North Broward Prepatory Schools

contact:
address: 7600 Lyons Road

city: Coconut Creek state: FL zip: 33073
phone: 954.247.0011 fax: 954.247.0012
email: Info@NBPS.org
url: www.NBPS.org

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Public invited to
‘Summer Camp & Teen Program Expo’
on November 1 at North Broward Prep

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – It’s never too early to choose a summer sleep-away program that reflects a child’s interests, needs and abilities. Doing so can provide a truly rewarding experience and a lifetime of positive memories.

That is why the public is invited to a Summer Camp & Teen Program Expo on Thursday evening, November 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the High School Student Union on the North Broward Preparatory Schools’ Coconut Creek campus.

The North Broward Prep Parent/Student Teacher Association-sponsored event is being organized by The Camp Experts & Teen Summers, a worldwide team of consultants who investigate camps and share resources with parents on the wide variety of options available to their children during the summer months. Whether one is seeking a sports or performing areas camp, camp for special needs, teen tour, or an outdoor adventure camp, information for children age 7 through college is likely to be on display at the expo.

According to the company’s Broward and Palm Beach County representative Lisa Borg, the expo will bring together owners, directors and other representatives of overnight camps and teen programs who will share brochures, videos and other information with parents. “There are summer programs for just about everything, including learning another language while living with a host family in a different country,” she noted.

“Although this is the first time we are holding an expo at North Broward Prep, and hope it will become an annual event for the school, we have successfully done this in many other places,” Borg said. The Camp Experts & Teen Summers’ guidance is free of charge. Borg has personally done the research and knows the directors, facilities and philosophies of each program. She and other personnel have viewed hundreds of summer programs in action and share unbiased knowledge to enable parents to make informed decisions.

“Selecting an overnight summer camp deserves a great deal of thought,” said NBPS’ Headmaster David V. Hicks. “Parents must start early to plan their children’s summer, and this expo will give them a jumpstart to finding a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive.”

NBPS’s own summer day camp, Eagles Landing Camps, and its very popular Monday-through-Friday resident camp, the Night Owls, will also have representatives at the Expo.

According to The Camp Experts & Teen Summers’ website, www.campexperts.com, the company – which was established in 1987 – has received national recognition as a leading authority on summer camp placements for children. Its representatives have been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, New York Time, The Sun-Sentinel and other venerable publications.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. Students are from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as from out of state and out of the country. The private educational institution serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

No reservations to the Summer Camp & Teen Program Expo are required. For more information, please call 561-995-5633.

North Broward Prep to host public
M.D. Anderson cancer seminar on October 29th

(Top) Eugenie Kleinerman, M.D and Roy S. Herbst, M.D., Ph.D., distinguished physicians from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, will be at the North Broward Preparatory Schools for presentations on October 29. The evening seminar is open to the public.

North Broward Prep School invites public to informative cancer seminar on October 29th

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) will welcome two highly respected physicians from the University of Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on Monday, October 29, 2007. Eugenie Kleinerman, M.D., and Roy S. Herbst, M.D., Ph.D., will address NBPS parents, faculty and interested students in the evening. The seminar is also open to the general public, starting at 7 p.m. at the school’s Lecture Hall in Coconut Creek.

They will talk on the subject of “Cutting-Edge Cancer Care…Now It’s Personal,” speak about Pediatric Oncology, and present an overview of the M.D. Anderson facilities and services. Dr. Kleinerman heads up the Division of Pediatrics and is a professor of cancer biology and pediatrics at the renowned medical center. Dr. Herbst is head of the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at M.D. Anderson. He is also a professor of cancer biology and co-chairman of the Phase I Working Group.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Herbst will talk about lung cancer and its prevention with North Broward Prep students. The title of his presentation is “Don’t Let Your Dreams Go Up In Smoke…Say No To Tobacco.” NBPS’ Coconut Creek campus is located at 7600 Lyons Road. The entrance is on the east side of Lyons Road, between Hillsboro Boulevard and S.W. 18th Street in Coconut Creek. Admission to the evening seminar is free of charge. For further information, call (954) 736-4694.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) will host informative talks on October 29 by two eminent physicians from The University of Texas’ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. An evening seminar, which is open to parents, interested students, faculty and the public at no charge, is scheduled at 7 p.m. at the school’s Lecture Hall in Coconut Creek.

Featured speaker for the public seminar is Eugenie Kleinerman, M.D., head of the Division of Pediatrics and a professor of cancer biology and pediatrics at the renowned medical center. She is board certified in Pediatrics, holds the Mosbacher Pediatrics Chair and is a prominent cancer researcher and compassionate physician.

Earlier in the day, Roy S. Herbst, M.D., Ph.D. will speak to North Broward Prep students about lung cancer and its prevention. Earlier in the day, Roy S. Herbst, M.D., Ph.D. will talk about lung cancer and its prevention with North Broward Prep students. He is head of the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at M.D. Anderson. He is also a professor of cancer biology and co-chairman of the Phase I Working Group. One of M.D. Anderson’s goals is to educate people about cancer and what the cancer center can do for them.

“It will be a real motivator for our kids to learn about what is happening on the leading edge of biomedicine these days,” said North Broward Prep’s Headmaster David V. Hicks. “Furthermore, what these doctors have to say is likely to affect lives and lead to lifestyle changes.”

Continuing, he added, “Cancer touches everyone in some way at some time during their lifetime. Consequently, we are sharing this vital information with the South Florida community. We are pleased to welcome professionals from M.D. Anderson, a venerable institution that has earned the gratitude of adult and pediatric cancer patients and their families for decades because of the life-saving, life-changing care it provides.”

Located in Houston, Texas, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is one of the nation’s premier cancer facilities. Over the last 60 years, it has built a worldwide reputation for excellence in cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. Because this is M.D. Anderson’s exclusive focus, its experts are renowned for their ability to treat all types of cancer, including rare diseases. Approximately one-third of M.D. Anderson’s new patients come from outside Texas seeking the research-based care that has made M.D. Anderson so widely respected.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as from out of state and around the world. The private educational institution prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

North Broward Preparatory Schools’ Coconut Creek campus is located at 7600 Lyons Road. The entrance is on the east side of Lyons Road, between Hillsboro Boulevard in Coconut Creek and S.W. 18th Street in Boca Raton. Space is limited and reservations for the evening seminar are required in advance. Call (954) 736-4694.

Psychologist reveals ingredients
for student success

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – A child’s Intelligence Quotient is not the only predictor of his or her success. Notable psychologist Michael Rizzo, Ph.D., recently spoke at North Broward Preparatory Schools about the relationship of a child’s IQ to his or her Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Executive Function (EF). The event, held on the NBPS Coconut Creek campus, was open to the public and drew an audience of more than 100 people.

IQ refers to a child’s intellectual ability and cognitive skill set, while EQ refers to how he or she experiences and deals with emotions. EF describes the ability to organize, as well as to plan and think ahead. In an easily understandable fashion, Dr. Rizzo explained to listeners how the three factors interact in academic performance.

“You have to think about kids holistically,” he said. “If IQ, EQ and EF work together at high levels, a child will be a mature learner. If they do not, he or she will have difficulty in some areas of learning or socializing.”

All children want to learn and do well, Dr. Rizzo believes. “But even some smart kids just can’t manage school easily. If a student isn’t doing well, you have to look at all the variables. If one of the three factors isn’t working or interacting properly with the others, learning and, at times, social skills can be impaired.”

Dr. Rizzo knows this firsthand. As a youngster, he performed marginally in school, even though his teachers believed he was intelligent. His father, a colonel in the military, was hard on him because the older man had expectations which his son failed to meet. “What’s wrong with you?” his dad asked repeatedly.

Yet the father never attempted to find the underlying reasons for his son’s lagging performance. Then later in life, Michael was diagnosed with severe dyslexia. “Suddenly the difficulties I had encountered in school and the frustration and heartache that plagued my educational efforts made sense,” Dr. Rizzo said. “I became an overachiever and developed the will to win. I learned vigilance and perseverance. Although I started college at age 26 and it took me 10 years to complete my studies and earn my degrees, I learned that if I fall down, I can get up again.”

Some of a child’s abilities to deal with outside stimuli are determined at birth and fall at different places in a continuum. One child is sensitive to distraction; another is not. Some children are hyperactive; others are passive. One child may act and react immediately, while another thinks carefully about what he or she will say and do before taking action. Some children read for fun; others can’t imagine doing so because they struggle to comprehend content. “In addition, a child’s physical ability to hear sounds at the level of the ear may be excellent, but on another level, his or her brain is unable to ‘process sound efficiently at the brain level,’ leading to a host of shortcomings in listening, reading and spelling skills,” Dr. Rizzo noted.

Emotional skills (emotional intelligence) can be as important as intellectual skills, Dr. Rizzo said. EQ, the ability to deal with one’s own emotions as well as those of others, includes five components: a willingness to delay gratification; recognizing and labeling one’s own feelings; managing one’s own emotions appropriately; understanding the agendas of those you are interacting with; and adjusting personal behavior to make situations work. “A child with a high level of emotional intelligence is likely to live a happy, successful and responsible life as an adult,” Dr. Rizzo said. “We need to help our children develop emotional as well as cognitive intelligence.”

Lifestyle also plays a role in maximizing potential, Dr. Rizzo added. Sending children outside to play and engage in activities like hopscotch and jumping rope teaches the integration of sensory and motor skills. On the other hand, allowing children to sit at computers playing endless video games does little to develop sensory integration, motor or language skills.

Although the ability to develop different skills is linked to genetics, parents and professional educators can help a child achieve his or her full potential and find ways to compensate for shortcomings, Dr. Rizzo concluded. The key is to look for the underlying causes of problems and find the best ways to deal with them. Insight into what is actually going on, and not assuming laziness and/or poor motivation, is the first and most critical component to understanding the child at risk.

Dr. Rizzo currently oversees a staff of 15 psychologists and related professionals at Miami Children’s Hospital in Weston. He and his colleagues have helped thousands of children to maximize their potentials. He is also recognized as a regional expert in the diagnosis and treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, and other learning disabilities. For more information, call 954-577-3396.

