Brevard Public Schools ‘News In A Minute’

By  //  July 11, 2015

Every year, a U.S. News & World Report team assembles to determine the top ranked high schools throughout the nation.

Brevard Public School Busses Deliver Food to Hungry Students

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – This summer, for the first time through a collaborative effort between Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and Transportation, Brevard Public Schools (BPS) has initiated two mobile feeding units (utilizing decommissioned vehicles) to deliver over 1,300 daily meals to students through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

BPS has participated in SFSP and other summer feeding programs since 2004.

Through this program, nutritionally balanced meals are provided at no charge to all children that are 0 to 18 years old during summer vacation when school breakfasts and lunches are not available.

The site programs are approved for geographical areas of need where 50 percent or more of the children qualify for free and reduced-price meals during the school year.

Summer feeding sites that are located at schools provide meals to all children enrolled in summer school, as well as, those in the immediate vicinity.

The SFSP is designed to fill the nutrition gap during the summer by serving meals to children so they can return to school healthy, happy and ready to learn.

Brevard_Public_Schools_Logo-180With the implementation of the new bus route, meals are delivered to a total of 19 stops a day.

The USDA Florida Department of Agriculture (Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness) supported FNS by supplying the vibrant bus wrap signage and other outreach materials to promote this incredible program.

The SFSP is a federally-funded, state administered program. No district funds are used to support this initiative. A list of sites and times of meal service can be found at www.summerfoodflorida.org, or by dialing 211, or by texting FoodFL to 877-877.

McNair Magnet Middle Creates Digital Learning Spaces

ROCKLEDGE, FLA. – Thanks to the Magnet Schools Assistance Program Grant awarded to McNair in October 2013, the school refurnished classrooms over the summer with high impact collaborative furniture and purchased student sets of iPads and touchscreen laptops that will allow them to work together as they develop critical 21stcentury skills.

In addition to the new spaces, students will also be afforded the experience to collaborate, design, and create in Brevard’s first TEAL (Technology Enabled Active Learning) Lab. The TEAL Lab, which is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology including iPads, 45” screen monitors, and Apple TVs for wireless mirroring, creates a rich learning environment where all students are able to extend the use of collaborative technology tools in higher order thinking and real world problem solving.

“Through our new STEAM advantages, McNair students truly have the opportunity to touch the world through inspiration and invention,” said Cindy Stewart, McNair STEAM magnet coordinating teacher.

For more information, please contact Cindy Stewart at 321-633-3630 ext. 3013 orstewart.cindy@brevardschools.org.

Canaveral Port Authority Recognizes J.U.M.P. Program

The Port Canaveral Authority hosted a Career Day for students from Jackson Middle School in Titusville, who participate in J.U.M.P. – Jackson's Ultimate Mentoring Program. (Port Canaveral image)
The Port Canaveral Authority hosted a Career Day for students from Jackson Middle School in Titusville, who participate in J.U.M.P. – Jackson’s Ultimate Mentoring Program. (Port Canaveral image)

PORT CANAVERAL, FLA. – The Canaveral Port Authority board of directors recently presented an award of recognition to Jackson Middle for their J.U.M.P. (Jackson’s Ultimate Mentoring Program) initiative.

Six years ago, Principal Annetha Jones developed J.U.M.P., which fosters mentor and student relationships by creating an open avenue of communication for students who have disciplinary and attendance issues. Each student who is recommended for the program is assigned a mentor from the local or school community, whom they meet about 20 minutes per week. During the sessions, the mentor is responsible for counseling the student’s concerns and guiding their actions through encouragement.

As active J.U.M.P. mentors, Port Authority staff members and directors chose to recognize Jackson Middle for the program’s impact within the school community.

“It’s an amazing project and great for the kids,” said mentoring coordinator, Denny Meneghelli. “Just getting positive attention from an adult can make all the difference at this age.”

For more information, please contact Annetha Jones at 321- 269-1812 or jones.annetha@brevardschools.org.

Satellite High Teacher to Attend Air Force’s FIRST Leadership Program

SATELLITE BEACH, FLA. – Cathy Rocke-Krininger is one of 28 teachers and mentors from around the country who were selected to attend the Air Force Recruiting Service’s fourth annual FIRST Leadership Program, from July 12-15.

Hosted at Schriever Air Force Base and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teachers and mentors are being given a unique opportunity to meet with senior Air Force leaders as part of Air Force recruiting outreach efforts in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Rocke-Krininger was selected for this program after a competitive application process in which applicants had to submit a short essay describing how they get their students excited about science and technology, and highlighting any innovative techniques they use to help kids learn and stay motivated. “I feel very fortunate to be able to participate in this leadership program. I am looking forward to sharing what I have learned with FIRST team 3233 (Bots of the Round Table) and with my students at Satellite High School.”

The leadership program consists of character and leadership development seminars, lectures and team building exercises to provide insight on how the Air Force develops leaders, how Airmen execute their missions as it relates to STEM, and STEM career opportunities available in the Air Force.

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“STEM is an inherent part of the Air Force mission. By showing our capabilities, and instilling the pillars of leadership, with this outstanding group of teachers and mentors we are able to demonstrate the connection between their FIRST efforts and our leadership development efforts,” said Major Jacob Chisolm, Air Force Recruiting Service National Events Branch Chief.

