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School and Community Relations Committee Meeting of April 20, 2009
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[Excused Absence: At this meeting Member Doug Austin asked for an excused absence for the March 10, 2009, meeting. Vice-Chairperson Joan Reitsma and Member Victor Shabanah approved his request. Motion carried. Member Pat Kiel requested an excused absence for the April 20, 2009, meeting. Vice-Chairperson Joan Reitsma and Member Victor Shabanah approved his request. Motion carried.
Education Compact: No updated news was given at this time due to the lack of attendance of Chairperson Debbie Korge.
Minutes: The March 10, 2009, minutes were approved unanimously.
Budget: There is still no final budget available for the new school year. Discussion will ensue at the next meeting.
Florida Power and Light: The motion which was approved at the March 10, 2009, meeting was sent as a resolution to the City of Coral Gables Commission. The City Commission will meet on April 28, 2009. However at this time, Vice-Chairperson Joan Reitsma mentioned that Florida Power and Light withdrew the proposal. Chairperson Debbie Korge mentioned that she would attend the commission meeting. If she was not able to attend, she would ask Secretary Anna Garcia to advise Vice-Chairperson Joan Reitsma to attend on her behalf.
Elections: Chairperson Korge mentioned that she has served for eight years and at the end of May she will no longer be able to serve on this committee. She asked the committee members to suggest someone to become the chairperson. Member Andrew Yagoda was selected and a motion was made by Member Victor Shabanah. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Ana Rodriguez was selected as the Vice-Chairperson; however it will be finalized at the next meeting. Secretary Garcia would like to clarify of any length of time needed to comply in serving the committee before become Vice-Chairperson.
Coral Gables Police Department: Sgt. Melissa DeJong from the Youth Resource Unit mentioned that arrests were made regarding the increase in graffiti. The trolley suggestions concerning the vandalism on the trolley have been made. Also several arrests were made regarding the crime. The Tip Posters provided by Crime Watch hopefully will make a difference. This is a program which is meant to educate the students that damaging property is a serious crime.
Ponce De Leon Middle School: The school is committed to accept as many students in the Magnet Program as possible. There is an increase of private students applying to Ponce de Leon Middle for the next school year.
PTSA: At Ponce De Leon Middle School the PTSA is working diligently on different fundraising ideas in order to subsidize the effects on the decrease of budget funds.
Appreciation Day Luncheon: On April 21, 2009, the Appreciation Day which has taken place for the past 20 years recognizing students at the Hyatt Hotel. The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce reached out to the community. Maxine Clark founder of the Build a Bear Foundation and through her personal foundations, they were able to sponsor the event. Due to funding, middle and high schools were combined. This luncheon is to recognize each top students at the schools including private and public schools.
E-News: A friendly reminder to the school representatives that E-news is a great tool to be used in order to showcase the school and its students.
Coral Gables High School: Dr. Nestor Diaz mentioned that he was regularly submitting information to Secretary Garcia to be forward to Enews. Secretary Garcia mentioned that she was actively forwarding them to Maria Higgins Fallon to be released. Dr. Diaz mentioned that there were many activities that the school had participated and they were very proud of the final results when it came to athletics. In addition, Dr. Diaz updated the committee on new changes regarding academics.
Coral Gables High School International Baccalaureate Program: Coral Gables High School accepted 180 students into the program. A meeting was held last week for private school students since there is a considerable increase in the number of applications received for the new school year.
Language Grant: Coral Gables High School and Ponce De Leon Middle School have received a grant in the amount of $300,000. The grant requires the component of a elementary, middle, and a high school participating in this program to receive all of the funds. It is approximately over one million dollars will be received over a four year program. The foriegin language which will be taught at these schools is Chinese.
Last Day of School: Schools in Miami-Dade County will end classes on June 5, 2009.
Graduation: The graduation commencement for Coral Gables High School will take place on June 5, 2009, at 3 pm at the University of Miami’s Bank Atlantic Center. E-News will be notified for the date notifying the residents to avoid the area and/or expect delays.
City Projects Update: None
Next Meeting Dates: The SCRC will meet again on May 12, 2009, at 6 PM at the Youth Center’s 2nd floor conference room.
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