Celebrating its 50th year, NBPS is one of the oldest private college preparatory institutions in the area. It serves pre-kindergarten through 12 grade students living in northern Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as many from other states and countries. NBPS is a member of the worldwide Meritas Family of Schools, which provides students with travel and enrichment opportunities not available at other area college preparatory schools.

For more information about North Broward Prep, visit www.nbps.org or call 954-736-4694.

(L to R) Daniel Starosta, Jessica Star and Nestor Abreu, seniors at the North Broward Preparatory Schools, are among Semifinalists in the 2008 National Merit® Scholarship Competition.

Three North Broward Prep seniors
named National Merit® Scholarship
Competition Semifinalists

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Three members of the senior class at the North Broward Preparatory Schools in Coconut Creek have been chosen as Semifinalists in the 2008 National Merit® Scholarship Competition (NMSC).

Daniel Starosta from Plantation, Jessica Star from Boca Raton and Nestor Abreu from Lake Worth were each praised for receiving this impressive honor at a ceremony held on campus in September. They are among the top 16,000 of the 1.4 million students who had entered the countrywide competition and, as Semifinalists, they have an opportunity to advance to Finalist standing.

Established in 1955, the national program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. High school students may enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screening of the 1.4 entrants annually. The test also meets published program entry/participation requirements. Of the 1.4 million entrants, approximately 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT®

Selection Index scores (critical reading, mathematics, writing skills) qualify for recognition in the program. In the spring, high-scoring participants are invited to name two colleges or universities to which they would like to be referred by NMSC. The following September, these high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Semifinalist or a Commended Student.

According to North Broward Prep High School Principal Danny Tuchman, becoming a Semifinalist is a terrific honor. “We are very proud of Daniel, Jessica and Nestor,” he said. “By continuing to meet high academic standards and all other requirements of the competition, these hard-working students have a chance to be considered for a Merit Scholarship award. I’m delighted to have the great pleasure of seeing their efforts pay off, and wish them continued success as they move forward towards the selection of Finalists and scholarship winners.”

Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis. The three North Broward Prep senior were among the highest-scoring entrants in Florida. This coming February, approximately 15,000 Semifinalists nationally will be notified that they have advanced to the position of Finalist.

Tuchman noted that seven North Broward Prep seniors have been named as Commended Students in the 2008 National Merit Program. They are Megan Ahearn, Hilary Barr, Brandon Karsch, Scott Klenet, Jonathan Ossip, Alison Ponn and Jaime Sortevik. These students were named on the basis of a nationally applied Selection Index score that may vary from year to year and is below the level required for participants to be named Semifinalists in their respective states. “Although Commended Students do not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards, some do become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses,” he noted.

As a leading college preparatory school in South Florida, North Broward Prep focuses on a whole-child approach to education. In addition to stressing academic excellence, the school maximizes student potential through a range of extracurricular activities. Plus, as a member of the Meritas Family of Schools worldwide, students are connected with their peers at sister schools and they enjoy travel/study opportunities abroad. This helps each student become a well-rounded individual ready to compete at the university level as well as in today’s global society.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as from out of state and around the world. For further information about NBPS, visit www.nbps.org or call 954-736-4694.

North Broward Prep recognizes Ambassador Award honorees

Above Photo:

North Broward Preparatory Schools’ Headmaster David V. Hicks with Ambassador Award honorees

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – With the 2007-08 school year marking five decades for the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) and its continuing tradition of excellence, the private educational institution has started another tradition. This one involves honoring individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the NBPS community.

Recently, on the Coconut Creek campus, North Broward Prep hosted a breakfast for honorees who each received the school’s new Ambassador Award. Plaques inscribed with each honoree’s name will soon be permanently displayed along a recognition wall in the Student Union.

The inaugural Ambassador Awards presentation included 13 members of the 2006-07 PTA board, two members of the 2007-08 board, and one non-board member. As parents who are very involved and help involve other parents, the honorees are a very important part of the fabric of NBPS. Assistant Headmaster Dr. Jeanne Korn affectionately refers to them as “fun raisers,” adding: “We’re a family that works together to support one another,” she said. After expressing his own words of gratitude, Headmaster David V. Hicks told the group that “school is off to a great start, and the quality of our faculty is truly impressive. We’ve built a great team and I look forward to working with you again this year.”

Although he was unable to attend the celebration, Director of Fine Arts Daniel Lieberman later commented, “We in Fine Arts appreciate the difference these parents help us make in the life of a child. I hope they will accept my sincere thanks on behalf of our department for the love and they have modeled. It would be nearly impossible to do our job and make a profound difference without their unwavering dedication and contributions.”

Ambassador Award honorees are Debralyn Camilleri from Boca Raton (2006-07 PTA Board President); Hope Berger from Parkland (V.P. High School); Caryn Dubrow from Coral Springs (V.P. Middle School); Ana Marcus from Pompano Beach (V.P. Lower School-Coconut Creek); Kimberly Pinnell from Coconut Creek (V.P. Lower School-Coral Springs); Susan Peirson and Janice Schemm, both from Coral Springs (Secretary and Treasurer respectively); Laura Horn from Lighthouse Point (Events & Programs); Lori Wyllie from Boca Raton (Historian); Lisa Marton from Boca Raton (Communications); Cheryl Cleary from Oakland Park (Volunteer Coordinator); Beth Johnson from Boca Raton (Membership Coordinator); Tina Lilly from Boca Raton (50th Anniversary Coordinator); and Elizabeth Simler from Parkland (Past President/non-board member). Coral Springs residents Eva Ferara (V.P. Lower School in Coral Springs) and Chris Bishop (Treasurer), who both are on the 2007-08 board, were also honored.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as from out of state and around the world. The private educational institution prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential. For further information about NBPS, visit www.nbps.org or call 954-736-4694.

(L to R, back row) Kimberly Pinnell (Coconut Creek), Chris Bishop (Coral Springs), Eva Ferara (Coral Springs), Caryn Dubrow (Coral Springs), Laura Horn (Lighthouse Point), NBPS Headmaster David V. Hicks, Beth Johnson (Boca Raton), Tina Lilly (Boca Raton), Debralyn Camilleri (Boca Raton), Cheryl Cleary (Oakland Park). (L to R, front row) Susan Peirson (Coral Springs), Ana Marcus (Pompano Beach), Janice Schemm (Coral Springs), Lisa Marton (Boca Raton), Lori Wyllie (Boca Raton). Not pictured: Hope Berger and Elizabeth Simler (Parkland).

North Broward Preparatory Schools
to present ‘Salute To America’ on Sept. 10

Evening of music and song launches Fine Arts department’s commitment to Hospice Care of Southeast Florida, Inc.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – At a time when the world continues to remember the tragedies of September 11, 2001, the students in the North Broward Preparatory Schools’ Fine Arts program in Coconut Creek will be honoring America and the community at its annual “Salute to America.” On Monday evening, September 10 at 6:30 p.m, NBPS will host a benefit concert with the proceeds going to Hospice Care of Southeast Florida. The fundraiser is open to the public and will take place at the City of Coconut Creek Recreation Complex at 4455 Sol Press Boulevard.

Performing groups will include North Broward Preps’ Lower School choral students as well as the Middle and High School choirs and bands.

According to the school’s Fine Arts Director Daniel Lieberman, his department selects a “charity of choice” that is the focus of fundraising and community efforts throughout the year. “This year, we are dedicated to supporting the Hospice Care of Southeast Florida, Inc., an organization that reaches out to the community here in South Florida,” said Lieberman. “Our students are excited about this kick-off concert and about the good that they will accomplish for a very deserving organization.” In the past, North Broward Prep has helped the Cooperative Feeding Program, the SOS Family Services, 4 Children’s SAKE, CD Youth and Family Center, and The Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

NBPS’ initial drive for Hospice will be for personal toiletries. The community is requested to bring items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soaps to the concert. A recommended donation of $5.00 will also be collected at the door. All proceeds will be given to Hospice.

“Hospice is in need of many things and any support our school and community can provide will go a long way,” Lieberman pointed out. “At concerts throughout the school year, parents and friends will be asked to contribute to the cause. Items will be collected and presented at a holiday gift drive and spring art supplies drive as well. These concerts provide wonderful evenings because of our commitment to our charity of choice, and because they display the tremendous talent and enthusiasm that the children in the department – and throughout the school – possess.”

“Hospice Care of Southeast Florida is so pleased to have the support of North Broward Prep,” said the organization’s Director of Development Pat Byrnes. “We are eager to help our constituents, and North Broward Prep’s support will be vital to our efforts.”

For more information about Hospice Care of Southeast Florida, Inc., visit www.hospicecareflorida.org. NBPS is one of the oldest private college preparatory institutions in the area, having been established 50 years ago. It is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools worldwide, which provides NBPS students with travel and enrichment opportunities not available at other area college preparatory schools.

For further information about NBPS and its Fine Arts programs, visit: www.NBPS.org For September 10 concert ticket information, call 954-736-4694, ext. 324.

Calling aspiring Hollywood stars ages 6 to 18!
September 8th Acting Seminar open to public at the
North Broward Preparatory Schools

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – So you want to be a Hollywood movie star? Find out what top professionals have to say by participating in an Acting Seminar on Saturday, September 8, 2007, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS), at 7600 Lyons Road in Coconut Creek. Presented by the NBPS Fine Arts Department in conjunction with Dolphin Entertainment, the world’s leading independent producer of children’s and young adult live-action programming, the seminar is open to aspiring television and film actors between the ages of 6 and 18.

Featured speaker will be Emmy™-nominated Executive Producer Bill O’Dowd of Nickelodeon’s “Zoey 101” and “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.” According to North Broward Prep’s Fine Arts Director Daniel Lieberman, students don’t have to be enrolled at NPBS to attend the seminar. One or both parents will want to accompany their child during the day where they will see first hand what goes into the audition process. The cost is $200 for the family, so if more than one child is interested in participating, they may attend at no additional charge. “You will not find a more reasonable or worthwhile seminar than this one,” Lieberman noted.

