Bit of History
World War II had an impact on curriculum in Broward County, as it did throughout Florida. State education authorities wanted to be sure that what was being taught would help the war effort and foster patriotism. Math students were asked to calculate such things as the percentage of airplanes shot down or the weights of tank parts, while home economics courses emphasized management skills.
Learn more about the history of Broward County Public Schools at
(www.browardschools.com/history).
School Board In Action
State Legislative Program for 2007 Adopted by Board
The District’s 2007 Legislative Program, adopted by the Board, contains issues brought forward by the Board, Superintendent, staff, citizens and employee groups, as well as issues of critical concern to school boards across the state. Broward’s program, along with that of the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards’ program, will constitute the focus of the Board’s 2007 legislative effort. Priority issues in the program include: adequate funding; district cost differential; local discretionary millages; class size reduction; gaming (slot machines); Voluntary Pre-kindergarten; background screening and FCAT testing dates.
Budget Approved
At a public hearing held immediately following the August 1, 2006 School Board meeting, the Board gave tentative approval to a $4.85 billion budget for the 2006/07 school year. The budget will come before the Board for final approval at a second public hearing to be held September 7, 2006.
New Parent Newsletter to be Published
The Board approved a measure authorizing the District’s Communications & Media Relations Department to publish a bi-monthly parent newsletter called Parent News. The purpose of the newsletter, which will be mailed to parents’ homes, is to keep parents informed about news and events happening in the District. Parent News will be published at no cost to the District or taxpayers. Publication and postage costs will be covered by advertisements that will be included in the envelope. |
Multicultural & ESOL Program Services Education Department Meets Needs of Students New to English
The Multicultural & ESOL Program Services Education Department works diligently to ensure that limited English proficient students (LEP) who are new to English receive proper instruction and appropriate materials. During the 2005/06 school year, the department served 34,695 LEP students from 161 countries speaking 54 different languages.
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Pictures are ESOL Resource Teachers (l to r) Bonnie F. Lotterman, Vivian Suarez, Hilda P. Santiago, Arlene Miller and Bunny Frye. |
When requirements change, the department works quickly, cooperatively and efficiently to make the necessary adjustments to its curriculum. For example, during the 2005/06 school year, the K-12 Comprehensive Reading Plan and the State Department of Education required that, instead of intensive reading, students in the beginning of stages of learning English take a course called Developmental Language Arts through ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages.) The ESOL department immediately dedicated the necessary resources so that LEP students could receive quality instruction with research-based materials.
This school year, the department provided middle schools and high schools with new books and materials that are being used by teachers to expand and enrich student learning. The department is also offering teachers a 3-day workshop to introduce them to an Instructional Framework developed by the ESOL Resource Teachers. This yearlong framework not only meets Sunshine State Standards, objectives, and performance indicators, but also provides teachers with techniques and strategies to ensure that LEP students understand each lesson.
For more information, contact Vicky Brioso-Saldala, Title III Coordinator, via E-mail or at 754-321-2965.
Students Learn
Aboard Cruise Ship
In an effort to connect real-life working situations with what students are learning in the classroom, Holland America has partnered with the District’s Career, Technical and Adult/ Community Education Department. The cruise line is offering students enrolled in Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) academies at Boyd Anderson, Miramar, South Broward and Plantation high schools full access to one of its ships docked at Port Everglades. The students take part in guided tours, learn about the various jobs available and examine cruise ship design and safety issues. |
