JANUARY 2019 VOLUME 11, ISSUE 49 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: - Mentoring Programs - Graduation Rates CONNECTION - School Bus Information A Newsletter for Miami-Dade County Public Schools Parents

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ?

More than 1,7000 Miami-Dade County Public Schools students learned about geography in a fun and exciting way by taking part in “Carmen Sandiego Day” at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

REGISTER TODAY! 2019 SUPERINTENDENT’S 5K RUN/WALK CHALLENGE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

The 4th Annual Superintendent ’s Challenge, FEB. 13 scheduled for Saturday, 11 a.m. April 13, 2019 at Museum Regular Meeting Park, is a 5K Run/Walk to promote health and wellness in our schools and in our community. Schools are MARCH 13 11 a.m. encouraged to register teams as a percentage of Regular Meeting event proceeds benefit participating schools. Proceeds from solo APRIL 17 participants benefit the of M-DCPS. All registered https://www.athlinks.com/ 10 a.m. Foundation for New participants will receive event/superintendents- Conference Session: Education Initiatives, Inc . – a a race t-shirt and finisher 5k-challenge-race-for- Attendance Zones for direct-support organization medal. Register now at: education-167578 2019-2020

Feb. 18 - Presidents Day 11 a.m. IMPORTANT DATES Feb. 24- Miami National College Fair Regular Meeting; Initial & INFORMATION March 14 - Secondary Early Release Day Reading - Attendance March 25-29 - Spring Recess Zones for 2019-2020

TAKE OUR DAUGHTERS CARNIVAL SCHOLARSHIP & MENTORING PROGRAM - When Dreams Set Sail & SONS TO WORK DAY

Get ready to see children and teens engaging in learning outside of the classroom and inside your workplace! Miami-Dade County Public Schools is once again participating in “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work” For twins Stephanie and “Dr. Payne made me more Stephanie worked with Day. Geovanna Hernandez going than a better student. She elementary, middle and high to college was always a made me a better human school students. When asked This year, M-DCPS chose given. How they were going being, more responsible, what they’d tell an incoming Friday, February 1st, 2019 to to pay for it was not. Growing more ambitious and more freshman about the Carnival honor the day, which allows up with a single mother on inquisitive,” said Stephanie. program, Geovanna said, students, aged 8-18 to go a sparse income, the twins “She taught me to see “You can easily show up and to work with their parents, knew they would have to obstacles as an opportunity go through the motions, other relatives, or adult make their own way if they to succeed.” Geovanna’s but be proactive and make mentors in their lives. were going to be the first Carnival mentor, Vicky the best of the experience. in their family to attend Blanch, taught her to Use it to better yourself and The intent of the national college. Through the Carnival dream big. It was Blanch develop new skills.” program is to assist students Scholarship & Mentoring who planted the idea that in learning to articulate their Program, Stephanie and she could go to college Stephanie advises, “Don’t career goals and aspirations Geovanna were among the anywhere, and after earning be afraid to ask for help. At to themselves, their peers first high school seniors to her BA in sociology, she the Carnival Scholarship and the adults important to earn the Carnival scholarship enrolled at Boston University & Mentoring Program, their lives. that opened the door to for her MBA. “What I someone is always willing Florida State University. remember most is the one- to help. Raise your hand and Employers are encouraged to on-one time I had with Vicky ask questions.” offer interactive experiences The girls entered the Carnival in her office,” said Geovanna. The twins credit the program for participating students Scholarship & Mentoring “During my visit, she cleared with teaching them how across South Florida’s Program as high school her schedule and I knew it to dress, speak in public, workplaces. M-DCPS selected sophomores after attending was my time.” prepare for an interview, this year’s date in partnership the HEAT Academy. The understand professional with Broward County mentoring program taught Days with their mentors were etiquette, write a check, Public Schools to facilitate them that, with hard work spent discussing everything and maintain a budget. But participation by companies and determination, anything from school to music to goals most important, was the and families in both counties. is possible. Stephanie recalls and aspirations. Both twins emotional connection with For additional information bonding with her mentor, say their mentors gave them their mentors. on “Take Our Daughters and Dr. Rosalie Payne, who made the confidence to apply Sons to Work Day,” head to a deep impression on her. to colleges beyond Miami. “I had someone to look up daughtersandsonstowork. Payne was the first person The scholarship meant they to who wasn’t in my family, org. she met with a PhD, a degree could focus on their studies someone who really cared Stephanie herself is working and dedicate their spare for me,” said Stephanie. “We toward at the University of time to giving back to the had access to a network of Texas at San Antonio, after community. Geovanna was people who cared about us earning two degrees in a Big Sister in Tallahassee and who were truly invested demography. and is one in Boston, while in us,” added Geovanna. M-DCPS’ GRADUATION RATE CONTINUES TO SOAR SCHOOL BUSES

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ graduation rate rose once again to an all-time high of 85.4 percent for the 2017-2018 academic year, a 4.7 percentage point increase from the 80.7 percent the prior year. This rate marks the highest graduation rate M-DCPS has achieved since the Florida Department of Keeping parents informed is Education began tracking of the utmost importance to graduation statistics with M-DCPS. The transportation modern methods in the late has increased almost 27 This is a remarkable department is sending text 1990s. If charter schools percentage points from 58.7 achievement for a graduating messages to notify parents are removed from the percent to 85.4 percent in class that is being measured of bus delays and other calculation, the graduation 2017-18. on the more rigorous Grade important information. rate in schools managed by 10 FSA ELA assessment. Parents should ensure their the District is 89 percent. Miami-Dade’s graduation contact information is up Thirteen hundred more rates for White, Hispanic, For more information, visit to date with their child’s students graduated in 2017- Students with Disabilities, http://news.dadeschools.net/ school, especially cell 18 than the prior year. English Language cmnc/new/28892. phone numbers and email Learners and Economically addresses. To stay connected, Since 2006-2007, the disadvantaged students download the Dadeschools District’s graduation rate exceeded those of the State. mobile app to your iPhone or Android device. SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GOB PROJECT M-DCPS recently unveiled the renovations at Scott PARENT E-TIPS: Lake Elementary. With a total investment of $5 million, the Primary: project includes: classroom Teach Your Child How technology improvements, to Balance School & new 10,546 square-foot, one- Activities story building addition, new https://bit.ly/2SYG94A ceiling, lighting and flooring, Secondary: a new bus drop off and Support Emerging covered walkway, exterior Executive Skills painting, and much more. https://bit.ly/2VXSsjp #GOBprogress

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Perla Tabares Hantman, Chair Dr. Marta Pérez Dr. Martin Karp, Vice Chair Mari Tere Rojas Produced by the The School Board of Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall Office of Communications Susie V. Castillo Alberto M. Carvalho Miami-Dade County, Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman Superintendent of Schools Daisy Gonzalez-Diego Florida Dr. Steve Gallon III Chief Communications Officer Lubby Navarro Bryce Febres Student Advisor to the School Board