Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is proud to announce a $25,000 grant award from the Florida Panthers Foundation’s Community Champions Grant Program, which provides financial support for programs and initiatives that benefit the community. The grant supports the District’s Family and Community Engagement Department’s launch of the new Community Connections initiative to increase and provide access to learning opportunities for families throughout Broward County.

Community Connections will launch on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 10 a.m., at Gulfstream Early Learning Center of Excellence, 120 SW Fourth Avenue, Hallandale Beach. The initiative provides free educational courses, through BCPS and its partners, that empower families and prepare children to become lifelong learners.

Courses focus on three areas: student achievement, parenting and advocacy, and personal and individual growth. Student achievement courses provides families with resources and hands-on activities, including how to navigate BCPS. Parenting and advocacy courses provide families with tools to enhance parenting, communication and leadership skills. Personal and individual growth courses provide computer, financial literacy and mental health classes.

“We know that family engagement improves students’ academic performance, fosters positive student behavior and social skills, and leads to graduation and post-secondary education,” said BCPS Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “By educating and empowering our families through this new initiative, we are helping our students succeed in school and in life.”

For more information about Community Connections, contact Nadia Clarke, assistant director, BCPS Family and Community Engagement, at 754-321-1599.