More Choices Than Ever!

If you have a passion for exploring, researching and conserving biodiversity, you would be a perfect fit for BIOTECH @ Richmond Heights, the latest partnership with Zoo Miami and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. This innovative magnet school allows students to take classes on-site at the zoo with staff from the Zoological Society of Florida and includes a digital curriculum offered by Discovery Channel.

Transforming our Schools from Good to Great

Sometimes it just takes the right combination… a varied and state-of-the-art curriculum, first-class educators, a cohesive school board, and a leader at the helm that is blazing a trail of triumphs for Miami-Dade’s students by thinking outside the box.  This unique combination has resulted in several years of abundant successes and achievements for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). 

After winning The Broad Prize for Urban Education in 2012, the equivalent of a Nobel Prize in education, it seemed as if the stars had aligned and unlocked a bevy of achievements for the District.

'Cultural Passport' program opens children's minds

When was the first time you went to the ballet?  Or the Opera?  Or strolled through a museum or took in a Broadway play?  For the majority of the population, it was probably as an adult, if at all.  However, that’s changed for all students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). 

The innovative Cultural Passport program was created specifically to enlighten children’s minds by exposing them to a different cultural field experience each school year. Students in grades K-12 will have the opportunity to develop their reading, writing, speaking, listening, divergent-thinking and problem-solving skills through broad exposure to the arts and humanities.

Providing Jobs & Economic Impact In Our Communities

Investments in construction, renovations and infrastructure upgrades to our educational facilities benefit not just our students but the community. When new schools are built or updated, and state-of-the-art technology is installed, there is a domino effect…jobs are created, property values are strengthened, new businesses are encouraged to start, stay or expand the area, and the overall quality of life is enriched.  

iNspiration @MDCPS

Vivian Gonzalez and her family with Lady Antebellum during surprise visit to South Miami K-8 Center. One of the thousands of educators inspiring students every day.

Name: Vivian Gonzalez
Occupation: Music Magnet teacher at South Miami K-8 Center
Accomplishments: Top-Ten Finalist for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award, has performed with numerous South Florida orchestras including the Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Pops and New World Symphony, featured in a teacher profile for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
Fun facts About Vivian:

• Began studying violin at age five, now a professional violinist
• Proud product of M-DCPS
• Performed for heads of state including former President Bill Clinton and  former Vice President Al Gore
• She was one of the seven winners in the “7 For 7” Lady Antebellum contest. The band surprised her in the classroom, performed with her students, and flew her out to New York City for their album release concert.

Stay iNformed and Connected

Welcome to the first edition of iNews @MDCPS, our latest initiative to showcase the great things happening at Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). Our goal is to reach the community that extends beyond our schools, to ensure we are connecting with many of you who may not have children in the public school system. We want to share the remarkable achievements of students, educators and the district with YOU: our business leaders, civic groups, faith-based organizations and residents of our community.

In this first issue, we are featuring stories about some of the most significant accomplishments from 2014: M-DCPS' Digital Transformation, new and exciting Choice and Magnet Programs, our Cultural Passport, which brings the arts into the lives of every student, and much more.

We hope that you find this newsletter interesting and exciting. Be sure to share it with family, friends and colleagues - We look forward to staying connected!

iNfact

Our Food Truck has served more than 10,000 nutritious student meals at 36 different schools this year.

Nearly 5,000 people received free CPR training during CPR Day Miami, held in partnership with Jackson Health, UM and other health organizations.

Since 2010, we have saved $39.4 million due to M-DCPS' energy efficiency efforts such as the Solar for Schools initiative and FPL rate decreases.

Close to 100,000 users have downloaded the Dadeschools Mobile App since it launched in August.

The Parent Academy provides more than 70 courses for parents to gain all the resources needed to help their children succeed in school.

Featuring co-payments as low as $10, the UHealth Medical Center at Miami Jackson Senior is our first-ever medical facility for employees, retirees and dependents.

iChoose M-DCPS

iNtouch

Miami-Dade County Public Schools
1450 NE 2 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33132
USA

	dadeschools.net
	305-995-1000

Copyright 2014
All rights reserved.

Editors
Daisy Gonzalez-Diego
Denise Landman
Vanessa Lopez

Contributors
Hilda Diaz
Tammy Reed