FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 7, 2013

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

Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor K-8 Center students, teachers, staff, district officials, and Town of Surfside representatives

Donation of Turtle Sculpture to Newtown, CT

Friday, February 8, 2013
10 a.m.

Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor K-8 Center
1155 93 Street
Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154

Students in Maggie Vidal-Santos’ art elective class at Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor K-8 Center decorated a loggerhead turtle sculpture that they affectionately named “Ruth the Turtle.” The sculpture is part of a unique public art event in the Town of Surfside.

The Town of Surfside and Ruth K. Broad/Bay Harbor K-8 Center are donating the sculpture to Newtown, CT as a healing gesture.  Sandy Hook Elementary has a beloved pet turtle named Shelley who has been relocated with the students.  The turtle sculpture will be delivered to Connecticut and arrive for February 14 to be presented to the families of Newtown, CT.

The donation will be accepted by Healing Newtown, which was established to manage the overwhelming response from the art community and outpouring of support nationally and worldwide.  Healing Newtown plans to develop a sustainable operation for long-term healing through arts-based
efforts.