January News from the Library of Congress

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January 2021

  • January 15, 2021  (21-001)

    Library of Congress Accepting Applications for 2021 Literacy Awards Until March 5 Applications are being accepted for the 2021 Library of Congress Literacy Awards from Jan. 15 to March 5. The awards are made possible through the generosity of philanthropist David M. Rubenstein.The Literacy Awards — established by the Library of Congress and Rubenstein — were first conferred in 2013 to honor and support organizations working to promote literacy both in the United States and abroad….

    • Date: 2021-01-15

December 2020

  • December 21, 2020  (20-083)

    Library of Congress Opens Award Nominations for Outstanding Federal Libraries, Librarians, Technicians To honor the innovations and successes of federal libraries, librarians and library technicians in meeting the information demands of government, businesses, scholarly communities and the public, the Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) in the Library of Congress has opened nominations for its national awards for federal librarianship in fiscal year 2020.For nomination materials, visit the awards section of the FEDLINK website or send…

    • Date: 2020-12-21

  • December 18, 2020  (20-086)

    Library of Congress Announces 2021 Librarians-in-Residence Program The Library of Congress has announced the 2021 Librarians-in-Residence program to offer early career librarians the opportunity to develop their expertise and contribute to building, stewarding and sharing the institution’s vast collections. Applications for the program will be accepted from Dec. 18, 2020 to Jan. 22, 2021.The Library will select up to seven applicants for a six-month residency to begin in June 2021. The…

    • Date: 2020-12-18

  • December 17, 2020  (20-085)

    Library of Congress Completes Digitization of 23 Early Presidential Collections The Library of Congress has completed a more than two decade-long initiative to digitize the papers of nearly two dozen early presidents. The Library holds the papers of 23 presidents from George Washington to Calvin Coolidge, all of which have been digitized and are now available online.The Library plans to highlight each presidential collection on social media in the weeks leading up to the…

    • Date: 2020-12-17

  • December 16, 2020  (20-084)

    Library of Congress Appoints New Chief of Researcher and Reference Services Division The Library of Congress has appointed Dennis Clark as chief of the Researcher and Reference Services Division. Clark brings more than 22 years’ experience as an administrator and librarian to the Library, where he will lead public research services, onsite and online user engagement and the development of the majority of the 30 million items in the Library’s General Collections.Clark has been responsible for…

    • Date: 2020-12-16

  • December 15, 2020  (20-087)

    Copyright Office Launches Copyright Public Records System Pilot The U.S. Copyright Office today launched a public pilot of its new Copyright Public Records System (CPRS), which has been developed from the ground up to provide easier access and a stronger user interface for copyright records, including registrations, recordation, and other data. The new public record portal is the first component of the Enterprise Copyright System (ECS) to be openly released.Designed using extensive…

    • Date: 2020-12-15

  • December 14, 2020  (20-082)

    National Film Registry Spotlights Diverse Filmmakers in New Selections Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today the annual selection of 25 of America’s most influential motion pictures to be inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. These films range from the innovative silent film “Suspense,” which was co-directed by a woman in 1913, and Sidney Poitier’s Oscar-winning performance in 1963’s “Lilies of the Field” to the 1978 mega-hit musical…

    • Date: 2020-12-14

  • December 8, 2020  (20-081)

    GPO and Library of Congress Release Ten Years of Legislative Data on Govinfo The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) in partnership with the Library of Congress, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate has released 10 additional years of bill status XML bulk data on govinfo. Bill status information, created by the Library of Congress and Congress, describes the activities and status steps for each legislative measure. The original project started at the direction of the House…

    • Date: 2020-12-08

  • December 3, 2020  (20-080)

    Library Awards Bobbitt Poetry Prizes to Terrance Hayes and Natasha Trethewey The Library of Congress will award the 2020 Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry to Terrance Hayes, for his book “American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin,” and to former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey for lifetime achievement.The poets will receive their honors during a virtual ceremony Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. ET on the Library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/libraryofcongress and…

    • Date: 2020-12-03

  • December 2, 2020  (20-079)

    Dwight D. Opperman Foundation Gives $1M to Reimagine Visitor Experience at Library of Congress The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation is donating $1 million to reimagine and enhance the visitor experience at the Library of Congress with a new orientation gallery, exhibitions and learning lab, the Library announced today.The Phoenix-based foundation’s donation to support design and construction of the Library’s visitor experience is one of several major gifts to the project in 2020 and was announced just after Giving…

    • Date: 2020-12-02

November 2020

  • November 24, 2020  (20-078)

    Behind the Book, a New Event Series, Takes Public Inside the World of American Publishing If you have ever wondered how a book goes from rough manuscript to published masterpiece and an author from obscurity to fame, then a new series of programs from the Library of Congress is just for you.The new series, Behind the Book, provides a behind-the-scenes view of the world of American book publishing — the editors, designers, publicists, agents and publishers who make the…

