Thursday, February 6, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
NEWS RELEASE: JANUARY 28, 2014
January 28, 2014
Scott proposes $542 million boost to education budget
Local school officials reacted cautiously on Monday after Gov.
Rick Scott proposed increasing public school spending by $542
million…."If it's unrestricted, it's fabulous, it's great," said Broward
schools Superintendent Robert Runcie. "As long as the issues that
emerged last year with the earmarks are not there, it's very much
welcome."
How A Broward County School District Is Rethinking Zero-Tolerance Policies
In
many schools, zero-tolerance discipline policies dictate harsh
punishment — expulsion, suspension and arrest — for breaking rules. But,
as StateImpact Florida has been reporting, some districts are
reconsidering zero tolerance after concerns about a rise in the number
of children arrested on campus. One of those districts walking away from
zero tolerance is in Broward County, where the schools formed a unique
coalition with law enforcement, local and state courts, and the NAACP to
re-write the school codes.
School Choice Application Window Deadline to Apply is February 12, 2014
NEWS RELEASE: JANUARY 25-27, 2014
January 25 -27, 2014
A print or digital subscription may be required to view articles online.
Plantation High School students help teach elementary students about rockets
The
same group of students who build working rockets from almost scratch
and design engines are now helping younger students learn the same
thing. Plantation High School's Aerospace Technologies and Design
program is hosting the second- through fifth-grade students from Peter's
Elementary School each Thursday evening in January to teach them how to
build and fly rockets, all while protecting an egg payload in flight.
Weston school group meets President Obama
An
ordinary fifth-grade field trip to Washington, D.C., turned
extraordinary when more than 60 Manatee Bay Elementary School students
and faculty got to meet President Barack Obama. The Weston school group was on their White House tour and ended up
becoming part of a segment on the "Steve Harvey Show."
Students at two schools ride the yoga wave
More
than 1,400 students, dressed for the cold in their sweatshirts and
jackets, created a yoga wave on their school's football field on
Thursday, flowing through a series of poses before resting on their
backs on the chilly grass.
Mom sues Broward school district over service dog
A Sunrise mother
has filed a federal lawsuit against the Broward School Board, alleging
the district discriminated against her disabled 6-year-old son by
imposing too many barriers to bringing a service dog on campus.
NEWS RELEASE: JANUARY 22, 2014
January 22, 2014
Broward transforming computer science classes
The
Broward school district is making sure its students are ready for the
future workforce — and that means teaching them not just how to use
technology, but how to build it. Next year, the school district will
dramatically expand its computer science program, adding new curriculum
and courses at 38 schools, officials announced Tuesday.
Florida education news: Teacher training, student busing, magnet schools and more
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY: Broward schools will expand their computer science program in a partnership with Code.org, the Sun-Sentinelreports.
Coral Springs high school student earns national recognition for flute
Rebecca Tutunick of Coral Springs doesn't
quite remember the day she fell in love with the flute, but she recalls
being mesmerized the first time she heard it being played. "The sounds
of the flute were always the most appealing to my ears," Tutunick, a
senior at Marjory Stoneman DouglasHigh
School, said.
Hollywood schools film festival is Jan. 23
Students
of Hollywood schools are inviting movie goers and film enthusiasts to
its Hooray Hollywood event on Thursday, Jan. 23. Hooray Hollywood is a
film festival and awards ceremony that showcases films produced by
students in Hollywood's public schools.
Applications sought for Broward Center Teen Ambassador Program
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is
accepting applications for the 2013-2014 Broward Center Teen Ambassador
Program, which is open to high school students residing in Broward
County who are interested in the performing arts.
Tamarac seeking charter school proposals for first high school
The
city originally built as a retirement mecca for senior citizens wants
to build its first public high school. The commission agreed at a
workshop Tuesday to allow the city manager to formally make a request
from charter school companies to gauge interest.
NEWS RELEASE: JANUARY 16-21, 2014
January 16, 2014
A print or digital subscription may be required to view articles online.
Academy holds out hope for improvement at MLK school
The
fate of an almost entirely minority Broward County public school could
rest in the hands of a group of caring mentors who are racing to effect
improvements and avoid its closure. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Elementary School, located at 591 NW 31st Ave., Lauderhill, scored an
“F” grade on the most recent Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test, or
FCAT; only 27 percent of students are proficient in reading and 25
percent scored satisfactory or higher in math.
