District Awarded Over $7.5 Million in Grants
The District has been awarded more than $7.5 million in state and national competitive grants in recent months. The funding supports four programs, including two 21st Century Community Learning Center projects, a New Early Reading First program and a High School Success Special Grants program. The 21st Century Community Learning Center funds extended learning time for students and their families to learn new knowledge and skills outside of the regular school day at Oriole Elementary, Crystal Lake, New River and Olsen middle schools. The District was also awarded one of 31 New Early Reading First Grant Awards to support efforts to enhance oral language, cognitive and early reading skills of preschool-age children. The District’s project, Building Language and Literacy, will operate at Bethune Elementary School, Charles Drew Family Resource Center and three private childcare centers. The District also received a grant from the AT&T Foundation, through its High School Success Special Grants Program, to implement the Success Highways Dropout Prevention Program at Whiddon-Rogers, Dave Thomas and Pine Ridge Centers.

172 Schools Receive Over $15 Million in Funding for Outstanding Academic Performance
One hundred and seventy two Broward County Public Schools received a combined $15,578,497 in funding as part of the state's School Recognition Program. The announcement was made today by Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith and Governor Charlie Crist for the schools' academic achievement during the last school year. Broward's total award marks an increase of 46 schools and approximately $3 million over the District's 2006/07 totals. Broward's $15,578,497 recognition funding total represents the second-largest single District award in the state. Over $147.1 million was awarded to 1,959 Florida schools in recognition of their academic achievement and improvement during the school year. Schools that earned an "A" grade or improved at least one grade from the previous year were awarded $85 per student. Lists of all districts and/or schools in Florida receiving recognition funding can be found at: http://www.fldoe.org/evaluation/schrmain.asp.

District’s Official Enrollment Set
The District's official enrollment for the year on the twentieth day, Thursday, September 18 of 255,738 represents pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students enrolled in 286 schools (138 elementary, 43 middle, 33 high schools, 16 centers and 56 charter schools). Elementary schools account for 108,365 students; middle schools have 53,843 students, with 70,240 students in high schools. Enrollment in centers is 4,592 students and 18,698 students attend charter schools. District enrollment dropped 3,167 students from 2007/08, marking the fourth consecutive year of a decrease. The District reached its highest mark in 2004/05, enrolling 272,691 students.

Students Can Learn More About Their College Options at the College Fair
Choosing a college is an important decision, a potentially life-changing choice that can have an impact far beyond one’s college years. As the process of applying to and selecting a college becomes more and more competitive and complex, students and parents need all the help and information they can get. The Broward County National College Fair, a two-day event, held Thursday, October 16 from 5 – 8:30 p.m. and Friday, October 17 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, provides valuable resources for students and parents attempting to navigate the college-admission process. Sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Broward County Public Schools, both events are free and open to the public. For more information about the Broward County National College Fair, including directions to the fair, pre-registration online, a list of colleges exhibiting at the fair, and tips for preparing for the fair visit: COLLEGE FAIR INFORMATION.

One Picture Book, One Community Launches Sixth Kick-Off
Broward will join Miami-Dade Public Schools in celebrating the sixth anniversary of the One Picture Book, One Community annual literacy and reading enjoyment program. The program is also presented by WLRN's Ready To Learn initiative in partnership with the Florida Center for the Literary Arts at Miami-Dade College, BECON-TV and The Miami Herald. The year’s event launch, at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 26 at South Broward High School, includes presentations by the Piper High School step team and Miami-Dade's Barbara Hawkins Elementary cheerleaders. Plantation Middle School students will perform an interpretation of this year's book selection - Kate Banks' Max's Words. First grade students from Hallandale Elementary and Miami-Dade's Barbara Hawkins and Brentwood elementary schools will be present at the launch event. The program will be telecast live to all elementary schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties throughout each district's instructional television network.

