Sunday, February 24, 2013

ESE PARENT SURVEY



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YEARBOOK PRESALE & ADS DUE DATE EXTENDED

PARENTS:

Tamarac Elementary PTA has extended the presale price of $25.00 for the purchase of a yearbook till March 1, 2013. We have also extended that yearbook ads till this date. You still have time to get your orders placed. If you need assistance please email Tamarac Elementary PTA @ tamaracpta@aol.com or call the school at 754-322-8600.
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NEWS RELEASE: FEBURARY 22, 2013

February 22, 2013

Broward Schools 2014 Teacher of the Year Finalists
Five elementary school teachers and an alternative school teacher are the six teachers selected to be among the best of the best in Broward County Public Schools (BCPS). The six – Suzanne Clancy, Challenger Elementary School; Monica Fernandez, Hallandale Adult Community Center; Dr. Miranti R. Murphy, Boulevard Heights Elementary School; Traci Porter, Harbordale Elementary School; Marie Rho, Lauderdale Manors Elementary School; and Evelyn Schwartz, Oakridge Elementary School – are finalists for the 2014 Teacher of the Year award. They are among the nearly 200 Teacher of the Year nominees from Broward County’s 232 schools and centers. The District has 14,327 teachers.

Six Broward Teachers recognized as among the best in Broward County

Bilingual Parents Institute to ‘Unlock Your Future’ Feb.23
The Broward County Public School District (BCPS) will hold its Annual Bilingual Parents Institute on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at The Signature Grand, 6900 State Rd. 84, Davie. The free program is presented by the ESOL Department (English for Speakers of Other Languages), and is open to bilingual parents of students in grades 6 through 12 to prepare their child for success in high school and college education.

Analyzing Florida’s Class Size Limit Penalties
Florida lawmakers are considering a bill which would change the way the state calculates class size limits required by the state constitution. Lawmakers may allow district schools to use the more flexible rules granted to charter schools.
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NEWS RELEASE: FEBURARY 21, 2013

February 21, 2013

Task force: Outsource part of Broward school bus service
The Broward County schools facilities task force on Wednesday proposed a dramatic alternative to fixing the bleeding transportation department —outsource one of its bus terminals to a private company.  "There's no way for you to know if what you're doing is the best until you have something to compare it to,"Charlotte Greenbarg, vice-chair of the task force, told the school board. She wants the district to pilot the idea with one terminal in order to compare costs and management operations.

Legislation Gives Florida School Districts More Flexibility On Class Sizes
A bill that would change the way schools are penalized for not complying with class size requirements is getting bipartisan support so far in Tallahassee….Georgia Slack, a lobbyist for Broward County Public Schools and a consortium of school boards, said the goal is not to change class size requirements.

Upcoming Allen West appearance sparks complaint
He's out of office, but former Congressman Allen West is still attracting controversy. This time it's over a speech he's scheduled to give Saturday night to one of the Broward School Board's advisory committees. A civic activist who's tangled before with West is outraged, arguing it's the wrong venue for the defeated one-term congressman, best known for his incendiary attacks on President BarackObama and other Democrats.

If Allen West could teach in Broward schools, surely he can speak
You know what's wrong with Allen West giving a talk to a Broward school district advisory group this weekend? Nothing.

Broward schools audit finds security firm overbilled
A private security firm hired to protect Broward school district properties was overbilling for the service, according to an internal audit presented to Broward School Board members Wednesday. The audit documented more than $129,000 in overbilling by Georgia-based U.S. Security Associates, and faulted the district’s “inadequate” oversight of the charges, many of which have been paid.
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NEWS RELEASE: FEBURARY 16-20, 2013

February 16 - 20, 2013

Miami Dolphins teach NFL skills to Glades Middle School students

Dancing program part of anti-bullying effort
Three fifth-grade classes from Harbordale Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale recently took part in a Dancing Classrooms Southeast Florida program designed to promote social development and combat bullying. The program involved teaching about 50 students several ballroom dances — the waltz, merengue, fox trot, tango, rumba and swing — twice a week at recess time during the fall semester. At the conclusion, the students gave a recital at the school.

