Stay iNformed and Connected

Spring is here and I am excited to share the latest news from M-DCPS. We've had an exciting start to 2015 and look forward to what the rest of the year will bring to students, parents, businesses and the whole community.

One of the highlights in this edition of iNews is the story about one of our notable former students. Back in December, the White House announced that our very own alumnus, Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, was appointed Surgeon General of the United States. Vice Admiral Murthy, a remarkable individual, attended our recent STEM Expo in order to connect with his community and motivate students to further explore STEM-related careers. I got to spend some time with him and we discussed the impact that his years at M-DCPS, specifically at Palmetto Senior, had on him. He shared that he was a very shy student, but that several high school teachers were instrumental in helping him break out of his shell and understand what his talent truly was and how he could contribute back to society. He may not have gotten to where he is today, without the help of his incredible educators.

On another great note, we had a record-breaking number of magnet school applications, the highest EVER received! With more than 450 magnet/choice programs, students and parents are taking advantage of the magnitude of options available in areas such as academics, the arts, sciences, foreign languages, and much more.

Enjoy our latest edition of iNews @MDCPS and most importantly, STAY CONNECTED!

M-DCPS Alum is Nation's Top Doc

Once again, our incredible alumni have set the bar to the highest levels of achievement. Last December, Miami Palmetto Senior High School graduate Dr. Vivek Murthy was confirmed as the United States Surgeon General, the chief public health advocate of the country. In his role as Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Murthy will advocate for smoking cessation, preventing chronic illnesses and initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and diets as well as fighting obesity. The Harvard professor was Valedictorian of the Miami Palmetto Class of 1994 at the age of 16 and a Silver Knight Winner in General Scholarship.

Vice Admiral Murthy made his first public appearance in his hometown, Miami, during the annual STEM Expo held in February at Miami Dade College, North Campus. He took this opportunity to meet with students and speak about the importance of STEM-related careers. He was very impressed with the scope and detail of work from M-DCPS’ most creative, intelligent, and resourceful students that compete and demonstrate their proficiency in STEM activities. During his speech, he encouraged students to set high goals and never believe that they are too young to solve big problems. He also had a chance to see some of his former teachers from Palmetto and to meet with Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho to discuss opportunities to work together.

“I had him as a sophomore in Honors Anatomy class, and even at that point, I knew he was destined for greatness,” said Lynn Evans, one of his former Palmetto teachers. “Sometimes you get a chance to touch kids’ futures and he’s a pretty special man.”

Cullen Bullock, his Advanced Placement Biology teacher, also shared some insight about Vice Admiral Murthy during his school years. “He wasn’t just working for the grade; he wanted to have the knowledge,” Bullock said. “He seemed to always want to help people and I was so pleased to hear about the appointment because he deserves it not only on the basis of his brain but also his character.”

Vice Admiral Murthy has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. In addition, he holds business and medical degrees from Yale University. He is the founder of two global community health organizations. He has a sterling reputation as a health advocate and is expected to focus his attention on the Ebola virus.

As evidenced by Vice Admiral Murthy, Miami Palmetto Senior High School students demonstrate high academic achievement levels and a notable record of community service. Through rigorous programs and curriculum, students develop strong leadership qualities. At Miami Palmetto, students are empowered to act as responsible young adults and will successfully navigate all quadrants of an ever-changing interdependent global marketplace.

