FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thurs., Oct. 28, 2004

CONTACT: John Schuster Miami-Dade County Public Schools 305-995-1126

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ZONE ADVISORY BOARD TO HOLD FIRST MEETING

Miami &endash; A newly formed group of community leaders has an ambitious mandate: to invigorate teaching and learning in Miami-Dade's chronically low-performing public schools.

M-DCPS' School Improvement Zone's University and Community Advisory Board, created to guide, advise and support the Zone's initiatives, includes university presidents, business professionals, elected officials, clergy, and parents. This diverse group of representatives from across the county will serve as a working group to help the Zone accomplish these goals: creating and maintaining learning environments where administrators and teachers are not working in isolation; identifying support systems necessary to serve children holistically; and preparing secondary students for higher education and work.

The Board's first meeting will take place today Thursday, October 28, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel, 711 N.W. 72 Avenue, Salon E.

The School Improvement Zone was established as a district reform initiative to boost student achievement at 39 low-performing schools. The Zone's academic program includes a focus on literacy, using common reading materials across all grades and intensive small group instruction for students.

For more information, contact Tammy T. Reed, Coordinator, Office of Public Relations, at 305-995-1126.

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04-LJG/064/TTR

NOTE: A list of Advisory Board members is attached.

Gary Moore, Parent
Raul Martinez, ASPIRA
Sister Linda Bevilacqua, Barry University
Rev. Dr. R. Joaquin Willis, Church of the Open Door, UCC
Dr. Barbara Carey-Schuler, Commissioner, Miami-Dade County
Danny Lipe, Community Bank of Homestead
Dr. Rudolph Moise, Comprehensive Health Center
Eileen Segal, Dade County Council PTA/PTSA
Kent Pollock, District Parent Advisory Council
Dr. Wendy Cheyney, Early Childhood Initiative, Florida International University
Kathleen Vergara, ESE Committee
Dr. Linda Blanton, Florida International University
Alstene McKinney, Florida Memorial College
Rev. Jonas George, Haitian-American Trust of Florida and Haitian-American Christian Council
Marvin O'Quinn, Jackson Health System
Gale Morris Robinson, James E. Scott Early Childhood/Headstart Program
Dr. Castell Bryant, Miami-Dade College, Medical Campus
Malou Harrison, Miami-Dade College, North Campus
Paula Bender, Miami School Readiness Center Coalition
Beverly James, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
Jane Robinson, Miami-Dade Community Action Agency
Patricia Braynon, Miami-Dade County Housing Finance Authority
Dr. Solomon Stinson, Miami-Dade County School Board
Dr. Wells Singleton, Nova Southeastern University
Dr. Wayne Driscoll, Nova Southeastern University
Jean Monestime, Parent and Society of Haitian-American Professionals and Entrepreneurs
Dr. C.P. Preston, Jr., Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church
William Diggs, STAPLES
Modesty Abety, The Children's Trust
Ana Sejeck, The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation
Dave Lawrence, The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation
Mark Richard, United Teachers of Dade
Harve Mogul, United Way of Miami-Dade
Dr. Marilyn Joan Neff, University of Miami, School of Education
Sharon Henly, Urban League of Greater Miami

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