CURRICULUM MATTERS
Working Together to Provide an Excellent Education for Every Student in Our Classrooms
E-Newsletter Volume 1, E-Issue 1: Spring 2008
Scroll down for relevant, updated school news.
ASSESSMENT, RESEARCH, & DATA ANALYSIS
Contact Information
Interim Assessment Program
2008 SAT-10 Administration
2008 FCAT Administration
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT
Contact Information
xxxCURRICULUM SUPPORT
xxxContact Information
xxxxxxBILINGUAL EDUCATION & WORLD LANGUAGES
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxLanguage Prejudice: The Importance of Teachers’ Attitudes
xxxxxxCAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxx
xxxxxxINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, & LIBRARY MEDIA SERVICES
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxAligning Instruction with Assessment
xxxxxxDestiny Textbook Manager
xxxxxxLIFE SKILLS & SPECIAL PROJECTS
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxNorth Miami Sophomore Wins Second Prize Writing Comic Strip Entry
xxxxxxM-DCPS Students Excel as Arts Week Finalists
xxxxxxSouthwood Middle School Artist Recognized
xxxxxxSouthwood Middle School Students in All-State Grade 7-8 String Orchestra
xxxxxxSTUDENT SERVICES
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxxCommunity Youth Violence Prevention Summit
xxxxxxHealth Connect in our Schools: A New Approach
xxxSPECIAL EDUCATION & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
xxxContact Information
xxxLEAP – USA
xxxMedicaid Reimbursement Update
xxxSchool Support Team (SST)
xxxxxxPSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxSPECIALIZED PROGRAMS
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxMiami Northwestern Students Honored for Research Presentations (N)
xxxxxxxxCHARTER SCHOOL OPERATIONS
xxxxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxxxCharter Chatter (N)
xxxxxxxxSCHOOLS OF CHOICE
xxxxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxxxNon-Profit Organization Announces High School Program to Promote
xxxxxxx x Information Technology (IT)
Careers for Women (N)
xxxxxxxxAcademy of Hospitality and Tourism Holds Annual Fundraiser (N)
xxxxxxxxM-DCPS Lands Federal Magnet Grant for Fifth Consecutive Time (N)
xxxxxxxxSchools of Choice Lands Voluntary Public School Choice Program Grant (N)
xxxxxxxxChoice Programs Application Guidelines (N)
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Contact Information
ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Contact Information
xxxxxxADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxMATHEMATICS EDUCATION
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxSibley Elementary Teachers Recognized at the Florida African American Education
xxxxxxxxAlliance Summit (N)
xxxxxxPalmetto Senior High School Students Shine in Mathematics and Science Competitions
xxxxxxRegional Science and Engineering & Elementary Science, Mathematics and Invention
xxxxxxxxFair Results (N)
xxxxxxSCIENCE EDUCATION
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxSibley Elementary Teachers Recognized at the Florida African American Education xxxxxxxAlliance Summit(N)
xxxxxxPalmetto Senior High School Students Shine in Mathematics and Science Competitions
xxxxxxDr. Michael M. Krop Senior High Student Named Semifinalist in Siemens Foundation xxxxxxxScience Researchers Competition(N)
xxxxxx
SECONDARY CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Contact Information
xxxxxxLANGUAGE ARTS/READING
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxProfessional Development
xxxxxxSOCIAL SCIENCES
xxxxxxContact Information
xxxxxxUniversity of Miami’s MAIA Program Partners with Social Sciences (N)
xxxxxWe the People … The Citizen and the Constitution
xxxxxxNational Security Studies Program for Teachers and Students (N)
ASSESSMENT, RESEARCH & DATA ANALYSIS
Contact Information:
Ms. Gisela Feild, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevar, Suite 225
Miami, FL 33132
305-99-2943
305-995-7420 FAX
gfeild@dadeschools.net
http://oada.dadeschools.net/
Interim Assessment Program
New for 2007-2008 – the addition of Science tests.
Upcoming Interim Assessment administration - January 28 through February 6, 2008. All students in grades 3 through 10 will be taking the Reading and Mathematics tests; students in grades 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11 will also take the Science tests.
Additional information about the Interim Assessment Program is available at:
http://oada.dadeschools.net/IAP/IAP.asp.
2008 SAT-10 Administration
New for 2007-2008 – All grade 1 students will be tested.
The 2008 SAT-10 will be administered from March 18 through March 24, 2008. All students in grades 1 and 2 will be taking both the Reading and Mathematics subtests.
Additional information and resources for the administration of the 2008 SAT-10 will be available at
:
http://oada.dadeschools.net/TestChairInfo/InfoForTestChair.asp.
2008 FCAT Administration
The 2008 FCAT Writing+ will be administered from February 12 through February 15 for all students in grades 4, 8, and 10. The 2008 FCAT SSS and NRT will be administered from March 11 through March 25, 2008. All students in grades 3 through 10 will be taking the Reading and Mathematics subtests; students in grades 5, 8, and 11 will also take the Science tests. The complete FCAT administration schedule is available at:
http://oada.dadeschools.net/TestChairInfo/102008FCATSCHEDULE.pdf.
