School Community Relations Committee
Regular MeetingCoral Gables, FL · January 12, 2024
Minutes
City of Coral Gables
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
www.coralgables.com
Meeting Minutes
Friday, January 12, 2024
8:30 AM
2151 Salzedo Street, Coral Gables, FL
Police and Fire Headquarters, Community Meeting Room
School Community Relations Committee
Chairperson Winnie Chang
Vice Chairperson Sandy Dimitris
Board Member Erin Anding
Board Member Joshua Goodman
Board Member Ana Lam
Board Member Andrew Nadal
Board Member Cecilia D. Slesnick
Board Member Sharon Watson
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 12, 2024
Committee
The School Community Relations Committee will be holding its Regular Meeting on
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, 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 January 12, 2024
Committee
CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at 8:36 a.m.
ROLL/QUORUM CALL
Present: 7 - Board Member Anding,Board Member Lam,Chairperson Chang,Board
Member Goodman,Vice Chairperson Dimitris,Board Member Nadal and
Board Member Slesnick
Excused: 1 - Board Member Watson
A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The School Community Relations Committee Minutes of Dec. 15, 2023.
Attachments: Cover Memo
Draft SCRC Minutes - Dec. 15
A motion was made by Board Member Anding, seconded by Board Member
Slesnick, that this matter be approved. The motion passed by the following vote.
Yeas: 7- Board Member Anding,Board Member Lam,Chairperson Chang,Board
Member Goodman,Vice Chairperson Dimitris,Board Member Nadal and
Board Member Slesnick
Excused: 1- Board Member Watson
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
April Jones CG Preparatory PTSA: Thanked the SCRC members for presenting
the resolution at the Dec. 12 Commission Meeting. She is happy something was
approved and stated that we need to stay on top of it.
Estelle Lockhart: Also, gave thanks on the resolution as well. She is hoping for
continued brainstorming sessions.
C. NEW BUSINESS
C-1 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Update (Facilitated by Mari Tere Rojas, School
Board Chair)
School Board Chair Rojas was unable to attend the meeting. Chief of Staff
Marlene Hernandez presented and read into the record the proffered items by
the School Chair at the upcoming School Board Meeting.
Chairperson Chang asked if there would be a post meeting summary available to
the public on item H-5. Chief of Staff Hernandez stated that she would double
check and provide an update to the SCRC at a later time.
Board Member Slesnick stated that the SCRC needs additional drilled down
information on how the proffered items affect the Coral Gables schools.
Sponsored Board Items:
City of Coral Gables Page 2
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 12, 2024
Committee
Attachments: H3 - SCHOOL BOARD CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT TO THE MIAMIDADE VALUE ADJ
H5 - SEMI-ANNUAL PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL SECURITY SESSIONS WITH THE SCHOO
B-4 - REQUEST APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-002 OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAM
H4 - SCHOOL BOARD ENDORSEMENT OF MARCH 2024 AS YOUTH ARTS IN OUR SCHOOL
D. OLD BUSINESS
D-1 Update of History Tours (Facilitated by Ana Lam, Board Member)
Board Member Lam provided an update and stated she met with Sam Joseph to
gather more background information on the original program. She reached out
to Elvis Fuentes at the Museum to schedule a meeting and further discuss. This is
currently being worked on.
Chairperson Chang reiterated that when she last spoke with the museum they
said that what was offered on the website is all they can provide. The program
might need to take a more creative direction.
E. ONGOING BUSINESS
E-1 General Updates
Acting Staff Liaison Lopez provided the following updates:
- Liaison Lopez is working on scheduling the Sunshine Meeting that was
requested at the Commission Meeting between the School Board Chair and
Commissioners. Chairperson Chang encouraged the rest of the SCRC members
to keep up to date with the Commission discussion and attend the meetings.
- Liaison Lopez will be out of town during the next SCRC meeting on Feb. 16.
Anamy Garcia from the City Manager's office will run the meeting in her place.
- Liaison Lopez mentioned that the following schools were recognized in the
Miami Herald's Miami-Dade Favorites contest. Sunset Elementary School
received Gold 2023 Winner of Miami-Dade Favorites - Elementary School.
George Washington Carver Middle School received Bronze - Middle School
category.
Board Member Goodman stated that he would like clarification as to how the
current data provided on the number of residents within schools is comprised.
F. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Board Member Slesnick mentioned the Farmers Market and Beaux Arts Festival.
F-1 Next SCRC Meeting - Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 | 8:30 a.m.
Questions/Comments: srcr@coralgables.com
City of Coral Gables Page 3
School Community Relations Meeting Minutes January 12, 2024
Committee
F-2 Join a local PTA or subscribe to their newsletters using the following links:
F-3 American Sign Language Class - Thursdays, 6 - 7 p.m.
F-4 Pinewood Cemetery Cleanup Event - Friday, Jan. 19 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
F-5 Music at McBride Plaza - Every other Thursday | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
F-6 First Fridays in the Gables - Friday, Feb. 2
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:11 a.m.
