School Community Relations Committee
Regular MeetingCoral Gables, FL · January 28, 2022
Minutes
City of Coral Gables
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
www.coralgables.com
Meeting Minutes
Friday, January 28, 2022
8:30 AM
Police and Fire Headquarters, Community Meeting Room
School Community Relations Committee
Chairperson Ariel Fernandez
Vice Chairperson Sam Joseph
Board Member Erin Anding
Board Member Winnie Chang
Board Member Sandy Dimitris
Board Member Carmen Manrara Cartaya
Board Member Cecilia D. Slesnick
Board Member Jennifer Ward Sando
Board Member Sharon Watson
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 28, 2022
Committee
The School Community Relations Committee will be holding its Regular Meeting on
Friday, January 28, 2022, commencing at 8:30 a.m. While the Committee is back to live
in-person meetings, members of the public may participate in person but are also
able to participate via the Zoom platform. Members of the public may join the meeting
via Zoom at (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83893614478). In addition, a dedicated phone
line will be available so that any individual who does not wish (or is unable) to use
Zoom may listen to and participate in the meeting by dialing: 786 635 1003 Meeting ID:
838 9361 4478.
To speak on an Agenda Item, please "Raise your Hand" or send a message to one of
the meeting hosts using the Zoom Platform. If you joined the meeting via telephone
you can "Raise your Hand" by pressing *9.
City of Coral Gables Page 1
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 28, 2022
Committee
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 8:37 a.m. Quorum achieved at 8:42 a.m.
ROLL/QUORUM CALL
Present: 5 - Watson,Joseph,Chang,Fernandez and Board Member Ward Sando
Absent: 3 - Slesnick,Dimitris and Manrara Cartaya
Excused: 1 - Anding
A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
School Community Relations Committee Meeting of December 17, 2021.
Attachments: Cover Memo
SCRC Dec. 17 Draft Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Joseph, seconded by Chang, that this matter be
approved. The motion passed by the following vote.
Yeas: 5- Watson,Joseph,Chang,Fernandez and Board Member Ward Sando
Absent: 4- Slesnick,Dimitris,Manrara Cartaya and Anding
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No comments from the public.
City of Coral Gables Page 2
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 28, 2022
Committee
C. NEW BUSINESS
C-1 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Update (Facilitated by Mari Tere Rojas, School
Board Member)
School Board Member Mari Tere Rojas started her update by wishing the
outgoing superintendent Alberto Carvalho luck on his new endeavors.
School Board Member Rojas announced the Miami-Dade County Public School
Board's selection of a new superintended of schools - Dr. Jose Dotres. The school
board member proceeded to give a brief review of the incoming superintendent
experience and familiarity with Miami-Dade, Broward and Collier County
Schools. School Board Member Rojas also stated some issues the M-DCPS is
experiencing.
• Budgetary Concerns
• Lack of human capital
• Reapproval of referendum
School Board Member Rojas informed the SCRC of five schools that now are in
her district due to the redistricting process.
• Olympia Height Elementary School
• Banyan Elementary School
• Emerson Elementary Schools
• Rockway Elementary School
• Rockway Middle School
School Board Member Rojas announced the Miami-Dade County Teacher of the
Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year Ceremony will be held on Thursday
February 3, in person.
The School Board Member informed the SCRC of two agenda items that she will
be presenting to the School Board in February.
1. The Endorsement of Read Across America Day – March 2, 2022.
2. Directing the superintendent to initiate a student/parent campaign, to inform
the community of the consequences of being in possession of a counterfeit
driver’s license.
The School Board Member volunteered to read at the Farmers Market on Read
Across America Day on March 2.
School Board Member Rojas provided a clarification on the enrollment for
students with ASD as well as the process of program expansions. The School
Board also stated that district staff met with city staff after the resolution passed
to discuss self-contained classrooms as well as the possibility of opening a
project victory program in the City of Coral Gables.
C-2 Discussion on schools listed on the City website (Facilitated by Ariel Fernandez,
Chair)
The City’s website will be transitioning to a new platform starting in March, 2022.