    • Date: 2020-11-24

  • November 19, 2020  (20-075)

    Joy Harjo Appointed to Third Term as U.S. Poet Laureate Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has announced the appointment of U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo to a third term, making Harjo the second laureate to receive this extension since terms for the position were established in 1943.Harjo’s third term, to begin in September 2021, will offer her an opportunity to complete projects and programs whose timelines continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,…

    • Date: 2020-11-19

  • November 18, 2020  (20-074)

    Library Seeks Applicants for the 2021 Junior Fellows Summer Internship Program The Library of Congress is seeking applicants for its next Junior Fellows Summer Internship Program, which will run from May 24 – July 30, 2021. This 10-week paid internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning and conducting research at the largest library in the world. For the second year in a row, the internship will be conducted virtually. The deadline…

    • Date: 2020-11-18

  • November 18, 2020  (20-076)

    Library of Congress, National Park Service Announce 2020 Holland Prize Winner The Library of Congress and the National Park Service announced today that the 2020 Leicester B. Holland Prize will be presented to an architectural team at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, led by Guy W. Carwile, architect emeritus and the Ken Hollis endowed professor of the School of Design. The prize honors an outstanding historic building, structure or landscape drawing.The top prize was…

    • Date: 2020-11-18

  • November 18, 2020  (20-077)

    Ron Howard and J.D. Vance to Discuss “Hillbilly Elegy” with Librarian of Congress The Library of Congress and Netflix will host a conversation on Monday, Nov. 23, with film director Ron Howard and J.D. Vance, author of “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” moderated by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden to discuss the creative process of bringing the book to the screen with the release of the new film, “Hillbilly Elegy.”The event…

    • Date: 2020-11-18

  • November 10, 2020  (20-073)

    Library to Host Experts on Mapping COVID-19 Pandemic for GIS Day 2020 The Library of Congress will mark GIS Day on Nov. 18 with special programs featuring geographic information science professionals and analysts who are documenting the outbreak of COVID-19.For cartographers and epidemiologists tracking the spread, evolution and mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as the distribution of a potential vaccine and personal protective equipment, the outbreak of COVID-19 has presented a geospatial analysis challenge…

    • Date: 2020-11-10

October 2020

  • October 30, 2020  (20-072)

    Veterans History Project Celebrates 20th Anniversary Year with Online Concerts, Panels, Nov. 6-14 The Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP) will host a series of musical performances and discussion panels to inspire conversations around the collection as both an archival resource and a diverse repository of veterans’ experiences — a mission it has met for the past 20 years. The events will premiere on the Veterans History Project’s Facebook page: facebook.com/vetshistoryproject.Friday, Nov. 6Barbara Martin, 8 p.m.The…

    • Date: 2020-10-30

  • October 29, 2020  (20-071)

    Making Our Mark: 2021 Innovator in Residence to Focus on Creative Notetaking The strike-throughs, underlines, doodles, and marginalia made by historical figures in their personal papers at the Library of Congress give researchers a more intimate sense of who they were. These markings sometimes shed light on the story of how a work was made or received. Researchers can understand more about the creative process, opinions and musings of people throughout the centuries by understanding these…

    • Date: 2020-10-29

  • October 28, 2020  (20-070)

    U.S. ISSN Center To Launch New ISSN Request System On Monday, Nov. 23, the Library’s U.S. ISSN Center will launch ISSN Uplink, a new application and tracking system for International Standard Serial Numbers. The current system will close on Friday, Nov. 6 to support a smooth transition to the new system. Publishers and others who need ISSN will benefit from the new request process, which will be completely online. Applications submitted after Nov….

    • Date: 2020-10-28

  • October 26, 2020  (20-069)

    Law Library of Congress Signs Preservation Steward Agreement with Government Publishing Office The Law Library of Congress has signed an agreement with the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) to become a preservation steward. Through the agreement, the Law Library of Congress will preserve its collection of the daily Congressional Record and Federal Register, which are produced by GPO.To help libraries meet the needs of efficient government document stewardship in the digital era, GPO has established preservation…

    • Date: 2020-10-26

  • October 20, 2020  (20-068)

    Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film Awarded to “Hold Your Fire,” Directed by Stefan Forbes The Better Angels Society, the Library of Congress, and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation today announced that the second annual Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film has been awarded to “Hold Your Fire,” a new film directed by Stefan Forbes (“Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story”). The film will receive a $200,000 finishing grant to assist with post-production costs.Produced by Amir Soltani…

    • Date: 2020-10-20

  • October 16, 2020  (20-067)

    New Virtual Student Workshops Offer Opportunity to Engage with Library’s Collections at Home The Library of Congress is now offering virtual student workshops to engage young learners during an unprecedented school year. A new set of virtual workshops, available for students in grades three through eight, offer an opportunity to explore the Library’s exhibitions, collections and architecture from home.“The Library has long been an outstanding resource for teachers through its Teaching with Primary Sources Program. Now as…