Music to their ears: Students seek $30,000 grant for instruments
When McArthur High's students learned that as many as three classmates had to share a single band instrument, it struck a sour note. So five freshmen put their lessons to work and applied for a $30,000 grant to replace some of the school's beat up and out-of-tune instruments. They recently learned they're finalists for the money.

Parents fight to keep 2 special needs schools open
Parents at two special needs centers in Browardcounty are determined to convince the district to keep their schools open. Earlier this month, the district announced Sunset School and Wingate Oaks in FortLauderdale will shutter at the end of the school year due to low enrollment numbers. Parents at Sunset have started an online petiiton to "Save Sunset School." So far, the petition has garnered slightly under 500 signatures.

Parents decry closing of two Broward schools for special-needs kids
A growing chorus of parents with special-needs children are complaining about how the Broward school district treats them. If you ask parents why they value Broward’s Wingate Oaks Educational Center — and why they’re so furious about its imminent closure —the answer often boils down to trust.

School Districts across the country join Broward at invitation-only symposium on LGBTQ issues in Fort Lauderdale
School district representatives from across the country are convening in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, taking part in a first-ever symposium hosted by the Broward Stonewall Education Project (BSEP). Participants will examine LGBTQ-inclusive support systems and resources necessary for the wellness and safety of LGBTQ students in schools. In addition, participants will work together to create a national network for the future. BSEP is an unprecedented partnership between a private museum, the Fort Lauderdale-based Stonewall National Museum & Archives, and a public school district, Broward CountyPublic Schools (the nation’s sixth largest).

Hillsborough schools consider ads on websites
In Broward County, the web site for Coral Springs High School has an advertisement for a movie theater complex. The web site for Fort Lauderdale High carries an ad for a local dance studio.

Broward schools overpaid security firm by $129,000, audit finds
The Broward school district overpaid a security firm by $129,000, according an internal audit that found the district grossly mismanaged the contract, paid unnecessary overtime and late fees, and even paid guards after the contract expired. U.S. Security Associates, Inc. was contracted in 2009 to provide security guards to various bus facilities and the district's administration building. The district's school police department handled payments and verified work hours. An audit into the contract paymentswas requested by Superintendent Robert Runcie.

Davie considers tax to raise money to pay for police at every school
After the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December, Davie decided to put police officers in all of the town’s public schools. But after six weeks, saying it was too much of a strain, the police department pulled the officers out. Unhappy parents and teachers complained, and on Wednesday, the Town Council held a meeting to discuss a solution. They decided to put it to the voters….The Broward School District has no unified policy on the placement of police officers in schools, said spokeswoman Tracy Clark. It’s up to each municipality to decide whether or not to place officers in elementary schools.

Teacher faces firing over anger issues
A Wilton Manors Elementary teacher could lose her job for a variety of issues, including a heated dispute over flowers. Superintendent Robert Runcie is recommending the Broward School Board take steps Tuesday to fire Ann Morgan, 60, who teaches autistic students. If it agrees, she would be placed on unpaid leave while she is allowed to appeal.
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NEWS RELEASE: FEBURARY 15, 2013

February 15, 2013

Forest Glen Middle School Student is Finalist for National Award For Outstanding Volunteer Work
Forest Glen Middle School eighth grader, Randell Slapikas, has been selected as a Distinguished Finalist in the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for his outstanding volunteer work in his community.

Group uses hopscotch to help fight MS
A local foundation is turning to a popular children's game to help raise awareness for a serious cause. They are hoping to bring hopscotch to as many schools as possible to help battle multiple sclerosis. "We want kids to learn and understand really what MS is because it can be a very confusing illness," said Coral Springs resident Marla Jaffe Nassau, president and CEO of MS Hopscotch Hopping 4 A Cure…."We have raised money to be able to give our first scholarship this year to either a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High with MS or who has a family member who has been affected by MS," she said.

Bacterial meningitis reported at Miramar school
A case of bacterial meningitis was reported at Fairway Elementary School in Miramar, Broward school officials said. In a letter sent to parents Tuesday, school principal Michelle Engram-McKnight said students displaying high fever, chills or tiredness should be taken to the doctor right away.

