District Groundbreakings and Dedications

Silver Shores Elementary School

Silver Shores Elementary School
Silver Shores Elementary School in Miramar celebrated their dedication on October. All 1,200 students participated in songs and skits to celebrate their new school. The second grade class performed "How Happy We Are" before a full house of dignitaries and parents.

Taravella High School

Taravella High School
Taravella High School capped off a year-long new building project with a dedication ceremony held in November. With music provided by the band and chorus, the new 40,000 square foot building was officially dedicated. It consists of 24 classrooms housing more than 650 students. School Board Member Beverly Gallagher, School Board Vice-Chair Stephanie Arma Kraft, Esq., Coral Springs City Commissioner Maureen Berk, Taravella High School Principal Shawn Cerra, former Principal Bill Milano, and North Area Superintendent Dr. Joanne Harrison were on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Rock Island Elementary School

Rock Island Elementary School
"Continuing the Work of Building a Quality School" was the theme for Rock Island Elementary School's re-dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting held on November 12, 2003. The school, which opened its doors to over 500 K-5th grade students back on January 5, 2003, honored and recognized several District and school administrators, alumni and community leaders as heroes for their leadership, dedication and support. Many past and present administrators, community leaders and supporters took part in the celebration.

Record Number of Broward Schools Earn Five Star Award

Sixty-six Broward County schools recently received the Florida Department of Education's most prestigious award for community involvement - the 2002/2003 Five Star School Award. This is the largest group of Broward public schools to-date to earn this designation. This year, 736 schools across Florida were honored.

The Five Star School Award is presented annually to schools that have shown evidence of exemplary family, school and community involvement. To qualify, each school must meet 100% of established criteria that require the full engagement of business partners, volunteers, students, families and the School Advisory Council in the educational process. Every Five Star School must document how they model excellence through specific community involvement programs. It is the goal of the Five Star School Award program, which is now in its ninth year, to generate behaviors that improve education for all students.

Three of Broward's award recipients met the rigorous criteria every year since the program began: Central Park Elementary School, Embassy Creek Elementary School and Plantation High School. Plantation High is the only high school in Broward to have earned a Five Star Award this year. In fact, Plantation is the only Broward County High School to ever earn the honor. Five area schools received the award for the first time: Manatee Bay Elementary School, Sandpiper Elementary School, Stirling Elementary School, Seminole Middle School, Tequesta Trace Middle School and Westglades Middle School. It's worth noting that Manatee Bay Elementary earned the award in its first year of operation.

Check out the next issue of The 411 where we will talk with representatives from several Five Star schools and provide you with more information on how your school can join this elite group.

You're Invited to "Chat
with Dr. Till"

Dr. Till wants to "Chat" with you. All District employees are invited to take part in a series of open discussions with the Superintendent. From insurance to budget - construction to class size reduction - all topics are fair game. Your suggestions, comments and ideas are welcome. The "Chats" will be held at schools and other sites throughout the District.

Please note that "Chat with Dr. Till" meetings are not open to the general public - they are for District employees only. For more information, please contact Community Relations, 754-321-2300.

Following are dates and locations for upcoming "Chats with Dr. Till." Mark your calendar and plan now to attend.


February 12, 2004, 3:30pm
Westpine Middle
9393 NW 50th Street, Sunrise

March 11, 2003, 3:15pm
Plantation High
6901 NW 16th Street, Plantation

April 14, 2004, 3pm
Pasadena Lakes Elementary
8801 Pasadena Blvd., Pembroke Pines

May 13, 2004, 3pm
Monarch High
5050 Wiles Road, Coconut Creek