”Designed to teach children and teens how to become film or television actors, the September 8 seminar marks the beginning of a series of 14 weekly classes offered by Dolphin Entertainment at the North Broward Prep Schools’ community school,” Lieberman said. “Bringing the expertise of Dolphin Entertainment to the local community is very exciting for us, and these seminars are being held exclusively in Broward and South Palm Beach County at our school.” Continuing, he said, “If some children are interested in signing up for the initial seminar, they won’t be obligated to participate in the entire series, although it will be an invaluable tool and is recommended if they want to achieve their goals.”

Participants in the September 8 seminar will learn audition techniques and tips, as well as be filmed and critiqued doing monologue and scene work. They will perform a 60-second, prepared monologue (which they will bring with them) for top executive producers and casting agents.

In addition, parents will be able to ask questions and get insider’s advice about how to navigate through the entertainment industry. “This is truly an extraordinary opportunity and we’re delighted to open this up to the public,” Lieberman concluded.

To register online, visit: www.LearnNB.net/actnow. For further information about the event, call 954-736-4694, ext. 342, or e-mail Liebermand@nbps.org.

North Broward Prep produces video documentary of “adopted” school in South Africa

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Teachers at the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek oftentimes take the passion for their work outside the classroom. This summer Sherri Andrews did just that by traveling with three video journalism students and a philanthropic parent to South Africa to shoot a video documentary about a school in one of the country’s most impoverished regions. The South African school was one that one of Andrew’s video journalism students and her mother had “adopted.”

“In 2005, North Broward Prep student Brittany Young initiated a humanitarian project for The Beretta School located in rural Acornhoek, South Africa after she and her mother Joanne had returned from a vacation on the African continent,” recounts Andrews, a resident of Coral Springs. “Through fundraising efforts, Brittany raised more than $10,000 to build the students there a well so they could have running water. This was needed for sanitary purposes and for survival of crops that are grown on the school’s grounds. In many cases, those crops are the only sustenance for many of the elementary school children.”

Following that, Andrews and her students decided to create a documentary about the dire conditions of the students in that area of South Africa. “Many are orphans, and many are infected with the HIV virus. Our aim is to educate our community here and the world at large so that this project can continue with its fundraising efforts. These people desperately need our help,” the teacher explained.

“This summer, rather than be passive donors, we became active donors and got personally involved with the children at The Beretta School and the surrounding community,” continued Andrews. “Our month-long trip was a learning and life-changing experience for all of us, and we were able to really bond with the kids. We taught them to play baseball and had a cupcake party for 1,200 students. It was amazing to see how our donations actually benefited the students versus just raising and sending money through some outside organization.”

Along with continuing fundraising efforts, Brittany and her mother Joanne Young from Coconut Creek are in the process of establishing a foundation called “A Spring of Hope,” and have created a website (www.aspringofhope.org) to benefit the Beretta School community. Furthermore, plans to build a clinic for the school are underway for the 2007-08 school year.

Andrews pointed out that filming the children in adverse conditions, dealing with the rigors of daily production, and putting into practice everything the North Broward Prep students had learned is the only practical way to gain “real world” practices in the filmmaking industry.

The documentary is currently in post production and is expected to be released in December 2007. Copies of the documentary may be purchased from Mrs. Andrews for $15 each by sending an order request via email to andrewss@nbps.org. The DVD will include information about the foundation, future plans for building as well as links to the website.

Andrews’ love for her subject area [journalism] and admiration for her students are obvious to anyone who knows her. “As an educator, it was a great joy for me to spend part of my summer with my students working to make the world a better place,” she concluded.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as from out of state and around the world. The private educational institution prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential. For further information about NBPS, visit: www.NBPS.org or call 954-736-4694.

North Broward Prep’s College
Advising Office heightens level of expertise

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – For the 2007-08 school year, Heidi Teplitz has stepped up to become director of the College Advising Office at the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek. Additionally, two more counselors have joined the faculty as associate directors.

According to North Broward Prep High School Principal Danny Tuchman, Teplitz brings a very high degree of professionalism, expertise and caring to the position that she has already practiced while serving as associate director for the past few years.

A longtime resident of Coral Springs, Teplitz came to NBPS in 2005 as a college advisor. For seven years before that, she was the college advisor at J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs.

New on the NBPS scene, but nevertheless well known in South Florida, are College Advising Office Associate Directors Patricia Skelton from Coral Springs and Karen Lee Siegel from Boca Raton.

“Patti brings an impressive two decades of experience as the college advisor at Coral Springs High School. During that time, she cultivated a wealth of relationships with representatives from national and state universities and colleges throughout the U.S. that will benefit our students as they go through the application process,” Tuchman said. “She is also skilled at helping families find financial aid and scholarship opportunities as part of the college search.”

Siegel recently joined NBPS following seven years as the college advisor at Western High School in Davie and then at Cypress Bay High in Weston. “Through her work at these two top-performing public schools, Karen also has the knowledge and close working relationships with admissions offices statewide as well as across the country,” he pointed out.

The trio of advisors, who collectively have 35 years of experience in post-secondary school planning, look forward to working not only with seniors, but also with students in the lower grades. “Our college advising here does not start in the junior year. When appropriate, we see parents and students in the 9th and 10th grades at private appointments and at several evening meetings throughout the year,” Teplitz said. “By the time a student becomes a senior, we really know the student and his or her family, their likes and dislikes, challenges, strengths and any issues or special concerns there might be.”

Teplitz proudly added, “We are true advocates for our students and look for the highest potential in a student. We help families through what can be a very stressful time, from creating an appropriate and realistic college application list and the logistics of the application process, to admissions and ‘letting go.’ We are the liaisons between students and their families, between students and institutions of higher learning, and sometimes between students and the North Broward Prep faculty and administration.”

Commenting further, Teplitz said, “An important mission of the College Advising Office is to make a ‘good fit.’ That’s what we take pride in most. We want our students to be happy and thrive at college.” Seniors at the North Broward Prep have been admitted to universities that are among the finest and most competitive schools in the country. For last year’s graduating class, the list included Princeton, Duke, Columbia, Cornell, the University of Chicago, Boston College, Brandeis University, Cornell, George Washington, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Emory, Northwestern and other top-tier institutions.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as from out of state and around the world. The private educational institution prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information about NBPS, visit: www.NBPS.org or call 954-736-4694.

Help shape your child’s study habits
By Dr. Jeanne M. Korn, Assistant Headmaster
The North Broward Preparatory Schools

One of the essentials components for success in school is the development of strong study habits. By creating an effective study space for your child, you will determine whether or not they will study effectively.

Students’ learning styles and organizational patterns differ. Some students may require an area that is totally quiet because noise easily distracts them, while others will learn with music playing softly in the background. Classical music seems to help one concentrate as well as absorb new information. On the other hand, research indicates that “language” sounds from a radio, television, DVD, CD or IPod in a study space may have a negative effective on learning. The voice sounds require more concentration, hence, taking the child’s attention away from studying.

Where should this study place be in your home? The study space needs to be in an area free of interruptions, human traffic and noise. A home office space with a desk and chair suited to the child’s size is an ideal environment for studying. A child’s bedroom usually is not the ideal space to foster strong study habits. A bedroom is associated with resting and relaxing and may be “just right” for sleeping, but may not be the best room for studying.

Wherever that place may be in your home, it needs to be in an area that contains a desk or table. The area should be stocked with sufficient office supplies, such as highlighters, pens, pencils, and other studying tools. It is important for you to get to know your child’s learning and studying preferences. You may want to try different scenarios at different times to see what type of environment works best.

Take time to carefully consider the furniture in the study area. It should be favorable to sitting upright. Today, furniture companies are well stocked with ergonomically suitable chairs for children and adults. The chairs are specially designed to help children avoid posture problems. A desk or table should be of sufficient space to allow the child to “spread out” his or her studying materials.

If a personal computer or laptop is required for the assignment, be sure that it is housed in an area that permits you to view the computer screen. This is most important for students of all ages. Even in middle and high school, parents need to be able to view the computer sites that are being accessed. Of course, cell phones and emails should not be allowed during the studying time. These are recreational activities and need to be allowed after all studying has been completed.

The study space needs to be properly illuminated to avoid eye strain or glaring light. It is usually best to have more than one light source, including a source that diffuses light from a bulb through a shade. Snacks and drinks need to be permitted at another time and place. A parent may help set a child’s study schedule, including a snack break, and needs to be the facilitator in keeping interruptions and distractions to a minimum. This will allow your child the opportunity to expend mental energy toward learning rather than dealing with family members, telephone calls, etc.

The good news is that, as your child becomes accustomed to studying in the same place, potential disturbances will be reduced. Your child can actually condition himself or herself to use this area solely for homework or studying for tests, and therefore, train his or her mind to settle rapidly into its study mode.

Begin before – or early in the school year – to discuss expectations for studying and to set up the study area in your home. This is one of the best ways that a parent can help support their child with their learning process.

Dr. Jeanne Korn is Assistant Headmaster at the North Broward Preparatory School in Coconut Creek, Florida. She can be reached at 954-247-0000, ext. 359

North Broward Prep’s Jazz Band to perform in multiple cities this October

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – As a member of The Meritas Family of Schools worldwide, the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) offer travel and enrichment opportunities not available at other area college preparatory schools.

“An example is our Jazz Band trip this fall to three other Meritas schools, which will include daytime performances for students and evening performances for parents,” said Daniel Lieberman, director of Fine Arts for North Broward Prep and Meritas.

The four-day trip will include stopovers at Heritage Oak in Yorba Linda, California and The McDowell Elementary in Laguna Niguel, California; The Henderson International School outside of Las Vegas; and The Village School in Houston.

According to Lieberman, the purpose of the trip is to share best practice and integrate the programs around the world and around the corner.

Several members of the Jazz Band participated in Lieberman’s European Charity Band Tour this summer, which has been tied into efforts of The International Make-A-Wish Foundation for the past 11 years. This year, approximately 70 music, dance and vocal students from select Meritas schools went on tour to share the gift of music, toys and smiles with terminally ill and disadvantaged children.

Among North Broward Prep’s strong suits is its Fine Arts programs, Lieberman noted. “Music veterans Mr. Anthony Williams and Dr. Julie Jensen are now members of the faculty as Band and Choir Directors. This award-winning teacher have impressive credentials and have consistently received superior ratings music performance assessment. Now that Anthony and Julie have joined North Broward Prep, our outstanding music programs will rise to an even higher level of excellence,” Lieberman concluded.