Kunjufu: Hire more black male teachers
The graduation rate for black boys attending Broward County public Schools during the 2011-2012 school year was 68.2 percent, up 7.1 percent from the previous year, according to a December 2012 School Board memo.
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NEWS RELEASE: FEBURARY 14, 2013

February 14, 2013

Should Pembroke Pines charters get money from Broward school kitty?
Unhappy with the funding it gets for upkeep of its city-run charter school system, PembrokePines wants to change state law to compel the Broward school district to share some property tax revenue. The school district hates the idea, saying it can't afford to give up any money for construction, repairs and equipment for traditional public schools. So now we have a heated clash pitting government vs. government, and Pines charter supporters vs. outsiders.

Davie considers tax to raise money to pay for police at every school
After the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December, Davie decided to put police officers in all of the town’s public schools. But after six weeks, saying it was too much of a strain, the police department pulled the officers out. Unhappy parents and teachers complained, and on Wednesday, the Town Council held a meeting to discuss a solution. They decided to put it to the voters.

Report: Meningitis case at Miramar school
A case of bacterialmeningitis has been reported at an elementary school in Miramar, according to WTVJ-Ch. 6. Parents of students at Fairway Elementary School were notified by the school on Tuesday, informing them about the disease and its symptoms, the station reported.
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BOXTOPS WINNER!!!!!

Did you know that when Jamie Romano wakes up every morning, she enters for a chance to win prizes from General Mills Boxtops for Education?

Well, she does!

And...

She WON!

And won BIG!!!!!

Her name was drawn and she has won $10,000 for our school and a trip for herself to the Boxtop University in Minneapolis this summer!!

Way to go, Jaime! And thank you so much for your hard work for Tamarac Elementary!

Roberta Ray
Principal
Tamarac Elementary
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NEWS RELEASE: FEBURARY 13, 2013

February 13, 2013

Broward School Board upset by savings shortfall
Broward School Board members expressed disappointment Tuesday that the transportation department is expected to fall drastically short of its projected savings this year. "We were really banking on getting those savings," said board member Patricia Good. "It's quite severe."

Broward school bus service shake-up yielded lower savings than expected
Broward’s revamped schools bus service was supposed to save big money this year, but those savings came in much smaller than expected. The Broward School district’s overhaul of school bus service — a shake-up that led to widespread mishaps — is expected to yield less than $3 million in cost savings this year, district leaders announced Tuesday.
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NEWS RELEASE: FEBURARY 9 - 11, 2013

February 9 - 11, 2013

Musical to recreate Springs' 50-year history
CoralSprings students will, with some help from principals, city officials and senior city staff, recreate the history of the city through music at an event next month.The musical will be one of the highlights of the city's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Should Florida teachers get big hike in pay?
After years of frozen wages, pension reforms that ate into their pay and a new accountability system that will base pay on performance, the subject of teacher salaries in Florida is gaining new political attention. State Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach, and state Sen. Joe Abruzzo, D-Wellington, have filed twin bills in the Legislature to give teachers an average $10,000 pay increase, which they say would make them level with their national counterparts. Gov. Rick Scott, in a separate plan, wants to give all teachers a $2,500 pay raise.

Students arrested for throwing spitballs, lollipops
Thousands of Florida students are arrested in school each year and taken to jail for behavior that once warranted a trip to the principal's office — a trend that troubles juvenile-justice and civil-rights leaders who say children are being traumatized for noncriminal acts….Broward school officials are working with law enforcement officials and school administrators to reduce the incidents,including drafting a set of non-criminal punishments — such as in-school suspension — for discipline problems.
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NEWS RELEASE: FEBURARY 8, 2013

February 8, 2013

Drive provides more than $100K in school supplies
Three semi-trucks full of items helped more than 600 Broward teachers replenish their school supplies as a result of the Tools for Schools drive organized by the UnitedWayof Broward County and Publix.

‘School Duel’ back for 3rd season on BECON
BECON-TV (Broward Education Communications Network) WBEC-TV a nonprofit, noncommercial television station owned and operated by the School Board of Broward County announced the participating teams and broadcast schedule for the third season of School Duel, designed to reward and showcase intellectual talent in South Florida’s high schools, as well as serving as a positive educational tool for students.

