Broward Schools Awarded Broad Scholarship Grants
Although not the top winner for the recent $2 million Broad Prize for Urban Education, School Board members and District administrators attending the event to announce the winning district brought home $250,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors. The Broad Prize honors school districts for outstanding student achievement and for boosting performance of low-income and minority students. The Brownsville, Texas school district was named this year’s grand prizewinner. The $2 million Broad Foundation Award for Urban Education singles out urban school districts that have been successful in closing the achievement gap. The five school districts that were competing for this year’s award were selected from more than 100 public schools systems across the country whose success in escalating student achievement among disadvantaged and minority students qualified them for consideration for the award. In the end, Broward County Public Schools was a winner just for being selected one of the five finalists for the award. The $250,000 that accompanies the finalist designation will be distributed to District students next year to defray college and university expenses.

School Board Wins CGCS Financial Award
The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) notified the District this week that the School Board and Broward County Public Schools are the recipients of the first Award for Excellence in Financial Management. The award represents a significant achievement by the School Board and District administrators who support the highest standards in financial accountability and controls that are required to safeguard and protect the financial integrity of the school system. To receive the award, a district must achieve 95 percent or 2,309 out of a possible 2,430 points by complying with all 95 mandatory practices and a minimum of 41 of 53 recommended practices in nine categories including general financial management; internal controls; budget; strategic planning and management; internal and external financial auditing; purchasing; treasury; capital asset management; debt management; and risk management. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer was specifically pointed out by CGCS for its significant role in the District achieving this recognition. The official announcement and presentation of the award will be made at the CGCS Annual Fall Conference in Houston this week.

Annual Magnet Showcase 2008
Parents and students are invited to take time out during this coming holiday shopping season to shop for a magnet program at the Magnet Showcase on Wednesday, December 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. The annual showcase is free and open to the public. Visitors to this expo-style event will have the opportunity to experience firsthand more than 40 magnet schools with displays and hands-on demonstrations and interactive activities. Information on everything from the application process and innovative programs to transportation will be available. Applications for the 2009/2010 school year will be available and can be submitted at the Showcase. Parents will also be able to apply on line. Staff will be on hand to process application information for elementary, middle, and high school students. Translators will also be available to help Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole speakers. All Broward resident students in grades K-12 are eligible to apply to a magnet program. Students entering kindergarten must be five years old by September 1, 2009. Applicants to middle and high school magnet programs should bring a copy of their recent report card and standardized test scores (FCAT). The application deadline is February 17, 2009. For more information, visit Magnet Programs or contact Ruth Johnson, Magnet Programs, 754-321-2380.

Students to Participate in Hispanic Cultural Awareness Event
Over 1,200 elementary students will participate in the Hispanics: Their Legacy – Cultural Awareness event on Wednesday, October 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at OMNI Center, Broward College North Campus in Coconut Creek. The diverse group of students will learn about the rich heritage of people of Hispanic descent and explore Hispanic contributions to the United States through presentations and hands-on activities. Students will also have an opportunity to meet author and storyteller Lucia M. Gonzalez. The event is presented by the Multicultural, ESOL and Program Services Department in partnership with Broward College and the Broward County Public Library. For information, contact Linda Medvin, 754-321-2969.

Blanche Ely High School Hosts Million Father March Dinner for Dads
More than 350 fathers are expected to attend the third in a series of Million Father March Dinner for Dads events at Blanche Ely High School. The dinner takes place on October 22 at 6 p.m. Fathers and male guardians representing students attending Cypress, Charles Drew, Markham, McNab, Palmview, Pompano Beach and Sanders Park elementary schools, Crystal Lake and Pompano Beach middle schools, and Blanche Ely and Pompano Beach high schools have registered to attend the event. The focus of the Dinner for Dads event is to continue what was started with the Million Father March initiative on the first day of school – encouraging parents and guardians to stay involved in the lives of their children. An additional goal of the dinner is to promote the engagement of more dads in the educational process with their children. National PTA President-Elect Chuck Saylors is scheduled to attend the event. The Westside Gazette, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, North Broward Hospital District, Friends of Children, Inc., and 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale support the Million Fathers March Dinner for Dads program.