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CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT
Contact Information:
Dr. Lourdes C. Rovira, Associate Superintendent
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 326
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-2432
305-995-1983 FAX
lrovira@dadeschools.net
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CURRICULUM SUPPORT
Contact Information:
Dr. Carmen Marinelli, Assistant Superintendent
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 336
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-7015
305523-0493 FAX
cmarinelli@dadeschools.net
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BILINGUAL EDUCATION & WORLD LANGUAGE
Contact Information:
Dr. Joanne Urrutia, Adminstrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 324
Miami, FL 3312
305-995-1945
305-995-2902 FAX
jurrutia@dadeschools.net
http://bilingual.dadeschools.net/
LANGUAGE PREJUDICE: THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD BILINGUAL AND BICULTURAL EDUCATION
The role of schools in serving English Learners is defined in federal and state law, statutes, and court cases related to equal protection, equal educational opportunities, and civil rights. By law, programs designed for English Learners must address two basic goals: 1) overcoming the language barrier by developing English fluency; and 2) providing full access to the grade level core curriculum while the student is learning English.
Traditionally, English Learners are thought to be only students whose home language is one other than English. However, Evelyn B. Freeman, Ohio Wesleyan University, cites the landmark U.S. District Court decision Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School Children v. Ann Arbor School District Board ( July 1979) in establishing the importance of teachers’ attitudes toward language. Judge Charles Joiner upheld the claim of eleven Black parents that the school system failed to take “their children’s spoken dialect into account and it failed to teach them to read Standard English.” The judge further stated that the language barrier is not Black English itself, but rather teacher attitudes, which cause Black English speakers to feel inferior. (Kossack 1980, p. 617).
The court heard testimony from noted linguists who established that Black English is a legitimate, systematic, and rule-governed variety of Standard English. According to linguists, dialects of a language are described as differences that are in no way structurally inferior. Judgments regarding whether language is standard or nonstandard are social and not linguistic.
Implications for Teachers
First, teacher attitudes and expectations that are related to students’ languages are conveyed to students either directly or indirectly (Rosenthal and Jacobson study 1968). Stokes (1976) has pointed out that “unless teachers soften negative attitudes toward dialect and dialect speakers, it is doubtful that any meaningful progress toward facilitating language teaching, learning, and use can be successfully effected” (p. 2). Second, teacher attitudes may influence their evaluations of student performances and achievement. Third, teacher attitudes can also affect the reading instruction that dialect speakers receive.
Toward Solutions
Gere and Smith (1979) describe five steps in the process of changing teacher attitudes toward language: awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, and adoption/adaptation. They also suggest that understanding the nature of language, the process of language development, and the diversity within language would enable a teacher to have a broader perspective on language variation in the classroom.
Conclusion
As both the court decision and research have indicated, teachers possess attitudes toward language that may affect student language learning, including the acquisition of reading skills. Teachers need to accept the oral language of all students and utilize it as a means to increase language options available to students to promote oral and written language growth, and to foster language competence in a variety of social and academic settings.
References
The Elementary School Journal, Volume 83, Number 1, 1982, by the University of Chicago.
Gere, A.R., and Smith, E. Attitudes, Language and Change. Urbana, Ill,: National Council of Teachers ofEnglish, 1979.
Kossack, S. “District Court’s Ruling on Nonstandard Dialect Needs Cautious Interpretation”. Phi Delta Kappan 61 (May1980): 617-19.
Rosenthal, R. and Jacobson, L., Pygmalion in the Classroom: Teacher Expectation and Pupils’ Intellectual Development, New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1968.
Stokes, L.D. “What is Really Basic about Dialect and Teaching? Attitudes Are”. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Conference on College Composition and Communication, March 1976, Philadelphia.
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CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Contact Information:
Dr. Rose Martin, District Director
1450 NE Second Avenue, Suite 818
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-1854
305-995-1896 FAX
rmartin1@dadeschools.net
http://teched.dadeschools.net/
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INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, & LIBRARY MEDIA SERVICES
Contact Information:
Dr. Sylvia J. Diaz, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 337
Miami FL 33132
305-995-7602
305-995-7610 FAX
sjdiaz@dadeschools.net
http:/it.ldadeschools.net/index.htm
http://library.dadeschools.lnet/index.htm (Library Media Services)
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ALIGNING INSTRUCTION WITH ASSESSMENT
The Aligning Instruction with Assessment (AIA) project consists of a series of videos to help teachers understand how to use assessment data to drive instruction:
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The first two videos, created by staff in Language Arts/Reading Department, focus on the DIBELS and Maze assessments. These videos are currently available through the Employee’s page of the District website.
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Additional videos are available in the areas of language arts, math, and science. The language arts and math videos focus on the Interim Assessments, while the primary and secondary science videos focus on the FCAT Science Progress Monitoring Test and the FCAT Science End of Quarter Test.
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The Language Arts/Reading Division is also developing a video to help parents understand the results of the DIBELS assessment.
AIA is an ongoing project and additional videos will be available in the months ahead.
For more information, contact Ms. Sonia Samaroo, Educational Specialist, at 305-995-1131 or email: samaroos@dadeschools.net.
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DESTINY TEXTBOOK MANAGER
The resource needs of our district are growing. In an attempt to better manage expensive textbook resources, the Division of Instructional Technology, Instructional Materials, and Library Media Services is implementing the Destiny Textbook Manager™. As a Proof of Concept (POC), Destiny Textbook Manager™ is being utilized in nine schools. Destiny Textbook Manager™ gives schools the ability to:
- better monitor the textbook inventory—including quantity, condition, and location;
- access textbook data from any computer with Internet access at any time—instantly;
- give greater control over textbooks in circulation by providing comprehensive reports; and
- facilitate the circulation of textbooks to each and every student.
