Brevard Public Schools ‘News In A Minute’

By  //  February 22, 2015

BPS-NEWS-580-25
The Florida Future Educator Association held its 26th Annual State Conference entitled “Teachers make the Impossible, Possible,” at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, on February 6-8.

BPS Students Receive Recognition at Brevard Future Educator Association Conference

BREVARD COUNTY • WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Florida Future Educator Association held its 26th Annual State Conference entitled “Teachers make the Impossible, Possible,” at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, on February 6-8.

Brevard_Public_Schools_Logo-180For three days, students interacted with their fellow peers and participated enthusiastically in the wide array of workshops and activities that were prepared for them by some of the best educators in the profession.

The students had the opportunity to hear from inspiring speakers whose experiences and knowledge will help guide them as they contemplate the opportunities, challenges, and rewards that lie before them as a future educator.

Conference speakers included 2014 Macy’s/Florida Teacher of the Year, Dorina Sackman, Brian Dassler, Deputy Chancellor of Educator Quality for the Florida Department of Education, and Alex Lopes 2013 Macy’s / Florida Teacher of the Year.

The following recognitions were earned by Brevard Public Schools:

• Florida Future Educator State President, Lauren Kerness, Edgewood Jr./Sr.
• Commitment to Community Award, Cheyanne Harris, Cocoa High
• 1st Place Essay, Steven Monteiga, Bayside High
• 2nd Place Essay, Brianna Barone, Titusville High
• 1st Place Speech, Samantha Hurley, Space Coast Jr./Sr. High
• 2nd Place Public Service Announcement (PSA), Space Coast Jr./Sr. High
• 3rd Place Speech, Mattie Portwood, Melbourne High
• 3rd Place Public Service Announcement (PSA), Titusville High

For more information, please contact Barbara Davis, human resources recruiter, atdavis.barbara@brevardschools.org.

Bayside to Hold Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition

PALM BAY, FLA. – The Regional Tournament for Odyssey of the Mind will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Bayside High School on March 7, with the awards ceremony taking place at 6 p.m.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.

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Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competitions on the local, state, and World level.

There will be 79 teams competing for top honors and a chance to advance to the state finals on April 11 at UCF in Orlando.

For more information, please contact Nancy Howser, Gifted/Accelerated programs, at 321-633-1000 ext. 322 orhowser.nancy@brevardschools.org.

WMESS Students Win ‘Best in Brevard’ Award at Florida Tech Video Competition

WEST MELBOURNE, FLA. – Two fifth grade West Melbourne Elementary School for Science (WMESS) students, Owen D. and Daniel R., were presented with the Best in Brevard award for their video, The Bullseye Snakehead, during the Beneath the Waves – Youth Making Ripples Film Competition held at Florida Tech on January 24.

The Beneath the Waves – Youth Making Ripples Film Competition – is an opportunity for K-12 students (< 18 years of age) to use their creative talents and serve as a voice for our oceans.

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The focus will be on an interesting marine topic, a specific marine related problem or issue, or a call to action for conservation.

The winning video, along with The Gulf Oil Spill by fellow fifth grader Maddox J., was selected for inclusion in the Youth Making Ripples database to be used by teachers in their classrooms.

In response to the school’s winners, Principal Dr. Marshall stated, “These students worked hard and were passionate about their topic and their video. We are very proud of their participation and success at the competition.”

For more information, please contact Rebecca Shary, media specialist, at 321-956-5040 orshary.rebecca@brevardschools.org.

Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High Academy of International Business Students Take on Port Canaveral

COCOA BEACH, FLA. – Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. Academy of International Business students visited the new Exploration Tower in Port Canaveral in January.

The Exploration Tower is a sleek and modern masterpiece dedicated to Brevard’s history and progress in space and tourism.

During the tour, led by Tara Leith, the port’s public relations manager, students learned many historical facts and were given a chance to explore the tower’s seven different, unique levels.

Leith discussed the operation and logistics of the port at length.

The port currently employs 217 people, and it’s Chief Executive Officer, John Walsh, reports to a five member Board of Directors.

The main source of income is a per cruise ship passenger fee that is charged, which results in about $600 million of revenue.

Students were amazed at the amount of time, work and money that go in to maintaining touristic opportunities.

It was an educational experience for all in attendance.

For more information, please contact Terri Friedlander, Academy of International Business director, atfriedlander.terese@brevardschools.org.