Coral Park Elementary Hosts Community Conversation
Coral Park Elementary School Principal Dr. Amanda Miles will host a “Community Conversation on the Future of Our Families” on October 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The conversation will focus on the demographics of the family and the balance which every family needs in home life, work life and community involvement. Today's families are more multigenerational than ever before, presenting challenges and opportunities to meet the needs of children, parents, grandparents and super-elders. Conversation facilitator Jack Levine is founder of the 4Generations Institute and has served as president of Voices for Florida’s Children for 25 years. He is an advocate for family policies which bridge generations, promote health, safety, education and overall quality of life in our communities. Coral Park Elementary has partnered with the Children's Services Council of Broward County and the City of Coral Springs to host the event. For additional information, contact Dr. Amanda Miles, 754-322-5850.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High Marching Band Captures Grand Champion Title
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School marching band placed first in the Class 3A competition and went on to capture the title of Grand Champion at the 20th Annual John I. Leonard Lancer Jamboree recently held in Greenacres. The Eagle Regiment, under the direction of John Rusnak, was given superior ratings with distinction for percussion and music. They were also named best in class for Color Guard, Percussion, Music, General Effect, Visual, Brass, Woodwind, and Drum Major.

Gator Run Elementary Celebrates 10th Year with Parade of Nations
Gator Run Elementary School will celebrate its 10th year of providing educational excellence in the city of Weston on October 23 at 9 a.m. The celebration will include a "Parade of Nations" around the school, followed by student presentations in different world languages and a birthday cake. RSVP to Gator Run Principal Susan Sasse via E-mail (susan.sasse@browardschools.com) or call 754-323-5850.

Coral Glades High Band Captures Grand Champion in Bands Competition
The Coral Glades High School Marching Jaguars recently competed in the 2008 Falcon Sound Invitational hosted by Flanagan High School. In all, 21 bands and color guards from South Florida competed for ratings and trophies. The Jaguar Regiment, under the direction of Ingrid Larragoity, won the overall Grand Champion of the competition, placing first overall among the 21 schools. In addition to the First Place Grand Champion, they won in the categories of: Best Music, Best Class Auxiliary, Best Drum Major, Best Class Visual, Best General Effect, Best Class Percussion, Superior Music, Superior Visual, Superior Auxiliary, Superior Percussion, and Superior Drum Major.

District Recognized for Commitment to Students in Transition
The Broward County School District has been selected to receive the Outstanding Florida Homeless Education Program award by the Florida Homeless Education Program. The award recognizes homeless education liaisons, partners, and advocates for the outstanding service they provided to children and youth experiencing homelessness during the 2007/08 school year. Dianne Sepielli, Coordinator for the District’s Homeless Education Program, received the recognition at the Awards Ceremony during the 2008 Florida Migrant and Homeless Education State Conference just held in Naples.

Joanne Harrison is Finalist for Education Award
Dr. Joanne Harrison, Deputy Superintendent for Educational Programs & Student Support, has been selected as a finalist for the annual Florida Chapter of the March of Dimes Building Our Community education award. The winner will be selected at the group’s annual awards luncheon at noon from around the South Florida region for awards in the fields of accounting; architecture and engineering on Friday, November 21 at Jungle Island in Miami. Dr. Harrison will join other finalists in the areas of culture; finance; hospitality; tourism; journalism; law; real estate; and education.

Last District Town Hall Meeting Posted on Web Site
The last in a series of four recent District Town Hall Meetings, which was carried live from Piper High School on the District Web site (www.browardschools.com) on Wednesday, October 15, is currently posted on the District Web site for viewing by employees, students and the general public.

Privacy Notices Now Available in Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese
The School Board’s Notice of Privacy Practices for students and family members contains valuable information pertaining to the uses and disclosures of medical and mental health records. To benefit families from various backgrounds and cultures, the Multicultural & ESOL Program Services Department has provided translations of this notice in Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese. The District serves nearly 15,000 families who speak Spanish, 7,150 who speak Haitian Creole, and over 1,000 who speak Portuguese. The Notice of Privacy Practices can be easily accessed online at (www.browardschools.com) from the Privacy Statement link located at the bottom of most District Web pages, including the home page. The notice is also available on the Family Counseling Web page, linked from Psychological Services. For additional information, contact Todd Sussman, Privacy Officer, 754-321-3220.

Broward County's Character Trait for October is Responsibility
Responsibility: Meeting obligations by being reliable, accountable, and dependable to self and to others.

The 411 Newsletter and News & Views Available Online
For environmental and budgetary reasons, The 411 is no longer printed. The quarterly newsletter is now 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 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).