Interfacing the Destiny Textbook Manager™ with the District’s student data warehouse will enable the District to view course enrollment vs. textbook inventory, thereby ensuring that our learning community has the required resources. Pending the successful outcome of the POC, the application will be made available to approximately 90 additional schools in the upcoming school year.
Schools interested in participating in the next round of deployment may contact Ms. Valentina Pasaron, Educational Specialist, Instructional Materials, at 305-995-1584, or at vpasaron1@dadeschools.net.
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LIFE SKILLS & SPECIAL PROJECTS
Contact Information:
Ms. Lilia Garcia, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 317
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-1912
305-995-1923 FAX
liliagarcia@dadeschools.net
http://divisionoflifeskills.dadeschools.net/
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NORTH MIAMI SOPHOMORE WINS SECOND PRIZE WITH CREATIVE WRITING COMIC STRIP ENTRY
Trendawnnious Beauvior, a sophomore at North Miami Senior High School, won second place in the 2007-2008 “My Own Personal Superhero” Creative Writing Comic Contest, sponsored by the Jewish Museum of Florida. His art work is on display, along with the current exhibit “Zap! Pow! Bam!” through April 30, 2008. Trendawnnious competed against other talented artists from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. High school teacher, Ms. Vanover, entered his work, featuring “Right Hand-Man,” a Superhero who inspires youth to choose the right path away from a life of drugs and crime.
Entries were evaluated on content, presentation, and creativity, in addition to a personal questionnaire. The American Association of Museums required students to invent their own superhero to solve a problem inspired by a dilemma affecting the community on a local or international scale. Through the genre of comic strip story telling, Trendawnnious used his problem solving skills to create dialog, and paired it with his own artistic style to bring home the message that comics can “promote the universal themes of respect for humanity and responsible citizenship.” He and his family were invited to attend an awards ceremony held at the Museum on December 3, 2007; he also won a prize of $75 and a free tour of the exhibit for the art classes at North Miami Senior High School.
M-DCPS STUDENTS EXCEL AS ARTS WEEK FINALISTS
Twenty student artists from Miami-Dade County Public Schools were chosen to receive cash awards of up to $10,000 from the YoungARTS program of the very prestigious National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA). This was the largest showing of any school district in the country. The NFAA program identifies and rewards talented high school seniors in nine art forms with awards and training. Winners were selected from 8,000 students nationwide.
The YoungARTS finalists, selected from across the nation through a very rigorous process, met in Miami, January 9-12, 2008, for YoungARTS Week, an all-expense-paid week of master classes, showcase performances, exhibitions, enrichment programs, and final adjudications. The final adjudications are not a competition – YoungARTS finalists are reviewed against a standard of excellence within their respective disciplines, and not against each other. YoungARTS finalists share an award package of over $500,000 in direct cash awards and a total benefit package valued at $1 million. The YoungARTS finalists from M-DCPS chosen to participate in this program were:
In Visual Arts:
- Roman Arevalo (New World School of the Arts)
- Cathryn Garcia-Menocal (New World School of the Arts)
- Sheena Klimoski (New World School of the Arts)
- Alexandra Grignon (Design and Architecture Senior High School)
- James Sprung (Design and Architecture Senior High School)
In Dance:
- Melissa Fernandez (New World School of the Arts)
- Gentry George (New World School of the Arts)
- Carolyn Ho (Coral Reef Senior High School)
Congratulations to these fine young artists and their teachers!
SOUTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTIST RECOGNIZED
The American Scholastic Press Association presented its Outstanding Cover Award for 2007 to Charles Loffler, a Southwood Middle School student who studied with Ms. Leslie McKinley and Ms. Brenda Gilpin. The cover of the Southwood’s Starburst Yearbook was named “best in the nation” from national submissions in both middle and senior high schools.
SOUTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ALL-STATE GRADE 7-8 STRING ORCHESTRA
For the third year in a row, Southwood Middle School has earned the distinction of having the greatest representation in the All-State Grade 7-8 String Orchestra for the entire state. Congratulations to orchestra director, Ms. Tinder Burris, and students, Pio Molina, Jennifer Yu, Elisha Ekowo, Santiago Olaguibel, Pearl Fuentes, Stephen McLeod, and Anna Litvinenko.
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STUDENT SERVICES
Contact Information:
Ms. Deborah Montilla, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 341
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-7324
305-995-7337 FAX
dmontilla@dadeschools.net
http://studentservices.dadeschools.net/
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HEALTH CONNECT IN OUR SCHOOLS: A NEW APPROACH
By the end of the 2006-2007 school year, approximately 101 Miami-Dade County Public Schools were participating in the initial phase of Health Connect in Our Schools (HCiOS), a collaborative venture among M-DCPS, The Children’s Trust, the Miami-Dade County Health Department, and area health providers. Following extensive research and planning, these stakeholders met to develop the business plan that was ultimately approved by M-DCPS in February 2006. The business plan outlines an ambitious goal for the implementation of HCiOS in all schools by 2011.
The M-DCPS Division of Student Services has taken the lead in facilitating the transition of the HCiOS model, an innovative approach to providing health services to students in all schools, as follows:
- An HCiOS health team will be established to service two schools, composed of a school social worker, a nurse and two health aides;
- Coordinated health services will include, but not be limited to, psycho-social assessments, mental health counseling, social service referrals, mandated screenings and assessments with appropriate follow-up, a system for dealing with crisis medical situations, appropriate administration of medication, and linking students/families to medical homes;
- HCiOS staff will be fully integrated with school-based student services and other school staff to improve the provision of services to all students.