The North Broward Preparatory Schools is one of the oldest private college preparatory institutions in the area, having been established 50 years ago. For further information about NBPS and its Fine Arts programs, visit: www.NBPS.org or call 954-736-4694, ext. 324.

A Meritas Fine Arts student cheers up a sick child in Europe with stuff animals.

European Charity Band put smiles on faces of terminally ill and disadvantaged children

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The European Charity Band, comprised of music, vocal and dance students from Coconut Creek, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Houston and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon (Mexico), traveled overseas this summer on a mission. Band members from select schools in the Meritas International family of schools performed in schools and hospitals in numerous cities and towns to bring cheer to terminally ill and disadvantaged children.

Students from the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) were among them. Award-winning music teacher and European Charity Band Tour Director Daniel Lieberman, who is also the Director of Fine Arts for both Meritas and NBPS, originated the tour 11 years ago and brought it to North Broward Prep when he began working there nine years ago. This past summer, the tour was expanded to include students in several other private schools within the Meritas international network.

With Lieberman at the Fine Arts helm, Meritas schools are deeply committed to giving to others. And, it is not by accident that the tour is tied into the efforts of The International Make-A-Wish Foundation. Lieberman served as the International President for The Make-A-Wish Foundation and was on the National Board of Directors in the U.S. as well as the Hudson Valley, N.Y. chapter. His more than two decades of involvement with the organization, the band tours have resulted in approximately 600 students making a difference in the lives of children overseas.

The music educator understands that granting a wish to a dying child is a simple act of kindness. “While doctors provide the medicine, we provide the magic,” he noted. “This year, we granted a travel wish to a terminally ill girl in Austria. She wanted to go to Turkey and Make-A-Wish International made that possible. Seeing her happiness had a profound impact on our students. It was a moving, life-alternating experience that taught them respect and compassion for those who are less fortunate than they are. Our students also learned about the true gift of music, which is sharing it. As the band shared its music with others and lifted their spirits, we all experienced its amazing power.”

Continuing, Lieberman said, “It is not about the music. The core values that the European Charity Band Tour instills in students is caring for others who are different from us, giving of one’s self, and sensitivity to cultural diversity.” The 2007 tour included visits to London, Salzburg, Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna, Brussels and Geneva. While in Geneva, the group made a musical stopover at its Meritas sister school, College du Leman, and performed a benefit concert for Make-A-Wish Switzerland.

North Broward Prep student Ben Tookey from Coral Springs returned from this year’s trip with these words: “As a veteran member of the European Charity Band Tour, I completely understand how good deeds can truly change lives”…”I now love music so passionately because of my experiences with the band. I play music not only for myself, but for everyone. I live my life now to help others. Music helped me touch lives around me, and it has helped me change my own.”

Manuela Mejia of Coconut Creek, another music student attending North Broward Prep, discovered that there are no limits or borders in this world when it comes to making others happy. “Being involved in music can take you far in life and help other people as well. Sharing love with others is really what being a musician is all about. Even though we had language barriers with the kids while dancing with them and handing out toys, it was clear that they interpreted the music just as we did. Music truly is a universal language,” he said.

Also commenting on the tour, student Rachel Wallace from The Henderson International School in Nevada said “It was an opportunity to help humanity while in a foreign country instead of just going on a laid-back vacation. Being able to help other people while you are enjoying yourself is an amazing experience never to be forgotten”…”What really was important was helping children with an incurable disease to be happy and feel somewhat healthy again, even if only for a brief moment in time.” Wallace also learned many valuable lessons which she believes will make her a better person. One of them is teamwork.

Lieberman is already planning the Meritas summer 2008 charity tour, which will travel to London, Copenhagen, Brussels, Geneva, Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest and Vienna.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as out of state and out of the country. The private educational institution serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. For further information, call 954-736-4694, ext. 324.

(Left to Right): Sarah Andrews, Logan Kriete and Brittany Rich

North Broward Prep
praises student FSPA award winners

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Three creative students from the North Broward Preparatory Schools recently competed for newspaper and broadcast awards and have been recognized by the Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA) for their achievements.

Logan Kriete, a senior from Boca Raton, won second place for Web design for the Eagle’s Eye, the school’s online newspaper. Junior Sarah Andrews from Coral Springs was a third-place winner in the photography contest. The subject of her winning entry was “Chaos Unleased,” which was the theme of the conference.

Brittany Rich, a video student from Boca Raton, ranked first in the FSPA’s public service announcement (PSA) competition. Her video, “Banish Bullying,” addressed bullying in cyberspace and was the second honor she received for a PSA this year. Her first PSA, which was about seatbelt safety, won four national awards at various competitions across and U.S. It was also featured in South Florida on a WPTV Channel 5 news segment. Rich, who is in her senior year, plans to attend the University of Miami and major in film.

“We are extremely proud of these students and delighted that they have been lauded for their accomplishments,” said Sherri Andrews, head of the school’s video journalism/media department. “These awards mean a lot to Logan, Sarah and Brittany, and the honors will look impressive alongside their other achievements.”

The FSPA is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1946. It is the scholastic press association for Florida and its members consist of more than 300 student publications, online media teams and broadcast programs from the state. The main mission of the organization is to educate, train and support scholastic journalists and their advisers.Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as from out of state and around the world. The private educational institution prepares students academically more and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential. For further information about NBPS, visit www.nbps.org or call 954-736-4694.

North Broward Prep student reaches for the ‘STARS’ and succeeds

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Most high school students consider summer break to be a reprieve from their studies. However, Jordan Masanoff of The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek – along with more than 70 other aspiring scientists elsewhere – chose to do the opposite. They participated in and graduated from the Pfizer Inc. and Solutia Inc. 2007 Students and Teachers as Research Scientists (STARS) program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

An academically talented student, Masanoff of Parkland, Florida was accepted into the intensive, six-week summer STARS program with help from North Broward Prep biology teacher Howard York who had written a letter of recommendation for him. Masanoff said he’s learned much from York (his ninth-grade biology teacher and AP biology teacher in the tenth grade). Last year Masanoff was a laboratory research assistant to York, and he will work with the teacher again at North Broward Prep as a senior during the 2007-08 school year. “Mr. York went far beyond his teaching requirements by meeting with me and giving me guidance on my educational path,” Masanoff pointed out.

The STARS program took Masanoff to the CEIBA Biology Center in Guyana in South America to conduct field research. He was accompanied by Dr. Godfrey Bourne from UM-St. Louis, who became his mentor. Other STARS participants also worked on professional research with some of the region’s top biologists, chemists, computer scientists, engineers, medical researchers, physicists and psychologists. Research topics ranged from neural circuits in the brain and human/robot interaction to evolutionary computations.

The program provided an excellent opportunity for young scientists to explore a career in research and determine their level of interest. It introduced participants such as Jordan to the various aspects of the scientific enterprise as practiced by successful scientists more in academic, private or corporate research institutions. Besides conducting research and presenting papers, students took part in career workshops, attended lectures and enjoyed evening social activities.

For STARS, Masanoff had to submit two research papers. He chose as his subject for both the “Female Preference for Multiple Traits in a Weakly Polymorphic Livebearing Fish, Poecilia vivipara.” According to the wannabe scientist, one had more “science fair-style” writing. He is waiting for it to be judged by Pfizer and Solutia.

He co-authored the other research paper with Dr. Bourne. “It is in the editing stages and we hope to get it accepted for publication in a science journal,” Masanoff noted.

Masanoff entered North Broward Prep in the third grade and developed an interest in science when he was in middle school. “My family and teachers encouraged me to pursue this,” he said. Initially he thought about a career in medicine as an orthopedic surgeon. But, after his STARS experience, he is very passionate about research.

“While academic curriculums preach success in standardized and AP tests (leading to memorization-based learning), the inquiry-based learning of research allows an individual to truly gain knowledge and become educated through self-discovery. Research has allowed me to become a complete master of a specific subject,” he concluded.

For 18 years, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, in cooperation with Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Missouri has sponsored the STARS program. Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer partners with the universities involved in the STARS program, and science-based companies like Solutia (whose materials are used primarily in the construction, transportation and manufacturing markets) also lend support and maintain a close relationship with the program.

NBPS is a member of the Meritas Family of Schools, a unique worldwide network of exceptional private college preparatory institutions that infuses classroom instruction with a strong global perspective.

Established in 1957, NBPS attracts students from northern Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as from out of state and out of the country. Grades range from Pre-K through 12. For further information, call 954-736-4694.

Ways to help your child succeed in school
By Dr. Jeanne M. Korn, Assistant Headmaster
The North Broward Preparatory Schools

Dr. Jeanne Korn

The start of a new school year is a time when students are filled with dreams and expectations. How delightful it is to be greeted by so many smiling faces, and I always ponder who is smiling more – the students or the parents!

As we slowly begin to get back into the routine of school, I propose that parents help their child readjust to schedules, homework demands, studying and being responsible for their materials by considering some of my suggestions below:

• Create a study routine. It is important to set a time and quiet place for your child to work every day after school. After your child completes homework, ask your child to share the final results. Become involved. Utilize the various communication tools that the school sets forth for communication (i.e., email, telephone call, parent-teacher conference, a note in the homework journal or your child’s backpack and attendance at all school events)

• Encourage independence. Allow your child to make mistakes and learn to accept their consequences. Be a parent who helps support your child by following school rules and policies, such as arriving to school on time, following the drop-off and pick-up procedures, sending things back to school in a timely manner. In addition, speak about the teachers and the school in a positive manner in front of your child.

• Build success. Help raise your child’s self-esteem by setting reachable goals and praising your child’s efforts, not just the results. Be a parent who truly understands your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Children need to know that they are loved for the person that they are and not the person you wish them to become.

• Assign your child responsibilities at home. Being responsible for chores helps a child’s sense of importance and self-esteem blossom in a positive manner. We all need to feel needed.

• Read, read, read and read some more…and make it fun. Talk about what your child is reading. Turn off the television and find time during the week for the family to read together. Children learn by modeling. They are watching you even when you don’t think they are…so read!

• Make school important. Be a parent who insists on punctuality, best effort and good attendance. You are setting patterns and developing habits that last a lifetime and are exceedingly difficult to alter in later years. Best wishes for a wonderful 2007-2008!

