Miami-Dade County Public Schools

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Winter - 2018

Stay iNformed and Connected

I am staying! Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is my home. The children and employees of this school district are my family. My commitment to Miami is as strong as it has ever been and our work is not complete.

Recently, I had to make one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I could follow my mind and accept a coveted position with New York City Schools, disappointing my M-DCPS family and community, or I could follow my heart and continue the work that we began nearly a decade ago. I decided to follow my heart, because I just don’t know how to break a promise to a child. I have no doubt that I made the right and honorable decision.

While the prospect of becoming the next Chancellor of New York City Schools was extremely appealing, in my heart I believe there is no better place to be than Miami-Dade. It was September 2008 when I embarked on a journey that the Miami-Dade County School Board entrusted to me. Since that time, we have blazed a trail of instructional innovation, set and surpassed records of student achievement, and accomplished the unimaginable. I have been privileged to do the work that I love with professionals that are second to none.

As we continue our work, we must also face the unspeakable tragedy that impacted the South Florida community this past month. Our friends at Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) experienced one of the most horrific acts of violence our nation has ever seen. The precious lives of 17 students and faculty of Marjory Stoneman Douglas Senior High were taken at the hands of a former student of the school. Upon learning of this tragic event, we immediately deployed the M-DCPS Crisis Team to assist BCPS with counseling services for students and their families. We will continue to support them for as long as they need us.

Now more than ever, we must use our collective voices and resources to advocate for students. M-DCPS is fortunate to have the support of parent and faith-based groups, business and civic leaders, and professional and community-based organizations. We are grateful for these partnerships that buoy our resolve and fuel our determination to reach new heights of academic and school achievement. Together, we shall conquer new ground, build new hope and deliver on our promise to our children and the vibrant Miami-Dade community.

Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent

Our Commitment to Safe Schools

In the wake of the unspeakable act of violence committed February 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, the School Board and the entire Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) family continue to offer support to the Broward community. Members of the District’s Crisis Team, including psychologists, social workers, and family counselors, are providing additional support to Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) students, staff and families. We are #DouglasStrong!

Immediately following this terrible incident, M-DCPS leaders began a comprehensive assessment of existing school security and safety protocols with the aim of identifying opportunities for improvement. The process was driven by one question: “How can we best protect our children?” The result of the evaluation is a series of recommended enhancements to the district’s safety protocols, developed in collaboration with local and state agencies, to ensure that every Miami-Dade school is safe.

School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman, Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, County Commission Chairman Esteban L. Bovo, and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle authored a joint letter to lawmakers in pursuit of long-term solutions to increase student safety. Requests included an additional $30 million in state funding needed to support the following enhancements expected to strengthen school safety:

100 additional school resource officers;

75 additional mental health/social work professionals to focus on prevention/early detection of youth needs, and four mental health counselor advocates dedicated to providing counseling services and addressing the unique and long-lasting impact and trauma of violent crime on our children;

School-site infrastructure and inter-agency needs such as:

o Video surveillance and internet protocol monitoring systems for school sites;
o Evaluation of classroom glass window panes against ballistics, along with the materials needed to implement recommendations;
o Mechanisms to automatically lock all doors;
o Digital floor plan and mapping system for countywide response;
o Enhanced mass communication systems at schools that provide expanded access to school public address systems;
o Early detection software, social media data-mining software, and enhanced connectivity technology to improve inter-agency information sharing; and
o Cyber analyst and Assistant State Attorney positions to provide technical guidance in the collection and analysis of social media and other electronic evidence.

Rest assured that the safety and security of staff and students is of paramount importance at M-DCPS. All threats to safety are immediately and thoroughly investigated by school police. Everyone is reminded to report any suspicious activity by calling 305-995-COPS (2677) or 305-471-TIPS (8477). Remember, if you See Something, Say Something. We are working with community partners to ensure that our schools remain sacred spaces for creativity and learning.

Welcoming Three New Inductees to the @MDCPS Alumni Hall of Fame

Since the beginning of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), dating back to 1885, the caliber of students has always been extraordinary. On February 8th, 2018, nearly 133 years after the first school opened at M-DCPS, three outstanding alumni in the areas of media, business, and community were honored for their achievements and astonishing work.

The moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, the COO of BankUnited, and the Artistic Director of the Miami City Ballet serve as symbols of inspiration and encouragement for the more than three hundred and fifty thousand students who attend M-DCPS. They epitomize what it is to be a member of our community through their dedication and embodiment of M-DCPS’ core values. Excellence, integrity, equity, and citizenship live in each of them.

