Miami Beach Senior High PTSA E-Newsletter 
 
                March 5, 2018 - Volume # 27                       
              All News, Info and Dates You Need to Know                        
                                


Dear Reader,
The March newsletter was so long that had to be divided in two parts.
Please find below information, dates and events for this month
- and a tentative calendar till the end of the school year.
The next issue will feature accomplishments and activities of our students and faculty.
Stay tuned!
                                                     

 
DASHBOARD

March - July 2018 Calendar  
 
  • March 5-9, National School Breakfast Week, see article below.
  • March 6, Elections of Student Government Officers for 2018-19.
  • March 8, AOHT Internships interviews.
  • March 8, Internship Third Quarter Grade Evaluation and Hour Log Due.
  • March 8, Drug Prevention and Intervention Workshop, Session 2: Most Common Drugs of Abuse in Teens and What Parents Need to Look out for. Miami Beach Golf Club, 2301 Alton Road, 8 am. See article below.
  • March 9, SGA Officers for 2018-19 announced.
  • March 9, Pep Rally, Juniors and Seniors only, 1 pm.
  • March 9, Registration deadline for April 14 ACT test.
  • March 10, SAT test, registered students.
  • March 10-23, Late registration deadline for April 14 ACT test (late fee required).
  • March 12, "Dark Road" performance, Superior Winner of District 8 Competition, Auditorium, 7 pm.
  • March 13, PTSA Board Meeting, Room 306, 7:30-9 am. Everybody is welcome!
  • March 13, "Dark Road" performance, Superior Winner of District 8 Competition, Auditorium, 2:40 pm.
  • March 15, Drug Prevention and Intervention Workshop, Session 3: Marijuana - Weeding out Fact from Fiction. Why Parents Should Be Concerned about. Miami Beach Golf Club, 2301 Alton Road, 7 pm. See article below.
  • March 20, Committee for Quality Education meeting, 9-11am, City Hall.
  • March 21, Drama Senior Showcase, 7 pm.
  • March 22, End of the Third Grading Period.
  • March 22, Drug Prevention and Intervention Workshop, Session 4: Technology and Social Media: How These Can Set up Addictive Behavior in Teens. Miami Beach Golf Club, 2301 Alton Road, 8 am. See article below.
  • March 23, Teacher Planning Day, no school.
  • March 26-30, Spring Break.
  • March 24, "March for Our Lives" public event, Collins Park, Collins Ave. at 21st Street, Miami Beach, 10 am.
  • April 2, Beginning of the Fourth Grading period.
  • April 4, Deadline to submit your nomination for next year's PTSA. See article below.
  • April 6, Registration deadline for May 5 SAT test.
  • April 7, Race for Education: Superintendent's Race for Education, 5K Run/Walk Challenge. Museum Park, see article below.
  • April 10, PTSA Board Meeting, Room 306, 7:30-9 am. Everybody is welcome!
  • April 12, Drug Prevention and Intervention Workshop, Session 5: How Parents Can Discourage  Teen Drug Use and Encourage Healthy Decision-Making in Their Children. Miami Beach Golf Club, 2301 Alton Road, 7 pm. See article below.
  • April 13, Grad Bash meeting, 8 am.
  • April 14, ACT test, registered students.
  • April 18-20, Musical.
  • April 19, PTSA Fundraiser and Silent Auction, Sweet Liberty, 237 20th Street, 5-8 pm.
  • April 24, Committee for Quality Education meeting, 9-11am, City Hall.
  • April 25, EESAC meeting, 2:30 pm.
  • April 25, Late registration deadline for May 5 SAT test (late fee required).
  • April 26, Drug Prevention and Intervention Workshop, Session 6: What You Should Do if Your Child is Experimenting with Substances. Miami Beach Golf Club, 2301 Alton Road, 8 am. See article below.
  • April 27, Grad Bash, Universal Studios. Registered senior students.
  • May 3, Registration deadline for June 2 SAT test.
  • May 4, Registration deadline for June 9 ACT test.
  • May 5, SAT test, registered students.
  • May 5-18, Late registration deadline for June 9 ACT test (late fee required).
  • May 7-18, AP and IB testing.
  • May 8, PTSA Board Meeting, Room 306, 7:30-9 am. Everybody is welcome!
  • May 17, Haitian Flag Day celebration, 1 pm. (tentative date).
  • May 18, Mock DUI, 8 am - 12 pm.
  • May 19, Senior Prom, Convention Center, Miami Beach, 7-11 pm.
  • May 21-25, Awards Ceremonies.
  • May 22, Committee for Quality Education meeting, 9-11am, City Hall.
  • May 23, EESAC meeting, 2:30 pm.
  • May 23, Late registration deadline for June 2 SAT test (late fee required).  
  • May 24, Internship Fourth Quarter Grade Evaluation and Hour Log Due.
  • May 25, Senior Picnic, Scott Rakow Youth Center.
  • May 25, Drama/Thespian Banquet.
  • May 27, IB - Scholars Banquet, for students, parents and faculty. 12 pm, Miami Shores Country Club. More info to follow.
  • May 28, Memorial Day, no school.
  • June 2, SAT test, registered students.
  • June 6, Class of 2018 Graduation, 3-5 pm, Watsco Center at the University of Miami, 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables.
  • June 7, End of Fourth Grading period and last day of school.
  • June 8, Teacher Planning Day, no school.
  • June 9, ACT test, registered students.
  • June 15, Registration deadline for July 14 ACT test.
  • June 16-22, Late registration deadline for July 14 ACT test (late fee required).
  • July 14, ACT test, registered students.
 