    • Date: 2020-10-16

  • October 8, 2020  (20-066)

September 2020

  • September 22, 2020  (20-063)

    Citizen DJ Music-Mixing App to Launch at National Book Festival The Library’s Citizen DJ project will officially launch at the 2020 National Book Festival with the premiere of original sounds created by youth across America. At the virtual festival, DJ Kid Koala will spin some of these original beats and be joined in discussion with young adults, community educators and Innovator in Residence Brian Foo about hip-hop, history and their creative process. This summer,…

    • Date: 2020-09-22

  • September 21, 2020  (20-064)

    Librarian of Congress Appoints Shira Perlmutter Register of Copyrights Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced her selection of Shira Perlmutter as the 14th Register of Copyrights.“I am pleased to announce that Shira Perlmutter will serve as the 14th United States Register of Copyrights,” said Hayden. “Shira brings to this role a deep knowledge of domestic and international copyright law and policy and a background in negotiating international intellectual property agreements. She has…

    • Date: 2020-09-21

  • September 18, 2020  (20-062)

    Hispanic Heritage Month Events at the Library of Congress To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, various divisions throughout the Library of Congress will host virtual events and digital features, including National Book Festival highlights and the pre-recorded 2020 Américas Awards. Friday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 27 – National Book Festival Sunday, Sept. 6 p.m. EST; PBS stations (check local listings)The National Book Festival occurs during…

    • Date: 2020-09-18

  • September 17, 2020  (20-061)

    National Book Festival Features a Day of Programming for Schools, Children and Teens at Home The Library of Congress National Book Festival will present a robust lineup of live and recorded programming featuring all-star authors for schools and young audiences at home on Friday, Sept. 25. Video interviews with popular authors of books for children and young adults, as well as two 1-hour video specials, will be available for on-demand viewing starting at 9 a.m. ET on the festival…

    • Date: 2020-09-17

  • September 15, 2020  (20-060)

    Library of Congress Launches New Tool to Search Historical Newspaper Images The public can now explore more than 1.5 million historical newspaper images online and free of charge. The latest machine learning experience from Library of Congress Labs, Newspaper Navigator allows users to search visual content in American newspapers dating 1789-1963.The user begins by entering a keyword that returns a selection of photos. Then the user can choose photos to search against, allowing the discovery…

    • Date: 2020-09-15

  • September 10, 2020  (20-058)

    Library of Congress Announces Winners of the 2020 Literacy Awards Five organizations working to expand literacy and promote reading will be awarded the 2020 Library of Congress Literacy Awards, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today.Top prizes are being awarded to The Immigrant Learning Center, The International Rescue Committee, Inc. – Pakistan Reading Project, the National Center for Families Learning, Pratham Books and Room to Read. The Literacy Awards, originated by David M. Rubenstein…

    • Date: 2020-09-10

  • September 8, 2020  (20-059)

    Library of Congress Welcomes Albert Einstein Fellow for New School Year The Library of Congress has welcomed Peter DeCraene as its newest Albert Einstein Distinguished Education Fellow. DeCraene will work closely with the Library’s Learning and Innovation Office to make primary sources from the Library’s collections more accessible for teachers throughout the United States.“We have been on a mission for the past few years to demonstrate the value of primary sources across the curriculum and…

    • Date: 2020-09-08

  • September 2, 2020  (20-057)

    Library of Congress Appoints New Chief of Serial and Government Publications Division The Library of Congress has appointed Deborah Thomas as chief of the Serial and Government Publications Division. Thomas brings more than 20 years’ expertise working with digital collections and coordinating several of the Library’s signature programs. She has served as acting chief of the division since December 2019.Since joining the Library in 1998, Thomas has held numerous positions as an expert in the digital…

    • Date: 2020-09-02

August 2020

  • August 27, 2020  (20-056)

    American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress Launches Podcast ‘America Works’ The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress is bringing the voices of workers throughout the country to listeners with “America Works,” a new podcast series that celebrates the diversity and tenacity of the American workforce during a time of economic crisis and transition.Each 10-minute episode of “America Works” introduces listeners to an individual worker whose first-person narrative adds to the wealth of…

    • Date: 2020-08-27

  • August 25, 2020  (20-055)

    Annual ‘Concerts from the Library of Congress’ Season Announced The Library of Congress will continue its longstanding tradition of displaying America’s rich and diverse musical heritage during the 2020-2021 season of “Concerts from the Library of Congress.” The upcoming season will feature conversations with artists, performances of Library-commissioned work by Michael Abels, James Lee III and Igor Santos, and a festival titled “(Re)Hearing Beethoven.”Consistent with social distancing and safety protocols in response to…

    • Date: 2020-08-25

  • August 19, 2020  (20-053)

    Library of Congress Honors Oklahoma City and San Francisco Libraries for Service to Print-Disabled Readers The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) at the Library of Congress announced today that it will honor two of its cooperating libraries for their outstanding service to readers who are visually or physically disabled.The Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, received the Regional Library of the Year Award. The Talking Books and Braille…

