Miami Beach Senior High PTSA ENewsletter
June 2, 2015 - Volume 20
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Miami Beach Senior High
Teachers, Club Sponsors, Parents and Students,
Please send your news and photos with captions
to newsletter editor [email protected].
Next newsletter: Special Edition - The Awards Issue |
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Calendars
- June 1 - 3, graduation rehearsals
 - June 2 thru 4, Early Release, 11:50 am
- June 2-3, cap and gowns distribution
- June 4, last day of school.
- June 4, Graduation Ceremony
- June 5, No school, Teacher Planning Day.
- June 6, SAT and SAT Subject tests. Registered students.
- June 9-10, Summer Institute, 8 am - 3 pm.
- June 13, ACT test. Registered students.
- August 13-14, Summer Institute, 8 am - 3 pm.
- August 19, Scholars Orientation for Freshmen (tentative date)
- August 20-21, no school, Teacher Planning Days
- August 20, Back-to-School Teacher breakfast
- August 22, New Student Orientation, 9 -11:30 am
- August 24, First Day of the 2015-2016 school year
- August 25, PTSA Board meeting. 7:30 - 9 am., room 306. Everybody is welcome!
- August 26, EESAC meeting, room 306, 2:30-3:30 pm.
Next Year Calendar: download it here (PDF). 
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Announcements
Miami Beach Senior High 2015 graduation will take place at the Fillmore Jackie Gleason Theatre on Thursday, June 4 at 3 pm. Doors will close at 2:45 pm. All graduating seniors must be present by 1 pm.
To receive your final report card by mail, please leave a self addressed stamped envelope in the drop off box in the main office. Please include your student ID on the back of the envelope.
Summer reading
The summer reading requirements have been posted on the school website. Here is the link: Summer Reading. Within the first week of school, all students will be required to complete an in-class, thematic analysis essays on the required reading. The required reading essay will be graded by Language Arts teachers.
Need the School Bus for Next Year?
Eligible students must request transportation service if needed. Submit a request for service - it's not automatically assigned. Please call 305-969.2225 if your student requires free transportation. Be proactive - call as soon as possible for next year service.
The Fusion Dance Team will be holding preliminary auditions for the upcoming school year beginning June 2 after school in the dance room, room 658. Come by the dance room during lunch and pickup an application.
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From Your PTSA
. Out with the Old, in with the New On Monday, June 1, the PTSA held its annual transition dinner with outgoing and incoming board members. Outgoing President Alli Walden was presented with a token of the Board appreciation for her fabulous work by incoming President Jill Swartz (in the photo below).  Outgoing members Tricia Hopkins, Shelley Nicely-Groff, and Laura Seigel received a special mention. The PTSA presented Principal Donohue with the book "Renewal: Remaking America's Schools for the 21st Century", and a note from the author, Harold Kwalwasser. The chart in the book comparing 21st century principals to "old-school" principals was read to show how Mr. Donohue embodies the progressive and effective characteristics of a 21st century principal. Mr. Kwalwasser's letter reiterated this based on our description of him and his leadership of the school. Mr. Donohue came to the school with big shoes to fill. He has done a remarkable job and more. The PTSA is very grateful to Mr. Donohue for embracing parental involvement at Beach High! To use his phrase - "TOGETHER WE CAN!"  Photo above, from left: President Emeritus Kayla Rynor, Principal John Donohue, President in Training Amelia Gowdy, new President Jill Swartz, and 2014-2015 President Alli Walden. Photos below: the book dedicated to Mr. Donohue and the letter from the author. Four Great Reasons to Become a PTSA Member for the Next School Year
- The PTSA Distributes an E-Newsletter: Keep in the loop with our monthly E-Newsletter and keep up to date on PTSA and other events, advocacy efforts, student achievements, scholarships notifications, calendar of events, college info, community events and much more
- The PTSA Supports and Advocates for Beach
 High Students and Provides Other Benefits: The PTSA coordinates and provides volunteer opportunities for community service hours; opportunities to apply for PTSA scholarships for entrepreneurial ventures and graduating seniors; pizza lunches; academic recognition/trophy programs and much more. - The PTSA Provides Numerous Teacher and Staff Benefits: In addition to grants from our fundraisers, the PTSA coordinates and provides for teachers and staff a "Welcome Back Breakfast" and "Appreciation Luncheon"; special training opportunities.