Alumnus of Distinction- Chuck Todd, a graduate of Miami Killian Senior High School, is known for his outstanding work as a political director and reporter. Winning several Emmy Awards, Todd was featured in 2005 as one of Washingtonian’s Best Of journalists. Currently, Todd is moderator of Meet the Press (MTP) on NBC, the host of MTP Daily on MSNBC, NBC News’ political director, and an on-air political analyst for TODAY and Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Business- Thomas M. Cornish earned his GED from Lindsey Hopkins Technical College. He joined BankUnited in 2014 and in January 2017 was named the Chief Operating Officer for the bank. Cornish held many senior leadership positions from 1983 through 2003 with SunTrust Bank and from 2004 to 2014, served as President and CEO of Marsh & McLennan Agency, Florida Region. He was recognized as Miami’s CEO of the Year during his tenure with Marsh & McLennan Agency and was elected to the Florida International University School of Business Hall of Fame in 2013.

Community- Lourdes Lopez, who attended what was then known as Shenandoah Junior High School and Coral Way Elementary School, became the Artistic Director of the Miami City Ballet in 2012. Lopez was born in Cuba, but raised in Miami where her passion for ballet has its origins. With a 40- year career in dance, teaching, television, and arts management, she received an award in 2004 from the American Immigration Law Foundation for her accomplishments and contributions to American society as a Cuban American. In 2014, she became the first artist ever elected to serve on the Ford Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Alumni Hall of Fame shines bright because of the outstanding merit of Chuck Todd, Thomas M. Cornish, and Lourdes Lopez. Alumni like them symbolize the potential of our children and the promise of their future. Their hard work, dedication, and vision reaffirm the notion that anything is possible.

Mentoring Matters – From the Perspective of Marcus Frias, @MDCPS Alumnus

It is no question that the globalization of society is at an all-time high, and while the world may feel smaller for some, the sentiment is much different for others. Students deciding what path to take for a successful future might feel like the world has tripled in size, but a mentor can make these decisions less daunting with good counsel and encouragement.

National Mentoring Month, inaugurated in January of 2002, serves as a reminder that those who guide and assist youth play an integral role in society, with the ability to change lives every day. Sixteen years later, the role of mentors and the importance of mentorships are honored and celebrated through National Mentoring Month.

At Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the significance of mentorships is not lost on anyone. Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho has said “Every child needs an advocate. Someone to listen. To point the way. To step up and speak out when the child can’t, ensuring that child gets everything she or he needs to grow to healthy, productive adulthood. In short, every child needs a mentor.”

M-DCPS has championed a District-wide initiative called ‘Everybody Mentors’ to ‘enhance, strengthen, and engage the social influence between M-DCPS employees, community, and students. Its focus is to provide students with positive role models and create opportunities for children to develop skills and personal awareness aimed at improving academic success, problem-solving and goal setting.’

Reflecting on my own time as a student at M-DCPS, I recall not always knowing what to do and wishing that someone would listen or point the way, and thankfully that happened for me. My mentors played a critical role in my life as advocates, confidantes, and confidence boosters. They came in the form of my teachers in school and managers at my job. No matter who they were or where they came from, they had invaluable tools and guidance to offer me about education, professionalism, and most importantly, resilience and hope.

Having a mentor is something like looking into a mirror and having a conversation with an older, wiser version of yourself. Mentorships encourage constructive self-reflection, professional and personal development. However, in this day and age, where more and more people are engaging with each other through different forms of digital media, the best part of a mentorship is that it builds a personal and supportive relationship between the mentee and the mentor.

While most people assume that a mentorship is a one-way street that only benefits the mentee, it can serve as a breath of fresh air for the mentor as well. Michelle Martinez-Blanco, Social Studies Department Chair at Miami Sunset Senior High School reflects on her experience as a mentor saying, “Mentoring is a symbiotic relationship. While I may be the teacher, my students constantly teach me.”

Being a mentor and providing a positive mentorship to a young-adult will unquestionably lead to a more successful and confident adult who can contribute freely and productively to our world. Be an advocate, be a guiding hand, and assist in the development of others. Being a mentor is one of the best ways to exhibit the characteristics that matter to our community and the success of our youth and we celebrate that not just this month, but every month.

Be mentored. Be a mentor. Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Recording Studio at MAS @ Zelda Glazer

Start with an improvised idea from the public sector, mix in funds from the private industry, collaborate with the local school district – which offers a world-class education – and the final opus is the nation’s first, state-of-the art recording studio housed in a public school.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the José Milton Foundation, and Miami-Dade County all banded together to create an opportunity for students from all over the county to produce, record and have a hands-on approach to music. The studio is housed at Miami Arts Studio 6-12 (MAS) @ Zelda Glazer, a new arts mega magnet.

“It all started with an idea,” said Ana Milton, president of the José Milton Foundation, at the studio’s recent grand opening. “This shows the power of public-private partnerships.”

The funds were used exclusively for purchasing, installing and setting up equipment – a large professional-grade mixing console with a large monitor, a vocal booth, a grand piano, drum set, various microphones and other instruments – and will support maintenance of the studio as well.

The foundation also provided funds for the studio to have an artist-in-residence who works with students to produce, record and distribute their music. During the ribbon-cutting event, Grammy-winning producer, composer and pianist Marlow Rosado watched on as students showed off the mixing console and recorded two singers in the vocal booth.

The MAS recording studio will be available for use this spring.

