Broward County Public Schools Celebrated First Day of School with Tropical Theme in Cafeterias
On Monday, Aug. 21, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) celebrated the first day of school with a tropical theme in all cafeterias. Throughout the district, cafeterias were decorated with flowers and other tropical décor and staff dressed in Hawaiian shirts and leis. Students enjoyed Cool Tropics Raspberry Passion Fruit Slushies and ABC cookies and received handouts, stickers and plenty of tropical cheer in their cafeterias. In an act of solidarity, the district stands with those affected by the recent devastating fires in Maui.
Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata was present at Pembroke Lakes Elementary to wish students a wonderful – and delicious – first day of school. Cool Tropics, a BCPSFNS partner, hosted the 2022–2023 school year surfboard design contest where then eighth grader Helen Sarmiento was named the grand prize winner. She was present at Western High School in Davie where she was starting her freshman year and enjoyed a Cool Tropics Raspberry Passion Fruit Slush with her winning design.
BCPS is also pleased to announce it is offering free breakfast and lunch to ALL District students during the 2023/24 school year through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and a new pilot program for Universal Free Lunch. Through the Community Eligibility Provision program, BCPS is providing free breakfast and lunch at no cost for all students at 180 eligible District schools. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers CEP to schools where 40% or more of the student population qualifies for programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid and Extension of Benefits. Families at these schools do not need to complete an application to participate.
The new Universal Free Lunch Program Pilot will be implemented in the remaining 47 non-Community Eligibility Provision (non-CEP) schools. The Universal Free Lunch Program Pilot will provide reimbursable lunch meals to all students in non-CEP schools, regardless of students’ eligibility. To sustain the Universal Free Lunch Program Pilot and to be eligible for additional District benefits, parents are urged to complete the online application for Meal Benefits and the Income Survey Form. Both forms are available at www.myschoolapps.com.