- The PTSA Provides Significant Parent Member Benefits: The PTSA coordinates or provides volunteer opportunities for you and your student; planned seminars with our college advisor and leaders in our community; assistance from experienced parent-members and much more.
We offer two convenient ways to join the Beach High PTSA for 2015-2016.
Click here to pay by credit card via PayPal (you don't need to be a member of PayPal).
Click here to download a PTSA Membership Form and drop off the completed form and membership dues - cash or checks payable to "Miami Beach Sr. High PTSA" at the Parent Resource Center in the Beach High office, Attn: PTSA.
Let's Stay in Touch during the Summer Months
STAY CONNECTED with Facebook and Twitter and we will keep you aware of school and community announcements, events and updates. Like us on FACEBOOK: Miami Beach Senior High PTSA Follow us on TWITTER: @MBSHPTSA Please like the MBSH PTSA facebook page and get all of your advocacy/school info in one place. Also, please invite all of your FB friends to like it as well. Support Your PTSA through Amazon.com
Please shop via AmazonSmile and a percentage of proceeds will go to Beach High PTSA. It won't cost you a penny! Just remember to start your shopping at AmazonSmile. Click here to join: smile.amazon.com 
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The Silver Knight Awards
Beach High Senior Wins Silver Knight Award 
Beach High Senior Gabrielle Walden won a Silver Knight Award in the category of Digital & Interactive Media. Beach High Senior Nicholas Caine received Honorable Mention in the category of Social Science. The ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 20 at the James L. Knight Center (photo on the left). In attendance were the nominees, the sponsors of the Silver Knight program at Beach High, Ms. Haselmann and Ms. Taylor, along with members of our administration and faculty. Founder of iTide Radio Gabrielle Walden  thought the morning announcements needed an update. Her idea? A student-run podcast, complete with music, public service announcements and community news. She secured a grant and set about recording, editing and mixing. In August 2014, iTide Radio went online. Gabrielle was the recipient of the University of North Carolina's Summer Film Institute's awards for best sound design, best editing and best actress. Her video production work has been recognized by the YoungArts Foundation. She volunteers with the Surfrider Foundation, the Miami-Dade Baynanza and the Human Rights Campaign. She plays guitar for Beach High Rock Ensemble, a 43 year-old institution that has won a commendation from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Read more here: miami-herald/silver-knight  Photo above: Gaby Walden; on the left: Gaby holding her trophy with fellow nominees and teacher sponsors Ms. Haselmann and Ms. Taylor. One Million Lights for Sick Children Senior Nicholas Caine received a Honorable Mention at the Silver Knight Award Ceremony for his project "Nick's Starlight Spectacular", an event which raises over $20,000 for the Make a Wish Foundation. Each year Nick organizes this Christmas themed carnival in North Miami Beach with more than 1 million lights and 100 inflatables, photos with Santa, hot cocoa and cotton candy. See a photo of Nick and his Starlight below.  Congratulations to all Miami Beach Senior High Silver Knight nominees and their sponsors, Ms. Haselman and Ms. Taylor. Here's the list of the 2014-15 nominees (pictured in the photo below with the teacher sponsors and Assistant Principal Mr. Gonzalez):  Noah Latner - Art
Elizabeth Hopkins - Athletics
Lauren Martino - Business
Mary Figueroa - Drama
Jaime Mayer - English and Literature
Leah Francis - General Scholarship
Anahi Hurtado - Journalism
Emily Groff - Music
Jessica Bras - Science
Nicholas Caine - Social Science
Alec Goldberg - Speech
Robert Berryman - Vocational /Technical
Aaron Afriat - World Languages
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School News and Life on Campus
An Award for Mr. Guthrie
