On May 4, Brevard Public Schools hosted the 2023 Partner of the Year Awards. The Star Wars-themed ceremony honored Partners in Education (PIE) members for the work and support they have given to each of our schools throughout the 2022-2023 school year.

The ceremony featured special surprises from the Jefferson Middle School art students, Melbourne High School culinary students, and Hoover Middle School band. Guests enjoyed an interactive photo booth experience presented by Smile Factory Photo.

PIE Coordinators from each BPS school and department nominated and recognized organizations throughout the county for their contributions to Brevard’s students.

The overall district winners were:

• Business of the Year: Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
• Faith-Based Organization of the Year: Church at Viera
• Community Organization of the Year: Children’s Hunger Project
• Overall Partner of the Year: International Space Station National Laboratory

We thank our community for your continued support of our schools, students, and staff!

To see the full list of honorees, click here.

To see more photos, click here.

On May 3, the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO) celebrated National Bike & Roll to School Day. Throughout the week, schools were encouraged to plan events centered around a community bicycle ride involving students, staff, parents, local law enforcement, and business partners.

Students from Westside Elementary, Audubon Elementary, and Surfside Elementary participated in the festivities.

Visit the SCTPO Facebook page to view more photos.

Titusville High School had 35 students and 15 staff and family members participate in the annual Friendship Walk for Best Buddies. Titusville High brought home the trophy for the third year in a row as the #1 school to raise the most money for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk.

This year, the THS chapter of Best Buddies raised over $12,000 for Best Buddies Central Florida to expand school programs, employment opportunities, and inclusive living for those with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD). In the last three years, THS has raised over $35,000 for Best Buddies Central Florida.

On May 5, Freedom 7 Elementary held a ceremony to unveil their new mosaic. The school has completed a large-scale, 5 feet by 10 feet mosaic, and installed it at the front of the school.

Creating the mosaic has been a two-year-long project in conjunction with the Next Generation Artist Residencies Program under the supervision of Freedom 7 art teacher, Ms. Alexis Van Vuren. It was completed with artist-in-residence, Mary Moon, and sponsored by Brevard Cultural Alliance and the Freedom 7 Parent Teacher Organization (APT).

Students created the relief tiles, glazed, and helped to put together the overall design. The students were in the 4th and 5th grades when the project began and are now in the 5th and 6th grades. 

The Next Generation Artist Residencies Program was obtained in partnership with Brevard Schools Foundation and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Florida Department of State, Florida Division of Arts & Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts & Culture.

Congratulations to Dr. Anna Maria Curry of South Alternative Learning Center for being named the 2023 NASW-FL Space Coast Unit Social Work Educator of the Year. 

Recipients of this award must make significant contributions to social work education, demonstrate outstanding leadership, contribute to the positive image for the social work profession, and achieve outstanding results on behalf of social work education. 

Dr. Curry was selected as a result of her dedication to Brevard Public School’s student intern program for social work students from both undergraduate and graduate level programs from local universities, and her commitment and leadership in ensuring high-quality field placement education while interning with Brevard Public Schools.

Marcia Bentley is the Heart of Brevard

The Heart of Brevard is a person who puts their heart and soul into teaching, inspiring, and supporting our children in whatever role they play in BPS.

If you know of a BPS staff member or community partner who is the “Heart of Brevard,” nominate them HERE!

National Teacher Appreciation Week with Teacher of the Year, Pam Brockmeyer

May 8-12, 2023 is Teacher Appreciation Week. We recognize, honor, and support our teachers this week and every week for their dedication to educating our youth. To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we interviewed Pam Brockmeyer, a teacher at Cocoa High School and this year's BPS Teacher of the Year.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the school board voted 5-0 to approve Dr. Mark Rendell’s contract to be the next superintendent for Brevard Public Schools. Dr. Rendell, who is currently principal of Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School, will begin his role as superintendent on June 1.

Also, during the board meeting several assistant principals were approved for reclassification for the 2023-2024 school year.

Laura A. Barna at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School

Michael Gladden Jr. at Eau Gallie High School

Jasmine Jackson-Vereen at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School

Kelly Bombriant at Satellite High School

Mark Mallak at Brevard Adult and Community Education

Brittany Postlethweight at Southwest Middle School

Genesis Rowe at McNair Magnet Middle School

Sarah Straus at Stone Magnet Middle School

Jennifer Williams at Melbourne High School

Jasmin Baez at Palm Bay Magnet High School

Kavitha Tracy at Heritage High School

Erica Back at Atlantis Elementary School

The school board also honored the West Shore Jr./Sr. High School Competitive Cheer team. In their first year, the team made it to Nationals and finished 10th!