If you have additional questions regarding this initiative, contact Ms. Wilma Steiner, District Director, Division of Student Services Comprehensive Health Programs, or Mr. Daniel R. Oré, Director, Division of Student Services School Social Work Programs, at 305 995-7338.
SPECIAL EDUCATION & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
Contact Information:
Ms. Brucie Ball, Assistant Superintendent
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 409
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-1721
305-995-2053 FAX
bball@dadeschools.net
http://ese.dadeschools.net/
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PROJECT BRIDGE
Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) Division of Special Education is proud to introduce Project BRIDGE (Building Recreational Independence and Developing Gateways to Employment), a program for students aged 16-22 with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities. This outreach program, for students who are pursuing a special diploma, is hosted at the Shake-A-Leg Miami Aquatic Center and Marine Academy, located in Coconut Grove. The purpose of this program is to build vocational skills in individuals with disabilities in order to enhance access to employment in the fields of marine science, nature, recreation and leisure activities, and ecology. This opportunity is the result of the collaborative efforts among M-DCPS, Shake A Leg Miami, and Nature Links, a consortium of stakeholders dedicated to increasing access to the natural environment for all individuals with developmental disabilities.
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LEAP - USA
The Learning Experiences and Alternative Program for Preschoolers and Parents (LEAP) is a fully inclusive preschool model for educating children with autism alongside their peers. Currently, there are 13 LEAP classrooms throughout Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Four LEAP classrooms are participating in a federally-funded research project, called LEAP-USA (Using Science-Based Approaches). This research study examines the ability to replicate the LEAP Preschool Model and demonstrates its effectiveness. Comstock Elementary LEAP and Redondo Elementary LEAP are the two intervention sites in the study; Gratigny Elementary LEAP and Kensington Park Elementary LEAP are the two control sites.
For more information about LEAP, contact Ms. Dolores Mendoza, Instructional Supervisor, at DMendoza@dadeschools.net.
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MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT UPDATE
School psychologists, school social workers, occupational/physical therapists and speech/language pathologists received hands-on training in mid-September on The Florida Medicaid Certified School Match Program for Fee-For-Service MAXCapture web-based Fee-For-Service billing. The Medicaid Reimbursement Program Office is collaborating with ITS to complete the preliminary data to maximize our district revenues. This Cost-Based Rates Study will enable our district to increase rates for Medicaid billable services provided by our school psychologists and school social workers. These services include psycho-educational evaluations and social/developmental histories.
The Medicaid Parental Consent form (FM-7032 E,H,S), which was attached to Weekly Briefing #1188 for All Principals, was designed to meet the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance requirements.
The Medicaid Reimbursement Program continues to offer District-wide assistance to better inform M-DCPS staff, as well as community agencies, about two Medicaid reimbursement programs: the Florida Medicaid Administrative Claiming Program and the Florida Certified School Match Program for Fee-For-Service. Reimbursement funds are allocated throughout the District to support M-DCPS programs for students with disabilities.
For additional information contact Terry Reyes-Gavilan, Supervisor, Management Operations - Medicaid Reimbursement Programs, 305-995-2798.
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SCHOOL SUPPORT TEAM (SST)
The School Support Team (SST) has been created as each school’s primary problem-solving assistance team in M-DCPS as part of the District’s initiative to ensure that No Child is Left Behind.
The SST facilitates a process that:
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combines existing district programs for providing intervention assistance for students with academic, behavioral, and/or socio-emotional problems;
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collaboratively develops student intervention plans through school-based problem solving teams, in order to support students, teachers, and parents; and
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serves as a resource for teachers needing assistance in providing interventions for students with academic and behavioral problems, primarily within the general education classroom.
An SST Intervention Plan includes:
- a documented problem area;
- measurable baseline data;
- interventions; and
- a monitoring component.
Professionals assigned as core members of the SST include:
- an SST Coordinator;
- a school psychologist;
- a school social worker;
- a target area specialist (such as the Reading Coach, Math Coach, or FAB Specialist);
- teacher(s), and
- parents/guardians.
For further information on the SST process, procedures and trainings, contact Ms. Naylet LaRochelle and Dr. Sue L. Buslinger-Clifford at 305-275-9801 or 305-995-1735.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
Contact Information:
Mr. Joseph L. Jackson, Administrative Director
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 407-T
Miami, Florida 33132
305-995-1735
305-995-2049
jjackson3@dadeschools.net
http://psy.dadeschools.net/
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SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS
Contact Information:
Mr. Michael Bell, Assistant Superintendent
1450 NE Second Avenue, Suite 271
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-7260
305-995-1940 FAX
mbellish@dadeschools.net
http://choice.dadeschools.net/
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MIAMI NORTHWESTERN STUDENTS HONORED FOR RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH
Two students from Miami Northwestern Senior High School earned top research awards at the 2007 Step-Up Program sponsored by the National Institute of Health in Baltimore, Maryland. Lizbeth Pinto, a senior, received a first place award for a presentation of her research The Effect of CoQ10 on Bim Expression in Melanoma, which was performed at The Miller School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, in the laboratory of Dr. Niven R. Narain and Dr. Indu Persaud. Sharria Scavella, a senior, received a second place award for a presentation of her research on Growth Dynamics of Marine Picoplankton, which was performed at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Worden Laboratory, under the mentorship of Dr. Alexandra Z. Worden and Mr. Rory Welsh. Erica Taylor and Jahkim Felder were also selected to present their research in Baltimore.