Mr. Guthrie received the "Climate Resiliency Award" from the City of Miami Beach Commission. The award was presented by Commissioner Weithorn for being an outstanding educator in promoting environmental awareness to the students of Miami Beach. The award was part of the Miami Beach Centennial celebration as part of the Climate Resiliency Summit held last March. Mr.David Guthrie (pictured below at the City Hall with Miami Beach Mayor and Commissioners) is the Scholars Academy Lead Teacher, IB TOK and AP Environmental Science Teacher, National Honor Society (NHS) and Leo Service Club Sponsor.  Miami Beach NeighborGood Grocery Program A group of Beach High students led by Ms. Taylor  was recognized for their community service to the needy of Miami Beach.Their initiative was part of the pilot NeighborGood Grocery Program. The students were recognized at the Loews Hotel in Miami Beach (in the photo on the right). Photo below, from left: Kyara Arana, Ms. Pam Taylor, Ira Docaos, and Daniel Aran after receiving recognition for this pilot program.  Debate Superstars Celebrate a Glorious Year On Thursday, May 28, the fourth annual end-of-the-year Speech and Debate celebration was held at the house of the Cohen family, who graciously opened their house to tens of students and parents. Coach Rywell led a wonderful presentation and award ceremony. On behalf of the parents, we want to thank Russ Rywell for an incredible year (see some of the amazing results of the team in the 'Congratulations' session of this newsletter). Mr. Rywell, you made each and every one of those students there feel that their efforts to support the team were important and valued. You also made the seniors feel proud to have participated on the team for the past few years. We completely agree with your sentiments that the seniors' Debate experience made a difference in their high school journey. Mostly, you reminded us of your extreme dedication to Speech and Debate. For this, we are extremely grateful. Photo below: Mr. Rywell with Debate superstars Belen Mella and Charlie Starr; Mr. Rywell holds one of the 'Excellence in Debate' Award that Beach High received this year; the cake to celebrate another glorious Debate year. Register for the Basketball Camp at Beach High 
Download the flyer here. STEM Award to Beach High The Fairchild Tropical Garden hosted the 2nd Annual STEM Scholars Banquet celebrating the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic Stars of the 2015 Miami-Dade STEM Competitions. An award was designated to Miami Beach Senior High.  In the picture above, freshman Rebecca Rauch Thane holding the award with Dr.Karp, Mr Carranza and Mr. Carvalho.
Wells Fargo Donates to Our School
In the pictures above: Mr. Donohue receiving a $1,000 donation to Beach High from Wells Fargo Bank, presented by Area President Jorge Villacampa and Miami Beach Branch Manager Thomas Ventura.
Scholars/IB News  Mr. Guthrie would like to thank all of you for your kind wishes and support over his last 23 years at Beach High! I will truly miss all of you, but hope to be around school some next year as a volunteer. Good luck to all of my Scholars Academy students!
Art Students Showcase Their Work  Car Crash Teaches Teens Reality of Texting, Drinking & Distracted Driving The Miami Beach Coalition (MBC) for a Safe, Healthy & Drug Free Community, the Miami Beach Fire Rescue Department, the Miami Beach Police Department, the Miami Beach Police Athletic League, Beach Towing, CERT, MADD, Commissioner Michael Grieco, Blasberg Rubin Zilbert Memorial Chapel, Miami Beach Senior High School and its DFYIT Club, the City of Miami Beach, Vista, Parks & Recreation Dept., along with DFYIT, EWM, Florida Dept. of Transportation and many other partners hosted the Annual Teen Anti-DUI program on Friday, May 29, at Beach High, as part of preparations for teenagers "do's" & "don'ts" of driving. This award-winning live, simulated DUI-related traffic crash demonstration results in one death and several serious injuries designed to teach 500 high school students and school staff about the grave consequences of drinking alcohol and/or taking drugs, and then driving a motor vehicle. This year's format added an extra emphasis on texting and/or talking on the phone while driving, which addresses a serious hazard affecting many today. Every day, almost 30 people in the U.S. die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to 1 death every 48 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $51 billion.  Photos above and below: the Mock DUI at Beach High on May 29. 
Donate Summer Reading, AP Review, SAT and ACT Test Prep Books
Once you are finished with your summer reading, AP exams and SAT and ACT tests, do something productive with the books. Please donate summer novels and review books back to MBSH, so that they can be given to other students for next year. This is a great way to promote literacy, recycle and provide students with the reading materials that they need. Please participate as we recycle and support the students of our school. Please bring the books to Ms. Haselmann in Room #506. We will collect books again in the Fall. For more information please email [email protected]
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Congratulations to...
