Project B.L.A.S.T. (Building Lasting Attitudes & Strategies for Tomorrow) is a new dynamic and comprehensive family centered program that focuses on developing awareness, education, prevention and early intervention of behavior problems of at-risk children, grades K through 12. Sponsored by The School Board of Broward County, the program is entirely free. Students who are at-risk for substance use or violence are referred to Project B.L.A.S.T. primarily by Alternative to Expulsion and Suspension sites, but schools may also make referrals. More than 12 Master’s level Family Counselors located throughout the district have been specially trained as B.L.A.S.T. counselors. When a student is referred to a B.L.A.S.T. counselor, the student has the opportunity to receive both individual and group counseling. Counseling focuses on anger management and substance abuse prevention.

We all know, with strong family ties, a child is much less likely to involve himself or herself in drugs or violence. For that reason, Project B.L.A.S.T. children and their families are also encouraged to attend family counseling sessions in the evenings. During these sessions, Family Counselors work to reduce the child’s behavior problems by improving family interactions.

The goal of Project B.L.A.S.T. is to affect not only children and their families, but also the community. Family Counselors are available for presentations, trainings, and workshops for schools, churches, parent groups, etc. Topics could include: self-esteem; stress management/relaxation; bereavement/grief, anger management; co-dependency; substance abuse; communication; parenting skills; step/divorced parenting ; and Preparing for the Drug Free Years, a program that empowers parents to help reduce their child’s risk of drug use.

B.L.A.S.T. offers the hope of a violence and drug free future for both our children and ourselves. For more information on Project B.L.A.S.T., call 954-768-8977.

First Impressions Can be Lasting Ones

The physical climate of your school has a dramatic affect on what people think about it. That climate can influence how staff, volunteers and students feel about coming into the building each morning and it certainly affects the image of your school in the minds of parents and the community.

When people see that a building is well cared for, they assume the school is in good hands; but if it looks run down, they wonder whether attention is given to other things in the school, and if their child should go to that school.

Here’s a checklist of questions and suggestions to consider when reviewing the climate of your school:

• Can visitors find the school office? If not, create some colorful signs pointing the way to the office, auditorium and media center from all the parking lots
• Is the front office cheerful and welcoming? Do you have seats in the office for both adults and children? (Or, are adults forced to sit on little chairs?)
• Is the nurse’s office out of view of guests in the office?
• Is student work on display in the building?
• Is the building clean? Are the bathrooms clean, hallways brightly lit? Would you want to eat lunch in the cafeteria? (Host contests for students, staff and parents for the best suggestions for keeping the bathrooms clean, or brightening the hallways and rearranging or decorating the lunchroom.)
• Are hallways clear of old furniture/computers?
• Is it time to change a billboard display or the school marquee?
• Is fresh paint needed?
• How does the playground look?
• Is litter picked-up daily around the grounds? (New litter vs. old litter - a paper here or there is hard to avoid with so many students moving in and out of the building, but old litter is another matter. A paper that has been lying around for weeks looks like it has been there for weeks.)
• Is your landscaping inviting? (Involve the community in school beautification projects. Have classes take turns weeding flowerbeds. Have students plan and plant a class garden as part of a science unit. If you’re concerned about vandalism, place plants or small palms in flowerpots that can be brought inside after school.)

Remember that the Community Relations Department is available to assist you. To learn more about how the Community Relations Department can help, please contact Director, Kirk Englehardt, 954-765-6274.