Administration Calls For Schools To Limit Use Of Zero Tolerance Policies, Police Officers For Routine Student Discipline
The
damage done by zero tolerance policies has been covered here several
times. Recently, we noted more schools were dropping these policies in
favor of something more nuanced and leaving fewer routine disciplinary
problems in the hands of on-campus police officers. The positive effects
of these actions were immediately noticeable. Broward County, Florida
schools witnessed a 41% drop in arrests in a 66% drop in suspensions
after their zero tolerance policies were abandoned.
January 18 -21, 2014
Broward County Schools Try to Teach Parents to Cook to Their Kids
The
district is trying to get lower income parents more involved with all
aspects of their kids’ education, including choosing good, healthy
nutrition over fast food.
Redesigned schools see boost in enrollment, technology
Broward's
bold move this year to radically transform a cluster of failing and
underenrolled schools is already showing results — infusing new
resources, technology and additional students into the campuses.
NEWS RELEASE: JANUARY 14-15, 2014
January 14, 2014
20,000 expected at WalkAbout fundraiser for autism
It
started out small as a fun day for youths with autism in South Florida
to share with one another, their families and friends. About 1,500
people attended. But this Jan. 25, more than 20,000 people are expected
at the Fourth Annual Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism & Expo at Sun Life Stadium, raising perhaps a half-million dollars for the cause.
Panel suggests only minor changes to Common Core
After
listening to14 hours of public testimony and sifting through 19,000
written comments, Florida educators decided Common Core only needed some
tweaks….Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said the changes
"don't seem to be reducing the standards, but adding and strengthening
them." He cautioned, however, about the impact these shifts could have
on teachers.
January 15, 2014
Weston teenager's razzle-dazzle hockey goal ranks No. 1 on ESPN
The
reigning god of sports videos — at least for now — isn't some
platinum-salaried basketball player or golden-armed quarterback. It's an
unassuming high school kid trying out a goofy move during a hockey game
played in, of all places, South Florida.
Local hockey player gets national attention
A
game-winning goal during a South Florida high school hockey game made
Sportcenter's "Top10", Monday night. Sixteen-year-old Jake Levy made the
goal on a penalty shot for the Cypress Bay youth hockey team. "Once in a
lifetime, I'll never forget that my entire life," Levy said.
Weston Hockey Player’s Sensational Goal Makes ESPN’s No. 1 Play Of The Day
Sharing Locks of Love
Students and faculty at Hallandale Beach's
Gulfstream Middle School recently found a different way to give back.
For the third time, the Gulfstream Student Council chose to give to
Locks of Love, and both students and teachers were involved in the
effort. Locks of Love is a nonprofit that provides hairpieces to
children younger than 21 who have long-term medical hair loss.
Moving away from the misguided zero tolerance policy in schools
Kids
will be kids, and sadly that often means bad judgment in schools.
However, should such non-violent misbehaving require disciplinary action
above school-related punishment? Last week the Obama Administration
issued guidelines basically saying no.
Broward faces $200,000 class size fine, but it could have been worse
The
Broward school district expects to pay a $200,000 penalty for not
meeting class size caps at 21 of its schools, officials said Tuesday.
The state this year allowed districts to calculate class size
requirements for magnet schools based on schoolwide averages instead of
period by period. Without changes, the district would have faced a $1.1
million fine.
NEWS RELEASE: FRIDAY FOCUS JANUARY 10, 2014
Week Ending January 10, 2014
BCPS News Releases
BCPS College Academy @ BC to Hold Recruitment Open Houses
Students Can Earn High School Diploma and AA Degree
Two BCPS School Leaders Finalists for State's Top School Leadership Honors
http://www.browardschools.com/News-And-Events/News/Two-BCPS-School-Leaders-Finalists-for-State’s-Top
BCPS News Headlines
A print or digital subscription may be required to view articles online.
