August 26, 2015 Volume iIi, ISSUE 1Story Board is an interactive newsletter. All sponsor ads and text in blue are links!

An average of 70 people per night are housed at

His Place Ministries in Melbourne when the outside

temperatures drop below 45 degrees. Keeping

the volunteers, kitchen staff, and clients all on an

even keel takes a steady hand on the tiller. Cathy

Hernandez, secondary programs registrar at ESF, is

that steady hand. She has been the on-site person

in charge of this cold night shelter for the homeless

for about 10 years. Hernandez is the BPS/Sprint

Superhero for August 2015.

The shelter provides dinner, fellowship overnight,

and breakfast the next morning. “The leading cause

of homelessness is mental illness,” said Terry

Morris, pastor at His Way Ministries. “Cathy does a

great job managing and consoling the clients. If she

weren’t there (the program) wouldn’t happen the

way it does. She has taken on a great responsibility

and she does an incredible job.”

Hernandez began volunteering at the shelter in

2003 when she felt the need to give back to the

homeless community. “All are welcome,” she said.

“Men, women, families even.

“I spend my time running around putting out fires,”

Hernandez said. “The most rewarding thing is when

I see the clients downtown and they know me.

They are my friends.”

Director of High School Programs, Robin Novelli, said

“I think she has a great impact on members of our

society that may need her the most. We are very

proud of all the work that she does.”

BPS SPRINt August superhero

BPS/Sprint Superhero Cathy Hernandez is joined by her colleagues in Curriculum and Instruction at ESF to celebrate her selection.

BPS STORYBOARD - August 26, 2015 - VOLUME III, ISSUE 1 - PAGE 1

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As your new superintendent, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the School Board and community members who have entrusted me to be the next leader of Brevard Public Schools. This is an amazing

opportunity to serve a district with a rich history for excellence in academics, the arts, and sciences, and I’m truly appreciative of the responsibility I’ve been given.

As I finish up my first month at BPS, I can only say that I am WOWed by the warm welcome, the amazing people I’ve met, and the community as a whole. I may have already worn out a pair of shoes running from Meet & Greets (where I met many of you), school visitations, business and community meetings, a bus ride along, and media interviews. These are just a few of the first steps I’ve taken towards my goal to listen and learn about the district and the people whom we serve.

I also want to tell you what a great first day of school I had as Brevard’s superintendent. I began the day at the 520 bus compound where I met many of our outstanding bus drivers. I have to say that visiting schools from one end of the county to the other was a thrill and one of the highlights of the day was when I was able to have lunch with the students at Southwest Middle.

If I haven’t already met you in person, be certain that I’ll be visiting your school or department very soon. In the meantime, please connect with me on Facebook and Twitter or drop me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Desmond Blackburn, PhD.

catching up with dr. b

BPS STORYBOARD - August 26, 2015 - VOLUME III, ISSUE 1 - PAGE 2

New Teachers Challenged to Make a Difference

By Peggy Yelverton I challenge all teachers, not just new teachers, to be excited, passionate and willing to grow in your teaching profession. I challenge you to be a team player. I challenge you to choose to be joyful. I challenge you to make a difference in our community, to help our students reach higher and farther than anyone can ever imagine. I challenge you to work this year on improving your “growth mindset.”

The first weeks of school can be thrilling, exciting and can even cause anxiety, however the gift of learning surpasses those feelings, as you work toward helping each and every student develop into a lifelong learner. Let’s work on helping our students develop the “growth mindset” needed to be productive and high achieving students. Students who have a “fixed” mentality stay on the safe side of learning, choosing to look smart by doing what they can do. While those who have a “growth” mindset want to stretch themselves and step out of their comfort zone in order to be successful.

Hints for new teachers:

• Build relationships: Not just with students, but with peers, administration, parents, and community - involve everyone in the education of our students.

• Know who can help you: Introduce yourself to support staff employees, administration, and mentors.

• Listen and watch: Learn from everyone.

• Have expectations for all students: They may not be the same high level, but all students can achieve at a higher level, so challenge them.

• Develop a plan that includes procedures and routines: Teach procedures at the beginning and practice until they become a routine. Procedures run effective classrooms.

• Have students involved with setting the rules of the classroom: Your students need to know what is expected of them each and every day.

• Learn about your students: Get to know your students’ names, have them fill out surveys, learn their interests, and include their interests in

your teaching.

• Know school policies: Ask for the student progression plan, school

improvement plan, School Board policy and other documents to learn

about your school and district’s culture.

• Over plan and teach bell-to-bell: Timing is important, work up to the bell. Keeping students busy engages them in learning.

• Dress professionally: Feel the part and look the part by dressing professionally.

• Classroom management is more than correcting behavior: Attend professional learning opportunities to improve your teaching and students’ learning.

• Be on time: Be in your classroom ready to start the day when you are expected to be at school. Model this behavior for your students.

• Keep communication accurate and timely: Use Edline, post grades, make phone calls, send emails, and plan conferences to stay in touch.