Cocoa High Hosts Ties for Tiger Experiences

COCOA, FLA. – Over 800 male students at Cocoa High participated in Ties for Tigers day, an event where the Space Coast CivMil organization visited the school to share their knowledge and wisdom on the importance of communication, social etiquette and professional dress.

Spacecoast CivMil, is comprised of local leaders, businessmen, church officials, and military representatives, who come together to serve as positive role models for students.

To kick-off the event each male student was given a custom tie designed with the school’s colors and mascot in mind.

The speakers then engaged with the students by breaking up into small groups to learn professional customs such as tying a tie, giving a proper handshake and making introductions.

The students responded with admiration and respect for the distinguished guests who took the time out of their busy schedules to interact with them on a different level and now understand the power of etiquette.

For more information, please contact Dr. Stephanie Soliven, principal, at 321-632-5300 ext. 22007 orsoliven.stephanie@brevardschools.org.

Atlantis Elementary Celebrates Jump Rope for Heart Event

COCOA, FLA. – On Friday, February 13, Atlantis Elementary School’s Jump Rope for Heart event raised over $13,500 for The American Heart Association, bringing the school’s six-year total for this event to over $54,000.

Administrators, students, faculty members, PTO, community members, local businesses and extended families came together to show their “super-heroic” support for treatment, medicine, and research for both heart disease & stroke.

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To show their enthusiasm for the cause many students wrote stories and created art pieces centered on the prevention of heart disease.

During the celebration, students and faculty members had activities including jump rope, hula-hoops, hurdles, parachute games, long jump, dancing, yoga, basketball, duck-duck-goose and more.

For more information, please contact Kristel Robertson, secretary at 321-633-6143 orrobertson.kristel@brevardschools.org.

MILA Elementary Student Gives Back to the Community

MERRITT ISLAND, FLA. – MILA Elementary third grader, Kalynn Wiley, was recognized by the Space Coast Association of Realtors and Brevard Children in Need for her outstanding and valuable contributions to the community.

Kalynn delivered over 70 pairs of children’s shoes to the Space Coast Association of Realtors, which will go to families in need.

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She gathered the shoes through her relationships with other families and friends and even asked for shoes for the homeless in lieu of birthday presents for herself.

For more information, please contact Monica Weber, Title I teacher, at 321-454-1070 ext. 3918 orweber.monica@brevardschools.org.

Heritage High Sports Medicine Students Engage with Port Malabar Students

PALM BAY, FLA. – Under the supervision of Enrique Luna, Heritage’s career and technical education department chair, Heritage High Sports Medicine students Brook Bonauito, Taylor Burke, Alissa Herrera, Billy Hicks, and Alexia Luna, engaged in science activities with Port Malabar students.

During their visit, the Heritage students led a field related topic discussion covering simple medical and anatomical terms regarding sports medicine.

Afterwards, the older students engaged in hands on activities with the Port Malabar students such as finding pulse sites, practicing chest compressions on the manikins, and listening to the heart with stethoscopes.

The experience was beneficial and educational for both groups.

For more information, please contact Colin Turey, director of the Sports Medicine Academy/teacher, at 321-722-4178 ext. 29006 or turey.colin@brevardschools.org.

Christa McAuliffe PTO to Hold Benefit Rummage Sale for Assistant Principal in Need of a Heart Transplant

PALM BAY, FLA. – Christa McAuliffe Elementary’s PTO will hold a Benefit Rummage Sale at the school on February 28, from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. to help fund a heart transplant for their assistant principal, Tracy Chancery.

Tracy Chancery is a single mom who has worked for Brevard Public Schools for 20 years, 12 of those as assistant principal at Christa McAuliffe.

She has been out on leave since October 2014 due to the need of her transplant and is now waiting for the procedure to take place.

The funds raised during the benefit will help offset some of the many costs that will occur when the time of the procedure arrives.

For more information, please contact the school’s front office at 321-768-0465.

Elementary to Employment Transition Fair

VIERA, FLA. – BPS invites families of students in exceptional education programs in Brevard County to attend an Elementary to Employment Transition Fair, hosted by the Interagency Council of Brevard (ICB), on February 26 at the Eau Gallie High Media Center from 4-6 p.m.

The Transition Fair will include time for families (K-12) to meet with and ask questions of the various local agencies that support students with disabilities and a presentation on mental health is scheduled.

For more information, please contact Lynda Schuchert at lynda.Schuchert@vr.fldoe.org.

