Brevard Public Schools ‘News In A Minute’
By Brevard Public Schools // January 31, 2015
surveys will be available upon request
Brevard Public Schools Parent Survey Available in March
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Parents are invited to participate in the annual BPS parent survey available from 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.
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 on February 26, at the Eau Gallie High Media Center from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
The Transition Fair will focus on mental health and will include time for families (K-12) to meet with and ask questions of the various local agencies that support students with disabilities as well as a presentation from mental health practitioners.
For more information, please contact Lynda Schuchert at lynda.Schuchert@vr.fldoe.org.
Lockheed Martin Facilitates Engineering Design Challenge at McNair Magnet Middle
ROCKLEDGE, FLA. – On January 20, 280 students at McNair participated in an engineering design challenge facilitated by 35 engineers from Lockheed Martin and the Navy.
This effort was part of an educational outreach program sponsored by Lockheed Martin to expose middle school students to STEM careers. The challenge asked students to design a launch vehicle out of paper and tape that would support a small book. The students had to work collaboratively and efficiently to maintain the integrity of the design as well as keep costs down.
Each group had six sheets of paper and one meter of tape. Each piece of paper represented $10 million in cost and each cm of tape represented $100,000. The group with the best structure and lowest cost was named the winner of the challenge. The event was a huge learning experience!
After the initial partnership, Lockheed Martin generously donated $500 to STEAM education at McNair and the organization plans to return in August to work with the students and teachers again.
For more information, please contact Veronica Raley, STEAM coordinator, at 321-633-3630 ext. 1010 or raley.veronica@brevardschools.org.
Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. Alumna to Produce at Super Bowl XLIX
VIERA, FLA. – 2004 Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High alumna, Rachel Wyle, will be working as the stage manager at this year’s Super Bowl XLIX., in Phoenix, AZ.
Upon graduating from the University of Florida, Wyle served as a production assistant for the Kennedy Center Honors, Miss America, the Oscars, the Boston Pops, and many other large events.
As a freelancer in film and television, Wyle has the opportunity to travel the world, meeting famous people and working with creative individuals who are passionate about the arts. This is her first Super Bowl production; BPS wishes her well on the huge endeavor.
For more information, please contact Kevin Buck, fine arts department chair, at 321-783-1776 ext. 1007 or email diakakis.julia@brevardschools.org
Croton Elementary Receives HARRIS HERO Donations
MELBOURNE, FLA. – Croton Elementary recently upgraded its technology capabilities thanks to donations from Harris’ HERO (Harris Employees Reaching Out) program.
HERO is a non-profit volunteer organization comprised of Harris employees and retirees who coordinate the collection and distribution of supplies, equipment, and volunteer hours to public and private schools in Brevard County. Thanks to Harris’ donations, Croton has outfitted 36 classrooms and two of four computer labs with computers, monitors, keyboards and mice; teachers received Harris-donated laptops and workstations; and 90 percent of Croton’s computers now have 80GB or 160GB hard drives, with 4GB of RAM. These additions will dramatically improve the school and will surely affect its students.
For more information, please contact Jacquie Scislaw, technology associate, at 321-259-3818 ext. 41040 or scislaw.jacquie@brevardschools.org
Golfview Elementary Magnet School Goes 3-D
ROCKLEDGE, FLA. – Thanks to a grant submitted by literacy coach, Stacey O’Connor, students at Golfview Elementary Magnet are truly bringing their ideas to life.
Written with the focus of increasing engineering and problem solving in the classroom, the grant supported the purchase of a Markerbot 3-D printer, which can produce three-dimensional objects through additive printing. The process begins by students digitally creating an image, then each image is electronically sliced into layers and finally each separate layer is printed using plastic rather than ink, until the complete object is formed.
As the Golfview Bobcats are discovering, the benefits of having a 3-D printer in the classroom are countless! From generating tangible prototypes for testing engineering designs to producing topographical maps and 3-D artwork, students at Golfview are on the cutting edge of creativity.
For more information, please contact LeeAnne Herold, magnet-coordinating teacher, at 321 633-3570 or herold.leeanne@brevardschools.org
Orlando Science Center Visits Andersen Elementary
ROCKLEDGE, FLA. – The Orlando Science Center (OSC) hosted a Family STEM Science Night where fifth grade students and their parents had the opportunity to experience hands-on science, math, and technology.
During the event, families explored how comets are made, experimented with rockets, built rollercoasters and raced wind-mobiles. To top it off, OSC brought their show “Digital Planet,” a 3-D digital globe that replicates breath-taking features of our solar system, and amazed students and parents alike.
For more information, please contact Karen Smink, teacher, at 321-633-3610 ext. 5019 or smink.karen@brevardschools.org
Racecar Drivers Show MIHS Support for Literacy Week
MERRITT ISLAND, FLA. – Merritt Island High celebrated Literacy Week in style as students and staff embraced this year’s theme, “Reading Accelerates Success,” on a completely new level.
To support the literacy theme, a different racecar was on display each day in the MIHS commons area. Tom Finney and Peter Keane, local drivers, were integral in coordinating and organizing the drivers and cars for each day. Throughout the week, guest readers had the opportunity to hop in the driver’s seat to enjoy one of their favorite books.
