AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER ARE TAKE YOUR PARENT TO SCHOOL MONTHS IN BROWARD
The House of Representatives of the State of Florida has proclaimed September as Take your Dad to School Month in Florida, but in adopting a resolution of support, the School Board broadened the term “Dad” to “Parent” which includes the legal parent, guardian or role model of a student, and extended the event to cover two months – August and September.  Children who have the benefit of a supportive “parent” are less likely to live in poverty, less likely to drop out of school, less likely to become involved in delinquent behavior, are less likely to become involved in an abusive relationship and are a lower risk for teen pregnancy.

NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS’ DAY TO BE CELEBRATED SEPTEMBER 13
Grandparents represent our heritage and are essential members of our families and communities.  The impetus for National Grandparents’ Day (September 13) originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia.  Her motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly people in nursing homes and to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and experience of their grandparents.  In adopting the resolution of support, the Board specified that, in addition to grandparents, “shut-ins” and those in nursing homes who are unable to be with their families or have no families, should also be honored on Grandparents’ Day.

BOARD ADOPTS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT OF FAMILY DAY – SEPTEMBER 28
The School Board adopted a resolution of support of Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children.  Children in families who eat dinner together more than three times a week are at 70 percent lower risk for substance abuse than those who eat together less frequently.  They are also half as likely to try cigarettes or marijuana and one third less likely to try alcohol. The communication that occurs over the course of a meal is critical in building a relationship with children and understanding the world in which they live.

VICTIMS OF SEPTEMBER 11 TO BE HONORED ON “A DAY TO REMEMBER”
The School Board recognizes the importance of a patriotic observance in honor of those who lost their lives during the tragic events of September 11, 2001.  Patriotism is part of the District’s Character Education Program. On September 11th at 9:30 a.m., the Board encourages schools, areas and District offices to pause for a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11.

BOARD APPROVES LEASE AGREEMENT WITH FLORIDA COMPUTER PARTNERS, LLC
Florida Computer Partners, LLC is one of an initial group of off campus sites that will, with the Board’s approval of a lease agreement, provide classroom space to house one of the District’s Off Campus Learning Centers (formerly the Drop Back In Program).  The program provides a full 24-credit high school diploma, credit recovery/retrieval and technical school opportunities for students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out of school.

EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM TO CONTINUE
With the approval of a continuation agreement with WorkForce One, the Teaching and Leadership Center’s Educator Certification Program will continue.  For the fifth consecutive year, the program was selected and awarded an Employed Worker Training Grant from WorkForce One.  The goal of the program is to select 50 educators on temporary certificates who must complete up to 15 semester hours of college coursework to obtain their professional certification, and provide them with the individual course outline needed for professional certification.  Participants are then registered and in tuition free college courses at Florida Atlantic University.

FIVE DEERFIELD BEACH HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FACILITIES RENAMED
The Board gave its approval to the renaming of five athletic facilities at Deerfield Beach High School in honor of community members, a School Board member and former school employees.  The football stadium will be named Butler Stadium in honor of J. D. and Alice Butler.  The school’s athletic field will be called the Sylvia Poitier Field and the concession stand will be the William F. Weigel Building.  The school’s softball field will be the Robert “Bob” Bailey Softball Field and the track will be now be called the Robert “Bob” Parks Track in honor of School Board member Robert D. Parks, Ed.D.  Dr. Parks abstained from voting on the renaming of the track.

The Board approved the following appointments: Brian Faso, Acting Principal, Miramar High and Leo Nesmith, Principal, The Quest Center.

The Board also approved the following reassignments: Cornelia Hoff, Interim Assistant Principal, Hollywood Hills High; Kay Lang, Assistant Principal, Pompano Beach High and Reginald Pierre-Jerome, Assistant Principal, Crystal Lake Middle.

SOUTH PLANTATION HIGH SCHOOL SOLAR KNIGHTS WIN TOP PRIZE AT DELL WINSTON SOLAR CAR CHALLENGE

Thirteen South Plantation High School students won first place at the National Dell Winston Solar Car Challenge, held recently at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Solar Knight II, the 650-pound solar car entered by the South Plantation High School team, completed a total of 395 laps (592.5 miles) over the four-day event. The car averaged 26 miles per hour over the course of the 23 racing hours, with a top speed of 38.5 miles per hour.

Despite sustaining damage to the rear-end bearings on the first day due to extreme track temperatures (over 150 degrees Fahrenheit) and having to change the entire rear end of the vehicle during the seventh racing session, the Solar Knights emerged the winners.

According to the judges, race coordinator, race director and corporate sponsors, the Solar Knights ran a very clean race, displayed positive attitude and worked well as a team. They displayed composure under pressure, strong work ethic, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

The Solar Knights also received the Hunt Oil Award, presented to the team whose car represents the best engineering. The vehicle was equipped with sophisticated telemetry and a very detailed aerodynamic design. Brayan Delgado received the "Order of the Solar Cell" Award for his commitment to solar car racing.

Overall, the Solar Knights won five individual session trophies during the event.