RealNews Division of Educational Opportunity and Access Miami-Dade County Public Schools October/November 2017 Edition 3, Volume 3

Mr. Robert G. Gornto, Assistant Superintendent Mr. Luis Diaz, Administrative Director Dr. Reginald H. Johnson, Administrative Director Ms. Deborah Montilla, Executive Director Ms. Chantal G. Osborne, Executive Director Ms. Karen Boyce, Director Mrs. Geneva Green, Instructional Supervisor

The mission of the Division of Educational Opportunity and Access is to provide an environment for all students to become responsible, productive citizens, lifelong learners and positive contributors to society. Our schools are designed to enable the students to be successful.

Utilizing Instructional Strategies and Effective Restorative Justice Practices

Special thanks to our district presenter from Adult & Career

Technical Education, Ms. Indira Jadoonandan.

Special thanks to our district

presenter from The Parent

Academy, Ms. Maria Malvar.

Student Success Center Site Coordinators and Success Coaches-2017-2018

Thank you to our DEOA ROCK STARS -

Ms. Robyn Messina, Student Success

Center Site Coordinator and Ms.

Rosemarie Scott-Gibbs, Success

Coach and District Restorative Justice

Practices Trainer.

RealNews Division of Educational Opportunity and Access Miami-Dade County Public Schools October/November 2017 Edition 3, Volume 3

Ms. Deborah Montilla

feeling the appreciation

from the One Stop staff.

Well-deserved!

Florida Fellowship for School Leaders 2017-2018

Congratulations Dr. Theron A. Clark on being selected to participate in the Florida Fellowship for School Leaders 2017-2018.

In partnership with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the Center for Educational

Excellence in Alternative Settings started working with leaders from across the State of

Florida who run schools in prevention, day treatment, juvenile detention, and post-

adjudication centers. Seventeen school leaders from Florida participated in the fellowship.

The Fellowship opened with a two-day, in-person kick-off retreat. It will be followed by four

interactive modules--facilitated through monthly calls, a web portal of practitioner ready

resources, and a peer network--all designed to support school leaders as they confront the

unique challenges of developing and maintaining high-quality schools inside of alternative

and secure settings.

Division of Educational Opportunity Access Mathematics Leadership Cohort

DEOA’s Mathematics Leadership Cohort did a phenomenal job of engaging in the

professional development, collaborating with their colleagues, and sharing best

practices. The cohort focused on the importance of questioning to push students

toward a deeper understanding of math content.

RealNews Division of Educational Opportunity and Access Miami-Dade County Public Schools October/November 2017 Edition 3, Volume 3

One Stop Center North Neighborhood Breakfast

Convening monthly One Stop Community Partners’ Meetings to assess collective impact and monitor program implementation is just one of the many activities conducted by the One Stop Educational and Community Service Center staff. Recently, Ms. Andrea Fletcher, One Stop Outreach Specialist and Mr. Horbein Marrero, One Stop Wrap-Around Services Specialist from the One Stop Center North hosted a Neighborhood Networking Breakfast. Along with the existing partner agencies, other professionals supporting the Together for Children Miami Gardens and Northeast Corridor Neighborhood Coalitions were invited.

The Many Faces of Domestic and Teen Dating Violence

Twice a year, the Florida National University

Powerhouse hosts events to bring awareness to and

prevent social issues that plague our community. On

October 12th, the Powerhouse hosted “The Many Faces

of Domestic & Teen Dating Violence.” Students from

the Creating Community Change: Youth Engagement

Program (CCC:YEP) from Cutler Bay, Georgia Jones-

Ayers and North Miami Middle Schools were in

attendance. As part of the CCC:YEP Program, students

take valuable information back to present to other

students at their schools. Special thanks to School

Board Member Dr. Bendross-Mindingall and Team One

Stop for their support.

RealNews Division of Educational Opportunity and Access Miami-Dade County Public Schools October/November 2017 Edition 3, Volume 3

We Are the Champions-

Together for Children The Together for Children (TFC) Initiaitve continues in

full-force with six neighborhood coalitions meeting

regularly to develop and implement action plans to wrap

their collective arms around our children with the goal of

reducing violence and helping them to reach their fullest

potential. A special focus in the Action Plan is the Middle

School-aged Youth Program. Miami-Dade County

Juvenile Services Department in collaboration with M-

DCPS Divison of Educational Opportunity and Access

met with designated TFC School-site Champions in small

groups consisiting of 52 schools located within the

Homestead/Florida City/Naranja, Perrine/Richmond

Heights/Goulds, Overtown, Liberty City, Miami Gardens

and Northeast Corridor Coalitions neighborhoods.

Champions learned about the steps to facilitate the

referral process and strategies to encourage maximum

participation of students and families.

The Children’s Trust Family Expo

Athough Hurricane Irma cancelled the initial event,

nothing could keep the Division of Educational

Opportunity and Access from participating in The

Children’s Trust Family Expo for the 3rd consecutive

year. Representatives from the One Stop Centers staff

provided valuable information about the DEOA

Continnum of Programs.

