Two Broward high school teams won awards at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) U.S. Robotics Regional Competition. The competition challenges teams of students and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. The Stranahan High School Team - nicknamed “The Steel Dragon” - placed third out of 47 schools in their event and brought home the Highest Rookie Seed Award for making it so far as a first-year team. The Atlantic Technical Magnet High School “Tech Tigers” and their robot “T21” brought home the “Rookie All Star” award for the overall competition. The team finished 17th out of a total of 41 entrants.

For the fourth year in a row, Broward and its Budget Director Mary Jane Turner have been honored by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The District received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and Ms. Turner a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation. Broward also received the Meritorious Budget Award for excellence from the Association of School Business Officials International. These awards represent the highest form of recognition in governmental and school business management practices.

Yolanda Pinto, North Central Area School Social Worker, has been named School Social Worker of the Year for 2003-2004 by the National Association of Social Workers and the Broward County School Social Work Association. Ms. Pinto works primarily with the ESOL population at her assigned schools in the Nova and Boyd Anderson Innovation Zones. She is a strong child advocate who exemplifies the highest quality of school social work practice.

Pictured are (l to r)Diversity and Cultural Outreach Communitty Liaison Nancy Weintraub and Women’s History Quiz winner Bonnie Silverman.

As winner of the Diversity and Cultural Outreach Department’s annual Women’s History Match Game contest, Bonnie Silverman of Facilities and Construction Management/Hortt, received dinner for two at Emerald Coast Restaurant in Pembroke Pines. The match game is designed to bring attention to the amazing accomplishments of women around the world and through the ages. Many teachers use the game as a reading and research tool in the classroom. For additional information about the game and contest, contact Nancy Weintraub, Community Liaison, 754-321-2090.

Two Broward School District employees were among those receiving Heart of Our Community Awards presented by The Herald at an annual event held at the Broward County Convention Center. Shantrell Davis from South Area Maintenance was honored for her dedication and service to the Head Start Program at Collins Elementary School. Dennis Di Bona, a Technology Specialist for the Coconut Creek Innovation Zone, was honored for his hard work and dedication to students and technology.

The Miramar High Spanish Competition Team won the 2004 Florida State Spanish Conference 6A Division II Championship. During the competition - held recently at the Wyndham Orlando Resorts - the students competed in the areas of impromptu speaking, declamation and dramatic presentation.

For the second consecutive year, a Broward County Public Schools’ volunteer has been named Florida’s Senior Volunteer of the Year, Region 5. Alver Louys, 83, volunteers at Country Isles Elementary in Weston. Not only was she honored as Senior Volunteer of the Year at the District’s award luncheon, she was also honored by the Florida Department of Education at its Outstanding School Volunteer Award Luncheon, held in Orlando.

Other Broward County Public Schools’ Volunteers and Mentors of the Year are:
• Joel Cantor, a mentor at Orange Brook Elementary: Broward’s Mentor of the Year, Elementary Level;

• Ira Solomon, a mentor at Cypress Bay High School; Broward’s Mentor of the Year, Secondary Level;

• Lynne Drummings, a volunteer at Plantation Park Elementary School: Adult Volunteer of the Year;

• Arielle Jean-Philippe, Ely High ninth grader and volunteer at Floranada Elementary School: Student Volunteer of the Year; and

• Nora G. Lopez, Country Hills Elementary: Program Organizer Volunteer of the Year.

Three Broward County partnerships were honored at the Florida Education Commissioner’s 17th annual Commissioner’s Business Recognition Award Program. Partnerships recognized were: Florida International University’s College of Engineering and School of Nursing for their partnership with Stranahan High; Marine Industry Association of South Florida for their partnership with New River Middle; and South Broward High and Holland & Knight LLP for their partnership with North Fork Elementary.

A “Pasta for Pennies” campaign at Sawgrass Springs Middle School not only resulted in a $3,281.48 donation to a worthwhile cause (the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), but it also earned a trophy for the school. The award for Outstanding Fundraising Project in the North Area was presented to Sawgrass Springs Middle at the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Annual Leadership Conference. NJHS students at Sawgrass Springs spearheaded a three-week drive to see which class could raise the most money.

Dillard Elementary School Principal Dr. Patricia Dixon has received this year’s Leonard Miller Principal Leadership Award presented by the Council for Educational Change. She was selected from among 250 principals statewide for raising her school’s grade from ‘’D’’ to ‘’A’’ over the past three years, partnering with local businesses to bring more resources to the school, and increasing parent and community involvement. Along with the honor, Dr. Dixon received $10,000.

Deerfield Beach High School students came away from the Florida Scholastic Press Association Conference with multiple awards. Along with numerous honorable mentions and second and third places, seven students earned ratings of excellent and five took first place. Four students received the coveted “All Florida” award that goes to the best of the best.