Stay iNformed and Connected

Each new year is an opportunity for new beginnings and a fresh start, reaffirming our commitment to the work to which we have been called. In Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), our work is tantamount to investing in the future. We are preparing generations of future educators, inventors, scientists, doctors, and legal experts whose contributions will help propel our nation to unparalleled success.

As we reflect on the past year, we can be proud of the work we have accomplished together. M-DCPS continues to offer students an astounding array of academic programs. In fact, we opened the 2016-17 school year with 61 new choice and magnet school programs. These new academic opportunities include sports medicine and sports management, entertainment technology music/sound design and engineering, botany and zoology, business innovation, cybersecurity, forensic science, biomedical, robotics, STEM, design animation & gaming and coding, legal studies, performing arts music, Capstone and STEAM programs. Our students have access to robust academic programs to prepare them for postsecondary education opportunities and careers.

This past year has been highlighted by numerous achievements and distinguished recognitions for our school district. Recently, the White House honored M-DCPS as the leading large school district in innovation and personalized learning for all students. Last year and for the fifth straight year, the District was recognized by Magnet Schools of America (MSA) for receiving more national MSA Merit Awards than any other school district. Just last month, we learned that the District’s graduation rate had reached an all-time high of 80.4 percent. The good news does not end there. Not only do we excel in teaching and learning, but we also continue to demonstrate sound proficiency in budget and administrative operations. Last year, M-DCPS was presented with the coveted Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Governmental Finance Officers Association, and in June, the S&P Global Ratings affirmed the District’s A+ long-term rating and revised its outlook to positive. While we are grateful for the achievements of 2016, I am confident there is so much more that 2017 will offer our school district, students, parents, teachers, and employees. May the new year with its new beginnings bring you and your family joy, peace, happiness, health and prosperity.

#MDCPSRefresh: School District to Get a New Look

In the years since our current logo debuted, we have seen changes in the way we teach, the way students learn, and the tools we use to facilitate classroom instruction. We provide dynamic programs that open the doors to success, and our classrooms and schools have evolved right before our eyes. Pencils, papers, books and chalkboards have given way to electronic whiteboards, touch-screen tablets, and increasingly paperless classrooms. With Wi-Fi access to the Internet at all of our schools, we can say with certainty that teaching and learning have evolved.

M-DCPS has transformed into a world-class education system, recognized nationally as one of the country’s most academically successful. Consequently, it is time that all aspects of our image--including our logo--represent the impact we have had on the 21st century learning environment.

To fill this need, and integrate our Vision 20/20 educational plan, the district has launched an initiative called #MDCPSRefresh, which provides an opportunity for the public to participate in redesigning our logo through a community-wide contest that will earn the winner $2,500 and bragging rights.

The contest will be promoted through a robust marketing, public relations and social media campaign, is open to all Florida residents including students, parents and staff, as well as amateur and professional communicators. A committee of judges, comprised of students, parents, teachers, and marketing and public relations experts will assist in the initial phase of the competition. Once the entries have been narrowed down, the community will have the opportunity to participate vote online for their favorite design, becoming a part of the judging process. The winning logo will be presented to the School Board at its monthly meeting in May 2017.

We hope to begin the conversion to our new logo and updated graphic standards during the summer of 2017, as we prepare for the 2017-18 school year. Follow the latest news on our social networks using the hashtag #MDCPSRefresh. For additional information, visit https://mdcpsrefresh.dadeschools.net/.

Golden Globe Winner Moonlight Showcases Local Talent

What do the filmmaker, playwright and half a dozen actors from Moonlight all have in common? In addition to celebrating a much-deserved Golden Globe for Best Picture Drama in 2017 and hopefully several Academy Award nominations, they are all products of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), and their talent was developed through their experiences and education in our community.

Powerful, emotional, and close to home, Moonlight tells the story of a Black child growing up in one of Miami’s poorest neighborhoods. Racking up a whopping $13.2 M in its 12th week alone, the film has won dozens of awards from New York Drama Critics Circle; Chicago Film Festival, Critics’ Choice, NAACPs, and even the Golden Globes Best Picture Drama.

