MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Ana Rivas Logan, District 7

Dear Teachers, Parents and NeighborsI would like to take this opportunity

to welcome you back to a new school year. Hopefully your summer was rest-ful and you are ready to face the new year with a renewed sense of enthusi-asm, energy and passion.This year Miami-Dade County Public

Schools faces yet another year of lofty goals and challenges for itself and its students. We commit to doing all we can to recruit and keep our best and brightest teachers and administrators. We know this is a difficult task in this day of uncertain funding, but we are determined to find solutions to these challenges because our teachers and your children deserve the very best.Parents you can make a big differ-

ence in the quality of education that your child receives. I urge you to get involved with your school’s PTA. The more support you can offer, the bet-ter the school will function. Research shows that the schools that perform

better are the schools with the most parent involvement. In addition, I’d also like to offer some other sugges-tions that will help increase your child’s school performance:

• Make sure they get to bed early every night and get a good nights sleep.

• Ensure that your child has a healthy breakfast every morning before school.

• Spend some time with them every evening reviewing what they learned that day in school.

• Spend some time with them reading a good book

All of these suggestions and many more that you can think of will help make their learning more fun and meaningful. Together we can and will make a difference in lives of our chil-dren and our future.

e-newsletter / fall 2010

School Board Member

2010-2011 District CalendarClick Here

Upcoming Events

October 6, 2010(Town Hall Meeting)

October 22, 2010(Secondary Early Release Day)

November 1-2, 2010(Teacher Planning Days)

November 11, 2010(Veteran’s Day)

November 25-26, 2010(Thanksgiving Break)

INSIDE STORIESParent Resources . . . . . . . . . 2Teacher Resources . . . . . . . 3District Calendar . . . . . . . . 4District 7 Survey . . . . . . . . 6

Contact Your District 7 School Board Representative:Phone: (305) 995-1334 • Email: alogan@dadeschools.net

Teacher Resources

District 7 E-Newsletter: Fall 2010

Twenty Strategies to Increase Student MotivationKeeping students interested in school and motivating them to succeed are challenges

that even the most experienced teachers face every year. A host of student variables can lead to low levels of motivation, but research indicates that educational settings also influence motivation levels. Some studies have found that motivation is a stronger predictor of student success than grades or achievement and aptitude tests. Therefore, it is imperative that educators use effective motivational strategies.

Connect learning to students’ lives.Connect effort with successful outcomes.

Use engaging teaching methods.Clearly articulate criteria for success.

Set realistic goals.Convey high expectations.

Emphasize learning for its own sake.Assess students’ skills, interests, and learning needs.

Assign moderately challenging tasks.Provide students with multiple opportunities for success.

Give students control over their own learning.Provide constructive and immediate feedback.

Use rewards sparingly.Convey enthusiasm.

Promote social interaction.Develop positive relationships with students.

Create a learning community.Foster self-confidence.

Reduce students’ anxiety levels.Arrange classrooms appropriately for particular tasks.

Resources & LinksTeachers

National Board CertificationVirtual Library

Funding ResourcesBrain Pop

Math TeachersClassroom Resources

Math Teacher LinkGraph Paper

Science TeachersScience Resources for TeachersAdvanced Placement Biology

Advanced Placement ChemistryLife Sciences Activities

English TeachersWeb English TeacherChildren’s Liturature

Super Teacher WorksheetAPA Formatting

Social StudiesSocial Studies Lesson Plans & Lectures

Social Studies ResourcesExploring Florida

ElectivesTeachers Toolbox

Music Hall Center: Music AppreciationFamous Paintings: Art Appreciation

Physical Eduction Activities & Resources

Parent Resources

District 7 E-Newsletter: Fall 2010

Resources & LinksAs active parents in your child’s education, it is important that you have access to the resources you will need to help foster growth and achievement. Listed below are various handbooks, websites and organizers to help you prepare for all the different stages of your child’s education.