NOTE
City of Coral Gables Page 4
Agenda
City of Coral Gables
405 Biltmore Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
www.coralgables.com
Agenda
Friday, January 12, 2024
8:30 AM
2151 Salzedo Street, Coral Gables, FL
Police and Fire Headquarters, Community Meeting Room
School Community Relations Committee
Chairperson Winnie Chang
Vice Chairperson Sandy Dimitris
Board Member Erin Anding
Board Member Joshua Goodman
Board Member Ana Lam
Board Member Andrew Nadal
Board Member Cecilia D. Slesnick
Board Member Sharon Watson
School Community Relations Agenda January 12, 2024
Committee
The School Community Relations Committee will be holding its Regular Meeting on
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, 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 2 Printed on 1/11/2024 11:08 AM
School Community Relations Agenda January 12, 2024
Committee
CALL TO ORDER
ROLLQUORUM CALL
A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The School Community Relations Committee Minutes of Dec. 15, 2023.
Attachments: Cover Memo
Draft SCRC Minutes - Dec. 15
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 prior to the closing of their time.
C. NEW BUSINESS
C-1 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Update (Facilitated by Mari Tere Rojas, School
Board Chair)
Sponsored Board Items:
Attachments: H3 - SCHOOL BOARD CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT TO THE MIAMIDADE VALUE AD
H4 - SCHOOL BOARD ENDORSEMENT OF MARCH 2024 AS YOUTH ARTS IN OUR SCHOOL
H5 - SEMI-ANNUAL PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL SECURITY SESSIONS WITH THE SCHO
B-4 - REQUEST APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 24-002 OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIA
D. OLD BUSINESS
D-1 Update of History Tours (Facilitated by Ana Lam, Board Member)
E. ONGOING BUSINESS
E-1 General Updates
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School Community Relations Agenda January 12, 2024
Committee
F. ANNOUNCEMENTS
F-1 Next SCRC Meeting - Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 | 8:30 a.m.
Questions/Comments: srcr@coralgables.com
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School Community Relations Agenda January 12, 2024
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 American Sign Language Class - Thursdays, 6 - 7 p.m.
Starting Jan. 4, join us every Thursday at the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Clubhouse at
Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park, 3940 Granada Blvd., for American Sign Language
classes. Classes will be taught by a Deaf instructor and will follow the Signing Naturally
curriculum. No experience needed to participate. Classes are open to participants ages
18 and older.
Registration for city residents is $37 per unit and $47 per unit for non-residents.
Units will cover:
Unit 1: Introducing Oneself (Jan. 4 - 25)
Unit 2: Exchanging Personal Information (Feb. 1 - 22)
Unit 3: Discussing Living Situations (Feb. 29 - March 21)
Unit 4: Talking About Family (April 4 - 25)
Unit 5: Talking About Activities (May 2 - 23)
For more information, please contact Catie or Vivian at PlayForAll@coralgables .com or
call 305-441-5650.
F-4 Pinewood Cemetery Cleanup Event - Friday, Jan. 19 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Join us on Friday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at the entrance of Pinewood Cemetery,
7301 Erwin Road. During this event, volunteers will remove invasive plants and litter found
throughout this historic cemetery. Parking is very limited, so carpooling, ridesharing,
public transport or walking is highly recommended. There is a bus stop at the corner of
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School Community Relations Agenda January 12, 2024
Committee
the cemetery entrance. Please find the route here.
Supplies will be provided by KCGB. Please bring a reusable water bottle, hat and
sunblock. It is strongly advised to wear long sleeves and pants as oyster plants can
cause skin irritation. A water cooler will be available at the site for refills.
Volunteer hours are available upon request.
F-5 Music at McBride Plaza - Every other Thursday | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Music at McBride returns in January with free outdoor concerts every other Thursday of
the month through March. Every concert will feature a different and talented ensemble
from UM’s Frost School of Music. Enjoy these outdoor concerts in the heart of Downtown
Coral Gables from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Upcoming acts:
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024: Puddley (Soul/Funk/R&B)
Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024: Joyeux Trio (Flute, Viola and Harp Trio)
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024: Noam Makover Quartet (Jazz)
Thursday, March 7, 2024: Thompson Voice Studio (Opera selections: duets, trios and
ensemble)
Thursday, March 21, 2024: Diva Revolution (Pop/Soul/R&B/Disco)
The Downtown Music Series is designed to offer young musicians studying at UM ’s Frost
School of Music the opportunity to showcase their talents in a setting easily accessible
to businesspeople, residents, and visitors. The musicians go through a rigorous
selection process auditioning for faculty who then select the top six groups to perform .
The final group of musicians for the series typically represents a wide variety of musical
genres which makes each concert a unique and wonderful experience for all.
This concert series is brought to you by the Arthur B. McBride Family Foundation, City of
Coral Gables, Dosal Family Foundation and the Coral Gables Welcome Center.
F-6 First Fridays in the Gables - Friday, Feb. 2
Gallery Night & Giralda Live
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
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School Community Relations Agenda January 12, 2024
Committee
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.
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