School Community Relations Committee

City of Coral Gables 405 Biltmore Way Coral Gables, FL 33134 www.coralgables.com Meeting Minutes Friday, April 19, 2024 8:30 AM 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 April 19, 2024 Committee The School Community Relations Committee will be holding its Regular Meeting on Friday, April 19, 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. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Board Member Anding,Board Member Lam,Board Member Goodman,Vice Chairperson Dimitris,Board Member Nadal,Board Member Slesnick and Board Member Watson Excused: 1 - Chairperson Chang A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was made by board member Joshua Goodman and seconded by Board Member Andrew Nadal. 24-7381 Meeting Minutes, March 15, 2024. Attachments: MeetingMinutes15-Apr-2024-01-09-57 B. PUBLIC COMMENT City of Coral Gables Page 1 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes April 19, 2024 Committee Samuel Joseph began by addressing the Commission Meeting set for May 7th, 2024, and Mayor Lago’s presentation of resolutions varying from honoring the teacher and rookie teacher of the year to providing discounts to teachers in both public and private schools that are within the city limits and serve the city’s residents. These discounts would be applicable toward city facility memberships such as the War Memorial Youth Center and the Venetian Pool. Mr. Joseph also noted that May 7th is National Teacher’s Day, and the week of May 6th is Teacher Appreciation Week recognized annually. He asked for the board members to be present at the Commission Meeting to honor the city’s teachers and provide the Mayor with information regarding the Teacher of the Year and the Rookie Teacher of the Year, which is to be provided by April 30th for proper recognition. The promotional items for the 2024 Coral Gables Family Literacy Festival were sent to potential vendors and the community the week of April 8th, 2024. Mr. Joseph addressed the concerns regarding the ongoing construction at Coral Gables Senior High and informed the committee that Friends of Gables High will be sending a letter and requests that the boards support. Vice Chairperson Dimitris received clarification that the submission of Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year comes from the SCRC and is sent via email to the Mayor’s Office. April Jones of Coral Gables Preparatory Academy PTSA wanted to remind the board that the PTSA would like to be notified and a part of the Philip Park renovations scheduling and in the workshop design. Estelle Lockhart of G.W. Carver Elementary School and Gables High Feeder Pattern Chair for the County PTA offered that the SCRC get in conjunction with the Gables High Feeder Pattern, who had requested a joint tent at the Literacy Festival. She explained that the webpage that discusses schools on the city website is still lacking and requested that a workshop or a subcommittee group be coordinated, which she happy to assist with and be a part of, to properly provide those interested with the information they may be searching for. C. NEW BUSINESS C-1 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Update (Facilitated by Mari Tere Rojas, School Board Chair) Intergovernmental Affairs, agreed to work with the region regarding submission of the Teacher of Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year candidates before April 30th. She added that they too would like to be included in the process regarding renovations to Phillips Park considering it would involve their facilities, design, and governmental youth facilities, especially in regard to school hours of operation in the event that the middle school students need to be relocated from Coral Gables Prep, recreate a schedule update or work on the logistics. Mrs. Diaz asked that any pre-designs or something that can be submitted to their offices be sent for review prior to any meetings taking place. She is working with the region to submit monthly school accolades reports and updates to the SCRC monthly prior to the committee meetings so that the committee remains informed of upcoming events and more. C-2 Update on The Mark project (Facilitated by City Staff) City of Coral Gables Page 2 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes April 19, 2024 Committee Once approved, this construction project will be within 1,500 feet of Ponce de Leon Middle School. Fernando Weiner, the Governmental Affairs Manager, sent out the project to the committee. He shared that the project went before the Planning and Zoning board on April 10th. As he receives updates, he will update the committee. Fernando explains he will share the information with the district and the region as per the request of the committee. D. OLD BUSINESS D-1 Review and Update to MDCPS Education Compact with the City of Coral Gables (Facilitated by Chairperson Chang) Vice Chairperson Dimitris suggested tabling this item until the next meeting when Chairperson Chang can present and discuss her item. D-2 24-7382 Attachments: CGFLF Literacy Laureates Nominees List_2024_ City of Coral Gables Page 3 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes April 19, 2024 Committee Governmental Affairs Manager Fernando Weiner shared that there has been one new addition to the list since the last meeting, Chantel Acevedo. Vice Chairperson Dimitris asks Sam Joseph if he had his recommendations on nominees since he is the lead for the 2024 