School Community Relations Committee

City of Coral Gables 405 Biltmore Way Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.coralgables.com Meeting Minutes Friday, November 18, 2022 8:30 AM 2nd Floor Matheson Conference Room Development Services Center, 427 Biltmore Way School Community Relations Committee Chairperson Dr. Winnie Chang Vice Chairperson Sandy Dimitris Board Member Erin Anding Board Member Sam Joseph Board Member Carmen Manrara Cartaya Board Member Andrew Nadal Board Member Cecilia D. Slesnick Board Member Jennifer Ward Sando Board Member Sharon Watson School Community Relations Meeting Minutes November 18, 2022 Committee The School Community Relations Committee will be holding its Regular Meeting on Friday, Nov. 18, 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: 305-461-6769 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 November 18, 2022 Committee CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 8:40 a.m. ROLL/QUORUM CALL Board Member Joseph makes a motion to allow Board Member Sharon to participate via zoom due to medial circumstance. Board Member Slesnick seconds, the motion passes unanimously. Present: 6 - Slesnick,Watson,Joseph,Chang,Anding and Nadal Absent: 3 - Dimitris,Manrara Cartaya and Board Member Ward Sando A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The School Community Relations Committee Minutes of Oct. 21, 2022. Attachments: Cover Memo Draft Oct. 21 SCRC Meeting Minutes This Minutes was approved Yeas: 6- Slesnick,Watson,Joseph,Chang,Anding and Nadal Absent: 3- Dimitris,Manrara Cartaya and Board Member Ward Sando B. PUBLIC COMMENTS Comments from Daniel Stankiewicz - Capital Improvement Chair at Carver Elementary PTA. Several projects have been coming along well. Such as the fencing and roofing. However, there are three (3) items that still require attention such as: • Water fountain is still a concern; the water is not potable. The PO was denied by procurement and needs to be resubmitted. • No Number Assigneds for buildings. • Shade structures have been stalled. City of Coral Gables Page 2 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes November 18, 2022 Committee C. NEW BUSINESS C-1 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Update (Facilitated by Mari Tere Rojas, School Board Member) School Board Member Rojas was unable to attend the meeting but her staff provided the following updates. School Board Proffered Items: B-3: REQUEST APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 22-046 OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, RECOGNIZING MS. SUSANA “SUSIE” V. CASTILLO, FORMER MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER H-3: PROPOSED MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (M-DCPS) 2023 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM PRIORITY - DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM (DROP) Town Hall Meeting and National Literacy Day: On November 6, Board Member Rojas held her first Town Hall Meeting for her South Regions schools and few Central Region schools. A future town hall meeting will be held to include Coral Gables school. National Family Literacy Day was held on November 1. Board Member Rojas visited Schools to read to children. You can view the information and video on her Instagram account. C-2 2023 SCRC Meeting Dates Attachments: 2023 Committee Meeting Dates A motion was made by Board Member Joseph, seconded by Board Member Slesnick, that this matter be approved. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas: 6- Watson,Joseph,Chang,Anding,Nadal and Slesnick Absent: 3- Dimitris,Manrara Cartaya and Board Member Ward Sando C-3 Update on school page on City website (Facilitated by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs) • Martha Pantin, Communications and Public Affairs Director and Nicolas Saenz, Communications and Digital Media Coordinator showcased the school page on the city website. Updates to the page were discussed in length, such as the new event submittal form and events calendar. • Description under schools is limited to 200 characters. Current descriptions were written by Coral Gables staff; schools can submit for changes if required. • Email: scrc@coralgables.com for editing purposes if needed. • Chairperson Dr. Winnie Chang inquired about a link to join the PTSA when clicking on the school. When clicking on a specific school the person will be routed to the school’s website for additional details. City of Coral Gables Page 3 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes November 18, 2022 Committee C-4 Presentation by Mark Baker from Father and Family Council • Nonprofit Father and Family Council. • Work in collaboration with M-DCPS and others. • Their focus is on getting fathers engaged; Mr. Baker further expressed the importance of fathers playing an active role in their children’s education. • A dad from the specific school leads the club on site as the site leader. • Different programs for elementary, middle, and high school. • First 1000 days of a newborn’s life are the most important. “Cradle to graduation.” • Most programs are on site at schools, virtual options are