    • Date: 2020-08-19

  • August 12, 2020  (20-054)

    PBS to Broadcast Television Special Featuring Library of Congress National Book Festival The 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival will include two new entry points for audiences across the country for the first time — a national television special on PBS stations and an interactive experience online for the festival’s 20th year.PBS stations will broadcast “The Library of Congress National Book Festival: Celebrating American Ingenuity,” a two-hour program featuring some of the nation’s most renowned…

    • Date: 2020-08-12

  • August 11, 2020  (20-052)

    Library Hosts Public Forum on Congress.gov Improvements and Priorities On Thursday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon EST, the Library of Congress will host a virtual public forum focused on public access to legislative information through Congress.gov. This event will provide an update on improvements to Congress.gov, which is the authoritative repository of U.S. congressional data, and the Library’s role in providing access to legislative information. The forum will also give Congress.gov…

    • Date: 2020-08-11

  • August 6, 2020  (20-051)

    Two Major Gifts to Reimagine Visitor Experience and Enhance Photography Collections at Library of Congress A major gift by Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation in Los Angeles will support the effort to reimagine the visitor experience at the Library of Congress. The foundation also announced that it is donating 1,000 photographic prints by about 250 contemporary photographers from its Annenberg Space for Photography exhibitions to the national library’s collections.The Library is pursuing a multi-year plan to transform the…

    • Date: 2020-08-06

  • August 3, 2020  (20-049)

    Library of Congress Appoints New Chief of African and Middle Eastern Division The Library of Congress has appointed Lanisa Kitchiner as chief of the African and Middle Eastern Division. Kitchiner brings more than 18 years’ experience as an administrator of cultural institutions and an academic mobilizing knowledge around Africa’s cultural and historical ties to the Middle East.Kitchiner most recently served as director of education and scholarly initiatives at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art…

    • Date: 2020-08-03

  • August 3, 2020  (20-050)

July 2020

  • July 24, 2020  (20-048)

    Library of Congress National Book Festival Announces Full Author Lineup The 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival will connect with audiences across the country for an interactive, online celebration of “American Ingenuity” for the festival’s 20th year, featuring new books by more than 120 of the nation’s most-renowned writers, poets and artists. The festival will also showcase the many ways our national library embraces all subjects in its unparalleled collection.During the weekend of…

    • Date: 2020-07-24

  • July 13, 2020  (20-046)

    2020 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction to be Awarded to Colson Whitehead Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today that Colson Whitehead, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novels “The Nickel Boys” and “The Underground Railroad,” will receive the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction during the 2020 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 25-27.Whitehead, 50, is the youngest person to receive the Library’s fiction award for his lifetime of work.“Colson Whitehead’s work is…

    • Date: 2020-07-13

  • July 9, 2020  (20-047)

June 2020

  • June 24, 2020  (20-044)

    Library of Congress FEDLINK Awards Recognize Federal Library Community The Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) has announced the winners of its national awards for federal librarianship, which recognize the many innovative ways that federal libraries, librarians and library technicians fulfill the information demands of the government, business, and scholarly communities and the American public.Federal libraries and staff throughout the United States and abroad competed for the awards. The Fiscal Year 2019 winners…

    • Date: 2020-06-24

  • June 24, 2020  (20-045)

    Library of Congress Announces 2020 Homegrown Concert Series: Homegrown at Home The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress will present traditional music and dance from a variety of folk cultures thriving in the United States and around the world in a new online concert series each Wednesday through September.This year’s Homegrown summer concert series, “Homegrown at Home,” is being presented in a new online format, consistent with social distancing and safety practices in…

    • Date: 2020-06-24

  • June 22, 2020  (20-043)

    Library of Congress to Award Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity to Danielle Allen Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today that Danielle Allen, director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics and the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, will receive the 2020 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity.Allen will collaborate with the Library on an initiative she has designed, titled “Our Common Purpose—A Campaign for Civic Strength at…

    • Date: 2020-06-22

  • June 17, 2020  (20-042)

    Library & Copyright Office Host Forum on Copyright Modernization On Thursday, July 16, at 10 am ET, the Library of Congress Office of the Chief Information Officer and the U.S. Copyright Office will host a virtual public forum on Copyright Office IT modernization. The purpose of Copyright Office IT modernization is to ensure that the creative community and other copyright users have a nimble, state-of-the-art, and efficient IT system at their service. This…

    • Date: 2020-06-17

  • June 11, 2020  (20-041)

    Librarian Appoints Joe Cappello to Serve as Chief Human Capital Officer Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced today that Joe Cappello has been selected to serve as the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) for the Library of Congress, effective immediately. Cappello has been the acting CHCO since January.“The Library’s employees are our greatest strength, so I am delighted that Joe Cappello will lead our Human Capital Directorate, because I know he is as committed to…