Coral Gables Family Literacy Festival. The primary recommendations from him were the youth listed and clarified that you can’t go wrong with any of the nominees on the list. However, locality and dependability should be factors in who the committee selects. Mr. Joseph added that recognizing our youth and our local youth hold the greatest impact. Sam Joseph added that the finalists selected are up to the discretion of the committee, but the original agreement was one adult and one youth. Board member Slesnick nominated Chantel Acevedo, the committee supported board member Slesnick with vice chairperson Sandy Dimitris seconding the nomination. Vice Chairperson Dimitris asked Sam Joseph who on the list is a youth to which he answered Books Over Seas from the School for Advanced Studies (SAS) and mentioned that Judie ElAttar shouldn’t be eligible since she was recognized in past years. He added that Nicole Tallman and Jen Karetnick are local poets that committed to attending the literacy festival. Nicole Tallman along with being a poet, is a county employee that works in Mayor Levine Cava’s office and is responsible for picking the County Poet Laureate and Jen Karetnick is a local highly rated author, journalist, and poet, and both attendees will be present participating in readings and other activities at the festival. Vice chairperson Dimitris asked if there is anything that prevents the committee from nominating all three students from the School for Advanced Studies (SAS) from being recognized, board member Goodman agreed with the vice chairperson’s motion and board member Slesnick seconded her motion. Sam Joseph clarified that this is allowed and that the three nominated students are the founders of the project. A motion was also made to recognize the teacher advising the student nominees and the committee was in agreeance with the motion. Sam Joseph also informed the committee that they can send their final choices over to Governmental Affairs Manager Fernando Weiner to send to him and Carolina Vester in Parks & Recreation for announcement during the ribbon cutting at the event. Recognition comes from Community Recreation. The committee concluded that their adult nomination was Chantelle Acevedo with board member Slesnick’s motion and a second from vice chairperson Dimitris, the committee agreed. They listed Nicole Tallman and Jen Karetnick as runner ups that won’t be announced; motioned by vice chairperson Dimitris and seconded by board member Goodman, and Books Over Seas as their youth nomination motioned by vice chairperson Dimitris and seconded by board member Slesnick. Vice chairperson Dimitris proposed tapping into those who might be submitting work to the Fair for creative writing as a way of gathering more students’ names from within the city. She added that this is just something to consider in the future, as there are other writing competitions out there within the city. Estelle Lockhart commented that there is also a creative writing competition known as the PTA Reflections Competition, held annually that could be a vehicle for honoring more students, but this competition also recognizes all areas of art. Samuel Joseph added that the Junior Orange Bowl hosts a creative writing program in the Gables. City of Coral Gables Page 4 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes April 19, 2024 Committee D-3 Discussion on whether the Board should maintain a table at the 2024 Coral Gables Literacy Festival City of Coral Gables Page 5 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes April 19, 2024 Committee Governmental Affairs Manager Fernando Weiner began by advising the board that he will have to confirm if there is space for another table and tent with Community Recreation. Vice chairperson Dimitris recalled a discussion of a joint table with Coral Gables Crime Watch. Board member Goodman suggested that the committee maintain a table and extend an invitation to the PTA, potentially generating more people to man the table and provide information about different schools or the Gables Feeder Pattern. Board member Slesnick mentioned the emphasis on establishing the SCRC’s brand, highlighting their outreach impact and defining the committee, therefore, the tent saying SCRC would introduce transparency and the SCRC’s central involvement in the festival. Another objective of the tent would be to introduce awareness regarding an upcoming educational climate survey that the SCRC is going to conduct. Board member Andrew Nadal asked if there will be any accompanying literature during the event, to which board member Slesnick proposed a simple postcard that would include instructions on how to participate in a meeting with a QR code to direct them to the schools page on the Coral Gables website or something of that nature with the assistance of the city. She suggested printing approximately five hundred copies for the event and for members of the committee to carry and provide to those interested. Board member Slesnick also thought that the PTSAs being present at the event with informative flyers for events such as upcoming open houses would be a great advantage for residents. Governmental Affairs Manager Fernando Weiner readdresses the ask to honor Jeanette Slesnick at the literacy festival. He reminded the board that as of last meeting it was discovered that it was too late to have her name printed on the maps. He disclosed that Sam Joseph will have the opportunity to honor Jeanette during the