“We want them to return back to their schools armed with a greater appreciation for the impact leaders can have; and having first-hand knowledge of future opportunities for their students,” he added.

FIRST is an organization whose mission is to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. To learn more about FIRST go to www.usfirst.org, or if interested in joining the Air Force visitwww.airforce.com.

BPS Business Partner Gives Back to Cocoa High

COCOA, FLA.­– This year, Cocoa High students in need will receive a wonderful gift from the One By One team at 4imprint.com – a free backpack full of school supplies for the year!

Courtesy of business partner, e-Angels, (a nonprofit organization that seeks help from online, local, and national businesses to help children in need) One by One donated 232 backpacks. In the 2014-2015 school year, e-Angels helped obtain supplies for 884 children in a total of 19 schools.

Many of the families that Cocoa High serves struggle to meet the basic needs of student supplies and materials, but “thanks to the generosity of many wonderful people, the e-Angels campaign makes starting the new year simple and a huge success,” said Lorraine Dierkes, executive director of e-Angels Incorporated.

For more information, please contact Lorraine Dierkes, at help@e-Angels.org.

Summer VPK Programs – Still Accepting Enrollments

BREVARD COUNTY, FLA. – Brevard Public Schools, in collaboration with the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard, is currently offering Voluntary Prekindergarten Programs (VPK) at selected schools with limited enrollment.

VPK is a FREE early learning program which prepares four-year-olds for kindergarten and builds the foundation for school success. Students must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2014, reside in Florida, and did not attend the School Year VPK program to be eligible for Summer VPK. Registration for VPK is a two-step process.

STEP 1 – Parents obtain a VPK Certificate of Eligibility.

In order to obtain a VPK Certificate of Eligibility, parents must visit the Early Learning Coalition website atwww.elcbrevard.org and complete the on-line registration process. For additional information, please contact the Early Learning Coalition at 321-637-1800.

STEP 2 – Parents register their child at a school site.

Dr. W. J. Creel Elementary
2000 Glenwood Drive, Melbourne, FL 32935

MILA Elementary
288 West Merritt Ave., Merritt Island, FL 32953

Parents must bring:

• VPK Certificate of Eligibility
• Child’s original birth certificate
• Immunization record
• Current physical examination
• Two (2) forms of residence verification

Please note locations may change depending on student enrollment. Summer VPK begins on June 4 and ends on July 30. Student hours during the Summer VPK program are 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Parents must provide transportation and meals are available.

For more information, please contact the Office of Early Childhood at 321-633-1000 ext. 340.

BSF Collects School Supplies Across the County for Giveaway Event

BREVARD COUNTY, FLA. – Brevard Schools Foundation’s annual school supply drive is underway to help the nearly 34,000 students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and request assistance.

The public is invited to participate in donating supplies at more than 80 designated drop-off locations throughout Brevard County. Cash donations are also requested so items not received during the drive may be purchased and sponsorships are also available. All financial donations are matched by a grant from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.

“The number of families needing this extra help continues to rise,” said Executive Director Janice Kershaw, “Many are asking for our help for the first time. Thanks to our generous community, we will be able to make a difference for students again this year.”

In addition to donations, BSF needs volunteers during the week of July 20 to sort and pack supplies at Clearlake Education Center, as well as on Saturday, July 25 to help with the event. This is a great opportunity for students to earn those much needed community service hours.

To sign up, volunteers should contact Elizabeth Schreiber, Supply Zone manager, at 321-633-3660 ext. 301 orschreiber.elizabeth@brevardschools.org.

Questions & Answers Regarding the 2015 Early Release Schedule

Q: What is the purpose of Early Release Wednesdays?

A: Early release Wednesdays will provide important opportunities for teachers to engage in professional learning along with collaborative and individual planning. This time is valuable, as it will support school and district efforts to continuously improve teaching and learning for all children.

Q: When will early release Wednesdays begin?

A: Wednesday, August 19, which is the second week of school. They will continue every week until school dismisses in June.

Q: How will the start and release times be affected by this change?

A: The school day start and dismissal times should remain consistent with the 2014-2015 Early Release Days. If there is a slight modification, it will be at the individual school level. Parents are encouraged to contact their school directly to determine if there is any change for the 2015-2016 school year.

Q: Will secondary schools have to modify schedules in order to satisfy state requirements for earning of credits?

A: High credit courses must provide 67.5 hours of instruction per class in order to award credit each semester. The first semester of 2015-2016 is 88 days. To meet the requirements for single semester courses in semester 1 (i.e. – PE, American Government, Economics, Sociology) the calendar has been slightly adapted. Single semester courses will meet one day after the winter break (January 5, 2016) to wrap-up coursework.

Q: What arrangements for School-Aged Child Care or secondary student supervision will be made to accommodate Early Release Wednesdays?

A: Staffing hours for School-Aged Child Care will be adjusted to accommodate the increased need for elementary school supervision at the close of the student day. A special rate for the 40 early release days only will be made available. The price for the Wednesday only will be released prior to the beginning of school start. Check with your school’s School-Aged Child Care provider after August 1 for accurate pricing.

Secondary schools may provide creative monitoring options. These will be determined at the school level and it is recommended that parents contact their schools directly to learn more about supervisory options.