March 2020
BPS Backs Bill to Add JROTC Success to School Grades
by Nicki Hensley

Brevard Public Schools is advocating for bills in the Legislature that would award points under Florida’s school-grading system for preparing students for military careers. 
 
As a pair of locally sponsored bills advance toward House and Senate votes, BPS asks Floridians who support the idea to contact their legislators.


Residents can quickly find their state representative and senator and their contact information HERE .
  
Senate Bill 662 and House Bill 445 would add student success on that military exam, known as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), to the data behind Florida schools’ scores for career and college preparation. The Senate bill would require that ASVAB scores be counted only for students who have participated for two years in JROTC; enlisted in the military; been accepted into a U.S. military academy; or received documented military career counseling.

Sponsored by State Sen. Tom Wright (R-New Smyrna Beach), and Rep. Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island), the legislation was unanimously supported by the five-member Brevard County School Board among its 2020 legislative priorities . In Brevard, 14 public high schools have JROTC units that include 2,147 students.
 
Tropical Elementary's Kindness Movement Makes its Mark in Tallahassee

By Nicki Hensley

Ms. Barbara Wilcox and her Kindness Club students from Tropical Elementary
School were honored in the State
Capitol
for their efforts to spread a positive message of kindness far and wide with their  "T ogether Kind "  initiative and their universal symbol of kindness.


The students were in Tallahassee this past week to advocate for making February 16-20 the official Florida Kindness Week.


State Sen. Tom Wright (R-New Smyrna Beach), and Rep. Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) gave them a special tour of the Capitol building and presented them with a letter from Governor Ron DeSantis recognizing Mrs. Wilcox and her students for setting a positive example and a job well done.
The following is a paid advertisement by Hospice of St. Francis.

Meet One of Hospice of St. Francis' Caregiver Relief Volunteers - Geri Barringer
Hospice of St. Francis volunteer Geraldine “Geri” Barringer brings a wealth of experience to her role as a caregiver relief volunteer, both from personal experience and through her professional career. A pioneer in her own right, Geri became the first female officer with the Taos County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico during the 1970’s. Geri relocated to Brevard County in 1984 and continued to serve as an officer with the Brevard County Sheriff’s office before retiring in the spring of 2010. She has been a lifelong advocate of efforts to help those living with dementia and related illnesses.

Geri cared for several family members who all passed while receiving hospice services. Much like Hospice of St. Francis’ Founder Emilie Sasko, Geri recognized that those nearing the end of life need higher levels of care, compassion and understanding. After the loss of her second husband in 2018 Geri decided that she wanted to once again serve the community by volunteering with Hospice of St. Francis. Geri joined the volunteer team in March 2019 and over the past year has provided more than 150 hours of companionship to St. Francis’ patients.

Geri's empathetic heart and her ability to connect with her patients through emotion and feelings versus words are what make her a much-beloved Caregiver Relief Volunteer. Members of the care team have reported that patients’ faces radiate with emotion when Geri enters the room. Geri has the gift to meet patients where they are in their journey and foster a relationship that is filled with joy, love, and trust.

Each of our Volunteers bring their unique gifts and talents, using them to serve others. Hospice of St. Francis can never fully express the gratitude we feel for Geri and all of our Volunteers who so generously use their hearts and hands to bring comfort, compassion and joy to our patients. 

For more information about volunteering, please contact volunteer services at 321-269-4240 or email:  VolunteerServices@HospiceOfStFrancis.com.
FREE Student-Led
Tech Support Classes!

First Friday
of the month,
Viera High School
9 - 10 a.m.

 Report to the Front Office, ask for Ms. Kelly.

Bring the device you need help with.
VIERA HIGH SCHOOL
6103 STADIUM PARKWAY
VIERA, FL 32940
Monday, March 23, 2020
7:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Know a teacher, administrator, BPS staff member or Partner in Education making a difference in the lives of the children they serve? We want to hear about them! Tell us their story HERE.  
Is your member info.
up-to-date?

If you have recently changed your email or mailing address, please email changes to Sara Almond at: almond.sara@brevardschools.org .

Your information will be updated to ensure you continue to receive Legacy Club updates and opportunities.

Now that Legacy Club cards no longer have expiration dates they are not distributed on an annual basis.

If you are in need of a new card, or are transitioning from GOLD (ages 55-64) to PLATINUM (ages 65+) you may visit the front office of any BPS high school during school hours to obtain, or contact Sara .