September 23, 2022

Alexander Montgomery Named a Broadcom MASTERS Top 30 Finalist 

Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science announced the 30 finalists in the 2022 annual Broadcom MASTERS®, the nation’s premier STEM middle school competition. The finalists are competing for more than $100,000 in awards including the top Samueli Foundation Prize of $25,000.

Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars), a program founded and produced by Society for Science, seeks to inspire young scientists, engineers and innovators who will work towards solving the grand challenges of the future. Each of the 30 finalists will be judged on both their research projects as well as their demonstration of collaboration and critical thinking skills during team challenges, emphasizing the importance and value of teamwork in STEM fields.

All 30 finalists, who were selected from a pool of 1,807 applicants, will each receive a $500 cash award and will participate in Finals Week in Washington, D.C., encompassing multiple team challenges and judging.

Alexander "Lex" Montgomery is one of six BPS students to make the Broadcom MASTERS Top 300 list and is the only Brevard County student to make the top 30 finalists. He competed in the Brevard Mainland Regional Science and Engineering Fair with the project, "The Impact of Different Environmental Conditions on Galvanic Corrosion at Launchpad Structures."

Read more about Lex and his project below:

Sherwood Raises over $12,000 for Science, Technology, Math, and Field Trips 

Sherwood Elementary School hosted their Annual Boosterthon Fun Run on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The Boosterthon was held to raise money for Science, Technology, Math, and Field Trips for students. The school's goal was $12,000, and they surpassed that, raising $12,238.

The Eau Gallie High School Commodore Marching Band was in attendance, performing and providing encouragement as the kids ran. Families were also invited to cheer on their children during the event, and over 100 Sherwood parents and guardians were in attendance.

Principal Sandra Marines said, "We want to excite our students about their educational future, showcase opportunities, and inspire their minds. I’m proud of our community and parents, the day was a huge success..."

Coastal Quilters Provide Comfort for Homeless Students 

For a group of local quilters, providing Brevard County’s homeless students with “comfort, warmth, and hope” is their mission. 

Coastal Quilters, Inc. is a non-profit that meets in Satellite Beach to quilt, assemble, and sew dozens of quilts for BPS’ students-in-transition. Dubbed the “Hugs & Stitches” program, Coastal Quilters has been hand-making over 100 quilts each year for our community’s children that are at risk or in transition.

Since 2013, the group has provided over 1,700 quilts to our local students, and on September 15, Brevard’s school counselors were gifted 186 quilts. At the annual meeting of School Counselors, each BPS counselor was able to take at least one quilt for a student at their school. Because of the Coastal Quilters’ efforts, many were able to get two or three quilts to provide comfort and warmth for children in need.

Each quilt takes between three to four hours to complete and is made of 100% cotton fabrics with fun, colorful, kid-friendly prints. According to Coastal Quilters Treasurer, Claire Tyler, the initiative would not be possible with their quilting skills, alone. Over 30% of the material for quilt tops is donated, and grant money and other donations are utilized to create the current volume of quilts.

The Coastal Quilters currently has over 30 members, and they meet each month at the Scotty Culp Center in Satellite Beach. For more information or to donate visit www.brevardcoastalquilters.com.  

Students-In-Transition:

Under Florida law, homeless students or “Students-In-Transition” are defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and include children and youth who meet any of the following criteria:

A. share the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason

B. live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate accommodations

C. live in emergency or transitional shelters

D. are abandoned in hospitals

E. have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, or

F. live in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting.

For FAQs, procedures, and Board policy, visit the Students-In-Transition page on the BPS website: https://fl02201431.schoolwires.net/Page/4939. 

BPS SMART PODCAST

Learn More about Brevard's Proposed Ad Valorem Millage

Brevard County residents will see an Ad Valorem Millage on the November 8th ballot this year. The proposed Millage Referendum would be used towards employee compensation, student programs, and technology for Brevard Public Schools. Listen as Dr. Mullins discusses the details of the proposed Millage.

2023-24 CALENDAR SURVEY

Your feedback is an important part of creating the annual district calendar. Please complete the survey HERE, so your input can be utilized! 

MELBOURNE ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL 

EDUCATION MATTERS

CAREER CORNER

From ParaPro Prep to Google Suite, there is something for everyone. Click the button for more information.

FALL WELLNESS FOR BPS EMPLOYEES

BPS Health Insurance Plan

Have you had questions about our BPS Health Plan?

Lisa Schmidt, Employee Benefits Manager, explains the ins and outs of the Insurance Plan in this week’s video. 

THE SCHOOL BOARD SCOOP

The importance of opportunity and college access for BPS students was highlighted during this week’s School Board meeting. Each year, the school district works to increase student participation in FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA is an indicator of which college-ready students will set foot on a college campus.

This year BPS is working with community leaders including Eastern Florida State College, Elevate Brevard, and the United Way on Project FAFSA Liftoff, which will focus on increasing FAFSA participation of students and families.

You can learn more by watching Tuesday’s Board Meeting here.

To learn more about FAFSA, visit the BPS website.

The FAFSA Workgroup includes:

• Andrea Sasson, Community Impact Manager of Education at United Way of Brevard
• Caron Partridge, Vice President of Communications at United Way of Brevard
• Christine Tripp, Associate Dean of Enrollment Management at Eastern Florida State College
• Eileen Brzozowski, Director of Financial Aid at Eastern Florida State College
• James Carlson, Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Brevard
• Myron Campbell, College and Career Outreach Specialist at Eastern Florida State College
• Paula Bewerse, College and Readiness Coach at Brevard Public Schools
• Robert Rains, President/CEO of United Way of Brevard
• Shayla Murray, Administrative Director of The Virtual Glue and DEI Director at United Way of Brevard
• Dr. Synthia Doaks, Director of Elevate Brevard
• Tara Pagliarini, Executive Director of Family Promise of Brevard

NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE

The School Board of Brevard County, Florida does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or gender identity), disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information or any other factor protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. The district also provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boys Scout of America Equal Access Act. The School Board of Brevard County is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAA), the Florida Education Equity Act of 1984, Age Discrimination Act of 1967 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Civil Rights Act of 1964 including: Title II, Title VI, and Title VII, United Stated Education Amendments of 1972 - Title IX, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). If you have questions, concerns, or wish to report possible violations involving any of the above or below items, please contact either individual below for assistance:

For concerns involving the public or students, including IDEA and 504 matters contact:

Title IX Coordinator

Jacqueline Saxenmeyer

2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way

Melbourne, FL 32940

(321) 633-1000, Ext. 11280

saxenmeyer.j@brevardschools.org

For concerns involving employees or job applicants contact:

Director of Professional Standards and Labor Relations

Karyle Green

2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way

Melbourne, FL 32940

(321) 633-1000 Ext. 11265

Green.karyle@brevardschools.org

Reasonable accommodations are available for persons with disabilities to complete the application and/or interview process. Applicants/Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may contact the Director of Professional Standards and Labor Relations for assistance. Educators are required to follow the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida (State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006, FAC). To report alleged educator misconduct, contact Dr. Beth Thedy, Deputy Superintendent and Chief Human Resources Officer, at 321-633-1000, ext. 11200 or Thedy.beth@brevardschools.org. In the event that the district is not able to resolve your concerns, consider contacting the Office of Civil Rights for assistance. This Publication or portions of this publication can be made available to persons with disabilities in a variety of formats, including large print or audiotape. Student requests for this information should be made to the Office of Exceptional Student Education Program Support, (321) 633-1000, ext. 11520, at least two (2) weeks prior to the time you need the publication.