Miami-Dade County Public Schools Open House nights are being held in September. Parents should check with each school to find out the exact time and date.
Elementary and K-8 Schools: September 8, 10 or 15
Middle Schools: September 16 or 17
Senior High Schools: September 21 or 22
PTA General Meeting: September 10, 6 p.m., School Board Auditorium
Please visit www.theparentacademy.net and click on "Upcoming Events" for current listings of free family enrichment events.
Choosing a Quality After School Program
A variety of after school programs are available to serve the interests and educational needs of every child. Younger children thrive in after school programs that engage them in a variety of activities, have a nurturing staff, and provide plenty of space for group and individual play. Teens need after school programs that foster positive relationships, focus on a child's strengths, build self esteem, and offer interesting enrichment and/or community service opportunities.
In making the right choice for their child, parents should spend time visiting the program and look for evidence of quality in the areas of Safety, Health and Nutrition, Organization, Staff, Space, Activities and Time. For a checklist of keys to quality after school programs and information about local programs, please click here.
Serving Up Quality Time on Family Day
Family Day on September 28th honors and celebrates the family dinner hour. Bringing the dinner table back into focus as a center for family life is an effort that is gaining momentum. Recent research has shown that when families have dinner together, they share and shape their family culture, their legends and values and even their jokes. Children benefit tremendously from such quality time and are less likely to engage in negative behaviors like substance abuse. As William J. Doherty, Ph.D, professor and author of The Intentional Family: Simple Rituals to Strengthen Family Ties, has said "A meal is about sharing."
To encourage all parents to enjoy Family Day, the South Florida Coalition Alliance is seeking sponsors for free family dinners at local restaurants. If your organization would like to sponsor a free family dinner, please call The Miami Coalition at (305) 854-4515. To learn more about this national initiative, please visit the Family Day website.
Back to School Rally Scores High for Student Success
Thank you to all the generous sponsors and partners of the Back to School Rally! On Sunday, August 16th, more than 3500 family members attended a huge Back to School Rally hosted by The Parent Academy of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the National PTA Urban Family Engagement Initiative at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Sponsored by TARGET and partnering sponsor The Miami HEAT, the rally offered a tremendous array of resources to foster the academic, social-emotional, physical, aesthetic, and personal growth of the whole child. Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho welcomed the families with inspiring words. Mrs. Deloris Jordan, mother of Michael Jordan and National PTA ambassador, urged parents to get involved in their children's education. Performing artists celebrated the diversity of our community through song and dance.
We gratefully acknowledge the rally sponsors and more than 50 Miami-Dade County Public Schools internal and external partners who reached out to help parents and their children prepare for a successful new school year together. Many cheers for these great partners.
Ms. Barbara Biggart, Editor
Ms. Anne Thompson, Director
The Parent Academy
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
305-995-2680; www.theparentacademy.net