The North Broward Preparatory Schools serves families living in northern Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as students from out of state and out of the country.

Dr. Jeanne M. Korn, Ed.D. can be reached at 954-736-4694.

North Broward Prep School Athletic Director Danny Haney with several six-year-olds at the Meritas sister school in Mexico during the recent Basketball Camp. Haney is also Athletic Director for the worldwide Meritas Family of Schools.

NBPS athletic director organizes basketball camp
in Mexico to share knowledge

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Several coaches from The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek participated in a week-long Meritas basketball camp this summer at Instituto San Roberto, a Meritas sister school in Monterrey, Mexico. NBPS is a member of the Fort Lauderdale-based Meritas Family of Schools, a unique worldwide network of exceptional private college preparatory institutions that infuses classroom instruction with a strong global perspective.

When North Broward Prep’s Athletic Director Danny Haney, who wears a second hat as Athletic Director for Meritas Schools, set up the basketball camp, he and everyone else involved in the inaugural event didn’t know what to expect.

“What we discovered was an experience we will never forget,” Haney said. “The week we spent together is a clear indication of where Meritas is headed – coaches sharing ideas with coaches from our sister schools, and working alongside one another to help make everyone better. This camp was exactly what I hoped it would be.”

More than 120 students from the San Agustin and Valle Alto campuses of Instituto San Roberto attended the camp. “Meritas coaches from North Broward Prep School, the Henderson International School in Las Vegas, and Collège du Léman in Geneva, Switzerland joined with coaches from the host school to create a learning environment unlike any other,” Haney noted. “The camp emphasized shooting, passing, rebounding, ball handling and defense. Campers also matched up in both free-throw and hot-shot competitions, and applied what they had learned by playing live games in the afternoon.”

Haney, a well-known South Florida high school coach, and former professional player Theren “T” Bullock who is affiliated with Collège du Léman shared a wealth of basketball knowledge. Instituto San Roberto coaches were also acclimated to drills and practice plans frequently used by other schools in order to prepare for interscholastic competition.

Meritas schools, which are academically aggressive and inspire every student to achieve his or her full potential, have distinctive advantages. Not only do Meritas sports competitions bring students together from every continent, but students also participate in video-conferencing with their Meritas peers in other states and countries. They can study at Meritas sister schools for a semester, a summer, or a year; and Meritas schools synchronize their curricula to allow students to take intensive two-week courses offered by any of the schools across the world. Because of the emphasis on teamwork, Meritas students acquire an understanding of diversity and cultural sensitivities.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. The private institution attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. It serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. For further information, call 954-736-4694.

NBPS has no boundaries

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Students living in South Florida who attended North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) during the 2006-07 school year came from as far south as Sunny Isles Beach in Miami-Dade County and as far north as Lake Worth in Palm Beach County. More than 40 percent of the families live in Coral Springs and Parkland areas, while more than 30 percent are from Boca Raton. Families living in eastern Broward County (i.e., Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale) made up approximately 14 percent. These locations are just a short bus ride away.

In addition, NBPS has captured the attention of international families who want their children to receive a high-quality college preparatory education in the U.S.

This past year, North Broward Prep had 14 students enrolled from a number of different countries. Four were in middle school, 10 in high school. These international exchange students came from Mexico, Spain, Germany and South Korea.

Furthermore, because some international families who live locally sent their children to NBPS, the school’s American students were exposed to even more peers from other nations.

“North Broward Prep students make friends and work alongside their peers from different cultures, which helps prepare them to succeed and lead in a global society,” said Headmaster David V. Hicks. “By interacting with their counterparts from other countries, they learn about cultural diversity and develop respect for others. Our American students also learn far more than any textbook could teach them.”

Currently NBPS offers supervised residential boarding on its 80-acre campus for male students, and plans to accommodate females in the future. In addition, some international students live with host families who have a child or children enrolled at the school.

According to Hicks, this is in keeping with the leading-edge learning international focus of the Meritas Family of Schools. North Broward Prep is one of eight schools worldwide that are currently a part of this one-of-a-kind network of distinctive college preparatory schools.

North Broward Prep students are able to participate in video-conferencing with their Meritas peers in other states and countries, and they can study at Meritas sister schools for a semester, a summer, or a year. Meritas sports competitions bring students together from every continent; and every year Meritas schools synchronize their curricula to allow students to take intensive two-week courses offered by any of the schools across the world. “Because of the emphasis on teamwork, the students acquire an understanding of cultural sensitivities. Additionally, they are engaged in giving back through humanitarian projects,” Hicks added.

“By not only learning with students from all over the world, but also by living with them, our students expand their horizons, come to a more profound understanding of themselves as Americans, and develop greater empathy for those who have been shaped by different cultures and beliefs,” he concluded.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college prep schools. The private educational institution has a campus in Coconut Creek that serves grades Pre-K through 12, and an additional Lower School campus in Coral Springs. For further information, call 954-736-4694.

North Broward Prep student named
Female Athlete of the Year in
Broward County

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. - The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek produces award-winning athletes. Among them is Rochelle Moncrieffe, a 2007 graduating senior who lives in Coconut Creek. She has attended NBPS since the 6th grade and has been one of the private school's top female athletes during all four years of high school.

During The Miami Herald's 43rd annual All-Broward Athletic Awards Breakfast, presented by Bank United this past May in Davie, Florida, Broward County's top high school athletes were honored. It was there that Moncrieffe was recognized for her prowess and received one of the major awards that an athlete can receive from The Miami Herald: Female Athletic of the Year (3A-1A).

According to NBPS Athletic Director Danny Haney, 3A-1A refers to the state classification or size of the school, based upon population. "This means that Rochelle is the top female athlete of all small schools in Broward County, which is quite an impressive distinction."

School coaches and Herald writers for each sport cast votes, after reviewing an entire year of statistics and all-county honors. "This year, she had been rated as First Team All-County Soccer, First Team All-County Basketball, and Second Team All-County Flag Football," Haney said. "Rochelle was a leader of all three teams and was consistently recognized throughout the year. To her credit as well, she helped lead the NBPS girls' soccer team to a district title."

Commenting further, Haney added, "It is a wonderful experience to see one of our athletes honored at such a high level. Rochelle is departing North Broward Prep as one of the most decorated female athletes in the school's 50-year history. Her leadership, both on and off the field, and her athletic talents, will be hard to replace. She will be missed."

Moncrieffe will continue her soccer career at the college level. She has received a full soccer scholarship to Jackson State University in Mississippi.

The NBPS graduate is now in the company of other female Athlete of the Year winners such as tennis great Chris Evert, who was honored when she was a high school athlete in Broward County many years ago. The Miami Herald has presented student athletes and school coaches with All-Broward plaques and trophies since 1963. The awards have been presented at a breakfast in Broward since 1993, and the event attracts more than 1,000 persons.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area's oldest college preparatory schools. The private institution attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. It serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information about NBPS please visit
www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694

NBPS seniors going to top-tier universities

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Seniors at the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) have been admitted to universities that are among the finest and most competitive schools in the country, announced NBPS High School Principal Danny Tuchman.

NBPS Valedictorian Emma Yates of Coconut Creek will be going to Princeton University. According to Tuchman, she is “a science-oriented intellectual and humanist who has been admitted virtually everywhere.”

Amanda Gill and Christina Del Carpio, both of Parkland, are bound for Duke University. Del Carpio is a scholar, debater and athlete with a focus on biological studies. She is goal oriented and a community service volunteer. Gill is a gifted musician who plays both the piano and violin in the NBPS orchestra as well as trombone in the school’s marching band.

Admitted to Columbia, Kay Kay Carrington of Lighthouse Point is, in the words of Tuchman, “equal parts scholar and athlete.”

Although admitted elsewhere, William Glick of Lighthouse Point has chosen to enroll in the University of Chicago. Likewise, Mark Rangel of Coral Springs will be enrolling in Washington University in St. Louis.

“The list goes on, and our seniors have also been admitted to other top-tier universities such as Boston College, Brandeis University, Cornell, George Washington, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Emory and Northwestern,” Tuchman noted.

“It is very exciting for all of us at NBPS to see that our graduates are going to American’s foremost universities,” he continued. “These universities obviously know about NBPS and the quality of our graduates. To me, it clearly shows that our faculty prepares our students to compete with ‘the best of the best,’ as well as ensures that they will be successful in whatever they choose to do after high school, college and beyond.”

Commenting on her experience since she came to NBPS in the 6th grade, Amanda Gill said, “North Broward Preparatory Schools’ atmosphere is very academically oriented. This made me push myself harder to reach my goals. North Broward has a standard of excellence shared by everyone, and students are interested in excelling academically.” Gill added that the teachers are very helpful, and that she has made some wonderful friends over the years.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students not only from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, but from around the world as well. The private educational institution serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information about NBPS please visit
www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694

NBPS WELCOMES DECORATED SOLDIERS HOME FROM IRAQ

(L to R) Brooke Ferrer, North Broward Prep School’s school nurse and mother of the two decorated Marine Reservists; Headmaster David Hicks; Philip E. Morgaman, school president; Chris Ferrer; Marine Sergeant Alexander Escobar; and Alex Ferrer.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) got a head start on celebrating Memorial Day this year when its faculty, administrators and entire student body gathered on the Coconut Creek campus to welcome home twin brothers who had served in Iraq. Each a recipient of a Purple Heart, Alexander and Christopher Ferrer are lance corporals, firefighters and EMTs in the Marine Reserves. They entered NBPS in the second grade and graduated from the private school in 2004.

“One of the things we talk about is that North Broward Prep is a family,” said Philip E. Morgaman, president of the school. “We’re bonded together by a love for one another and a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. Students who have graduated come back because it feels good to come ‘home.’ That’s what brings us here today. The Ferrer brothers continue to be part of our family.”

Sergeant Alexander Escobar, also from the Second AABN Bravo Scout Platoon, joined the Ferrers at the patriotic outdoor event, which featured expressions of gratitude from Morgaman, performances by the High School Concert Band, and plenty of American flag waving from the 2,000 students who had assembled for the special tribute.