More March 2018 Dates
 
8         International Women's Day
11       Daylight Savings Time Begins
17       St. Patrick's Day
20       International Day of Happiness
20       First Day of Spring
30       Good Friday
31       Passover begins
 
American Red Cross Month
Arts in Our Schools Month
Florida Bike Month
National Athletic Training Month
National Nutrition Month
Music in our Schools Month
Social Work Month
Women's History Month
Youth Art Month
 
National Cheerleading Week (1-7)
Schools Social Work Week (4-10)
School Breakfast Week (5-9)
Girl Scout Week (11-17)
          
Please note: all dates are tentative and may change!  
 
 
 
 
2017-2018 NEW REVISED AB School Calendar


Miami Beach Senior High School Code is 101140 for both tests.  
 
 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS

The FSA Writing Tests for retakers and students in grades 9-10 will continue for students in grades 9-10 through March 6. A special breakfast will be provided free of cost. Students please check with your teachers or on the list in the Media Center or Cafeteria for where you will be testing. Students MUST report directly to their testing room. Attendance will be taken. Please make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before and arrive early for healthy and delicious breakfast. There will also be a special attendance drawing for the students who are testing at the end of day.

The class of 2021 is preparing a banner to be sent to Marjory Stoneman Douglas, please stop by to sign today during lunch.

Elections for the 2018-2019 SGA and class officers will be on Tuesday outside the cafeteria. Please come by and exercise your right to vote!  
 
Any student needing help preparing for the March 10 SAT may come to Room 560 on Mondays and Wednesdays after school from 2:30 - 3:30 pm for tutoring with Mr. Dreeson. Areas covered include critical reading, grammar and syntax, SAT math, and preparing for the essay component.

   
We have three safety concern boxes located at the front desk, in Ms. Sakowicz's office (Room 103) and in the Media Center. This is for all students and staff to report their safety concerns.

Have you completed your FSA requirement? Are you ready to reach this goal? Beginning Monday, March 5, we will help you achieve your graduation goal for the FSA ELA and Algebra 1 EOC. Win prizes for arriving on time and remaining from 2:30 - 3:30 pm. Tutoring will be on a first come, first serve basis. Look for the cap and diploma flyers (on the doors) to choose a classroom.  
       