(The following includes news coverage during the two-week Winter Break)
Op-Ed
By Robert W. Runcie: Broward schools seek cost-saving measures
South Florida 100 Forum Dec. 29
South Florida 100 Forum Jan 5
Obama surprises students on White House tour
2 school leaders named state finalists
Broward in running for Florida principal, vice principal of year
Senior volunteer wins state award
Exhibit showcases students' artwork
Pledging not to text and drive
Theater shows make subjects come alive for students
South Florida's got talent
Students help with dune restoration
90 Whispering Pines students get a puppy party
Pines teen's work with autistic kids earns her Nickelodeon award
Program helps at-risk students
Party's Over: School Resumes After Winter Break
Commissioner Holness presents proclamation to Dillard High School Orchestra Director
Dillard High School leads Broward County public schools improving from “C” school to“A” school
Black high schools get 1st ‘A’ grades
High School graduation rates released; 97 percent of traditional BCPS High Schools exceeded the state rate
Editorial
Find ways for Broward schools to save
First day of school set for Aug. 18
Editorial
Zero Tolerance, Reconsidered
s-out-about-275k-settlement/-/1717324/23718216/-/jq577h/-/index.html?ver=2
Once overcrowded, school district now selling land
NEWS RELEASE: DECEMBER 21, 2013 to JANUARY 7, 2014
December 21, 2013 – January 7, 2014
Obama surprises students on White House tour
They
may have been inside his home and workplace, but the last person that a
group of Weston elementary students expected to see in person was
President Barack Obama.
2 school leaders named state finalists
Two Broward school leaders have a chance at earning a coveted state honor.
Broward in running for Florida principal, vice principal of year
Florida
leaders on Monday announced the finalists for Principal and Assistant
Principal of the Year - with Broward County in the running for both
awards.
Senior volunteer wins state award
You're
never too old to earn a little recognition. The state has honored
Dorothy Zarfjian as the Outstanding Senior Volunteer for this region.
Exhibit showcases students' artwork
For nearly 20 years, art students at South Broward High School have had a unique opportunity to display their work to the community.
Pledging not to text and drive
Texting and driving is a deadly combination. Teens hear it all the time but often don't heed the message.
Theater shows make subjects come alive for students
A trip to the theater turned six-year-old Dwight Smith into a math teacher for his mom and sister.
South Florida's got talent
The
stars are aligning in South Florida — the kind that glimmer on stage
and screen, that is. A stunning array of young performers lighting up Hollywood and Broadway grew up in Broward and Palm
Beach counties, and some got their training here, too.
Students help with dune restoration
Students from Cooper City's Embassy Creek Elementary School recently hit the beach to help with dune restoration.
90 Whispering Pines students get a puppy party
Puppy paw print paper covered three long tables as 90 students piled into the cafeteria at Whispering Pines Elementary School.
Pines teen's work with autistic kids earns her Nickelodeon award
Miranda Fuentes loves to surf. And as a volunteer with Surfers For Autism, a nonprofit based in BocaRaton, she gets to share that love with others.
Program helps at-risk students
Plantation High School is working to reduce dropout numbers and help at-risk students get their diploma.
Party's Over: School Resumes After Winter Break
Joy Talley teaches sixth-grade social studies, and says this day is usually a get-back-up-to-speed day.
Commissioner Holness presents proclamation to Dillard High School Orchestra Director
Broward
County Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness made a special trip to Dillard
High School to present Christopher Dorsey, Director of Jazz Studies and
Orchestra Director for Dillard Center For The Arts...
Dillard High School leads Broward County public schools improving from “C” school to“A” school
December 18, 2013 will go down as the day that Dillard High School made history.
Black high schools get 1st ‘A’ grades
Three high schools. Three educational icons in their communities.
High School graduation rates released; 97 percent of traditional BCPS High Schools exceeded the state rate
Today, the Florida Department of Education released Federal high school graduation rates for the 2012/13 school year.
Editorial
Find ways for Broward schools to save
Opinion
By Robert W. Runcie: Broward schools seek cost-saving measures
The
Dec. 22 editorial, "Find ways for Broward schools to save," should have
been titled "Broward schools achieve significant savings, will continue
to find more."
