  English | En español | An kreyòl  Winter - 2017 |
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It’s just about four months into the 2017-2018 academic year, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, we’re moving at full speed. This year we rolled out several new academic offerings that will further enrich the learning experience for students, and five of our schools have been awarded the coveted Schools of Hope grant, providing nearly an additional $7 million for teaching and learning. If that doesn’t qualify as a great start to the new school year, I’m not sure what does. Over the past several years, our students have made remarkable gains in student achievement, and our graduation rates have steadily increased. This success is due in large part to our exceptional and highly-skilled teachers. I am elated that we recently signed an agreement with the United Teachers of Dade that honors their dedication and talent. Despite difficult economic conditions, we were able, through compassionate and practical negotiations, to reach an agreement that provides teachers and instructional personnel with a compensation package that demonstrates the great respect we have for educators and the high value we place on the work they do every single day. Partnerships, like the Sprint 1Million Project, that benefit children and families are also on the rise in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Sprint has committed to distributing 14,000 free wireless devices and Internet service to students at several high schools across the District. As a result of this partnership and Sprint’s generosity, students will have free service and Internet access for up to four years while they are in school. With the holiday season upon us, there is no better time to reflect on everything and every person for which we are thankful. Personally, I am thankful for the more than 38,000 professionals who make up the Miami-Dade County Public Schools workforce. Every day, these talented and dedicated individuals give our children their very best. Our workforce, however, is just the beginning. I am proud of the work we do and thankful that each of us has an opportunity to impact the lives of children. Often that work happens in the classroom, but it also extends beyond the classroom to the football and baseball fields, or to the volleyball court or even the chess tournament. We are impacting the lives of children every day, in a myriad of ways, and that in itself is a reason to be THANKFUL.Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent
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Community and business leaders today agree that for students to rocket ahead, reaching every satellite, planet, or star they set their sights on, we must all work as one. As such, Principal TODAY continues Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) annual tradition of engaging local leaders as principals for one day to build long-term business and school partnerships that ultimately benefit our students. On November 3, leaders from all walks of life spent the day seeing what it’s like to be a principal at M-DCPS. One purpose of the initiative is bringing new perspectives and ideas for the benefit of the school, with each partnership formed. “Principal Today is a very important program to engage the community in public education and contribute to our future leaders,” shared Maria Alonso, President and CEO of United Way of Miami-Dade serving at the upper iPreparatory Academy. “My experience as a community partner for Principal Today has been amazing,” shared Leonor Flores, Project Manager at MCM-Munilla Construction Management, serving at South Miami Middle School. “It is eye-opening to see how much work goes into being an administrator at a school with day-to-day operations, while also making sure students have fun.” Principals also enjoy this opportunity to showcase their students and the exciting things happening at each school. “It is always a pleasure to have community members be part our school for the day,” said Fabiola V. Izaguirre, principal at South Miami Middle School. “Not only that, I have been fortunate that our community partners have also been parents at my school. It is great for them to see how the rundown of the day is and experience it as principals.” For more than 20 years, the program has focused on developing partnerships that support our schools, challenging the community to take a leadership role in public education. Everyone in our community can play a significant role as a champion for our students. In public education, no mission is airborne without the lift of our partners in business. To see more pictures from this great day, search #PrincipalToday on all social media platforms. To learn more and find out how you can be involved in this initiative, visit https://www.engagemiamidade.net/. |
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In today’s hyper-connected society, instilling the importance of digital citizenship in our students, parents and educators is a must. The way we communicate, learn, and teach has evolved, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) remains at the forefront of innovation. As technology becomes part of our classrooms and home life, we are committed to ensuring that our students are using social media in a safe, legal, and responsible manner. In October, during Digital Citizenship Month, we held several activities for students and educators that reinforced the power of social media and the value of utilizing it responsibly. During one event, educators from our senior high schools and student leaders participated in a day-long professional development/training regarding anti-bullying on and off-line. Representatives from Facebook and The Diana Award, a charity legacy to Princess Diana’s belief that young people have the power to change the world, helped us spread the message of what it means to be kind and respectful, both personally and through devices. The Office of Communications also hosted one of two Social Media Journalism Forums held yearly, where students from our senior high schools who are interested in pursuing careers in journalism meet experts in TV, print, digital, and online media. They receive career advice and listen to panelists describe how social media has impacted the way they work. Seasoned panelists also shared what it means to be responsible digital citizens. Although Digital Citizenship month is now over, at M-DCPS, we continue to advocate for the responsible use of social media using the hashtag #MDCPSPostsPositive. Help us spread the message leading by example and by being good digital citizens. Remember, we are all responsible for our own digital footprint. To learn more, visit http://digital.dadeschools.net/digital_citizenship.asp. |
