March 2015 (Vol. 6, No. 3)

March 2015 thetornadotimes.org

Vol. 6, No. 3 @TornadoTimes

Pompano Beach High School pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com

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Important Dates 3/12 FSA writing assessment make-up grades 9-10

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3/12 Taco Tie-Dye Thursday 3/12-13 “John Lennon and Me” 3/16-19 Spirit Week

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3/18 Fire Drill (8:30 A.M.) 3/19 Last Day of Marking Period 3/20-29 SPRING BREAK!!

Graphic by Nicolas Gallardo

Every student has a story:

Sophomore compares schools in Brazil, U. S.

By Ashley Voet, Editor-in-chief

Sophomore Nicole Jucoski is one of the 11 percent minority in Broward County Public Schools: she was not born in the U.S. Her parents moved from Criciuma, Brazil to Boston when she was two years old. Even though Jucoski has lived in the United States for the past 14 years, she still faced the same struggles that immigrants do: “I didn’t speak English in preschool.”

The rest of Jucoski’s family lives in Brazil and she visits every other year.

“My father went to Boston first in his 20s.” He moved back to Brazil and met her mother. They then left for Boston after they got married.

Meanwhile, her mother took her citizenship test while she was pregnant, so Jucoski was born a U.S. citizen in Brazil. Her father flew back for Jucoski’s birth and they lived in Brazil for two years.

Jucoski’s visits have shown her some significant difference between the two education systems.

School in Brazil starts at 6 or 7 a.m. and goes until noon, when students leave to eat lunch at home.

“They don’t write in print—they write in cursive,” Jucoski said.

Most significantly, Brazilian schools have “mandatory English classes, primary to high school,” so all students who graduate are bilingual.

This bilingual emphasis was not available in the United States. At seven years old, Jucoski began losing her Portuguese, so her mother made her go to Portuguese school on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Jucoski describes her parents as her biggest influence “since they moved to this country for me — they’ve done a lot for me.”

“(My parents) moved to this country for me — they’ve done a lot for me.” - Nicole Jucoski, sophomore

Sophomore Nicole Jucoski takes ceramics class, expressing her love for art. Jucoski was born in Brazil as an U. S. citizen. photo by ashley voet

Students get hooked on Trivia Crack

By Kara Purinton and Megan Mead, Assistant News Editors

Out of 100 students surveyed Jan. 22

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March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3

GRAPHIC BY NICOLAS GALLARDO

Trivia Crack, a new phone app, has taken the school by storm.

Like the Flappy Bird phenomenon in 2014, and the equally popular Temple Run in 2013, this game is a hit.

In Trivia Crack, your basic knowledge is put to the test in a six-category match. The categories are sports, entertainment, geography, art, history and science. Students can challenge their friends or random people in order to win three coins. Coins can be used to get an advantage during games.

Senior Tori Look said, “I play about five or six times a day. I enjoy playing with my friends, and I love the social and competitive aspects of it.”

Senior Emmanuel Roopnarine

agreed with Look: “I love this game because I get to actually review things that I’ve learned in science and history. It’s a good game if you’re competitive, like me.”

Ms. Hanna, history teacher, has a lot to say about the game.

“I first heard about this game from my students and I was playing for hours a day,” she said. “I think Trivia Crack would be educational if students actually made the questions and we could play against each other.

“My favorite part is challenging the kids. Entertainment is my worst category because I don’t know any of the new artists or television shows, but overall I really enjoy playing.”

Trivia Crack was the number one free games app on Apple’s iTunes March 8.

Gov. Scott suspends English test for juniors

March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3

By Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor

Eleventh graders, scheduled to take the new state writing assessment on Mar. 11, found out on Feb. 24 that the test had been suspended due to Gov. Rick Scott’s executive order.

Mrs. Wilson, 10th grade English teacher and mother of a junior, saw eye to eye with Gov. Scott: “Eleventh graders already take the PERT, SAT, ACT and many take the AP Lang. exam, not to mention starting to write college essays. So adding in a new writing structure without an outcome that might positively affect students’ lives serves no purpose.”

