FAMILY HEALTH......................... 27

From STEM Special to our afterschool STEM Club; Griffin is truly STEMtastic!

In STEM Special students learn to become critical thinkers, engineers, problem solvers, have perseverance and more. We enjoy exploring, learning, and most of all having fun! Connections are made within all disciplines including science, technology, engineering, and math. Throughout the year, we learn about the world around us by making observations, doing inquiry activities and performing experiments which are meant to engage all learners. Everything goes from investigating bubbles, pendulums, building bridges, catapults, houses, coding and more. There is never a dull moment!

Our STEM Club has enjoyed engineering water-bottle rockets, coding in Minecraft Education, building VexIQ robots, coding microbits and more – our STEM Club is the place to be! We compete in various district STEM competitions and challenges throughout the year, and we just launched our water bottle rockets at the district’s Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering (SECME) competition. That was truly a blast for all! Our students and their families had so much fun!

Griffin Elementary is located at 5050 SW 116th Ave. in Cooper City. Their Principal is Angie Moodliyar-Jones. They can be reached at (754) 323-5800.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Broward County Public School Calendar*

Changes may be made. Visit www.browardschools.com for updates.

2022 SCHOOL YEAR

MAY

Monday, May 30: Schools Closed JUNE

Thursday, June 9: Early Release Day/Last Day of School Friday, June 10: Teacher Planning Day

DAVIE/COOPER CITY/SW RANCHES HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SCHEDULE BROWARD VIRTUAL SCHOOL

Monday, June 2 at 2:00pm Lauderhill Performing Arts Center COLLEGE ACADEMY

Friday, June 3 at 2:00pm Broward Center for the Performing Arts COOPER CITY HIGH

Friday, June 3 at 2:00pm Nova Southeastern University MCFATTER TECHNICAL

Friday, June 3 at 7:00pm Broward Center for the Performing Arts NOVA HIGH

Monday, June 6 at 2:00pm Nova Southeastern University WESTERN HIGH

Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00pm Nova Southeastern University

2022 - 2023 SCHOOL YEAR PREVIEW

AUGUST

Tuesday - Monday, August 9 - 15: Employee Planning (no school for students) Tuesday, August 16: First Day of School SEPTEMBER

Monday, September 5: Schools and Administrative Offices Closed Monday, September 26: Schools and Administrative Offices Closed OCTOBER

Wednesday, October 5: Schools and Administrative Offices Closed Thursday, October 20: Early Release Day, End of 1st Quarter Friday, October 21: Employee Planning (no school for students) NOVEMBER

Tuesday, November 8: Employee Planning (no school for students) Friday, November 11: Schools and Administrative Offices Closed Monday - Friday, November 21 - 25: Schools Closed DECEMBER

Cooper City Elementary has partnered with veterans and Legion family members from the American Legion Post 321 to become Pen Pals. There are 49 Pen Pals in total…one paired with each student. Their teachers, Ms. Arguinzoni and Mrs. McHugh, are active volunteers as the Auxiliary President and Auxiliary 1st Vice President and believe in connecting the school and the Legion through meaningful activities.

The Pen Pal program is in its 4th year and is very successful! The Pen Pals love the comradeship with the younger students. The 4th graders love the personal, one-on-one interaction. Each month during class, the students will write to their Pen Pals. It is a wonderful opportunity for the students to strengthen their writing skills while learning more about these veterans and their family members. They ask all sorts of questions; from what it was like when they served in the military, to what their favorite football team is, to what their pet’s name is. Then, the Pen Pals will write the students back to answer all their questions and ask some questions of their own. It is a great partnership! The students have had 2 face-to-face meetings with their Pen Pals so they can see that the person they are writing to is a real-life person and not just a fictional character in a book.

This Pen Pal program has been a meaningful way for students, veterans, and Legion members to make connections. Patty Weinert, who’s been a Pen Pal all 4 years, stated, “It’s a great way for a child to connect and learn about The American Legion by knowing someone who belongs to the organization”. Pen Pal George DeAngelo, Commander of American Legion Post #321 commented, “Having been a pen pal for four years, I look forward to the letters and meet and greets. It’s great hearing from the children and how they are doing in school and afterschool activities. It was so different back then for me and the activities I did. This is a great activity for all.” 4th grade student, Austin Savarese said, “ I liked it a lot. It was really cool to write to a pen pal because that is not something I would ever do on my own. I hope to write more, it’s pretty cool!”

In February, the students also participated in an Americanism Essay Contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary; “How can we support families who provide care to their veterans?” One of the 4th grade students, Valentina Menendez, was the winner of the 3rd /4th grade age group and earned a $25 Amazon Gift Card for her amazing essay contribution. Her essay will be entered in the Department of Florida’s Americanism Essay contest to compete with other contestants across the state of Florida. At a recent Pen Pal meeting, Ellen Higginbotham, an Auxiliary member & Pen Pal, presented a lesson to the students about the American Flag and what each fold means. Then the students had the opportunity to practice folding a few towels and blankets to resemble the folded flag.

Writing essays and visiting with Pen Pals is not all this class has participated in. In February, these 2 teachers organized a collection of candy, coloring books, word searches, painting canvases, colored pencils, and markers that they utilize for Bingo prizes weekly. The collection was a team effort with donations coming in from many different 4th grade and Kindergarten classes. These items were donated to the Sandy Nininger Veterans State Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines for their “Day of Service & Love” project in honor of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy.