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Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is building schools, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities. On November 6, 2012, M-DCPS empowered voters to decide whether a plan to modernize schools should be funded by a $1.2 Billion General Obligation Bond (GOB) to be issued over nine years. Voters decided by nearly 70 percent to approve the bond and since then, M-DCPS has been working tirelessly to renovate and construct school buildings throughout the District, expanding student capacity, enhancing facility safety, and providing technology upgrades at all schools. Fast forward five years and much has been accomplished! More than 150 projects have already been completed, with dozens more under construction or in the planning and design stages. More than $500 million have been invested in our community’s schools, with another $86 million under contract. M-DCPS is launching the remaining projects over the next 18 months, investing an additional $600 million in our schools by 2020. Local and minority firms have participated in many projects and continue to seek business opportunities available at M-DCPS. The District is midway through the GOB program implementation, in terms of dollars expended. The program’s success thus far can be attributed in large part to the District’s commitment to reviewing practices and processes in place, always looking for ways to further improve delivery. As we celebrate the five-year anniversary of #GOBProgress, we want to thank the community for all its support. Because of you, all students will have state-of-the-art places to learn. Together, we are giving our students the world by transforming M-DCPS into the most innovative urban school district in the nation. |
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With Art Basel right around the corner and in our own backyard, Miami-Dade County Public Schools students will have the opportunity to experience the arts in and out of the classroom. Select schools will visit Wynwood Walls and the Art Basel Artistic Showcase to be held at Jose de Diego Middle School. During the field experience, students will be exposed to contemporary art, Wynwood Wall murals, live painting of murals by international artists, and an artistic showcase by M-DCPS high school visual and performing arts students. In addition, several schools will enjoy a free visit to the Art Basel exhibition, stimulating the creative spirit in our students. This experience will allow students to view all forms of 2-D, 3-D, video and performance art created by emerging and established artists, as well as the great masters. It will also engage them in methods of art criticism and critical analysis of historical, social, and ideological aspects of humanity, cultures and societies. This educational platform allows students who would otherwise never encounter this type of event, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the educational and cultural richness of Art Basel. The established and ongoing partnership between the 2017 Art Basel at Miami Beach Convention Center and the Office of Academics, Visual and Performing Arts has made it possible for students to participate in this artistically energizing event. |
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How does the community stay informed and connected? Meet the Office of Communications (OOC) team, dedicated professionals who ensure that Miami-Dade residents receive the most up-to-date information about our schools, programs, and initiatives, as well as situations that impact schools or the entire county. When information becomes available about the start of school or magnet school applications, families need to know. When M-DCPS achieves ZERO “F” schools, parents need to know. When local businesses have opportunities to become District vendors, they need to know. When hurricanes impact our community, everyone needs to know the latest information about shelters, school closures, and recovery efforts. When lockdowns and dangerous situations in the area surrounding a school occur, parents need to first hear about it from the District. Our longstanding work with the local radio, television, and print media allows us to quickly disseminate information. Additionally, the District hosts its own weekly radio programs on multiple radio stations targeting specific demographics. These programs allow us to keep non-English speakers apprised of the latest information relative to M-DCPS. Our Spanish and Haitian-Creole outreach also includes the annual translation of more than 680 documents. The Strategic Educational Marketing division oversees numerous tools for outreach including multi-media campaigns and has broadened social media efforts to promote the district’s programs and initiatives. The Internal Communications division utilizes, among other strategies, automated telephone calls, emails, and emergency text messages to keep students, families, and employees informed. Staff in the Citizen Information Center (CIC) provides responses to telephone, email, TDD, and in-person public inquiries and concerns regarding various M-DCPS policies, procedures, regulations, ongoing events, operations and public records requests. The divisions in the OOC work collaboratively in getting the word out about Miami-Dade County public schools, and in certain extreme situations, such as during Hurricane Irma, use the entire array of strategies and tools at our disposal to keep our community informed and safe. |
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Meet Sadra, a persistent and motivated sophomore who does not let anything get in the way of his goals and dreams. Name: Sadre Campbell Fun facts About Sadre:
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Calm in the storm, compassionate to those in need, meet Frank Zenere, school psychologist. Name: Frank Zenere Fun facts About Frank:
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Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho Received the 2017 Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Humanitarian Award for his commitment and passion to help the homeless regain their dignity. |
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As part of our Cultural Passport program, all seventh-grade students received the opportunity to experience Kitty Hawk at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, a live STEAM-based musical theater. |
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M-DCPS tops nation with most NAF schools involved in Lenovo Scholarship Network for Advancing STEM education, which brings a robust mobile app development curriculum and delivery program to NAF academies in the United States. |
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In partnership with Healthy Schools, M-DCPS to ‘Teach Flu a Lesson’ with Student Vaccination Program by offering free flu vaccinations at no cost from November 13 until December 12. |
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Through defensive lineman Demetrius Jackson’s Young Men of Tomorrow Foundation, University of Miami football players provided 60 turkeys to deserving families in our community. |
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M-DCPS offers more than 380 magnet programs for students. Open enrollment runs through January 15, 2018. |
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Miami Senior High School Nilo Cruz, playwright and first Latino to win a Pulitzer Prize
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“If it hadn’t been for a teacher, someone who started to guide me, I wouldn’t be where I am, at this moment. It’s very important to pass on the torch.” |
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2017