The new Florida Standards As-

sessment, replacing the old FCAT this year, included, for the first time in Florida’s history, an English language arts test for juniors. This test was not a graduation requirement; the scores only affected teachers’ salaries and school bonuses.

Most juniors’ parents, students and administrators alike seem to agree with Gov. Scott’s decision.

“The elimination of the 11th grade writing test will lessen the level of anxiety of the students because they won’t have to take as many tests.

Now there will be more time for the learning process than for standardized testing,” Principal Thomas said.

Some don’t believe that the test

should have been implemented in the first place.

“When I first heard about the testing, I honestly thought it was a joke,” junior Amanda Cisneros said. “We juniors have finally been liberated from the FCAT. Our years of pointless testing were over, then they added this test. It’s just too much work.”

Junior Caitlan Surgeon shared Cisneros’ exasperation towards the test: “I was annoyed when I first heard that another writing test was being given to juniors. We already have college entrance exams to worry about.”

Mr. Mumtaz, student assessment specialist, believes that the

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elimination of the writing exam will benefit juniors greatly: “They have one less test to worry about and can prepare for more important tests. This test was never required for graduation anyway, so it will just take stress away from both teachers and students now that there is one less test.”

Mrs. Wilson also stressed about excessive testing: “Testing in March and April does not allow for a full year’s learning, and therefore students can’t show overall progress.

We’re missing the natural progression of education.”

Gov. Scott’s executive order does not eliminate the test forever, only until the state legislature can decide what to do on the matter.

Ashley Voet, Editor in Chief Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor Megan Mead, Asst. News Editor Kara Purinton, Asst. News Editor Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor Betsy Archelus, Asst. Center Spread Editor Brooke Henderson, Asst. Center Spread Editor Jesse Baker, Student Life Editor Kayla Sanders, Asst. Student Life Editor Michael Rice, Asst. Sports Editor Nicolas Gallardo, Graphic Design Editor Ali Jafri, Asst. Graphic Design Editor Robert Barclay, Photo Editor Madison Hurst, Asst. Photo Editor Julianne Gross, Website Editor Mitchell Horlick, Business Manager Jorgeandres Herrera, Asst. Business Manager Christopher Swan, Asst. Business Manager Dr. Andrew Shipe, Adviser Staff Interns Krystin Anderson Alexandra Griffin Nadjalie Oliveras Jay Pearson Tornado Times is produced by: Pompano Beach High School 600 NE 13 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Phone: (754) 322-2000 Email: pbhsnewspaper@gmail.com Website: thetornadotimes.org Twitter: @TornadoTimes Issues in the 2014-15 school year are planned for October, December, March and May. The purpose of this newspaper is to inform and interest the population of Pompano Beach High School on the happenings of the school and beyond through the production of a student-run newspaper.

Tornado Times is a public forum for student expression. The newspaper staff is responsible for determining what subjects are to be covered and warrant placement in the newspaper.

As a public forum, Tornado Times welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for poor taste, libel and space.

Advertising rates are available at estore. browardschools.com. Please contact us by email or by phone if you have any questions.

Advertising which promotes illegal products under Florida law, includes false statements or is written in bad taste will not be accepted.

The opinions in this publication are not necessarily those of advertisers, Pompano Beach High School or Broward County Public Schools.

Tornado Times is a member of the Florida Scholastic Press Association, which awarded the newspaper a gold certificate for its 2013-14 issues.

Stop over-testing us Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order on Feb. 24 that suspended the Florida Standards Assessment writing test for juniors that schools had been planning for the entire school year.

This suspension has had extremely positive feedback. The issue of over-testing has been a much debated one among students, teachers and administrators.

The test in question should never have been implemented in the first place. The fact that it would not have counted towards students in any way just proves that this test was not needed. The only ones affected by the test would have been teachers, whose salaries can change due to scores, and the schools, where the state’s grade could be affected.

