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More than 20,000 Students Participate in Above the Influence Virtual Rally
March 18, 2021
Students participate in first ever virtual Above the Influence Rally.
More than 20,000 Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) students participated in the Above the Influence Rally on Thursday, March 18. Students who registered were able to participate in this year’s online socially distanced event from their homes and classrooms. The annual rally celebrated students’ for making positive decisions and resisting negative influences that could lead them down the wrong path. The morning event was hosted and live streamed from Hollywood Hills High School.
BCPS Superintendent Robert W. Runcie and United Way CEO Kathleen Cannon kicked off the event with opening remarks, followed by student performances of skits, poetry, songs and dances, and a special unity of high school bands performance. Highlighting the event was a special performance by Grammy Award winner, Wayne Rhoden, known as the artist Father Goose. As Father Goose, he is well known for performing children's music, kindie rock and reggae nursery rhymes.
The Above the Influence Rally, created by BCPS and the United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse, bolsters students’ confidence in standing up to negative pressures – such as peer pressure, bullying, fighting, drugs and alcohol, and racism – and other destructive behaviors and attitudes. By focusing on the positive influences in their lives, students celebrate their choice to live Above the Influence. To further the rally’s message, students are urged to make a commitment to their goal by choosing the negative influence they will reject and are encouraged to look for the wonderful opportunities that abound.
The Above the Influence Rally was presented by BCPS School Climate & Discipline Department, United Way of Broward County and the Commission on Behavioral Health and Drug Prevention, Hanley Foundation, Memorial Healthcare Systems, Department of Health – Students Working Against Tobacco and Children Services Council.
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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has nearly 261,500 students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools.com and download the free BCPS mobile app.