Brooke Ferrer, mother of the twins and NBPS Upper School’s nurse for the past 11 years, thanked the school for its wonderful support. “I couldn’t have gotten through this without you,” she said.

Her sons had served two tours of duty in Iraq, spending 7 months there. Alexander had been shot and Christopher survived a suicide bombing in that war-torn country.

Both soldiers acknowledged the letters they had received from the faculty and students. “It was really rough in Iraq. Your letters helped get us through,” Christopher said. Alexander also verbalized his gratitude.

“These men have undertaken a special course. They chose to serve in the U.S. military where they risked their lives to keep us safe. They are our guardians and protectors. They have shown us the greatest love of all by making this sacrifice for us,” Morgaman said, before giving the twins each an award of appreciation.

“Events such as this help our students realize that they are part of something big. This is the kind of event that builds a sense of community for kids. It was like being back in Norman Rockwell days,” he later commented.

The Ferrers, who had followed an older brother into the Marines, returned home to Fort Lauderdale this spring. They remain on active duty at the U.S. Marine Corps base in Hialeah until early June. Both boys plan to start paramedic school in the fall of 2007.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, all well as students from around the world .The private educational institution, which has a second Lower Campus in Coral Springs, serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information about NBPS please visit
www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694

NBPS students win big at Cappies

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. -- Eleven students from the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek were among 2007 award winners in The Cappies (the Critics and Awards Program). The honors were presented in mid May at the South Florida Cappies gala at Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. There are presently 16 Cappies chapters across the U.S. and Canada.

The American high school awards program, which is intended to encourage students to become involved in theater, gives recognition to students who excel in high school theater programs or as critics writing reviews about those shows.

NBPS students were the proud recipients of several major awards. For the fourth consecutive year, Sarah Marshak of Coral Springs won the Senior Critics award. She is the only critic in the history of Cappies nationally to have won the critics award every year since freshman year, out of 16 chapters across the US and Canada. Prior to the gala, the NBPS senior had been interviewed on NBC6-TV’s Today in South Florida morning show.

Aaron Ricciardi, a senior from Coral Springs, won the Male Vocalist Award, while Evan Diamond, a tenth grader from Parkland, was honored with the Cameo Actor in a Musical Award.

Receiving the Critics Team Award furthered the excitement of the evening and made the following students delirious: Sarah Marshak; Justin Schwartz, a senior from Coral Springs; William Glick, a senior from Lighthouse Point; David Friedman, a tenth grader from Parkland; Stephanie Malove, a tenth grader from Parkland; tenth grader Layne Kula and ninth grader Marlee Kula from Parkland; Josh Solomon, a ninth grader from Coral Springs; and Jessica Kent, a ninth grader from Boca Raton.

In the Ensemble Music category, Katryna Lim from Coral Springs, Jessica Kent from Boca Raton, Sammie Ludin from Weston and Aaron Ricciardi from Coral Springs were recognized with a Superior award. Superior awards also went to Ariana Chapman and Jordan Hemphill, both from Boca Raton, for Duet Acting; to Jessica Kent for Solo Music; and to Katryna Lim and Aaron Ricciardi for Duet Music.

Zac Wolf and Sam Weiner won an Excellent award for Duet Acting. Both NBPS students live in Boca Raton.

Lieberman pointed out the Fine Arts program at NBPS is exceptional. “Encompassing theatre, music, dance, visual arts and media, this program helps students become more well-rounded individuals. We offer them knowledge of the history of theater, stage productions, technical production management, acting, dance, music theory, bands, vocals, orchestral, jazz and Thespian competitions,” he said. “Furthermore, we provide experiences than enhance humanitarian consciousness and bring about an understanding of cultural diversity so that students learn to interact benevolently with others.”

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. The private institution attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. It serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information about NBPS please visit
www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694

European Charity Band to help disadvantaged children through the gift of music

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. –The European Charity Band, comprised of music, vocal and dance students from the Meritas International family of schools located in Florida, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Houston and Mexico, will be going overseas on June 12. The 70 youngsters, ages 13 to 17, are on a mission to make life more pleasant for disadvantaged children.

Select students from North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek, which was the first private educational institution to join Meritas, will be among them.

The group will converge at North Broward Prep a week earlier to rehearse before jetting off to England via American Airlines with the European Charity Band Tour Director Danny Lieberman. Lieberman, who is also the Director of Fine Arts at Meritas and NBPS, has been leading students throughout Europe for two decades. The tour, which was his brainchild, is tied into the efforts of International Make-A-Wish. Lieberman served as the International Make-A-Wish president from 1998-2000. Before that, he was involved with Make-A-Wish for 20 years as a founder of a New York chapter and as a vice president for Make-A-Wish of America. This is the 11th year that Lieberman is coordinating and leading a group of teens who will share the gift of music.

During the past 10 years, more than 500 students have taken part in these annual European tours, performing in numerous cities and towns to bring cheer to terminally ill and disadvantage children.

“The aim is to give and to share,” Lieberman said. “It is not just about the music. It is about love and cultural diversity. But, most of all, it is about caring for others who are different from us. The core value instilled is sensitivity to diversity and giving of one’s self to those who are less fortunate.”

The NBPS group is particularly proud to have presented a keyboard to a 16-year-old from Vienna in 2005, and a pink bedroom set and clothing to a six-year-old in that same city in 2006. Last year the students also visited several schools and hospitals.

In addition to London, this year’s tour includes visits to Salzburg, Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna, Brussels and Geneva. While in Geneva, the group will make a musical stopover at its Meritas sister school, College du Leman, and will do a benefit concert for Make-A-Wish Switzerland.

Departing June 12, the band will return on June 27th. The groups include dancers, singers, a Concert Band and a Jazz Ensemble. Musical selections range from jazz, Bach and the Beatles to Broadway and rock & roll. Students bring along their instruments, music stands, amplifiers and all the electrical gear necessary to entertain.

The ensembles will perform locally before their departure. The public is invited to attend. Concerts are scheduled at 7 p.m. on June 8 at the City of Coconut Creek Community Center; 6 p.m. on June 11 at the Marriott Hotel Beach Place in Fort Lauderdale; and at 7 p.m. on June 11th at the Township Center for the Performing Arts in Coconut Creek. For ticket information, call 954-736-4694, ext.324.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students not only from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, but from around the world as well. The private educational institution serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information about NBPS please visit www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694

Pictured are some students and an adviser at the Meritas student summit hosted recently by the North Broward Preparatory Schools in Coconut Creek.

BPS STUDENTS JOIN MERITAS’ INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO ADOPT AN UNDERDEVELOPED VILLAGE

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. –This spring, Meritas schools sent their student government officers and advisers from around the globe to a special summit at the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek. NBPS is among members of the growing, worldwide Meritas family of exceptional college preparatory schools.

On the third day of the summit, the Meritas representatives came together to work on their individual leadership skills and their respective student governments. They also identified collaborative charitable opportunities.

The most exciting result of the summit was the creation of a charitable action plan designed to capitalize on the strength of the Meritas network of schools by unifying their efforts in order to make a difference globally.

By January 2008, their collective goal is to raise a minimum of $80,000 to be used to adopt an underdeveloped village in Mexico or Central America.

Whether it was coincidental or not that the summit took place a month after World Water Day, the students were initially interested in providing the village with healthy water. Their intent is to donate and install a Play Pump, which ingeniously uses playground equipment as a means to extract safe water from an underground aquifer. The energy of children at play becomes the power supply. Clean, bore-hole water is pumped into storage tanks while the merry-go-round-like equipment is being enjoyed by children.

The students’ plan also identifies non-monetary ways to support the village. Meritas students will be given the opportunity to participate in the actual installation and construction projects. Additionally, they will enhance their ability to give through clothing, book and school-supply drives.

“Humanitarian efforts such as this are an integral part of the learning experience at Meritas schools,” said David V. Hicks, vice president of Academic Affairs for Meritas and the headmaster at NBPS. “This is just one example of how we engage our students, teach them about cultural diversity, and encourage them to give to those who are less fortunate.”

Continuing, he added, “This is an ambitious undertaking for Meritas students, but they always set high goals. We are very proud that they have selected this as a collaborative fundraising project. This undertaking demonstrates that they are thinking globally and actively involved in helping to solve some of the world’s problems It also shows what an international network of extraordinary schools can accomplish when they work together.”

For further information about NBPS please visit www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694

(L to R): Coach Dellenbach with North Broward Preparatory Schools’ Athletic Director Danny Haney

NFL veteran named head football coach at
 North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS)

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. –North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) in Coconut Creek scored big in early May when the Athletic Department announced that Jeff Dellenbach will be the MEagles’ new head football coach, starting immediately.

NBPS’ Athletic Director Danny Haney shared the exciting news at an outdoor, on-campus gathering attended by Headmaster David V. Hicks, the football staff and some of the students.

This is the first high school head football coaching position for Dellenbach. The NFL veteran will oversee NBPS’ varsity team and a junior high team of 7th, 8th and 9th graders.

Dellenbach brings to the school 16 years in the NFL. Drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1985, he played 10 years under Coach Don Shula and was an assistant offensive line coach for the Dolphins. He also played one year with the New England Patriots, three years with the Green Bay Packers, and one year each with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks. Throughout his career, Dellenbach played all five offensive line positions. He participated in two Super Bowls and was a member of the Packers when that team won Super Bowl XXXI (1997).

In college, when he attended the University of Wisconsin in his native state, Dellenbach was the Second Team All-Big Ten Selection (1983), as well as the Third Team All-American Selection, Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and First Team All-Big Ten Selection (1984).

Before introducing the new head coach, Haney said he had met Dellenbach two years early and was impressed with him. “Jeff is big into helping the community, which is compatible with our school’s philosophy. He and his family give back through their involvement with Miami’s Children Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs. He is a phenomenal person and we’re sure he’ll be a tremendous asset to NBPS and a great role model for our players,” Haney noted.

“Mr. Hicks, our headmaster, is really responsible for this happening. When he joined NBPS this year, he said he wanted to create a very exciting atmosphere. Football is certainly a part of it,” Haney said. “We have beautiful facilities here and everything to make a successful team.”

Receiving both applause and cheers, Dellenbach said he was running a successful business – the Ultimate Sports Institute – and that he wasn’t looking for a high school head coaching position. “But the more I heard about North Broward Prep, the more I knew the position was right for me,” he said.