The introduction of the 11thgrade writing test added unneeded stress to students and teachers.

We see its suspension as extremely positive.

There is too much testing today for all grades, but especially 11th graders. Juniors have to take the ACT and/or SAT, and many take AP exams. The amount of stress on

their shoulders is excessive because of the daunting approach of college and the added pressure to keep up their GPAs. Another standardized test merely adds to that stress.

According to Politifact Florida, a partnership of state newspapers that researches the truth of claims made in political debates, MiamiDade school officials estimated that an 11th grader could spend as much as 44 hours taking standardized tests this year.

Could this really be productive? Isn’t the real purpose of school to teach students how to prepare themselves for their future by educating them in a variety of subjects, not testing them over and over again in a few subjects?

The main problem that no one seems to see is that this suspension is just a temporary fix. Gov. Scott can only suspend this exam until the Florida legislature can consider the matter further. Next year’s juniors may very well have to take the exam if that’s what the legislature decides. This suspension may be positive for this year’s juniors, but it will not do any good in the long run if the exam is reinstated.

Tornado Times asks that all read-

Graphic by Nicolas Gallardo

ers contact their state senators and representatives immediately and demand a reduction in standardized testing. The state legislature is in session and will be meeting until at least May 1.

Find your legislators’ contact information at thetornadotimes.org.

Homework helps master material

break your grade. Homework can be worth up to 35 percent of your grade, depending on the class.

In high school, According to “Two Million Minthe homework utes,” a documentary by Robert load can be over Compton, Adam Raney and Chad the top. Many Heeter, only 5 percent of Ameristudents drown in it and don’t fin- can students have over two hours ish. One question of homework per night. Students seems to haunt everyone: Is home- at PBHS tend to disagree. Some nights, students may have nine work helpful or a waste of time? hours of homework, and school the I believe that homework is bennext day. It’s a cycle that accelereficial. If you do not understand something in class, homework can ates over time.

When compared to other counhelp you review it and there is usutries, for example China, students ally a way to check your answers.

Not only is homework important in the U. S. tend to focus on extracurriculars and friends rather than to enforcing learned material, but thetornadotimes.org the core classes that are emphanot doing your homework could Page 4 • Opinion March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3 sized in China. According to “Two

By Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor

Million Minutes,” more students in China plan careers in science and mathematics than U. S. students do.

This cannot only be attributed to students, but also to the education system. More students in the U. S. are confused about what they learn in school than in China or India.

Blaming this only on the students would not be fair because if the students do not understand, it could be due to the educators and/or the way that the educators are told to teach.

Doing homework can help students learn more and overcome the stereotypes that people in other countries have about U. S. students.

March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3

Opinion • Page 5

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Schools do teach to students’ full potentials

By Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor

It is said that you should reach for the sky because the sky is the limit, but some people believe that schools are only reaching for the treetops.

A continuous critique is that schools tend to teach to the test and ignore material that doesn’t have to do with the core subjects.

Because of graduation and magnet school requirements, students are constantly forced to choose core over electives they want to take.

As a result of these strict requirements and students’ perceptions of different classes, some students

believe that schools aren’t teaching them to their full potentials. With all of the extracurricular activities going on in students’ lives and the decisions they have to make when it comes to choosing classes, it’s easy to see why students say this.

Students may not always receive the classes that they sign up for, but just because the student never received the class doesn’t mean it wasn’t listed on the course card with all of the other classes.

Many schools all across the county have a variety of electives for students to choose from that cover an array of interests. For writers and English-lovers, electives like creative writing and newspaper production are often offered. For the students who love the sound of their own voices, classes like debate

Dogs are better

jump up into my lap and beg me to pet them, I know that they love me. To me, cats lack that energy to Pets are extremely important properly portray their love.

I have always understood that to their owners. there are cat people and dog peoThey are fun to play with and have ple, but I have never understood why. Cats just do not have the a happy spirit that they seem to positive attitude that dogs have.