All four students are seniors in the Medical Magnet Program at Miami Northwestern. Over 100 students from all over the United States attended the conference. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease's (NIDDK) STEP-UP Program is designed to provide short-term research education for high school and/or undergraduate students from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds to expose them to research within the mission area of NIDDK. The Program exposes students to research in areas of diabetes, endocrinology, metabolism, nutrition, obesity, digestive, liver, urologic, kidney, and hematological diseases.
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CHARTER SCHOOL OPERATIONS
Contact Information:
Ms. Ellen O. Wright, Administrative Director
2800 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 900
Miami, FL 33137
305-438-2220
305-572-1500 FAX
ewright@dadeschools.net
http://charterschools.dadeschools.net/
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CHARTER CHATTER
Charter School Operations (CSO) periodically publishes a newsletter, Charter Chatter, which showcases charter schools, as well as the efforts of the CSO department. To find out more about what is going on in the charter school world, you may access the latest newsletter on the CSO website at: http://charterschools.dadeschools.net/.
For additional information, contact Charter School Operations, Ms. Ellen O. Wright, Administrative Director, Charter School Operations, 305-438-2257
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SCHOOLS OF CHOICE
Contact Information:
Dr. Helen S. Blanch, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 237
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-1922
305-995-7290 FAX
hblanch@dadeschools.net
http://choice.dadeschools.net/
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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM TO PROMOTE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) CAREERS FOR WOMEN
IT Women has selected Miami Central Senior High School’s technology magnet program as a pilot to assist female students in entering the field of IT. Miami Central Senior High School was selected as the first IT Women High School Chapter as both faculty and student have shown a great interest in the profession and the career opportunities that exist in the industry. As part of the program, role model speakers will conduct sessions at the school to discuss career opportunities and trends in technology. Members of the South Florida chapter will act as role models to middle school female students in order to educate them on the future that exists in the field of IT.
IT Women is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement, advocacy, and development of professional women in technology. M-DCPS is excited to enter into this partnership, which offers future internships, job shadowing, and employment opportunities with South Florida’s leading companies and corporations.
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ACADEMY OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM HOLDS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
From left: Alvin West, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Chair and Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau; Carmen Corvois-Roig, Business Development Director for South Florida for Carnival Cruise Lines; Michael Bell, Assistant Superintendent for Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Dr. Kamela Patton, Assistant Superintendent, Office of the Superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Chef Dieter Wenninger, Instructor at Johnson and Wales, at the Academy's Around the World Dinner and Auction held February 2, at Johnson and Wales University. West served as chair of the event, while Corvois-Roig acted as emcee of the live auction. The annual fundraising event, celebrating its 10th year, benefits the Academy programs at six local Miami-Dade County high schools. Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is a member of the nonprofit National Academy Foundation, which supports partnerships between business and public schools to create career academies.
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M-DCPS LANDS FEDERAL MAGNET GRANT FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE TIME
Miami-Dade County Public Schools was awarded $10.4 million from the United States Department of Education (USDOE) through the highly-competitive, Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) federal grant, September 1, 2007 through August 31, 2010. The three-year project, entitled Choices², will provide additional public school choice for students and their families. Four schools — William J. Bryan Elementary, North Miami Middle, North Miami Senior High, and South Dade Senior High — will become school-wide magnets, each offering a high caliber, student-interest driven curriculum in the following themes intended to raise the academic bar at each school:
- William J. Bryan Elementary: Museums Magnet Program
- North Miami Middle: All Academy Model – Museum; Communications; and International Education
- North Miami Senior High: All Academy Model – Museum Studies & Visual Arts; Communications & Media; Health Support Services; International Business & Finance; Aerospace Science; International Affairs/International Baccalaureate (existing)
- South Dade Senior High: All Academy Model - Sports Management & Medicine; Agricultural Science & Veterinary Medicine; Biomedical;Computer Science & International Business; Auto Engineering & Mechanics; International Education
The acquisition of this highly-competitive award marks the fifth consecutive time (since 1995) that M-DCPS will be benefiting from MSAP funding, an unparalleled nationwide success.
SCHOOLS OF CHOICE LANDS VOLUNTARY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM GRANT
The District has been awarded the Voluntary Public School Choice Program grant in the amount of $13,248,250 for the second consecutive application cycle from the United States Department of Education under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This highly competitive grant was awarded to only fourteen school districts in the nation.
The goal of I Choose! (Part II) is to significantly expand the availability of high quality school options for parents and students in Miami-Dade County. The objectives of the grant are to: 1) establish two additional Choice Zones (deep south and western regions of Miami-Dade County)) to complement the two zones established with the initial grant;2) identify, evaluate, and replicate successful programs, methods, and practices; 3) increase capacity of successful programs; and 4) increase student achievement.
It Took…the synergy of two divisions working collaboratively to ensure a winning application. The principal authors of the grant were Dr. Helen Blanch, Administrative Director, Schools of Choice, Ms. Lois Lee, District Director, Specialized Programs, and Ms. Melissa Latus, District Supervisor, Intergovernmental Affairs and Grants Administration. Congratulations to these individuals for this remarkable accomplishment!