Parent Workshop at Andover Middle Student Success Center

Building Effective Communication Ms. Andrea Fletcher, Counselor-One Stop Specialist-North September 14, 2017

Community Outreach and Resource Fair

Ms. Michelle Mordica, The Parent Academy October 19, 2017

RealNews Division of Educational Opportunity and Access Miami-Dade County Public Schools October/November 2017 Edition 3, Volume 3

MIAMI CORAL PARK ADULT BAKING PROGRAM at JRE Lee Education Center

The Miami Coral Park Adult Baking Program at JRE Lee is a work program for Vocational Rehabilitation Adult Consumers. The specialized Baking and Pastry Arts curriculum is geared to provide training and job placement for students with significant cognitive/learning disabilities. The instructors provide accommodations and modifications to the CTE program to meet individual interests, abilities, and learning needs for all students.

Congratulations to our September 2017 Graduating Class! These students have learned the art of baking. In addition, students learn the industry standards necessary to find employment.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, visiting the Graduating Class of 2015

“Where there is cake, there is hope. And there is always

cake.” -Dean Koontz

Meet Our Instructors…

Chef Jose Fuentes

Chef/Instructor at JRE Lee since 2015. Culinary leader with outstanding

bakery skills. Pastry lead supervisor at the Trump International Beach Resort

in Sunny Isles.

Assistant Chef Eduardo Prada

Eight years’ experience working with students with disabilities. Five years’

experience working in the culinary industry.

Enrollment is

currently open!

Please contact

Maggie Enriquez

786-268-4757

Ext. 2160 for

additional

information.

SAVES at Miami Coral Park

Adult Education Center Mr. Andy Plasencia immigrated to the United States and enrolled in the SAVES Refugee Program at Miami Coral Park Adult Education Center. The SAVES Program provided him with career counseling services, tuition fees, and books. Mr. Plasencia thanks the SAVES Program for helping him learn the English language, which helped him gain a part-time position with an auto parts store called AutoZone. Currently, Mr. Plasencia is a full-time employee at AutoZone earning a wage while gaining a worthwhile experience in his chosen field.

Tinkerbell and Peter Pan COPE Center North

Themed walls based-off the books read to babies and toddlers!

RealNews Division of Educational Opportunity and Access Miami-Dade County Public Schools October/November 2017 Edition 3, Volume 3

Spotlight on Alternative Education By Geneva Green

Today, it’s hard for Mrs. Omega to believe that at one point in her life, she was considered an at-risk youth. Academically, she was a C average student, but, made some bad choices as a 7th grader attending John F. Kennedy Middle School (JFK). As a result, she was sent to an alternative education setting at attend Jann Mann Opportunity School for eight months after being expelled for fighting.

As a student at Jan Mann, she was placed amongst other at risk teens from other Miami Dade County Public Schools. Mrs. Omega recalls the staff being exceptionally supportive. With the support of the staff she was able to realize her true potential and build the confidence she needed! Mrs. Omega reflects that “Attending Jann Mann was a humbling experience that equipped me with the skills necessary to make better choices moving forward.” She returned to John F. Kennedy Middle School and then graduated from North Miami Beach Senior High in 2003 where was able to maintain her focus on academics, avoid negative peers and get involved in extracurricular activities. She graduated from high school and earned her BA degree in Sociology and Political Science from Florida Atlantic University in 2007. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University. She began teaching at AMIKids Dade North in 2012, a nonprofit alternative education program contracted by DJJ and MDCPS to serve at-risk youth. Mrs. Omega believes that it was truly a divine calling that led her to AMIkids Dade North. She is able to relate to the students and feels she is part of a team dedicated to changing lives. Mrs. Omega knows that working at AMIKids North provides her the opportunity to use her passion for at risk youth to help them realize their potential. Mrs. Omega is an example of what happens when we see our students for who can they can be tomorrow instead of who they are today…

North Miami Adult Education Center celebrates

Breast Cancer Awareness Month North Miami Adult Education Center celebrated Breast

Cancer Awareness Month with its Allied Health

Department. After conducting research on breast

cancer and breast cancer treatment, students from

EKG Technician, Hemodialysis, Home Health Aide and

Phlebotomy programs; lead by their teachers and

Program Coordinator, Ms. Natasha Gousse Turner,

conducted a Breast Cancer Awareness event and

displayed their research and projects on breast cancer

as well as the importance of breast exams. Treats

were made and shared to all who visited the exhibits.

Mrs. Omega @ Jan Mann Opportunity School and Mrs. Omega NOW with graduates!

RealNews Division of Educational Opportunity and Access Miami-Dade County Public Schools October/November 2017 Edition 3, Volume 3

Miami Dolphin’s Work Assignment for Youth Boys!

Let’s celebrate three youths who recently obtained their Florida State Identification Card from the Department of Motor Vehicle. The boys will work their first job as event staff members at the Miami Dolphin Stadium. The boys are excited to begin working at the stadium and to see their favorite football icons play live! Congratulations on their accomplishment and dedication to beginning to take the right steps towards a productive path!

Technical College Initiative-Career in a Year! M-DCPS is increasing the exposure of Technical College offerings through community outreach, specifically, youth football programs. This initiative provided an opportunity for various Miami-Dade communities to become familiar with over 70 career opportunities.

A little football, a little community outreach! Betty T. Ferguson

Center/MDCPS Technical Colleges!

A little football, a little community outreach! North Dade Bulldogs Youth Football/MDCPS Technical Colleges! Thank you to Mr. Jose

Bueno, North Region Superintendent for your support!

Student Success Center staff volunteering at Tropical Park with

“Career in A Year” opportunities!

A little football, a little community outreach! Range Park/MDCPS Technical Colleges!

Guest Speaker, Helen Witty, MADD and Parent Workshop at the North Region

Student Success Center.