<p>M E M O R A N D U M August 6, 2010</p><p>TO: All Teachers and Staff</p><p>FROM: Jose Enriquez, Jr., Principal José Martí Middle School </p><p>SUBJECT: Opening School 2010-2011</p><p>Dear Faculty/Staff Member,</p><p>Yes….. Yes….. Yes…..</p><p>Yes, you are awake and this is not a dream.</p><p>Yes, it is hard to believe that the new school year is upon us once again.</p><p>We will kick off the new school year at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 19th at Miami-Dade College where we will all have a nice continental breakfast, intellectual conversations, and an overview of our strategies and goals for the new school year.</p><p>Our theme for the 2010-2011 school year, will center around the work of creating an environment that clearly communicates a message to our students that college is “definitely” a possibility in their future. Our new Positive Behavior Support (PBS) team actually travelled to Palm Springs, California this summer to learn about a unique system known as the “No Excuses University” network of schools. With an increased focus on student discipline and the adoption of the “No Excuses University” model we are very excited about the new school year. For more information visit http://www.turnaroundschools.org/.</p><p>In order for the new theme and focus on discipline to be in place before school starts, we will be utilizing most of Thursday and Friday for various meetings. Therefore, I am encouraging you to opt one or two days by beginning work on Tuesday, August 17th or the 18th to be able to get your classrooms and other plans in order.</p><p>Yes, you are still awake and the school year is right around the corner. However, you still have a few days remaining to relax, so enjoy the rest of your summer with your family and friends.</p>