The 411 - News You Can Use About Broward Schools

Employees Wise Use of Medical Services Yields Profits for District
Because Broward County School employees wisely used medical services in 2005, the District is realizing cost savings passed on by both Humana, Inc. and Vista Healthplan. The Superintendent’s Insurance Advisory Committee negotiated this unique provision in its contracts with Humana and Vista. Both carriers agreed to give the District a share of the profits achieved through conservative usage of medical services by employees and their dependents. Because the plans experienced profits in excess of what was anticipated when usage targets were established, the District received a portion of the profits created – totaling more than $1.4 million.

District employees should be commended on the appropriate choices that they are making in regards to healthcare. For example, many are choosing to use urgent care centers for minor emergencies, instead of hospital emergency rooms. Others are engaging in healthy lifestyle choices that contribute to overall physical and emotional wellness. In addition, many employees have taken advantage of the District’s Wellness Program, which includes a wide variety of health screenings and wellness information. For more information on the health screenings available and current wellness presentation topics, please contact Tina Severance-Fonte in the Benefits Office at 754-321-3100.

Pictured (l to r) are Colin D’Arcy, President of Humana, Inc.; Jim Silvernale, Federation of Public Employees; Robin Bartleman, School Board Member; Patrick Santeramo, President of the Broward Teachers Union; Dr. Robert Parks, School Board Member; and Dr. Steven Scott, CEO of Vista Healthplan.

Broward Teen News Participants Win 2007
Student Television Network News Challenge
Student journalists at Broward Teen News (BTN) won first place in the News Category and second place in the Sports Category at the 2007 Student Television Network (STN) News and Sports Feature Challenge. Held each March in Anaheim, California, the contest honors the country’s finest teen broadcast work.

The STN Challenge is one of the most grueling competitions in the studentbroadcasting world. Teams of four participants from nationwide STN affiliate schools receive a two-word topic in each category and have just a few days to put together an engaging feature story.

This is the first time teams at BTN have entered the contest, and BTN was one of just two affiliates out of 440 to place as finalists in both categories. They were also the only Florida affiliate out of 25 entrants to be a finalist in the STN challenge. The team at BTN also received honorable mention and second place awards in STN’s Fall Nationals competition. “The results validate the power of the BTN internship,” says program teacher Cheryl Cammarano. “We’re really proud of the way the kids pulled together. It was difficult and there were hurdles in front of them, but they stayed focused.”

Broward Teen News is produced entirely by students who have the unique opportunity of working with industry-standard video equipment in a professional and focused environment. Interns receive hands-on experience with the latest digital television equipment as they work one-on-one with BECON instructors. Students develop advanced skills in reporting, videography, scriptwriting and digital editing, giving them an invaluable edge as they enter into a competitive field.

BTN is a production of BECON (Broward Education Communications Network). The show is broadcast on BECON-TV (WPPB 63), a division of BECON, licensed by the FCC to provide noncommercial educational programming to the South Florida community. For more information on BECON’s broadcast or instructional programming, call 754-321-1000 or
visit (www.becon.tv).

Blanche Ely Captures State Basketball Championship
The Blanche Ely Tigers defeated Orlando’s Dr. Phillips 80-77 to capture the Class 6A state basketball championship. It was the Tigers’ (24-5) first state championship since winning the title in 1993. The Tigers – who advanced to the state final four in thrilling fashion by defeating Boyd Anderson 67-66 – have been led all season by sophomore Kenny Boynton. Boynton, the 2007 Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year, was named the tournament’s most outstanding player; however, the Tigers had to win the state championship with Boynton sitting on the bench after he fouled out. Tiger Derrian Johnson then hit a 3-point play with 9.1 seconds left to tie the game. In overtime, Blanche Ely rallied for eight straight points after an Orlando three-point field goal. Tiger Josh Ellison sealed the victory by making a free throw with 3.1 seconds left. This is the third state championship title for Blanche Ely Tigers’ coach Melvin Randall, who won two titles with Deerfield Beach High. The Lady Tigers also had a victorious season, making it all the way to the final four under the leadership of coach Tommie Butts.

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