January 20, 2011scotts revsions - Get Involved

North Area Good News
January 20, 2010
Coral Glades High School
Broward County's Character Traits:
Cooperation Respect Responsibility Honesty Citizenship
Self-Control Kindness Tolerance
o
National Magnet Schools of America Month
o No Name-Calling Week – January 24-28, 2011
o Florida Jewish history Month – January 2011
o National School Counselors’ Week – February 7-11, 2011
o Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! January 24-28, 2011
o
BrightStar Credit Union recognized as Philanthropic Corporate Donor
of the Year
Riverglades Elementary School
7th Annual Tis the Season Essay Contest sponsored by PARKLAND TOWN CENTER This year’s topic is “If
you could help somebody, who would it be and why? The Winner, Abby Wolk is a 5th Grader at Riverglades
Elementary School.
Abby's Essay: Sports Should be for Everyone
Can you imagine or picture not being able to play
sports because you have a disability? I can’t. Being
part of a team is such an important part of growing
up. Parkland Sports Buddies is an organization that
allows children with disabilities including autism
and being in a wheelchair play sports such as
soccer, basketball, football and tennis! This is a
great organization because it allows kids to get
close with their buddies and they make it just like a
real league! Also it teaches teamwork and
cooperation!
First of all, Parkland Sports Buddies is a great way
for children with disabilities to meet and become a
close friend of a “buddy”, like my sister Lindsay
and her partner Chad (who has Cerebral Palsy and
is in a wheelchair). My sister has been participating
in Parkland Sports Buddies for three years. She has
done both soccer and football buddies. Chad and
Lindsay have gotten very close to each other. Like
last Saturday Chad kissed Lindsay’s hand goodbye.
He has also been asking her to skype with him, and
they are friends on facebook where they keep in
touch during the week. As you see, Lindsay and
Chad have a special bond and care about each other.
When I get older and participate I want to have a
buddy like Chad.
Second, this program is great because it is just like a
real league. For example all the players and buddies
warm up before playing. Also, they all have their
own jerseys and at the end of the season every
player gets a trophy at the sports picnic. This is
great because it is just like the Parkland Recreation
Leagues, but for kids with disabilities. After warm
up you play a game and score goals and everyone
gets a chance to score.
Third, playing a team sport is important. It helps
with cooperation and teamwork. Teamwork and

cooperation are skills you need in life. Sports, like
football and soccer, are great ways to build those
life skills. Thanks to the Parkland Sports Buddies
program it is possible for these kids to play on
teams and build these skills.
know a buddy; it is just like a recreation league and
it teaches players teamwork and cooperation. This
fantastic organization is very close to my family. I
think everybody should be allowed to play sports!!
In conclusion, can you even think about how hard it
is for kids with disabilities to not have the
opportunity to play sports? Parkland Sports Buddies
is a great charity because it helps the players get to
Parkland Buddy Sports Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides quality sports programming for special needs children and
young adults in an empowering, challenging and loving environment where the emphasis is on having fun, making friends and
realizing your potential. Our volunteers, both students and adults, learn patience, tolerance and the ability of one person to change the
life of another. They also learn that by creating an environment void of physical, social and cultural barriers there are "NO LIMITS".
Currently offering programs for soccer, basketball, flag football and tennis, the programs service special needs children regardless of
physical or mental diagnosis.
C
oconut Creek Elementary School Wins Fire Safety Project $10,000 Grand Prize
Paul Davis Restoration, Inc., a national franchise company and leading provider of water, fire
and mold damage cleanup and restoration services for residential and commercial properties,
recently announced Coconut Creek Elementary School as winner of The Fire Safety Project
Video Contest. Students from Marcia Fay’s third grade and Michele Rothacker’s second grade classes
produced the winning entry – “Fire Safety Rules!” with the assistance of Pompano Beach Fire Rescue.
The school will be presented a check for the $10,000 grand prize by representatives of Paul Davis in
January. In addition, Coconut Creek Fire Rescue, which serves Coconut Creek Elementary, will
receive a $2,500 donation. The purpose of The Fire Safety Project Video Contest was to draw
awareness to the importance of fire safety and to recognize the life-saving efforts of fire professionals
throughout the state of Florida. It was also designed to coincide with the National Fire Protection
Association’s (NFPA) annual “Fire Safety Week” in October. Students participating in the contest
were required to produce a public service announcement style video about the importance of fire
safety. More than 60 videos were submitted and the public voted on the entries via YouTube. To view
the school’s winning video, go to (www.thefiresafetyproject.com).
