Over 6,000 Students Registered to Vote in the 2022 High School Voter Registration (HSVR) Drive!
(May 6, 2022)– The Supervisor of Elections’ Office has concluded its annual Spring High School Voter Registration (HSVR) Drive on April 30, 2022. The drive was presented in partnership with the Broward County Public Schools to educate and get students registered to vote. Staff from the Supervisor of Elections office visited 38 local high schools throughout the month of April and worked closely with high school students and school staff as they conducted their voter registration drives. The Supervisor of Elections Office would like to congratulate all participating schools, students and staff for their outstanding hard work and commitment during the High School Voter Registration Drive. The following schools will receive a plaque for achieving the highest total of completed voter registration applications during the 2022 High School Voter Registration Drive within their category.
thewestsidegazette.comSupervisor of Elections Kicks Off Annual High School Voter Registration Drive
BROWARD COUNTY, FL (March 25, 2022) – The Supervisor of Elections’ Office will kick off the annual Spring High School Voter Registration Drive (HSVR) April 1st – April 30th 2022. The drive is presented in partnership with Broward County Public Schools to educate and get students registered to vote. All public high schools in Broward County will have the opportunity to register eligible students to become registered voters. During the month of April 2022, Broward County Election officials are scheduled to visit approximately 40 local Broward high schools. Election Officials will be on hand to assist the high school students and staff as they conduct their voter registration drive.
thewestsidegazette.comBCPS Students Compete for $1 Million Prize in Stark-Tank Style Competition
Three Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) students are competing to win $1 million to develop their business idea! As part of the competition, students worked in teams, with the top five teams qualifying for a Shark-Tank style finals competition at the FTX Arena in Miami on March 13, 2022. The three BCPS students (pictured left to right) are Yewande Shitta-Bey from the College Academy at Broward College, Chad Jordan from Fort Lauderdale High School and Alexis Buggam from Atlantic Technical High School. The students, under the mentorship of the Bridge2Life college access network, developed a plan for a unique mobile app that connects students with peer mentors and counselors. The students are the only BCPS team selected for the final competition.
thewestsidegazette.comBroward Education Foundation Hosts Top FunAnnual Fundraiser on Friday, April 29
TOP FUN is a spectacularly fitting way to launch us into the weekend of Air Show festivities,” said Shea Ciriago, CEO of Broward Education Foundation. Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $3 million to Broward County Public Schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence. Each year, Broward Education Foundation contributes more than $3 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence. Broward Education Foundation was awarded the 2018 President’s Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter for these fundraising efforts. For information visit Broward Education Foundation, email BEFInfo@browardschools.com, like or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
thewestsidegazette.comStudents seen wearing masks despite relaxed mask mandate at Miami-Dade public schools
Citing a decrease in COVID-19 infections, Miami-Dade County Public Schools is following Broward County Public Schools’ lead in easing coronavirus restrictions.Beginning Tuesday, wearing masks is optional for students at Miami-Dade’s traditional middle schools and high schools, as long as they bring a signed parental opt-out form.
Parkland victims’ families reach $25 million settlement with school district, 3 years after massacre
The agreement, which settles 52 of the 53 lawsuits against Broward County Public Schools for negligence, comes shortly before Nikolas Cruz is expected to plead guilty to 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder.
washingtonpost.comBroward schools could lose another $420,000 in state funding over COVID rules
Florida’s education chief is threatening to withhold nearly half a million dollars in additional funding from Broward County Public Schools as the district continues face mask and quarantine policies that go against the state’s orders.
Broward parents worry about safety of crowded school buses during coronavirus pandemic’s Delta variant surge
Parents were concerned for the safety of their kids after a photo surfaced of a Broward County Public Schools bus that was crowded with high school students in Weston during the coronavirus pandemic’s Delta variant surge of COVID cases.
Broward superintendent says only 2 refused face mask during 1st day back to school
Broward County Public Schools started the first day of the 2021-22 school year on Wednesday with a universal indoor face mask mandate. Interim Superintendent Vickie L. Cartwright said only one student and one teacher in the entire district refused to wear a mask.