Debate: 2nd in the Nation
2,600 students from hundreds of schools from around the country converged on South Florida for one of three national tournaments. Beach High qualified 8 students and won 1 of only 5 Excellence in Debate Awards. 
CFL Nationals
Excellence in Debate Award - Miami Beach Senior High
2nd in Public Forum Debate - Charles Starr and Belen Mella
Final Session in Congressional Debate - Ben Burstein
Quarterfinals in Original Oratory - Alec Goldberg
- Of the 224 teams competing for the national title in Public Forum Debate, seniors Charles Starr and Belen Mella finished 2nd to Stuyvesant High School.
- Sophomore Ben Burstein was selected for the final session in Congressional Debate placing 13th
- Senior Alec Goldberg reached the quarter finals Original Oratory.
- Based on the combined success of its students the league awarded Miami Beach Senior High one of only five Excellences in Debate Awards.
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Mayor's Emerging Leader  & Golf Player
Junior Jiana Blaha was recognized by Mayor Carlos Gimenez and the Miami-Dade County Commission as an "Emerging Leader" for her work helping instructors demonstrate golf to children with physical disabilities and autism through The First Tee.
This group strives to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
Jiana is also the VicePresident of the Student4Fitness Club.
She has received the Eagle level, the highest level, in The First Tee program, where she has accumulated over 1,500 hours of community service since she began with the group in 2009.
Beach High Junior Recognized at the Elie Wiesel Award
Out of ten finalists chosen from high schools across Dade County, Monica Winkler received Honorable Mention at the 2015 Elie Wiesel Foundation Prize in Ethics Essay Contest ceremony held on May 20 at the Betsy Hotel in South Beach. Monica's essay concentrated on how one form of the oppression by the Taliban is to deny girls the human right of education, and how it is the responsibility of those who can in the free, democratic world to speak out against such injustices, giving voice to the voiceless. In the photo below, from left: parents Thomas and Virginia Winkler, Monica Winkler, Mr. David Reese, and Assistant Principal Christopher Gonzalez. 
SOIL Winners Recognized at the City Hall
The winners and organizers of the 2015 SOIL @ MBSH Art and Essay Contest were recognized at the City of Miami Beach Commission. In the photo below, from left, are pictured Samantha Hurtado, Cheldina Jean, Florian Needle, Salua RIvera, Ligia Filgueras, MB Commissioner Michael Grieco, Ivan Robles, Raphaella Frank, Eleanor Aristide, and David Reese. Also winning award recipients but not pictured are Alejandro Ciccia and Bryan Espinoza.
SOIL@ MBSH, part of the Ecology Club, advocates for issues related to environmental sustainability in our community and focuses especially on public health issues related to access to water and sanitation. We champion the NGO Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods, in attempt to expose both the public health crises caused by lack of access to safe, dignified sanitation, and an effective way of solving this problem in the developing world. Students and the Miami Beach High Community are invited to learn more at www.oursoil.org or on Instagram #SOILMBSH.
Open Water Divers
 From Left to right, the students in the photo are: Alex Soriano, Mateo Solis, Milagros Cruz, Natasha Kisiluk, and Shannon Komisarchick.
Signing for Soccer
Congratulations to Guido Sosa. He will be playing soccer next year at Barry University. His signing day was on May 21. Below Guido is pictured on his Signing Day and on the right with Benjamin Faundez at the All-Dade Breakfast on Tuesday, May 19.
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Spotlight on...
On Thursday, May 28, the End of the Year Band Concert was held at the Beach High Auditorium. The photos below picture the prestigious event. From the top: the Beginner Band; the Intermediate Band; the Trumpet section; and the Wind Ensemble. |
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From Our Community
When School Is out, Lunch Is in at the Library!
 The Miami-Dade Public Library System is proud to announce that it will be hosting its free lunch program for kids 18 and under from June 8th to August 21st at numerous branches in the county. The free lunches are made possible by the Summer Break Spot, Healthy Body Healthy Mind and Sisters for Abundant Living. Lunches meet the nutritional USDA guidelines and will be served on a first come, first served basis at different branches. Download the serving schedule at mdpls.org
Registration is required. For more information about this program, contact 305-375-5291.