HOLIDAY CARDS DESIGNED BY TWO STUDENTS SELECTED FOR USE BY BROWARD
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The greeting cards sent to community
leaders and other supporters of public
given to America's Moms for Soldiers, a
local, nonprofit organization that sends
education by the Broward Education monthly care packages to service
Foundation (BEF) this season, will feature personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
the artwork of two Broward County Public
Schools students. The artistic talents of
other Broward students will brighten the
season for soldiers serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
The Foundation, an organization that raises
private funds in support of public education
and offers scholarships, teacher grants and
sponsors other projects, held a holiday
card contest. Two designs were selected
as winners. The other entries are being
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The first place winners were honored on
December 17, 2010 at Hallandale
Elementary School. The elementary level
winner is Sebastian Hermoza, 5 th grade,
Hallandale Elementary School. His art
teacher is Mary DelBorrello. The middle
school/high school winner is Melissa
Bazurto-Tejada, an 8 th grade student at
Ramblewood Middle School. Her art
teacher is Rosemary McKinstry.

Second place winner in the elementary
level is Briana Quaranto, a 5 th grade
student at Liberty Elementary School.
Quaranto's art teacher is Jane Steinberg.
Midsi Perez, a 4 th grade student at North
Andrews Gardens Elementary School
was the third place winner. Her art teacher
is Rebecca Renn.
Second place winner in the middle/high
school level is Siera Holliban, a 12 th grade
student at Pompano Beach High School.
Her art teacher is Sara Marc. The third
place winner is Skyler Dolihite, an 11 th
grade student at Western High School. His
art teacher is Brenda Fischer.
The first place winners' classes will receive
either a pizza party or a $50 gift certificate to a
classroom supply store of the teacher's choice.
First place winners receive art supplies from
BEF's Kids In Need Resource Center.
P
ompano Beach High School JROTC Hosts 6th Annual “Fallen Heroes” Ceremony
Over 5,000 flags were placed on Pompano Beach High School’s campus this year in preparation for the 6th
annual “Fallen Heroes” ceremony. The ceremony is held each year to honor those service members who made
the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Each flag contained the name, photograph, hometown and date of death of a service member lost in the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan since those wars began.
Families and friends of the service members lost were invited to attend the ceremony, which was attended by JROTC
cadets, other students, staff, District officials and local dignitaries.
R
ickards Middle School Students Learn About the Challenges Faced by Individuals with Handicaps
Mary Donahue, MSW, was recently a guest speaker at Rickards Middle School. Donahue received a Master’s degree from Tulane
University after becoming a paraplegic. Her presentation to 8th graders at the school was both relevant and timely, in light of the fact
that this is the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Donahue not only spoke to the students about paraplegia, her accident, recovery and the importance of wearing seatbelts, she
discussed setting short-and long-term goals and identifying helpful people in one’s life. She also emphasized that many individuals have handicaps;
some are just more obvious than others.
M
argate Middle School Students Raise Funds to Help Children Battling Cancer
Students at Margate Middle School participated in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Math-A-Thon program. The
students raised $1,900 to help children who are battling cancer and other deadly diseases. The 7th grade Hurricanes team at the
school raised $1,041 of the total.
“We are so proud of our students for embracing Math- A-Thon and raising critical funds for St. Jude,” said Lesley Shell and
Ruthann Rubright, coordinators of the event. “Every dollar raised will help support the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children in
communities worldwide.”
Math-A-Thon allows students to build and practice essential math skills while they raise funds for kids battling cancer at St. Jude. Teachers serve as
volunteer coordinators and participating students solve math problems printed in an online “funbook.” Students ask family and friends for donations
in support of their participation. All donations are sent to St. Jude. No child is ever turned away at St. Jude’s because of the family’s inability to pay,
so donations are vital.
C
rystal Lake Middle School Students Take Part in Hurricane Preparedness Exercise
Fifty Crystal Lake Middle School students recently gained hands-on experience at the Broward County Emergency Operations Center in
Plantation, when they assumed various roles during a hurricane preparedness exercise. During the exercise, which was sponsored by
StormZone, a South Florida-based non-profit program, the students planned for and recovered from a category 3 hurricane.