Students with Disabilities Honored for Their Accomplishments
Just over 50 pre-school through adult education students with disabilities will be recognized for their accomplishments at an awards breakfast in their honor at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 3, at Wannado City, Sawgrass Mills Mall, Sunrise. Students’ families, school staff and special guest, Superintendent James F. Notter, will attend the event. The breakfast is the culminating activity of the annual “Just Do It...I Did” campaign, which celebrates the exemplary achievements of students with disabilities. ESE students are nominated by their schools to be recognized for their achievements. During the event, each teacher present will introduce the student they nominated and explain why he or she deserves to be honored. This year's honorees include: Gabriel Bray, UCP Early Beginnings; Dequan Daniel, Parkside Elementary; Spencer Sproul, Falcon Cove Middle; Jarius Ford, Whispering Pines; and Ray Grant, Hallandale Adult. For more information, contact Exceptional Student Education, Dr. Ilene Miller, 754-321-2204 (Ilenemiller@browardschools.com) or Janice Koblick, 754-321-2227 (janice.koblick@browardschools.com).

High School Seniors Named Semifinalists for National Merit Scholar Awards
Forty-two high school seniors are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the 54th annual National Merit Scholarship program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $35 million, that will be offered next spring. Students recognized from Broward County Public Schools are: Boyd Anderson: Abrar Polani, Joseph Salinardi; Cooper City: Cyrus Bhadha, Shaina Coogan; Coral Glades: Sarah Darville, Akshita Dutta, Boyang Meng, Jared Popkin, Zachary Puller; Coral Springs: Lex Bobrow, Yudir Chang, Matthew Saathoff, Evan Welber; Cypress Bay: Eleni Christou, Kara Goldman, Daniel McAdams, Benjamin Schreiber; Deerfield Beach: Troy Daly, Maria Isabel Lopez, Dillon Rosin; Marjory Stoneman Douglas,: Tom Dadon, Monica Isava, Amanda Levine, Valerie Moses, Katherine Norwalk, James Rigby, Alan Sariol, David Wallace; Flanagan: Ryan Chancoco; Monarch: Connor McCabe; Northeast: Aidan Lawrence; Nova: Samantha Cooke, Zachary Kaufman, Chelsie Librun; Pembroke Pines Charter: Nicolle Diaz, Daniel Zelaya; Pompano Beach: Arie Brown, Kevin Krutek; South Plantation: Kristina Lozoya; J.P. Taravella: John Mern; and Western: Robert Berg, Daniel Torres.

Seniors Named Semifinalists for 2009 National Achievement Scholarship Awards
Twenty-one high school seniors are among more than 1,600 students nationwide to be named semifinalists for National Achievement Scholarships, presented by the National Achievement Scholarship Program. The National Achievement Program is a privately financed academic competition established in 1964 specifically to honor scholastically talented Black American youth, and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding participants each year. In Florida, 132 students were named semifinalists. These outstanding Black American students now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 800 scholarships worth over $2.6 million to be awarded next spring. Broward’s competitors include:

Christopher R. James, Sydney I. Ramgolam, George Stern - Boyd Anderson High
Alikiah Barclay, Anthony N. Hall, Shani Jones, Kimani A. Kerr - College Academy at BCC
Anya C. Denbow - Cypress Bay High
Kendrick K. Fitzgerald, Yasmin P. Small - Deerfield Beach High
Sydney R. Green - Everglades High
Ludlow O. Dawes - Flanagan High
Jahneille A. Cunningham - Miramar High
Moya D. Bailey, Paula O. Jacobs - Monarch High
Chelsie Librun, Lynn C. Nestor - Nova High
Stephanie Smith - Pompano Beach High
Kamal O. Gray - South Plantation High
Joshua D. Johnson - Stranahan High
Breanne Palmer - J.P. Taravella High

