AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK TO BE CELEBRATED NOVEMBER 15 – 21
The Board adopted a resolution in support of American Education Week (November 15 – 21).  First observed in 1921, the week is the nation’s annual salute to public schools.  It is an excellent time for the entire community to recognize and honor principals, teachers, support staff members, parents, volunteers and others for the guidance, instruction, assistance and training they provide for students.

NOVEMBER 18 WILL BE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL DAY
Non-instructional support staff constantly works for the good of our students by providing vital services that are necessary for the efficient and successful operation of the District.   In adopting a resolution in support of National Educational Support Personnel Day (November 18), the Board urged all schools, centers and departments to join in this national observance in honor of this team of special people.

BOARD ADOPTS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF DISABILITY MENTORING DAY
More than one million people with disabilities have entered the labor force since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.  The School Board adopted a resolution in support of Disability Mentoring Day (October 21) which provides an opportunity for students and job seekers with all types of disabilities to gain insight into career options by spending part of their day in the workplace “shadowing” an employee during his or her workday.

AGREEMENT APPROVED WITH BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE H1N1 VACCINE TO STUDENTS
The School Board approved an agreement with the Broward County Health Department (BCHD) that will provide an opportunity for students to receive the H1N1 vaccine at school sites, if they have a consent form signed by their parents or guardians.  This totally voluntary program is expected to get underway later this month and will be promoted on the District Web site, through ParentLink messages, media releases and flyers to be sent home with students.

FPL INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT APPROVED BY BOARD
The School Board gave its approval to an Interconnection Agreement with Florida Power and Light (FPL) for the solar panel system which was installed at Heron Heights Elementary – a green school. The solar panels, mounted on the overhangs around the school, have already been installed and now, with this agreement, they will be connected to the school’s grid system.  The lifespan of the panels is almost indefinite; inverters usually have an effective lifespan of 20 or more years.  The majority of the power needed for the school will be provided by FPL in the traditional way; however, the solar system will provide approximately 41.5kW per hour.  Any excess power provided will be measured with a bi-directional meter and sold back to FPL at the standard rate. This project aligns with the District’s Environmental Strategic Plan.

The Board approved the following appointments: Rolando Alvarez, Manager, Transportation Terminal and Glenda Daniels, Interim Assistant Principal, Charles Drew Family Resource Center.

The Board also approved the following reassignment: LaQuita Lee, Assistant Principal, Coconut Palm Elementary.

SUPERINTENDENT’S VLOG IS NEW ADDITION TO DISTRICT WEB SITE
A new communication vehicle has been added to the District’s Web site – the Superintendent’s Vlog, or video blog.  Superintendent James F. Notter plans to use the Vlog to keep staff members and the local community informed about the great things happening in schools and to address important issues that impact the District and the education of students in Broward County.

To access the Vlog, log on to (www.browardschools.com) and click on “View the Superintendent’s NEW Vlog” link on the main page. The Superintendent’s Vlog will be updated twice a week – on Mondays and Wednesdays – throughout the school year.  Updated Vlogs will also be available during the summer months.

Recognized as a leader in the integration of technology into the educational process to both increase student achievement and prepare students for the future, Broward County Public Schools is continuing to utilize technology to communicate both within the District and out to the community. The District utilizes a variety of the latest technological advances in an effort to maintain communications, including live teleconferences, e-newsletters, Twitter, ParentLink messaging and departmental and school-based Web sites.

ALLAN PHIPPS RECEIVES GOVERNOR’S SERVE TO PRESERVE: GREEN SCHOOL AWARD
South Plantation High School’s Allan Phipps is the recipient of the Governor’s Serve to Preserve: Green Award. Phipps is an advanced placement environmental science and senior research teacher. The awards recognize efforts in creating healthy, efficient and productive places for learning. The announcement was made on October 7th in Tampa by Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael W. Sole.  Five winners were selected in five categories from across the state. Phipps received the honor in the teacher category. Among the finalists in the class category was Pamela Krauss' botany class.  Krauss is also a teacher at South Plantation High, which has an Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration magnet program. Winners receive $1,500 in cash and finalists, $500. Through his Solar & Alternative Energies project, Phipps has led his students to create two solar racecars that have competed at national levels. The car built last year, Solar Knight II, won first place at the National Dell Winston Solar Car Challenge, held at the Texas Motor Speedway.  Phipps and his students have participated in more than 40 events in the past three years to reach out to people in the community about alternative energies. With Phipps’ guidance, the South Plantation High School team won the 2008-09 Lexus Environmental Challenge. The purpose of the competition, which is open to teams of middle and high school students across the U.S., is to encourage students to get involved in projects that help the environment. South Plantation’s team, the Eco Geeks received $50,000 in scholarships by successfully completing three themed challenges in the areas of land, water and air/climate and a final challenge.  Phipps is also a finalist for National Math & Science Teacher of the Year.