HIXON'S Here's What's Up! Newsletter, Vol. 3 Issue 3 - December 2024 - PDF

Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Happy Holidays from School Board Chair, Debbi Hixon! As the holiday season begins, I want to take a moment to share my...

Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Happy Holidays from School Board Chair, Debbi Hixon! As the holiday season begins, I want to take a moment to share my heartfelt appreciation with our amazing BCPS family - students, teachers, staff, and community members. Your hard work, resilience, and teamwork have truly made this year a special one for our schools! The holidays are such a great time to think about what really matters - our family and friends, and our shared commitment to helping our students reach their highest potential. Let’s continue to support each other, celebrate our wins, and get excited about the new opportunities Meet Debbi Hixon that the coming year will bring. Debra “Debbi” Hixon is a Wishing you and your loved ones a season filled with joy, love, and Broward County Public happiness! Schools (BCPS) Countywide School Board Member, currently serving as Board Chair. As an educator for over 35 years, having graduated from South Broward High School and as a mom of two Broward County graduates, Debbi is passionate about our schools, students, teachers, and staff. Debbi is dedicated to ensuring that our District has the necessary resources and support to provide students with a place of growth, opportunities, and educational excellence that will allow them to not only advance, but also enhance their skills and ensure that they are prepared for their path after they leave our school system. 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Please join me in honoring these Hixon’s Heroes! Grace Allete, North Side Elementary School Kristina Foster, Accounts Payable Cynthia Beach, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Teagan Fiore, Tradewinds Elementary School Susan Boruch-Birsic, North Andrew Gardens Nicole Nearor, Coconut Creek High School Elementary School Melissa Smiley, Mirror Lake Elementary School Alicia Charlery, Park Lakes Elementary School Jolie Stevens, Deerfield Park Elementary School Jennifer Collins, South Plantation High School Maria Villasis, Tropical Elementary School Kathryn Columbus, Tradewinds Elementary School Grace Allete, North Side Cynthia Beach, Susan Boruch-Birsic, Elementary School Marjory Stoneman Douglas North Andrews Gardens High School Elementary School Alicia Charlery, Jennifer Collins, Kathryn Columbus, Park Lakes Elementary School South Plantation High School Tradewinds Elementary School 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 2 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Kristina Foster, Teagan Fiore, Nicole Nearor, Accounts Payable Tradewinds Elementary School Coconut Creek High School Melissa Smiley, Jolie Stevens, Maria Villasis, Mirror Lake Elementary School Deerfield Park Elementary School Tropical Elementary School I am personally calling on all of YOU to help the Hixon’s Heroes initiative succeed. Nominate a BCPS unsung hero you feel has earned this special recognition. If you know someone who: goes above and beyond expectations sets an example for others to follow deserves extra love and appreciation hides a superhero cape beneath their normal clothes Please send an email with their name, a brief description of why they should be recognized, and their BCPS location [email protected]. 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 3 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Around Our District Congratulations to Forest Hills Elementary School on your 50th Anniversary! Thank you to the Miami Marlins and FPL for providing the students at Park Lakes Elementary School with school supplies! Thank you, Florida Panthers, for bringing the Stanley Cup to Bennett Elementary School to share in the celebration! Lloyd Esates Elementary School celebrated Blanche Ely High School honored two legendary National Walk to School Day as they became part women, Lillian Greaves and Earnestine Price, by of the Elementary Safe Routes to School Project, naming special rooms in the school after them. which includes new sidewalks, through the City of Oakland Park and Broward MPO partnerships. 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 4 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Around Our District continued... Congratulations to the South Broward High School Boys Soccer Team for your 1st State Championship! Boyd Anderson High School ROTC did a beautiful job honoring heroes from 9/11 and heroes on Patriots Day!! Congratulations to Driftwood Middle School for winning I was honored to be a guest speaker the “How Low Can You Go” competition. The Miami Heat at the Student Speak Up Speak Out at celebration/pep rally was so much fun Boyd Anderson High School. We celebrated National Lunch Week with the students and staff at Park Lakes Elementary School. 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 5 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Around Our District continued... It is always my pleasure to read to our students during the Read for the Record. “Piper Chen Sings” was a fun book to read this year! The Magnet EXPO was fantastic and very well attended! We have the BEST school choices! Honoring Principal Carlton Campbell’s legacy with Hallandale High School’s stadium naming and the retiring of his High School jersey. Congratulations to North Andrews Gardens Elementary School Congratulations to William first ever 5000 Role Models Inductees! Dandy Middle School’s 5000 Role Models Inductees! 