Broward Students Prepare For Florida Math Mania
Over 6,000 students in 250 classrooms at 46 schools have registered to participate in Florida Math Mania, sponsored by Voyager Learning. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 16 and Wednesday, September 17. Approximately 90,000 students in 3,906 classrooms at 612 public schools across the state are expected to participate in Florida Math Mania. The goal of Florida Math Mania is to excite students about math. Students answer questions that are appropriate for their respective grade levels. Students will login to VmathLive (www.vmathlive.com) and compete against students from across Florida in answering the most math questions correctly. The top 10 scoring students will receive iPod Nanos, while the top 10 scoring schools will receive $500 cash donations. For information, contact Shannan Overbeck, Voyager Expanded Learning, 214-932-9476.

Recognition Program Honors Outstanding Middle and High School Students
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is looking for middle and high school students who have made meaningful contributions to their communities over the past 12 months. Each year, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor students across the country for helping the less fortunate, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, and serving their communities through many other volunteer activities. These awards honor outstanding community service by young people in grades five through 12 at the local, state and national level. Young volunteers can apply online at (www.prudential.com/spirit) or at (www.principals.org/prudential). Applications must be completed by October 31, 2008, then printed out, signed and submitted to a middle or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross, YMCA, or affiliate of HandsOn Network. Those without Internet access can get a paper version of the application form by calling 877-525-8491 toll-free. For more information on The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, visit (www.prudential.com/spirit), write to (spirit@prudential.com) or call 973-802-4568.

Charter School of Excellence Named Blue Ribbon School
The Charter School of Excellence has been designated as a 2008 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. The Charter School of Excellence in Fort Lauderdale, along with 320 schools across the country, were honored for helping students achieve at high levels and for making progress in closing the achievement gap. For the past 26 years, this prestigious program has honored more than 5,800 of America's most successful schools. “We are honored to be a recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award,” said Robert Haag, Founding Board Member, Charter School of Excellence. “This recognition is a testament to our dedicated faculty and administrators who have been working diligently for years to raise student achievement and instill a love of learning among our students.” The Charter School of Excellence is one of the first charter schools to open in Broward County in 1997 and currently one of the top ten FCAT-rated public schools in the state – having earned an "A" grade every year since 2001.

Broward Virtual School Named Franchise of the Year
The Florida Virtual School, the country’s first statewide Internet-based public school, has named Broward Virtual School Franchise of the Year. Broward Virtual School was selected over franchises in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Hillsborough, Polk, Okalossa, Marion and St. Johns counties. This recognition is based on student completion rates, promotion of school community, innovation in virtual education and quality customer service.

70 Broward Schools Earn Five-Star School Award
The Florida Department of Education recently designated 70 Broward County schools as Five Star School Award recipients for 2007/2008. These schools are among 905 statewide that will share Florida’s most prestigious award for community involvement. To meet the award’s rigorous demands, each school must document 100% fulfillment of 29 criteria that requires the full engagement of business partners, volunteers, students, families and the School Advisory Council in the educational process. In addition, qualifying schools must have a school grade of “C” or above and have received the Department of Education’s Golden School Award for excellence in school volunteer programs. To review complete list of schools that will be recognized for their achievement at the District’s Community Involvement Awards scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Broward County Convention Center, visit: Five Star Schools.

District Breaks Ground for New Elementary School in Sunrise
Ground will be broken for the District’s latest building project – Elementary School “A” at 8800 NW 54th Court in Sunrise on Wednesday, September 24 at 9 a.m. The new school, which will sit on a 14.5-acre site at the corner of Commercial Boulevard and Pine Island Road, will have space for 960 students in grades kindergarten through fifth. In keeping with the District’s objectives to build environmentally friendly facilities, this nearly $25 million project will become the District’s second energy efficient school. Balfour Beatty Construction, manager for the project, will complete construction on the 102,000-square-foot campus facility for an August 2009 opening. A similar building design is also being used to construct a new school – Elementary School “Z” in Parkland – currently under construction.