As HurrEvac computer images showed the hurricane approaching South Florida, Crystal Lake students responded as the mayor, emergency
management director and fire-fighting, transportation, law enforcement, urban search and rescue and health and medical officials would respond to a
real storm. Students also filled the roles of meteorologists who briefed student reporters.
Events to which the students responded included a gasoline truck over-turning on a major evacuation route, stranding motorists; senior citizens
trapped on an island due to an ocean tanker slamming a bridge; overcrowded hospitals; loss of power; flooding and people stranded on roof tops
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and dangling from trees.
Miguel Ascarrunz, operations manager for the Broward County Emergency Management Division said of the simulation, “The StormZone Program
provides a realistic disaster scenario for students to role play leadership positions and learn how government manages disasters in a truly
collaborative partnership with other emergency management stakeholders.”
A Principal Keeps His Promise
When Floranada Elementary School Principal Keith
Peters makes a promise, he keeps it.
He challenged his students to bring the school’s grade up
from a B to and A, and if they did, he told them he would
have his hair cut into a mohawk. When his students
earned that A, it was up to Peters to follow through, and
he did. The students gathered in the school’s cafeteria to
watch their principal not only get a mohawk, but also
have bright red highlights added. Media were on hand to
cover the story.
Forty­five BCPS Schools Report Total Savings of Over $399,400 Through GoGreen Program
Twenty percent of the American population spends their
days in school buildings. Saving the Earth won’t happen
in a laboratory. It will happen in a school where educators
are teaching and modeling a greener way of life to
students, staff and the communities.
The Education Technology Services Department’s
GoGreen Program for Output Reduction, first piloted in
2008, encourages sites to include all employees,
students, parents and the community in their schools’
green initiatives to become leaders in environmental
stewardship. ETS developed the program to help BCPS
reduce the consumption of paper and supplies for
printers, copiers and fax machines. In addition to being
good for the environment, the program has resulted in
operating budget savings for each site. The funds saved
can be redirected to support other student learning
projects.
During the 2009/10 school year, 45 of the District’s
schools submitted Output Reduction Checklists and
Budget Data Sheets in hopes of winning an eco-friendly
MFP printer, the prize offered in an ETS promotional
campaign. Those surveys were an indication of the
success of the program. The 45 schools reported a total
savings of over $399,400.
Schools making the “Top Ten Savers” list for the school
year include:
1. Indian Ridge Middle School - $43,952.18
2. Coconut Creek High School - $36,123.37
3. Miramar High School - $27,604.00
4. Tradewinds Elementary School - $26,314.00
5. Stoneman Douglas High School - $24,000.00
6. Cooper City High School - $23,405.30
7. McArthur High School - $23,282.00
8. Challenger Elementary School - $16,316.00
9. Crystal Lake Middle School - $14,699.14
10. Eagle Ridge Elementary School - $11,553.96
Aisha Strobridge, a second grader at Deerfield Park School of the Performing and Visual Arts was honored at
the YMCA Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast for her essay "How I Can Help the World". Also, third grader
Chasten Halloway was selected to receive a special gift from Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed (District 92)
for exemplifying the character and principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Parkside Elementary School Celebrates 10th Anniversary
On November 6, Parkside Elementary celebrated its 10th year anniversary with “A Decade of Dreams” that featured student performances centered
on the importance of “the arts” in education.
Parkside student alumni, Ana Hernandez and
Carly Craig, read what they placed in a
time capsule at Parkside Elementary
in December 2000, when they were just
fourth graders.
District and city of Coral Springs officials brought greetings and Parkside alumni were on hand to dig-up a time capsule buried at the school’s
dedication 10 years ago. Current students and staff then “planted” a new time capsule containing items depicting the year 2010.
P
arkside Elementary School Teacher Recognized as Florida’s ABCTE State Teacher the Year
Parkside Elementary School special education teacher Danny Davis has been named American Board for Certification of Teacher
Excellence (ABCTE) State Teacher of the Year for Florida Parkside Elementary School Principal Susan Colton, presented Davis with his
award during a ceremony held at the school. In nominating Davis for the award, Colton wrote, “Mr. Davis came from the private sector and
not only has become a highly successful teacher, but has also received his Autism Endorsement through the University of Florida Graduate School
of Education. I highly recommend Mr. Danny Davis as the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence Teacher of the Year. He
exemplifies what alternative certification in education should look like and is all about!”