BSF Receives Grant for Volunteerism of Agent Jill Mimbs

VIERA, FLA. – Brevard Schools Foundation received approval for $1,000 from The Allstate Foundation in honor of Allstate Agent Jill Mimbs’ volunteerism for the Take Stock in Children program.

“We are pleased to partner with Allstate and their commitment to making our hometowns better, safer places to live by investing in our youth,” said Amie Harris, Take Stock in Children Program Manager.

The grant will help provide operating support to the program. Take Stock in Children provides scholarships, mentors and hope to nearly 200 students in Brevard Public Schools.

Students in the program agree to remain crime and drug-free, maintain good discipline and good grades, and meet regularly with a mentor for the promise of a college scholarship upon graduation.

For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please contact Amie Harris, 633-1000 ext. 430 orharris.amie@brevardschools.org.

Ocean Breeze to Host 50th School Anniversary Celebration

INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, FLA. – Ocean Breeze Elementary invites its students, staff and alumni members to attend their 50th school anniversary celebration, “A 50 Year Tradition of Excellence,” which will be held at the school on February 27, beginning at 8:45 a.m.

During the event current students, alumni, local dignitaries, and school district administrators will be on site to celebrate Ocean Breeze’s achievements in their 50 years of service to the students, parents and the community.

If members of the IHB community have photos and/or memorabilia they are willing to let the school borrow for this event, please drop those items by the office.

Please label the item(s) with a contact name and number so that it may returned after the event.

For more information, please contact Laurie Hering, principal, at 321-779-2040 orhering.laurie@brevardschools.org.

Brevard Cultural Alliance and Brevard Schools Foundation Partner to Benefit Local At-Risk Boys

MELBOURNE, FLA. – Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) and Brevard Schools Foundation (BSF) have partnered to leverage a $40,000 grant from the Heineman Foundation to benefit local at-risk youth through the Brevard Group Treatment Home (serving boys ages 12-16) and the Melbourne Center for Personal Growth (serving boys ages 14-18).

This program is part of BCA and BSF’s effort to influence at-risk youth populations through the arts.

As part of the 2015 program, BCA will provide yearlong artist residencies at both juvenile justice facilities.

The primary focus of the program will be to provide tools to accelerate participants’ personal growth and help them become caring, responsible adults.

BCA’s Next Generation Artist Residencies provide professional artists at each service location, who provide classroom-type experiences tied to the visual, performing or literary arts.

At the Melbourne Center for Personal Growth, local video producer John Emmerich will teach the basics of filmmaking, including the use of mobile devices and computer technology for shooting and editing short films on topics of interest.

At the Brevard Group Treatment Home, illustrator/graphic designer Hassan Patterson is working with youth on the creation of a series of illustrations (book covers, ads, posters) themed on science and social studies curriculum.

These residencies allow youth the opportunity to experience the arts in a unique way and even explore the possibilities of pursuing a career in an art-related field.

“Through this program, we hope to show these children that there are positive ways to express their personality and creativity through the arts,” said BCA Executive Director Neil Levine.

“Not only do these programs provide a great experience for the children, they also promote important life skills like problem-solving and critical thinking.”

For more information on BCA’s Next Generation Artist Residencies, visit http://www.artsbrevard.org/arts-education/next-generation-artist-residences.

2014-15 BPS Parent Survey Available in March

BREVARD COUNTY, FLA. – Parents are invited to participate in the annual BPS parent survey available March 9 – 22.

Available in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole, the parent survey provides schools with information that will help identify areas of strengths and areas in need of additional attention.

Ultimately, the survey provides information that will guide both individual school and district efforts to improve the level of service to students, parents, and the community through School Improvement Plans and the District Strategic Improvement Plan.

The survey will be available online and in a paper version. If you do not have access to an electronic device, you may take the survey on any BPS campus. Paper surveys will be available upon request from the front office.

For more information, please contact Dianna Hetzel, parent involvement resource teacher, at 321-633-1000 ext. 564 or hetzel.dianna@brevardschools.org.

BPS-TV is Moving Channels: 198 to 496

BREVARD COUNTY, FLA. – Effective March 2, 2015, Bright House Networks will be standardizing the channel lineup for Public, Education and Government programming across Central Florida.

Due to this alignment, BPS-TV’s channel will be moving from channel 198 to channel 496.

For more information about this new alignment, please contact Bright House at 321-259-3762.