General InformationDistrict 7 Website

Back-to-School Toolkit (2010-2011)Code of Student Conduct

Parent PortalParent Teacher Association/Parent Teacher Student Association

Department of Transportation: MDPCSThe Parent Academy

Directory: School ListingsStudent Progression Plan

Regional CentersRegion IRegion IIRegion IIIRegion IVRegion V

Elementary School StudentsStudent Portal

Before/After School Program Locations

Middle School StudentsStudent Portal

FACTS.orgThings-to-Do, Year by Year (7th & 8th Grade)

High School StudentsFACTS.org

Graduation RequirementsFlorida Prepaid College Program

Bright Futures Scholarship ProgramCareer Exploration

FLORIDA STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM 2010 – 2011 SCHEDULEFLORIDA COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT TEST® (FCAT)

OCTOBER 11 – 15, 2010 OR

OCTOBER 18 – 22, 2010

GRADES 11 – ADULT (NEW STUDENTS/RETAKES)

READING & MATHEMATICS SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS RETAKE TESTS

MARCH 1 – 4, 2011 GRADES 4, 8, AND 10 WRITING SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS TEST

MARCH 30 – APRIL 6, 2011 GRADES 11 – ADULT (NEW STUDENTS/RETAKES)

READING & MATHEMATICS SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS RETAKE TESTS

APRIL 11 – 22, 2011 GRADES 3 – 10

GRADES 5, 8, AND 11

READING & MATHEMATICS SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS TESTS

SCIENCESUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS TEST

2010-2011 SCHOOL CALENDAR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS MIAMI, FLORIDA

August 19, 20, 2010 Teacher planning days; no students in school August 23 First Day of School; begin first semester September 6 Labor Day; holiday for students and employees September 9 *+# Teacher planning day; no students in school September 23 Secondary early release day October 28 Secondary early release day October 29 End first grading period; first semester November 1*+# Teacher planning day; no students in school November 2 Teacher planning day; Professional Development Day-not available to opt; no students in school November 3 Begin second grading period; first semester November 11 Observation of Veterans’ Day; holiday for students and employees November 25 Thanksgiving; Board-approved holiday for students and employees November 26 Recess Day December 9 Secondary early release day December 20 - 31 Winter recess for students and 10-month employees;

December 22, 23, 24, 30, and 31, 2010, Board-approved holidays for 12-month (250 and 260 days) employees December 20, 21, 27, 28, and 29, 2010, Recess days for 12-month (250 days) employees

January 17 Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday; holiday for students and employees January 20 End first semester and grading period January 21 *+# Teacher planning day; no students in school January 24 Begin second semester; third grading period February 3 Secondary early release day February 18 Teacher planning day; Professional Development Day-not available to opt; no students in school February 21 All Presidents Day; holiday for students and employees March 3 Secondary early release day March 14 - 18 Spring recess for students, 10-month and 12-month (250 days) employees April 1 End third grading period; second semester April 4 *+# Teacher planning day, no students in school April 5 Begin fourth grading period; second semester April 22 *+# Teacher planning day, no students in school May 30 Observance of Memorial Day; holiday for students and employees June 9 Last Day of School; end fourth grading period; second semester June 10 Teacher planning day; no students in school

NOTE: Every Wednesday – Students (Grades 2-8) in elementary and K-8 Centers are released one (1) hour early

Job Category Beginning Date Ending Date

Teachers new to the system August 12, 2010 June 10, 2011 Assistant Principals and 10-month clerical August 12, 2010 June 17, 2011 Cafeteria Managers August 16, 2010 June 10, 2011 Satellite Cafeteria Managers August 18, 2010 June 9, 2011 All Instructional Staff, Paraprofessionals & Security August 19, 2010 June 10, 2011 Assistant to Cafeteria Managers/MAT Specialists August 20, 2010 June 9, 2011 Cafeteria Workers (part-time) August 23, 2010 June 9, 2011

*Teachers/paraprofessionals and school support personnel may opt to work one or two days, August 17, 18, 2010, or June 13, 14, 2011, in lieu of any one or two of the following days: September 9, 2010, November 1, 2010, January 21, 2011, April 4, 2011, and April 22, 2011. November 2, 2010, and February 18, 2011, are Professional Development Days and are not available to opt.

+Teachers new to Miami-Dade County Public Schools may opt to work one or two days, June 13, 14, 2011, in lieu of any one or two of the following days: September 9, 2010, November 1, 2010, January 21, 2011, April 4, 2011, and April 22, 2011. November 2, 2010, and February 18, 2011, are Professional Development Days and are not available to opt.

