Lifewise Academy representative updates board on release‑time program at Lost Lake Elementary
Summary
A Lifewise Academy representative told the Lake County School Board the program is operating at Lost Lake Elementary with about 14 students in grades 3–5 and that other coaches statewide are planning launches; participation requires parental approval and is donor funded.
Gwen Chambers, representing Lifewise Academy, told the Lake County School Board on March 24 that Lifewise has launched a release‑time, character‑education program at Lost Lake Elementary and currently serves about 14 third‑, fourth‑ and fifth‑grade students.
Chambers said the program began after the Lake County School District approved Lifewise Academy roughly two years ago. She described Lifewise as a release‑time, character‑education course that meets during lunch and recess; students leave the campus to attend the class at an off‑site location and bring their own lunches. Chambers said the program is fully donor funded and that parental approval is required for student participation.
Chambers also told the board that five to seven Lifewise program coaches in Florida are preparing to launch similar programs, with coverage planned from Miami‑Dade to the state’s northern counties. She said Shelly Martin is responsible for Northern Lake County and that Martin does not expect to launch in that area until the next school year.
Chambers closed by asking if the board or superintendent had any questions; board members asked about expansion plans and were told planning in some areas is pending. No formal board action was taken on the public comment.
The board acknowledged Chambers’s update and thanked her for the presentation.
