Space Coast Parent - November 2017

LOOKING AHEAD AT BPS
SUPERINTENDENT DESMOND BLACKBURN
Every time I walk into a classroom
in Brevard County, I am proud. There
are phenomenal educators in our
schools doing amazing work with our
babies. The district itself is a hidden
gem, a place I’ve come to appreciate. I
am proud of the work we do and it’s
because of our loyal educators,
community leaders, legislators, parents
and students.
I wanted to share with you some
changes taking place this school year
that will continue to help us achieve
success and maintain our status as one
of the top school districts in the state.
New Discipline Plan:
All schools this year are applying a
new discipline plan. It was carefully
researched and designed to make sure
that school leaders administer
discipline consistently and fairly across
the district for misbehavior, regardless
of the student’s background.
It is not a relaxing of standards. Nor
is it a zero-tolerance policy. Instead, it
gives principals a range of clearly
defined options for nearly every
situation.
No school discipline plan can take
the place of the discipline and social
and moral guidance that should be
provided by students’ families and
community organizations such as
churches.
Early Literacy Improving: The
percentage of Brevard students who
earned satisfactory scores on the
English language arts portion of the
Florida Standards Assessment
improved at all grade levels last year,
especially in grades 3-5. In the early
grades – where reading proficiency is
considered key to future academic
success – passing rates increased by
four percentage points, from 57
percent to 61 percent. While we are
leaders in the state, the parent in me,
the educator in me can’t rest until we
put a big dent in the number of students
who are not proficient. A student’s
ability to read and be able to retain will
give and give for life. Without a love
and passion for reading at an early age,
it becomes a wound that we are unable
to patch. We need to double down and
start that passion for reading early.
Math Improving: Algebra is a
gateway course to life. In Florida, all
students must pass Algebra 1 to
graduate high school. We want to get as
many students as possible to algebra
No school discipline plan
can take the place of the
discipline and social and
moral guidance that should
be provided by students’
families and community
organizations.
before the even enter high school. The
bar is set high, but that’s because we’re
Brevard County. We put people into
space, the bar should be set high here.
The intermediate grades in elementary
really have to embrace this. That way,
when students reach middle school,
they’re off to the races. Algebra is
everywhere. It’s part of everyday life.
Ninety-five percent of college students
who can’t pass algebra don’t get a
college degree. We want to make sure
our students are more than prepared.
Security Accelerated: In 2014 voters
approved a sales tax that allowed
funding for capital repairs. This money
is being used to create a single-point of
access at all schools as well as
remote-locking doors and a video
camera. Originally the plan was to take
3 – 5 years. We decided we wanted to do
all the schools asap. You may have seen
some construction going on at your
school. The county-wide project will be
completed by spring break 2018. If you
have any questions about the process, a
five-minute conversation with your
principal will answer all your
Superintendent
Desmond Blackburn
shakes hands with a
kindergartner at
Riviera Elementary
in Palm Bay. CAROLINE
GLENN / FLORIDA TODAY
questions. Safety is a top priority for
us. We want to make sure we’re
keeping the wrong people out and the
right people in.
Reopening South Lake Elementary:
We have amazing opportunities in
Brevard County, but in talking to
people, I learned not every child has
access due to economics or geography.
The northern area of Brevard really
fell into that category. We want to close
that gap and give that community the
same chances everyone else is getting.
In the 2018-2019 school year, we plan to
have students walking into a choice
school in Titusville. We’re taking this
year to build it with the help of the
community. We need input. Whenever
you hear we’re out and about we need
to hear from you so we know what you
want out of this school.
16 | Space Coast Parent NOVEMBER 2017