Dellenbach’s Ultimate Sports Institute is a company that provides athletic conditioning, strength training, biomechanics, nutritional advice and safety tips from athletic professionals. He plans to stay involved. A 20-year Weston resident, Dellenbach is married and has four children.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students not only from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, but from around the world as well. The private educational institution serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. Lower and Upper Schools are located in Coconut Creek, and there is a Lower School campus in Coral Springs. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information about NBPS please visit www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694

North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) appoints

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Dr. Kathleen Rotella, a 30-year veteran in the field of private education, will join the North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) as Director of Lower Schools. The position becomes effective on July 1, 2007.

“Dr. Rotella brings a consistent record of high achievement to our lower school campuses in Coconut Creek and Coral Springs, Florida,” said NBPS Headmaster David V. Hicks.

As Director of the Lower and Intermediate Schools at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida. Dr. Rotella developed strong physical education, summer, after-school, and lap-top technology programs. More recently, she headed up the middle school at St. Mark’s in Fort Lauderdale. There, she designed a schedule that prioritized academic excellence and extra-curricular activities with the physiological characteristics of middle school children.

In 2006, Dr. Rotella was selected as one of 71 Fellows for special training as heads of schools by the National Association of Independent Schools. She participated in a leadership institute, attended a series of NAIS conference workshops, and completed a leadership project that focused on analyzing students’ standardized test scores and using the findings to develop individual student profiles and customized teaching strategies that improved performance.

Dr. Rotella received a bachelor of science degree in Education from Florida International University followed by a master’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Miami. She resumed her studies years later and earned a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Rotella moved to South Florida in 1960. She and her husband currently live in the Coral Ridge area of Fort Lauderdale.

Dr. Rotella also serves as vice president of the Broward County Non-Public School Association. Among her responsibilities are the planning and coordination of the organization’s annual Pinnacle Awards luncheon.

“More important than any of these achievements are her love of children and her delight in working with teachers, parents and students,” Hicks said. “Kathleen [Kitty] is very enthusiastic about her new appointment. Additionally, with her love of family and sports, she plans to be visible at both NBPS campuses and looks forward to the school year with high hopes and high expectations.”

Continuing, Hicks said, “We, too, have our sights set on the stars next year and I am confident that, under Dr. Rotella’s caring leadership, our children will reach those stars.”

The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) is one of the oldest private college preparatory institutions in the area, having been established 50 years ago. It is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools worldwide, which provides NBPS students with travel and enrichment opportunities not available at other area college preparatory schools.

For further information about NBPS please visit www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694, ext. 324.

NBPS students capture multiple awards in dance!

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The Fine Arts Department at the North Broward Preparatory Schools is abuzz with excitement after being recognized as a multiple winner in the Nexstar Dance Competition held recently in Coconut Creek Florida.

Nexstar National Talent Competition is a dance competition where local studios compete for title awards.

Aglow with pride, Fine Arts Director Daniel Lieberman announced that Melissa D’Errico High School Dance Team won a first place Platinum Award and 1st Overall Highest Score in its category for a lyrical dance, “Minstrel’s Prayer”; a first place Platinum award and 2nd Overall Highest Score for “Technologic”, a modern jazz dance; and a High Gold Award and 3rd Overall Highest Score for a jazz dance, “Body Language.”

The “Body Language” performance also received the “Feel Good Award”, and this NBPS team captured the Backstage Award (both were Special Judge’s Awards). In addition, soloist Ree Joslyn took a High Gold Award, while Alex Masi and Kat Franklin each won a Gold award. Accolades also went to Paula Caselton’s High School Dance Team as the team received a High Gold Award and a 4th Overall Highest Score for lyrical dance “Every Time We Touch.” Likewise, their jazz dance “Queen of the Night” performance won Gold and was recognized for the 5th Overall Highest Score in its category. High Gold award-winning soloists include Melissa Then, Jenn Perfect and Anna Walsh.

“NBPS continues its strong focus on the fine arts, whether it’s dance, music, theatre, visual arts or media,” Lieberman said. “We believe that programs such as these contribute to our students becoming more well-rounded individuals. To discover their talents and to cultivate them is a true joy. Plus, we oftentimes tie these programs in with humanitarian efforts, in order to teach children the satisfaction derived from giving back to the community.”

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It attracts students not only from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, but from around the world as well. The private educational institution serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential. 

For further information about NBPS and its Fine Arts programs, please visit

www.NBPS.org or call (954) 736-4694, ext. 324.

BOLD NEW CURRICULUM, UPGRADED FACILITIES AND $4 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS ARE TRADEMARKS OF
NBPS’ PLEDGE TO BRING AMERICAN EDUCATION INTO 21ST CENTURY

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – An old adage “Think globally, act locally” holds true for one of the oldest, private college preparatory educational institutions in South Florida. In a bold and visionary move to prepare the next generation of Americans for the new world order, North Broward Preparatory School (NBPS) in Coral Springs is introducing an innovative curriculum for Pre-K four year olds through the first grade starting in the 2007-2008 school year.

“Children will not emerge as leaders on tomorrow’s global stage without the proper foundation early in life,” said NBPS Headmaster David V. Hicks. “The pillars of that foundation are not just the academics; they are also the characteristics of emotional intelligence that we develop in our students.”

In 2006, the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, a bipartisan panel of education leaders, revealed a dismal report on the state of American education. A bare minimum required by the measures like “No Child Left Behind” will likely leave an entire generation behind, according to the report’s findings. Similarly, Florida’s preoccupation with FCATK leaves little time for anything but basic math and reading.

NBPS – a member of the Meritas Family of Schools that is recognized for its international study, travel and humanitarian program opportunities – realizes that the new, emerging and rather “flat” world requires much more. “Along with the core academic and technological skills, American students must be able to work in teams and have a deep understanding of cultural differences,” noted Hicks who also is vice president of Academic Affairs for Meritas. Starting in August 2007, NBPS’ Coral Springs curriculum will address all of that.

Firstly, NBPS recognizes that the rising Chinese empire and its 1.5 billion Mandarin speakers are playing a crucial role in the world’s economy and cannot be ignored. “With more students studying at honors level in China than the total number of children in America, this influence will only become more apparent as our children move into adulthood,” Hicks noted. “Therefore, beginning at four years of age, Pre-K, Kindergarten and first-grade students at NBPS will have daily classes in Mandarin taught by native speakers.”

In addition, NBPS will create an enhanced learning environment to support such innovative practices by redesigning its facilities. For example, as children enter the classrooms for Mandarin, they will be visually transported to Old China.

Still, the school’s uncompromising ambition stretches far beyond China. Young students in Coral Springs will become familiar with geography, literature and customs of the world on the other six continents. They will interact with the sciences as never before, leading to an understanding and application of scientific reasoning from an early age.

Furthermore, the unique curriculum will teach youngsters to play stringed instruments, such as the violin, with confidence and as members of a musical ensemble.

Continuing, Hicks said, “We, of course, will teach in an age-appropriate manner. It will be playful and fun, and young children will soak up what’s being presented.”

Exam dates are set for April 28, May 19 and June 2, 2007. For more information about these scholarship opportunities, call 954-840-8918.

“We are living in times where technology is growing by leaps and bounds. Kids can easily obtain information from Google, but they need far more than that, including an international mindset. That’s why our 21st century educational initiatives are so important. We feel it is our responsibility to create a richer, more robust learning environment for today’s youth,” Hicks concluded.

Established in 1957, NPBS has campuses in Coral Springs and Coconut Creek. The private institution attracts students from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties as well as from around the world. NBPS serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global community.

NBPS was the first member of The Meritas Family of Schools that today has schools as faraway as Switzerland. This international family of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools is committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information, please visit:

www.Meritas.net

(Top, L to R) North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) Coral Springs Assistant Principal Angela Kopels and Principal Else Ecoff with (bottom, L to R) auction winners Julia Hopper, assistant principal for a day; and Katie Bishop, principal for a day.

PTA charity auction puts elementary school students in high-powered positions at North Broward Preparatory Schools

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Coral Springs Lower Campus Principal Elise Ecoff at North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) relinquished her office for one day as a way to raise funds for the school.

Likewise, so did the schools’ assistant principal and director of physical education. Even the head of security had to step aside when he was temporarily replaced by a student at the school whose parents had placed winning bids at a PTA auction held earlier this year.

“The PTA event took place on NBPS’ Coconut Creek campus and parents on both campuses were involved. Supporters kept the action going so that their child (and, in some cases, children) could role play in these or other supervisory positions for a day.

Cheryl Cleary, Carol Chenkin, Marie Chusid and Marina Chaney chaired this year’s event committee and the auction was well received by parents and children alike.

Funds that the PTA generously donates are used to purchase ancillary materials that enhance learning. Last year, funds raised were used for everything from creating a first-grade “reading room” complete with cozy furniture and rgs to sending teachers to national conferences.

“I was very excited to be principal for a day at my school,” said Katie Bishop who lives in Coral Springs. “I liked eating lunch in the teacher’s lounge and doing the survey of the students.”

Ecoff said that this gave some of her students an opportunity to begin to develop their leadership skills while learning about how a school operates. “Plus, it is a whole lot of fun for everyone!” she concluded.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. It primarily attracts students from Broward and Palm Beach counties, and many international students also attend NBPS. The private educational institution serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information about NBPSand it's programs, please visit:

www.NBPS.org or call 954-736-4694.

PHOTO CUTLINE: (L-R) NBPS Fine Arts Director Daniel Lieberman
with band leader Anthony Williams.

Preparatory Schools in Coconut Creek
has been selected to play for the Miami Herald’s NORTH BROWARD PREPARATORY JAZZ BAND TO PLAY AT MIAMI HERALD’S SILVER KNIGHTS PROGRAM

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. - For the fifth year in a row, the Jazz Band at North Broward illustrious Silver Knights awards ceremony. Silver Knights, which is taped for a later television broadcast, recognizes top students from throughout Broward County for outstanding achievement in a variety of categories.

Winners in a highly competitive program are announced during the Academy Awards-style presentation fraught with suspense. Throughout the evening, music helps build tension and accompanies each nominee as he or she approaches the stage.

