School Board in Action

AGREEMENT WITH JOE DIMAGGIO
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
This agreement, approved by the Board, is part of the "Schools of Wellness" project, which is designed to change the culture of schools relating to nutrition and physical activity. The goal is to help students live healthier lives while addressing childhood obesity. The agreement will transfer funds from the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation to the Board to pay stipends to teachers who will act as liaisons in 25 schools across Broward County over a three-year period.

SAFE AND CIVIL SCHOOLS
PROGRAM APPROVED
The Board approved a contract with Teaching Strategies, Inc. that will bring the Safe & Civil Schools program to Broward schools.  The Safe & Civil School Series is a collection of practical materials and staff training designed to help schools improve safety and civility in all school settings.  In doing so, a foundation is laid to enhance student engagement and learning.  The goal is to empower school personnel with techniques to help all students behave responsibly and respectfully. Initially, the program will be rolled-out in 17 Broward schools and one center.

AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The Board approved an agreement to provide training for the State of Florida Department of Transportation. McFatter Technical Center provides state-of-the-art, specialized training to meet the needs of local businesses and organizations.  Through this agreement, McFatter Technical Center will provide training to the State of Florida Department of Transportation employees.  Training sessions will include computer/office technology, office skills enhancement, telephone skills, listening skills, workplace safety, CPR, first aid, health and wellness, and supervisory development.

$7.5 Million in Federal
Grants Received Two federal education grants totaling nearly $7.5 million were awarded to the Broward County Public School District at the October School Board meeting. The first grant will enable the District to create additional magnet schools for students through the Magnet Schools Assistance Program, while the second will address the District's need for more highly qualified teachers as part of the Transition to Teaching Program.

The Magnet Schools Assistance Program provides competitive grants to help local schools create magnet schools -- schools that offer a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students of different racial backgrounds.

The Transition to Teaching Program provides grants to state departments of education and school districts to develop alternate routes to teacher certification and expand the pool of mid-career professionals, recent college graduates in non-education fields and paraprofessionals entering the teaching profession, particularly in high-need districts.


Paper or Plastic?
Job Shadowing at
Grocery Store Ties
Education to Real World
Twelve Davie Elementary School students recently put the skills they learned in school to use in an unlikely place - a grocery store. The fourth and fifth graders in the Language Learning Disability Program participated in the "Job Shadowing, Cameras and Careers Program" at Publix Supermarket at Westport Plaza in Davie. Every Tuesday for a month the students spent two hours shadowing store employees who served as mentors, teaching them the skills needed to do their jobs. The students documented their experiences through journal entries and photos. The purpose of the Impact II Grant funded program was to teach the students how school relates to the real world using communication, reading, math, writing, listening and social skills.