Don’t get me wrong, I do love cats, radiate, affecting everyone around but when a dog is brought into the them. But, in my opinion, when it picture, there is no comparison. comes to dogs and cats, one is just simply more fulfilling to be around than the other.

By far, dogs are the best pets anyone can have; they’re not called man’s best friend for nothing.

Whenever I’m around a dog, its energetic attitude makes me instantly happier. When my dog, Buddy, hands me his paw, I melt inside and appreciate life more than ever. Anyone who has spent time with a dog for even the smallest amount of time will understand what I’m talking about.

The energy is not the only reason that dogs are better than cats. The cat’s independent nature is just not appealing. When my dogs run up to me and greet me at the door, or

By Sabrina Conza, Opinion Editor

and theatre are listed. For the music-lovers, classes like band and chorus are available. The classes are there, and they cover almost every interest a student may have.

The original concept of school, believe it or not, was to teach students various subjects and to prepare them for the future.

With all of these different classes offering opportunities for students to learn new topics and expand their interests, schools have achieved their purpose.

It may seem as though some classes teach to the test. To an extent they do. Different teachers and subjects require different methods of teaching, and sometimes it’s necessary to teach to the test so that students can succeed in a class.

However, students are still learn-

ing new information and are asked to apply this information to realworld events and potential scenarios. Many teachers also request current events projects, further allowing students to connect what they learned in a class to reality.

While classes may be limited and not be perfectly categorized to fit a student’s personal needs, they are still there and available for students to take. These classes, serve to teach students, help them find out who they are as people and introduce them to future scenarios and real-world incidents.

In my opinion, schools are serving their purpose and teaching students to their full potentials.

To me, the conflict is if students themselves are snagging these opportunities.

Cats are better

Cats are quieter than dogs. The most noise you’ll get out of cats is gentle meows, warm purrs and maybe a hiss or two if it’s really agPets are a gravated or scared. coming-of-age Greetings are quieter as well. A moment for most cat won’t bark at visitors as they children. They walk through the door and jump up bring families together and, the on them with uncontained wildbest way to achieve this rests in the ness. Instead, cats prefer walking against your legs, warming both decision to get a cat.

Cats help form memories and joy. your legs and your heart.

Cats, compared to dogs, are very low maintenance. All you need to do is provide food and water, a warm bed and a litter box, and you’re set to go. Throw in a couple of toys and a few hours of play a day, and you have created a cat’s ideal life. No walks outside are necessary, and owners never have to pick up a cat’s business from a neighbor’s lawn. Your furniture will also be safer so you won’t have to worry about coming home to find the stuffing from your pillows sprawled around the house.

While dogs are very protective and loving, I find my life less stressful and more peaceful with a cat as a pet.

By Sydney Van Dreason, Managing Editor

Graphic by Nicolas Gallardo

Waltz of Love Poem by Akeesha Clarence

Photo by Jay Pearson

We are thin cloth; years will stain us, These are the last days to pick flowers, A little longer before our brittle hands will separate, Oblivious, we’ll hurry on while the darkness shatters, In dreams, in color, in fever, in love.

You, a momentary utopia, More, a moment of contact, Always, smashed to pieces in the end, Forever, in tiny pieces.

In the dancing town dyed of your color, Death and love are whirling, The two of us continue to dance, As we sing our eternal song.

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Disney’s ‘Lion King’ is roaring success

By Katie Twichell, Contributing Writer

Every childhood has memories one cannot shake. And good or bad, there seems to be a constant: Disney. Earlier this year, the national touring company of “The Lion King” came to Broward Center of the Performing Arts to perform the Tony-award-winning musical for a month-long run. As Pride Rock emerged from the fog on stage, and a woman’s voice echoed through the transported Savannah, it felt like I was a child again: the world was filled with awe and wonder.

