Monday, December 3, 2012

NEWS RELEASE: DECEMBER 1-3, 2012

DECEMBER 1 –3, 2012

Pompano Beach High School to host first international summit
Students at Pompano Beach High School will have a unique opportunity to learn about the government, economy, educational system and tourist destinations of many countries during the school’s first International Summit to be held the week of December 3rd at their school. The summit is slated to become an annual event. Pompano Beach High School is located at 600 NE 13 Avenue, Pompano Beach. http://browardnetonline.com/2012/12/pompano-beach-high-school-to-host-first-international-summit/
Five Broward Schools to grow their own healthy food
In an effort to help curb that trend and encourage kids to eat more fresh vegetables, the Broward Education Foundation has launched “Garden Delights-Team Up for Healthy Choices” with more than $50,000 in donations from the Health Foundation of South Florida, Wells Fargo and Flamingo Road Gardens Nursery.   The goal of the program, according to Jorene Jameson, the president and CEO of the Broward Education Foundation,  is to “ improve students’ attitudes about nutrition, encourage them to eat more fresh vegetables and fruit and engage parents as well in the switch to healthier food choices at home.” http://browardnetonline.com/2012/11/five-broward-schools-to-grow-their-own-healthy-food/

Students return to high school after precautionary evacuation
Students at Piper High School in Sunrise spent the lunch hour outside Friday after being temporarily evacuated from their classrooms. The students were sent outdoors as a precaution late Friday morning because of the smell of gas near one of the campus buildings, according to Nadine Drew, a spokeswoman for Broward Public Schools. Students were allowed to return to their classes shortly before 1:15 p.m. Units from Sunrise Fire Rescue and the gas company that serves the school were at the school at 8000 NW 44th Street to investigate the source of the smell. There were no reports of injuries.
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-11-30/news/sfl-piper-high-gas-smell-20121130_1_students-return-smell-evacuation

Broward school bus supervisor gets thousands in bonuses, despite problems
A school district employee’s salary grew by more than $41,000 through ‘pay adjustments,’ but the district says he earned the money by assuming additional responsibilities. A mid-level supervisor in Broward Schools’ troubled transportation department reaped more than $41,000 in salary bonuses during the last six months — money that continued to flow even as the school system’s bus service got off to a disastrous start this school year, records show.  Transportation supervisor Vince Harrell, the employee who received the bonuses, did not respond to a call seeking comment Friday, and the school system’s top administrative brass, including Superintendent Robert Runcie, did not make themselves available for comment.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/30/3121424/broward-school-bus-supervisor.html

Teacher plans to take her case to school board
The Deerfield Beach High School teacher accused of possibly contributing to a young girl's homosexuality is taking her case to the school board. Juliet Hibbs, 47, will urge school officials Tuesday to investigate bullying she claims is happening at the school.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-teacher-lesbian-rally-20121202,0,4893471

Sunday, December 2, 2012

SECOND CHANCE SQUARE 1 ART

Students were sent home with a Second Chance Square 1 Art catalog. If you were unable to purchase during our first round, never fear you have a second chance. If you place an order online or complete and turn in to school a paper order by December 5th you will have your items delivered in time for the holidays. If you place the order online you can have it delivered directly to your home. All funds raised will go to supporting technology upgrades in our school.

If you placed an order during the first round your order has arrived and will be given to the students on Monday, December 3rd.

If you have any questions please feel free to email us at tamaracpta@aol.com or call us at 754-322-8618.

BAT II TESTING

BAT II Testing is this week. Monday & Tuesday 3rd to 5th grade will test in Reading. Wednesday & Thursday 3rd to 5th grade will test in Math. Friday 5th grade will test in Science. Please encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast and get plenty of sleep the night before. If you have any questions regarding this testing please feel free to contact Mrs. Rasa our Guidance Counselor at 754-322-8600

NEWS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 29, 2012



NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Miami-Dade, Broward Districts Named Race To The Top Finalists
Two South Florida school districts have been named among five finalists for the U.S. Department of Education’s new Race to the Top competition. Miami-Dade, Broward, Charlotte, Manatee, and Seminole county schools are vying for a slice of close to $400 million to help close the achievement gap and prepare students for college and a career.

Broward County Public Schools as Finalist for $400 Million Grant Program
On November 27, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education announced The School Board of Broward County, Florida (Broward County Public Schools) as one of 61 applications selected as finalists for the Race to the Top-District (RTTT-D) competition.

Delay in Broward school construction reforms could cost taxpayers millions
Taxpayers could be paying millions extra on school construction projects because the troubled department that handles those contracts failed to make recommended changes, a new report shows. Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie is promising "significant and aggressive changes" in the Facilities and Construction Management department.

