Miami Beach Senior High PTSA E-Newsletter 
 
                April 3, 2017 - Issue # 20                       
        Are You Ready for Spring Break?              
                                

 
DASHBOARD
Calendar

  • April 7, Registration deadline for May 6 SAT & SAT Subject Tests.
  • April 8, ACT test. Registered students.
  • April 8 - 16, No School, Spring Break.
  • April 18, PTSA Board meeting. 7:30 - 9 am, Media Center. Everybody is welcome!
  • April 18, Miami Beach Youth Commission meeting.
  • April 19, EESAC meeting, Media Center, 2:30 pm.
  • April 19, Orientation for incoming Scholars families. 6 pm, Auditorium. See flyer below.
  • April 21, Grad Bash at Universal Studios.
  • April 22, Paint with a Twist, PTSA fundraiser, 4-6 pm. See article below.
  • April 25, Committee for Quality Education meeting, 9 - 11 am, City Manager's Conference Room. See article below.
  • May 5, Registration deadline for June 10 ACT.
  • May 6, SAT and SAT Subject Tests. Registered students.
  • May 8- 14, Fathers in Action & Advocacy Week.
  • May 9, PTSA General Meeting. 7:30 - 9 am, Media Center. Everybody is welcome!
  • May 9, Registration deadline for June 3 SAT & SAT Subject Tests.
  • May 11, Fathers in Education Day.
  • May 17, EESAC meeting, Media Center, 2:30 pm.
  • May 18, Early Release, 12:20 pm.
  • May 18, Teacher Appreciation Luncheon.
  • May 20, Prom at the Eden Roc Hotel on Collins Avenue.
  • May 23, Committee for Quality Education meeting, 9 - 11 am, City Manager's Conference Room. See article below.
  • May 25, 2017 Miami-Dade County Council of PTA/PTSA Awards & Recognition Gala, 4:30-9 pm, Jungle Island Treetop Ballroom, 1111 Parrot Jungle Way Miami, FL 33132.  
  • May 26, Internship Evaluation and 4th Quarter Log Sheet due.
  • May 28, IB/Scholars Senior Banquet.
  • May 29, No school, Memorial Day.
  • June 2, Class of 2017 Graduation, University of Miami Watsco Center, 1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, 9 am.  All seniors need to report by 7 am.
  • June 3, SAT & SAT Subject Tests. Registered students.
  • June 8, Last day of school.
  • June 9, No school, Teacher Planning Day.
  • June 10, ACT test. Registered students.

Please note: all dates are tentative and may change.



2016-2017 School Calendar (click to download) 
 
SAT - ACT Calendars
Click on the following links to see the testing dates released by the College Board and ACT for the 2016-2017 PSAT, SAT, and ACT:

The easiest way to register for the SAT is online at
www.collegeboard.org and for ACT online at www.actstudent.org 
Miami Beach Senior High School Code is 101140 for both tests.
 
A & B Day Calendar
Is tomorrow a 1-3-5-7 period day or a 2-4-6-8?
 
 

Testing Calendar:
  
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers for the 2017 Relay for Life on April 8 from 4-10 pm at the Ed Burke Recreation Center in Biscayne Park.
 
Have you taken or passed an industry certification exam? If you have not taken an industry certification exam and would like a merit seal on your diploma, please see Ms. Bush in room 354. All seniors that complete this program will receive two extra graduation tickets. Be rewarded for your extra work and get prepared for your future career track!
 
The Brazilian Club has new officers. The 2017- 2018 officers are:
Amy Bocos - President
Camila Manolizi - Vice President
Secretaries: Romy Levin and Cori Oliveira
Historian: Heydi Larrazaleta.
 
Snapchats don't last forever, but yearbooks do. Purchase your yearbook today by going to   yearbookordercenter.com  and enter code 1985. Don't miss out on the opportunity - there's a limited amount!
  
Free breakfast for all students is available daily at school. Eating breakfast is linked to improved performance, behavior, attendance and health. Eating breakfast at school ensures that you are in school on time and ready to learn. For 10 weeks from February 13 to April 28, all students who eat school lunch each day of the week will automatically be entered into a random drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card. 
 
 
           
Questions regarding student clubs or activities? Email our Student Government at mbshupdates@gmail.com
 
 
FROM YOUR PTSA
    
Attention Present and Future Beach High Parents:
PTSA 2017-2018 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!

 

 
Register Today! Last Few Spots Available!  

Our Annual Spring Painting with a Twist F undraiser is getting closer! Last year we were sold out - we would love you to join us this year.

Join the Beach High community and come paint with us on Saturday, April 22, 4-6pm. Please register by clicking the link below. 
Everybody is welcome!

You can also participate by donating a Silent Auction item. Please email Corey Narson at ladybeachdoc@yahoo.com to arrange pick up or to send a certificate for service.

Lastly, you can sponsor a teacher to attend as a way of saying 'thank you': tickets are $45.
  
Link to register:
 

Save the Date!

The next PTSA General Meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 9, 7:30 - 9 am in the Media Center.