Opinion
Andrew Ladanowski: Broward schools Facilities Task Forceworking to fix problems
With
appreciation to both the Editorial Board of the Sun Sentinel and
Broward Superintendent of Schools Robert Runcie, the district's
Facilities Task Force would like to share the following clarifications
with the school board and editorial board:
First day of school set for Aug. 18
Mark
your calendars, Broward School Board members have approved dates for
the 2014-15 Broward school year. Next year, classes for public school
students will begin Aug. 18 and end on June 4.
New school standards tough for non-English speakers
New
Common Core education standards are making their way into South
Florida's classrooms, underscoring critical thinking skills and
toughening expectations of students.
Editorial
Zero Tolerance, Reconsidered
Schools
across the country are rethinking “zero tolerance” discipline policies
under which children have been suspended, even arrested, for minor
offenses like cursing, getting into shoving matches and other
garden-variety misbehavior that in years past would have been resolved
with detention or meetings with a child’s parents.
School-grade divide leaves Florida parents puzzled
The
year 2013 was a record-setting time for Florida schools —but in a way
that may leave confused parents scratching their heads.
Broward schools pay $275,00 in whistleblower case
The
Broward School District will pay $275,000 to settle a lawsuit from a
husband and wife who played pivotal roles in exposing corruption in the
facilities department.
Broward school employee speaks out about $275k settlement
Employee speaks about settlement he received from school board
Once overcrowded, school district now selling land
After years of buying land to build new schools, the Broward School District is now looking to unload some parcels.
Pay for Broward schools’ diversity committee members sparks backlash
The
Broward school district’s Diversity Committee is supposed to be an
equality watchdog — but some of its own members are being accused of
getting special treatment.
Pines charter schools to face more challenges in the new year
A tumultuous year for Pembroke Pines charter schools has left the system on rocky ground and facing major challenges in the new year.
Peter Deutsch’s Ben Gamla charter schools win nod for new Hollywood high/middle school
Former
U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch won conditional approval early Friday from a
key Hollywood board to build a controversial Ben Gamla middle and senior
charter high school in a traffic-congested neighborhood near City Hall.
Creek teacher should keep job, judge rules
Friday, December 27, 2013
NEWS RELEASE: DECEMBER 6 - 13, 2013
December 6, 2013
A print or digital subscription may be required to view articles online.
Runcie Receives Superintendent Of The Year Award
Broward
County Public Schools Superintendent Robert W. Runcie received
the “Star” Superintendent of the Year Award in Tampa Thursday.
Dolphins Make Appearance At Maplewood Elementary School For Gatorade JTC
The
Miami Dolphins travelled north to Coral Springs to spend the day at
Maplewood Elementary School for a Gatorade Junior Training Camp (JTC),
impacting nearly 500 students, who were treated to six interactive
football drills, cheerleader routines and life lessons.
Apollo Middle School STEM teacher honored with Florida’s 2013 ‘Oscar of Teaching’
No
doubt, Luis Espinosa, who leads the Aeronautics STEM (Science,
Technology Engineering and Math) Magnet and LEEO (Linking Education and
Employment Opportunities) programs at Apollo Middle School in Hollywood,
Fla., was excited that Florida’s Commissioner of Education, Pam Stewart
and Superintendent Robert W. Runcie were participating in a school-wide
event to recognize the achievements of those two programs. Yet,
Espinosa had no inkling that the assembly’s spotlight was about to focus
on him.
Education over incarceration will end the school-to-jail pipeline
Anyone
who has heard me speak at public functions knows that when it comes to
our children — the future of Broward County — I strongly favor education
over incarceration. Likewise, one of my first directives as sheriff was
to implement mandatory civil citations.
Letter to the Editor
Broward schools replacing zero tolerance with PROMISE
The
Broward County school system finally understands that arresting our
children for disciplinary issues is cruel and unusual punishment. After
several years of holding the No. 1 spot in student arrests in Florida,
the district finally got it and introduced a program designed to reduce
the number of student arrests, suspensions and expulsions.
December 7 - 9, 2013
Broward schools puts Disney partnership on hold
The
Broward school district won't get its dose of Disneyfication just yet.
