October 2020
Florida Secondary Music Educator
of the Year One of Our Own
Laura Pinfield, String Specialist with Brevard Public Schools’ (BPS), was recently named the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Secondary Music Educator of the Year. A member of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra since 1988, Ms. Pinfield has also taught at more than 30 BPS schools throughout her 32 year career with the district.

“I am very honored to receive the 2021 Secondary Music Teacher of the Year Award from the Florida Music Education Association! BPS is a rich environment in which I have had the good fortune to develop my practice with creativity and freedom, while having abundant opportunities to learn from others through professional development,” said Ms. Pinfield.

West Shore Jr. Sr. High School’s Principal, Rick Fleming, commented on Ms. Pinfield’s passion and dedication for her students, “Her work is not simply a job - it is a way of life. Her compassion for kids is only rivaled by her extensive knowledge base. The patience and scaffolding she establishes within her classroom shows a deliberate commitment to growing confidence within her students. She is a true leader of learning, and her inspiration spreads throughout our entire school community.”

Ms. Pinfield’s passion for her craft has empowered students to become All-County and All-State performers, as well as music teachers and professional musicians. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance from the University of South Florida, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Central Florida. Currently, Ms. Pinfield provides in-person and virtual instruction to students at: West Shore Jr. Sr. High School, Johnson Middle School, and Creel, Croton, Harbor City, Roy Allen, Sabal and Sherwood Elementary Schools.

The Florida Music Education Association is a not-for-profit professional education association that serves and supports music education across Florida. FMEA publishes music education research, organizes professional development programs, and broadens teachers’ knowledge and interest in their profession through affiliation with colleagues.
Important Information on
the November 3rd Ballot!
Inform yourself and others on the impact the
half-cent sales surtax renewal could have on your community.
Lifelong Learning Class Offerings for Seniors through Brevard Adult Education

Brevard Adult Education wants to hear from you! They are expanding their Lifelong Learning Class offerings and want to know what classes YOU want to see offered.

This is a link to a brief survey for your input: https://app.surveymethods.com/EndUser.aspx?94B0DCC394D6C5C093
BPS Elementary School Students
Sending Art to Space
Students in Robin Guenther's STEAM lab at West Melbourne School for Science participated in a state-wide initiative "Dream Big Florida" to help spark students to visualize the future of life in space.

In class, students discussed the scientists and engineers that are imagining why humans need space and designing materials to use in space. The students learned about asteroid mining, mining on the moon, lunar power, and even learned about work underway to send people to Mars.

After learning about all the exciting engineering that is happening, students were introduced to the project and asked to imagine what we, as humans, would need space for, how would we get there, and what equipment would we need. Students were then asked to create postcards answering the question “Why do you think Earth needs space?”

The postcards will be flown to space and back on the upcoming launches of Blue Origin’s New Shepard reusable rocket. Once in space, the postcards will be mailed back to each student with a ‘Flown to Space’ postmark. 

When asked about this project, Ms. Guenther said " As a teacher, the most exciting part of this endeavor is to see the students excited about learning and allowing their creativity to soar as they imagine the future that they most definitely will be an important part of". 
Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch – Linked with Limulus
with
Holly Abeels
Lunch & Learn Webinar
Tuesday, October 6th, 2020
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Legacy Club Cards
Two years ago the decision was made to remove expiration dates from Legacy Club cards so members would not have to worry about renewing each school year.

If your current Legacy Club card has no expiration date, you have the most recent edition, and do not need to renew.

If you have a Gold Legacy card (55-64), but are now age 65 or older, please contact Sara Almond at almond.sara@brevardschools.org to receive an updated card in the mail. Or, you may visit the front office of any BPS high school to obtain a new card.