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 6 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Around Our District continued... It was a great day for the inaugural BCPS Equity, The students enjoyed learning all about our Diversity and School Climate 5k. democratic election system during Kids Voting Day at Deerfield Beach Middle School. Fifty of our students showcased their art at the Congratulations to Boulevard Heights Superintendent’s Gallery. Elementary School for being recognized as a National Unified Champion School. Our amazing students who The Harvest Drive is a great way for our students and staff to help showed off their talents at the those in need this holiday season Debate Luncheon. We celebrated our facilities service men and Our PTAs are an essential piece in our schools and women with a special resolution and sweet treats! I enjoyed attending the Grand United PTA YASS celebration. 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 7 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Ribbon-Cutting and Special Ceremonies Moments Margate Elementary School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new play court and building Congratulations to Cross Creek Educational Center on the Grand Opening of their Wellness Center Sheridan Technical College and High School’s Media Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Deerfield Beach High School Media Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Congratulations to Tamarac Elementary School as it turns 50! 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 8 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Congratulations to the 2025 Teacher of the Year Finalists! Lillie deCastro, William T. McFatter Technical College and High School Matthew Feiler, West Broward High School Richard D. Lamarre, Miramar High School Dr. Jennifer Mehu, Park Lakes Elementary School Deanna Waters, Sawgrass Springs Middle School Congratulations to the 2025 Principal of Congratulations to the 2025 Assistant the Year Finalists! Principal of the Year Finalists! Luke Balchaitis, Floranada Elementary School Jerelle Robinson-Owens, Apollo Middle School Sheneka Blue, Oriole Elementary School Shenee Rowe, Blanche Ely High School Vera Perkovic, Cooper City High School Dr. Dana Thomson, Cross Creek School Congratulations to the 2025 School-Related Employee of the Year Finalists! Kathy Doku, Cresthaven Elementary School IdaZoe Pagan, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Montessori Academy Rachel Silber, Hollywood Hills High School Tracy-Ann Smith, Boyd H. Anderson High School Jonette Waters, Lake Forest Elementary School 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 9 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 3rd Annual Broward County National Football Showcase Thank you to Broward Education Foundation and Broward County Athletic Association for bringing top teams from across the country together to showcase their talents and give them national recognition through ESPN coverage and recruiters from colleges. Coral Glades High School vs Dillard High School vs Blanche Ely High School J.P. Taravella High School in the Soul Bowl Hallandale High School vs Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School vs Pembroke Pines High Charter School Boyd Anderson High School McArthur High School vs Cypress Bay High School South Broward High School vs Cooper City High School 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 10 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 VISITING OUR SCHOOLS As a countywide school board member, I never want to forget our “why” – THE STUDENTS AND STAFF! To keep connections with our schools, it is my pleasure to visit schools. I always look forward to our rich discussions about student progress and resources in our schools and how I can help support them. Broward Virtual School Coconut Creek Elementary School Coral Glades High School Coral Springs Elementary School Coral Springs High School Davie Elementary School Dillard 6-12 Driftwood Elementary School Hallandale Magnet High School 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 11 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Visiting our Schools continued... Lanier-James Education Center Lauderdale Lakes 6-12 Lyons Creek Middle School C. Robert Markham Elementary School Mirror Lake Elementary School Nova Eisenhower Elementary School Nova High School Oriole Elementary School Pines Lakes Elementary School Plantation High School Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Westchester Elementary School 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 12 HIXON’S Here’s What’s Up! Vol. 3 Issue 3 December 2024 Resolutions of the Heart Watch the videos below to learn more about some of the School Board resolutions I championed over the last few months. I am proud that our District recognizes a broad array of events, holidays and groups each year through resolutions. Recently, l championed College and Career Readiness Month, celebrated our custodial workers, and raised awareness about Downs Syndrome, among other important recognitions. National Custodian Worker’s Recognition Day eduvision.tv/l?memtDeL College and Career Readiness Month eduvision.tv/l?RLmgmDg Down Syndrome Awareness Month Across BCPS eduvision.tv/l?RLmgmDA Earth Day eduvision.tv/l?eLOgLAy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month eduvision.tv/l?RDDAtAO National Gun Safety and Prevention Month eduvision.tv/l?eOgAOtO National Youth Violence Prevention Week eduvision.tv/l?eyDtDDD 754-321-2009 [email protected] debbi_hixon debbihixonschoolboard 13