Pinewood Elementary teacher who died of COVID in Broward had plans to get vaccine
Janice Wright, who was a Broward County Public Schools special education teacher and a Broward Teachers Union steward at Pinewood Elementary School in North Lauderdale, died of complications with COVID-19 just before she had planned to get the vaccine. She was 48.
Broward schools stand by face mask mandate without DeSantis’ opt-out option for parents
Broward County Public Schools will begin the new 2021-22 school year on Aug. 18 with a face mask mandate for school buses and school buildings that won’t include Gov. Ron DeSantis’ opt-out option for parents. The only exceptions are for students with medical conditions or individual education plans.
Congressional Candidate Files Suit Against DeSantis for Outlawing of School Mask Mandates
At press time, Broward County Public Schools voted 8-1 to keep mask mandate in place. A resident of Broward County, Reverend Elvin Dowling has quietly worked to better the lives of the “least of these”. His volunteering in Broward County Public Schools, lets him see firsthand the challenges facing our children and the system. DeSantis signed the executive order to which Dowling’s lawsuit referred on July 30. Supporters will be urged to express their discontent with this Executive order by speaking out at their school board meetings and calling their state legislators as well as write letters to the editors of newspapers.”
thewestsidegazette.comBroward Education Foundation Seeking Nominations for 2021 Hall of Fame Awards
Grads of Broward County Public Schools Who Demonstrate a Positive Community Impact and Champion Education are EligibleBy Diana HanfordFORT LAUDERDALE, FL–Broward Education Foundation, the only 501(c)3 charitable organization solely dedicated to serving students and teachers in Broward County Public Schools, announced it is accepting nominations for the annual 2021 Hall of Fame awards. The annual event recognizes graduates of Broward County Public Schools who have made significant contributions to the community, their profession and in education. If you know of a deserving community luminary or a champion of education, please nominate at browardeducationfoundation.org/nominate / by August 31, 2021. “We are proud to shine a light on significant achievements of these deserving and truly distinguished Broward County Public Schools graduates,” said Shea Ciriago, Broward Edu-cation Foundation Executive Director. Broward Education Foundation’s Hall of Fame Awards were created in 2013 to recognize graduates of Broward County Public Schools who have distinguished themselves with contributions to the community, in education and have achieved success in their careers.
thewestsidegazette.comFlorida school district reverses mask mandate after DeSantis threatens to cut funding
Florida's second-largest school district on Monday said it will no longer impose a mask mandate after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) threatened to withhold funding from districts that require face coverings. Driving the news: Broward County Public Schools announced last week that it would require mask use after the CDC issued new guidance recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to K-12 schools this incoming school year, regardless of vaccination status.Get mar
news.yahoo.comFlorida school board to require masks in fall, defying DeSantis's stance
A Florida school board voted Wednesday to require all students and faculty to wear masks inside schools for the fall semester, a policy at odds with Gov. Ron DeSantis's stance against making face covers compulsory.
news.yahoo.comLeadership Broward Celebrates Successful Follow the Leader in You Program for Eighth Grade Students in Title 1 Broward County Public Schools
“The FLY program would never have happened if it wasn’t for COVID,” said Matt Korshoff, immediate past chair of the Leadership Broward board and senior vice president of CenterState Bank. “Broward Health is proud to partner with Leadership Broward in helping to cultivate the future leaders of our community.”Over the course of three program days, nearly 100 eighth grade students participated in the Leadership Broward’s FLY Program. “As a graduate of the Leadership Broward program, I know firsthand the impact that programs like this can have on adults. For more information about Leadership Broward, visit leadershipbroward.org/ . About the Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc.
thewestsidegazette.comSummer classes begin at Broward County public schools with a record 45,000 students
Nearly 100 Broward County public schools kicked off the six-week summer program on Monday with a larger student enrollment than expected. The district usually welcomes about 8,000 students. This year, they will have about 45,000.
Runcie perjury charge should be dismissed, attorney argues
Robert Runcie is seeking for his perjury charge to be thrown out, with an attorney for the outgoing Broward County Public Schools superintendent arguing in court Wednesday that prosecutors haven’t specified what he is accused of lying about to a grand jury.
