Miami Beach Senior High PTSA E-Newsletter 
 
                August  20, 2017 - Volume # 2                       
            The Back to School Issue                     
                                


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DASHBOARD

August - September Calendar 
  • August 21, First Day of the 2017-2018 school year, 7:20 am.
  • August 22, First PTSA Board Meeting, Media Center, 7:30-9 am. Everybody is welcome!
  • August 22-23, Picture Days for School ID's and Yearbook (for underclassmen).
  • August 26, SAT test. Registered students.
  • August 29, Senior Assembly, 7:30 am. Students only.
  • August 30, Junior Assembly, 7:30 am. Students only.
  • August 31, Sophomore Assembly, 7:30 am. Students only.
  • September 1, Freshman Assembly, 7:30 am. Students only.
  • September 4, No school, Labor Day.
  • September 7, Senior Parent Night, 6 pm.
  • September 9, ACT test. Registered students.
  • September 8, Registration deadline for October 7 SAT test.
  • September 11-29, FSA Retakes: Writing & Reading, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, and US History. Eligible students.
  • September 12-13, Herff Jones Ring Sales.
  • September 13, Homecoming Court & Freshman Class Officers applications due.
  • September 14, Junior Parent meeting, 6 pm.
  • September 18 - September 29, Homecoming Dance and Senior Breakfast tickets sale (for approximately $50 each).
  • September 21, No school, Teacher Planning day.
  • September 20, EESAC meeting, 2:30 pm.
  • September 22, Registration deadline for October 28 ACT test.
  • September 22, Late registration deadline for October 7 SAT test.
  • September 23-October 6, Late registration deadline for October 28 ACT test.
  • September 28, Early Release, 12:20 pm.
  • September 29, Club Fair.
   
Please note: all dates are tentative. 
 
   
 
SAT - ACT Calendars
Click on the following links:
Miami Beach Senior High School Code is 101140 for both tests. 

 
 

 
From the Desk of Ms. Sevillanos, Testing Chair

Please take a moment to review and download the 2017-2018 Testing Calendar and mark important dates on your agenda - such as AP's and FSA's tests.  
 
 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please remember that tomorrow morning school starts promptly at 7:20 a.m. Please be at school by 7:00 a.m. to ensure you are on time; give yourselves plenty of time as there will be traffic and construction. Also, please use extreme caution when driving during dismissal times as we expect extra traffic congestion.
 
Please take a few minutes to log on to your Student Portal and print your schedule. There have been many changes and printing your schedule today will ensure you have the most updated one available. Bring this schedule with you tomorrow.
 
Our school is a
mandatory uniform schoo l so please ensure that you are wearing a red or white crew neck or polo shirt, with black or khaki pants or knee-length shorts, or jeans. Ripped jeans are not permitted. Shoes must be close toed. No sandals, flip flops or slides. Please see below uniform policy:

 
Beach High uniforms are being sold at the school gate. Coach Booker is there from 9 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday.
Sweaters, crew neck, polo shirts and PE uniforms available.

Tomorrow, Monday, August 21, Miami-Dade County will experience a solar eclipse. This event, which can last for several hours, can cause unusual changes to your surroundings. Looking directly at the sun during a solar eclipse can cause severe damage to the eyes. The District mandated that all outdoor classes/activities between the hours of 1:00 and 4:30 pm including physical education, recess, athletic/band practices, and outdoor games will be moved indoors. The safest way to experience the solar eclipse is online at eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-live-stream.
 
On Tuesday and Wednesday, August 22-23, students will have their photos taken for school ID's and for the Yearbook (underclassmen).
 
Applications for the Class of 2021 Officers and for the 2017 Homecoming Court will be available during the first three weeks of school and will be due September 13.

Lights, Camera, Action! Join Film Club 2017-2018. For more info, see Ms. Pierce in Room 330. First meeting: Wednesday, August 30, 2:30 pm in Room 330.




 

Students, join Instagram and Facebook groups to stay current on all school events: 
MBSH-@mbseniorhigh
MBSH Class of 2018-@mbsh_2018
MBSH Class of 2019-@mbsh2019
MBSH Class of 2020=@mbsh.2020

         
 
Questions regarding student clubs or activities? Email our Student Government at mbshupdates@gmail.com 
  
 
 
FROM OUR ADMINISTRATION
A Letter from Our New Principal  

Dear Hi-Tides,
 
Welcome to what will be an amazing year! I am Dr. Maria T. Rodriguez, the new principal of Miami Beach Senior High School and it is with great excitement that I join our amazing school of excellence! I hope to be an essential member of our Hi-Tide family and work collaboratively to meet the needs of each child at our school while achieving our goals as a school and community! I have been an educator for 26 years in both the private and public school systems. I earned my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a master's degree in Exceptional Student Education, a certificate in School Leadership, and a doctorate in Science Education. I taught for 9 years in multiple grades from pre-school through 5th grade. I have been an Assistant Principal for 7 years and a Principal for 10 years. I look forward to the high school experience where connections will be made to college and the world of work.
 