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Contact Information:
Dr. Clarence Jones, Assistant Superintendent
1450 NE Second Avenue, Suite 335
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-7632
305-995-7650 FAX
cjonesjr@dadeschools.net
http://ech.dadeschools.net/
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ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Contact Information:
Ms. Stacey Bobo, Assistant Superintendent
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 326
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-4194
305-523-0493 FAX
sbobo@dadeschools.net
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ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Contact Information:
Mrs. Beatriz Zarraluqui, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 235
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-1939
305-995-7690 FAX
bzarraluqui@dadeschools.net
http://advancedacademicprograms.dadeschools.net/
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MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
Contact Information:
Ms. Melanie Megias, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 326
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-2341
305-995-4250 FAX
mmegias@dadeschools.net
http://mathscience.dadeschools.net/
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SIBLEY ELEMENTARY TEACHERS RECOGNIZED AT THE FLORIDA AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION ALLIANCE SUMMIT
Mrs. Ruth Roberts and Mrs. Katya Barrett, teachers at Hubert O. Sibley Elementary School, were announced the Teacher of the Year duet during the Florida African American Education Alliance (FAAEA) Annual Recognition Program and Issues Summit, Improving Minority Student Achievement, January 20-21, 2008, in Orlando, Florida. FAAEA recognizes and honors teachers and administrators who have demonstrated a commitment to advance and increase minority achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and innovative after-school and community programs that have proven success in serving minority students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Barrett were recognized for their accomplishments and successes in these areas. As coordinators of their school’s SECME Stars program, they embrace the goals of promoting excitement for reading, mathematics, science, and technology which translates to higher achievement, greater self-esteem, and interest in school. M-DCPS is honored to have teachers who demonstrate exemplary performance in the field of mathematics, science, and technology. A special congratulation is extended to Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Barrett for providing high quality educational experiences to students.
PALMETTO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SHINE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE COMPETITIONS
January was quite an exciting month at Miami Palmetto Senior High School. On January 16, two students, Alexander Li and Yunxin (Joy) Jiao, were identified as semi-finalists in the national Intel Science Talent Search. (300 students qualified nationally and only 4 students in Miami-Dade County qualified as semi-finalists.) Winning an Intel is often described as the Nobel Prize for high school science students. Each student will receive $1,000 and another $1,000 per student will also be donated to the school to be used to enhance science education.
Early in January it was announced that M-DCPS’ team of students participating in the JETS National Engineering Design Competition had placed in the top 18 in the nation. Over 260 teams from the U.S. and abroad competed in the first round with 100 advancing to the second round. The students designed a vacuum cleaner device that could be used by cognitively challenged individuals. The team included Yunxin Jiao, Yue Xin, Rui Yang, Garrett Lau, David Lee and Tiffany Lau.
On January 18, the finalists, i.e., the top ten outstanding math and science students in Florida, for the Florida Sunshine State Scholars competition, were announced. Florida is divided into six regions for this competition. Students took a rigorous test on January 11, and the top student in each region, along with four highest scoring students that were not region winners, were identified as Sunshine State Scholars. Alexander Li was identified as the Region VI Sunshine State Scholar. Alex and the other nine students will compete in Tallahassee, March 9-11, to determine the State's top student. Students are asked to identify their most influential math and science teachers. Alex identified Ms. Susan Kaplan as his most influential math instructor and Ms. Pamela J. Shlachtman as his most influential science instructor. Ms. Kaplan and Ms. Shlachtman will accompany Alex on his trip to Tallahassee. Congratulations to these fine students and teachers from Palmetto Senior High School!
REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING & ELEMENTARY SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND INVENTION FAIRS RESULTS
 
The 54th Annual South Florida Regional Science and Engineering Fair, held at Southland Mall, and the 20th Annual Elementary Science, Mathematics and Inventions Fairs, held at the Miami Museum of Science, both took place during the month of January, 2008. Nearly 700 projects were judged between the two fairs and the results were excellent. The quality of the projects was greatly improved, especially in the Elementary Fair. The results of both Fairs can be found on the District’s Competition Web site at the following link:
http://science.dadeschools.net/scifair/default.htm
Thirty-one students were chosen from the Superior winners through additional judging rounds to represent the District and the Regional Fair at the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair (SEF) to be held in Lakeland, Florida, from April 16-19, 2008. From the State SEF participants, 12 students were chosen through yet another round of judging to represent South Florida at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, from May 10-17, 2008.
The following top two high school students from the Bridge Competition were awarded an all-expense paid trip to Chicago, Illinois, to participate in the International Bridge Building Competition to be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) from April 24-26, 2008:
- Andrew Harrington, Mast Academy, grade 10
- Michael Gorayeb, Holmes Braddock Senior High School, grade 11
Two sponsoring teachers, one from a middle school and one from a high school have also been chosen and will be honored to attend the State and Intel ISEF competitions, respectively, and join the District staff as chaperones for our delegations. They will receive a plaque as well as a monetary award from the Friends of the Science Fair.
Three projects were selected as the top projects the Elementary Fair and each of these students received a trophy:
- First Place Trophy – Anthony Miro, Ernest Graham R. Elementary
- Second Place Trophy – Pamela Manzano, Bob Graham Education Center
- Third Place Trophy - Esteban Chinen, John I. Smith Elementary
Other special awards were presented at the Award Ceremony, which was held in the theatre of the Museum. A picture and a short write-up on each student and their top projects will be posted on the web site in the near future.