Broward County Public Schools Allows Teacher Who Used Racial Slursto Return to the Classroom
Broward County Public Schools Allows Teacher Who Used Racial Slursto Return to the ClassroomThe power of a teacher is unparalleled. Broward County Public School is the 6th largest school system in the United States, with an extremely diverse population of families and educators. The Broward Teacher Union and Broward Public Schools have set precedence by allowing an admitted racist teacher to return to the classroom without any disciplinary action. The actions of Broward County Public Schools and the Broward Teachers Union exacerbate discrimination and hate of not only people of color, but children with disabilities. This racist teacher, Broward County Public Schools, and the Broward Teachers Union need to be held accountable for their disgraceful actions and decisions.
thewestsidegazette.comLeadership Broward Launches its Follow the Leader in You Program for Eighth Grade Students in Title 1 Broward County Public Schools
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Leadership Broward is relaunching the Follow the Leader in You (FLY) Program, a free program for eighth graders attending Title 1 Broward County Public Schools. The FLY program was created to reach potential youth leaders to encourage and inspire them to find and follow the leader in themselves. Two critical components of the program include reorienting participants’ self-perception so that they can recognize the leadership qualities they possess and leading participants to recognize and reinforce the leadership qualities they see in each other. “Broward College recognizes the significant impact on our community that Leadership Broward has made over the years, and the impact they will have on these eighth-grade students. “As a graduate of the Leadership Broward program, I know firsthand the impact that programs like this can have on adults.
thewestsidegazette.comBroward Education Foundation Announces Alumni Honorees for the Publix Super Markets Charities 2020 “Hall of Fame” Awards
The outdoor drive-in celebration will take place at William T. McFatter Technical College and High School, 6500 Nova Drive in Davie. As with all events, COVID has changed the plans for this year’s Hall of Fame. Taking extra precautions and factoring in safety protocols and social distancing measures, Broward Education Foundation will salute this year’s honorees during a first-ever drive-in event. We are inspired by their leadership, passion and commitment to education and community,” said Tim Curtin, Broward Education Foundation Board Chair. We hope the community will join us for this fun and special evening that supports students and teachers in Broward County Public Schools,” added Shea Ciriago, executive director of Broward Education Foundation.
thewestsidegazette.comPalm Cove and Sheridan Hills Elementary Schools Each Receive $5,000 Donation from Two New Burlington Stores
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Burlington Stores, the national off-price retailer, through its partnership with the national non-profit organization, AdoptAClassroom.org and local partner Broward Education Foundation, has donated $5,000 towards school supplies to Broward County Public Schools’ Palm Cove and Sheridan Elementary Schools in celebration of its new stores now open in Hollywood and Pembroke Pines. A representative from AdoptAClassroom.org worked with Broward Education Foundation and helped to secure the donation for the elementary schools which will provide much needed supplies for teachers to help their students excel. “On behalf of Broward Education Foundation, Palm Cove and Sheridan Hills Elementary Schools, I’d like to welcome our new local Burlington stores and thank them for their generous donation to our schools,” said Shea Ciriago, executive director of Broward Education Foundation. We greatly appreciate the support of Burlington and AdoptAClassroom.org.”Burlington is committed to supporting education through its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org. With two convenient locations, the new Burlington stores are now open at Pembroke Crossing- 11930 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines and at Sheridan Plaza- 5511 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, FL and both provide ‘wow- deals’ for family and home.
thewestsidegazette.comFormer Broward schools supervisor gets 20 months in prison for accepting bribes
According to court records, one of Ellis' job duties at the School Board was to process work orders for repairs to the grounds of Broward County public schools. Ellis assigned projects to contractors, ensured that they adequately performed the work and authorized payment when the work was done.
sun-sentinel.comStephen Ross and the Miami Dolphins Pledge $500,000 to Support Elderly and Youth Impacted by COVID-19
// // ////MIAMI GARDENS Stephen Ross and the Miami Dolphins announced a pledge of $500,000 to help meet critical needs for elderly and youth in the community as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be used to support school meal programs for Broward County Public Schools and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, relief efforts led by churches in Miami Gardens and to bolster programs from Feeding South Florida to provide access to food for underserved populations in the area. This is obviously an unprecedented situation that is affecting everyone; and affecting some people a lot more than others. We want to help those who are most vulnerable and those right here in our backyard, said Miami Dolphins Vice Chairman and CEO Tom Garfinkel. We will get through this together.In addition, the team will work with Miami Dolphins FOOTBALL UNITES partners that are on the front lines responding to the outbreak.
