THE MOST WIDELY CIRCUL ATED CARIBBEAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN FLORIDA
CNWEEKLYNE WS.COM
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
‘Two is Better Than Too many’ Experts sound alarm about Jamaica's declining birth rate The “Two is Better than Too Many” campaign, launched in the 1970s to promote family planning and encourage smaller family sizes, may have succeeded a little too well, as Jamaica now grapples with an alarming decline in its birth rate. Several health experts warn that this trend could jeopardize the island's aspirations for developed country status, calling for urgent action to address the socio-economic factors at play. Former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, has highlighted the serious implications of this issue. continues on A5 – Declining birth rate
Potential School Closures Loom Over Broward County Parents of students in Broward County schools may need to prepare for significant changes in the next school year, as the district considers the closure or reconfiguration of nine schools as part of its “Redefining Our Schools” initiative. This plan aims to alleviate financial pressures stemming from declining enrollment and shifting population dynamics within the county. The Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) board has identified five schools as potential candidates for closure: Broward Estates Elementary in Lauderhill, North Fork
Elementary in Fort Lauderdale, Silver Lakes Elementary in Miramar, Silver Shores Elementary in Miramar, and Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach. Additionally, four schools may undergo reconfiguration—altering grade levels—these include Coconut Creek Elementary, Hollywood Central Elementary, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, and Pines Middle School. Further discussions are planned for Bennett Elementary in Fort Lauderdale and Coral Cove Elementary in Miramar. The district has been contemplating these
changes for over a year, and last week marked the start of a series of community meetings designed to gather input from parents, staff, and community members. The first meeting occurred at Dillard High School, with additional sessions scheduled throughout the month. BCPS Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer Valerie Wanza expressed a desire for thoughtful consideration of the community's input. “Can we at least, for this first iteration this year, look at these schools, so we can give the time and attention, or the board can say, 'I
want you to consider one or two others?'” she urged, indicating the importance of transparency in the process. Meanwhile, school board member Dr. Jeff Holness highlighted concerns that moving forward with closures could undermine the community's trust in the district. “It appears to me to be premature. I would like to see us get through the process of meeting with the community that we have already in place,” he said, suggesting that families should be engaged in the conversation before any decisions are made. continues on B3 – School closures
WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER Late Jamaican Journalist Ruschell Boone honored with scholarship for Caribbean students A3
CARIBBEAN Trinidad and Tobago could be removed from EU Blacklist A4
tlc Your Mini Guide to Celebrating Caribbean Culture at Miami Carnival b1
SPORTS Camacho-Quinn humbled by University of Kentucky Hall of Fame recognition C3