SUPERINTENDENT CARVALHO SHARES VISION FOR SCHOOL YEAR AHEAD

Opening Address to be broadcast on WLRN Channel 17 this weekend

MIAMI- Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho met with school and community leaders yesterday at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall, to share his vision for the upcoming school year.

“The opening of schools has always been a moment of transition, but this year, it is more than that. It is a moment of transformation,” said Superintendent Carvalho. “We are at the leading edge of the Knowledge Revolution.”

The Superintendent drew on his background as a high school science teacher to illustrate the dynamic, momentous opportunities that our changing times present and to inspire school leadership to respond.  “If we are to live up to our obligation to the children who will arrive at our schools in just a few short days, we must resolve to transform education as we know it, to prepare our students for the challenges and promises of tomorrow,” Superintendent Carvalho said. “We must not so much take the right turn, as we must turn ourselves right, not simply heading in a new direction, but directing ourselves in new ways, ways perhaps not yet imagined.” 

Carvalho noted that while other school districts have been forced to lay off teachers, Miami-Dade has not been forced to do the same. He reiterated the need to protect the school district’s workforce and noted the shared sacrifice of his staff and their ability to gain efficiency through innovation.  Carvalho also repeated his promise not to cut art, music or physical education opportunities for students.  “The arts are more than just important in the classroom, they are what binds us together as a human race, what enriches our existence on this planet, what gives meaning to our lives, and we will not cheat our children of their right to everything a high-quality education should encompass,” he said.

“The challenge before us—to provide a world-class education for all students in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty—is one we are meeting through innovation; by reinventing ourselves without compromising ourselves, who we are, and what we stand for, in our pursuit of excellence,” said Carvalho.  “What we have accomplished – what we will accomplish together –will reverberate in the universe and in countless hearts, minds and lives far beyond our own place and time.”

The Opening of Schools program featured a world-premiere musical performance by the Miami Wind Symphony, student musical selections, and greetings from School Board Chair Solomon C. Stinson, Performing Arts Center Trust Board of Directors Chairman J. Ricky Arriola, Miami-Dade Council of PTAs/PTSAs President Carolyn Nelson-Goedert, and 2011 Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year Cristine O’Hara.

The event was sponsored by the South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.

The address will be broadcast Friday, August 20th at 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 21st at 4 p.m. on WLRN-Channel 17. A webcast of the address is available at http://tv.dadeschools.net.

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NEW M-DCPS INITIATIVES FOR THE 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR

One to One Digital Education is an initiative in selected middle schools that will replace traditional textbooks with digital devices and place the power to engage in active learning in the hands of the student.

Secondary Student Success Centers is a 6 through 12-grade high school program for overage middle school students. This high school program allows children to reach their age-appropriate grade level through computer assisted instruction, and increased opportunities for remediation in math and literacy education, without being faced with the social stigmas associated with being 15 or 16 years old in middle school thus allowing these students every opportunity to graduate. 

Operation Graduation supports senior high school students who have not passed the FCAT, by providing them an alternate pathway to meeting graduation requirements.

Autism Centers are expanded to at least two more locations across the District to provide high quality public options for children dealing with the challenges of autism spectrum disorders.

M.A.S.T. @ Homestead will open its doors this fall to incoming 9th-grade students, who will have the opportunity to study advanced programs in the fields of Biomedical, Pharmaceutical Services, and Physical Therapy which will prepare students for the work force of the global economy in these high demand fields. In order to achieve the goals of the school, there will be an interdisciplinary approach to medical/health science, technology, mathematics, and language arts instruction. Students will enroll in college/university level courses through the dual enrollment program and will participate in internships in the fields of biomedical (strand opens Fall 2011), physical therapy, and pharmacy. Through these internships, students will gain experience working with medical/healthcare professionals, assisting with work in the field, and communicating with researchers and the community at large.

The new The International Studies Preparatory Academy will open its doors for the first time to incoming 9th grade students. In addition to the study of core subject areas in English, students will receive up to three hours of instruction in the language of choice: French, Italian, or Spanish. Students pursue studies in literature, history, and geography taught in the target language, and they are encouraged to work at the highest levels in Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses taught in English.

Biotechnology and Forensic Program at Norland Senior High School and a Mathematics Academy at Carol City Senior High School give students the opportunity to participate in college level courses through dual enrollment, internships in these fields, and graduate having earned college credit. These programs are part of a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics partnership with Miami-Dade College.

iPrep Academy, billed as a high school for the new millennium, will open in Miami’s business, cultural and economic hub in the heart of downtown for incoming 11th-grade students.  iPrep Academy will offer students a rigorous curriculum consisting of honors and advanced placement courses, and dynamic instruction focusing on leadership and problem-solving skills.  Students will have a direct connection to Miami’s vibrant business community, which will allow for many internship opportunities in private industry and local government.  They will incorporate hands-on activities and real world experience as part of their everyday coursework.

The Coral Gables K-8 Preparatory Academy was created to provide a 6-8 grade configuration at Merrick Educational Center. This expansion ensures that elementary students will be able to continue the strong academic technologically rich environment infused with a language program to enable them to become bilingual and bi-literate as they enter high school.  In addition to a strong curriculum in core areas, incoming sixth graders will be infused with the teaching of Spanish at the regular and advanced levels, providing them with language skills needed to succeed in today’s market economy.

Arts are Special is a performing and visual arts enrichment experience for students with disabilities.

Fit2Learn/Fit4Life incorporates wellness centers at selected middle schools and improved nutrition education across all grades, among other innovations.

Ethical Voices / Responsible Choices encourages ethics in both word and deed among staff and students, and responsibility in the choices we make. 

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