Excellent new schools will educate Sunny Isles Beach students
By Bari Auerbach

What could be better than having a brand new K-8 Sunny Isles Beach Community School receiving an “A Grade” it’s very first year since opening? Celebrating the opening of a brand new senior high school this fall that Sunny Isles Beach future leaders will be among the first to attend!

At the June 18 Sunny Isles Beach City Commission meeting, the community had an opportunity to learn about the new Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School  – Biscayne Bay Campus during a power point presentation narrated by school principal Sally Alayon.     

Located near the Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus and North Miami Athletic Stadium at 2601 NE 151st Street, the five-acre high school will open on August 24, 2009 – initially welcoming ninth and tenth graders. Students have already voted for the “The Sharks” to be the school mascot - and in keeping with a marine environmental science theme, the school colors will be navy blue and silver.

Alayon began her presentation by congratulating the Sunny Isles Beach Community School principal Dr. Annette Weissman, teachers, staff and students for earning an “A Grade” based on state comprehensive assessment tests (86% of students met high standards in English; 87% met high standards in math; and 97% met high standards in writing).

“I’m thrilled to be named principal of the new Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High  – Biscayne Bay Campus,”  said Alayon, formerly principal of  Highland Oaks Middle. “Now, many Sunny Isles Beach kids will also have the good fortune to go to a brand new high school opening August 24.

“The high school will help relieve overcrowding of high schools including Krop Senior High, North Miami Senior High and North Miami Beach Senior High. Designed around ‘academies,’ the school will accommodate 1,638 students at its fullest capacity and will start this August with ninth and tenth grades.”

While schematics of the high school were displayed, Alayon explained, “The four story uniquely modern building designed by the renowned firm Arquitectonica will house classrooms, state-of- the-art computer, science, art and business labs in the back – and three front buildings will [encompass] the cafeteria/auditorium and media center as well as offices, a band room, weight room and full size gymnasium. We’re also lucky to have the North Miami Athletic Stadium right next door to use for sports [activities].”

Alayon emphasized the high school’s mission is to “bring out excellence in every student and prepare them for college.” Elaborating on the concept of “academies,” she noted, “The state [studied] decreasing graduation rates of students coming through high schools to explore how to encourage students to stay in school and attain higher graduation rates.

“Academies are making high schools  feel ‘smaller’…Since our new high school is located so close to Florida International University, we looked at strong programs they have on that campus and how can we work together to build those programs in our high school.

“Academies focusing on marine and environmental science, legal studies, information  technology, mass communications,  hospitality and tourism, and a scholars academy will be programs offering students the opportunity to pick elective courses they’re truly interested in…As students enter ninth grade, they declare a major – and if they stay on track, there can be internships and job opportunities available.”

Alayon said the new high school will also have traditional elective offerings including fine arts courses, physical educational and foreign languages – as well as a full honors program, gifted program, advanced placement, special education courses, courses for English language learners and “dual enrollment.”

“One of the beautiful things about being so close to FIU is we can have an exclusive partnership in dual enrollment…This means high school students can take college courses on the FIU campus or professors from FIU can [teach] at our high school. Students can also take advanced placement courses in high school and if they’re successful in end of year exams, they can also earn college credits…We’ll have many students coming through that will be geared and ready for a jumpstart to college.”

Expounding upon the high school’s partnership with FIU, Alayon said, “I’ve met extensively with FIU’s Vice Provost and each of the deans of the individual colleges…My staff will also be meeting with different deans to [promote collaborative efforts]…FIU professors coming on to our campus will [further help to] expose students to the ‘college experience.’”

Beyond academics, the new high school will offer a full slate of sports programs including football, bowling, golf, swimming, soccer, volleyball, track and field – plus an array of clubs. “We want all students to be involved and make different connections,” Alayon said. “We’re working hard to make sure we have social, community service and academic clubs for everyone.”

When students from Sunny Isles Beach start attending the new Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High – Biscayne Bay Campus, they’ll be wearing uniforms approved by involved parents – many of who are already participating in the high school’s PTSA. “We’re very fortunate to already have established a strong PTSA representing different area [feeder] schools,” Alayon said.

“There will be about 700 students coming in for ninth and tenth grades – half of which will be from the Sunny Isles Beach area…. For anyone interested, tours can be arranged.” Phone 305-919-2000 or visit the website at dadeschools.net

Concluding her presentation, Alayon expressed appreciation to Miami-Dade County Public Schools and School Board members including Dr. Martin Karp and Wilbert “Tee” Holloway.
 
Holloway noted, “We’re excited about the high school’s name and about the opportunity to bring quality pubic education to the northeast area…We’re going to need parental involvement…We want to make sure parents are encouraged to continue to ‘drop into’ school - so children do not drop out…We need community support.”

Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman Edelcup noted, “Sunny Isles Beach parents are very active…Our [K-8 Community School] received a high [A Grade] it’s first year thanks to principal Dr. Annette Weissman and the school’s staff…With parents’ support and involvement, teachers have more time to teach and children’s success ratios are greater.

“Fortunately for us, [Sunny Isles Beach students] have a new K-8 school and now a brand new high school…Our city is well situated to produce fine young students in the future…We’re looking forward to working with the School Board for many years to come and thank them for their foresight in bringing both schools to our area.”

‘History Lesson’
A new chapter in the city’s history regarding the need to educate a “younger population” dates back to 2004 when the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission responded to the needs of the 1,500 school-aged children residing in the community. A resolution was adopted approving the concept to build a K-8 public school in the area – acknowledging that the city had transformed from a retirement community to one that serves residents of all ages.

In August 2005, the site of the new K-8 facility was approved and a unique partnership was established between Sunny Isles Beach and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The arrangement was historic because no city in Miami-Dade County had ever contributed municipal funds to the school system for the purpose of building a public school. Two months later, School Board member Dr. Martin Karp and Enid Weisman, then Region Center II Superintendent, officially recognized the City of Sunny Isles Beach for its monetary contribution and its commitment to the children.

In February 2006, Mayor Norman Edelcup explained that the goal to build a school  within city limits was a top priority and that having a first class school would be “priceless.” A month later, the site was acquired and the official groundbreaking ceremony for the K-8 Sunny Isles Beach Community School took place May 8, 2007.

Just recently, a special dedication ceremony marked the school’s first year since opening – and now school leaders, parents, students and elected officials are celebrating an “A Grade” based on state comprehensive assessment tests highlighting the goal to attain excellence in education is being achieved.