#Ten-month secretarial and clerical employees may opt to work one or two days, August 10, 11, 2010, or June 20, 21, 2011, in lieu of any one or two of the following days: September 9, 2010, November 1, 2010, January 21, 2011, April 4, 2011, and April22, 2011. November 2, 2010, and February 18, 2011, are Professional Development Days and are not available to opt.

Dear Parent and Neighbor:

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you. Please take a few minutes to share your ideas and concerns with me since I take great pride in listening to my community. When you have finished, please refold the survey with my address on the outside, tape it closed, attach the proper postage and mail it back to me or fax it to 305-995-2895.

I look forward to seeing you at our Town Hall Meeting on October 6, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. Please see back side of this survey for more information. I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and successful year.

Estimado Padre y Vecino:Gracias por haberme dado la oportunidad de servirle. Por favor tomen unos minutos de su tiempo para compartir conmigo sus ideas y preocupaciones ya que yo siento un gran orgullo por escuchar a mi comunidad. Cuando termine, por favor doble el cuestionario con mi dirección hacia afuera, ciérrelo, péguele la estampilla y envíelo de vuelta o envíelo por el fax a 305-995-2895.Espero verlos en nuestra reunión comunitaria el miércoles, 6 de octubre de 2010, a las 6:00 p.m. Por favor miren la parte de atrás del cuestionario para más información. Le deseo a usted y a su familia un año saludable, lleno de alegria y éxito.

Yours truly,

Educator and School Board Member

October / octubre 2010 Educator & School Board Member / Educadora y Miembro de la Junta Escolar Ana Rivas Logan

School Board Member Ana Rivas Logan 1450 NE 2nd AvenueSuite 700 Miami, Florida 33132

“Educate a Child…Build a Nation”“Educar a nuestra juventud….es construir una Nación”

Ana Rivas Logan

URGENT / URGENTE

The Rivas Logan Survey & School InformationEncuesta de Ana Rivas Logan e Información Escolar

Educator and School Board Member A Message from

Name / Nombre:_______________________________________________________________________E-Mail / Correo Electrónico: ______________________________________________________________Phone / Teléfono: ______________________________________________________________________

1. What do you feel are the most pressing issues impacting education? ¿Cual cree usted que son los asuntos que más impactan la educación en estos tiempos?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How would you like to see these issues resolved? ¿Como le gustaría a usted que se resolvieran estos asuntos?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Rivas Logan Survey & School InformationEncuesta de Ana Rivas Logan e Información Escolar

Educator andSchool Board

MemberAna Rivas Logan

alogan@dadeschools.net(305) 995-1334

School Survey – Your Opinion Counts!Encuesta Escolar – ¡Su Opinión Cuenta!

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★ Free Health Information / GRATIS Información de la Salud ★

★ Participate in a FREE Financial Informational Presentation / Participe en una Presentación Financiera GRATIS ★

★ Obtain Scholarship and College Information / Obtenga Información Sobre Becas y Universidades ★

★ Employment Information / Obtenga Información Sobre Empleos ★

★ Express your concerns/issues / Exprese sus Inquietudes Acerca de las Escuelas ★

★ Questions and answers / Sesión de Preguntas ★

Wednesday, October 6, 20106:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Terra Environmental Research Institute11005 S.W. 84 Street, Miami, Florida 33173

Join Me at Our Town Hall MeetingAcompáñeme en nuestra Reunión Comunitaria

Visit my website for more information for you and your familyVisite mi página Web para más información para usted y su familia.

http://district7.dadeschools.net/

First Day of School - August 23, 2010Primer Día de Clases - 23 de agosto de 2010

URGENT URGENTE

New School Hours for 2010 - 2011Nuevo Horario Escolar para el Curso 2010 - 2011

Schools with exceptions to opening and closing hours will notify parents and students accordingly.

Elementary SchoolsGrades Pre-K, K, 1

8:20 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.Grades 2 – 5/6

8:35 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.All Grades Dismiss at

1:50 p.m. on Wednesdays

K - 8 CentersGrades Pre-K, K, 1

8:20 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.Grades 2 – 8

8:35 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.All Grades Dismiss at

1:50 p.m. on Wednesdays

Middle SchoolsGrades 6 – 8

9:10 a.m. – 3:50 p.m.

Senior High SchoolsGrades 9 – 12

7:20 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.

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