YEA! participants will engage in 30 weeks of college course work, be mentored by successful entrepreneurs, and create a business plan for a real business. The program culminates with students presenting their proposal to a panel of Angel Investors looking for the best business to utilize their investment. Eight ambitious students from the Pre-Academy of Finance applied and interviewed for a seat in the YEA! program. To the excitement of the interviewer, Academy teachers, and Duncan administrators, all 8 students were accepted into the program (seven of whom accepted a seat in the program). Over the next 8 months, Adam Brower, Abdullah Ali, Natalee Castillo, Morgan DiCocco, Ryan Holzhausen, Robert Calvert, and Natalie Schlueter will be immersed in the world of entrepreneurship and business.

“Most excitingly, each student will leave the YEA! program with their own operational business and a whole new understanding of how the business world works,” said Kate Wynn with Watson B. Duncan Middle School. “Congratulations to the Pre-Academy of Finance’s YEA! participants.”

For more information please contact Ms. Wynn at kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org or 561-776-3596

Keys to the Cities is a Kretzer Piano Music Foundation project where local artists will be painting old pianos, turning them into original works of art and displaying them around Palm Beach County. Courtney Hess, Visual Arts and Theatre teacher for the Literary and Fine Arts Academy (LFAA) at Watson B. Duncan Middle, submitted an application for the Keys to the Cities project.

Mrs. Hess and her students were thrilled to find out that they were among the applicants selected to create one of these unique pieces of art. “It is a very special honor considering that Mrs. Hess and the Literary and Fine Arts Academy students were the only artists selected from a school,” said Kate Wynn, Literary and Fine Arts Academy Coordinator. “The talented group of artists plans to create a “Zentangle” piano.  The pianos will be displayed in November so be on the lookout for Mrs. Hess and LFAA’s Zentangle masterpiece.”

The Keys to the Cities whimsically-painted pianos will be found at the following locations:  City Center Plaza, CityPlace, Clematis Street, Palm Beach County Cultural Council in downtown Lake Worth, The Kravis Center, Downtown at the Gardens, Flagler Drive,  Kretzer Piano in Jupiter,  Palm Beach and other fun venues throughout the area. After their public debut, the pianos will be donated to local children’s charities and community organizations, enriching lives for years to come.

For more information please contact Ms. Wynn at kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org or 561-776-3596.

“We are asking community members to join us for this amazing event and help with the beautification of our campus,” said Mr. Ocampo.  “We hope the community can join us for this fun and meaningful activity.  At the conclusion of our community service project, we would like for our valuable community partners to join us for an appreciation barbecue celebration immediately following.”

For more information please contact Assistant Principal Carlton Jackson at carlton.jackson@palmbeachschools.org .

Watson B. Duncan Community Middle School is sponsoring its thirteenth annual Veterans Day program on Friday, November 8, 2013 at 9:45 a.m. in the school gymnasium. The purpose of this program is to acknowledge and thank veterans and active duty military personnel for serving our country. The program will last one hour.
 
The Duncan chorus and band will provide musical selections, Palm Beach Gardens High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps will post and retire the colors as well as perform a drill exhibition, several veterans will attend representing different branches of the service, and many dignitaries from the communities will be invited.
 
All veterans are welcome to attend. Please contact Tammy Roggen at 561-776-3518 or tammy.roggen@palmbeachschools.org for more details.

At 7:00 pm, the cafeteria at Duncan Middle will be transformed into total darkness, using spotlights to illuminate the talent of each of the academy’s strands. The prism effect will be achieved by the Theatrical Academy performing various skits and a preview piece from their upcoming Sleepy Hollow show, Vocal Academy solos and duets projecting beautifully from the sides of the stage-on ground level, Instrumental Academy solos and ensemble pieces floating in from around the audience, dramatic readings written and read by the Literary Academy students, and Visual Academy students’ work displayed toward the back of the area.

The prism concert will exhibit the varied talents of the Literary and Fine Arts Academy students with an artful arrangement of performance and exhibited art. The show will begin at 7:00pm in Watson B. Duncan Middle’s Cafeteria; tickets are $5 and are available at the door.

“The students and faculty of the Literary and Fine Arts Academy sincerely hope that you will join us for this annual display of student talent,” said Kate Wynn, Literary and Fine Arts Academy Coordinator.

For more information please contact Ms. Wynn at kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org or (561) 799-7463.

