Focus Academy to Hold Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony in Honor of Dr. Bondi

A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the inaugural year of Focus Academy, a newly opened charter high school for exceptional education students (ESE), scheduled for Friday, October 4, at 10 a.m., will honor the life and spirit of Dr. Joseph Bondi. A plaque in Dr. Bondi’s honor will be dedicated, and will be installed in the school. The entire Bondi family will be in attendance at his event, including Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Dr. Bondi was a long time member of Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, whose campus is the site of Focus Academy. He was a Navy veteran and graduate of Hillsborough High School, where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. After earning his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the University of Florida, Dr. Bondi organized one of the first five middle schools in the nation, becoming a true pioneer of the middle school movement. Heserved as a teacher, school administrator, and college professor. He was also the author of over 25 textbooks. He served as a member of the Temple Terrace City Council from 1970-74 and Temple Terrace Mayor from 1974-78.

Also in attendance will be newly appointed Director of Charter Schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools, Jenna Hodgens, and former Hillsborough County Public School Board member and lifelong advocate for ESE students, Dr. Jack Lamb, as well as other special guests.

Focus Academy has received attention for its innovative approach to meeting the needs of ESE students.

A grassroots effort spearheaded by several parents of ESE students was the drivingforce behind Focus Academy's goal to educate the whole student and provide them with the skills to live the most meaningful and independent lives possible. Focus Academy’s unique research-based approach emphasizes social, emotional, intellectual, and academic growth.

The school’s mission is to offer students

and their families “Academics for Real Life.”

OFFICE

304 Druid Hills Road

Temple Terrace, FL 33617

PHONE

813.443.5558

EMAIL

focusacademy@gmail.com

WEB

focusacademytampa.org

facebook/focusacademytampa

###