SCIENCE EDUCATION
Contact Information:
Dr. Cyd Heyliger-Browne, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 326
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-2341
305-995-4250 FAX
cheyliger-browne@dadeschools.net
http://mathscience.dadeschools.net/
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SIBLEY ELEMENTARY TEACHERS RECOGNIZED AT THE FLORIDA AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATION ALLIANCE SUMMIT
Mrs. Ruth Roberts and Mrs. Katya Barrett, teachers at Hubert O. Sibley Elementary School, were announced the Teacher of the Year duet during the Florida African American Education Alliance (FAAEA) Annual Recognition Program and Issues Summit, Improving Minority Student Achievement, January 20-21, 2008, in Orlando, Florida. FAAEA recognizes and honors teachers and administrators who have demonstrated a commitment to advance and increase minority achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and innovative after-school and community programs that have proven success in serving minority students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Barrett were recognized for their accomplishments and successes in these areas. As coordinators of their school’s SECME Stars program, they embrace the goals of promoting excitement for reading, mathematics, science, and technology which translates to higher achievement, greater self-esteem, and interest in school. M-DCPS is honored to have teachers who demonstrate exemplary performance in the field of mathematics, science, and technology. A special congratulation is extended to Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Barrett for providing high quality educational experiences to students.
PALMETTO SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SHINE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE COMPETITIONS
January was quite an exciting month at Miami Palmetto Senior High School. On January 16, two students, Alexander Li and Yunxin (Joy) Jiao, were identified as semi-finalists in the national Intel Science Talent Search. (300 students qualified nationally and only 4 students in Miami-Dade County qualified as semi-finalists.) Winning an Intel is often described as the Nobel Prize for high school science students. Each student will receive $1,000 and another $1,000 per student will also be donated to the school to be used to enhance science education.
Early in January it was announced that M-DCPS’ team of students participating in the JETS National Engineering Design Competition had placed in the top 18 in the nation. Over 260 teams from the U.S. and abroad competed in the first round with 100 advancing to the second round. The students designed a vacuum cleaner device that could be used by cognitively challenged individuals. The team included Yunxin Jiao, Yue Xin, Rui Yang, Garrett Lau, David Lee and Tiffany Lau.
On January 18, the finalists, i.e., the top ten outstanding math and science students in Florida, for the Florida Sunshine State Scholars competition, were announced. Florida is divided into six regions for this competition. Students took a rigorous test on January 11, and the top student in each region, along with four highest scoring students that were not region winners, were identified as Sunshine State Scholars. Alexander Li was identified as the Region VI Sunshine State Scholar. Alex and the other nine students will compete in Tallahassee, March 9-11, to determine the State's top student. Students are asked to identify their most influential math and science teachers. Alex identified Ms. Susan Kaplan as his most influential math instructor and Ms. Pamela J. Shlachtman as his most influential science instructor. Ms. Kaplan and Ms. Shlachtman will accompany Alex on his trip to Tallahassee. Congratulations to these fine students and teachers from Palmetto Senior High School!
DR. MICHAEL M. KROP SENIOR HIGH STUDENT NAMED SEMIFINALIST IN SIEMENS FOUNDATION SCIENCE RESEARCHERS COMPETITION
Chen Lossos, a student from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, was named "semifinalist" in the Siemens Foundation Science Researchers Competition. He is one of 16 winners in Florida and the only winner from Miami-Dade County. The title of his project is AZT-Interferon Induced Gene-Expression Changes Correlate with Clinical Response in Human Type I Leukemia/Lymphoma Adult T-Cell Leukemia. Chen, along with others from his school, entered his research into the South Florida Regional Science and Engineering Fair in January at Southland Mall.
Chen’s research basically deals with adult T-Cell Leukemia (ATL), which is an aggressive malignancy of human T-Cells attributed to the retrovirus Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type I (HTLV-1) infection. No cure for ATL is presently known, resulting in a median life span of thirteen months after onset of acute leukemia or lymphoma type ATL. AZT-interferon alpha treatment has been shown to be somewhat effective in treatment of ATL patients. Gene expression data of nine acute ATL patients, treated with AZT-interferon alpha were analyzed, with six patients analyzed before and after treatment. Gene expression data (through cluster analysis) was then compared, revealing that those responding to therapy displayed down regulation of cytoskeleton associated genes and increased expression of genes associated with proliferation. Interestingly, interferon-induced genes were shown to be statistically significant markers of treatment response. This finding suggests that pharmacogenetic profiling or pre and post-treatment specimens may be useful for predicting response to AZT-interferon alpha treatment.
REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING & ELEMENTARY SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND INVENTION FAIRS RESULTS
 
The 54th Annual South Florida Regional Science and Engineering Fair, held at Southland Mall, and the 20th Annual Elementary Science, Mathematics and Inventions Fairs, held at the Miami Museum of Science, both took place during the month of January, 2008. Nearly 700 projects were judged between the two fairs and the results were excellent. The quality of the projects was greatly improved, especially in the Elementary Fair. The results of both Fairs can be found on the District’s Competition Web site at the following link:
http://science.dadeschools.net/scifair/default.htm
Thirty-one students were chosen from the Superior winners through additional judging rounds to represent the District and the Regional Fair at the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair (SEF) to be held in Lakeland, Florida, from April 16-19, 2008. From the State SEF participants, 12 students were chosen through yet another round of judging to represent South Florida at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, from May 10-17, 2008.
The following top two high school students from the Bridge Competition were awarded an all-expense paid trip to Chicago, Illinois, to participate in the International Bridge Building Competition to be held at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) from April 24-26, 2008:
- Andrew Harrington, Mast Academy, grade 10
- Michael Gorayeb, Holmes Braddock Senior High School, grade 11
Two sponsoring teachers, one from a middle school and one from a high school have also been chosen and will be honored to attend the State and Intel ISEF competitions, respectively, and join the District staff as chaperones for our delegations. They will receive a plaque as well as a monetary award from the Friends of the Science Fair.