Four Broward County students named candidates for prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
Four Broward County Public Schools students have been named candidates for the highly prestigious 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Coral Glades High School senior Ronald D. Laracuente, Nova High School senior Gregory A. Bernstein, and Marjory Stoneman High School seniors Diana C. Luzardo and Jason C. Zhang were named among the more than 3,000 candidates in the 2013 U.S.Presidential Scholars Program.
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Thursday, February 7, 2013

NEWS RELEASE: FEBRUARY 7, 2013

February 7, 2013

Students grow food, learn nutrition
Program encourages Broward County students to eat more fresh food
A new program is teaching students in five Broward County Public schools about healthy eating and growing vegetables. ”Go ahead, just pull them out. Wow, look at the carrots,” said science teacher Noel Morgado-Santos.  His students are harvesting and observing the carrots they've grown in their new garden in Lauderhill.

Broward School District releases three year plan
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has announced distribution of the District’s new Three-Year Strategic Plan. The BCPS Strategic Plan was developed with the assistance and input of the BCPS community. In brief, the plan highlights three primary goals and provides a structure for “Strengthening the Paths to Success.”

Broward School Board approves salary increases for employees
The School Board of Broward County, Florida approved salary increases on February 5, 2013, for approximately 4,568 Broward County Public Schools employees.

Alex Collins delays signing with Arkansas: 'The family is not on the same page'
While Northeast receiver Stacy Coley and Miramar linebacker Jermaine Grace ended intense speculation Wednesday by signing with the University of Miami, another prized local recruit who had turned down the Hurricanes against his mother’s wishes stole the spotlight with his strange National Signing Day saga. South Plantation running back Alex Collins was set to sign with Arkansas on Wednesday morning after announcing Monday night on Fox Sports South that he had chosen the Razorbacks over Miami, Florida State, Florida and Wisconsin.

Embattled BCPS Transportation director blows the whistle on rampant corruption, nepotism
Chester Tindall, 50, may hail from the “Windy City” of Chicago, but his brief tenurehere has been nothing short of stormy. “I was brought down here to reform the system,” stated the embattled but unbowed head of the Broward County Public School’s Transportation Department.
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NEWS RELEASE: JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 6, 2013

Recent News Items:

February 6, 2013

Broward County Public Schools unveils new three-year Strategic Plan
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has announced distribution of the District’s new Three-Year Strategic Plan. The BCPS Strategic Plan was developed with the assistance and input of the BCPS community. In brief, the plan highlights three primary goals and provides a structure for “Strengthening the Paths to Success.”

Broward school employees get 2 percent raise
More than 5,000 employees at the Broward School District are set to receive a 2 percent raise this year after the School Board Tuesday approved pay hikes for four of its unions. The raises are effective this year and will cost the district about $1.6 million. Affected employees include clerical staff, principals, assistant principals, secretaries, administrative workers and food service workers. The last time these groups were given a raise was in the 2008-09 school year.

School districts may have to share space with charters
The relationship between charter schools and traditional schools could soon get a lot cozier under a legislative proposal that could require them to share space. The bill, proposed by a state House education subcommittee, would require districts to make space available to charter schools for free if a traditional school's enrollment falls below 50 percent.Charter schools could also have free access to vacant school district buildings.

Parents claim Broward district denies services to special-needs students
Dressed in all black, about a dozen parents stood before the Broward School Board Tuesday with a unified message: The district is failing to provide adequate services to their special-needs children. They claim that schools deny their students evaluations, individualized education programs and special services. Other parents said they've been excluded from important decisions such as whether their children will be able to graduate with a standard diploma. 

Broward parents demand more rigor for special-needs students
Some Broward parents with special-needs children complain the school district pushes their students off the path for a real high school diploma. In testimony that was at once angry and tearful, a group of Broward mothers told School Board members Tuesday that their special-needs children are being forced into less rigorous classes that don’t result in a standard high school diploma.