To commemorate the weeks’ events, a group of 3D art students commissioned a special artwork piece displaying a replicated racecar comprised of book pages. Additionally, as part of the state’s Million Minute Marathon, the Mustangs participated in independent, self-selected reading with a goal to exceed last year’s 159,353 minutes.
For more information, please contact Margaret Biery, literacy coach, at 321-454-1000 or biery.margaret@brevardschools.org
Roy Allen Elementary Joins “The Great Kindness Challenge”
MELBOURNE, FLA. – Roy Allen students joined nearly 2 million students across U.S. by participating in The Great Kindness Challenge on January 26.
Students created a chain of kindness by decorating classroom doors and writing letters to soldiers/sick children in the hospital.
Recognizing her students’ involvement, Principal Lori Migliore stated, “I am so proud of my students and school community for embracing this message and for the numerous, kid generated, random acts of kindness to help make our space a much better place to learn.
For more information, please contact Migliore at 321-242-6450 or migliore.lori@brevardschools.org
Manatee Elementary to Hold Dr. Seuss “Thinga-Ma-Jogger” 5K Race for Literacy
VIERA, FLA. – Manatee Elementary is excited to announce its inaugural Dr. Seuss “Thinga-Ma-Jogger” 5K Race for Literacy, to be held at the school on March 7, beginning at 7:30 a.m.
The 5K, which is timed for 3.1 miles in length, will be a celebration of all things Dr. Seuss, in recognition of his birthday and Read Across America Day – a nationally recognized celebration of reading that takes place annually in schools, libraries and communities across the country to honor the iconic author and promote a love of reading. The event is open to the public and participants are encouraged to dress up as Seuss characters.
Early registration cost is only $23 for adults and $15 for children (14 years and younger) which supplies entry to the race and a t-shirt. Registration is open until February 20. The monies raised from the 5k are to put towards enhanced technologies to the classrooms. Sponsors for this event include local businesses such as Uno’s, Ace Hardware of Pineda, and Lowe’s of Rockledge.
For more information, please contact Denise Crouchley, kindergarten teacher, at 321-433-0050 or crouchley.denise@brevardschools.org
Miles for Myles 5K Celebrates Grand Finale
VIERA, FLA. – The Myles Freeberg Foundation, a local non-profit organization that helps raise money for Brevard County high school internships and scholarships in memory of Myles Freeberg, held their fifth and final Myles 5k Family Fun Run/Walk on January 17.
Myles Freeberg was a scholar athlete who passed away in 2010 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. His parents founded the Myles Freeberg Foundation and the funds raised at each Miles for Myles 5K were used to promote and encourage higher education through internships and scholarships to Brevard County high school students.
The Freebergs are an inspiration to many people in the Viera community by turning their personal tragedy into a way of helping others through the Myles Freeberg Foundation.
“One of the things after Myles’ accident, the community was pretty quick to wrap itself around us and give us all the support. This is one way we can give it back,” said Mr. Freeberg.
The Myles Freeberg Foundation continues to accept donations for future scholarships. For more information, visit www.MylesFreebergFoundation.org or call 321-242-8945.
Rockledge High Art Students Show Off Talents
ROCKLEDGE, FLA. – Recently, multiple Rockledge High students received awards for their artistic efforts at local contests and art shows.
Artists include Emily Barnes, who won this year’s Cape Canaveral art show poster contest, and was awarded a $100 cash prize. Additionally, during the seventh annual Rockledge Arts and Craft Show three students took home awards or honors.
First place went to Hector Roman, second place was awarded to Donovan Pranzonni – both winning ribbons and cash prizes. Madelyn Derossett also received an honorable mention award and ribbon for her artwork. Congratulations to these young artists!
For more information, please contact Cindy Woznicki, art teacher, at 321- 636-3711 or woznicki.condy@brevardschools.org
Challenger 7 Holds Attendance Awards to Lower Absences
COCOA, FLA. – As part of the Positive Behavior Support program at Challenger 7, the school hosted an Attendance Awards ceremony to celebrate their improved attendance rate and decrease student tardiness.
Two classrooms received outstanding attendance awards:
• Grades Pre K – 3 Winner: Mr. Gooden’s class
• Grades 4 – 6 Winner: Mrs. Houghtailing’s class
Both winning classes received a trophy to display in their classrooms until the next awards ceremony and two other classes in each grade level group received a pizza party for their perfect attendance efforts. Challenger 7 congratulates all of the winners, and expresses thanks to all their students for helping the school improve its attendance and tardiness rates.
For more information, please contact Melissa Brown, secretary at 321-636-5801 or brown.melissa@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 we may return them after the event.
To RSVP for this event or to request more information, please contact Laurie Hering, principal, at 321-779-2040 or hering.laurie@brevardschools.org by January 30, 2015. For more information, please contact Laurie Hering, principal, at 321-779-2040 or hering.laurie@brevardschools.org
Educational Technology Employee Receives Recognition
VIERA, FLA. – Matt Frey, the district’s education training and customer services manager for the Office of Educational Technology, recently won the International Society for Technology in Education’s (ISTE) Make IT Happen award.
The Making IT Happen award honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students. The honor was presented at The Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders awards luncheon last month in Orlando.
For more information, please contact Gino Butto, assistant superintendent of Educational Technology, at 321-633-1000 ext. 700 or butto.gino@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.
