Around the District

BCPS Hosts National Education Conference
Nearly 800 educators representing the nation’s largest school districts recently attended a five-day conference hosted by Broward County Public Schools. Held at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale, The Council of the Great City Schools 46th Annual Fall Conference included presentations by the nation’s leaders in education policy and education, including former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young and National Public Radio commentator Ray Suarez. A live town hall meeting was also held during the conference to address the issue of school district governance. You can see video highlights on the District’s Web site [www.browardschools.com] via NetTv.

Fourth Annual Drug Summit Held
Reducing drug use by children is a constant battle. One of the numerous programs developed to show children firsthand the damage drugs can cause is the Annual Drug Summit held recently in Broward County. A collaborative effort of the Broward County School Board, Commission on Substance Abuse, Broward Sheriff’s Office and Boys and Girls Clubs, this summit was first held in 1999. Each year, it brings together students from across Broward in a fun and educational setting.

This year’s theme was Saving our Tomorrow Today and more than 1,500 middle school students participated at the event, which was held at the War Memorial in Fort Lauderdale.

Harbordale Elementary Winner of National "Book It" Sweepstakes; Principal Meets First Lady Laura Bush
Students at Harbordale Elementary School love to read and they love to eat pizza. That combination earned them a $10,000 prize for their school when they were named the national winner of Pizza Hut’s "BOOK IT!" program sweepstakes. The "BOOK IT!" program encourages children to read by offering free pizza when a required number of books are read.

Harbordale’s principal, Chris W. Carney, recently flew to Tampa where he met and was congratulated by First Lady Laura Bush. Representatives from Pizza Hut’s corporate headquarters in Kansas presented the check to the school along with $100 in pizza gift certificates.

New Moms Receive Read to Me Literacy Packets
Thanks to students at South Plantation High School, new moms who deliver their babies at Plantation General Hospital are receiving a "Read to Me" literacy packet that contains a bib imprinted "Read to Me," "Read to Your Bunny" book, library application card and other valuable parenting resources. The goal of this program – which was the result of ideas generated at the City of Plantation’s Educational Summit and involved two years of planning – is to encourage families to read to their children. Students at South Plantation High assembled the kits.

Plantation Elementary Students Address "Walk to School Day" Safety
On October 2nd, students at Plantation Elementary School celebrated Safety Day by learning how to walk and bike to school safely. Dubbed "Walk to School Day," the event was part of a National SAFE KIDS Campaign aimed at bringing attention to pedestrian safety issues. Each class viewed safety demonstrations and visited various stations staffed by such community partners as the Plantation Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Broward County Fire Rescue, FedEx and Safe Pedestrian. Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade also took part in a related coloring contest while fourth- and fifth- grade students participated in an essay competition concerning pedestrian safety.

FCAT "Reading Raps" Encourage Reading at Piper High
Forget looking for the next American Idol, Piper High School may be home to the next Will Smith or P. Diddy. Students at Piper recently had the opportunity to write their very own original "Reading Raps" to promote reading and achievement on the upcoming FCAT.

The students performed their "Reading Raps" during the school’s lunch period and were judged by disc jockey Jason Banks from "Jammin Express Entertainment," who is also a Piper High graduate. First, second and third place winners of the contest were awarded gift certificates to Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

Pines Lakes Elementary Students Read to Support Meals on Wheels
Thanks to pledges collected from family and friends, students from Pines Lakes Elementary School are helping to feed the homebound elderly by earning money for each book they read. Proceeds from the "Read to Feed" program – which was the brainchild of teacher Gail Goodrich – help pay for meals provided to area senior citizens participating in Broward’s Meals on Wheels Program. Since the program’s inception in 1999, students have raised more than $5,660 for Meals on Wheels, which translates into more 1,800+ meals for needy seniors.