“It’s a great opportunity for our musicians to be in a high-pressure performance environment with TV cameras rolling,” said NBPS Director of Fine Arts Daniel Lieberman, who will conduct the Jazz Band during the Silver Knights program May 1. “They know anything can happen, and it usually does.”

“Musicians at NBPS are very professional performers,” Lieberman continued. “It’s an honor to be selected to play for Silver Knights, because it’s such a meaningful occasion for schools all over the county. Our kids realize how important the music is to the program. It’s always an exciting evening -- for both the nominees and for us.”

The Jazz Band is a part of NBPS’ concert band, which will tour in Europe this summer. Included in the itinerary will be performances in Surrey, England; Schevingen, the Haag, Geneva, Vienna and Prague.

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools in the area. The private educational institution serves grades pre-K through 12, preparing students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society.

NBPS is a member of the Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory institutions committed to maximizing student potential. For more information, call 954-736-4694.

North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS)
names Anthony Williams as new band director

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The news that Anthony Williams will become North Broward Preparatory Schools’ new band director beginning with the 2007/2008 school year is music to the ears of students and parents whose children are in the Music program at the private educational institution located in Coconut Creek, Florida.

According to Daniel Lieberman, NBPS’ director of Fine Arts, one of the school’s strong suits is its unique Fine Arts programs, and one of those programs – Music – will become even better with Williams coming on board, starting this summer with camp.

“We consider it a triumph to have hired Anthony away from the public school arena where he leaves a memorable mark on every position he has held,” Lieberman said. “Anthony’s credentials are remarkable and they speak volumes about the great music education that our band students will continue to receive here at North Broward.”

Williams has been playing music for three decades, beginning in the seventh grade in his home state of Alabama. In high school, he was an All-County and All-State trombone player and also won the John Phillip Sousa Award for the school. He subsequently relocated to Tallahassee, Florida to attend Florida A & M University where he studied trombone with the late Charles S. Bing. In 1990, Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education.

Beginning his career as the director of bands in 1990 at Pines Middle School in Pembroke Pines where he taught for five years, in 1995 he moved to Silver Trail Middle School in Pembroke Pines and, in 2001, to Falcon Cove Middle School in Weston.

“Anthony’s students have received superior ratings in Jazz, Concert, Solo and Ensemble and, most recently, won First Place and Grand Champion at Fiesta-Val in Atlanta. Plus, he has received a five-year Superior award from the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA),” Lieberman continued.

This music veteran was honored with the Teacher of the Year award from Pines and Silver Trail Middle schools, and was voted Arts Teacher of the Year at Falcon Cove Middle where he was a finalist for Broward County. Williams was also nominated twice for Disney’s Teacher of the Year award, honored as a Director of Distinction by the Fiesta-Val music competition and, in 2007, was the principal Elementary Honor Band conductor in Broward County as well as the Volusia County Middle School Honor Band conductor.

He is an active member of FBA, the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) and the Broward County Band Directors Association (BCBDA). Williams is a past-chairman of BCBDA and currently is president of Musical Experience, Inc., which sponsors camps and competitions for all students. “Anthony has consistently received superior ratings for the past 15 years in Jazz and Concert Bands in Music Performance Assessment. Likewise, bands under his direction have place first in the Fiesta-Val and Southern Star competitions. These bands have also been the Grand Champions of these competitions for the last three years,” Lieberman said.

“Bringing ‘the best of the best’ to NBPS will elevate our already great band program to an even higher level of excellence. We warmly welcome this talented professional and are confident he will be an invaluable asset to our Fine Arts team,” Lieberman concluded.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a team of educators with similar interests and goals," Williams said. Married with a daughter, he resides in Pembroke Pines. During his spare time, Williams rides his motorcycle and enjoys college and professional football. (Watching the Dallas Cowboys play is a special leisure-time pursuit!)

The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) is one of the oldest private college preparatory institutions in the area, having been established 50 years ago. It is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools worldwide, which provides NBPS students with travel and enrichment opportunities not available at other area college preparatory schools.

For further information about NBPS and its unique Fine Arts programs, please visit:

www.NBPS.org or call 954-736-4694, ext. 324.

North Broward Preparatory Schools goes green

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS) is taking action to protect and sustain the environment by going green. In a formal announcement about this campus-wide initiative, made by Headmaster David V. Hicks in April to coincide with Earth Day, he said, “May it someday be that North Broward is the greenest school in Florida.”

According to Hicks, part of what schools are about is forming good habits and realigning bad ones. “We at NBPS have talked most of the year about our obligation as a learning, teaching and consuming community to practice, learn and teach habits of sustainable living. Now it is time to put our words into action and sustain an effort to go green,” he said.

Hicks estimated that this aggressive green mentality will save NBPS thousands of dollars over the course of a year. Currently NBPS is paying more than $61,000 for waste pick-up. “At the same time we will be helping to save the earth, our actions will also be beneficial from a business standpoint,” he noted.

When NBPS students return to the school’s lower and upper campuses in Coconut Creek, as well as its lower school campus in Coral Springs this fall, they will find trash compactors that reduce the volume of waste from a ratio of approximately 4:1. NBPS will purchase roll-off containers to hold paper and cardboard, and those materials will be sold to a company that will recycle the materials. Toner cartridges from printers will also be set aside for recycling.

Other planned purchases include super sorters for bottles and cans, recycling bins for classrooms, and washable glass or plastic cups for the cafeterias. NBPS has already removed Styrofoam cups from the faculty work areas and encouraged teachers to bring their own ceramic mugs for coffee.

“If we can’t get rid of something in a manner that is environmentally friendly, we won’t buy it,” Hicks pointed out. “We are even going to be more conscientious about keeping more the temperature in our spaces comfortable, but not cold to the point where some of us need to wear sweaters to stay warm.”

NBPS intends to educate students about the environmental importance of recycling and has urged the NBPS science department to offer honors electives in topics such as environmental engineering and renewable energy.

In conjunction with its “going green” launch, NBPS is selling t-shirts with slogans that range from “Conservation is key and “One earth – one chance” to “Together we can change the world.” All monies raised will help defray costs for the purchase of this equipment.

Hicks is hoping the eco-friendly habits that NBPS is trying to engrain in its students are also being taught at home. “The fine art of sustainable living begins in the home. Children who come to school accustomed to picking up after themselves, recycling their trash and are aware about not wasting water and electricity will help to lead us all to a nobler vision of ourselves and our place on the earth,” he noted.

In a recent school newsletter, Hicks wrote: “It’s a mistake to think that environmental protection is a political issue – something best left up to the government. I urge you [parents] to investigate the topic for yourself.” He suggested an excellent place to start: Living Green, a short, practical book just written by an NBPS parent, Greg Horn. The book is available in local bookstores as well as in the NBPS store.

Hicks concluded by expressing appreciation to NBPS Middle School Principal Patrice Rogers and her Ecology Club at NBPS for “stirring the conscience of the school in these matters and for their efforts over the years to make a difference.”

Established in 1957, NBPS is one of the area’s oldest college preparatory schools. The private educational institution serves grades Pre-K through 12 and prepares students academically and socially for college and to succeed and lead in a global society. NBPS is a member of The Meritas Family of Schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential.

For further information, call 954-736-4694.

(L to R) Neil Bacher on guitar with vocalist Frank Sagarese performing at the North Broward Preparatory Schools faculty concert in Coconut Creek.

(While the upbeat fundraiser showcased the talents of NBPS music teachers, private instrument and vocal coaches, as well as several students, it contributed to a scholarship fund that is enabling eight Haitian students living in Pompano Beach to attend NBPS and receive academic and extracurricular opportunities they never would have had access to otherwise.

Fine Arts faculty concert benefits NBPS Booster Scholarship Fund

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – The North Broward Preparatory Schools (NBPS), one of the oldest private college preparatory institutions in the area, continued efforts to give back to the community when the Fine Arts Department recently presented its second annual faculty concert. The entertaining evening event raised money for the NBPS Booster Scholarship Fund, which has enabled eight Haitian students living in Pompano Beach to attend NBPS for the past three years, where they have academic and extracurricular opportunities they never would have had access to otherwise.

Twenty-six multi-talented NBPS music teachers, private instrument and vocal coaches, most of whom are or were professional performers, packed the house at The Township Center for the Performing Arts, which is convenient to the school’s Coconut Creek and Coral Springs campuses. They performed everything from classical, jazz and pop to blues and soul. Even Fine Arts Director Daniel Lieberman played saxophone and drums when he wasn’t conducting or acting as the emcee for the uplifting event. In addition, several NBPS students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 auditioned to perform with the teachers and staff. Their performances, like those of the faculty, received standing ovations.

“Although the benefit concert was billed as ‘It’s All About Music,’ it wasn’t really about the music,” said Lieberman. “It was about making a difference in people’s lives. This is very important to NBPS and to me personally.” Lieberman is a past president and a current board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation International.

“We played for a reason tonight,” Lieberman noted. “Several years ago we bonded with a charity and began sponsoring these eight students from surrounding communities could have the advantage of taking the same classes and participating in the same extracurricular activities that our NBPS students do.”

As the concert drew to an end, Lieberman expressed appreciation to the audience of supporters and extended a special thanks to Boca Raton residents Sandra and Philip E. Morgaman. Philip Morgaman is president of NBPS as well as chairman/CEO of Meritas schools, an international network of unique and distinctive college preparatory schools committed to maximizing student potential. Morgaman acquired NBPS in 1995, and subsequently expanded its campuses and programs. He later made NBPS the first member school in The Meritas Family of Schools worldwide, which provides NBPS students with travel and enrichment opportunities not available at other area college preparatory schools.

Lieberman pointed out that the NBPS Booster Scholarship fund will result in more than $1 million in contributions to the eight students over an eight-year period, and it is one of several charitable projects that NBPS undertakes every year.

“Because children learn by example, we believe in exposing our students to these types of philanthropic endeavors,” Lieberman continued. “It teaches them compassion, builds character, helps them become more well-rounded individuals, and prepares them to lead in a global society.”

For further information about NBPS and its unique Fine Arts programs, please visit

www.NBPS.org or call (954) 247-0011, ext. 324.