Chairperson Ariel Fernandez requested a parent friendly page dedicated to
Coral Gables Schools. The Chairperson also suggested including a map of the
City of Coral Gables with the boundaries of each school specified.
City of Coral Gables Page 3
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 28, 2022
Committee
C-3 Discussion on the Cavaliers Future Leaders Fellowship Program (Facilitated by Ariel
Fernandez, Chair)
Chairperson Ariel Fernandez stated that he met with Commissioner Menendez
and the Commissioner stated that the SCRC will be creating the essay prompt to
be included in the Cavaliers program application as well as conducting the
interviews.
Special Needs component to be added for next year.
Question selected by SCRC members to be asked:
1. Tell us about a time you had to ask for help?
Board Member Chang moved to select question, Vice Chair Joseph seconded.
Motion passed.
C-4 Update on the Coral Gables Family Literacy Festival (Facilitated by Sam Joseph, Vice
Chair & Carolina Vester, Assistant Director of Community Recreation)
The Literacy Festival will be held at the Coral Gables War Memorial Youth
Center, 405 University Drive. Alternative parking for this event is being scouted.
Mitchell Zuriarrain from Community Recreation will be the point person for this
event. Dates in the summer will be explored and a survey will be circulated to
vendors. Every City summer camp program had a book fair component in 2020.
Looking at including Transportation and Teacher of the Year Awards at event
through sponsorships.
Vice Chairperson Sam Joseph suggested the Miami Dade Public Schools reading
list books be highlighted at the Literacy Festival. Assistant Director Vester also
mentioned the Financial Literacy aspect of the Literacy Festival. Vice
Chairperson Joseph stated that he would like to present the Teacher of the Year
Award at the Literacy Festival. Vice Chairperson stated that he would like to call
the awards the “Education Awards” due to this board’s future recognition of
school personnel.
The Assistant Director of Community Recreation Carolina Vester expressed
concern about the teacher’s ability to physically show up to retrieve the award.
Assistant Director Vester provided alternative methods acknowledging the
teachers who are unable to attend via a billboard with pictures of the teachers.
Chairperson Ariel Fernandez suggested incorporating a literacy component to
Farmers Market and recognizing teachers/schools each week there versus in a
big event.
Incorporating an adult book and cultural aspect to the Literacy Festival.
Honoring Edwina Prime from the McFarlane District and Congresswoman Meek
at the Coral Gables Museum or at the McFarlane Community Center.
City of Coral Gables Page 4
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 28, 2022
Committee
D. OLD BUSINESS
E. ONGOING BUSINESS
E-1 Continued discussion regarding SIP consolidation (Facilitated by Ariel Fernandez,
Chair)
A motion was made by Vice Chair Joseph, seconded by Board Member Ward
Sando, that the SIP assignments be consolidated into the following three: City
Beautiful Schools Initiatives, Special Needs Initiative, and Relationship Building
Initiative. The motion passed by the following vote.
Yeas: 5- Watson,Joseph,Chang,Fernandez and Board Member Ward Sando
Absent: 3- Dimitris,Manrara Cartaya and Slesnick
Excused: 1- Anding
E-2 SIP Committee Member Assignments Review (Facilitated by Ariel Fernandez, Chair)
With the consolidation passed in item E-1, this assignment list is no longer active.
Attachments: SIP Descriptions
SIP Descriptions_2022 Updates Proposed by Vice Chair.docx
E-3 Discussion regarding West Lab and previous negotiations between the City and
MDCPS (Facilitated by Ariel Fernandez, Chair)
The attached frequently asked questions were read out and briefly discussed.
Attachments: West Lab FAQ SCRC.docx
F. ANNOUNCEMENTS
F-1 Next SCRC Meeting - Friday, February 11, 2022
Questions/Comments: scrc@coralgables.com
City of Coral Gables Page 5
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 28, 2022
Committee
F-2 Join a local PTA or subscribe to their newsletters using the following links.