NBA All-Star Donates Computer Lab to @MDCPS

Did you know that Ray Allen’s first name is Walter? Yea… we didn’t either. Did you know that apart from being the most clutch three-point shooter in NBA history, Allen loves to give back to his community? That we know for sure! So far, Allen has donated more than $100,000 to Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS),and continues to raise money to donate computers, furniture, paint, and update classrooms to make computer labs at several schools in the northeast U.S.

Just recently, a classroom received a full makeover and was transformed into a state-of-the-art computer lab donated by Ray Allen’s Ray of Hope Foundation at Homestead Middle School. The classroom was completely renovated from the floors to the ceiling tiles to prepare the space for what it would become. This computer lab is the second lab donated to the District by the Ray of Hope Foundation.

The lab is fully equipped with 28 computers, six laptops, new furniture, and is ready to be put to good use. The new lighting in the room makes it easy to see the Ray Allen inspired décor in hopes of motivating the computer lab users to continue to work hard in school.

The computer lab would not be possible without partnerships like that of M-DCPS and the Ray of Hope Foundation. The Allen family’s compassion and desire to reduce the technology learning divide are a direct reflection of the amazing things that can happen when you have members of the community who truly care. There is no doubt that both computer labs in Miami-Dade schools will provide avenues of opportunity for our youth that will inspire them to realize their full potential.

The Ray of Hope Foundation was established in 1997 by NBA All-Star Ray Allen. The Foundation is committed to improving the lives of children by instilling in them a knowledge of world culture, a sense of self-worth, and the belief that hard work and determination lead to success.

iNspiration @MDCPS

Through hard work and dedication, this high-achieving student has realized her life-long dream – a full scholarship and admission to MIT.

Name: Dalila Valdes

School: 12th grade student at Miami Coral Park Senior High School

Accomplishments: An accomplished student at Miami Coral Park Senior High School, Dalila is a National AP Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and has earned the Florida International University Book Award. She was named a finalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship and the Questbridge College Match Scholarship. She has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll at Miami Coral Park from 2016-2018. Dalila was born in Cuba and then lived in Spain. When she found out she was moving to the United States, Dalila began to teach herself English and was taking eight AP classes by her second year in the country.

Fun facts About Dalila:

Dalila enjoys reading, listening to music, dancing, and spending time with friends.
She likes to play chess.
She enjoys solving Rubik’s Cube puzzles.

iNspiration @MDCPS

An inspirational educator and tireless mentor, Molly Winters Diallo is dedicated to changing the world one student at a time.

Name: Molly Winters Diallo

Occupation: Social Studies Department Chair, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology and Honors US History teacher at Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School

Accomplishments: A National Board Certified teacher and graduate of Tufts University Graduate School of Education, Molly Winters Diallo has earned national recognition for her work both inside and outside of the classroom. In 2016, she was selected by the Bezos Family Foundation as one of 12 Bezos Educator Scholars from across the country, and in 2017 received Stanford University's Teacher Tribute Award. Diallo's most professional accomplishment, however, is the life-changing impact she has on her students' lives, empowering them to be productive global citizens.

Fun facts About Molly:

Molly is an adoptee and adoptive mother. She and her husband brought their daughter home from Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2014.
She is a professional harpist with twenty-eight years of experience.
She also enjoys photography.

iNfact
	The Point Foundation presented Superintendent Carvalho with the prestigious Miami Minerva Award for his leadership and commitment to the South Florida LGBTQ community.
	Despite more rigorous standards, M-DCPS’ graduation rate continues to rise for the 2016-2017 academic year, increasing to 84.2 percent (excluding charter schools).
	Scheduled to open its doors in August, a new 58,765 sq. ft. K-8 Center will feature a media center, music lab, P.E. shelter, parent and bus drop-offs, and covered walkways, delivering a much-needed school in West Kendall.
	Gloria and Emilio Estefan were honored at a recent School Board meeting for inspiring future generations of artists and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.
	More than 25,000 students and community members came together to celebrate innovation and creativity at the Miami-Dade STEAM Expo.
	The National College Fair made its annual stop in Miami. Thousands of students from across the District participated in this event, preparing themselves to be #MDCPSFutureReady.

iChoose M-DCPS

New World School of the Arts

Alex Lacamoire, Musician and multiple Tony and Grammy award-winner

“If it weren’t for the training I received in the Miami-Dade school system, my life would be totally different, and I likely would have gone down a completely different career path. The schools I went to cracked open my musical world, exposing me to theater, jazz, visual arts, dance…this is how I learned that I wanted to forge a life for myself as a professional musician. I thank every teacher and student in every class at every school I went to in Miami, because all of it helped shape me to become the person I am today.”

iNtouch

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

	dadeschools.net
	305-995-1000

Editors
Daisy Gonzalez-Diego
Denise Landman
Vanessa Lopez

Contributors
Jackie Calzadilla
Hilda Diaz
Marcus Frias
Tammy Reed

Photography
Jimmy Abraham