Officials have halted the district's partnership with the Disney
Institute because they say its employees have too many other initiatives
on their plate to handle additional training. Officials said they plan
to continue making improvements with there sources they have.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-school-cancels-disney-training-20131206,0,895691.story
Group urges Broward school district to cut lawn mowing costs
Sometimes
the grass is cheaper as well as greener on the other side. That's why a
group of community activists is urging the Broward school district to
reduce the costs of its in-house lawn mowing services. They pay its
in-house employees almost three times what an outside company charges
for the same work, numbers provided by the district show.
Are police living on school grounds still needed?
The
Broward school district has allowed police officers to live rent-free
on some school grounds since the 1980s as a way to provide after-hours
safety. But there's no hard numbers to prove the decades-old program is
still effective.
Opinion
Early education a proven fix to school's reading woes
The first time I met Angela Brown she seemed a little out of her element. It was over a year ago at an Urban League of Broward County meeting
where the Broward School District had launched its Black Male Success
initiative, a new effort by superintendent Robert Runcie to boost
academic performance among black male students.
Opinion
Sharon Glickman: Public schools need more public support
Today,
educators, support staff, parents, students and community members will
come together for the National Day of Action to demonstrate our
commitment to public education.
Audit could cost Broward schools $1.7 million
Broward County schools
could be forced to pay as much as $1.7 million after a state audit
concluded they received funding for hundreds of ineligible students.
Many of the 15 regular and five charter schools were cited by the state
Auditor General when they couldn't provide documentation that services
were needed for some students in the English for Speakers of Other
Languages and special education programs during the 2011-12 school year.
Hollywood mom creates 'The Bully Map'
OneHollywood psychotherapist has found a different way to stand up to bullying. Gay Lynn Grigas, who speaks to Broward County students
about the importance of confidence and empowerment, has launched "The
Bully Map." This new feature —
found on her self-help website, Trigger-proof.com — allows people to
report different forms of bullying and see their incident pop up in
their city, anywhere in the world.
U.S. Schools Reversing Get-Tough “Zero Tolerance” Policy
Some
of the largest school districts in the United States are moving away
from two decades of “zero tolerance” policies that resulted in thousands
of students being arrested and dropping out. Instead, education
officials are trying to help at-risk kids avoid trouble and stay in
school.
December 12, 2013
Broward's graduation rates dip slightly
Broward's
high school graduation rate dropped slightly in 2013, according to
state figures released Wednesday. The district's overall graduation rate
was 75.3 percent, compared to 76.4 percent the year before. Statewide,
75.6 percent of students graduated.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-broward-school-graduation-rates-20131211,0,1050921.story
Seminole County's Dede Schaffner awarded
Seminole
County Public School Board member Dede Schaffner recently received the
STAR award for her exemplary leadership from the Consortium of Florida
Education Foundations. Schaffner was one of two people who received the
award from CFEF this year. The other recipient was Robert Runcie, the
superintendent of Broward County Public Schools. Both were recognized on
Dec. 5 during CFEF's 68th annual joint conference of the Florida School
Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School
Superintendents.
Opinion
A quality education for all public school students
Educators,
parents, students and community members in Miami-Dade and Broward
counties are joining together to reclaim the promise of public
education. This important effort is co-sponsored by the American
Federation of Teachers and National Education Association and is a vital
step forward for our schools in South Florida.
December 13, 2013
World AIDS Day event draws over 500 Broward County students in commemoration
Over
500 Broward County students took photos in front of the authentic AIDS
Memorial Quilt sewn together by friends, lovers and family members,
commemorating the life of someone who has passed away due to AIDS.
Council of Great City Schools Urban Educator - Op-Ed
Broward District Aims to Close Schoolhouse-to-Jailhouse Pipeline
In
an effort to counter "zero tolerance" discipline measures, Florida's
Broward County Public Schools in Fort Lauderdale recently joined forces
with local community organizations to approve a new collaborative
agreement on school discipline. (Click pdf link to view article on page 9)
Pinellas schools aim to reduce student arrests
A
new disciplinary policy could ensure that students in Pinellas County
schools rarely find themselves in handcuffs. School board members said
during their Thursday workshop that they would like to move forward with
the creation of a new policy emulating one Broward County enacted this
school year. In Broward, the school board formed an agreement with local
law enforcement agencies to ensure that students who commit
“nonviolent, minor offenses,” don’t end up with a police record
prematurely.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)