10:23 AM

6 • MetroWest CONNECT

August 2017

PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS

MAKING AN

IMPACT Noticing a trend in vehicle burglaries in the Lake Debra area, MetroWest Public Safety, in conjunction with Orlando Police Department (OPD) immediately implemented steps to combat this developing issue.

First, MetroWest Public Safety increased bike patrols to assess the physical environment and to saturate the area with additional crime deterrent eyes. Next, they increased their community contacts in that area by distributing flyers from OPD, reminding car owners to lock their vehicles to prevent a crime of opportunity. Public Safety Officers distributed information to residents about volunteer opportunities with the MetroWest Community Action Safety Team (C.A.S.T.). They also added early morning plain-clothes officers and deployed covert cameras to further assess early morning activity. As part of a larger MetroWest initiative, MetroWest Public Safety is also evaluating lighting to ensure existing lighting is working and not obscured

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throughout these communities. They continue to meet with managers and follow up with OPD on this issue.

Since these steps were implemented, OPD has reported a decline in recent activity in this area, even resulting in two arrests, which is a positive re-enforcement of MetroWest Public Safety’s continued efforts.

If you are a resident of MetroWest and want to get involved, please see our C.A.S.T ad in this magazine.

7/10/17 3:14 PM

MetroWest Public Safety will be hosting National Night Out 2017. Mark your calendars now and watch for more information coming soon!

SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 3, 2017 5:30 – 8:30 pm

The annual National Night Out event helps to increase Neighborhood Watch participation by promoting the work that police, fire, residents and businesses do together to make Orlando neighborhoods safer and better places to live.

August2017

MetroWest CONNECT • 7

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8 • MetroWest CONNECT

August 2017

MetroWest Master Association (MWMA) will host its 5th Annual “Pick of the Patch” Realtor Tour on Tuesday, October 31, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Realtors serving MetroWest and the Central Florida area are invited to join MWMA management and MetroWest business leaders for an afternoon learning about MetroWest’s newest businesses, residential opportunities and the exciting developments happening in the community. Lunch will be served by Westerly’s at the MetroWest Golf Club and transportation will be provided for a tour of the community. Interested realtors may contact MWMA no later than Tuesday, October 31 at mwma.admin@cfl.rr.com or 407-601-5995.

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7/19/17 10:22 AM

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August2017

MetroWest CONNECT • 9

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10 • MetroWest CONNECT

August 2017

Join our If you’ve ever wanted to be part of something extraordinary, here is your chance! That’s right. For just a little of your time every month, you can make a difference in your MetroWest community by joining the Community Action Safety Team ( )! is a community organization of your friends and neighbors, that works with MetroWest Public Safety Officers in their efforts to build a stronger, more connected MetroWest community.

Get involved. Make a difference. !

Join our Be a part of making your community and your neighborhood the best it can be.

To join the team, Email contact@metrowestpublicsafety.com or call 407-473-2021.

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August2017

MetroWest CONNECT • 11

Valencia College President Winner of Prestigious 2017 McGraw Prize Valencia College’s president, Sandy Shugart, was recently named one of three winners of the 2017 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of education.

The Prize, founded in 1988 to honor the retiring former CEO of McGrawSandy Shugart Hill Education, recognizes outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving education through new approaches. It is administered through an alliance between McGraw-Hill Education and Arizona State University. The winners were recognized in three categories – U.S. K-12 Education, U.S. Higher Education and International Education – and each receives an award of $50,000 and an iconic McGraw Prize bronze sculpture.

Dr. Shugart received the U.S. Higher Education prize for demonstrating a stellar model of community college change that is increasing graduation rates and helping large numbers of Hispanic students succeed. Congratulations, Dr. Shugart!

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Published in partnership with the MetroWest Master Association. 18,000 copies distributed through the Windermere Observer, the Master Association and businesses throughout MetroWest. The MetroWest Connect publication includes news, information and events about your community.

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12 • MetroWest CONNECT

August 2017

MetroWest Schools Provide Top Quality Education

by Peter M. Gordon Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) start the new school year August 14, 2017. MetroWest residents, will also welcome a new school: Westpointe Elementary.

Westpointe is located at 7525 Westpointe Boulevard, next to MetroWest Elementary at 1801 Lake Vilma Drive. OCPS had long planned to place two schools on this piece of property. Westpointe’s construction plan included rebuilding access roads to both schools to ensure safe traffic patterns for parents walking or driving their children to school.

Each school will be home to a little over 800 students. Westpointe Elementary has its own playground and playing fields, as well as brand new classrooms, gym, and media center. Westpointe’s principal Patricia Smith will lead a staff eager to get the school off to a flying start.

Christine Szymanski starts her fourth year as principal of MetroWest, whose motto is “miracles are in the making.” The school’s renovations include a new media center opening this fall. The MetroWest Master Association supports MetroWest Elementary with an annual donation that recently funded PE equipment and expansions of both the music and art programs.

