November 27, 2023
`Tis the Season for Songs and Celebration!
Talented students from across the School District of Palm Beach County have been working hard in their music classes and arts programs to bring you some holiday cheer. Enjoy the 2023 Songs of the Season!
Superintendent’s Greeting Card Contest Winners Showcase Artistic Creativity and Holiday Joy
The talent and skill of student artists in the District were on display, as students submitted their entries into the annual Superintendent’s Greeting Card Contest. With guidance and support from the art teachers, more than 400 greeting card art designs were sent in, a record for the contest!

It was a tough decision for Superintendent Burke to choose from all of the artwork, given the record number of entries and the quality of submissions. Ultimately, three winners were selected, one student each from the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
It's the Season of Giving and Gratitude!
More than 330 staff members at John I. Leonard High School were treated to a wonderful Thanksgiving spread, thanks to support from Eat Better Live Better, and the generosity of Florida Power & Light. Eat Better, Live Better selected John I. Leonard from community-submitted nominations to receive turkeys for the school's entire staff.

Together with FPL, the school's football team, and student government members, they went door-to-door surprising teachers and staff members with the Thanksgiving treat.
This Thank a Teacher Leads by Example and Spreads Kindness Like Confetti
This week’s Thank a Teacher winner quotes a Whitney Houston song when talking about gratitude this Thanksgiving. Sophia Gayle is grateful for the parents at Carver Middle who send their children to school every day so she can “teach them well and let them lead the way.” Ms. Gayle received a $250 check from our sponsor, HCA Florida Healthcare!


Nominate an outstanding teacher at palmbeachschools.org/thankateacher
Meet the K9 Officers Who Keep Palm Beach County Schools Safe!
While there is at least one officer at each of Palm Beach County's 182 schools, there are eight K9 officers trained in various safety measures who are deployed across the district. Officer Teak Adams is a 10-year veteran of the school police department. His K9 Onessa, a 5-year-old German Shepherd, is trained in explosives detection.

“We are able to deploy and don’t have to rely on mutual aid or other departments to assist us," he said. Sgt. Curtis Riddick is the K9 supervisor for Palm Beach County School Police. He's worked with K9 Kash, which stands for "Kids Are Safe Here," since he was a puppy. “The kids are our future, and we have to make a difference in their lives,” he said.