    • Date: 2020-06-11

  • June 10, 2020  (20-040)

    Library of Congress Cancels Public Events Until September 1 The Library of Congress announced today that it will cancel all scheduled public events at the Library until Sept. 1 as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 coronavirus. Whenever possible, the Library will reschedule the public programs that have been canceled. We will also provide regular public updates on the operating status of Library facilities.Library of Congress buildings…

    • Date: 2020-06-10

May 2020

  • May 29, 2020  (20-038)

    Library of Congress Commissions 10 New Works of Music in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic The Library of Congress will premiere a series of 10 commissions of new music from composers across America in The Boccaccio Project, inspired by a similar literary effort in the mid-14th century by Giovanni Boccaccio.The new commissions will premiere on the Library’s website and social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube on weekdays from June 15 to June 26, and the commission manuscripts…

    • Date: 2020-05-29

  • May 28, 2020  (20-036)

    Library of Congress Welcomes Junior Fellows to 2020 Summer Intern Program The Library of Congress today announced the appointment of 40 undergraduate and graduate students to its highly competitive Junior Fellows summer intern program. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program will be conducted virtually.This year’s Junior Fellows program, which runs from May 26 to July 31, includes 27 special projects across divisions of the Library of Congress. The program will expose the Junior…

    • Date: 2020-05-28

Source

BCPS Superintendent Robert W. Runcie Holds Media Briefing Today, Tuesday, January 19

January 19, 2021

WHO:                
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent Robert W. Runcie

WHAT:              
Media Briefing to provide update on several topics, including teacher accommodations, student achievement, social distancing in schools, and COVID-19 vaccinations for teachers and school personnel. 

WHEN:              
Today, Tuesday, January 19, 2021
3:45 p.m.                                       

WHERE:           
Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center, Boardroom

600 S.E. Third Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
The media briefing will be live streamed at https://www.becon.tv/newsconference.

                                         

MEDIA IS INVITED TO COVER THIS EVENT

 

###

ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”  

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has nearly 261,500 students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools.com and download the free BCPS mobile app.  

Source

First confirmed case of COVID-19 found in U.S.

Following a rapid spread from its origin in Wuhan, China, the first U.S. case of the 2019 novel coronavirus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, is confirmed in a man from Washington state. 

The virus, which would spark a pandemic, was first reported in China on December 31, 2019. Halfway across the world, on January 19, a man who had returned home to Snohomish County, Washington near Seattle on January 15, after traveling to Wuhan, checked into an urgent care clinic after seeing reports about the outbreak.

Experiencing a cough, fever, nausea and vomiting, the Centers for Disease Control announced on January 21 that the 35-year-old had tested positive for COVID-19. He was hospitalized, where his condition grew worse and he developed pneumonia. His symptoms abated 10 days later.

In the following months, the Seattle area became the epicenter of an early U.S. outbreak. 39 residents of Life Care Center, a nursing home in Kirkland, died from complications from the virus in one four-week span.

According to the CDC, 14 U.S. coronavirus cases were noted by public health agencies between January 21 and February 23, 2020; all patients had traveled to China. The first non-travel case was confirmed in California on February 26, and the first U.S. death was reported on February 29.

As the virus quickly marched across the country, businesses, schools and social gatherings were largely shut down, while, by May, unemployment rates reached their highest levels since the Great Depression.

Spreading to almost every country, more than 83 million have contracted the virus worldwide, and 1.8 million have died from it. The first U.S. vaccinations for COVID-19 were administered on December 14, 2020, with the rollout falling well short of expectations. As of mid-January 2021, 24.1 million cases and 400,000 deaths had been reported in the United States alone. 

READ MORE: Pandemics That Changed History 

Source

Broward County Public Schools Spring 2021 Education Plan Approved by Florida Department of Education

December 31, 2020

The Florida Department of Education has approved Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Spring 2021 Education Plan that will be implemented at the start of the second semester on Monday, January 11, 2021.

Under the approved plan, the District will continue to offer in-person, full-time instruction at all campuses five days a week. Required wearing of masks and extensive COVID-19 cleaning and sanitizing protocols are in place to maximize student and teacher safety. Data from contact tracing and consultation with public health experts have shown that these measures have been effective in limiting the spread of the virus in schools.

Parents and guardians can choose in-person learning at school or virtual learning at-home (eLearning). Child(ren) participating in virtual learning at-home who are not making adequate academic progress will be encouraged to return to the classroom so they can engage directly with teachers for a traditional learning experience. Parents and guardians of students who are not making adequate academic progress, and who choose not to return their child(ren) to on-campus learning, will be required to submit a written acknowledgement of the recommendation and their decision to decline.

Starting in January, the District will provide additional academic support to close achievement gaps – including extra instructional time outside of school, targeted outreach to specific students who need assistance in reading and mathematics, and support for students who are transitioning from eLearning back to the classroom.