  
Questions regarding student clubs or activities? Email our Student Government at
    
 
FROM YOUR PTSA
 
 
Attention Present and Future Beach High Parents:
PTSA 2018-2019 Election of Officers Is here!

Parents - we need your involvement to make a difference!
It is a gratifying experience to serve the school community. Please consider to get involved and contribute to our mission of making MBSH the best possible school for our children. There are also roles that have a minimal time commitment.
Please read below and download a Nomination Form. We hope you will join us next year! Deadline to submit the form is April 4.
 
 
 
Save the Date: PTSA Social Event on April 19

Beach High Fundraiser and Silent Auction @ Sweet Liberty
Come and meet parents and have fun raising money for our school!
Taste some sweet treats prepared by our Hospitality and Tourism School.
Sweet Liberty, 237 20th Street. April 19, from 5-8 pm. $50 per person.

   
 
PTSA Board Meeting Dates
 
All meetings are from 7:30 to 9 am.
March 13, 2018
April 10, 2018
May 8, 2018
   
 
   Next PTSA Board Meeting: 
   Tuesday, March 13,  
   7:30 - 9 am 
   in Room 306.
   Everybody is welcome!
 
 
 
  

 
SCHOOL NEWS
 
Safety Precautions Enhanced at School

Please read below Principal Dr. Rodriguez' letter to families:
 
Dear Hi Tides and Parents,
 
   We join all of you in expressing our sadness at this latest attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Together as a Hi Tide family, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.
   Safety of our students and staff is our #1 priority and we take this responsibility very seriously.
   There are many security measures that as a district have been implemented, with the goal of making our campus as secure as possible and training our teachers and staff how to respond in the unlikely event of a security breach.
* We have provided "Emergency and Safety Training" sessions and procedures for all of our teachers and staff.
* We hold regular evacuation and lockdown drills with our entire school population.
* We have closed and secured various entrances to the school campus, providing security and supervision at those locations daily and ensuring only 1 single point of entry, the Main Gate. Students will walk from the bus lane (South side of school or the drop off lane on the east side of the school). Both entrances lead to the Main Gate and check-in point.
*We are thoroughly checking that each student has their school identification visibly on their lanyard around their neck at all times, are in complete uniform, and arrive to school on time.

 
Safety Precautions Enhanced in the City
 
 
Please read below Mayor Dan Gelber's letter to families:

Dear Fellow Resident, 

The horrific tragedy in Parkland is the worst kind of reminder that communities need to be vigilant, especially with regard to protection of our children.
Here are some steps we are taking as a city to provide an umbrella of protection and reassurance today and in the days ahead:
Miami Beach police officers were out in force this morning providing a highly visible presence outside our schools, particularly around arrival and dismissal times when children and parents are present outside in high numbers. This is in support of the enhanced coverage being provided by the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department.
Our Miami Beach police officers will also be making regular and highly visible visits to all our schools throughout the day. Our officers want to provide the assurance of safety that our school children and their parents need at this difficult time.

 
 
  
 
Get Personalized, Free Practice for your SAT
 
Please click below to download the instructions on how to link College Board account to Khan Academy account.

Link College Board and Khan Academy account 
 
             
Please click on the link below for the school Attendance Policy (courtesy of Beach Film News):

 
 
       
 
 
 
LIFE ON CAMPUS

National School Breakfast Week 2018 is March 5-9. The theme is "I Love School Breakfast". This week highlights how eating a nutritious breakfast helps students fuel up success in the classroom and beyond.   


Breakfast Promotion "Awesome Amazon Award": the Department of Food and Nutrition, in conjunction with Generals Mills, is sponsoring a breakfast promotion March 5 through May 18. For 10 weeks all students who eat school breakfast each day of the week will automatically be entered into the "Awesome Amazon Award" Contest.
Each week, 30 of these students will have their ID numbers randomly selected to receive a $25 Amazon gift card.
   