The ABCTE is a non-profit organization offering an innovative teacher preparation and certification program for highly knowledgeable individuals who
want to become teachers. The program is accepted in 10 states and close to 2,500 ABCTE certifications have been issued, including nearly 600 to
Florida residents. For more information, please visit (www.abcte.org).
Davis was also recently recognized by name last month by Dr. Carl Harris, Deputy Assistant Secretary with the U.S. Department of Education Office
of Elementary and Secondary Education, during a ceremony in Washington D.C.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Student Selected for U.S. Senate Youth Program
Marjory Stoneman Douglas March 5 - 12, 2011. Two participate in a meeting with a
High School student Erica student leaders from each state, Justice of the U.S. Supreme
Turret was selected to the District of Columbia and the Court. All transportation, hotel
participate in a United States Department of Defense and meal expenses will be
Senate Youth Program. Erica is Education Activity will spend a provided by The Hearst
one of two awardees from the week in Washington Foundations. In addition, each
state of Florida. The United experiencing their national delegate will also be awarded a
States Senate Youth Program is government in action. Student $5,000 College Scholarship for
a unique educational experience delegates will hear major policy undergraduate studies, with
for outstanding high school addresses by Senators, cabinet encouragement to pursue
students interested in pursuing members, officials from the coursework in history and
careers in public service. The Departments of State and political
science.
49th annual program will be
held in Washington, D.C., from
Defense and directors of other
federal agencies, as well as
TEACHERS TO VISIT UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Ten Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) secondary teachers will spend the first few days of their Spring Break (March
14 – 16) exploring the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. They will take part in intensive
training and have an opportunity to experience one of the most respected museums and Holocaust education centers in
the world.

The teachers will also take part in a training session prior to the trip to Washington, and another session upon their return.
One highlight of the trip will be a session on understanding and teaching the Holocaust with USHMM resources,
presented by noted historian Dr. Ann Millin and Director of Research and Projects for the Committee on Conscience,
Bridget Conley-Zikic.
The Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education Holocaust at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is funding the
program and will cover all the teachers’ travel and lodging costs, as well as the cost of classroom strategies, curricula and
all materials.
BCPS Multicultural Curriculum Development/Training Specialist Linda Medvin and Director of the Center for Holocaust
and Human Rights Education Center at FAU, Dr. Rose Gatens will lead the tour. Stephen Montrose, a child survivor of
the Holocaust, will accompany the group and share his experiences with the educators.
The following BCPS teachers will participate.
Valerie Arena, Deerfield Beach High School
Marilyn Blair, Piper High School
Lori Bruno, Apollo Middle School
Terri Coyle, Secondary Reading Supervisor, CORE Curriculum
Horace Henry, Sawgrass Springs Middle School
Joshua Laton, New River Middle
Munir Manjiani, Nova Middle School
Jayshree Nagrani, Pines Middle School
Brian Taylor, Hollywood Hills High School
Digital Classroom Tools Competition – Eco-Hero Teacher Winners
As part of the Education Technology Services Go Green Program’s 3 rd year, ETS will be looking to recognize
teachers, students and schools who are Eco-Heroes. The first competition of the 2010-11 school year was a
contest that aligned with America Recycles Day on November 15 th . ETS conducted a Digital Classroom Tools
Competition to honor teachers who are encouraging recycling in the classroom. In an effort to expand the
digital learning experience, ETS asked all principals to nominate teachers who are modeling green behaviors
without the benefits of a Digital Classroom.
The following is a list of classroom teachers who were recognized as ETS Eco-Heroes:
Elementary:
Joe Gardiner, Challenger
Melissa Figas, Eagle Ridge
Tiffany Gondek, Park Springs
Trisha Gros, Park Springs
Cindy Librizz, Park Springs
Ddebra Wohlrab, Park Springs
Christie Garcia, Pinewood
Jill Putney, Tradewinds
Middle
Suzy Pinnell, Deerfield Beach
Stephanie Catsicas, Pompano Beach
Jennie Katz, Sawgrass Springs
N
orcrest Elementary just received a $4,500 grant from LOWES to build a
Sensory Garden at the school.