Friday, November 23, 2012

NEWS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 20, 2012

NOVEMBER 20, 2012

New Broward School Board members take office
For the first time in the Broward School Board’s history, all nine board members are women. With election season over, Broward’s new School Board will be sworn into office Tuesday morning. The 8:30 a.m. ceremony will take place at the Dillard Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, 2501 NW 11th St.. Being sworn in are two new members, Abby Freedman and Rosalind Osgood, as well as four incumbents: Robin Bartleman, Patricia Good, Donna Korn, and Katherine Leach. For the first time in the Broward School Board’s history, all nine board members are women.  After the ceremony, the board will travel to school district headquarters for a 11:30 a.m. meeting focused on choosing a new School Board chairman, along with other organizational issues.

23 Western High School Students Visited Japan This Summer on the “Kizuna Project”
In Exchange, Western High School Will Host Students From Japan in the Spring 2013 Twenty-three students at Western High School in Davie, along with two of their teachers, visited Japan this summer as part of the Japanese Government’s youth exchange program – the “Kizuna (bond) Project.” The youth exchange project between Japan and the U.S. is aimed at promoting understanding and supporting Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. The students participating in the tour are studying the Japanese language and culture at Western High, which offers one of the largest high school Japanese programs in the state of Florida.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

NEWS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 19, 2012

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEWS RELEASE


DATE:           November 19, 2012

CONTACT:                Marsy Smith, APR, Public Relations & Governmental Affairs, 754-321-2300

Two New and Four Re-elected School Board Members
to Be Sworn-in During Ceremony

Two new, recently elected Broward School Board members will be sworn-in, along with four re-elected Board members at a ceremony to be held tomorrow (November 20, 2012) at 8:30 a.m. at the Dillard Center for the Arts, 2501 NW 11th Street, Fort Lauderdale.

New Board members being sworn-in are Abby Freedman (District 4) and Dr. Rosalind Osgood (District 5).

Re-elected Board members include Robin Bartleman (At-large, Seat 9); Patricia Good (District 2); Donna R. Korn (At-large, Seat 8) and Katherine Leach (District 3).

21 Broward County Schools Nominated for $50,000 Clorox Grant

21 Broward County School District Schools have been nominated for the $50,000 Clorox Power a Bright Future Grant.  There's a catch, though: the winner will be decided by vote.  This is a Nationwide contest.  So, here's your chance to support your hometown School.

Two ways to vote:  By Text and Online.

You may vote both ways, once a day.  Do Both!

Online:
Go to http://www.powerabrightfuture.com/


 Register for a login. In the keyword box, type the School Name.  Vote!

By Text: Text the School Code (next to the school's name below) to 95248.

SCHOOL                                            TEXT CODE
Country Isles Elementary                        2539pbf
Cooper City Elementary                          2017pbf
Dillard Center for Performing Arts         1360pbf
Dillard High School                                 419pbf
Driftwood Elementary                             2436pbf
Everglades Elementary                            2327pbf
Everglades High School                          2145pbf
Hunt Elementary                                     1386pbf
Indian Trace Elementary                         1817pbf
Liberty Elementary                                 1158pbf
McArthur High School                           �818pbf
Nob Hill Elementary                                739pbf or 1010pbf or 875pbf
Nova High School Drama Department     791pbf
Park Springs Elementary                           2544pbf
Pioneer Middle School                               2344pbf
Plantation Park Elementary                     �1613pbf
Pompano Beach High School                    1974pbf
South Plantation High School                  1530pbf or 2451pbf
Westchester Elementary                             29pbf
Westpine Middle School                             140pbf
Winston Park Elementary                           2610pbf

Let's show our support and win this grant for one of our District Schools!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

TURKEY BOWL

PTA will be hosting our Annual Turkey Bowl. November 16, 2012 @ Sawgrass Lanes.
We will have 2 shifts this year. 4:30 to 6:30 and 7:00 to 9:00. 2 hours of bowling and shoe rental for $8.00 per person. Food will be available for purchase at the snack bar. Tickets will be sold the night of the event. Advance sales are available to guarantee a lane. Come out for a night of fun.

NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL EVENT

DISTRICT CLASS SIZE RESULTS

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEWS RELEASE

DATE:           November 7, 2012

CONTACTS:       Tracy Clark, Public Information Officer, [ tel:754-321-2616 ]754-321-2616


DISTRICT SHOWS SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER LAST YEAR FOR CLASS SIZE REDUCTION COMPLIANCE
Estimates Compliance Close to 88% for the 2012/13 School Year

Broward County Public Schools reports that 87.7% of core periods are within the F.S. 1003.03 compliance mandate (Class Size Reduction) based on preliminary data (as of 10/12/12). This preliminary estimate reflects an increase in compliance of just over 35 percent (as compared to the 2011/12 school year when the District reached 52.3% of periods in compliance) and does not include error corrections, appeals of the filing of a District Compliance Plan.

“The District is showing significant improvements regarding our Class Size Reduction compliance,” said Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “We will continue our efforts to work towards achieving even greater compliance.”

The District also anticipates a penalty of $1.3 million once the Compliance Plan has been filed with the State. Nearly 98% of Broward’s core periods are within 1-2 students of compliance, however, the penalty is actually calculated based on the number of students’ FTE out of compliance per period. Thus, the amount of FTE out of compliance and resulting penalty is not proportionate to the percentage of periods out of compliance.

Class Size Reduction Compliance Comparison – 2011 vs. 2012

    2011    2012    Difference
Percentage of Periods in Compliance    52.3    87.7    +35.4
Number of students out of compliance per period    32,025    15,488    (16,537)
FTE Out of Compliance    13,990.41    1745.08    (12,245.33)
Penalty prior to appeals & Compliance plan approval    $66,135,653    $5,245,211    ($60,892,442)
Penalty after CSR compliance Plan certified by the Board    $8,620,821    $1,310,803    ($7,310,018)

NEWS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 7, 2012

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

President Obama wins in landslide vote, according to kids voting
The students of Broward County Public Schools have spoken and President Barack Obama has been elected the winner of Kids Voting Broward 2012. Nearly 100,000 votes were cast by Broward County public school students through Virtual Counselor’s online poll as part of Kids Voting Broward’s (affiliated with Kids Voting USA) initiative to prepare young Americans to be engaged and active citizens.
[ http://browardnetonline.com/2012/11/president-obama-wins-in-landslide-vote-according-to-kids-voting/
Voters send new members to Broward School Board
Voters chose newcomers Abby Freedman and Rosalind Osgood and returned incumbent Robin Bartleman. Two others were in a tight race. Broward voters sent two new faces to the School Board, while returning one longtime incumbent as well. A fourth race, between incumbent Donna Korn and challenger Franklin Sands, remained too close to call late Tuesday.
[ http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/06/3085337/voters-send-new-members-to-broward.html

New faces to join Broward School Board
The face of Broward's embattled School Board is changing, as at least two new members get ready to join the dais. One incumbent, Robin Bartleman, will return to her at-large seat while another, Donna Korn, was leading in a close race with state Rep. Franklin Sands. Long-time community leader Rosalind Osgood won handily against Torey Alston, chief of staff for a [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/ ]Broward County commissioner, for theDistrict 5 seat. In District 4, business manager Abby Freedman, a former teacher, slid past child advocate Rochelle "Shelly" Solomon.
[ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-election-broward-school-board-20121106,0,5240610.story ]http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-election-broward-school-board-20121106,0,5240610.story

Erin DeMeglio, Title IX, put girls on level playing field
One of the well-established traditions of high school is the quarterback also being crowned as royalty on the homecoming court. But when it's the homecoming QUEEN title that the quarterback earns, the occasion is historic. So it was for the Erin DiMeglio, Florida's history-making student-athlete. Not only did Erin become the first female in Florida history to play quarterback in a varsity high school game, but she also was elected South Plantation High School's homecoming queen.
[ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-title9-oped1107-20121107,0,2246546.story ] http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-title9-oped1107-20121107,0,2246546.story

BROWARD STUDENTS VOTING RESULTS

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEWS RELEASE

DATE:           November 6, 2012

CONTACTS:       Nadine Drew, Public Relations & Governmental Affairs, [ tel:754-321-2300 ]754-321-2300

Broward County Public Schools Kids Voting Broward Results

The students of Broward County Public Schools have spoken and President Barack Obama has been elected the winner of Kids Voting Broward 2012. Nearly 100,000 votes were cast by Broward County public school students through Virtual Counselor’s online poll as part of Kids Voting Broward’s (affiliated with Kids Voting USA) initiative to prepare young Americans to be engaged and active citizens.

Students, kindergarten through 12th grade, were able to cast their votes for all major races, from the President, U.S. Senate and House to County Commission from October 26 to November 5.