Superintendent Holds Meeting with District Employees
Superintendent James F. Notter has scheduled a series of Employee Meetings in each of the four areas of the District. Discussions will include an overview of the District’s current financial situation and future financial challenges; review of last year’s student performance and District accolades; and the new anti-bullying policy. The meetings will include open dialogue and a question and answer session. The Employee Meetings are not open to the general public; they are for Broward County Public Schools employees only. Additional meetings scheduled are:

North Area, Coconut Creek High School, Wednesday, October 1, 3:30 p.m.
South Central Area, Dillard High School, Monday, October 6, 3:30 p.m.
North Central Area, Piper High School, Wednesday, October 15, 3:30 p.m.

Teachers Receive State “You Make A Difference” Recognition
Three teachers were recognized during the September 23rd School Board meeting as recipients of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC)’s 2008 “You Make a Difference” (YMAD) awards. The Council presents the awards annually to Florida educators who use true inclusive practices in their classrooms and schools. Educators from 12 schools in Florida received awards. Her principal Marion Gundling presented Gayle Moscatello, kindergarten teacher at Silver Ridge Elementary School, with the award. Susan Colton, principal at Parkside Elementary School, presented the awards to Sheree Schulson, fourth grade teacher and Corrie Lohr, who teaches students with autism. The FDDC presents the YMAD awards to encourage all school personnel in Florida to engage in inclusive education practices, an approach to education that creates learning environments designed for diversity and for making natural education settings accessible to all children, all together, all the time. The Council believes that students with disabilities are valued members of the classroom and school community and that teachers should hold high expectations for all students’ success in school and in the community.

The Cultural Foundation of Broward Invites You…
The Cultural Foundation of Broward and The James Schot Gallery invite you to attend a Gallery Night Reception for Art Festival on Friday, October 3, at 7 p.m., to introduce the unique art festival – Seeking the Self: The Art of Jonathan Green. The reception, to be held at the James Schot Gallery, 2800 N Federal Highway, Suite A, Fort Lauderdale, is free and open the public. This multi-disciplinary festival of dance, music, poetry, visual arts, education and documentary film will take place over a five-day period, October 17 – 21. This weeklong event will be celebrated by a wide array of arts organizations in various festivities. For a complete schedule of events and festivities, tickets (which are half-price if purchased before September 30) and other information, visit online at (www.jonathangreenfestival.com). To RSVP for individual events or the entire festival, visit (www.broward.org/arts) and click on Workshops. For more information, contact Patricia Zeiler, 954-357-7321

Reminder About Unwanted E-mail
You should never respond to email that is received by you that is unwanted or unsolicited. The best course of action is to just delete these emails. Often spam E-mails will contain an "unsubscribe" link or button. Unfortunately, if the E-mail is really spam and not something you explicitly signed up for, using this "unsubscribe" link is in fact likely to increase the amount of spam you receive. Anybody who tries to unsubscribe in this way is just letting the spammer know that his or her email address is valid. The spammer can then confidently send you even more spam, with the happy knowledge that your account is active and that you actually read your email. If someone is unscrupulous enough to send you unsolicited advertising material in the first place, it is quite unlikely that he/she/it will honor a request to stop sending it.

Broward County’s Character Trait for September is Cooperation
Cooperation: Working with others to accomplish a common purpose.

The 411 Newsletter and News & Views Available Online
For environmental and budgetary reasons, The 411 will no longer be printed. The quarterly newsletter will now be published only online at (www.browardschools.com). Just click on “Employees” and click on “The 411” banner to read current and back issues. News & Views is also available now online. Just click on the News & Views banner next to The 411 banner. Both newsletters are in CAB’s District Announcements. If you have any questions or suggestions concerning these publications, contact Communications & Media Relations, 754-321-2300 or (news@browardschools.com).

Submissions for News & Views
Send articles and suggestions for News & Views to (news@browardschools.com) or contact the Communications & Media Relations Department, 754-321-2300.