In January, there will be a kick off for the initiative with an anti-bullying week for students. On Friday, January 10, 2014 members of the Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue will be volunteering their time-working with students from the school-to hang posters and the school banner. Duncan’s campaign, “DMS Shuts the Door on Bullying” will be the message on the banner. The banner hanging will be done in preparation for the official Shut the Door on Bullying week, starting on Monday, January 13, 2014. This week will consist of different activities, contests, and daily lessons on bullying.

To begin, students and teachers will be participating in a door decorating competition. The class and teacher with the strongest anti-bullying message, and most creative door will win a grand prize. There will be grade level assemblies, guest speakers, and grade level screenings of anti-bullying movies.

On Friday January 17, 2014, students, administrators, teachers, and staff will take a pledge against bullying and winners of all contests will be announced.  In addition, the school will be starting the “Caught you Caring” campaign as a part of this character building initiative. Students who are seen (by any teacher, administrator, counselor, or Duncan Middle staff member) doing something for another person or committing an act of kindness will be given a “Caught you Caring” ticket. Ticket holders will be placed in a weekly drawing for “Caught you Caring” t-shirts and there will be a grand prize drawing at the end of the year.

“It is the goal of Watson B. Duncan Middle, GelTech Solutions, and the participating firefighters, to continue developing the best learning environment possible, while building students’ character and imparting an understanding of how one person’s actions affect others,” said Kate Wynn, Watson B. Duncan Middle School Literary and Fine Arts Academy Coordinator.

For more information please contact Ms. Wynn at kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org or (561) 799-7463.

Students at Watson B. Duncan Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens are taking top honors in academics and the arts.

For the second year in a row the Duncan Middle School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter is #1 in membership for the whole nation.

The second quarter “All A’s Breakfast” was held last week.  Over 130 students received straight A’s on their report cards for the second quarter.  These students and their parents were treated to an award ceremony and breakfast.  The School District, teachers, school administrators and community partners are very proud of the academic success of these students.

Thirty Duncan Middle School band students participated in the Florida Band Association (FBA) District 14 Solo/Ensemble Assessment recently held at John I. Leonard High School.  Every single student received a superior rating.  In total, 49 superior medals were earned.

For more information please contact Kim Withers at Watson B. Duncan Middle School at 561-776-3500 or wither@palmbeach.k12.fl.us .

Watson B. Duncan Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens has been awarded the Watson B. Duncan Literary and Fine Arts Academy.  The new academy will open its doors to students beginning with the 2011-2012 school year. 

According to Principal Jose Garcia, “The Academy will be a tribute to Watson B. Duncan III, best known for being the professor and mentor of actor Burt Reynolds.  It will rekindle the man’s dream and make his vision a reality.”  Watson B. Duncan III taught Speech and English at Palm Beach Junior College (now Palm Beach State College.)  Burt Reynolds attended the College and Mr. Duncan cast him in the lead role of that year’s school play. Mr. Reynolds credits Mr. Duncan as the person who has had the most influence on his life.  Mr. Duncan chaired the English/Communications Department at Palm Beach Junior College for over thirty years.

For more information please contact Watson B. Duncan Middle School Assistant Principal Phillip D’Amico at 561-776-3502 or damico@palmbeach.k12.fl.us .

For some students school is a place where they attend classes, take tests, and talk to friends. However, more than ever, Watson B. Duncan Middle School (DMS) is a place where young adults can pursue their passion. For the last six years, the school has been cultivating the next generation of polished professionals in the Pre-Academy of Finance.  With their new Literary and Fine Arts Academy Duncan is balancing the scales between business and the arts.

The Literary and Fine Arts Academy will cultivate creativity, and develop artistic talent, while enriching students’ knowledge and fostering a love of literature and reading. Students will intensely focus on a chosen art area and explore the connection between literature and fine arts.  The Literary Arts component will act as the unifying element of the Academy, with all students participating in Advanced Language Arts with Literary Infusion.  The program challenges students to achieve a high standard of artistic professionalism, literary understanding and analysis, and academic excellence.

The Academy will nourish the creative instincts of its students by providing exposure to professional artists and an array of artistic performances. Most uniquely, the Literary and Fine Arts Academy will be partnering with the well-established, well-traveled Pre-Academy of Finance in future group travel. The globe-trotting school boasts tours of China, France, Spain, New York, Chicago, and Boston.  These rare opportunities provide students with insight into historical works of art while inspiring their own creative endeavors.