   
 

For those that were unable to attend the Black History Show:
You can now view it on Beach Film News. And for those that were performers, you can view and send your performance to your loved ones.
Enjoy!
The Beach Film News Crew
  
   
 
 
 
ADVOCACY
 


Save The Date

March 24, "March for Our Lives" public event, Collins Park, Collins Ave. at 21st Street, Miami Beach, 10 am.
Sponsorships available. Donations very appreciated.
For more info please message Mindy Gould, former MDCC PTA President, at [email protected].

  
          
 
 
        
 
SENIOR CORNER

This is a Beach High scholarship for seniors interested in pursuing a career in technology. Additionally, it is in honor of a Beach High student who was gifted in technology and passionate about serving others and helping improve the school. Submit the completed application form in person to Ms. Gussie Sakowicz, MBSH Activities Director, by 2:20 pm on Thursday, April 5. Please click below to download the application.

 


The MBSH Class of 2018 will be graduating on Wednesday, June 6, at 3 pm at the University of Miami Watsco Center, at 1245 Dauer Drive in Coral Gables. All seniors will need to report to the University of Miami Watsco Center Fieldhouse by 1 pm.
Each graduate will receive 6 tickets. Each person attending (not including the graduate) MUST have a ticket, including children. The Pavia and Merrick garages will provide free parking for all attendees.
We will continue to keep you updated as more information is available.
   
   
Save the Date!
The Scholars - IB Banquet for our senior students, their families and teachers
will be held on Sunday, May 27, at 12 noon at the Miami Shores Country Club,
10000 Biscayne Blvd, Miami Shores.
 
     
       
 
FROM OUR COMMUNITY


 
Facts about teenage drug and alcohol abuse reveal that:
  • 86% of this age group know someone who smokes, drinks or does drugs during the school day.
  • 81% of 12th graders say it would be easy to get marijuana.
  • In 2015, more than 8% of 8th graders reported using illicit drugs.
  • 42% of 8th graders don't believe that regular marijuana use is harmful.
It is scary to imagine your teenager using drugs. Unfortunately, it is common to find drugs and alcohol in middle and high school, since these substances are so easy for kids to acquire.

The City of Miami Beach has funded a valuable drug prevention and intervention series for parents/guardians of Miami Beach teens. While most sessions are targeted at parents, two of the evening sessions are designed so parents and teens can attend together (introduction courtesy of Commissioner John Aleman).
 
The 6-session drug prevention and intervention series, provided by Ray Estefania and Ana Moreno of Family Recovery Specialists began on Thursday, March 1. You can attend any number of the sessions, which will be held at the Miami Beach Golf Club (2301 Alton Road). The full schedule with topics, dates and times appears below.
  • Series provided by the City of Miami Beach.
  • All sessions will be hosted at the Miami Beach Golf Club, 2301 Alton Road.
  • Sessions are 1 ½ hours long.
 
Session 2 - Thursday, March 8 at 8 am
Most Common Drugs of Abuse in Teens and what Parents Need to Look out for.
  • Learn about alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs of abuse.
  • Most common behaviors related to a substance use disorder.
  • What tools does your teen need to develop in order to cope with stressors?
  • How will experimentation in teen years impact development and consequences later in life.
  • Experimentation - substance abuse - addiction. How do kids progress through these stages of use.
Target Audience: Parents
 
Session 3 - Thursday, March 15 at 7 pm
Marijuana - Weeding Out Fact from Fiction. Why Parents Should be Concerned about Marijuana Legalization.
  • Different Ways to ingest and overall potency of today's marijuana.
  • Is marijuana addictive? What are the implications for teens? This is not the marijuana you may have used when you were younger.
  • How marijuana affects the young, developing teenage or young adult brain.
  • How legalization has affected Colorado, Washington and other states and what the future looks like for our kids.
  • Traps parents often fall into when it comes to marijuana use and how to avoid these.
Target Audience: Parents & Teens
 