The District will continue to locate vulnerable students, including those experiencing homelessness, who have had limited or no contact with their school and will focus on reengaging them in school to continue their education. Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and kindergarten eligible students will also be identified and engaged through an educational outreach campaign.

Support for teachers and school leaders will include ongoing professional development opportunities, teacher assistance to help support students both at home and in school, and enhanced technology with professional development provided for teachers throughout the year. The recently purchased Poly Studio Video Bars with built in cameras and microphones delivers a new technology tool for teachers and improved experience for students.

The complete BCPS Spring 2021 Education Plan is available at www.browardschools.com/Spring2021EdPlan.
Additional Semester 2 information for parents and guardians will be distributed on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

### 

 

ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS  

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”   

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has nearly 261,500 students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools.com and download the free BCPS mobile app. 

Source

Martin Luther King, Jr. is jailed; writes “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”

On April 3, 1963, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his Southern Christian Leadership Conference and their partners in the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights led a campaign of protests, marches and sit-ins against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. By April 12, King was in prison along with many of his fellow activists. While imprisoned, King penned an open letter now known as his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a full-throated defense of the Birmingham protest campaign that is now regarded as one of the greatest texts of the civil rights movement.

On April 12, Good Friday, King and dozens of his fellow protestors were arrested for continuing to demonstrate in the face of an injunction obtained by Commissioner of Public Safety Theophilus Eugene “Bull” Connor. Connor, who had just lost the mayoral election, remains one of the most notorious pro-segregationists in American history thanks to the brutal methods his forces employed against the Birmingham protestors that summer. The man who had won the election, Albert Boutwell, was also a segregationist, and he was one of many who accused “outsiders”—he clearly meant King—of stirring up trouble in Birmingham. As he sat in a solitary jail cell without even a mattress to sleep on, King began to pen a response to his critics on some scraps of paper.

The resulting letter was addressed to “Fellow Clergymen” who had criticized the protest campaign. King first dispensed with the idea that a preacher from Atlanta was too much of an “outsider” to confront bigotry in Birmingham, saying, “I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” While stressing the importance of non-violence, he rejected the idea that his movement was acting too fast or too dramatically: “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was ‘well timed’ in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation.” King also advocated for violating unjust laws and urged that believers in organized religion “[break] loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity.” All told, the lengthy letter constituted a defense of nonviolent protest, a call to push the issue of civil rights, and a rallying cry for fence-sitters to join the fight, even if it meant that they, too, might end up in jail.

The worst of Connor’s brutalities came after the letter was written, but the Birmingham campaign succeeded in drawing national attention to the horrors of segregation. The United Auto Workers paid King’s $160,000 bail, and he was released from jail on April 20. Four months later, King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, regarded by many as the high-water mark of his movement. The following year, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which guaranteed voting rights to minorities and outlawed segregation and racial discrimination in all places of public accommodation. 

READ MORE ABOUT MLK:

10 Things You May Not Know About Martin Luther King, Jr
For Martin Luther King, Jr., Nonviolent Protest Never Meant ‘Wait and See’
The Fight for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

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BCPS School-Related Employee of the Year Finalists Announced

January 12, 2021

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) announces the 2021 Caliber Awards School-Related Employee of the Year finalists. The award recognizes outstanding education support personnel for the significant contributions they make to students and families across the District.  

This year’s five finalists include a senior data analyst, paraprofessional, micro tech specialist, and two office managers, who have gone above and beyond to ensure BCPS students have the best education experience possible. Their commitment, contribution and support are essential to the overall success of schools and students.   

The 2021 Caliber Awards School-Related Employee of the Year will be named at the Caliber Awards Ceremony, which recognizes the District’s outstanding teachers, principals, assistant principals and school-related employees.   

Congratulations to the 2021 Caliber Awards School-Related Employee of the Year finalists: 

Leigh Kamens is a senior data analyst in the Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness Division, where she is responsible for all data that establishes the risk profile for the District related to safety and security. Kamens, who describes herself as “a go-getter who gets things done,” has played an integral role in advancing a safer environment for students and staff across the District.  

“Ms. Kamens is willing to take on any project or task needed to advance a safer environment for our students and staff,” said Brian Katz, Chief Safety and Security Officer. “Without equivocation, she has helped to build the District’s newest division from the ground up.”  

Susan May is the confidential office manager at Cresthaven Elementary School, where she has served 24 of her 35 years with the District. “My elementary school experiences have brought me a life of pleasure serving the community and watching children grow and develop,” exclaimed May. “Over the past 35 years, I’ve tried to take every opportunity to boost each child’s confidence and belief in him or herself.” 

Cresthaven Elementary Principal Donald Lee said, “Mrs. May has a unique way of bringing humor, comfort and warmth to any situation. She is caring, creative and dedicated to our students and parents alike.” 