Next PTSA Board Meeting: 
Tuesday, April 18, 7:30 - 9 am
in the Media Center.
Everybody is welcome!





 
SCHOOL NEWS/LIFE ON CAMPUS
   
 An Orientation for Next Year's Scholars Students & Families 




Last Steps for Our Silver Knights

The Beach High Silver Knight nominees completed their training with the mock interviews held at school on Thursday, March 30, in preparation for the real interviews with the Silver Knight Committee on April 4.
The Miami Beach High community thanks our Silver Knight nominees for being outstanding representatives and exemplifying our students' accomplishments. Thanks to everyone who helped throughout the process preparing them for the applications, their upcoming interviews, and giving the encouragement they needed. These nominees represent the best in all of us. Good Luck.

Scuba Club in Action

 

Photo above: a group of students doing their first ocean dives and earning a Scuba Diver Certification.
From left: Mr. Paul Rehage, Mr. Jeff Salisbury, Sophia Segura, Cat Escobar, Abigail Gualda, Laura Kisiluk, Isabella Sotolongo, Sofie Litzenberg, Max Ricart, and Mr. Flores Interiano.

 
 

Photo above: students either working on Advanced certification or already certified Advanced and out diving for a night dive.
Front row, from left: Ray Lowestien (former Scuba Club president and current dive instructor), Mr. Paul Rehage, Isabel Robbins, Anamaria Flores, Gabriella Soriano, Barbara Ortiz, Kenneth Lopez, Sergio Shapiro, and Mr. Jeff Salisbury.
Back row, from left: Filippo Gallian, Anthony Sarkiss, Ilan Luzkow, Jake Eisenberg, Haley Revesz, Mr. Rembo Li, and Kalhan Raina.
   
 
Sweet Recognition 

The IB - Scholars Academy held its traditional Ice Cream Social on Thursday, March 30, during both lunches. Over 400 Scholars and IB students flocked to the ice cream tables to get a small token of recognition of their hard work and commitment. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to make the Ice Cream Social possible for our students.

       
 
 

Beach High Dads: Save the Date! 
  
Fathers in Education Day, May 11, and Fathers in Action & Advocacy Week, May 8-14: MDCPS has established a partnership with the Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida to increase the presence of positive male role models in schools to support children's education. More info to follow.
 
    
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO...
   
Congratulations to Ms. Bernardine Bush who will be honored wi th another 8 Miami Beach teachers at the  prestigious Elayne Weisburd Excellence in Education Award Luncheon.

The luncheon will be held on April 21, from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. at the Shelborne South Beach. Every year the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce honors the outstanding educators of our Miami Beach public schools.

The event is also fundraiser for the Miami Beach Chamber Education Foundation. 

 
 
Congratulations to senior Jalen Shojgreen who is the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Merit awarded by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen at her Annual Congressional Recognition Ceremony on April 1. The annual ceremony celebrates the most accomplished and improved students.
  
 
 
Photo above, from left: US Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Jalen Shojgreen, and Assistant Principal Dr. Cespedes.
 
 
 
The Hi-Tide Speech and Debate Team hosted a NSDA National Debate Qualifier tournament at MBSH on Saturday, March 25. The team of Guido Dominguez and Alex Sherer were tournament champions, and qualified to debate at the NSDA National Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, in June. The team of Tal Peretz and Jared Stein also qualified for nationals in the event of Public Forum. Congrats to all Hi- Tide Speech and Debate members!
Next step: the Tournament of Champions at the end of April in Lexington,  Kentucky.


Photo above, from left: Guido Dominguez, Mr. Russ Rywell, Tal Peretz, and Jared Stein. 
 
 
 
Congratulations to the senior IB students! They were accepted to Yale, UPenn-Wharton, Brown, Duke, Cornell, Cal-Berkeley, Rice, Georgia Tech, McGill, Tulane, Washington-StLouis, Emory, Michigan, Illinois, Swarthmore, George Washington, Franklin-Marshall, Illinois, Purdue, Texas, UConn, Boston U, Boston College, NYU, all the state schools and many more. This IB senior group has done well and more to come. Thanks to the IB Program Coordinator Mr. Carlos Rodriguez, and to all the teachers and counselors who have helped in the journey. Not done yet.
 
 
Congratulations to Beth Edwards and her family for being awarded the title of "MDCPS Family of the Year". The Edward family was recognized for being both Nautilus Middle School and Beach High "Family of the Year". The family was presented a medal at Jungle Island.
Commissioner Steinberg also awarded the family a Certificate of Recognition at City Hall.  
       
 
Photo above, from left: the Edward family and Nautilus Principal Mr.
Mr. Bellmas.

Photo on the right: the Edwards with Commissioner Steinberg (on the right) at the City Hall. 
 
 
   
 
SENIOR CORNER
 
Seniors are invited to audition for one of the two graduation speeches. Our Senior Class president will deliver one speech; students in the Senior Class can audition for the second speech. Please read the submission guidelines and requirements, together with tips on writing an unforgettable graduation speech. Deadline for submissions is Monday, April 17, at 2.30 pm. Please submit a hard copy to Mrs. Duval in room 306. Applications will be available through all senior English teachers, Ms. Duval, and Ms. Sakowicz.
  