Sunset Elementary
https://www.sunsetpta.org/membership
Coral Gables Preparatory Academy
https://coralgablesprepptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/whyjoin
GW Carver Elementary
https://gwcarverelem.memberhub.com/store?category=PTA%20Memberships-
%20JOIN%20TODAY
GW Carver Middle School
https://carvermiddle.memberhub.com/store
Ponce de Leon Middle School
https://ponceptsamemberhub.memberhub.com/store
Coral Gables High School
http://gablesptsa.org/join/
International Studies Preparatory Academy High School
https://ispa-ptsa.com/join-ptsa/
West Lab -
https://www.westlabpto.org/pen
F-3 Farmers Market - Saturday's 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
F-4 Burgerliscious - Thursday, Feb. 3 - 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
F-5 "Goldfinger" Film Showing - Sunday, Feb. 6 - 1 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
NOTE
City of Coral Gables Page 6
Agenda
City of Coral Gables
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
www.coralgables.com
Agenda
Friday, January 28, 2022
8:30 AM
Community Meeting Room B
Police and Fire Headquarters - 2151 Salzedo Street
School Community Relations Committee
Chairperson Ariel Fernandez
Vice Chairperson Sam Joseph
Board Member Erin Anding
Board Member Winnie Chang
Board Member Sandy Dimitris
Board Member Carmen Manrara Cartaya
Board Member Cecilia D. Slesnick
Board Member Jennifer Ward Sando
Board Member Sharon Watson
School Community Relations Agenda January 28, 2022
Committee
The School Community Relations Committee will be holding its Regular Meeting on
Friday, January 28, 2022, commencing at 8:30 a.m. While the Committee is back to live
in-person meetings, members of the public may participate in person but are also
able to participate via the Zoom platform. Members of the public may join the meeting
via Zoom at (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83893614478). In addition, a dedicated phone
line will be available so that any individual who does not wish (or is unable) to use
Zoom may listen to and participate in the meeting by dialing: 786 635 1003 Meeting ID:
838 9361 4478.
To speak on an Agenda Item, please "Raise your Hand" or send a message to one of
the meeting hosts using the Zoom Platform. If you joined the meeting via telephone
you can "Raise your Hand" by pressing *9.
City of Coral Gables Page 2 Printed on 1/25/2022 10:43 AM
School Community Relations Agenda January 28, 2022
Committee
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL/QUORUM CALL
A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The School Community Relations Committee Draft Minutes of December 17,
2021.
Attachments: Cover Memo
SCRC Dec. 17 Draft Meeting Minutes
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The School Community Relations Committee provides an opportunity for dialogue and
collaboration between schools and their neighbors, including the City of Coral Gables .
The committee looks for opportunities to improve schools in terms of physical
appearance, community involvement, and quality of education. The Committee will also
provide oversight of the City’s educational landscape; making sure the City is fulfilling its
recent education commitments and assuring that the needs of students and families are
being adequately served by the public-school system. Finally, the Committee is intended
to serve as a review committee for the Education Compact between the City and Miami
Dade Public Schools.
Public Comments shall be limited to two minutes per speaker. A ten second reminder
will be provided to the speaker upon the closing of their time.
C. NEW BUSINESS
C-1 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Update (Facilitated by Mari Tere Rojas, School
Board Member)
C-2 Discussion on schools listed on the City website (Facilitated by Ariel Fernandez,
Chair)
C-3 Discussion on the Cavaliers Future Leaders Fellowship Program (Facilitated by Ariel
Fernandez, Chair)
C-4 Update on the Coral Gables Family Literacy Festival (Facilitated by Sam Joseph, Vice
Chair & Carolina Vester, Assistant Director of Community Recreation)
City of Coral Gables Page 3 Printed on 1/25/2022 10:43 AM
School Community Relations Agenda January 28, 2022
Committee
D. OLD BUSINESS
E. ONGOING BUSINESS
E-1 Continued discussion regarding SIP consolidation (Facilitated by Ariel Fernandez,
Chair)
- City Beautiful Schools Initiatives
- Special Needs Initiative
- Relationship Building Initiative
E-2 SIP Committee Member Assignments Review (Facilitated by Ariel Fernandez, Chair)
Attachments: SIP Descriptions
SIP Descriptions_2022 Updates Proposed by Vice Chair.docx
E-3 Discussion regarding West Lab and previous negotiations between the City and
MDCPS (Facilitated by Ariel Fernandez, Chair)
Attachments: West Lab FAQ SCRC.docx
F. ANNOUNCEMENTS
F-1 Next SCRC Meeting - Friday, February 11, 2022
Questions/Comments: scrc@coralgables.com
City of Coral Gables Page 4 Printed on 1/25/2022 10:43 AM
School Community Relations Agenda January 28, 2022
Committee
F-2 Join a local PTA or subscribe to their newsletters using the following links.
