A $10,000 donation from the Marlins Foundation was matched by the Broward Education Foundation resulting in a $20,000 contribution to support PLEASE™ (People, Life & Experiential Awareness Skills Education) a life skills and professional “soft skills” program to be piloted in the fall.
PLEASE promotes a character-building, layered curriculum focused on people, life and social skills. The objective is to begin to introduce these skills to sixth grade students and build upon each skill in a sequenced format with support and continued development through high school.
The program focuses on the development of professional skills as a manifestation of a student’s personal values such as courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence to break the barriers to personal and professional success. Engaging Marlins players as role models will highlight these values for students.
“We appreciate the Marlins going to bat for our students with this generous donation,” said Christina Fischer, Broward Education Foundation board chair. “Together we will have a profound impact on these students as they achieve their
highest potential. It’s the Broward Education Foundation’s mission to energize and engage the extended community to transform the lives of Broward County Public School students through support of quality education.”
Over the last three years, Attucks Middle School has been a member of a unique cadre of Broward County Public Schools in the School is Cool initiative funded by the Community Foundation of Broward. This program offers intensive remediation to students needing assistance in Reading, Language Arts and Mathematics. School is Cool affords students the opportunity to participate not only in academic programs, but also participate in engaging field trips related to the academics. The program incorporates debate, athletics, band, life skills education (PLEASE™), computer education, LEAPS, Naviance and a mentoring program through Mentoring Tomorrows Leaders.
“We are excited to have gathered many community partners to support the academic excellence of Attucks Middle School incorporating mentoring programs and skills programs in diverse communities where students face high levels of poverty and a disparity of educational opportunities,” said Thomas P. Severino, president/CEO of the Broward Education Foundation. “The Marlins are leading the way with their support for PLEASE, inspiring students to be the best that they can be. Students who will develop skills that will have a positive impact on their personal life, their self-esteem and motivate them to reach their highest potential.”