Duncan’s faculty and administration are proud of the marriage of these two phenomenal programs. Duncan is not simply adding a second academy to their school, but is partnering the programs to provide a school-wide concept of an enriched learning environment. As this year’s yearbooks states, “DMS is a unique place where you can travel abroad, lead the drum line, explore the coral reefs, learn a new language, get the lead role, anchor the midday news, make life-lasting friendships, score the winning goal, inspire an audience, or paint your own picture.” In short, DMS is a place where you can love to learn.

Watson B. Duncan’s Choice Open House will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 6:00 pm.

For more information please contact Principal Jose Garcia at 561-776-3500 or jose.garcia.1@palmbeachschools.org .

Watson B. Duncan Community Middle School is sponsoring its eleventh annual Veterans Day program on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 9:45 a.m. in the gymnasium. The purpose of this program is to acknowledge and thank veterans and “active duty military personnel” for serving our country. The program will last approximately seventy-five minutes.

The Duncan chorus and band will provide musical selections, Palm Beach Gardens High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps will post and retire the colors as well as perform a drill exhibition, several veterans will attend representing different branches of the service, and many dignitaries from the communities will be invited.

On Veterans Day, the School District honors the men and women who served our country and supports our schools and students as they recognize and salute our veterans.

All veterans are welcome to attend the event at Watson B. Duncan Middle School. Please contact Tammy Roggen at 561-776-3518 or tammy.roggen@palmbeachschools.org for more details.

AJ Brockman is a digital artist.  He also has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease, and has been wheelchair bound since two years old.  As an artist he believes, “My disability definitely influences who I am but does not define me as an artist or individual. I view myself as being “differently abled” rather than “disabled” and I live life to the fullest every day.”

Mr. Brockman is living life to the fullest as a graphic designer, artist and business partner at Watson B. Duncan Middle School, his old alma mater.   He also attended Allamanda Elementary and graduated from Palm Beach Gardens High.  Following his graduation from Digital Media Arts College, he went on to win numerous awards for his works. 

Now a business partner with the School District, Mr. Brockman continues to give back to his community.  According to Kate Wynn, Duncan Middle Pre-Academy of Finance Instructor and Business Partnership Coordinator, “ At Watson B. Duncan Middle School, we have a Business Partner who is outstanding in so many ways it is difficult to categorize him in one area. AJ is confined to a power wheel chair and has the use of only his left pinkie finger, and yet he continues to support our school as a Business Partner in so many ways.”  Mr. Brockman does graphic design work for the school’s academies which include recruiting displays, brochures, business cards, and t-shirts.  He is a motivational speaker for the Future Business Leaders of America meetings and donates his artwork for fundraising event.

Mr. Brockman has his own art studio, Single Handed Studios, and is currently being featured by Palm Beach County’s Art in Public Places. He recently produced a short documentary about his disability, his art, and his attitude about life which can be view at http://singlehandedstudio.com/about.html.

For more information please contact Ms. Wynn at (561) 776-3596 or kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org .

Each year thousands of students from across the state of Florida gather in Orlando to compete in business related events. The annual Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference broke records this year, with the largest Florida conference in history at over 3,500 students.

For the third year in a row, Watson B. Duncan has ranked as the largest Middle Level Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter in the state and in the Nation. This year, the accomplishment was heightened by Duncan also receiving the highest percentage increase in membership for a large chapter, adding 93 members this year. Duncan’s membership now stands at 284 members. Not only is Duncan’s chapter large; they are talented as well.

Seventh graders, Elizabeth Fortini, Brooke Golzbein, and Caroline Mauser took 3^rd place in Webpage Creation, while eighth graders Samantha Kanach and Danielle Mangialetto scored 4^th in Desktop Publishing. In addition, of the 14 Middle Level students completing the highest level of the Middle Level Achievement Program (MAP) 7 were Duncan students. Students receiving this outstanding recognition include Morgan Bianchi, Emily Campana, Alyssa Chaljub, Alessandra De Silva, Breana Frazier, Alondra Medina and Caitlin Walsh. Duncan had more students complete the Enterprise Level of MAP than any other school in the nation.

“The FBLA State Leadership Conference is a memorable experience for all in attendance,” according to Watson B. Duncan Pre-Academy of Finance teacher Kate Wynn. “The members from Watson B. Duncan are looking forward to representing Palm Beach County again next year”

For more information please contact Pre-Academy of Finance Teacher Kate Wynn at kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org .

