Parent University

Parent University was launched in 2020 to provide additional support to parents during the District’s transition to online learning as a result of the pandemic. More than 20,000 parents attended during four live online sessions, and more than 195,000 visitors accessed online resources.

BCPS and the Parent Community Involvement Task Force continue to make this virtual resource available to families on topics of interest throughout the school year.

Family Forum: Virtual Webinar - Understanding AI and Its Use in BCPS

Dear Broward County Public Schools Families,

Technology is reshaping how students learn and engage. Join the BCPS Instructional Innovation & Digital Learning Department and the Parent and Community Involvement Task Force on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 5:30 P. M. – 7:00 P.M., for the webinar Understanding AI and Its Use in Broward Schools.

During this virtual meeting, we will explore what AI is and what it is not, share our district’s AI initiative, provide updates on professional learning for teachers, discuss the guardrails and safety measures guiding responsible AI use, and address common questions, concerns, and misconceptions.

We will also discuss how digital literacy and the ethical use of AI can help students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive in the 22nd century and beyond.

Access Family Forum on

Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., through the Family Forum meeting link or point your phone camera at the QR code to join us!

Hosted by the Instructional Innovation & Digital Learning Department • 754-321-2620

Connection Instructions

If you’re still experiencing technical difficulties, you can email for assistance.

Recorded Webinars

Building a Sustainable Future for BCPS

STUDENT SERVICES - HELP STARTS HERE

WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN 2026/2027

As our District prepares to welcome our youngest learners on their first day of school in the 2026/2027 school year, the Parent and Community Involvement Task Force is presenting a Welcome to Kindergarten webinar.

This virtual informational session helps new and existing parents with children entering kindergarten learn everything they need to know to be ready for the first day of school. From the registration process and how to prepare kids during the spring and summer, to what students will learn and how a typical day is structured, to resources available, food services, and transportation.

Watch a recording of the Parent University presentation below.

Parent University Recording

NAVIGATING THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

On Wednesday, October 22, families joined an online Parent University session via Microsoft Teams to learn valuable insights about the college application process, including how to complete applications, understand financial aid options, and access district resources that support every student’s college and career journey.

Watch the Presentation

Presented by:
BCPS Parent & Community Involvement Task Force

LITERACY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Parent University: Literacy Engagement Through Parental Involvement – Recorded on Thursday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m

Our District is committed to sharpening reading and writing skills across all grade levels, and we are asking parents to join in the effort!

On September 19, at 6:30 p.m., the BCPS Innovative Learning Department and the Parent and Community Involvement Task Force held a live Team Event titled Parent University: Literacy Engagement Through Parental Involvement.

District staff presented information that equipped parents with tools and resources to help them become partners on enhancing their student’s literacy. Topics included:

Fun and engaging ways to improve your student’s reading and writing skills.
Accessing textbooks and the district’s media library.
Tips and tricks that lead to improvement.
New Innovative programs available to all students.
The district’s new reading initiative.
Instructional Materials Adoption and Review process, and much more.

Access the recorded webinar, Parent University: Literacy Engagement Through Parental Involvement, through this link.

To learn more about resources available to help enhance literacy at home, visit Innovative Learning at Broward County Public Schools.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER

BCPS staff and the Parent and Community Involvement Task Force hosted a live Teams Event to present to the public how the Innovative Learning Department will be interconnecting Library Media, Instructional Technology, Equity, and Support to enhance student achievement during the 2024/25 school year.

Click the following link to access the recording of the Parent University: “Tying It All Together” live event.

To learn more about the support offered through the Innovative Learning Department, you can visit our website: Innovative Learning / Overview (browardschools.com)

Access to Instructional Technology, Textbooks, and “Tech Tools” for staff and students 
- Innovative Learning / Instructional Technology (browardschools.com)
- Innovative Learning / Library Media Services (browardschools.com)
Leveraging Libraries to Improve Student Achievement: Parent & Student Resources
- Reading Resources: Reading Tips for Parents from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), Bookelicious, and Sora.
- The Superintendent’s Reading Motivation Project: Read Across Broward using Beanstack.
- School’s Media Center webpage: Follett Destiny, Objection to Library/Specific Materials, Library Media Opt-Out form, and filtering options for library media materials.
- Innovative Learning / Instructional Technology (browardschools.com)
- Innovative Learning / Library Media Services (browardschools.com)

GET FOCUS(ED) WEBINAR

Broward County Public Schools is streamlining the way parents access their students’ information by launching a new parent information portal for the 2024/25 school year.

The new information system, called Focus, will replace Pinnacle and Virtual Counselor. It centralizes all applications used by parents into one districtwide system, incorporating attendance, grade book, scheduling, report cards, transportation, and communication.

In the Parent University webinar Get Focus(ed)!, the Parent and Community Involvement Task Force and District staff provide an introduction and overview of system.

View a recording of the Parent University: Get Focus(ed) webinar through this link.

View the accompanying Focus Introduction PDF presentation.

Visit the Focus: Student Information System to learn more about available transitional support.

Focus Parent Portal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

THE SCIENCE OF READING, STATE ASSESSMENTS AND MENTAL HEALTH

On Thursday, September 18, 2023, learn about scientifically proven strategies to help enhance reading skills, as well as information on the Florida Assessment For Student Thinking and free mental health support available through the District.

Primary Grades Webinar
Click here to watch a recording of the September 18 webinar for primary grades.

Secondary Grades Webinar
Click here to watch a recording of the September 28 webinar for secondary grades.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions at various points throughout the presentation and closed captioning will be available in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese.

DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Dangers of Social Media
October 25, at 6:30 p.m.

With the increasing number of social media apps students use to communicate with their peers and the increasing popularity of social media challenges, the Parent Community Involvement Task Force and Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) present a new Parent University webinar, titled Dangers of Social Media, to make families aware of concerning trends and the potential consequences students can face through their misuse of social media.

Access a recording of the October 25 Parent University through this link.

Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation.

In this seventh installment of Parent University, families will hear from representatives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and the Broward State Attorney’s Office, social media experts and BCPS staff as they discuss the risks associated with improper use of social media platforms. Additionally, experts will share tips on what parents should look for on their child’s social media, what behaviors should be cause for concern, and how to talk to their child about appropriate and inappropriate social media activities.