BPS STORYBOARD - August 26, 2015 - VOLUME III, ISSUE 1 - PAGE 3

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continued on page 6

Social Worker Receives Outstanding Service Award

Lisa Keysor, a social worker in BPS’ Student Parent

Program, was recently honored by the local Child

Abuse Prevention Task Force with an Outstanding

Service award at its annual child abuse prevention

month banquet.

Keysor is the grant manager for the Florida First

Start Grant, which provides parent education services to teen/student parents. Funded through

the Early Learning Coalition, this grant enabled Keysor to add four positions -- two social workers

and two literacy assistance positions, to the Student Parent Program this school year. Her recognition is much deserved, as she has been instrumental in bringing a variety of services to enhance the Student Parent Program.

During the summer, nearly 30 enthusiastic BPS

employees participated in a local food-packing

event, hosted by the Children’s Hunger Project.

The event, held in Cocoa at the Children’s Hunger Project headquarters, was fast-paced and called all hands on deck.

The Children’s Hunger Project is driven by the belief that knowledge is power, and children can only absorb knowledge properly when attentive and driven, however a hungry child is less likely to be either one. During the packing event, BPS

employee volunteers helped pack and sort 1,000

meals for children who were at risk of not eating

over the summer.

Lisa Keysor wins Outstanding Service Award.

BPS employees rally together to fight children’s hunger.

BPS STORYBOARD - August 26, 2015 - VOLUME III, ISSUE 1 - PAGE 4

BPS Employees Help Hungry

Children at Local Packing Event

Brevard County Schools has over 300 future teachers learning in our classrooms each day. These students are members of the 24 sponsored Brevard Future Educators of America (BFEA) Clubs in middle and high schools throughout our school district. Every year BFEA provides scholarship(s) for graduating seniors as they endeavor to become the next generation of educators. To fund this scholarship initiative, BFEA is sponsoring a district-wide JEANS Day on Thursday, August 27, 2015. Please see your department or school secretary to make your BFEA donation. Your support is appreciated.

What: Athletic Coaching Theory

Details: This is one of three courses needed to acquire a five-year athletic coaching certificate and 60 in-service points. This training course may be used to meet requirements of the Brevard County Add-On Certification Program in athletic coaching for one of the three courses.

When: Monday, September 14, 21, 28 (6:30 – 9:30 p.m.) *more fall dates available

Where: Clearlake Education Center; 1225 Clearlake Rd. Cocoa, FL 32922

Instructor: Jeff Arnott

ProGoe Course & Section #: Course 10389 and the section number is 390273

DROP/Retirement Information WorkshopWednesday, September 16, 2015

Check-in: 4:30 p.m.

Program: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Speaker: Carlos Lorenzo

ProGoe course: 10661

ProGoe section: 38949

Where: ESF Board Room

BPS STORYBOARD - August 26, 2015 - VOLUME III, ISSUE 1 - PAGE 5

Jeans Days Support Worthwhile Causes

Athletic Coaching Theory Course Register Now!

We are proud to announce we are now a Preferred Hotel Partner of Brevard Public Schools. Discounted room rates are available for all BPS employees and

their family through the following link: http://bit.ly/BrevardPublicSchools.

Discounts on meetings, events and catering also

available. Call us for details.

200 Rialto Place | Melbourne, FL | 32901

(321) 768-0200 P | (321) 956-7247 F

www.hiltonmelbourne.com

BPS STORYBOARD - August 26, 2015 - VOLUME III, ISSUE 1 - PAGE 6

Eau Gallie High has been selected by the

Honor Awards Committee to receive the 2015 Society of Health and Physical

Educators (SHAPE) program recognition

award and physical education teacher, Timothy Powers, was also nominated to

receive the SHAPE teacher of the year

(TOY) award.

This is the school’s first time receiving the program recognition award which distinguishes the school’s outstanding physical education program, and the second

time an Eau Gallie High teacher has been

nominated for the TOY Award. Both honors

will be bestowed upon the school and PE

department members during SHAPE Florida’s

convention awards general session, on October 16 in St. Petersburg.

Dr. Teresa Wright, director of early childhood

and Head Start, along with her co-author, Dr.

Barbara Murray, former school board member,

were published in the May 2015 issue of the

National Association for the Education of Young Children journal.

Their article, “Developing a Performance-Based Report Card,” highlighted how new kindergarten performance-based report cards are now meeting the child-progress reporting needs of educators and families.

Murray, Wright

Featured in Publication

Wright and Murray were published in the May 2015 NAEYC journal.

shape recognizes eau gallie high

Two years in a row!

See Forbes.com for more details.

MatthewSteinerOffice Manager321-345-9550

Professional Development Tips: • Work in collaborative teams, investigate UbD • Complete the B.E.S.T. modules • Complete your PGP’s • Participate in a “VORPing” experience with your

mentor, visit a classroom, observe, reflect and

plan together. • Know and work with your mentor

Welcome to the wonderful world of teaching. We are

glad to have you join the BPS team, and look forward

to sharing our love of learning and passion for teaching with you all. Have a fabulous, exciting new year and remember to take that challenge to grow in your profession.

continued from page 3

Need a quick recipe to whip up on school nights

or serve at a party? Check out this yummy,

festive recipe!