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W
estchester Elementary
Congratulations to the following student winners of the 2011 Student Art and Literary Contest held
as part of the City of Coral Springs annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration:
Ms. Poritz
Ms. Haage
Mrs. Colosi
Bridget Meza I
Jillian Edrich I
Ms. Cooper
Mrs. Brokowsky
Ariel Milrad
Group Best in Show (Art)
Group Best in Show (Art)
Group Honorable Mention (Art)
ndividual Honorable Mention (Art)
ndividual Honorable Mention (Art)
Group-1 st Place (Literary)
Group-1 st Place (Literary)
Individual 3 rd Place (Literary)
C
oral Park Elementary pilots unique sports program
Buoyed by the positive effect of its "Play Pals" program on students with disabilities, Coral
Park Elementary School is partnering with Special Olympics Broward for a new program that
also targets "differently-abled" students.
Young Athletes Program (YAP) will have selected students in fifth grade and kindergarten students
being buddies. The idea is to help students with disabilities and introduce them to the world of sports.
The activities include walking and running, balance and jumping, trapping and catching, throwing,
striking and kicking. The school is the first in Broward County to introduce the program.
Spearheading YAP at the school is Caryl Panzarella, autism specialist. "We have 41 students with
autism in the school, including five at the kindergarten level. Through this program, we are trying to
build an acceptance within the community for kids with disabilities. This project will definitely help
autistic kids improve physically, socially and cognitively."
T
radewinds received a $3000 grant from the Dairy Council of Florida. The funds
support the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, a national in-school health and wellness
program that encourages children to eat nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free
dairy foods, fruit, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of
physical activity every day.
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“Purring” News from Park Springs Elementary
Congratulations to the following class/student winners of the City of Coral Springs 2011 Student Art and
Literary Contest held as part of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Friday, January 14 th at the
Coral Springs City Center for the Arts:
Park Springs Elementary Martin Luther King, Jr. Winners
Student/Class Prize Category Grade
1 st Grade Team Group 1 ST Place Literary 1
3 rd Grade Team Group 1 ST Place Literary 3
Mr. Sheib’s class Group 2 ND Place Literary 5
2 nd Grade Team Group Honorable Literary 2
Mention
Sara Yun
Individual Best in Literary 5
Show
Kindergarten Team Group 2 ND Place Art Kindergarten
The Broward County Athletic Association Competition was held on January 15, 2010. The
Northeast High School Cheerleaders won First Place at the county-wide competition in the
medium varsity tumbling division. The squad was judged on numerous categories, such as
cheer, dance, and stunting abilities. This is a great testament to their hard work and
dedication!
Sawgrass Springs Middle
ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS AWARDS
ALL STATE CHORUS - Lena Armas, Daniela Otero
ALL STATE HONORS ORCHESTRA - Allysson Rosales
ALL COUNTY HONORS ORCHESTRA
BRONZE
Nisha Ali, Patchika Aubourg, Heather Errede, Matt
Pearl, Melanie Smith, Regan Weirs, Nina Ali
SILVER
Madison Champagne, Allysson Rosales, Daniela
Otero, Leah Carrodeguas, Diana Corchuelo,
Melanie Rosado, Daniella Donado, Nicole Kochlany,
Alisha Kabir, Gina Bae, Amy Kamio,
Felicia Mallory
BAND
All State Band-Third Chair Trombone
Lara Yagodzinski
Concert in Tampa, Florida on January 15, 2011
All County Jazz Band
Jarrett Craw , Lara Yagodzinski
Concert at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, January 19, 2011
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All County Concert Band:
Patricia Ammirata, Jarrett Craw, Dylan Parker, Emily Robinson,
Laura Salgado, Christian Sutton, and Lara Yagodzinski.
Concert at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, January 24, 2011
Art and Literacy Contest
-Reagan Weirs, has won Second Place in the Middle School Essay category of the Jewish Museum of
Florida’s Social Justice Creative Writing Contest.
E
agle Ridge Elementary School
Three of our teachers (Michelle Valentine-4th Grade, Seema Naik and Jackie Simon-2nd
Grade) wrote and were awarded Broward Education Foundation Impact II grants: "Slip into
Stylish Writing," "Yo Yo Yogurt People," and "Don't Bug me, I'm Exploring."
B
lanche Ely High School
The following students represented BEHS at the Broward Science Fair on 2/11/11 at Coral Ridge
Mall:
Shanice Cox
Marlude Pierre‐Louis
Jazmyne Brown
Shanice Simms
Shelsea Polycarpe
Raenelle Williams
Ayanna Smith
Congratulations to Coach Randall and the Varsity Basketball Team for winning the D­Hop Classic over the
winter vacation. The Tigers beat Grandview Prep 68­66 in the finals. Germaine Decoste was the
tournament MVP. GO TIGERS!!!!!!!
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