A Message from
the Superintendent
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As the school year draws to a close, I am pleased to share with you the very positive results of a study called Beating the Odds that was recently published by the Council of the Great City Schools. The Council of the Great City Schools is a national coalition representing 66 of the largest urban public school systems in the United States.
Broward County Public Schools is one of only a handful of large urban school districts to advance student performance in both math and reading on par with or beyond state averages. While students in 66 major city school systems in 38 states posted new gains in fourth-and eighth-grade mathematics and reading on state tests in 2005, this is the fourth year in a row that Broward has made such gains.
In addition, Broward is one of only four major urban school districts to have both fourth and eighth-grade math scores equal to or greater than their respective state averages, and one of only three districts to have scores equal to or greater than their state averages in eighth-grade reading.
City-by-city profiles of the sixth edition of Beating the Odds can be found on the Council’s Web site at (www.cgcs.org).
As in any effort to achieve success, teamwork is essential. Your role, as a member of the Broward County Public Schools’ team, was a key factor in leading the District through a very successful school year. Regardless of test scores, school grades or negative news you see in the newspaper or on television, success stories abound in this District. We are making a difference in the lives of students by providing them with the best possible education and preparing them to be the leaders of tomorrow.
I want you to know that it is a privilege to work with a teaching, administrative and support staff so committed to establishing the foundation on which our children will build their futures.
The importance of understanding, appreciating and working together has never been more important. This fall, we will undoubtedly face new challenges, but with your continued support and cooperation, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
Your efforts as part of the Broward County Public Schools’ team are appreciated.
Broward County Public Schools Fact Sheets Available
If you want to know the facts regarding the Broward County Public Schools, the sixth largest district in the nation, then we have a resource for you. Twelve selected areas are covered in one page highlights that range from student achievement to the One Voice Plan to teacher support, to name a few. The fact sheets are available for your use and can be downloaded and printed for distribution. The documents will be updated twice annually to ensure that the most current information is available to you and the community. You can access the documents at
(www.browardschools.com) under Resources. |
One Saved
It had been almost three years since her last mammogram. She knew that she needed to get an exam, but her busy schedule did not allow time for wellness activities. Coincidentally, there was a flyer posted that announced the arrival of the mammogram van at Blanche Ely High School. “How convenient!” she thought, as she booked an appointment through her friendly and knowledgeable on-site insurance representative.
Two days before, the paperwork had been faxed to the school and placed neatly in her mailbox. During teacher planning, she filled it out and waited for the day to arrive.
Once on the mammogram van, a friendly woman greeted her. The van was comfortable, clean, and sitting right in the parking lot of Blanche Ely High School. The entire process only took about 10 minutes, so quick she was right back in the Media Center where she resumed her daily activities of assisting students and faculty members.
Approximately two weeks later, a letter came in the mail requesting that she go for further testing. She was nervous and frightened as she informed her family members and close friends of the possibilities that lay ahead.
Further tests concluded that there was something wrong, but as a direct result of the mammogram van’s visit to her school, it was detected early and the appropriate measures were taken.
This is a true story – just ask Andrea Angelucci, the Media Specialist at Blanche Ely High School. “If I wouldn’t have gone to the van on the day that it came to my school, I might not be here today. I had no idea that there was something wrong. I did not have any pain and was three years overdue for a regular examination,” she said.
The Benefits Department, Humana, Inc, and Vista Healthplan encourage all work sites to take advantage of the mammogram van service. The minimum requirement is only 12 women and the van will come right to you.
Some work sites have a standing annual appointment with the mammogram van. This enables employees to have a regular breast examination once every 365 days. Furthermore, employees don’t need to retrieve their prior films, as their history continues with the same vendor. Please call the Benefits Department at 754-321-3100 to book this valuable wellness service. It just might save your life! |