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields.  Watson B. Duncan Middle School is number one in the FBLA Middle School Big Ten Chapters ranking with 284 members.  Independence Middle is ranked tenth nationally with 118 members

With more than 20,000 members nationwide, FBLA has exploded at junior high and middle schools. Schools participate in a variety of activities including job shadow programs, community service projects, and American enterprise projects.  Member schools can earn recognition on the local, state, and national levels.

For more information please contact Watson B. Duncan Middle School Principal Jose Garcia at 561-776-3500 and jose.garcia@palmbeachschools.org or Independence Middle School Principal Lori Bonino at 561-799-7500 and lori.bonino@palmbeachschools.org .

For some students school is a place where they attend classes, take tests, and talk to friends. However, more than ever, Watson B. Duncan Middle School is a place where young adults can pursue their passion. For the past seven years, Duncan has been cultivating the next generation of polished business professionals in the Pre-Academy of Finance.   In addition, The Literary and Fine Arts Academy is entering its second year.  The Literary and Fine Arts Academy cultivates creativity, and develops artistic talent, while enriching students’ knowledge and fostering a love of literature and reading.  Together Duncan is balancing the scales between business and the arts.

This year, Duncan is excited to add the Writing and Literature strand to the existing Instrumental, Theatrical, Visual, and Vocal arts strands of the Literary and Fine Arts Academy program. The program challenges students to achieve a high standard of artistic professionalism, literary understanding and analysis, and academic excellence.

The academies nourish the creative instincts and global perspective of their students by providing a unique menu of travel opportunities during students’ time at Duncan. This past summer students from both programs had the opportunity to experience the history, culture, and commerce of Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai, China. In addition, the globe-trotting school boasts tours of, France, Spain, New York, Chicago, and Boston on a rotating basis.  

Duncan’s faculty and administration are proud of the marriage of these two phenomenal programs. Duncan has not simply added a second academy to their school, but is partnering the programs to provide a school-wide concept of an enriched learning environment; contributing to the achievement of Duncan’s eleventh year as an A-rated school.  With course offerings and enrichment opportunities abounding, it is a place where students love to learn.

Watson B. Duncan’s Choice Open House will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 6:00 PM.

For more information please contact Principal Adrian Ocampo at 561-776-3500 or Adrian.ocampo@palmbeachschools.org .

Watson B. Duncan Community Middle School is sponsoring its twelfth annual Veterans Day program on Friday, November 9, 2012 at 9:45 a.m. in the gymnasium. The purpose of this program is to acknowledge and thank veterans and active duty military personnel for serving our country. The program will last one hour.

The Duncan chorus and band will provide musical selections throughout the event. Palm Beach Gardens High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps will post and retire the colors as well as perform a drill exhibition.  Several veterans will attend representing different branches of the service and many dignitaries from the communities will be invited.

All veterans are welcome to attend.

Please contact Watson B. Duncan Middle School Band Director Tammy Roggen at 561-776-3518 ortammy.roggen@palmbeachschools.org for more details.

Palm Beach County student photographers were selected to represent their schools at the 25th Anniversary of the Armory Art Center. They are celebrating all things artful and as part of this initiative invited middle and high school art teachers to select three great works from their school for the exhibit. 

Palm Beach Daily News is the sponsor of this exhibition and the bronze competition which also celebrates Armory’s 25th anniversary. On display are 52 works from 14 middle and high schools created in the theme of Art Deco or the Celebration of Art. 

"Collision" by Aquille Dukley (RPBHS)

The participating schools include: 

Christa McAuliffe Middle

Conniston Middle

Dreyfoos School of the Arts

John I Leonard High

Jupiter High

Olympic Heights High

Palm Beach Central High

Palm Beach Lakes High

Royal Palm Beach High

Seminole Ridge High

Suncoast Comm. High

Watson B Duncan Middle

Wellington High

Woodlands Middle 

The dates for the exhibition are from November 15 through December 7, 2012.  The Armory Art Center is located at 1700 Parker Ave. West Palm Beach.

"Hangin' Out" by Amara Kaboudan (RPBHS)

"Orange Osmosis" by Paulena Wermuth (RPBHS)

For more information contact Talya Lerman via email at Talya.Lerman@armoryart.org

###

 Public Affairs Contact: Natalia Arenas – (561) 357-7662 – natalia.arenas@palmbeachschools.org

While many are unfamiliar with the term, “Prism Concert”, the Literary and Fine Arts Academy (LFAA) at Watson B. Duncan Middle will introduce many to the concept this Wednesday, December 5^th. The prism concert concept is derived from the prism which reveals the varied colors of light. A prism concert presents the many facets of performance art in as pure a form as possible without applause, gaps between performances and visual distraction.