Nancy Richards is a paraprofessional at Falcon Cove Middle School, where she has served all her 14 years with the District. “During my 14 years at Falcon Cove, I have worn a number of different hats to support the school,” said Richards. “I love what I’m doing, and I’m extremely dedicated to my job. I especially love working with students and parents in supporting them to be as successful as possible.” 

“Mrs. Richards is a consummate professional who stays current in educational trends and continuing education opportunities to best serve her students,” said Falcon Cove Middle Principal Steven Carruth. “She truly makes our school a better place to work and learn for everyone involved.” 

Jacqueline Sanchez is a micro tech specialist at Griffin Elementary School, where she has served her 21 years in the District. In addition to managing and maintaining the school’s computers and digital equipment and providing eLearning support, Sanchez assumed the role of sponsor of Griffin’s Eco Patrol and has worked with students eager to learn about their environment. “I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to combine my passion for the environment with working with students to promote environmental literacy,” said Sanchez. 

Griffin Elementary Intern Principal Thomas Nordstrom said, “Mrs. Sanchez is an integral part of the school and without her, Griffin Elementary would not have the programs and technology that students are able to benefit from and participate in yearly. She is viewed as a leader.”  

Sandra Sunkins is the office manager at Hollywood Central Elementary School, where she has served for 31 of her 32 years with the District. From breakfast to transportation, incentives to supplies, Sunkins ensures students have everything they need to perform each day. “My greatest contribution is the sum of all my roles – to help children grow and feel safe,” she said. “That is the best feeling.” 

Hollywood Central Elementary Principal Delicia Decembert said, “Mrs. Sunkins is the perfect symbol of dedication and the epitome of what it means to be a champion of children and the village it takes to make them successful. She is highly respected and well-liked.” 

The Caliber Awards presenting sponsor is BrightStar Credit Union. Supporting Caliber Awards sponsors include Aetna, Broward Principals’ and Assistants’ Association (BPAA), Broward Teachers Union, Herff Jones, JetBlue, Nova Southeastern University – Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, and Sunshine After School Child Care, Inc.  

For more information about the 2021 Caliber Awards, visit browardschools.com/caliber-awards

 

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS  

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”   

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has nearly 261,500 students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools.com and download the free BCPS mobile app. 

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BCPS High School Federal Graduation Rate Increases to 89%

January 8, 2021 

BCPS High School Federal Graduation Rate Increases to 89% Broward County Public Schools’ (BCPS) graduation rate for the 2019/20 school year is its highest since the graduation baseline was established in 2011. The Federal Graduation Rate  (includes traditional high schools, centers and charter schools) for BCPS increased to 89.4%, which is nearly 18 percentage points higher than in 2010/11. The graduation rate for traditional District high schools only (excludes centers and charter schools) increased 2 percentage points to 97.1% in 2019/20, compared to the prior year.

Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, state assessments were not administered in the 2019/20 school year. High school seniors who had not yet met the state’s high-stakes testing graduation assessment criteria were exempted by the state from meeting those specific requirements. All other requirements for graduation still had to be met to earn a diploma.

Additional highlights:

  • BCPS 2019/20 Federal Graduation Rate of 89.4% is the highest since the Federal Uniform Graduation Rate was adopted in 2010/11 and marks an increase of 3 percentage points from 2018/19 (86.2%).
  • Graduation rates increased among the following subgroups compared to 2018/19: Black or African American students (86.5%, a 4.9 percentage point increase), Hispanic students (90.0%, a 3.1 percentage point increase) and white students (92.4%, a 0.8 percentage point increase). 
  • Graduation rate gaps narrowed in 2019/20 for the following:
    • Black or African American students narrowed the gap with white students by 4 percentage points to a 5.9 percentage point difference. This steady improvement reflects the narrowest gap since 2011/12.
    • The gap for English Language Learners (ELL) and non-ELL students narrowed by 10.8 percentage points to 2.8, one percentage point difference.
  • 34 of 35 traditional District high schools, Career Technical Centers and Broward Virtual School achieved a graduation rate of 90% or higher; with 30 of these schools reaching a graduation rate at or above 95%.
  • 5 District high schools earned 100% graduation rates: College Academy at Broward College, Hallandale High School, Lauderhill 6-12, McFatter Technical High School and Sheridan Technical High School. 
  • Coconut Creek High School and Hallandale High School achieved the largest graduation rate increases from the previous year, each increasing by 7 percentage points.

“These graduation rates are a testament to the work of our students and educators,” said BCPS Superintendent Robert W. Runcie.  “Our efforts resulted in higher graduation rates overall and across all demographic groups. This reflects our Strategic Plan’s focus on reaching for both excellence and equity. Given the extraordinary circumstances during last school year due to the pandemic, we’re proud of the commitment of these students to their education and the efforts of the teachers, counselors and administrators that supported them.”

For more information about the state’s graduation rates, visit http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7584/urlt/GradRates1920.pdf.

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”  

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has nearly 261,500 students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools.com and download the free BCPS mobile app.

