heather brinkworth                                        

HEATHER POMPER BRINKWORTH

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

DISTRICT 3

Telephone: 754-321-2003

 On February 28, 2014 Governor Rick Scott announced his appointment of Heather Pomper Brinkworth to fill the District 3 vacancy on the School Board of Broward County, Florida.   The term is effective from February 28, 2014 through November 18, 2014.

We are rapidly approaching the end of this school year and I have been visiting as many of the District 3 schools as possible to say hello, and learn about the needs of each school. The School Board  continues conducting a “Needs Assessment” survey of all Broward County public schools over the coming months. Many schools have substantial facility issues that have been accumulating during the recession.  District 3 schools have varied substantial repairs that are needed.

At the May 6th, School Board meeting Board members began the process of bringing a bond referendum to the voters in the November election by voting unanimously to place on the ballot a          30-year, $800 million bond referendum. If approved by the voters, the bond money will be used to begin the process of updating technology and improving school-based infrastructure.  If approved by the voters, I plan to do my due diligence with regard to these funds. The countywide needs are many and the dollars will have to stretch to address as many priorities as possible. I plan to be a good shepherd to District 3 needs as well as countywide needs, working to ensure all Broward County students are able to learn in a safe and healthy public school building.

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I have visited many schools and spoken with many community members.  I continue to be impressed with the many accomplishments in District 3 schools by our students, staff and volunteers.

. Please take a moment to review the following partial list of District 3 accomplishments:

* 14th Annual Kids of Character Award Winners included – students from Wilton Manors Elem., Northeast High, and Riverland Elem.; Mr. Joel R. Phillip, JROTC Instructor, Northeast High; and Dr. Ana Marie Leon, Guidance Counselor, Wilton Manors Elementary.

* North Andrews Gardens and Virginia Shuman Young elementary schools had a total of 38 students named to the 2014 Elementary Honors Orchestra. Students performed at the All County Honor Music & Superintendent’s Advanced Placement Studio Art Exhibit at the Coral Springs Museum of Art.

* Ms. Dorothy Zarfjian named by the Florida Dept. of Education as the OUTSTANDING SENIOR VOLUNTEER! Ms. Zarfjian  volunteers as a  Foster Grandparent at North Side Elem.

* Ms. Laura Martin of Dillard Elem. and Ms. Nancy Wengren of Bayview Elem. were recognized at the May 6th School Board meeting for 50+ Years of Service  to the students of Broward County. They are the only two teachers in Broward Schools with this distinction.

* Stranahan’s LADY DRAGON CHEERLEADERS won Gold! At the FHSAA 2014 Cheerleading competition, named the 2A large Non-Tumbling Division champs. Head Cheerleading Coach Sylvia Adams was named the Southern Division Coach of the Year. Congratulations to all!!

* Northeast High – Mr. Timothy Kandel and the NEHS Latin Club dominated yet again at the 2014 State Latin Forum (for the 14th year!) – Thank You, Students! Congratulations to Randa Flinn of Northeast High, named Air Force Florida Teacher of the Year!

             *  North Division Scholar Athlete Scholarship Winners: Fort Lauderdale High –Jeremy Kleiman – U-18 Sports Scholarship and Ian Vicnansky – BCAA Merit Scholarship; Northeast High: Dwayne Fletcher – Superintendent’s Award Scholarship and  Cecilia Smith – Kreul  Foundation/FAU Scholarship.

             * Dr. Daniel Shapiro, Guidance Counselor, Bennett Elementary was named the 2015 Teacher of the Year! Congratulations to each Teacher of the Year nominee selected from our schools. It is a great honor to be selected by your fellow teachers to represent your school.

             * Stranahan High School (Principal Owens) and Fort Lauderdale High School (Principal Ribeiro) were named Silver Medal winners as “Best High Schools for 2014” and nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Thirteen Broward County Schools were recognized out of over 20,000 public schools.

THANK YOU ALL!