SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ALBERTO CARVALHO ANNOUNCES PLANS
TO ASSIST HAITI FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE

MIAMI – Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools Alberto Carvalho today announced plans to assist Haiti following an earthquake that devastated parts of the island nation January 12.
 
“We plan to use our leadership and resources to help the residents of Haiti, many of whom have family and close ties right here in our own community,” said Carvalho.  “This is the right thing to do, and the time to help is now.”

A good cause item will go to the School Board at its monthly meeting this afternoon, requesting permission for students and staff to raise funds for relief efforts to Haiti.

In addition to collaborating with local and national agencies, the school district is identifying locations in the school district that will be designated as relief collection centers.  School district administrators are working with the Haitian consulate to identify the most pressing needs of the Haitian people.

A number of school district employees, including maintenance workers and electricians, have volunteered to travel to Haiti to assist in search-and-rescue operations. District administrators are also communicating with local businesses, including waste management firms, to find further means of assisting the Haitian people. Members of the District’s Crisis Counseling Intervention Team will be made available to local schools, as needed.

A telephone hotline has been established to disseminate information to those who have questions or who would like to help.  The hotline, 305-995-3000, will be staffed daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  A relief website has been established at http://helphaiti.dadeschools.net, and questions may be emailed to HelpHaiti@dadeschools.net.

Superintendent Carvalho visited Haiti in September of 2008 to assist in relief efforts after hurricanes struck the island. The District’s relief efforts then resulted in 15 tons of supplies and equipment collected by Miami-Dade County Public Schools students.

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010-JS/094

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