Congratulations to each member of the Hi-Tide family for the significant improvements noted in all curricular areas as evidenced by the results of the Florida Standards Assessments, Advanced Placement, End-of-Course, and International Baccalaureate examinations. The hard work, dedication and determination were evident! We are anxiously awaiting our school grade rating from the Florida State of Education.
 
As we begin the 2017-2018 school year, we will be working together at setting a strong mission and vision, setting high goals and standards, creating a plan on how to achieve our desired outcomes and successfully accomplishing our goals at Miami Beach Senior High! With the support of our Hi-Tide teachers, staff, administrators, students and parents, as well as the Miami Beach PTSA, Miami Beach Alumni Association, the City of Miami Beach and all of our supporters, we will accomplish our goals! Each Hi-Tide will be successful this year and will be a positive, productive and essential part of our school community!!!
  hi tides
This year's theme is, "Together, we will be the change we want to see in the world"! We will all work together to identify areas in need of improvement, devise a plan of action to initiate change, and lead by example as we become the change agents in our school and community. As Hi-Tides we are all committed to doing all we can to achieve our goals! We will strive toward educating our children in a nurturing, yet challenging way, where individual and collective talents and critical thinking skills will be encouraged. Together with much respect, tolerance, understanding, collaboration and hard-work, we will reach our goals and be a better and more compassionate community! We will be the change we want to see in the world!
 
Looking forward to an amazing year!    
 
Sincerely
 
Maria T. Rodriguez, Ph. D.
Principal
   

As we warmly welcome Dr. Maria T. Soto-Rodriguez as the newly appointed Principal of Beach High, we would like to thank former Principal John J. Donohue for his years of dedication to our community and wish him the very best in all his future endeavors. He will take on a new role as Principal of Henry H. Filer Middle School.
Assistant Principal Mr. Barker and Mr. LaFrance have also left our school. We thank them for their service and wish them well and much success in the future.
 
          
 
We also welcome Dr. Isolyn T. Hillhouse from Lillie C. Evans K-8 as one of our new Assistant Principals. She is joined by Mr. Daniel Ponkey, whose background includes an Undergraduate Degree from Barry University in Education, a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University and 18 years working for Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
 
 
 
 
FROM YOUR PTSA
 
The PTSA at the Back to School Teachers Breakfast
 
On Thursday, August 17, the PTSA treated faculty and stuff to a table full of desserts for the traditional Back to School Breakfast. See the PTSA group in the photo below and some more photos of the event in the Photo Gallery at the end of this issue.
 
 
   
Stay in Touch! Stay Connected!
 
Dear PTSA Friends and Families,

Join a growing community of more than 800 people and stay in touch with us to learn about important dates and events, the work we do at Beach High, as well as to share your comments and concerns with us about the important issues facing our students today. 
   
Like us on FACEBOOK: Miami Beach Senior High PTSA
 
Follow us on TWITTER: @MBSHPTSA

Check out our photographs on Instagram: Miami Beach Senior High PTSA   
Please like the MBSH PTSA Facebook page and invite all of your Facebook friends to like it as well.
   
We look forward to starting the year off right by KEEPING IN TOUCH with you!
 
          
 
    
   First PTSA Board Meeting: 
   Tuesday, August 22, 7:30 - 9 am 
   in the Media Center.
   Everybody is welcome!
 
 
 
 
 
 
SCHOOL NEWS
Summer Reading

  
Meet Your Counselors
 
Ms. Nunez - 9 grade, room 160, nunezl@dadeschools.net
Ms. Clarke - 10 grade, room 163, sclarke@dadeschools.net
Mr. S. Ellis - 11 grade, room 157, selli008@dadeschools.net
Ms. Echemendia - 12 grade, room 164, mcechemendia@dadeschools.net
Ms. Williams, Scholars-IB Counselor, cmwilliams3@dadeschools.net (available starting August 28 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays).
Special Education Dept. Chair: Ms. Maggie Guenin mguenin1@dadeschools.net  
 
 
If you need a schedule change, please fill up the form and give it to your first period teacher or in the main office. Priority will be given to incorrect schedules and core classes; electives will be considered at a later time.
 
