Greetings, Culinary Students, Parents, and Guardians,
My name is Chef Christopher Bates, the Lead Instructor and Program Director of the Magnet Academy of Culinary Arts at Wekiva High School, and it is my great pleasure to welcome students back to the kitchen. I am joined by Coach Matthew Makransky and Chef Brook-Lynn Mitchell in the teaching kitchens of Wekiva and we are excited about how our program is growing!
Our students have done AMAZING things in the past few years, making a name for our Culinary Magnet across the state and country. We are now ranked SECOND in the state of Florida and this is the year we make it to number one!
Soon, your student will be learning about food safety & sanitation, the hospitality industry’s history and practices, professionalism and management, the latest advances in food science, and of course, cooking restaurant quality food! Culinary Arts is a fun course, but there are specific academic requirements and safety practices that must be addressed before any student gets to use a ten inch chef’s knife or set a brulee on fire… even if they’ve been our student for years.
I know most families don’t study every line of the start-of-year paperwork students bring home in August, so I have boiled down what it takes to be successful into Chef Bates 10 Commandments For Getting an “A” in Culinary. The “Commandments” are a synopsis of the entire syllabus, uniform guidelines, and kitchen safety rules – the rules and procedures students MUST know and follow. It doesn’t cover everything, just most everything. Please review the “Commandments” on the reverse side of this letter with your student so all of us are on the same page.
In this packet are forms that need to be filled out and signed by both Culinary students and their parents or guardians. By signing each form, you are stating you have read, understand, and agree to the terms, rules, and procedures. All forms in this packet must be signed and returned by Monday, August 22, 2023. RETURNING THIS SIGNED PACKET IS A GRADE IN THE COURSE.
I know there are a lot of details to keep up with when you have an active teen in high school, but I want to stress how important it is we remain in close contact. Please consider the following ways we can work together to ensure your student is successful:
- Consider signing up as an ADDitions volunteer. We welcome your visit to our classroom and can use your help with our many eager culinarians. Email us if you would like to spend a few hours or an entire day in the kitchen. Your presence would be a great benefit.
- We respond to all emails within 24 hours. If you have any concerns, please reach out sooner rather than later.
- All parents have access to our online learning management system, CANVAS. You can stay up-to-date with everything we’re doing by going on your student’s Canvas account using your credentials. You should consider adding your cell phone number under “settings” and configuring the account to send you regular updates on assignments, announcements, and grades… right on your phone.
- Don’t forget about social media! We’re on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, wekivaculinary.org, has tons of helpful information. And don’t forget to check your email for our monthly newsletter! You will get more information on what the kids are doing, special sales on food items the advanced kids have made, as well as stay in the know on events you are invited to attend.
In addition to all these ways to stay involved, all of our Culinary instructors have made the commitment to speak personally with every parent at least twice a year. Expect a call from us around the midway point of both semesters. If you would like, I welcome Parent/ Teacher conferences to address any concerns or answer questions. We look forward to getting to know both you and your student over the course of the coming year. Here’s to a great start!
Thank you for trusting us with your young culinarian,
| Chef Bates | Coach Matthew Makransky | Brook-Lynn Mitchell |
| christopher.bates@ocps.net | matthew.makransky@ocps.net | brook-lynn.mitchell@ocps.net. |
| 407-297-4900 ext 6192628 | 407-297-4900 ext 6192625 | 407-297-4900 ext 6192627 |