Around the District …
Broward Once Again the
Nation’s Largest, Fully Accredited School District
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
has named the Broward County Public School District a "2001-02
Super System for Quality Schools". Every school in Broward’s
District has received accreditation from the group - making
the District once again the nation’s largest, fully
accredited school district. SACS accredits more than 12,000
public and private educational institutions from pre-kindergarten
through university level in 11 states.
In order to receive accreditation, schools must conduct a
series of six school improvement planning activities; involve
key stakeholders in improvement decision-making; implement
and document results of those activities in improving student
performance; and maintain compliance with commission standards.
An important phase in the process includes a visit by an outside
team of trained peer evaluators to each school every five
years.
Cooper City High Named National
Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Back in November, Principal Jim Vanover received a fax from
the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) that began five months
of nervous anticipation. Since then, that anticipation has
turned to jubilation as the DOE announced the school has been
named a 2001-2002 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
Cooper City High - which also received the honor during the
1994/95 school year - is one of only two tri-county area schools
to receive this year’s award, and one of only four schools
in Florida so honored! Since the program began in 1982, Broward
County schools have received this distinction 26 times! The
Blue Ribbon - the most prestigious education award in the
country - distinguishes Cooper City High for its excellence
in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement,
parent involvement and community support.
A Blue Ribbon flag waving overhead has become a trademark
of excellence, a symbol of quality recognized by everyone
from parents to policy-makers in thousands of communities.
And, that ribbon now flies proudly over Cooper City High School.
According to Mr. Vanover, the award represents a great honor
for the entire Cooper City High family. "This is something
that recognizes the hard work of our students, staff, faculty
and parents," he said shortly after receiving the good
news from the DOE. "I couldn’t be prouder."
Driftwood Middle Honored by American
Heart Association
The American Heart Association, in conjunction with
the Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation,
Dance and Drivers Education (FAHPERD), recently selected Driftwood
Middle School to receive the "2002 Model Middle School
Physical Education Program Award. "Driftwood was selected
over numerous middle schools across Florida that were nominated
based on their rigorous and unique curriculum, program, activities
and advanced use of technology in physical education.
Driftwood has implemented a Health and Wellness Magnet Program
that involves every student attending its school. Students
prepare for careers in preventative medicine, nursing, personal
fitness training, environmental wellness, nutritional counseling,
sports medicine and recreational and managed healthcare.