The cafeteria at Duncan Middle will be transformed into total darkness, using a single spotlight to illuminate the talent of each of the academy’s strands. The prism effect will be achieved by the Theatrical Academy performing “A Christmas Carol”, Vocal Academy solos and duets projecting beautifully from the sides of the stage-on ground level, Instrumental Academy solos and ensemble pieces floating in from the sides of the audience, dramatic readings written and read by the Literary Academy students, and Visual Academy students’ work displayed toward the back of the area.

The prism concert will highlight the varied talents of the Literary and Fine Arts Academy students with an artful arrangement of performance and exhibited art. The show will begin at 7:00pm in Watson B. Duncan Middle’s Cafeteria; tickets are $5 and are available at the door. “The students and faculty of the Literary and Fine Arts Academy sincerely hope that you will join us for this annual display of student talent,” said Kate Wynn, Literary and Fine Arts Academy Coordinator.

For more information please contact Ms. Wynn at 561-776-3596 or kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org .

Students in the Pre-Academy of Finance at Watson B. Duncan Middle learn about value, not just the value of a dollar, but the value of giving. Part of the program requires students to engage in service based activities within the community, giving of themselves; each holiday season Academy students find a way to bring joy to the less fortunate.

In previous years, through the generosity of Academy families, the Pre-Academy of Finance has adopted a family for the holidays. This year, the Academy took a bigger picture approach with the hopes of reaching more people in need. As usual, the students and parents of the Academy went above and beyond all expectations. The Pre-Academy of Finance began with the goal of collecting gifts for elementary school students at a local school, with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students; they set out to collect seventy-four gifts (adopting four classes). The students were so enthusiastic about the prospect of giving to young children who would otherwise be receiving nothing this Christmas that they tripled the collection goal.

With the spirit of giving that moved these kids, and their families, the Pre-Academy of Finance was able to provide gifts for 74 elementary students, provide 30 gifts for Duncan’s Builders Club (a club which provides Christmas gifts for disadvantaged students at Duncan Middle), and donate 133 gift to Real Life Children’s Ranch of Okeechobee. Real Life Children’s Ranch is a family-style group home for abused and abandoned children; providing a loving, caring environment where children learn the richness of a well-rounded life.

“The faculty of the Pre-Academy of Finance is proud of the thoughtfulness and care for others that the students have shown,” said Kate Wynn, Literary and Fine Arts Academy Coordinator. “It is the hope of the Academy’s teachers that the kids will learn how satisfying it can be to give of yourself to others- that truly is what the holidays are all about.”

For more information please contact Ms. Wynn at 561-776-3596 or kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org .

The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber Foundation and Jupiter Medical Center recently donated science carts to five north county middle schools.  The Chamber’s Education and Life Science Committee is committed to raising students’ interest in the area of science, “Energizing students to become career-oriented in the sciences complements the presence of bio-science, medical device technology and healthcare research in the Northern Region of Palm Beach County.”

“The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber Foundation and Jupiter Medical Center have joined forces to champion science education and we are deeply grateful for their support of our students and their valuable contribution to student achievement,” said Area 4 Superintendent Dr. Camille Coleman.

The recipients of the carts are Jupiter, Independence, John F. Kennedy, Howell L. Watkins and Watson B. Duncan Middle Schools.

For more information please contact Dr. Coleman at 561-494-1505 or Camille.coleman@palmbeachschools.org .

YEA! participants will engage in 30 weeks of college course work, be mentored by successful entrepreneurs, and create a business plan for a real business. The program culminates with students presenting their proposal to a panel of Angel Investors looking for the best business to utilize their investment. Eight ambitious students from the Pre-Academy of Finance applied and interviewed for a seat in the YEA! program. To the excitement of the interviewer, Academy teachers, and Duncan administrators, all 8 students were accepted into the program (seven of whom accepted a seat in the program). Over the next 8 months, Adam Brower, Abdullah Ali, Natalee Castillo, Morgan DiCocco, Ryan Holzhausen, Robert Calvert, and Natalie Schlueter will be immersed in the world of entrepreneurship and business.

“Most excitingly, each student will leave the YEA! program with their own operational business and a whole new understanding of how the business world works,” said Kate Wynn with Watson B. Duncan Middle School. “Congratulations to the Pre-Academy of Finance’s YEA! participants.”

For more information please contact Ms. Wynn at kate.wynn@palmbeachschools.org or 561-776-3596