NEWS RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 1, 2013

September 24, 2013:

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Broward high school culinary students hone their craft
South Florida hoteliers and restaurateurs want to spread the word to more high school students about a program that's helping students like James Graham realize his career goal. "I want to be a master chef," said Graham, 17, a participant in the ProStart School-to-Career food service curriculum offered in more than 20 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-prostart-high-school-culinary-program-20130920,0,2025913.story

Florida may scrap Common Core student test
In a major about-face, Florida may scrap its plan to administer a national high-stakes test, opting instead to devise one that is more Florida-centric. The potential move, announced Monday through an executive order by Gov. [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/politics/government/rick-scott-PEPLT00007609.topic ]Rick Scott, could affect everything from teacher evaluations to merit pay to school grades…."The big question is what will happen in 2014-15. How will this impact school grades?" asked Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie. "That hasn't been fully thought out. I haven't heard of any solutions." http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/highered/fl-south-florida--common-core-20130923,0,1606112.story

Gov. Rick Scott: Reverse course on Common Core tests
After a summer of polarizing public debate, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday ordered the state education department to withdraw from a national consortium creating tests around the new Common Core State Standards. http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/23/3645700/gov-rick-scott-reverse-course.html

September 27, 2013


Dade, Broward get millions to fund
South Florida’s public schools are getting a multimillion-dollar assist from the federal government. The U.S. Department of Education announced the award Thursday of $7.5 million to the Miami-Dade and Broward school boards in the first year of a three-year program to expand school choice options. Together, the two districts applied for a combined $22 million over three years to fund science, technology and engineering themed programs.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/26/3653074/dade-broward-get-millions-to-fund.html

Norovirus outbreak still concerns parents
Parents of students at Manatee Bay Elementary School still had questions Thursday  http://www.local10.com/news/norovirus-outbreak-still-concerns-parents/-/1717324/22139510/-/s2hee3/-/index.html

Other Education Related News

SAT scores 2013 released: Florida students below nation
Florida's students continue to perform below the national average on the SAT college entrance exam, mirroring results from the ACT test. Results for the Class of 2013, released today, show SAT scores have hardly budged from 2012, and the number of test-takers remained nearly flat.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/os-florida-sat-scores-2013-20130925,0,6107434.story

October 1, 2013


Students come together to choose peace
With helicopters flying overhead, the 510 students at [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/us/florida/broward-county/miramar-PLGEO100100403170000.topic ]Miramar's Silver Shores Elementary School paraded onto a field to form a massive human peace sign.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/miramar/fl-cn-peacesign-0929-20130927,0,7000787.story

Students help kick off Weston's YFit Mayor's Challenge
Nearly 1,000 students recently converged on the open field at [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/education/schools/elementary-schools/everglades-elementary-school-OREDU0000314.topic ]Everglades Elementary School and worked up a sweat to help kick off the YFit Mayor's Challenge in http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/weston/fl-cn-fitness-0929-20130927,0,5323309.story

Student earns grants to help animals and environment
Rachel Supnick, fourth-grader at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, recently earned two grants that will go toward her efforts in helping animals and the environment.
http://blogs.trb.com/community/news/weston/forum/2013/09/weston_student_earns_two_grant.html

Broward schools seek public input, ideas
Have something you’d like to say to the Broward school district?  Now is your chance. Throughout October, Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie will be appearing at public forums across Broward. Most of these will be informal “town hall”- style meetings held at local schools. Runcie and School Board members invite individuals to walk onstage, grab a seat and discuss whatever is on their mind. http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/30/3661311/broward-schools-seek-public-input.html

Traditional, charter schools seek common ground in South Florida
They compete for students, space and funds. But there’s hope that Florida’s charter schools and traditional public schools can move past the friction that defines their coexistence and collaborate to better benefit students.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/30/3661742/traditional-charter-schools-seek.html

School Board member withdraws son from public school
Broward School Board member Abby Freedman has withdrawn her son from the public school system she helps to oversee, deciding he would be better off in private school. Freedman, who was elected last November, now pays $23,900 to send her 12-year-old son Harrison to [ http://www.sun-sentinel.com/topic/us/florida/broward-county/fort-lauderdale-PLGEO100100403070000.topic ]Fort Lauderdale -based Pine Crest School, where he's in the seventh grade.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-abby-freedman-private-20130930,0,4776207.story

School Board Member Sends Child to Private School
The Sun Sentinel has reported that recently elected Broward County School Board member Abby Freedman has withdrawn her youngest son from public school and enrolled him into private.
http://coralspringstalk.com/school-board-member-sends-child-to-private-school-5966

Charter school without a home faces termination
A charter school that has struggled to find permanent housing this year will likely get the ax on Tuesday. The School Board will vote whether to immediately terminate Ivy Academy, which had its students bounce between several facilities, including a reception hall and two churches.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-ivy-academy-closure-20130930,0,6132895.story