Students in grades six-eight attend either Gotha or Chain of Lakes Middle Schools. Gotha, headed by principal Patrice Knowles, has been a high achieving school for the last fifteen years, recognized as a Red Ribbon School, Five Star School, and Golden School. Located at 9155 Gotha Road, Windermere, Gotha Middle offers advanced academics, including high school level courses in math and science, clubs in art,

chess, and drama, and music groups including band, orchestra, and chorus. Gotha is also home to a Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter and a Special Olympics sports club.

Principal Cheron Anderson leads Chain of Lakes Middle School, located at 8700 Conroy-Windermere Road at the corner of ApopkaVineland Road. Chain of Lakes is “committed to excellence,” and offers students strong academic and extracurricular programs. Chain of Lakes students can participate in Project Lead the Way, a special Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program. Over 60% of students participated last year in Visual or Performing Arts programs such as band, chorus, drama, studio art and orchestra.

Olympia High School, at 4301 South Apopka-Vineland Road, across the street from Chain of Lakes, is one of Orange County’s top achievers in athletics and academics. Olympia has received an “A” rating for the past seven consecutive years. Their sports teams have won several state championships, most recently, girls water polo in May. Olympia offers the APEX program, a rigorous four-year curriculum requiring participants to take a minimum of six AP courses and six tests. Olympia offers over 20 visual arts courses and clubs and over 30 extracurricular clubs ranging from traditional such as National Honor Society and the newspaper to Paws for a Cause. Principal Guy Swenson leads the student body of 3,000 whose notable alumni include Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brad Miller and Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian.

More information about each school is available on the OCPS website, www.ocps.net.

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August2017

MetroWest CONNECT • 13

WESTPOINTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RELIEVES METROWEST’S GROWTH When the 2017-2018 School Year begins on August 14, a new elementary school will welcome students in MetroWest.

Westpointe Elementary shares a campus with MetroWest Elementary and each school is designed to serve 837 students.

Westpointe Elementary includes parts of the MetroWest Elementary facility as well as some new buildings. They both have two playgrounds apiece and 45,000 square feet of playfields, the minimum required for new Orange County elementary schools. The two schools have their own parking lot, which will increase the total number of spaces

“The Orange County Public School Board is delighted to welcome Westpointe Elementary to the growing MetroWest community,” - Pam Gould, OCPS School Board Member

and separate drop-off loops, allowing more cars to queue and to relieve traffic congestion. In addition, new computers are being installed in both schools along with new flat panel televisions to equalize

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both schools’ technology tools for students. There is also a new, state-ofthe-art Media Center at MetroWest Elementary.

Students will be able to use the latest technology to broadcast morning announcements.

The MetroWest community welcomes back Patricia G. Smith, a previous Principal at MetroWest Elementary, as the new Principal of Westpointe Elementary School.

“I am very excited to welcome the team at Westpointe Elementary to the MetroWest community,” said Christine Szymanski, Principal of MetroWest Elementary. “The addition of Westpointe Elementary brings with it the opportunity for our staff to focus more intently on a smaller number of students as well as more classroom space and updated technology. I know together, Mrs. Smith and I, will lead our students to success and continually encourage them to challenge themselves each day in pursuit of their dreams.”

In April, the district Board approved the MetroWest community’s recommendation for the new relief school’s name, mascot

and school colors. Westpointe Elementary School Dolphins will be recognizable wearing their Blue and Silver/Gray.

With over 1,600 students, MetroWest Elementary was one of Florida’s biggest elementary schools. The school was 300 students over capacity and used 15 portables for classrooms. The district wasn’t able to find another suitable location near the current school site, so they approved building another elementary school adjacent to MetroWest Elementary to split the burgeoning elementary school population.

“The Orange County Public School Board is delighted to welcome Westpointe Elementary to the growing MetroWest community,” said OCPS School Board member Pam Gould. “We have no doubt that they will continue the tradition of becoming a top school in no time with Patricia G. Smith at the helm.”

7/11/17 9:41 AM

14 • MetroWest CONNECT

August 2017

West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Celebrates Business Premier networking is now in MetroWest!

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce has just moved their

Wednesday Networking Group to KeKe’s in MetroWest. This gives all MetroWest businesses an opportunity to network, share some information about your business and get to know your neighbors.

This opportunity is facilitated by one of the most prestigious Chambers of Commerce in Florida! Having received the Chamber of the Year award in 2009, 2012 and 2015, becoming a member of the West Orange Chamber will provide a strong foundation of support and advocacy for your business.

All are welcome to attend. This is a great way to check out the Chamber, meet the members and get more information. Learn how and why being involved in the West Orange Chamber is an important business decision.

Join us: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 8-9 am at Keke’s in MetroWest. 2433 S. Hiawassee Rd (Publix Plaza MetroWest Village) For more information or if you have questions, contact Nancy Hoehn, Manager of Membership Development at 321-436-8043 or by email at nhoehn@wochamber.org.

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16 • MetroWest CONNECT

August 2017

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