    
Have Your Event, Program and Accomplishment Featured on TV
 
Dear All,
 
I'm attaching a Beach Film News request form for anybody that would like BFN to produce a story or highlight an event about your program. I am asking that you fill out the request when you know the event is happening. We will do our best to put it in BFN's calendar. (I'm not promising every event - especially if after school hours). Last minute requests will go to the bottom of the requests.
This is not a specific class so it is very difficult to manage - therefore I need your help.
Once you have filled out the request please print out and put in my mailbox. Once printed out, I will discuss with the reporters and figure out if doable, date of filming, editing and when it can be aired.
I'm hoping we can get more teachers to get involved in showing the newscast so that there is more of a community feeling at Beach High. Students work hard on the program and would like a broader audience.
 
Have a great year to all of you!
 
Ms. Chichi Pierce
 
 
        
   
Free School Supplies to Beach High

Support your school while shopping for school supplies - it doesn't cost you a penny!  
Office Depot and Office Max run a charity program to support all schools. It gives 5% of your purchase to the school you designate, in free school supplies, without any additional cost to you. At the register, before paying, please ask the cashier to add the Beach High ID to your purchase in the "Give Back to Schools" program. The Beach High ID is 70022680. If you don't remember this ID number, ask the cashier to check it out for you - they have a book listing all schools. Keep in mind that new employees are not familiar with the program; in that case, please ask for a supervisor's help. Thank you for your support of our students and teachers!
 
   


 
LIFE ON CAMPUS
The Pre-IB Scholars Academy Orientation
 
The Media Center was packed with students and parents for the Pre-IB Scholars Academy Orientation on Wednesday, August 16.  
In the photos below, see Ms. Carro, Scholars Academy Coordinator, in the Media Center while presenting the program; and Mr. Rodriguez, IB Program Coordinator, in the Auditorium with Assistant Principal Mr. Ponkey and PTSA President Hillary Frankel while answering parents' questions.
 
 
 
 
On Monday, August 14, and Tuesday, August 15, Beach High hosted the International Baccalaureate District Professional Development. City Manager Jimmy Morales visited the IB meeting. See the participants in the photos below. From left: IB Coordinator Mr. Carlos Rodriguez with IB guests; City Manager Jimmy Morales; Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld, Chief Learning and Development Officer at the City.  
 
 
 
Photo above: the Academy of Hospitality Lead Teacher Ms. Gregory and her students visited Dr. Rodriguez' office to welcome our new Principal. 
  
Last week, the Scuba Club visited Key Largo for a dive in the beautiful Spiegel Grove dive site.  
In the photo below, from left: Scuba Club President Filippo Gallian, Scuba Club Sponsor Mr. Salisbury, alum Isabella Robbins, Tarpoon Lagoon instructor Manuel, former Scuba Club President and alum Anamaria Flores, and Scuba Club Secretary Omer Ramati.
 
 

Student Government's Dakota Hammon getting ready to welcome students on first day of school.
   
 
Over the summer Ms. DiVarco received a Certificate of Appreciation from City of Miami Beach Commissioner Micky Steinberg. We would like to thank Ms. DiVarco for her many years of service at Beach High and wish her the best on her retirement.
 
 
 
   
     
   
 
BACK TO SCHOOL INFO
New to Miami-Dade County Public Schools? 
Registration packets for students new to Miami-Dade County Public Schools for the 2017-2018 school year are available at the main office. Please ask Registrar Ms. Lopez.
Documents required: click here.

 
Free and Reduced Lunch Application 2017 / 2018
How to Apply for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Benefits
Even if your student does not eat in the school cafeteria, please take a moment to review the requirements to qualify for the program, and if your student qualifies, do not hesitate to enroll. Many benefits come with the program, beyond the free or reduced meals at school.
Beach High College Advisor, Ms. Sahwell, has calculated that students on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program can save up to $2,000 in tests and applications fee. In fact, SAT, ACT or PSAT waivers are issued to qualifying students.
The easiest way to apply is online at FreeAndReducedMealApp.dadeschools.net 
available in English, Spanish and Creole. It is fast and easy. You can even apply on your smart phone. You can also fill up the form that your student brought home, or pick one up at school, in the Parent Resource Center, room 131, where Ms. Rojas or Ms. Jean can assist you with this applications. If your child was eligible last year, now you need to re-apply.
 
 
Are You Familiar with Our Campus?
 