Sunset Elementary
https://www.sunsetpta.org/membership
Coral Gables Preparatory Academy
https://coralgablesprepptsa.membershiptoolkit.com/whyjoin
GW Carver Elementary
https://gwcarverelem.memberhub.com/store?category=PTA%20Memberships-
%20JOIN%20TODAY
GW Carver Middle School
https://carvermiddle.memberhub.com/store
Ponce de Leon Middle School
https://ponceptsamemberhub.memberhub.com/store
Coral Gables High School
http://gablesptsa.org/join/
International Studies Preparatory Academy High School
https://ispa-ptsa.com/join-ptsa/
West Lab -
https://www.westlabpto.org/pen
F-3 Farmers Market - Saturday's 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Coral Gables Farmers Market in front of City Hall at 405 Biltmore Way returns
Saturdays through March 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market offers fresh fruits,
vegetables, prepared foods, and local flowers and plants.
F-4 Burgerliscious - Thursday, Feb. 3 - 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the 10th anniversary of
Burgerliscious with an old-fashioned block party. Join this fun and tasty event that
benefits Chamber programs on Alhambra Circle, between Ponce de Leon Boulevard and
Salzedo Street, and sample South Florida’s best burgers, live music, cold brews, and
more.
Burgerliscious takes place on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., as restaurants
go head-to-head competing for this year’s ‘Best in Bun’ and the ‘People’s Choice’ awards.
Participants include 109 Burger Joint, Clutch Burger, Doctors Hospital, FrshST, The
Gramercy, Las Tapas Gables, Meat and Bone, and Shadow Wagyu. For more
information, visit burgerliscious.com.
City of Coral Gables Page 5 Printed on 1/25/2022 10:43 AM
School Community Relations Agenda January 28, 2022
Committee
F-5 "Goldfinger" Film Showing - Sunday, Feb. 6 - 1 p.m.
Commissioner Kirk Menendez brings 007 and “Goldfinger” to the Coral Gables Art
Cinema at 260 Aragon Ave., and invites residents 50+ to a free showing of this 1964 spy
film. Join him on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. Tickets can be picked up at the Adult Activity
Center from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the link below. For more
information, call 305-461-6764.
ADJOURNMENT
NOTE
Any person who acts as a lobbyist pursuant to the City of Coral Gables Ordinance No .
2006-11, must register with the City Clerk, prior to engaging in lobbying activities before
city staff, boards, committees and/or the City Commission. A copy of the Ordinance is
available in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall.
Any person, or persons, wishing to appeal any decision made by the City Commission
with respect to any matter considered at this meeting or hearing, will require a verbatim
record of the proceeding upon which the appeal is based. Interested persons should,
therefore, take the necessary steps to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings
is made which contains the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based.
Any person making impertinent or slanderous remarks or who become boisterous while
addressing the Commission, shall be barred from further audience before the
Commission by the Chair, unless permission to continue or again address the
Commission is granted by the majority vote of the Commission Members present .
Clapping, applauding, heckling or verbal outbursts or any remarks in support or
opposition to a speaker shall be prohibited. Signs or placards shall not be permitted in
Commission Chambers.
Any person with a disability requiring communication assistance (such as a sign
language interpreter or other auxiliary aide or service) in order to attend or participate in
the meeting should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator Raquel Elejabarrieta, Esq.,
Director of Labor Relations and Risk Management (E-mail :
relejabarrieta@coralgables.com, Telephone: 305-722-8686, TTY/TDD: 305-442-1600), at
least three (3) business days before the meeting.
City of Coral Gables Page 6 Printed on 1/25/2022 10:43 AM
Get email alerts for Coral Gables
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.