School Community Relations Committee

City of Coral Gables 405 Biltmore Way Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.coralgables.com Meeting Minutes Friday, March 17, 2023 8:30 AM Draft Minutes Police and Fire Headquarters, Community Meeting Room 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 March 17, 2023 Committee The School Community Relations Committee will be holding its Regular Meeting on Friday, March. 17, 2023, 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 March 17, 2023 Committee CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 8:37 a.m. ROLL/QUORUM CALL Present: 7 - Slesnick,Dimitris,Joseph,Chang,Anding,Board Member Ward Sando and Nadal Absent: 2 - Watson and Manrara Cartaya A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A-1 The School Community Relations Committee Minutes of Feb. 17, 2023. Attachments: Cover Memo SCRC Draft Minutes 2.17 Minutes were approved by the following vote. Yeas: 6- Slesnick,Dimitris,Chang,Anding,Board Member Ward Sando and Nadal Absent: 3- Watson,Joseph and Manrara Cartaya A-2 The School Community Relations Committee Workshop Minutes of Feb. 24, 2023. Attachments: Cover Memo SCRC Fab. 24 Draft Workshop Minutes A motion was made by Board Member Ward Sando, seconded by Vice Chairperson Dimitris, that this matter be approved. The motion passed by the following vote. Yeas: 6- Dimitris,Chang,Anding,Board Member Ward Sando,Nadal and Slesnick Absent: 3- Watson,Joseph and Manrara Cartaya B. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no comments from members of the public. City of Coral Gables Page 2 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes March 17, 2023 Committee C. NEW BUSINESS C-1 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Update (Facilitated by Mari Tere Rojas, School Board Chair) School Chair Rojas was unable to attend. Chief of Staff Marlene F. Hernandez presented updates. The following proffered items were recapped: • B-4: Request Approval of Resolution No. 23-013 of the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, recognizing the Maritime and Science Technology Academy (MAST) for being the first Florida high school to receive the Gold Apple Environmental Award from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). • H-5: Follow-up to the recommendation from the Athletic Coaching Supplement Committee established in 2019, pursuant to the Collective Bargaining with the United Teachers of Dade (UTD). • H-6: School Board Endorsement of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of Fathers in Education Day Thursday, April 20, 2023; and Fathers in Action and Advocacy week, April 17, through April 21, 2023. • H-8: School Board Endorsement of the celebration of April 23-30, 2023, as Administrative Professional week and April 26, 2023, as Administrative Professional’s Day in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. • Revised H-11:- Feasibility of developing the proposed collaboration between Florida International University (FIU) College of Communication, Architecture + Arts (CARTA) and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) for the implementation of an Alternative Teacher Certification and Recruitment Program (ATCRP). Miami-Dade County Expo Fair opened Thursday, March 16, 2023; enjoy the fun with family and friends. 2nd Townhall meeting for Coral Gables feeder pattern schools scheduled for March 28, 2023, at Coral Gables Prep., flyers will be out reminding and alerting all of this Townhall. Vice Chairperson Dimitris inquired on the accessibility of lockers at schools. Query will be looked at by Board Chair Rojas for next upcoming meeting. Eric Acosta mentions that lockers were eliminated years ago as a safety precaution. Many textbooks are available online to help with backpack weights. City of Coral Gables Page 3 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes March 17, 2023 Committee C-2 Centennial Update (Facilitated by Martha Pantin, Communications & Public Affairs Division Director) Director Pantin provided brief presentation. Plans to attend different committees such as the Arts Advisory, and the Cultural Affairs and will be discussing possible projects. • Proposes concept to have approximately 10 fire hydrants in the central business district painted by the schools and showcase Coral Gables throughout the years. Will need School Community Relations Committee’s assistance to coordinate and support these projects. Hydrants will represent a different decade in the city’s history. • The centennial celebration kick-off is planned to take place during holiday tree lighting slated for December 2024. In preparation for the event, it’s crucial to begin outreach with ample time, perhaps during September 2023 to secure one full school year to plan all necessary details. The idea is for all schools to have a plan by the beginning of 2025. • Board Member Slesnick recommends having Coral Gables Prep. paint their fire hydrants first as a kickoff and a way to promote this idea as their centennial is also coming up. • Open to suggestions for oral history videos and additional different projects. Additional suggestions and recommendations will be sent to Director Pantin. Attachments: Centennial Presentation C-3 Discussion on Tucker Elementary School Black History Show event (Facilitated by Sam Joseph, Board Member) Board Member Joseph provided a brief recap of the event called Franchella. Wonderful community affair. Approximately 500 attendees at the event. School recently began a magnet program for dance and other arts. C-4 Update on the Chamber of Commerce's Business Education Committee Meeting (Facilitated by Winnie Chang, Chairperson) Chairperson Chang provided brief synopsis of the Business Education Committee meeting: • Committee showed interest in re-engaging with various teacher appreciation initiatives. • Board Member Joseph talked about the annual education breakfast honoring the teacher of the year. The first TOY Pilot awards were also presented during these breakfasts’ meetings. Board Member Joseph mentioned the possibility of using the Country Club to host the appreciation event. Also shared outline of the program for distribution to the committee. Acting Liaison Lopez provided the SCRC details on the 2018/2019 Pilot Program report. D. OLD BUSINESS D-1 Discussion on substitute teachers (Facilitated by Winnie Chang, Chairperson) Item deferred to the April meeting. City of Coral Gables Page 4 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes March 17, 2023 Committee E. ONGOING BUSINESS E-1 General Updates (Facilitated by Solanch Lopez, Secretary) Board Member terms are discussed. All Board term comes to an end on May 31, 2023, reappointments will be done after this date. Mention that Board Member Watson is Board-As-A-Whole appointment and might chose not to be reappointed. Acting Liaison Lopez has transitioned from the City Manager’s office to the Economic Development department as the new marketing manager, working under Director, Belkys Perez. Ms. Lopez will remain as the liaison for the SCRC until the currently vacant position of Intergovernmental Affairs Manager is filled. History Tours: History Tours was an initiative of the School Committee Relations Committee. • Board Member Slesnick provides brief description of the program. • Tour stops included the Museum, Merrick House, City Hall, and The Biltmore Hotel. • Intention was that all Coral Gables based schools would be able to participate. • Former Vice Mayor Quesada passed an item at Commission for this program. Acting Liaison Lopez will look for the resolution for clarification. • Need to check with Museum to ensure they have enough staffing to run the tour program. If they do not have sufficient staffing then looking at other alternatives might be an option. • Chairperson Chang will take on the responsibility of contacting the museum for a follow-up. F. ANNOUNCEMENTS F-1 Next SCRC Meeting - Friday, April 21, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. Comments/Questions: scrc@coralgables.com F-2 Join a local PTA or subscribe to their newsletters using the following links: F-3 Moon Over the Gables - Friday & Saturday, Mar. 17 & 18 | 7 p.m. F-4 Farmers Market at Merrick Park - Saturdays | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. F-5 Path of the Panther Film Screening - Sunday, Mar. 19 | 3:30 p.m. F-6 Downtown Community Cleanup - Monday, Mar. 27 | 5 to 7 p.m. F-7 School Board Chair Rojas' Office Hours - Thursday, April 6 & 20 | 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 10:34 a.m. NOTE City of Coral Gables Page 5 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes March 17, 2023 Committee City of Coral Gables Page 6