Week in Review at M-DCPS; Distance Learning, Feeding Families & More

On Monday, April 6, teachers, students, and families began working with enhanced distance learning tools, utilizing the Instructional Continuity Plan 2.0. (ICP 2.0.), which provides additional guidance and support for an extended period of closure. Due to recommended community precautions in response to COVID-19, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is fully prepared to carry out distance learning for as long as is necessary.

Click here to view a message from Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho about the first week of ICP 2.0.

Prior to transitioning to ICP 2.0., the District provided M-DCPS educators with two days of extensive online professional development offerings. Teachers are expected to develop high-quality distance learning lessons/assignments, addressing course standards/benchmarks while balancing online learning, volume of work assigned, and student/teacher interaction.

Attendance is being recorded, and grades are being issued as part of ICP 2.0. The District is encouraging teachers to be flexible and compassionate during this difficult time, allowing students to make up any missed assignments throughout the entire grading period. The plan may be viewed and downloaded at icp.dadeschools.net.

School Calendar

M-DCPS continues to follow the 2019-2020 school calendar, including the observance of holidays and teacher planning days. Visit www.dadeschools.net/calendars/ to view all calendars.

Device Distribution

The District remains firmly committed to ensuring all students are connected and has so far provided nearly 80,000 devices to students in need and assisted thousands of families with connectivity. School administrators are identifying students who may not have devices and scheduling appointments for device pick-up. Parents may also request a device by emailing their child’s school principal or by calling the M-DCPS Operations hotline at 305-995-3000.

It is of the utmost importance that parents notify their child’s school principal if their contact information has changed to ensure all remain connected and informed of the latest District updates.  

Cyber Security

The security of students, families, and employees is a top priority for M-DCPS, and that commitment extends to when they are online. Students, families, and teachers are encouraged to follow District protocols on Internet usage, by utilizing only District-approved apps and accessing video conferencing services through the portal, utilizing the Enterprise version of Microsoft Teams. In addition, parents should closely monitor the Internet use of their children. While apps accessed through the portal have security features, there is no substitute for parental oversight.

Meals Distribution

Since the beginning of school closures on March 16, M-DCPS has distributed more than 800,000 “grab-and-go” student meals throughout the District to families in need. M-DCPS employees have answered the call to assist during this time of strain in our community, passing out meals at 50 select school sites throughout the county.

Similar to this week, M-DCPS will distribute meals next week from Monday, April 13 through Thursday, April 16 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.  Since there will not be a food distribution on Friday, students will be provided additional meals on Thursday.

To promote social distancing efforts and further reduce physical contact, beginning the week of April 20, M-DCPS will distribute food twice a week. Multiple meals will be handed out at all 50 sites on Mondays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. to ensure students have food security for the entire week.  For a list of all M-DCPS meal distribution sites, please visit covid19.dadeschools.net/

M-DCPS has also partnered with individual donors, local organizations, and restaurateurs to provide thousands of additional meals to children and families. With the dollars donated, food is purchased from restaurants, supporting the hospitality industry and the local economy while delivering hot meals and bags of fresh produce to families. Since March 25, the inception of the Family Meals-on-the-Go program, thousands of hot meals have been delivered to homes in our most fragile communities. The partnership has already raised more than $300,000. For more information, please visit http://www.giveourstudentstheworld.org.

Class of 2020

Honoring seniors who have worked so hard toward completing their K-12 studies is important to M-DCPS. The District is currently exploring a variety of ways to celebrate commencement and other notable milestones. Additional information is forthcoming.

High school seniors who earn the required course credits and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale will be able to graduate irrespective of their completion of specific exams since all statewide testing has been cancelled this year. Students in the Class of 2020 will be receiving an email with additional information and a Frequently Asked Questions for seniors. All students should check their dadeschools.net email daily.

Mental Health Services

The mental and emotional well-being of students and families is critical during these times of uncertainty. The Department of Mental Health Services remains ready to assist anyone who may feel overwhelmed or unable to cope with their emotions. Help is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole via the assistance line listed below. 

M-DCPS Telephone Support Lines:

(Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

·      District Emergency Operations: 305-995-3000

·      Distance Learning: 305-995-HELP (4357)

·      Adult and Career/Technical Education: 305-558-8000

·      Mental Health Services for students/parents: 305-995-7100

·      Employee Assistance Program: 305-995-7111

M-DCPS Online Resources:

·      http://covid19.dadeschools.net/ - Provides continual updates on M-DCPS actions connected to the coronavirus outbreak.

·      http://distancelearning.dadeschools.net/ - Includes information on free Comcast Internet as well as digital tools and tutorials for educators and students.

·      http://icp.dadeschools.net/ - Provides the M-DCPS framework for distance learning for pre-K-12 students.

·      www.careerinayear.com and www.adulteducationworks.com – Provide information on career/technical and adult distance learning options.

For the most up-to-date information, please download the Dadeschools mobile app to your iPhone or Android device. Follow us on Twitter @mdcps and @miamisup, on Instagram @miamischools and @miamisup, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools and AlbertoCarvalho