Not only is the film set in Miami, but many of the people who took part in creating it were born and educated here as well. M-DCPS is proud to announce that some of the most notable names behind Moonlight are, in fact, familiar faces to the community. Director and screen writer Barry Jenkins attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School where he played on the school’s football team. Playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney is also an M-DCPS alumnus. He attended New World School of the Arts where he received numerous awards, including the exemplary artist award, the Dean’s award in Theater, and a special recognition award by the National YoungArts Foundation for Theater as well. Tanisha Cidel, a current teacher at Norland Middle School, was also a part of the cast, and some of her students also had prominent roles in the movie, along with students from Miami Northwestern.

This revolutionary motion picture is just one example of the excellence and pure talent seen in our South Florida community. And it definitely hasn’t gone unnoticed. With many predictions for Oscar nominations, Moonlight is a true cinematic masterpiece that captures the grittiness of modern urban life. The amazing programs in our schools contributed to the production of this movie that will hopefully encourage brilliant minds among today’s youth to take on their dreams in a healthy, positive way.

Community Leaders Become Principals for a Day

Did you know that managing the day-to-day operations of a public school is like being the mayor of a small city? A public school can have as few as 40 to 50 employees or as many as hundreds.

School principals are in charge of operations that include managing everything from human resources, procurement, curriculum, and the logistics of transportation to the feeding of hundreds (or thousands) of people every day.

This year approximately 350 professionals signed up for the unique opportunity to learn more about our public schools by shadowing a principal and also sharing their expertise, which impacts our students and future of our community.

Through the annual Principal TODAY, mayors, judges, state representatives, captains of industry, journalists and community movers & shakers were among those who went back to school for a day for an enlightened look at the nuances of our schools and the education process.

Claudienne Hibbert-Smith, a realtor with the Hibbert Group Real Estate for Keyes Company, had such an opportunity when she signed up to serve for a second year as principal for a day at Miami Carol City Senior High School.

A proud graduate of Carol City Senior, Hibbert-Smith was raring to go very early to take over for Principal Ja Marv Dunn, who allowed her to become very involved in the position.

“I started the day at 6 a.m. meeting with my planning committee and leaders. I was able to communicate the morning announcements to the students, faculty and staff,” said Hibbert-Smith. “We had a host of visitors on this day and I also had the pleasure of meeting with Mrs. Valtena Brown, Deputy Superintendent. We were able to visit and interview the students in the law magnet program and other programs throughout the school.”

However, in addition to seeing the football team prepare for the state championship, Hibbert-Smith grins when saying the highlight of her day was becoming an honorary band member.

Asked what she thought of all the responsibilities of a school principal, Hibbert-Smith gets serious.

“I am not sure how Mr. Dunn does it,” she admits. “But what I can say, is that I do not think he put on a show for me on this day. We handled visitors and tackled issues throughout the day. Our 6 a.m. meeting seemed to be very instrumental as planning for the week is very important. Proper planning prevents poor performance!”

As many Principal TODAY participants have revealed through the years, Hibbert-Smith says she would love to spend more than one day at Carol City Senior.

“All I can say is that the day was filled with adventure,” said Hibbert-Smith. “My experience as principal for the day will never be forgotten!”

Did you hear about iChoose M-DCPS?

It all started in the trenches of the Strategic Educational Marketing, Office of Communications Department while asking ourselves some questions. Do parents know what our schools have to offer? Why do people love to work at M-DCPS? Why do community partners and parents choose to get involved in our schools?

Our schools are learning hubs that expand beyond our fantastic magnet programs. For example, kids at Lake Stevens Elementary School take learningoutside of the classroom and into the environment by working on their food forest. These students are learning about being self-sufficient and eco-friendly, two essential qualities that will help them become global citizens. Every M-DCPS school has something unique that your child can benefit from and we guarantee that you will be glad you chose to be part of the M-DCPS family.

Our employees do not only love to work at M-DCPS because of the great benefits. They join our team because they are ready to help inspire, transform and leave a positive mark in the lives of children. Tanisha Cidel is a drama educator at Norland Middle School. She believes in her students and wants to help each and every one of them thrive – and that is exactly what she does. Believing that her students can reach their dreams if they work hard for them, Ms. Cidel helped two of her drama class students star in the critically-acclaimed movie “Moonlight,” which has won Best Picture Drama during the 2017 Golden Globes. Her students are discovering their passion, and she is the magic wand that guides them, teaches them and inspires them. Ms. Cidel and her students are just one of the mamy success stories that illustrate why children, parents, employees and partners choose to be part of M-DCPS.