A total of 99,485 students participated in the 2012 election project. President Barack Obama received 82,592 votes, or 82% of the votes cast, to former Governor Mitt Romney’s 17,893 (17%), according to Kids Voting Broward. Other results include Bill Nelson winning the U.S. Senate seat with 58% of the votes and U.S. Congressional seats going to Alcee L. Hastings (64%), Ted Deutch (58%), Lois Frankel (69%), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (61%) and Stanley Blumenthal (47%).  

Students also weighed in on several local school topics created for each grade level (elementary, middle, high). Elementary school students agreed their school should have an air-conditioned gym with an overwhelming 88% voting yes, while 87% also thought they should be able to choose to eat lunch inside or outside with their friends.

Middle school students voted yes by 74% that study hall should be offered as an elective to accommodate students’ busy schedules, and that they should be allowed to use vending machines during the school day (by 90%).

High school students, by a slim margin of 51%, voted no to the state continuing class size requirements at a cost to taxpayers, while deciding school lunches should include more healthy options, even at a higher cost by a 69% yes vote.

For full Kids Voting Broward elections results, tune in to live elections returns on BECON-TV, Comcast Cable Channel 19 and Channel 63 on Direct TV, Dish Network, and AT&T U-verse tonight, November 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

HARVEST DRIVE

Parents & community members can drop off items in the front office during school hours. Our Harvest Drive will run from October 29th to November 14th.

Q & A: September DAC Meeting

The Questions & Answers from the September DAC General Meeting Presentation by Ms.Sharon Airaghi & Mr. Desmond Blackburn are now posted on the DAC website.

Here's a link: [ https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-TCrxux63q6MGp2NVM5UmJqNUU ] https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-TCrxux63q6MGp2NVM5UmJqNUU

2013-2014 CALENDAR OPTIONS: VOTE HERE

The District is looking for input on the 2013-2014 school year calendar.  There are several links on the DAC website - video explaining the options, the calendars themselves and the calendar committee presentation. The District is asking that all input be emailed to [ mailto:calendars@browardschools.com ]calendars@browardschools.com.

Quick Links:

Video: [ http://www.brainshark.com/browardschools/vu?pi=zHMzLYhKhz7nd6z0 ]http://www.brainshark.com/browardschools/vu?pi=zHMzLYhKhz7nd6z0

Draft Calendar Options: [ http://www.browardschools.com/cms/docs/pdf/Proposed_Draft_Calendar_Options_2013_2014.pdf ] http://www.browardschools.com/cms/docs/pdf/Proposed_Draft_Calendar_Options_2013_2014.pdf

Calendar Committee Presentation: [ https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-TCrxux63q6M2p2QmZubVZtNE0/edit ] https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-TCrxux63q6M2p2QmZubVZtNE0/edit

Please give your input to the District!

Give Input by emailing:   mailto:calendars@browardschools.com

NEW RELEASE: NOVEMBER 2, 2012

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012

Students mobilized to help those in need
The fruit of local students' efforts was recently on display as they donated hundreds of jars of peanut butter and jelly to the Broward Outreach Center in [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/us/florida/broward-county/hollywood-%28broward-florida%29-PLGEO100100403100000.topic ]Hollywood. The food drive was organized by Outreach Global and involved [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/education/schools/middle-schools/apollo-middle-school-OREDU0000388.topic ]Apollo Middle School in Hollywood and 13 other Broward middle and high schools. Items also were collected for Kids In Distress and the [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/social-issues/family/ronald-mcdonald-house-charities-ORNPR000014.topic ]Ronald McDonald House.
[ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/hollywood/fl-cn-peanutbutter-1104-20121102,0,1162281.story ]http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/hollywood/fl-cn-peanutbutter-1104-20121102,0,1162281.story

Students create eco-bots at 4-H event in Davie
What can you do with a battery, toothbrush, cellphone vibrator and some tape? More than 100 students at the [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/ ]Broward County 4-H at the UF/IFAS [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/ ]Broward County Extension Office in [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/us/florida/broward-county/davie-PLGEO100100403050000.topic ]Davie recently found out by using the materials to create mini eco-bots….Jordan Latson, sixth-grader at [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/education/schools/middle-schools/silver-lakes-middle-school--OREDU0000417.topic ]Silver Lakes Middle School in [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/us/florida/broward-county/north-lauderdale-PLGEO100100403180000.topic ]North Lauderdale, enjoyed the project. "It was fun," he said. "I liked having to use the toothbrush and the other things to make a working robot. I learned that there can be robots out there to help the environment." Jordan Brown, a sixth-grader at [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/education/schools/middle-schools/margate-middle-school--OREDU0000402.topic ]Margate Middle School, worked with classmates Liam Fisher and Marco Cruzata.
[ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/davie/fl-cn-browardh-1104-20121102,0,2443117.story ]http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/davie/fl-cn-browardh-1104-20121102,0,2443117.story