available. • The goal is to build a strong community of dads at the schools. • They work with Community Rec to get dads involved at schools through sports. • Chairperson Chang asked how schools can find the Council and start the program. - They are looking to soon ask M-DCPS to spread the word about them. - Still a small organization in a few schools. - Recently spoke to PTA of Gables High. • Board Member Nadal inquired how he can get involved at his child’s school, Somerset Elementary. - First step is to get the school on board and then find a dad to lead the group. - It is important that there is a team of dads and not just one active individual. - Organization provides funding through sponsorships to the schools for programming. - Grandfathers are also welcomed and encouraged to participate. - Nathan B. Young Princess Tea event will be held on December 9 at 8:30 am. - Board Member Joseph would like them to participate in Coral Gables Literacy Festival. C-5 Discussion on Parents in Education legislation and Coral Gables Preparatory Academy's Honors World History class assignment review (Facilitated by Sam Joseph, Board Member) • Board Member Joseph is dealing with an issue on a particular assignment his child was assigned. The School Board Member has been informed of this matter. • Assignment appeared to be questionable to him and other board members after discussion took place. - He indicated that the assignment was faith based and myth based not factual world history. - This project was worth four grades and the students had a difficult time completing the project. - Board Member Joseph is waiting for feedback from School Board Member and School District Attorney. • Board Member Anding commented: Was there anything in the curriculum that led up to this assignment? Board Member Joseph said that is the question he asked the School District. • Board Member Slesnick further commented: Did all the groups have the same assignment? Board Member Joseph responded affirmatively. • Outcome of this issue will be shared by Board Member Joseph. • Chairperson Chang brings up possibility of exploring and discussing curriculum in the future as the SCRC. City of Coral Gables Page 4 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes November 18, 2022 Committee C-6 Discussion on Coral Gables Preparatory Academy Campus and vacant land near Phillips Park acquisition (Facilitated by Sam Joseph, Board Member) • Solanch Lopez provided an update indicating that the properties are included in a recent Development Review Committee (DRC) submittal to request a Comprehensive Plan map amendment / land use change, Zoning Map amendment, Planned Area Development designation, and mixed-use site plan. However, the DRC submittal was incomplete, and will most likely be ready for DRC review in January. • Ms. Levi Garcia indicated that Pickleball might be an item for future meeting discussion. D. OLD BUSINESS E. ONGOING BUSINESS E-1 Discussion on Family Literacy Festival 2023 event date (Facilitated by Winnie Chang, Chairperson) The tentative event date is May 20. E-2 General Updates (Facilitated by Naomi Levi-Garcia, Staff Liaison & Solanch Lopez, Secretary) • Chairperson Chang indicated she was asked to join the Chamber’s Business and Education Group. She asked the SCRC to share ideas that could be brought forward to this group. - Board Member Slesnick commented on the appearance of a few schools. Local business could donate to Eagles Nest during the Give Miami Day. An idea would be to sponsor events and participate during career days. • Chairperson Chang encouraged all the members to go through the substitute teacher process to help with the current shortage. She is currently in the process of getting approved. • Liaison Levi Garcia stated there various interior renovations to be done at Coral Gables Preparatory Academy. There is an agreement in place between the School District and the City. • Liaison Levi Garcia mentioned the legislative agenda. • Comments by Secretary, Lopez: City of Coral Gables received a $25,000 grant to install a Reverse Vending Machine. The RVM is located at the Youth Center and it’s part of a pilot one (1) year program. The event showcasing the machine was very successful, and it’s part of the Keep Coral Gables Beautiful (KCGB) program. Ms. Lopez shared a video of how the machine works. • Harvest Program to be held on May 13. Board Member Joseph met with Nicolas Cabrera who has expressed interest in partnering with the school. F. ANNOUNCEMENTS F-1 Next SCRC Meeting - Friday, December 16, 2022 Questions/Comments: scrc@coralgables.com F-2 Join a local PTA or subscribe to their newsletters using the following links: City of Coral Gables Page 5 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes November 18, 2022 Committee F-3 North Ponce Harvest Market - Saturday's through Dec. 17 | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. F-4 Art in the City Bike Tour - Sunday, Nov. 20 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. F-5 School Board Member Rojas' Office Hours - Thursday, Dec. 1 & 15 | 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m. NOTE City of Coral Gables Page 6