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TWO MUSEUMS MAGNET SCHOOLS RECEIVE SEED MONEY MIAMI – Two Museums Magnet Schools, William Jennings Bryan Elementary and Shenandoah Middle, both dedicated historic landmarks, will receive seed money for preservation from The Villagers. The Villagers is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization in Miami-Dade County that has contributed to the preservation of some of Miami-Dade County’s most significant historic resources. The awards coincide with goals of the Museums Magnet Schools’ philosophy: to provide students with the opportunity to explore, gain knowledge of historical structures, and understand the importance of preservation. The hope is to guide future generations while encouraging a sense of unity and pride within the community. Shenandoah Middle School, a Works Progress Administration (WPA) building, was built in 1940 by August Geiger, a WPA architect/builder. The school’s award of $3,500 will cover expenses for upgrading electrical capacity for the school’s multipurpose exhibition space. William Jennings Bryan Elementary was built in 1928 by architects Robertson and Patterson. The funding in the amount of $1,500 will be used toward the renovation of a fountain that was constructed for the courtyard in the center patio. It was a gift from the class of 1939 and believed to be a WPA Project. Museum Magnet Programs forge strong partnerships with local area museums and cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County. Museum educators work side by side with classroom teachers, interfacing the standards-driven curriculum with the objects and artifacts in their respective museums as well as visiting historic buildings and sites throughout the county. This integrated curriculum, focusing primarily on object- and project-based learning, emphasizes problem-solving, communication, exploration, invention and inquiry through on-going interaction with their museum and cultural partners. Shenandoah Middle School museum partners are Dade Heritage Trust; Historical Museum of Southern Florida; Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami; Miami Art Museum; Museum of Science; The Wolfsonian-FIU and the Coral Gables Museum. William Jennings Bryan Elementary School museum partners are Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Haitian Heritage Museum, Historical Museum of Southern Florida, and Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). # # # 010-JJS/090/VVL |