School Board discussion on honoring Muslim holidays grows heated
[ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/ ]Broward County schools will not close to specifically observe Islamic or any other religious holidays, district officials said Thursday. But whether there are valid secular reasons to shut down the school district on two Muslim holidays, such as a large number of student and teacher absences, remained unclear. The district's Diversity Commtitee declined to take a stance on the issue Thursday night following a heated three-hour, insult-laden meeting that required a police officer to maintain crowd control.
[ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-muslim-holiday-meeting-20121101,0,3058488.story ]http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-muslim-holiday-meeting-20121101,0,3058488.story

Muslim council asks for school holidays in Broward
A religious rift over a proposal to close school for Muslim holidays at a South Florida school district could made tempers flare at a Broward County School Board meeting. The tension was high at the Broward County School Board meeting as a proposal from the Council of American-Islamic Relations to add two days off from school to recognize holidays for Muslim students was discussed Thursday night. "This is not about gaining a religious holiday in any means whatsoever it is about inclusively, equality and diversity," said Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ghazala Salam.
[ http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21008950405648/muslim-council-asks-for-school-holidays-in-broward/ ]http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21008950405648/muslim-council-asks-for-school-holidays-in-broward/

Muslim Organization Wants Broward Schools To Recognize Holidays
The Florida chapter of a well known Muslim organization is asking the Broward School Board's diversity committee to consider adding two Islamic holidays to the school calendar.
[ http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/11/01/muslim-organization-wants-broward-schools-to-recognize-holidays/ ]http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/11/01/muslim-organization-wants-broward-schools-to-recognize-holidays/

Bus stop prompts feud in Coconut Creek
Their road is private but it has led to a very public battle between neighbors in a quiet [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/us/florida/broward-county/coconut-creek-PLGEO100100403010000.topic ]Coconut Creek community. At issue: whether a public school bus should be allowed to enter the one-street community of Wildwood Estates. Some residents say the bus is needed because it provides a safer commute for their kids; others insist it's a liability for homeowners who will have to pay if an accident happens on the private road….Tracy Clark, a district public information officer, said a transportation staffer determined "the bus could not, with consistency, clear the area without having to back up." For safety reasons, the district removed the stop. Now, children are picked up outside the community on Northwest 39th Avenue.
[ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-busing-divides-community-20121101,0,3057375.story ]http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-busing-divides-community-20121101,0,3057375.story

Friday, November 2, 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA COMING TO HOLLYWOOD

President Obama is coming to McArthur High School!!

This exciting event was announced this evening at the McArthur Football game!!
The HS administration just learned of it late this afternoon.
It's was also announced on the 11:00 news this evening.


FREE TICKETS:  [ http://ofa.bo/hollywood ]ofa.bo/hollywood

Sunday, November 4th, at the McArthur HS Football Field:


Grassroots Event with President Barack Obama
Sunday, November 4th
Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

The Football Field at McArthur High School
6501 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, FL 33024

 To get FREE tickets:  [ http://ofa.bo/hollywood ]ofa.bo/hollywood

 (do not put www before or .com after.....just go to: ofa.bo/hollywood)

Thursday, November 1, 2012

NEWS RELEASE: NOVEMBER 1, 2012

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012

Stranahan High School student artwork to be shown at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood
During the month of November, the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood will showcase the art work of approximately 20 Stranahan High School students in the Center’s upstairs student gallery space. Curated by art teacher Nancy Green and science/pre-engineering magnet coordinator Juan Formoso, the exhibition contains nearly 40 pieces from students in grades 9-12. The artwork includes painting, projects, and robotics. A free reception for the exhibition will occur Thursday, Nov. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1650 Harrison St., Hollywood.

Charter school at center of FSU 'minds in motion' study
They're all but sweating in their uniforms and sneakers. The middle-schoolers pedal, spinning the bike wheels at a brisk pace, while their minds reel with fractions, multiplication and math concepts. Coral Springs Charter School sixth- and seventh-graders participating in a pilot study in the school's kinetic learning lab — an extension of the school's weight room filled with cardio equipment — move continuously for 45 minutes while learning a math lesson.

Broward schools being asked to close on 2 Muslim holidays
Broward County public schools are being asked to close for two Islamic holidays a year under a controversial proposal before the district's Diversity Committee. The request, from the Florida chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR, would make Broward the first in Florida and one of only a few districts in the country to add Muslim holidays into its calendar. Broward and Palm Beach County schools generally close on major Christian and Jewish holidays.