BREAKING: Loggers Run Teacher Arrested for Sexting Teen

Loggers Run teacher Matthew Webster on a better day.
Loggers Run teacher Matthew Webster on a better day.

Teacher Matthew Webster was arrested for sending nude pictures of himself “to a 14-year-old student via smart phone. Charges are two counts of delivery of pornographic material harmful to a minor,” according to a media relations contact at the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office.

Earlier today several readers contacted us about an e-mail from Principal Fran Giblin of Loggers Run Middle School:

Today, a teacher at our school was arrested. While the allegations against the teacher are being investigated, the teacher will not be returning to campus and will have no contact with any students. At this time we do not have reason to believe that any of our students were affected.
While we do anticipate media coverage of the arrest, Loggers’ Run Middle School does not have any further details that we can provide.

Multiple sources told us that the arrest occurred shortly before 4 pm when school lets out. Readers told us they saw police at the school.
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Webster teaches culinary and home economics at the school and also coaches girls basketball. He is 41 years old.
It is our understanding that the student he was sexting is female, a recent former student of his at the school, and currently attends an area high school. We do not know her name and would not release it if we did.
Loggers Run, on West Palmetto Park Road, is a highly rated middle school and students scores are among the highest in the county.
Update: From the blotter, Webster is still in custody and bond has not been set.
Booking Date/Time: 01/05/2016 18:09
Arresting Agency: 01-PBSO
Jacket Number: 0474133
Booking Number: 2016000526
Charges:
847.0138-5264
CRUELTY TOWARD CHILD – TRANSMIT INFO HARMFUL TO MINORS
847.0138-5264
CRUELTY TOWARD CHILD – TRANSMIT INFO HARMFUL TO MINORS

Why We Like Mathnasium

We have been fans of Mathnasium for four years now. The results are outstanding. We’ve seen kids who were struggling at their grade level of math improved to perform very well at two grade levels ahead. We wrote about the West Boca Mathnasium’s opening last year.

Amy & Harel; Mathnasium in Westwinds of Boca (between Home Depot and Publix)
Amy & Harel; Mathnasium in Westwinds of Boca (between Home Depot and Publix)

A lot of parents go to math tutoring for homework help or test prep. Mathnasium does that, and does it just as well as anyone else. But Mathnasium is special because of “Number Sense.” This short video explains that a little:

We do not take our kids to Mathnasium for homework help or test prep at all. We focus on the Number Sense curriculum. This is not about the short term goal of the next homework or the next test. We are interested in the long term goals of readiness for math at the high school and college levels, as well as tests like the SAT and ACT.
Like many parents, we are unhappy with the math curriculum in our schools. People love to blame one group of politicians or another. The truth is that politicians of all stripes and education bureaucrats have been destroying math education for decades. It dates back to New Math in the 1960s and has only gotten worse.
Mathnasium’s own curriculum brings kids back to math that makes sense. We have found it particularly helpful with kids in elementary and middle school. In a way it’s like a vaccine. Spending a couple extra hours a week doing math the right way inoculates kids against the sickness of Common Core and No Child Left Behind. It helps them develop a solid foundation of real understanding, making it easier to learn higher level math when they get there.
To think about it another way, spending a couple extra hours a week doing math can only help a child for those high stakes college admissions tests down the road. If it gets your kid an extra 50 or 100 points on the Math SAT, that makes a significant difference in what schools they can get into and what scholarships might be available. Thinking even longer term, a kid who might otherwise be scared of the math in engineering or some other subject could be more ready to take on those challenges.
Mathematical literacy is tremendously important for college-bound kids. For those who are looking to give their kids an extra boost, we highly recommend Mathnasium. It’s not an overnight fix, but a process that leads to substantial improvement after a year or two.
Here’s another video about Number Sense, with the Mathnasium founder:

Loggers' Run Student Wins National Journalism Recognition

Benjamin Schiller; photo provided by family.
Benjamin Schiller; photo provided by family.

Benjamin Schiller, an 8th grade student at Loggers’ Run Middle School, has been named to the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps, “the country’s oldest and largest student reporting program.”

For more than 15 years, the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps has delivered news to classrooms nationwide. Stories by the kid reporters appear in select issues of Scholastic classroom magazines, which are read by more than 25 million students nationwide and are available online at www.scholastic.com/news

Schiller is one of only three kids chosen from Florida, and the only one south of Orlando. He is currently working on his first article for Scholastic, about habitat protection issues in the Everglades. He tells us he is hopeful that this experience “will jump start my career in journalism.”
Schiller has written for West Boca News in the past, including these articles:
6 FAU Owls Drafted by MLB
Boca Raton Bowl Coming to FAU
Boca Raton Bowl Report
schiller-press

Shriek Week is Coming!


Shriek Week at Sugar Sand Park starts on October 16th. There are many exciting activities including a Haunted House, Haunted Walkthrough, indoor blacklight games, a Giant LED Robots and DJ Show, and train rides. Another special event this week is the 4th Annual Kids’ Scary Film Festival. The festival features films from young filmmakers ages 6-17.
If you want to go to The Haunted House, you must reserve tickets ahead of time. The Haunted House is Oct 16, 17, 23 and 24 from 6 to 11 p.m and is for ages 7-12. There is a lite nite for ages 5-12 on Oct 22nd from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person. Call 561-347-3948.
Back by popular demand, the Giant LED Robots & DJ Show is only on October 16th and 17th from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. The interactive show features GIANT stiltwalking LED lighted robots who dance and shoot CO2 air cannons.
The Amazing Mr. A Magic Show is Oct 22 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Oct 23 and 24 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mr. A is a comedian, magician and ventriloquist. The trick or treat trail is free and takes place every night. The Park provides a bag and the candy.
For more information, go to http://www.sugarsandpark.org/shriek-week or call 561-347-3948. Sugar Sand Park is located at 300 S. Military Trail in Boca Raton.
shriekweek
 

Fall Season at Willow Theatre

The Willow Theatre is located in Sugar Sand Park at 300 S. Military Trail. The Theatre’s fall season features a few shows that are great for families and children.
Web Banner Nizer with WT logoMark Nizer 4D will be appearing on September 19th at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. His show combines comedy, juggling, music and movement. Everyone gets a pair of 3D glasses for the show. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
justhefunnyOn November 29th join Just The Funny for an improv show. Wear you favorite team jersey. Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children 12 & under. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 561-347-3948.
seasPuppets to Go presents The Spectacular Seas on December 30th. This original black light show reveals that oceans, along with the exotic creatures that inhabit them, must indeed be protected. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Show times are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cookies and juice will be served in the lobby after every performance.The box office is open Tuesday-Saturday 12 -5 p.m. and 2 hours prior to all performances.