 
 
   
 
SPORT SCENE

Congratulations to Coach Pilamunga and the Boys Water Polo Team: they are our 2017 GMAC champions! The team defeated Coral Gables by the score of 15-11 in the semifinal and then defeated Krop in the final by the score of 12-11. Attached is a picture of the team after the final. Go Hi-Tides!


  
Congratulations to Unique Dalphe and Elena Perez. They both represented Beach High in the South Florida All-Star Basketball game. Go HI-Tides!



 
Congratulations to Leslie Mendoza who signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to play soccer at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. See her pictured below. Good luck!

 

 
 
FROM OUR COMMUNITY

Committee for Our Public Schools
 
The Committee for Quality Education was established in 1999 to guide the city's efforts toward providing the best education possible in Miami Beach public schools. The committee is vested with the power and authority to make recommendations to the City Commission and to investigate, develop, and carry out plans to promote and ensure the provision of quality education in Miami Beach public schools. The Committee for Quality Education meetings are usually held the 4th Tuesday of the month, excluding December, June and July. However, the dates are set in August of every school year. The Committee meets in City Manager's Conference Room (4th Floor 1700 Convention Center Drive) from 9 am - 11am. Future meeting dates:
4/25/17
5/23/17
  
   
Get CERT Certified during Spring Break

 
Would you know what to do if an emergency struck your community or your school? After a disaster, professional responders will be needed everywhere. In the chaotic aftermath of an emergency, who could help until professional responders arrive? Who could be the first person on-scene to step up? The answer: You.
Learn to protect yourself, your family, and your friends in case of a disaster. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is a national program of volunteers trained in disaster preparedness and emergency response. Volunteers come from all ages and all walks of life, including teenagers.
Register in this CERT certification course held over Spring Break, April 10-14.

   
 
 
 

 
 
PHOTO GALLERY
   The Class of 2017 group pictures.

 







 
 
 

 
 
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
From Your PTSA
School News
Congratulations to...
Senior Corner
Sport Scene
From Our Community
Photo Gallery
Join Our PTSA!
Take a Seat for Education
Shop at AmazonSmile
Beach Film News
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
2016-2017

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

President
Amelia Gowdy

President in Training
Hillary Frankel

VP Advocacy
Deryn Cowdy

VP Membership
Chrysta Dwyer-Hammon
Stella Gelsomino

VP Fundraising
Cigi Thoennes 

Treasurers
Elizabeth Allocco
Sheila Shardlow

Recording Secretary
Pauline Buck
Elisheva Rogoff

Corresponding Secretary
Marina Gallian (newsletter)
Lauren Radick (Social Media)

President Emeritus
Jill Swartz



MBSH PTSA 2016-17
Standing Committees

Academic/Curriculum Issues
Tracy Jackson
Kayla Rynor

Academic Volunteers
Gabriela Hemmerde-Vecco
   
Fundraising Committee
Mike Gruener (Parking Fundraiser)
Jill Muller
 Joe Vazquez
Nancy Wolff-Diaz

Grants
Carmen Barcenas
 Paula Sohn

Hospitality & Teacher Appreciation
 Hillary Frankel  
Sophie Trodjman

Programs
Barbara Gelber
Amanda Kleidermacher

Safety and Security
 Jelena Demetriades
Deryn Cowdy
Beth Edwards
Mike Gruener

SHARE/Student Needs Program
Jill Swartz

Silver Knight
Amelia Gowdy
Karen Edelstein
 
Team Run for Education
Kim Haber

US Gran
t
 Corey Narson

MBSH PTSA 2016-17
Liaisons

Ada Merritt
Theresa Pinto

City of Miami Beach
Leslie Rosenfeld

EESAC
Tracy Jackson

IB/Scholars Liaison
Marina Gallian
 
Nautilus Middle School
Carmen Barcenas

Ruth K. Broad K-8
Dalia Blumstein

QEC
Kayla Rynor

Teacher Representative
Ms. Gussie Sakowicz

Student Representatives
Jamila Gowdy (Advocacy)
 
Principal
John Donohue


Leave Your Footprints at Beach High:
Take a Seat for Education

An opportunity to make a donation, leave a legacy and take a seat for education in support of MBSH! You will receive a plaque on the back of one of the auditorium seats. If we sell enough seats we will be able to fund teacher and department grants in 2016-2017

Please download a form, fill it out including the message with up to 3 lines of text, and send it with a check payable to the MBSH PTSA at Miami Beach Senior High, 2231 Prairie Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139.

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.
The Office Depot Program for Schools

Support your school while shopping for school and office supplies - it doesn't cost you a penny!
Office Depot and Office Max run a charity program to support public schools. It gives 5% of your purchase to the school you designate, without any additional cost to you.

At the register, before paying, please ask the cashier to add Beach High ID to include your purchase in the "Give Back to Schools". 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' ID's. If the cashier is not familiar with the program, ask for a a supervisor's help.

Thank you for your support of our students and teachers!

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.