Sombrero Dip

Topping:

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

½ C. diced onions

½ C. chopped olives

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Brown meat. Drain off fat.

3. Mash beans with fork or in blender or food processor.

4. Combine meat and beans with all ingredients except topping.

5. Spread mixture into 9” x 13” casserole dish prepared with cooking spray.

6. Spread topping ingredients on top.

7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly.

Serve with Frito’s Scoops.

Titusville Recognizes Apollo Elementary AP

Apollo Elementary assistant principal, Lorna Kesner, recently received the Titusville Community Service Award for her exemplary works in the community. The City of Titusville gives this award to a citizen who makes a difference in her community.

Lorna Kesner has been highly involved in the Titusville community for nearly 28 years and for 11 of those years, she has served as the assistant principal, volunteer coordinator and business partner coordinator at Apollo Elementary. Outside of school volunteering, Kesner frequently

volunteers for community initiatives that focus on helping families and children in need. She also actively promotes and fosters the relationship between her school community and other Titusville partners, to benefit students in a meaningful way.

When accepting her award, Kesner said, “The true heroes at Apollo Elementary are my colleagues, the business partners, and other Titusville community members who have made major contributions to make a difference in the lives of the children.”

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Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 can chopped chilies (Old El Paso)

1 can kidney beans (drained)

½ C. chopped onions

¼ C. mustard

½ C. ketchup

2 T. chili powder

Enjoy Festive party dip

BPS STORYBOARD - August 26, 2015 - VOLUME III, ISSUE 1 - PAGE 7

Professional Liability Insurance Available During the 2015 legislative session, Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature provided funding for the Department of Education (FDOE) to purchase professional liability insurance for all full-time instructional personnel in Florida (as defined in section 1012.01(2) of the Florida Statutes). This insurance will cover all costs related to providing $2 million of coverage protecting full-time instructional personnel from liability for monetary damages and costs of defense from claims made against educators in their professional capacity. In addition, most other district personnel will have the ability to purchase the coverage at a group rate.

FDOE issued an invitation to bid that closed on August 7, 2015. After evaluation, a contract will be executed with the lowest responsive bidder. For more information contact Mark Langdorf.

Once again, BPS employees will be able to enroll in this year’s sick bank from September 1-30. The purpose of the sick bank is to make available a source from which qualifying employees may be granted additional sick days for his/her personal inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medical or psychological treatment with admission to a medical facility, or treatment of a life-threatening or debilitating illness that necessitates absence from work. See eligibility requirements below:

• Minimum sick balance of eight days as of September 30, 2015

• One full year of employment as of September 30, 2015

• Not currently enrolled in DROP

As a reminder, employees already enrolled DO NOT have to re-enroll every year. To enroll please see your site or department secretary.

Sick Bank Enrollment Opens

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BPS STORYBOARD - August 26, 2015 - VOLUME III, ISSUE 1 - PAGE 8

BPS Storyboard is a publication of Brevard Public Schools for employees published by the Department of Community Relations.

Michelle Irwin, director Debra Foley, editor Dan Jankowski, layout Abby Rex, reporter

Contributing editors:

Carlos Lorenzo Rick Morton Dinah Kramer Peggy Yelverton

Brevard Public Schools, 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Fl 32940For more information call 321-633-1000, ext. 796. To submit editorial copy or to place an ad, please contact foley.debra@brevardschools.org.

Celebrate performing, cultural arts in Brevard

Join the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, the Eau Gallie Arts District, and The King Center for the Performing Arts as they present the third annual Cultural Arts Showcase on September 20, 2015 at the King Center in Melborne from noon to 6:00 p.m. Admission is FREE!

Enjoy live performances throughout the day from your favorite arts groups, including two free family concerts by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The food truck bazaar will be on hand to kick off the day’s celebration. More than 50 area arts groups will have displays and activities with entertainment performed by various artists in the Studio Theater. And, under the instruction of the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra members, both children and adults can try to play a variety of instruments at the ever-popular musical instrument petting zoo.

For more information, visit CULTURALARTSSHOWCASE.COM or call the BSO office at 321-242-2024.

New teachers from other Florida districts: Contact your previous district to have your in-service records transferred to Brevard County. There is a standard form that is used from district to district and once completed, the form should be sent to the attention of Joanne Bogle – Professional Learning & Development.

DOE goes paperless: Every teacher and administrator needs to make sure that they establish an account

with the Department of Education to access their certificate:

https://certify.fldoe.org/publicweb/default.aspx.

• Once logged in – verify contact information and save any changes

• Click “certificate status” from the left hand menu

• Click “view” to the right side of certificate record to see image and then print for your records.

Important Teacher Certification Information