Session 4 - Thursday, March 22 at 8 am
Technology and Social Media: How These Can Set up Addictive Behavior In Teens
  • What is healthy socializing? How teens utilize technology to connect. What does an unhealthy relationship with technology look like.
  • The importance and role of peer relationships and other protective factors for our kids.
  • What are some of the common reasons teens overuse social media and other technology.
  • The impact of too much screen use in our children and consequences for the future.
  • How to set appropriate limits in order to encourage a healthy relationship with technology.
Target Audience: Parents
 
Session 5 - Thursday, April 12 at 7 pm
How Parents Can Discourage Teen Drug Use and Encourage Healthy Decision-Making in Their Children
  • How to handle the most common objections related to teen experimentation with alcohol and marijuana. "But Mom, all the kids are doing it!"
  • Explore the relationship between choices and consequences.
  • How to set clear expectations and limits and encourage healthy decision-making in our children.
  • What is normal experimentation and when parents should intervene?
Target Audience: Parents
 
Session 6 - Thursday, April 26 at 8 am
What You Should Do If Your Child is Experimenting with Substances.
  • What are the signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder in teens?
  • How to confront the problem and what you should do to intervene.
  • What is the best response to the problem?
  • How should I respond to substance experimentation in my teenager?
  • What do I do if my child really has a problem and needs treatment?
Target Audience: Parents
 
Please click on the link below to watch Channel 6 broadcast on this Drug Prevention and Intervention program.
 
 

The 2nd Annual Youth Music Festival is around the corner and being held at the North Beach Bandshell Stage on Saturday, March 17! This year we've added an Acoustic Garden Stage for more amazing performers. There will also be a special performance by our headliner Spam Allstars. Watch below for our full artist lineup.
Click here to view the list of performers and to share the event with friends on Facebook. 


 
The City of Miami Beach and Rhythm Foundation are proud to announce that eight youth performers have been selected to perform at the North Beach Bandshell Stage on Saturday, March 17 as part of the second annual Miami Beach Youth Music Festival. The festival will begin at 5 pm and culminate with a performance by the beloved band Spam Allstars.
The judges received 28 performance submissions, and artists that made the final cut include: Arrowhead, Dayana Maza, Ex Presidents, Peach, Play on Words, Ripcord, Unnamed and YMU Jazz Combo.
Opening the main stage will be the Nautilus Middle School Jazz Band, and two legacy acts, including Fing Fang Foom and Miami Beach Senior High RockEnsemble.
There will be a suggested donation of $5 with all proceeds going towards local youth music education. The festival will also feature a preview of the upcoming North Beach Yard with bites by Della's Test Kitchen, a pop-up skate park, interactive creative workshops for the whole family, and other fun activations by Coca-Cola.

 

Apply to Join FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council

There are just over two weeks left to encourage a young person you know to join the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). The YPC is open to students in grades 8-11 across the Nation. If you know a good candidate, encourage them to apply.
Benefits of being a YPC member include:
  • Designing and conducting local and national preparedness projects;
  • Adding a youth viewpoint on emergency preparedness;
  • Helping prepare their local area for emergencies;
  • Meeting with FEMA regularly; and
  • Giving input to FEMA leadership and staff.   
Adults working with youth should share the application. Applicants should submit a complete form, provide two letters of recommendation, and their academic records.
Applications are due March 18.



Blue Ribbon Poster Contest
 
MDCPS Division of Student Services, in conjunction with Amigos for Kids, is co-sponsoring the annual Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month poster contest. Entries must be received prior to Friday, March 16.
All artwork must be original and 22"x24" in size. Work may be done entirely in one medium or be of mixed media. Acceptable media may include any paint, ink, pencil, pen, crayon, pastels, photography, collage, any paper, canvas and computer-generated or digitally enhanced art. Poster illustrations should encompass the following theme: "There's No Excuse for Child Abuse!"
There will be first, second, and third place prize winners for elementary, middle, and high school:
  • 1st place prize: $250 gift card
  • 2nd place prize: $100 gift card
  • 3rd place: $50 gift card
Each school may submit a maximum of 15 posters.
Teachers of the finalists will receive a gift card (amount varies).
A typed short explanation of the artwork must be included with the artwork, no more than one page. It is important that the theme remains focused on child abuse prevention or information found on the brochure.
Mail or deliver entries to 9721/Division of Student Services, 1501 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33132. Entries must be received prior to Friday, March 16.

