Title
School and Community Relations Committee Meeting of May 21, 2008
Body
Excused Absence: Vice-chairperson Joan Reitsma made a motion and seconded by Member Lili Diaz to excuse Member Pat Kiel. Motion passed unanimously.
Vacant Positions: Member Harold Cole officially submitted a letter stating that he was resigning from the committee because he is formally retirining from the Miami Dade School Board effective June 5, 2008. Principal JoAnne Gans will formally notify Secretary Anna Garcia on who will replace Member Cole in writing. Principal Gans notified the committee verbally that it would be Humberto Miret who will represent Coral Gables High School. Chairperson Korge expressed that there are two vacant positions on the board which the commission needs to address without delay. The second vacant position is Member Charlie Terry who pasted in April.
Minutes: Vice-chairperson Joan Reitsma made a motion and seconded by Member Harold Cole the approval of the April 22, 2008, minutes with a minor change.
Education Compact: No discussion ensued regarding the Education Compact.
Last Day of School: Both principals mentioned that the last day of school is June 5, 2008, and the assistance of the Coral Gables Police Department would be much appreciated for traffic issues. Sgt. DeJong mentioned that the police department will be there to assist concerning traffic issues during dismissal.
First Day of New School Year: First day of the 2008 and 2009 school year is August 18, 2008. There are 3,290 students enrolled in Coral Gables High School for the new year.
Student Art Work: This topic will be discussed at the beginning of the new school year during the month of August.
Coral Gables High School Academics: Final and make-up examinations will begin the week of May 26, 2008.
Coral Gables High School Graduation: On June 4, 2008, at 10 am the 2008 Coral Gables High School Seniors will graduate. Graduation will be at the University of Miami's Convocation Center.
Ponce de Leon Middle School Issue: Principal Anna Rodriguez mentioned that no further incident has occurred regarding the "Purple City". She mentioned that she was unhappy with the newspaper article that appeared in the Gazette because the information was not correct.
Silver Knights Awards: The Miami Herald Newspaper honors high-school with Silver Knight Awards in categories ranging from art to music to foreign language. This year 15 students were honored at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts at a ceremony. The Silver Knights awarded three Coral Gables students and four students from Coral Gables as well received the Honorable Mention. This award has been awarding Miami-Dade County students for over 50 years. The award was created in 1959 honoring high school seniors who shine in academics and community involvement. All winners received $2000.00 a statuette medallion, and a round trip ticket to anywhere in the United States from American Airlines. The Honorable Mentions receive $500 and a plaque.
Elections: Elections for the chairperson and vice-chairperson took place. Once again Member Harold Cole nominated Debbie Korge to continue as chairperson. Motion was made by Member Harold Cole and seconded by Member Lili Diaz. Motion carried and passed unanimously. Member Lili Diaz made a motion to nominate Joan Reitsma as vice-chairperson. Member Harold Cole seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
International Baccalaureate Program Up-Date: Principal Anna Rodriguez was very honored and pleased to announce finally to the committee that the letter from Genevea was received. Ponce de Leon Middle School officially became the first school in Regional Center IV to become fully authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the prestigious Middle Years Program. The MYP is a three-year program designed for students in grades 6th through 8. All members were delighted with such an achievement.
Red Ribbon Campaign: It was with great honor that Principal Anna Rodriguez mentioned that a Ponce de Leon Middle School sixth grade student was selected as the winner of the Red Ribbon National Slogan. The new slogan for the year is "Ask Me, See Me, Be Me, I'm Drug Free".
Police Issues: Sgt. DeJong mentioned that the Coral Gables Police Athletic League had started a Flag Football Program. Its team members are students from Ponce de Leon Middle School and they will have their first game on May 21. 2008.
Budget Cuts: Coral Gables High School and Ponce de Leon Middle School continue to be short one Assistance Principal at the moment. Member Harold Yagoda mentioned if Miami-Dade School Board allows ad-hoc teachers to come in and teach? Principal Gans mentioned that hourly teachers can be done at Coral Gables High on occasion but not feasible in a rotating schedule at Ponce de Leon Middle School. However, the district cannot use volunteer teachers to teach and they are not allowed to hold the grade book. Both principals mentioned that the Miami-Dade School Board will have its budget hearing on June 30, 2008. Unfortunately many hard decisions will be forthcoming in the next weeks with the possibility of losing teachers and clerical assistance as well.
Grants: Coral Gables High School Principal is applying for all grants possible in order to overcome the budget cuts that are extremely affecting the operating budget.
City Commission Update: None
City Projects Update: See Educational Compact above.
Next Meeting Dates: The SCRC will meet again on August 26, 2008, at the Youth Center starting at 6 PM.