sflcn.comGrowing the Voices of Our Future
Growing the Voices of Our FutureThe Westside Gazette Newspaper is honored to feature these editorial contributions made by local students. This week, our junior photo-journalists sat in a townhall meeting hosted by Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) School Board Vice Chair at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale. Human sex trafficking and the importance of the census were major points discussed. Please stay tuned to next weeks issue to see how these young people will express their understanding of the information/data provided at the meeting.
thewestsidegazette.comSchool Choice Application Window for 2020/21 School Year Opens December 2, 2019, at 8 a.m.
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is excited to announce that the School Choice application window for the 2020/21 school year takes place Monday, Dec. 2, 2019 Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Parents and guardians are encouraged to explore all the Districts School Choice options available for their families. The School Choice application window provides an opportunity to apply for magnet programs, Nova schools or school reassignments, which allow students to attend schools other than their assigned schools. To learn more about the many educational options available across BCPS and to apply online beginning Dec. 2, visit the School Choice website at browardschools.com/schoolchoice. The School Choice application will be available online on the School Choice website beginning Dec. 2, at 8 a.m.For more information on School Choice, parents and guardians can contact the Office of School Choice (formerly the department of Demographics & Student Assignments) at (754) 321-2480.
thewestsidegazette.comThe Westside Gazette and the NNPA Host ESSA Town Hall on K-12 Education
The purpose of the town hall was to discuss the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA is the main law for K12 public education in the United States. Lessons from the Past: A Blueprint for the future in Education served as the events theme. The event was hosted by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the Westside Gazette. Noted civil rights leader and NNPA President/CEO, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, was on hand, as well as NNPA President Karen Carter Richards, and NNPA Education Program Manager Dr. Elizabet Primas.
thewestsidegazette.comBCPS Chapter of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Attends the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference
The Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), 5000 Role Models of Excellence ProjectThe Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project chapter traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the 2019 Congressional Black Caucus (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), September 1215. Through the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, 50 students from Hallandale High School, Hollywood Hills High School and Miramar High School attended the ALC and participated in panel discussions focused on education; the social status of African American men and boys; and disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project aims to provide minority male students from grades three through 12 with positive role models and experiences that empower them to make good choices and encourage healthy living, responsibility, respect and achievement. Thought leaders, legislators and concerned citizens engage on economic development, civil and social justice, public health, and education issues. For more information on the BCPS chapter of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, visit https://bit.ly/31trWAh.
thewestsidegazette.comBCPS Teachers Will Not be Armed as Part of The Guardian Program
School Board Passed a Resolution Against Arming Teachers in March 2018The Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program was established in 2018 through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (SB 7026). Earlier this year, the state passed SB 7030, which expanded the eligibility to include teachers in the Guardian program. Although the newly passed law allows districts to train teachers to carry guns in Florida, the School Board of Broward County and Superintendent Robert W. Runcie have adamantly opposed the arming of teachers or administrators in Broward County Public Schools (BCPS). The Board voted on a resolution against arming teachers in March 2018. Without arming our teachers, the Guardian program implemented by the School Board of Broward County created a position of Armed Safe School Officer with no other collateral duties to provide for the protection of BCPS students.
thewestsidegazette.comBroward Education Foundation Announces Publix Super Markets Charities 2019 Hall of Fame Honorees
The 2019 Broward Education Foundation Hall of Fame honorees are:Receiving the JM Family Enterprises, Inc. We are very proud to welcome this latest class into Broward Education Foundations prestigious Hall of Fame.Immediately following the breakfast, the BrightStar Credit Union Walk of Fame Alumni star unveiling for the honorees will take place at the Broward County Public Schools District Office, 600 S.E. In addition to Publix Super Markets Charities, Memorial Healthcare System, BrightStar Credit Union, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Bank of America, Office Depot and Wells Fargo. For more information, visit BrowardEducationFoundation.org, call (754) 321-2030 or e-mail BEFInfo@browardschools.com. You can find new Free Android Games and apps.
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