The School Board in Action

Grant Funds to Underwrite More Reading Coaches
The Board approved a new grant application to the Florida Department of Education under the Reading Coaches Model Grant program. These grants would provide funding to hire reading coaches and/or enhance reading coaching models to implement scientifically based reading research at elementary, middle and high schools with low performing students. The funds are provided by competitive bid for programs based upon scientific reading research that supports a comprehensive, coordinated state reading initiative aimed at every student becoming a successful, independent reader. Eligible schools include non-Reading First elementary schools (grades K-5), Reading First elementary schools (grades 4 and 5) and middle and high schools with low-performing students in the area of reading. The following seven schools were selected to participate based on eligibility criteria and the competitive priority: Charter Institute Training Center, Lauderdale Manors, Markham, Park Ridge, Park Lakes, Sunland Park and North Lauderdale Academy Charter.

Partnership Exposes Students to Language, Culture of Italy
Thanks to the Board's approval of a partnership with the Consulate General of Italy and the Organizzazione per la Diffusione della Lingua Italiana, Inc. (ODLI), some Broward students will have an opportunity to learn the Italian language and about the affect the rich Italian culture and heritage has had on South Florida.   ODLI has made a commitment to support the instruction of the Italian language and culture at Lake Forest Elementary, Pines Middle and - beginning this school year - Western and Hallandale High Schools. Staff is already in place to support Italian language instruction and administrative and community support for an Italian cultural studies program is strong.

2004/05 & 2005/06 School Calendars Feature Earlier Start Dates
As it has in recent years, the Board and members of the community once again discussed the possibility of starting the school year earlier. This year, the Board adopted that suggestion and the 2004/05 and 2005/06 school year calendars will reflect start dates roughly one week earlier than in years past. For the 2004/05 school year, the first day for students will be August 16, 2004; for the 2005/06 school year, students will report on August 15, 2005. For a complete listing of dates for the 2004/05 or the 2005/06 school years, please visit the District's Web site
(www.browardschools.com).

TEACHERS HONORED FOR
INNOVATIVE TEACHING
METHODS

Five Broward County Public School teachers have been honored as some of the nation's most innovative educators, thanks to the 2003 Education's Unsung Heroes Awards program. The teachers honored are: Cheryl Watts-Palsencia from Oriole Elementary in Lauderdale Lakes; Paula Sanders from Nob Hill Elementary in Sunrise; Kimberly Rhoden from Sawgrass Elementary in Sunrise; Mary Arico from Fox Trail Elementary in Davie; and Sandra Campbell from Tequesta Trace Middle in Weston. These teachers are among 100 from across America who received $2,000 from ING. They now will vie with the other winners for one of the top three prizes - an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000. The program honors kindergarten through 12th grade teachers for their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects and their ability to make a positive influence on the children they teach. This is the eighth year of the awards program, which has given out nearly $2 million to more than 700 teachers across the United States. Broward's teachers were honored for the following programs/projects:

• Ms. Watts-Palsencia was honored for her "Take Notice" program, which enables students to improve their reading and math skills through decoding and reading music;

• Ms. Sanders' "The Nob Hill Hogwarts Lab" project uses the Harry Potter books as a springboard to create a stimulating, hands-on science lab in the school;

• Ms. Rhoden began the "Acts of Kindness: A Winning Enterprise" program that teaches students about community involvement and giving, along with the concept of business economics;

• Ms. Campbell's "Hands on the Future" program is designed to provide a career exploration opportunity for special education students by offering hands-on job training activities;

• Ms. Arico's "Math in a Bag" project provides students and parents with hands-on, family-friendly home learning materials that integrate math, reading, writing and technology.