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News Conference to Provide Update for Balancing Operational Priorities for Second Semester

January 8, 2021

WHO:
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert W. Runcie and District Staff

WHAT:
Superintendent Runcie will discuss how the District will balance concern for teachers’ health conditions, students who are struggling academically and emotionally, and the effectiveness in limiting the transmission of coronavirus in our schools.

WHEN:
Friday, January 8, 2021
12:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center
Boardroom (1st floor)
600 S.E. Third Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

News conference will be livestreamed at www.becon.tv/pressconference.

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth-largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. The District is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962 and has nearly 261,000 pre-K-12th grade students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers, and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow on Twitter @browardschools and Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app. 

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BCPS Awarded More Than $1.9 Million in Federal Grants Related to School Safety and Security

January 7, 2021

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has been awarded three grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to support the District’s ongoing focus on safety and security measures Districtwide. The funding from these grants – with a combined total of more than $1.9 million – will assist with providing increased mental health services for students, violence prevention, enhanced emergency communications and threat assessments.

The BCPS Grants Administration Department worked with the Division of Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Student Support Initiatives & Recovery Division to obtain the following grants:

 

  • S. Department of Justice – STOP School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program: Awards the District approximately $700,000 to improve school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond to, and deter acts of violence. Through this grant, BCPS plans to expand the Sandy Hook Promise Start with Hello and Say Something programs to include every secondary school and the surrounding communities. The funds will help provide additional school violence prevention training sessions for teachers and school personnel, violence prevention and awareness education sessions for students, and additional training opportunities for parents, family and community members concerning violence prevention techniques.

    The grant will also assist with establishing SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Clubs at 25 additional schools and allow BCPS to partner with Lauren’s Kids Foundation to deliver the Safer, Smarter Schools safety and abuse prevention curriculum to third fourth, and fifth grade students in 27 elementary schools. SAVE Promise Clubs are established and led by students and are a powerful approach to preventing violence because they recognize the unique role young people play in making their schools and communities safer. These programs provide an opportunity for students to show their leadership, creativity and interest in protecting their friends, schools and communities from violence before it happens.

 

  • S. Department of Justice – STOP School Violence Technology and Threat Assessment Solutions for Safer Schools Grant: Provides approximately $700,000 in funding to further enhance the District’s threat assessment and intervention teams. Threat assessment teams design processes to identify and evaluate threats before they materialize, increase collaboration with local law enforcement, and train students, school personnel and School Resource Officers on new threat assessment procedures. Additionally, BCPS will use the funds to develop informational materials in support of a Districtwide campaign to help students, staff and families recognize potential threats and understand the necessary steps to take when threats are identified.

 

These enhanced threat assessment procedures will help the District efficiently identify potential risks to students and coordinate with law enforcement agencies to make schools safer.

 

  • S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) – School Violence Prevention Program: The COPS School Violence Prevention Program provides funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based safety programs. BCPS is receiving $500,000 for a three-year program to replace the District’s outdated visitor and volunteer management system, as well as to train staff on the use of the new system. The new visitor and volunteer management system will enhance the District’s capabilities to screen visitors in real time and will integrate with future safety and security systems and measures to provide a safer environment for students and staff. 

    As part of the District’s multi-layer approach to school safety and security – upon entering a school’s single point of entry, visitors will be asked to present official identification, such as a driver’s license, for screening through the system. The new system will improve the District’s access to public data when conducting visitor screening and will eventually include self-service kiosks that will facilitate an improved check-in process for visitors. This provides an additional layer of safety for our students and staff.    

 

For more information on the District’s Division of Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness, visit browardschools.com/Page/51934.

 

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS  

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”    

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth-largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. The District is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962 and has nearly 261,000 pre-K-12th grade students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers, and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow on Twitter @browardschools and Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app. 

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BCPS Hosts Legislative Delegation Members to Discuss Legislative Priorities

January 5, 2021

Meeting Includes Discussion on Impacts on the District Due to COVID-19

 

WHO:                
Broward County School Board Members, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Superintendent and Members of the Broward Legislative Delegation

WHAT:              
BCPS hosts the annual Joint Delegation Meeting, which provides an opportunity for School Board members to discuss their state legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session with Broward County state senators and representatives. Topics include addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools, ranging from state funding to the state’s academic accountability system.

WHEN:                
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
10 a.m.                            

WHERE:           
Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center, Boardroom

 600 S.E. Third Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

This event will also be live streamed at www.becon.tv/browarddelegation.

Attached is a copy of the District’s 2021 Legislative Platform and Joint Delegation Meeting Agenda.

 

MEDIA IS INVITED TO COVER THIS EVENT

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ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

“Committed to educating all students to reach their highest potential.”  

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest school district in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has nearly 261,500 students and approximately 110,000 adult students in 241 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 92 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population, with students representing 170 different countries and 147 different languages. To connect with BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @browardschools, on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools.com and download the free BCPS mobile app.  

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