Please note: the Miami Beach branch is not currently participating in the program.
For Young Artists
Are you an artist between the ages of 15 and  18 or grades 10-12? The national Young Art Foundation is now accepting applications for 2016, for a chance to win cash awards of up to $10,000, take Master Class with world-renowned artists, be nominated as a presidential Scholar in the arts, perform in the most prestigious venues in the country, get significant access to scholarships and achieve national recognition.
Applications are accepted in Cinematic Arts, Dance, Design Arts, Jazz, Music, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, Writing, and Spoken Word (New Writing Category). Deadline is October 16, 2015.
For more info, please click here http://www.youngarts.org/apply
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Health & Wellness
Summer Safety with Young Adults and Everyone (for Cruise Ships and General Tips
While everyone wants to have fun during their summer break (whether that be on a cruise ship, to a faraway land, a nearby location or anywhere in between), dreadfully unfunny things happen. Here are some safety pointers for you and your loved ones: 
Travel Safety Guidelines
1 - There's Safety in Numbers - A lone vacationer is much easier to target than those traveling with another person or with a group. Offenders will usually make efforts to gain their victim's trust before they make their move. Many assailants will take their victim to an isolated area where it is impossible to be seen or heard. All travelers should stay with a group or at least one other trusted person as much as possible, particularly at night. When traveling with younger children, always keep them in site. As horrendous as this sounds, children are also targets - perhaps because of their small size or the offender's revolting preference. One of the many responsibilities of a parent is to protect their child, which includes monitoring their child's location 24/7 (usually against the child's thoughts of unfairness). Better safe than sorry!
2 - Friendly Is Fine, But Still Be Cautious - Getting lost in the laid-back vacation environment and letting one's guard down is easy. Friendships can spawn from someone who was recently a stranger in a short period of time. Perhaps surprising but astonishingly truthful is the fact that most sexual predators are some of the most friendly and charismatic people you will meet, and these qualities are used to their advantage. Making new friends is enjoyable, but be very careful with whom you share personal information. For information on date rape prevention, read Additional Resources #2. Never allow yourself or your family members to be alone with strangers, especially crew members.
3 - Stay Away from Isolated Areas - To greatly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault or rape, avoid isolated areas where it can be easy for perpetrators to violate your rights. Always stay within reach of trusted family or friends and avoid dark areas where crimes are easier to commit. Danger could be lurking behind closed doors. Therefore, never go to a stranger's room. Perhaps because of the alcohol or some another reason, sexual assault rates on cruise ships are about 50% higher than on land.
4 - Safety Cannot Be Assured - Even if you feel completely safe somewhere, hundreds of crimes and accidents occur in many areas of the world. Unfortunately, cruise ship sexual assault and rape incidents increase each year. While certainly not all cruise ship crew members are sexual predators, many of these crimes do involve a crew member. Keep your guard up at all times, no matter how safe you might feel.
5 - Communication is Key - Always keep in constant communication with  your travel mates. Establish a meeting point at the start of the vacation so you have an established meeting location if you lose touch or get lost. Cell phones signals often times become inoperable in remote areas or at sea. Walkie Talkies (with sufficient range) are extremely helpful.
6 - Keep Your Personal Items Secure - There are many cities where pickpocket thieves prey upon tourists. To keep your items secure, read #3 below.
By following these easy-to-follow tips, the chance that you or a loved one will be targeted is greatly diminished.
And have fun!
Additional Resources
This is only a cursory overview. To learn more, here are a few links to get you started:
(1) cruiserape.com
(2) thepreventionsocialworker.org/Date_Rape_Prevention
(3) travelinsurancereview.net
Disclaimer for this article and all others written by Laura Seigel, MSW: These articles are intended as a reference only. The information provided is designed to save and improve lives by assisting readers to make informed decisions about health issues. It is not intended as a substitute for any medical treatment. If anyone reading this article suspects a medical problem, please seek competent medical care in a timely fashion.
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