Broward School Board fires teacher accused of beating students
Alphonso Joseph taught at Arthur Ashe Middle School in Fort Lauderdale
A Broward County Schools teacher, who was accused of beating students, was fired on Tuesday. The School Board voted to terminate Arthur Ashe Middle School teacher Alphonso Joseph. The board followed the recommendation of Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie to fire Joseph.
 
February 5, 2013

School hosts centennial party
South Broward High School recently hosted a party 100 years in the making.
The marine science magnet school celebrated its 100th anniversary with an event featuring speeches from notable alumni, campus tours, classic cars and musical performances. "Our school spirit, our tradition and our history lives on," said Principal Olayemi Awofadeju.

Davie school hosts hydro rocket competition
Nova High School in Davie recently hosted a Broward County hydro rocket competition. The event featured three categories: hang time (the rocket with the longest airtime wins), target (whichever rocket either gets into the target or closest to it wins), and odd rocket (make a rocket that doesn't look like a rocket).

Students named in Broward Center Teen Ambassador program
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts has welcomed 25 students from 15 high schools in Broward into the 2012-13 class of Broward Center Teen Ambassador Program. Open to students interested in the performing arts, the program offers an insider's view as teen ambassadors participate in educational workshops with touring artists, attend live performances, write reviews and share their experiences in social media.

Scholarship deadline approaching
The Broward League of Cities is offering scholarships to Broward County high school seniors who are county residents, attend a Broward public or charter school and plan to attend a college or university to pursue a major in public administration, political science or other government-related field. Four students will be selected for a $1,000 scholarship. Applications are due by Feb. 15. To be considered, applicants must be available on the date scheduled for interviews, set for March 30.

Heat giving out 4 scholarships totaling $10,000
The Miami Heat is giving four $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors attending Broward, Palm Beach or Miami-Dade county schools, based on their academic performance, sports activity, community service and financial need.
 
February 2-4, 2013

Special Presentation – “The Guidance of Youth to Adulthood” hosted by Broward Schools
Broward County Public Schools invites the community to attend a special lecture presentation by Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, a celebrated author and speaker on topics that address diversity in urban school districts. Dr. Kunjufu’s presentation will address ways to close the racial academic achievement gap and how to  develop students to become self-disciplined. The event will include a question and answer session.

Deadline approaching for Broward Schools applications for Magnet School Programs, Nova Schools
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is currently accepting applications for its magnet school programs and Nova schools for the 2013-14 school year. Applications must be received or postmarked by February 13, 2013.

Pines charters, Broward School Board in tug-of-war for tax money
The 5,600 students who attend the Pembroke Pines Charter schools are no different than their peers at Chapel TrailElementary or West Broward High. They're all public school students. Some juggle Advanced Placement classes and varsity sports. They all take the dreaded statewide standardized tests. The only difference is that the money their parents pay in property taxes to the Broward County School Board never makes it back to their schools.
 
January 29, 2013

FPL distributes grants for classroom energy projects
Florida Power & Light Co. announced Wednesday it awarded $47,000 in grants to dozens of teachers in Florida to help fund innovative classroom projects in which students learn about energy, its sources and uses. At least 15 teachers from Broward andPalm Beach counties were among the 43 recipients of the company's Teacher Grant Program.

Broward legislators to tackle topic of school cops and how to pay for them
Public meeting planned Tuesday at 2 p.m.in downtown Fort Lauderdale
The hot topic of how to pay for school cops will be the primary focus of a public meeting Tuesday at 2 p.m.

School board to consider officers at schools
Funding, other issues need to be discussed
In the wake of the Connecticutschool shooting, Broward lawmakers will meet Tuesday to discuss the possibility of placing officers at all of the county’s public schools…. "With a child who is still in public schools, as a parent of three daughters, it's something that you think about constantly and how devastating this is," said Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie.

Pembroke Pines calls for more funding for its charter schools
Broward school district leaders have said they are open to sharing capital improvement dollars with the Pines charters if the Legislature restores the higher property tax funding the district used to receive. Pembroke Pines officials,frustrated that their prized city-run charter schools are operating in the red, continued to call for additional funding on Monday — while blasting Broward’s School Board for an “evil” policy of not sharing property tax dollars.
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