Three projects were selected as the top projects the Elementary Fair and each of these students received a trophy:
- First Place Trophy – Anthony Miro, Ernest Graham R. Elementary
- Second Place Trophy – Pamela Manzano, Bob Graham Education Center
- Third Place Trophy - Esteban Chinen, John I. Smith Elementary
Other special awards were presented at the Award Ceremony, which was held in the theatre of the Museum. A picture and a short write-up on each student and their top projects will be posted on the web site in the near future.
SECONDARY CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Contact Information:
Ms. Milagros Fornell, Assistant Superintendent
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 326
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-2011
305-995-3160 FAX
mfornell@dadeschools.net
http://choice.dadeschools.net/secrefmain/
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LANGUAGE ARTS/READING
Contact Information:
Ms. Karen Spigler, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 326
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-1951
305-995-2670 FAX
kspigler@dadeschools.net
http://languageartsreading.dadeschools.net/
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Division of Language Arts/Reading sponsored the following professional development:
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The ABCs of Coaching was attended by over 100 new elementary and secondary reading coaches. Other topics included the K-12 Comprehensive Research-based Reading Plan and the 90 Minute Reading Block. All coaches received the book, The Literacy Coach: Guiding in the Right Direction by Enrique Puig and Kathy Froelich.
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On December 2, 2006, 30 new elementary reading coaches were provided professional development on the administration of DIBELS and given the opportunity to practice what they had learned. Additionally, reading coaches were provided strategies for analyzing DIBELS data and informed of the instructional implications.
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One hundred and forty-one schools are taking part in Reading is Fundamental (RIF), a program where participating schools receive books for every second grader. These books are distributed at three different times during the school year. Parents and community members collaborate with the schools to organize the distribution events; the first event will take place in late January. Over 3,700 books will be distributed District-wide throughout the remainder of the year.
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Secondary language arts department chairs and beginning language arts teachers were provided a two-day professional development on Reading Standards. Beginning Intensive Reading, ESE, and ESOL teachers were presented with two days of professional development on Writing Standards. Over 325 secondary teachers received training on instructional strategies to target and increase reading and writing achievement, measured by the FCAT-Reading and FCAT-Writing assessments.
'Tis the good reader that makes the good book.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
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SOCIAL SCIENCES
Contact Information:
Mr. John Doyle, Administrative Director
1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 326
Miami, FL 33132
305-995-1982
305-995-1492 FAX
jdoyle@dadeschools.net
http://www.dade.k12.fl.us/socsci/
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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI’S MAIA PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH SOCIAL SCIENCES ON AADOPT THE WORLD, LEARN ABOUT IT.@
The University of Miami’s Masters of Arts in International Administration (MAIA) program is partnering with Curriculum and Instruction, Social Sciences, to offer schools a new global education initiative entitled, AAdopt the World, Learn About It.@ Through this program, on-line teaching resources on current events and global issues are being made available to teachers in the District. Plans are also underway for MAIA to provide professional development for teachers and guest speakers for classrooms. In addition, schools can opt to participate in a menu of activities and work towards earning the distinction of having Aadopted the world.@
If you are interested in participating in this new program or would like additional information, please contact Curriculum and Instruction, Social Sciences, at 305-995-1982.
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WE THE PEOPLE ... THE CITIZEN AND THE CONSTITUTION
In December 2007, over 200 senior high school students participated in the We the People...The Citizen and the Constitution competitionat the Metro-Dade Government Center. We the People… is a co-curricular program on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy offered nationwide for elementary, middle, and senior high school students. As a culminating activity, senior high school students demonstrate their knowledge of the United States Constitution in a simulated congressional hearing, which is judged by panels of local attorneys.
Student teams from Miami Carol City Senior High School, Miami Killian Senior High School, and South Miami Senior High School won the preliminary rounds in the District competition and advanced to the state competition finals in January 2008. Congratulations to the team from Miami Killian Senior High School and Ms. Lorraine Silverstein, teacher-sponsor, for winning the state competition and earning the right to travel to Washington, D.C., in the spring for the national finals.
For additional information on the We the People… co-curricular program or the competition, please contact Curriculum and Instruction, Social Sciences, at 305-995-1982.
NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
Florida International University’s Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies, in collaboration with Curriculum and Instruction, Social Sciences, and Community Services, is offering a program in National Security Studies for senior high school social studies teachers and students. The purpose of this program is to develop high school students’ interest in national security and its importance and impact on global, national, and local affairs.
The program consists of five major events, including two workshops for teachers followed by two simulation activities for students. The simulations challenge students to understand domestic and international security issues through hands-on intelligence analysis simulations. They explore such topics as Globalization and Nigerian Oil, the WMD Crisis in North Korea, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The first student simulation was held on November 1, 2007, at Florida International University. Over 150 students from 27 senior high schools participated in a simulation on security issues in the Horn of Africa.
The final event is a week-long Summer Institute on National Security Studies for students who have participated in the earlier simulations. The institute is designed to teach high school students to reason effectively, write clearly and persuasively, and undertake research projects through the analysis of historical and current national security issues.
For further information on the National Security Studies program, please contact Curriculum and Instruction, Social Sciences, at 305-995-1982.
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