The show started out with nothing less than a spectacle. Men dressed as gazelles commanded

attention from two balconies, distracting the audience from the human-coordinated puppets that paraded down the aisles.

Birds and antelopes, zebras and giraffes, and even an elephant all joined together on stage to sing the musical’s most famous number, “The Circle of Life.”

Consistently, the voices in “The Lion King” were clear and filled with raw emotion. Particularly memorable performances include Simba (Jelani Remy), Mufasa (L. Steven Taylor) and Nala (Nia Holloway). One of the more humorous performances was Drew Hirshfield’s Zazu, Mufasa’s advisor.

Jazz band honors Black History Month

Esaa Mustafa, Justin Riley, Victoria Shephard, Alison Nadassy, Nate Tackett and Armando Guerra play in the courtyard during lunch. The band was asked to get together in honor of Black History Month.

By Robert Barclay, Photo Editor

As a part of Black History Month this year, a group of musicians joined together to create the PBHS Jazz Band.

Led by senior saxophonist Esaa Mustafa, the band performed old-fashioned jazz at both A and B lunches on Feb. 5 and is scheduled to perform more later on in the year. Mustafa was the first to work on the band, along with senior guitarist Justin Riley. They were quickly joined by junior pianist Victoria Shephard, senior singer Alison Nadassy, freshmen bass-

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Page 8 • Student Life March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3

Photo By Sydney Van Dreason

ist Nate Tackett and sophomore drummer Armando Guerra.

Mustafa, Guerra and Riley were the only students in the group who had backgrounds in jazz, but all of the other students were talented musicians and, with only a few practices, picked up the new style quickly. Mustafa has a long history with jazz, spanning three generations and beginning with his grandfather, Melton Mustafa, who was inducted into the South Florida Jazz Hall Of Fame.

“It turned out to be a good experience,” Mustafa said. “We’re exposing a lot more people to jazz.”

Despite the entire show being essentially one long, fantastic experience, it is still Rafiki’s (Tshidi Manye) voice, strong and haunting, that stuck with me.

The cast’s masterful command of multiple African languages and complicated choreography mirrored the work the crew poured into this show.

Truly, the execution of “The Lion King” was a tale of impressive creativity and cooperation between the director, cast and crew. It is a show about the past, how we can never run from it, and about the future, how we must embrace it, but never, ever alone.

An extended version of this review appears on thetornadotimes.org.

The

TRENDS

March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3 Student Life • Page 9

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FAVORITES BASED ON ONLINE POLLS OF ABOUT 150 STUDENTS DURING FEBRUARY

1.

2.

3.

APP: INSTAGRAM

A recent poll revealed that 34 percent of students prefer using the Instagram app for their phones and mobile devices.

LUNCH SPOT: WENDY’S

According to a recent poll on thetornadotimes.org, 39 percent of student voters preferred Wendy’s as their top restaurant choice over other top chains like Chipotle and Panera Bread.

BRAND: NIKE

Nike continues to be a popular shoe and athletic brand for teens. A recent poll showed that 32 percent of voters preferred Nike over competing brands like Vans and Converse.

4.

5.

41 percent of student voters have ranked Target as their top store. Target scored higher than both department stores like Macy’s, and chain stores including Forever 21 and Hollister among others.

6.

HANGOUT: STARBUCKS MUSIC GENRE: ROCK

34 percent of student voters preferred rock music over other top music picks like alternative, pop and country.

With a multitude of menu options including frappuccinos, smoothies, lattes and teas, it’s no wonder why Starbucks continues to be a popular trend among teens.

7.

STORE: TARGET

TV SHOW: THE WALKING DEAD

This hit teen show about a zombie apocalypse ranks highest among PBHS students with 34 percent ranking it as their top choice.

