October 21, 2022

IN THE NEWS

The Dr. Mukesh & Vanita Gaglani Scholarship 

BPS is thrilled to announce the Dr. Mukesh & Vanita Gaglani Scholarship and West Shore Teacher & Staff Scholarship! 

The Dr. Mukesh & Vanita Gaglani Scholarship is named after the parents of Shiv Gaglani and his sister, Dr. Anushka Gaglani. Shiv graduated from West Shore in 2006 and Anushka graduated from Cocoa Beach International Baccalaureate in 2002. After graduating from Harvard College, Shiv began medical school at Johns Hopkins, where he co-founded Osmosis.org. This popular learning platform educates millions of students, healthcare professionals, patients, families, and the general public worldwide. A dentist and fellow entrepreneur, Anushka is co-founder & CEO of Areo Dental Group in Chicago, which runs half-a-dozen dental practices and counting. 

Together Shiv and Anushka wanted to give back to Brevard students, teachers, and parents by setting up two scholarships. The first, named after their parents, Dr. Mukesh & Vanita Gaglani, who immigrated from India to Africa to the United States, recognizes parental figures who have shaped the lives of BPS students. The second, named after West Shore Teachers & Staff, honors the teachers and staff members who helped shape Shiv’s journey at West Shore and beyond. In particular, Shiv was influenced by Mrs. Annie Nery, who helped instill in him a core discipline for overcoming challenges; the late Mr. Jim Melia, who believed anything was possible and in the importance of having fun at work; and Mrs. Sherie Jenkins, who cultivated his love for science and research that ultimately influenced his entrepreneurial journey.

The key requirement of the application is to write a letter of appreciation to your parents, parental figures, or a teacher or staff member articulating the lessons you’ve learned from them and why you’re appreciative. In addition, each applicant will receive complimentary access to advice and strategies around building stronger relationships and other personal & professional development topics – the successful implementation of which will be worth far more than any scholarship.

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a Brevard Public School student, complete the application on time, and provide meaningful responses. Each scholarship comes with a $5,000 cash prize, half of which will be awarded to the winning student and the other half to their parents/parental figures or teacher/staff member who is the subject of their letter of appreciation. Finally, at least one student from West Shore will be awarded a scholarship.

Applications are due February 1, 2023, at 11:59 pm ET.

The awards will be announced in May.

Coach Dixon's Dawg House Dedication Ceremony 

Brevard Students Attend HBCU Week College Fair at ESPN Wide World of Sports

On October 7, over 350 of Brevard’s 10th-12th grade students joined thousands of students from Central Florida to make history at the first HBCU Week College Fair. The fair was hosted in partnership with Disney on the Yard at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando - the largest attended HBCU Fair event. BPS students received a sponsored lunch and bus transportation by HBCU Week to help ensure they had no barriers accessing the fair. With over 35 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, College Boards, Scholarship Programs, and more representatives present, students could speak directly with admission representatives. Many HBCUs handed out college acceptance letters and scholarships, including full four-year rides, on the spot to seniors. Students were also able to meet with internship organizations and participate in several "Lunch & Learn" seminars for students to gain educational and career insights with organizations such as FOSSI Stem Scholars Initiative and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Attendees could also participate in a live ESPN broadcast of First Take and enjoy an energetic experience with stepping, music, and tributes to HBCU bands.

BPS looks forward to continue providing learning opportunities for students interested in HBCUs for their college and career interests. The 2nd Annual HBCU Information Session & Fair hosted by BPS will be on February 9, 2023 in Viera. 

Interested Students and Volunteers can sign up through the link below to be added to the district’s communication list.

A few Student Highlights and Quotes from the event:

• Anneka James (Heritage) – Full Ride Scholarship to Florida Memorial University
• Paul Bernagene (Melbourne) – On-the-spot Admission Acceptance to Lane College
• Tre Hyman-Collins (Palm Bay) - Full Ride Scholarship to Rust College 
• Shamore Lawrence (Palm Bay) – Full Ride Scholarship to Rust College 
• “The speakers were phenomenal.” – Demani Atkins, Senior at Astronaut High School

BPS Choice Schools Now Accepting Renewal Applications

Renewal applications for current students of Brevard County's six choice schools are due by Monday, October 31st.

• Edgewood Jr. / Sr. High
• Freedom 7 Elementary
• South Lake Elementary
• Stevenson Elementary
• West Melbourne School for Science
• West Shore Jr. / Sr. High

Important dates for BPS Choice Schools:

NOW – Renewal Applications Accepted

10.31.22 - Renewal Applications Due

11.1.22 – New Open Enrollment Applications Accepted

12.2.22 – New Open Enrollment Applications Due



MILLAGE

Early Voting will be Monday, October 24th through Saturday, November 5th from 8:00 am- 6:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am - 4:00 pm on weekends at each of the locations below: 

• Titusville Public Library 
• Walter Butler Center
• Kiwanis Island Park Gymnasium
• Dr. Joe Lee Smith Center
• Viera Regional Center
• David R. Schechter Center
• Wickham Park Center
• Max K. Rhodes Park
• Tony Rosa Palm Bay Center
• Ted Whitlock Center

EDUCATION MATTERS

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

CAREER CORNER

Have you heard about the Florida Department of Education's new Military Veterans Certification Pathway? Interested in learning more?

Join us for an informational Zoom meeting Tuesday, November 1st, at 3:30 pm to learn about this new pathway and to see if you qualify. You'll meet the Brevard Public Schools Recruitment and Certification teams and have an opportunity to ask your unique questions.

We hope to see you there!

REFLECTION

How BPS Celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month

The district provided support for two major events with community partners in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month in Brevard County – VIVA Brevard (Brevard Hispanic Center) and the 25th Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. Students and Employees throughout the district participated in both celebrations. Two University Park employees received special honors as notable educators:

• Nivia Torres- Retired from BPS
• Maria Apolinaris - Currently the Bilingual IA at UPE

Principal Ana Diaz reflects on Maria's impact, "Maria Apolinares has served the University Park Elementary community as a Bilingual Instructional Assistant for 21 years. In those years, she has touched thousands of students and their families in ways we cannot count. Her first language is Spanish, but she has figured out how to communicate with families whose first language is Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Arabic. She often serves as counselor, social worker, and advocate for many of the families she serves with love." 

A few of our BPS schools also went above and beyond celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, including Cocoa High School, Heritage High School, Johnson Middle School, Port Malabar Elementary, Riveria Elementary, Satellite High School, West Shore Jr./Sr. High School, and University Park Elementary. Visit our website to read more!

NEXT WEEK IS...

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.