 

Support for Grieving Children

Camp Erin is a bereavement camp for children who have experienced the death of a loved one. Camp Erin will be held March 23-25, at Camp Owaissa Bauer, 17001 SW 264th Street, Homestead, FL 33031.
Camp Erin, presented by the Moyer Foundation and Catholic Hospice, offers a special three-day camp for children between the ages of 6-17 years. Participation is free and is supervised by professional staff and trained volunteers. The Camp provides a safe setting to help children express their emotions and process their grief so that they may heal. Services include music therapy, art therapy, pet therapy, sports and other activities.

 
  
For more information, please contact Mr. Frank Zenere, Crisis Management Program at (305) 995-7319 or email at [email protected] .



Preregister Now!

The Superintendent's 5K Run/Walk Challenge - Race for Education is scheduled for Saturday, April 7 at Museum Park. The Foundation for New Education Initiatives (FNEI) and Miami-Dade County Public Schools' Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho will team up once again to host the 3rd Annual Race for Education benefiting local public schools. FNEI will donate a percentage of race proceeds to participating schools based on the number or participants each school team registers.



Participants are encouraged to select a school, and run on behalf of that school's team. Online registration must be completed by March 30. Teachers, parents and all stakeholders, please be part of this special event which provides the opportunity to raise funds for your school.
Race Start: 7:30 am.
Location: Museum Park, 1075 Biscayne Blvd.



The Rise of Peace 2018 National Peace Education Award

It is a national essay contest with a $5,000 award for the winning student essay and a $1,000.00 stipend for the supporting faculty member.
The "RISE of Peace Inc. 2018 National Peace Education Award" is focusing on high school juniors and seeks to encourage students to incorporate a peace-building mindset at a time when violence seems to be a thoughtful or thoughtless response to conflicts. Consistent with a grant provided by Goldman Sachs, RISE is offering $5,000 to a student whose essay best evaluates and encourages peaceful alternatives to violent behavior.



Free Cell Phones for Students


Do you have a student in grade 9 or grade 10 on Free or Reduced Lunch? Sprint corporation will help bridge the digital divide with a free cell phone for your child. See the attached information to take advantage of the Sprint 1 Million Phone Project.


 
 

 
 
hi tides
Teachers, Club Sponsors, Parents and Students,
please send your news and photos with captions
to newsletter editor

To be featured in our social media, please email Saskia Raymond at
[email protected]
 
In This Issue
Calendars
Announcements
From Your PTSA
School News
Life on campus
Advocacy
Seniors Corner
From Our Community
Join our PTSA today! 
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MBSH Alumni Association

  
Online
MBSH PTSA Board
2017-2018

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

President
Hillary Frankel

President in Training
Elisheva Rogoff

VP Advocacy
Jill Swartz

VP Membership
Stella Gelsomino

VP Fundraising
Melissa Delisle  

Treasurer
Sheila Shardlow

Recording Secretary
Dana Grodin
 
Corresponding Secretary
Saskia Raymond

President Emeritus
Amelia Gowdy


Don't Miss Out on the Beach Film News Latest Episodes!

Tune in to Miami Beach Senior High's weekly broadcast. Uploads every Thursday evening. 


Shopping at Amazon? Start at Amazon Smile and Help Your PTSA

 
What is AmazonSmile? 
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you.

How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
Simply go to smile.amazon.com and search for the following charity: "Miami Beach Sr High School PTA". It's that simple. For every purchase you make, AmazonSmile will make a donation to Beach High.



Can I use my existing Amazon.com account on AmazonSmile?
Yes, you use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile.  

Info and registration: smile.amazon.com
 
Add a bookmark to AmazonSmile to remember to start your shopping there.