Graphic by Kayla Sanders

‘John Lennon & Me’ debuts Thursday but spends most of her time in the hospital so her dreams are hinDrama students have been redered. Because Star is not able to hearsing and preparing every day live out her dreams to their fullafter school for their annual proest potential, she encounters fate duction, “John Lennon and Me,” in the auditorium 7 p.m. March 12 with her own imagination and surrounds herself with celebrity and 13. bodyguards called “Flunkies” and Drama teacher Ms. Thompson turns her oh-so-horrible nurse into described “John Lennon & Me” a pro-wrestler, “The Torturer.” as a boisterous play about life, The show takes place in the late death, power and first boyfriends. ’90s at a children’s hospital with The show highlights the life of a most characters, if not hospital 13-year-old Hollywood-wannabe personnel, having some type of star, who changes her name to Star, sickness. Star is introduced with with cystic fibrosis. her new roommate, Courtney, a She is the ultimate Beatles fan pretty and popular cheerleader and wants to become an actress,

By Nadjalie Oliveras, Staff Intern

who appears not that sick, the complete opposite of Star. The two girls neither know that much about each other’s world but soon come to understand each other and more importantly, themselves.

“John Lennon & Me” exemplifies why life should be lived to the fullest, said sophomore Stephanie Freeborn, who plays Star. The cast, directed by senior Katie Twichell, includes sophomore Kimberly Anagnostopoulos, sophomore Najah Shaffiers, junior Kayla Smith, sophomore Daniel Llorens, junior Bobby Aseere, senior Kayla Lebron, senior Jackson Minett, senior Ali-

son Nadassy, junior Allison Wilson, sophomore Catherine Hollows, senior Alexandra Ramirez, junior Nadjalie Oliveras and senior Julie Godfrey.

The cast met Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school for rehearsals with some in-class time to work on whatever was needed.

The cast did a full rehearsal the Friday before the show.

“We’re pretty much done with everything; we just need a few more run-throughs to clean up some scenes and get the set changes timed accordingly,” Ms. Thompson said.

May I have your autograph?

Three baseball players signed college letters of intent on Feb. 3.

Infielder Garrett Hiott, far left, signs up to play for Eckerd College.

Infielder Bryce Keller, top left, signs up for Methodist University of North Carolina.

Pitcher A.J. Marcantonio, bottom left, signs up for Ave Maria University.

Photos by Ashley Voet

Sluggers come close, but lose to Heritage, 7-6

By Mike Rice, Asst. Sports Editor

The boys baseball team lost to American Heritage 7-6 on Mon., Feb. 23 at home.

“I was hyped the first few innings,” senior infielder Bryce Keller said. “We all felt like it

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Page 10 • Sports March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3

was our game to win.”

The team led the game 4-0 after the first four innings. At the top of the fifth, Heritage hit a two-run homer. The score remained 4-2 throughout the sixth.

During the top of the seventh, Heritage scored five runs, putting them in the lead.

In the bottom of the seventh and final inning, and with two outs and the pressure on, junior Bobby Aseere hit a two-run homer, pulling

the Tornadoes within one.

But the Patriots soon got the third out, ending the game on top.

“The energy we had that game was definitely our biggest strength,” said senior captain Garrett Hiott.

Track and field runs show

Collier, Jayson Francois and James Muccaiccio. Key girls team memThomas Didymus, this year’s bers are Tierra George, Nicole track coach, has been working hard to keep the high standards set Romer and Alexis Kerrirk.

Coach Didymus said the main by last year’s team. This includes goal for this year’s boys is to win challenges in finding new talent states, and for the girls to finish in throughout the school to replace the top ten at states. last year’s graduating class like The next track meet is at 4 p.m., shot-put competitor Marcson Frais.

Wednesday, March 11 at Blanche Some key team members on the boys track team are seniors Colton Ely.

By Alexandra Griffin, Staff Intern

Booster Club hosts golf tournament be a buffet lunch, where awards will be given to the top three teams.

The Athletic Booster Club will Mayor Lamar Fisher will host a host a golf tournament on Saturlive auction. The event will raise day, May 2, 8 a.m. at the Pompano money for athletic scholarships.

Beach Municipal Golf Course.