Social Media is Here to Stay

Follow us on social media! Learn how our achievements and new initiatives are positively impacting our communities as a whole…Keep up with the latest news @MDCPS.
Millennials have grown up with technology at their fingertips. The way we communicate has greatly evolved in the past decade, and social media has become one of the easiest, quickest and most common ways to share information. Students can now reach a very small or extremely large group of people instantaneously on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms.
Educating our students, parents, educators and community members on the rights and wrongs of social media is crucial as we consider the rapidly expanding rate of connectivity offered by faster, less-expensive technology.  Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) leads the nation in technology, having provided wireless Internet access at all schools four years ahead of the national average, and we must keep the same pace at informing our community of the benefits and drawbacks involved with this type of access.
We have created a Social Media Student Advisory Committee to establish a dialogue with student leaders from various schools throughout the district, in order to obtain valuable insight and feedback about student’s social media habits. "As a member of the Social Media Student Advisory Committee, social media has had a significant impact on me. Social media gives me the opportunity to express my opinions, thoughts, and even showcase my writing,” said Marcus Frias, one of the committee members. "I know that when a student's use of social media is geared towards intellectual conversations, they can have a powerful voice in the community."
This spring, M-DCPS is also hosting a Social Media Journalism Forum, with a panel of experts from television, education and government. After an informative session with our professionals, students will be encouraged to share what they learned by writing articles for publication in their school newspapers.
Through the Parent Academy, community members have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn more about Technology and the Modern Family. Informational materials have also been sent home to parents, including a Top Ten Tips for Social Media flyer.
At M-DCPS, we have always been proactive in our approach, understanding the true meaning of 21st Century Learning. We embrace technology and encourage students to bring their own devices, but we also have policies and expectations to ensure our students are using technology, including social media networks, to enhance their learning experience.

Reaching for the Stars

Boasting one of only a handful of school planetariums, Booker T. Washington Senior High School is at the forefront of innovation with its new high-tech facility and Astronomy Magnet program. Through the ages, astronomy has been the key to unlocking the answers to the origins of the universe and life itself. As new technologies are required to delve deeper into the vast expanse of space, the need for better observational instruments becomes the driving force for developments in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields such as electronics, mechanical engineering, and computer science.

Back in the 1990s, few schools in our nation, including Booker T. Washington Senior High School, had the opportunity to study planets, stars and constellations from a unique vantage point. Thanks to public and private partners, a new generation of students will now be able to enjoy learning about the cosmos at the school's revamped and redesigned half-a-million-dollar, cutting-edge planetarium. The renovated facility – three years in the making, offers a new high-definition digital projector with state-of-the-art sound and lighting that will take students from the bottom of the ocean to the surface of Mars.

Florida International University's (FIU) Education Effect is a community school partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools that began in 2011 at Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Liberty City. With a $1 million investment from the Lennar Foundation, the partnership was recently expanded to include Booker T., one of Miami-Dade County's oldest schools in the historic African-American community of Overtown.

The 40-foot domed planetarium, known as the "Space Place," is the centerpiece for the school's Astronomy Magnet program that will offer students a challenging curriculum exposing them to critical thinking, technology, mathematics, science, research opportunities and Advanced Placement courses, while earning college credit through FIU. The program will also provide students with a unique opportunity to receive hands-on laboratory and field research experiences in a planetarium setting. Additional plans for the planetarium include educational programs for elementary and middle school students, professional development for teachers and community outreach programs.

It is imperative that we provide students and teachers with the skills required to produce creative and critical thinkers with the problem-solving abilities needed to excel in STEM careers. Florida's industry growth and state competitiveness is largely connected to occupations in STEM fields, and for our state's economy to continue to grow, partnerships with educational entities and businesses will need to be leveraged to engage and funnel students into these critical areas.

For more information on the Booker T. Washington Astronomy program, visit www.miamimagnets.org.

Educating World-Class Citizens @MDCPS

As the world seems to get smaller and digital connectivity grows, preparing our students to enter the global market has never been more important.  With Miami’s proximity to the Caribbean and as the gateway to the Americas, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has created an opportunity for students by offering a challenging curriculum promoting high levels of academic productivity, comprehension of world cultures and the acquisition of a foreign language.