Having great educators and students is not the only reason why community partners and parents choose to get involved in our schools. These folks understand that the future of our community depends on the quality of education that our children receive. Initiatives like Principal Today bring our community leaders together to witness first-hand the wonderful things that happen in our schools as they give back to our community as principals for a day. Our PTAs are working alongside our schools to make every child’s potential a reality by empowering families and our community to advocate for all children. They choose to join us because they believe in our mission of giving our students the world.

iChoose M-DCPS is not just a marketing campaign. It is our opportunity to showcase real people who make this the best school district in the nation and our chance to let you know that the possibilities are endless when you choose M-DCPS.

#GOBProgress, Four Years in the Making

It may seem like yesterday, but four years have already passed since the voters of Miami-Dade County overwhelmingly passed a General Obligation Bond (GOB) to update and replace schools and to equip them with technology. The District is now at the half-way point in its implementation of the GOB program, as evidenced by both expenditures and number of projects, and as of October, more than $323 million has been spent on GOB projects school facilities, with another $77 million invested in technology. We made a commitment to use locally owned businesses to do the work, and we see those funds being re-invested in our diverse neighborhoods.

The third year of the GOB implementation wrapped up last March, distinguished by steady, fast-paced project delivery, as well as a successful expansion of the Small and Micro Business Enterprise programs throughout project design and construction, bringing increased inclusivity and diversity of project teams.

Diversity has been the watchword of the GOB program, and minority and women business owners from all segments of our culture-rich community are participating. More than 800 minority and women-owned firms have qualified to do business with the district and we are witnessing the benefits of their participation every day.

The accelerated scope of Year 4 includes 238 smaller projects, such as playgrounds, roofing, air conditioning, and portable classroom removal, which the district has been able to fast track. 172 of these projects have been completed, 23 are in construction, and the few remaining projects are in design or bidding.

Members of the 21st Century Schools Bond Advisory Committee have participated above and beyond expectations, adopting schools they can visit often to follow the progress of projects. Committee members were originally chosen because of the professional experience and knowledge they bring to the table, and their involvement has made a significant impact in moving this work ahead quickly and efficiently.

Students at all grade levels are benefitting from the improvements to their schools, with many experiencing for the first time ever a true 21st Century learning environment. Parents and communities are benefitting as well from increased property values that result from the esthetics and efficiencies of modern school facilities.

iNspiration @MDCPS

A proud product of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, meet Kevin Sikah, one of our country’s next generation of medical professionals.

Name: Kevin Sikah, SAS Class of 2011 and Harvard College Class of 2015

School: Harvard Medical School

Accomplishments: Graduated top 10% from School for Advanced Studies. Received honorable mentions at the Florida Federation of Music Clubs State Level competition in the Medium Difficulty Piano Solo and Piano Duet categories. Was awarded a summer fellowship at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Graduated Cum Laude in Neurobiology from Harvard College.

Fun facts About Kevin:

• Taught 8th grade math in a school in Ghana during the summer between 11th and 12th grade.
• Proficient in Spanish and has some experience in Italian and Haitian-Creole.
• Enjoys writing musical arrangements of movie and video game pieces, some of which have been performed in school talent shows.
• Performed piano and vocal pieces at hospitals and nursing homes throughout college.

iNspiration @MDCPS

A champion for arts in education, Tanisha Cidel inspires her students to reach for the stars.

Name: Tanisha Cidel

Occupation: Director of the magnet theatre program at Norland Middle School

Accomplishments: She has taught sixth through eighth grade for the past 16 years at Norland Middle and was recently nominated as national Magnet Teacher of the Year. Ms. Cidel is also the current director of the award-winning AileyCamp Miami, which was recognized as the 2016 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.

Fun facts About Tanisha:

• She has performed as a background singer for both Ruben Studdard of American Idol and Kanye West on the MTV Awards Show.
• She can be seen in the new highly-acclaimed and Golden Globe winning film "Moonlight" as Principal Williams.

iNfact

iChoose M-DCPS