Last year, the event raised Teams will play in a scramble for$12,000, according to club presimat, with a beat-the-student hole dent Beth Heuser-Aseere. against junior Johnny Tice. There Pre-registration night is May 1 will also be a hole-in-one contest from 5-7:30 pm at Galuppi’s in with a chance to win a car from Pompano. Golfers can also register Pompano Ford-Lincoln. at 7 a.m. the day of the event.

After the tournament, there will

By Krystin Anderson, Staff Intern

March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3 Sports • Page 11

Sports Calendar

thetornadotimes.org

March 11

March 17

March 12

March 18

Track at Ely, 4 Softball home vs. Western, 4 Tennis at Coral Springs, 4 Flag football at Ely, 4:30/5:45 Boys volleyball at Coral Springs, 6 Softball at Taravella, 6:30

March 14

JV softball home vs. Nova, 10 a.m. and noon JV baseball at Deerfield, 11 a.m. and 2 Baseball at Deerfield, 7

March 16

Tennis home vs. Deerfield, 3 Boys volleyball home vs.

South Plantation, 4:30 Flag football home vs.

Monarch, 4:30/5:45 JV baseball home vs.

Northeast, 5 Softball at Miramar, 6:30

Baseball at Hallandale, 4 Tennis home vs. Northeast, 3 Baseball home vs.

Gibbons, 6:30 Softball at Deerfield, 4 Track at Ely, 4

March 19

Tennis home vs. Ft. Lauderdale, 3 Boys volleyball at Taravella, 4:30

March 20

JV baseball home vs.

Gibbons, 5 JV softball at Western, 6:30 Baseball at South Broward, TDA

All times p.m. unless indicated.

Photos By Kayla Sanders

Building A demolished, memories remain

By Kayla Sanders, Asst. Student Life Editor

After nearly 27 years of memories, knowledge and inspiration, the City of Pompano Beach Preschool, which also housed Mommy & Me classes through “Amanda’s Place,” has officially been shutdown. It was held in Building A, one of the last structures left from old Pompano Beach High School built in the 1950s, closed in 1985 and reopened in 1997. Before being transformed into a preschool, Building A was utilized as a math building, according to Ms. Carlson, who graduated from PBHS in the 1970s.

Since first opening in 1987, the City of Pompano Beach Preschool has played a major role in hun-

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March 2015 • Vol. 6, No. 3

dreds of children’s lives.

In recent weeks, student alumni, teachers, administrators and residents have all watched with heavy hearts as Building A was torn down.

On April 8 last year, the School Board of Broward County decided to close down Building A, due to the high costs of operation.

According to a Sun-Sentinel article published on July 24, 2011 by Larry Barszewski, the cost of running the program was $549,000 and “registration and fees paid by parents cover(ed) only a third... leaving taxpayers to come up with the other $362,000.” Three years later, officials proposed the preschool move to Sanders Park Elementary. However, the city

decided not to spend the $96,200 needed to relocate due to the preschool’s dwindling enrollment.

Memorandum 14-A046, written on Feb. 27, 2014, revealed that the preschool was trapped in a consistent negative cycle that was yielding a deficit of $1,268 per student enrolled. The quickly dropping enrollment rate was said to be partly caused by a sense of fear by parents and staff members that the preschool would soon be closing.

At the end of last school year, that fear became a self-fulfilling promise, and the remaining 31 students enrolled as of last summer were forced to find other preschools. Amanda’s Place was moved to Margate Elementary School.

On June 11, Pompano Preschool posted their final farewell on Facebook: “We would like to thank all our friends and families for their wonderful support through the years. We have been lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of so many children’s lives.”

Several staff members’ children had attended the preschool.

“Pompano Preschool was a great experience for my kids,” Mrs. Blanco said. “We loved how closeknit the school was and how much they truly cared for their students.”

According to Assistant Principal Ms. Carlson, the empty lot will soon become a “green space” for the City of Pompano.