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Miami‑Dade School Board honors centennials, arts groups and community programs in series of proclamations
Summary
At its Feb. 11 meeting the Miami‑Dade County School Board approved a slate of proclamations recognizing a school centennial, district programs and community partners — including Silver Bluff Elementary’s 100th anniversary, the district ASL program, the 5,000 Role Models project, and civic and arts organizations — and moved several items to the floor for co‑sponsorship and approval.
The Miami‑Dade County School Board on Feb. 11 issued a series of proclamations recognizing local schools, district programs and community organizations.
Chair Maria Teresa Rojas opened the 11 a.m. session and asked Vice Chair Monica Colucci to lead the pledge before the board began presenting resolutions. The board approved resolution 26‑004 recognizing Silver Bluff Elementary School’s 100th anniversary; the chair called up the school’s principal, Dr. Jesse Anne Sanchez Yvanez, assistant principal Christina Garcia and several students and parents to be recognized and photographed.
Board members next approved a resolution honoring the district’s American Sign Language program (resolution 26‑006) and three students who have performed ASL at national events. Board member Alonzo introduced the item and praised program staff and interpreters for expanding access and extracurricular opportunities for deaf and hard‑of‑hearing students.
A multi‑school recognition followed for the Wilson Scholars — the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project — with presenters describing the program’s national reach and scholarship outcomes. Board members and role‑model directors urged scholars to ‘be excellent’ and to mentor younger students.
The board also recognized community contributors and cultural organizations: Michael Biamonte, the long‑time Miami Heat public‑address announcer, received a district proclamation on his 35‑year career; the 100 Black Men of South Florida were honored for mentoring and community service; Kindness Matters received recognition for its social‑emotional learning work; the University of Miami was acknowledged for its centennial and long partnerships with MDCPS; and the Florida Grand Opera and other cultural partners were commended for their education outreach.
In each case the board made time for brief remarks from honorees and moved the resolutions with unanimous or near‑unanimous votes recorded on the floor. Several items were cosponsored and approved in short form during the meeting.
The board closed the recognition portion of the meeting by approving a proclamation for Dr. Cathy Ingram Batten and the Miami Killian Senior High class of 1968, noting the class’s role in local integration history and the Legacy Project book documenting firsthand accounts.
The board did not take policy action on these recognitions beyond approving the proclamations; many items were ceremonial acknowledgements intended to spotlight district schools, programs and partners.
The meeting later moved on to other agenda items, including audit and policy discussions as well as a public hearing that included community speakers on funding, co‑location, and health‑care transparency.
