Board Action

RESOLUTIONS

BOARD SUPPORTS NATIONAL RED RIBBON WEEK, OCTOBER 23-31
The School Board adopted a resolution in support of National Red Ribbon Week, October 23 - 31, 2009. Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign designed to promote drug abuse awareness, drug abuse prevention and drug abuse education and activities. During the week, schools will provide special substance education and activities for all students to promote healthy and positive life choices.

BOARD SUPPORTS DISABILITY HISTORY AND AWARENESS WEEKS
The School Board adopted a resolution in support of Disability History and Awareness Weeks, held during October. The purpose is to expand students' knowledge, understanding and awareness of individuals with disabilities, the history of disability and the disability rights movement.  The goal of Disability History and Awareness Weeks is to promote increased sensitivity towards individuals with disabilities in society and increase attention to prevent the bullying and harassment of students with disabilities.

BOARD RECOGNIZES NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK
The School Board proclaimed the week of October 19-23, 2009 as National School Bus Safety Week. The District is committed to providing a safe, accident-free environment on its buses, as more than 82,672 riders travel more than 19,482,177 miles during the school year. National Bus Safety Week also recognizes the exemplary safety record of the District's 1,160-plus bus operators, who travel the roads of Broward County every school day. During the week, schools are asked to promote activities which focus on the health and safety of school children.

APPROVED

BOARD APPROVES 14 AGREEMENTS WITH CITY OF HOLLYWOOD
The Board approved agreements with the city of Hollywood for the municipality to award financial assistance for 14 programs and activities at its local schools and centers. Below are the programs and the associated awards: "Let Your Character Shine" at Ben Gamla Charter School ($700); "Project Technology" and "Vocabulary Workshop" at Boulevard Heights Elementary ($2,064 combined); "Brainmatics" at Driftwood Elementary ($839);  "HAAS Gifted/High Achieving Program" at Hollywood Academy of Arts & Sciences ($800); "Cultural Celebrations" and "Summer Sunshine Reading Initiative" at Hollywood Central Elementary ($1,200 combined); "Literature Circles," "Brilliantly Bright Book Club," "Throw Your Tooth on the Roof!" and "Character Education through Literature" at Hollywood Hills Elementary ($3,349 combined);  "Working Lunch" and "A Picture Tells A Thousand Words" at South Broward High School ($1,584 combined) and "Project ACHIEVE" at The Quest Center ($800).

BOARD APPROVES TRAINING GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR MCFATTER TECHNICAL CENTER
The Board approved a competitive grant application on behalf of the William T. McFatter Technical Center to the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program provides funding for training and educational programs for employers and workers about safety and health topics selected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). McFatter Technical Center is requesting funds to implement and manage an OSHA-approved Maritime Training Program in an effort to decrease employee accidents and fatalities while on the job site.

PERSONNEL

The Board approved the following appointments: Emperatriz Alaix, Specialist, Head Start/Early Head Start (Grant Funded); Ilene Miller, Coordinator, Pre-Kindergarten Early Intervention (Grant Funded); Jill Morgenstein, Coordinator, Pre-Kindergarten Early Intervention (Grant Funded); Interim Assistant Principals: Cassandra Adderley, Lauderdale Lakes Middle; Paul Baugh, Nova Middle and Mark Henderson, Plantation Middle.

The Board also approved the following reassignment: John Gentile, Finance Manager, Broward Education Foundation.

SCHOOLS AND STAFF IN ACTION
DISTRICT ANNOUNCES 2009/10 TENTH DAY ENROLLMENT COUNT
On Friday, September 4, 2009, Broward County Public Schools announced a 2009/10 tenth day student enrollment count of 254,849. The count represents an increase of 23,354 students, as compared to the 2009/10 first day enrollment count and a decrease of 1,664 students compared to last year's tenth day count of 256,513. This student enrollment count includes all students who were in attendance at all schools, including charter schools, centers and other non-Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student sites. The District's tenth day enrollment count has already exceeded the District's anticipated twentieth day enrollment projection, anticipated to be 252,544.

BECON TV DISTANCE LEARNING, WPBT2's KIDVISION VPK BRINGS HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION TO PRE-KINDERGARTEN/PRIMARY CLASSROOMS
BECON TV Distance Learning Outreach is partnering with KidVision VPK (WPBT Channel 2) to deliver additional educational programming to students in pre-kindergarten/primary classrooms throughout Broward County. WPBT2 KidVision VPK is a free online program that stimulates learning through virtual field trips around the community. This innovative online resource is available for teachers and parents on demand via the Internet. Visit (www.browardschools.com/stream/kid_vision.htm) to watch the videoconference stream and learn about the program. The field trip catalog includes ventures to a fire station, an animal shelter, a recycling center and Biscayne National Park among others. Standard-based lesson plans, student assessment forms, and take home work that promotes literacy, communication and language accompany each field trip experience. Student involvement in learning the standards becomes multi-dimensional, as students watch field trips and then do hands-on activities.