The Pen Pal program was started with the idea of connecting the students with the American Legion and Veterans. It flourished into so much more than was expected. Students have learned about The American Legion, veterans, Wear RED Fridays, Patriotism and have connected with the community through each of these activities. The students and veterans all have benefitted from this program and look forward to each and every activity.

Cooper City Elementary is located at 5080 SW 92nd Ave., in Cooper City. Their Principal is Terie Miranda. They can be reached at (754) 323-5200.

SCHOOLS ACADEMIC DIRECTORY

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Broward County Public Schools provides a vast selection of unique educational opportunities through magnet and innovative programs. Students in elementary, middle, and high school may discover an enriching program that sparks their interests, talents or academic pursuits. Each thematic program offers rigorous courses and real-world experiences that prepares students for college and careers. For more information, browardschools.com/innovativeprograms.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

GREENTREE PREP CHARTER SCHOOL Greentree Prep Charter School provides learning beyond the standards for gifted and talented students and those who want to learn in a gifted learning environment. Our goal is to challenge and motivate students and help them achieve their personal best through individualized programs. Our charter school offers innovative, research-based education in a nurturing environment with a private school feel. Now accepting applications for K–8th grade students. (954) 780-8733. Located at 6301 SW160th Avenue (Dykes Rd), Southwest Ranches 33331. www.greentreeprep.com.

SOMERSET ACADEMY DAVIE 3788 Davie Road, Davie. (954) 584-5528. Kindergarten - 5th Grade. somersetdavie.com.

THE CHARTER SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE - DAVIE CAMPUS 2801 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, (954) 433-8838. Kindergarten - 5th Grade. www.charterschool.com.

CHAMPIONSHIP ACADEMY OF DISTINCTION 3367 N. University Drive, Davie. Kindergarten - 8th Grade. davie. championshipacademy.org.

LANGUAGE COURSES

CHINESE LANGUAGE Have you always wanted to learn a new language? The South Florida Chinese Cultural Arts Association offers Chinese language instruction at the Pine Island Multipurpose Center on Sundays 9:00am - 5:00pm. Contact Junkai Wang at (561) 305-3187 or visit www.ccssf.org.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS

A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE PRESCHOOL & LEARNING CENTER VOTED BEST PRESCHOOL IN PEMBROKE PINES 2 YEARS IN A ROW! Recognized as one of the top schools in the state, now offering classes for infants to first grade. The school offers an accelerated learning program for all students and has received A+ rating from the state for more than 18 years for Academic Excellence in Early Learning. Certified, Degreed Teachers, Low Ratios and Accelerated learning curriculum is offered. Our VPK students READ in less than 4 months. Now accepting VPK vouchers. NEW TODDLER & INFANT CLASS OPEN! Rated #1 choice by parents teachers and educators in the community! AWOK uses proven developmental skills that will help a young child expand their thinking process. Through music and play, we will stimulate the child’s ability to understand different concepts that will help build a strong academic foundation. Contact us for more information. (954) 430-7707, 750 NW 180 Terrace, Pembroke Pines 33029. www.worldofknowledgekids.com.

NOB HILL ACADEMY Nob Hill Academy is a modern and bright state-of-the-art facility. We offer Developmental Programs, Free VPK, Afterschool Program (pick-up from area schools) and Summer & Winter camps available. Locations in Sunrise (2 locations), (954) 748-2489, Davie (954) 791-9270 and Pembroke Pines. (954) 437-3949.

APPLE TREE MONTESSORI Apple Tree Montessori offers an advanced curriculum for Toddlers thru 8th grade students. Our students receive honors course credits in middle school. A true Montessori school with Certified Montessori Teachers. Small class sizes for individual attention and a proven curriculum to help students achieve high scores in SAT’s. Visit the school and see the improvements to the campus and program. Located at 6301 SW 160th Avenue (Dykes Rd) in Southwest Ranches. (954) 252-9250. www.appletreemont.com. NOW OFFERING VPK.

DAVIE ACADEMY Davie Academy has a mission to create an interactive, warm and loving environment which will help children, ages 3 months to 5 years old, develop and learn with the best practice measures and individual differentiation strategies suited for each child within the program. Overall, Davie Academy directors, teachers and aides aspire for children to form secure attachments and love learning within a safe setting, which promotes cognitive and language abilities. 3337 North University Drive, Davie 33024. (954) 437-3197.

TUTORING

DAVIE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL) TUTORING Get your child the help they need with our after-school tutoring program. Our program is designed for children from third grade through eighth grade. Certified teachers and volunteers are here to assist your child with homework, questions and getting prepared for State Testing. Fee: $100 per quarter (Approx. 9 weeks). Classes are offered Monday thru Friday, 3:30pm – 5:30pm. Davie Police Athletic League, 4300 S.W. 57th Terrace, Davie. (954) 321-2561. Online Registration at www.DaviePAL.org.

TUTOR YOU Group tutoring for elementary and middle school students. Classes offered at the Cooper City Pool and Tennis Center, 11600 Stonebridge Pkwy., Cooper City. For class times, fees, and registration, contact (954) 680-4874 or visit www.DavieTutorYou.com.

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER Grades K–12. Through a thorough academic evaluation we will pinpoint your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses and tailor a program just for your child. Reading, Math, Writing, Phonics, Study Skills, FSA Prep, HS Entrance Exam Prep, Tutoring in any subject. College SAT/ACT Prep. Locations: Pembroke Pines West (954) 431-4443; Plantation (954) 474-4144. Use Code PPSUMMER22 FOR A $75 EVALUATION ($195 value).