opening ceremony of the festival, but printing materials may require more production time, so he recommends a flyer. Board member Slesnick clarified that a flyer is fine, she just wants to present eye-catching material and something visitors to the tent can keep. Board member Joshua Goodman reminded the committee that PTAs have budgets that may be able to assist with the cost of the printing and, like board member Watson, believes that bookmarks would be a smart item to hand out. Fernando offered to scour through the options available in the city. The committee asked that Fernando send out a sign-up sheet, which he commits to delivering along with tent availability and materials the city can assist with delivering. Board member Goodman shared that Vice Mayor Anderson once advocated for an SCRC tent at the farmers market and at the time had offered her office’s budget in assistance for signage purposes. The event is to take place on May 18th, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Vice chairperson Dimitris recollects that at previous festivals, booths would give out used books to increase engagement. Board member Goodman proposed that each board member contribute to bringing something for the tent setup. Fernando reiterates that he will reach out via email the week of April 22nd, 2024, with status updates. Vice chairperson Dimitris reminded the committee that the city and the board reciprocate support and to await the response of the city’s ability to assist and then connect with PTSAs if they’d like to assist with donations for items such as bookmarks or flyers for their own schools. Board Liaison Lina Santiago confirmed that the city can complete a flyer through the marketing team, but they need guidance as to what to include- once the board communicates their needs the city can create a flyer. City of Coral Gables Page 6 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes April 19, 2024 Committee Board member Goodman began to highlight items to include on the flyer such as reiterating the accomplishments of the committee, defining the mission of the committee, and underlining supporting resolutions. Board member Slesnick reminded everyone that the flyer can’t be overwhelming; it needs to be simple, informative, and eye-catching to encourage participation and engagement. Board member Goodman asked if a working document could be circulated to which Fernando explained that due to sunshine laws and the substantive matter relative to the committee a working document could not be circulated. Board member Goodman then asked if a designated person could be decided amongst the committee to prepare in coordination with the city staff, and Fernando confirmed this could be done reinforcing that any kind of use of an intermediary to discuss something related to the committee or that the committee is acting on, falls within the purview of the sunshine laws. He also reminded the committee that he can send them informative emails. Board member Andrew Nadal mentioned Resolution 347 was passed in December which states “the City Commission directs the City Manager to include education as part of the city’s 2026 to 2029 strategic plan.” Board member Watson suggests a header for schools be added to the home page of the city website. Sam Joseph shared that postcards and flyers have been used as advertisements for the SCRC in the past and recommends that Fernando speak with Solanch and Naomi. The board created an informal flyer layout and assigned Chairperson Chang as the final approver. They agree on the concept with board member Slesnick making a motion to approve and board member Nadal seconded the motion, with agreeance across the committee. E. ONGOING BUSINESS E-1 General Updates Board member Ana Lam shared that the Autism Awareness Caravan from Police, which is city-wide, has had phenomenal growth over three years and was recently at Crystal Academy. Ninety-four second graders from Coral Gables Prep visited the Police and Fire Headquarters for a field trip and had the opportunity to tour the entire station and hear from Police Officers and Firefighters. Vice chairperson Dimitris shared that Police and Fire are hosting a kickball competition. Board member Lam added that they are working on formulating a self-defense class for students with disabilities. Aillette shared that the Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year names were submitted to the Mayor’s Office on March 5th, but if they don’t have them, the names were reshared with Fernando. F. ANNOUNCEMENTS The committee would like Fernando to share the agenda prior to the meeting for time to review and edit, if necessary, in preparation for the upcoming meeting. F-1 Next SCRC Meeting - Friday, May 17, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. F-2 Join a local PTA or subscribe to their newsletters using the following links: City of Coral Gables Page 7 School Community Relations Meeting Minutes April 19, 2024 Committee F-3 American Sign Language Class - Every Thursday, 6-7 p.m. F-4 Seraphic Fire Concert - Friday, April 26 | 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. F-5 School Board Chair Rojas' Office Hours - Thursday, May 2 | 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. F-6 Gables Gallery Night - Friday, May 3 | 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. F-7 Recycling Drive-Thru Event - Saturday, May 4 | 9:00 to 12:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT NOTE City of Coral Gables Page 8