Thirty-five schools from all grade levels, offer internationally benchmarked courses. Students will have the opportunity to work and learn with classmates from different countries, cultures and backgrounds as they continue their studies. Upon graduation, student leave not only with a solid educational foundation but also with a genuine understanding and respect for differences, both cultural and academic.
Through the International Studies (IS) Program, school administration, teachers, students, and parents work collaboratively with foreign ministries of education in Spain, France, Italy, Brazil, and Germany to ensure that the educational requirements and standards of that country are infused and taught in the curriculum. 
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is a rigorous course of study linking humanities, the sciences, mathematics, languages, and community service. The curriculum of IB Programmes incorporates standards that assume a high level of aptitude and achievement.
The Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Program is an innovative and accelerated method of academic study offered solely through CIE, part of England’s renowned University of Cambridge. It provides an engaging academic experience for motivated learners. Students are challenged to work at the highest level of international standards in Math, Science, English, and Language Arts.
The International Education (IE) Program immerses students in multicultural education and many IE schools have an emphasis on learning a second language.  These programs, which are delivered in various curricular designs, prepare students to live effectively in a fast changing global society and economy.
The AP | Capstone Program is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth subject-matter study provided through AP courses. The curriculum leads students to exemplary inquiry, research, collaboration, and communication skills by studying topics of global relevance from an interdisciplinary perspective, making connections between these topics and their AP subjects.

Providing Jobs & Economic Impact In Our Communities

Miami-Dade County Public Schools continues to move aggressively on its plan to update and renovate schools through the 21st Century Schools General Obligation Bond. Now in its third year of implementation, there are approximately 200 projects at various stages. Projects have been completed at 17 schools with an additional 72 smaller projects completed, such as playgrounds, critical air conditioning replacements and portable classroom removal. In addition, there are close to 50 projects under construction. Through the month of February 2015, more than $117 million have been expended with an additional $103 million under contract, a true investment in our communities. Some of the projects completed to date include Miami Lakes Educational Center, Gertrude Edelman/Sabal Palm, Dr. Robert B. Ingram and Shenandoah elementary schools. Projects slated to be completed by this summer include North Beach, Howard Drive and Ludlam elementary schools, F.C. Martin K-8 Center, and the MAST 6-12 addition at Virginia Key.

Students and teachers are benefiting from bond projects that include state-of-the-art technology installations, infrastructure upgrades, exterior and interior painting, security and safety enhancements, upgraded heating and cooling systems, and new flooring and roofing. The projects are intended to modernize schools and ensure that students continue to thrive academically in a classroom environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.

In addition to infrastructure and building upgrades across the district, some schools like Miami Norland Senior High School are scheduled for replacement. Expected to be completed by August 2016, the project is valued at approximately $40 million. Not only is the Miami Norland Senior High bond project significant to students, parents, and staff, but it also will have a major beneficial impact on the local economy with 23 percent minority sub-contractor participation, including participation from two women-owned sub-contracting firms.

Through the 21st Century Schools General Obligation Bond implementation, children across Miami-Dade will benefit from renovated and upgraded schools and classrooms, technology equity across all schools, ever-increasing public-private partnerships, and instruction and learning that takes place in a safe, secure, and comfortable environment. A promise made, is a promise kept. Follow our latest news about the GOB on social media using #GOBprogress.

-Mr. Jaime G. Torrens, Chief Facilities Officer

iNspiration @MDCPS

A visit to Geoffrey Aladro's class at Frank C. Martin International K-8 Center is a journey back in time, with stops at six stations, each a portal to specific knowledge of a common topic. Mr. Aladro recently was named the 2016 Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year.

Name: Geoffrey Aladro
Occupation: History teacher at Frank C. Martin International K-8 Center
Accomplishments: Mr. Aladro has served as Department Chair for seven years. He provides professional development for other educators, serves as a national site visitor for IB schools. Mr. Aladro has been recognized for his excellence in teaching. He is the 2014 District Five winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars' National Citizenship Education Teacher Award, and the 2008-09 F.C. Martin K-8 Center Rookie Teacher of the Year. He also won fifth place in the 2008 Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta-Miami Branch Lesson Plan of the Year contest.
Fun facts About Geoffrey:

• Brings history alive with humor, acting and visuals with both performing arts and computer technology
• Organizes national and field trips abroad with 6th- 8th graders in the IB program to learn world history up close
• Has taught every single 8th-grade student that has attended Frank C. Martin International K-8 Center

iNfact

Magnet Schools of America recognized 34 schools for high academic standards, innovation and diversity. In addition, six schools received the National Magnet Schools of Excellence merit award (out of 74 nationwide) and 28 were awarded the Magnet Schools of Distinction (out of 134).

iChoose M-DCPS