 
Drop-off Procedures
To avoid the morning traffic, please make sure that you drop off your child between the hours of 6:45 - 7 am on Prairie Avenue (northbound) on the side of the school. Students are not allowed to get dropped off inside the school's parking lot. Also, please do not enter in the Bus Loop (Dr. Sidener's Way), nor drop off your child along Dade Boulevard. Please refer to the drawing below where an arrow indicates the drop off location - police will be monitoring the traffic and you can get a ticket.
 
drop off map  
 
 
How to Have Absences Excused 
All absences are considered unexcused until students bring proof of an excused absence to the office of Ms. Rojas/Ms. Jean (the Parent Resource Center, first door on your right in main school office, room 131). Students have 3 days' time to bring a note from their parent and have the absence excused. Students then will receive an "admit slip" with a determination by the attendance office as to whether the absence is excused, or remains unexcused. Students then present this admit slip to each teacher in order to change their attendance and should keep the admit after all teachers sign it for their records, in case there are any disputes. A doctor's note is required only for more than 3 consecutive days of absence.
Please note: students might get low grades for assignments not turned in during unexcused absences.
 
 
Parking for Students
Parking for students is by permit only in the main parking lot, in the student designated spaces (yellow spaces). Decals can be purchased by seniors only for the first 2 weeks through the Treasurer's office Ms. Desronvil, (every day until 12:30 pm). The cost is #30. Please bring a copy of your driving license, a copy of the car registration and insurance, together with the application form signed by both a parent and the student. Info and form to download here: miamibeachhigh.
 
 
Back to School Checklist
Attached is a helpful checklist to prepare you for the upcoming school year.
 
 

Safety Tips from the Miami Beach Police Department
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
 
SPORT SCENE
Hi Tide Stars

Congratulations to all the coaches and athletes of Beach High. The Miami Herald All Sports Ranking was published on June 14. Beach High finish in the 6th spot out of 36 schools in Miami-Dade. We moved up two spots from last year. Go Hi-Tides!
 
   
Congratulations on our High Tide Basketball Boys stars: junior Julian Bernstein for being one of the top three-point shooters in Dade County and junior Jamar Charles for being no.9 best scoring wing in Dade County. Bright future for these athletes and for the Hi Tide Basketball program as a whole.
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
 
SENIOR CORNER
 
Attention Class of 2018!
 
Mark important dates on your calendar:
 
August 22-23, Picture Days for School ID's.
August 26, SAT test. Registered students.
August 29, Senior Assembly, 7:30 am. Students only.
September 7, Senior Parent Night, 6 pm.
September 9, ACT test. Registered students.
September 8, Registration deadline for October 7 SAT test.
September 11-29, FSA Retakes: Writing & Reading, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, and US History. Eligible students.
September 13, Homecoming Court applications due.
September 18 - September 29, Homecoming Dance and Senior Breakfast tickets sale (for approximately $50 each).
September 22, Registration deadline for October 28 ACT test.
September 22, Late registration deadline for October 7 SAT test.
September 23-October 6, Late registration deadline for October 28 ACT test.
October 5, Crown & Capers.
October 6, Homecoming Pep Rally.
October 6, Homecoming Football Game.
October 7, SAT test. Registered students.
October 7, Homecoming Dance.
October 11, Senior Breakfast, 8 am.
October 26, End of the First Grading Period.
October 27, Beginning of the Second Grading Period.
January 16, 2018 Cap & Gown meeting at 7:45 am.
January 24, Gap & Gown evening meeting @5 pm.
April 27, Grad Bash.
May 18, Mock DUI.
May 19, Senior Prom.
  
 
All upcoming Seniors must be photographed during the summer break due to Yearbook's deadlines. Make your senior portrait appointment for this summer online at Foxmar.com/Sessions or by calling Fox-Mar Miami Lakes, 305-558-6891.
 
It's here! The 2017 National College Match application is now open. Please share this post with anyone who might qualify. Start your application now: apply.questbridge.org
Application deadline: September 27, 2017
 
 
 
Seniors, you can check now if you have any financial obligations in your records (such as fees for lost or damaged books, unpaid lab fees or library fines, even from Middle School). Don't wait until the end of the year. Visit Ms. Desronvil's office (Treasurer) any day until 12:30 pm.
 
      

 
PHOTO GALLERY
 
The Back to School faculty Breakfast - August 17, 2017
 
 
 
     
       

 
 
 

 
 
hi tides
Teachers, Club Sponsors, Parents and Students,
Please send your news and photos with captions
to newsletter editor marinagallian@hotmail.com
In This Issue
Calendars
Announcements
Our Administration
From Your PTSA
School News
Life on Campus
Back to School Info
Sport Scene
Senior Corner
Photo Gallery
PTSA Board
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Join our PTSA today! 
Every new member and every membership renewal helps make our school amazing.  Please click the link below and use PayPal to join and support the PTSA today.  Get involved, get engaged!   
  

     
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on TWITTER: @MBSHPTSA
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Miami Beach Senior High PTSA
 
 
Visit Miami Beach Senior High School online 

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 Grolin
 
Corresponding Secretary
Saskia Raymond

President Emeritus
Amelia Gowdy





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How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
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