Creating a Culture of Peace and Safety

Violence in our schools, whether it involves threats, fist fights, knives, or firearms is unwanted and intolerable. Children deserve a safe environment to learn in. Teachers and staff deserve a safe place to work. Communities deserve safe schools that educate kids and help keep neighborhoods safer.To make our schools safer, everyone can and must pitch in. This includes teachers, parents, students, policy makers, law enforcement officers, local businesses, faith-based leaders, civic leaders, youth workers, and other concerned community residents. Attached you will find helpful suggestions for Students, Parents, Teachers and Administrators of what they can do individually and collectively to improve school safety; thereby creating a culture of peace. (Excerpted in part from The National Crime Prevention Council).

Parent Involvement Month

November is Parent Involvement Month in Florida. The state’s Parent Information Resource Center put together the attached package of ideas and resources.

No School

There will be no school on Friday, October 30th. This is a Teacher Planning Day. Classes will resume on Monday, November 2nd.

Parenting for Violence Prevention

Seminole Elementary, in conjunction with The Parent Academy, will be hosting a Parenting for Violence Prevention Workshop on Thursday, October 29th at 9 am. We encourage all parents to attend this important workshop.

Fantasy Day

The Seminole PTA is sponsoring Fantasy Day on Thursday, October 29th. Students will be allowed to wear costumes. However, they must abide by the following guidelines:

• No “play” weapons
• No masks
• No gory costumes
• No costumes showing stomach/midrif

Students are encouraged to make a one dollar donation to Seminole’s PTA.

H1N1 Vaccination

On October 19, 2009 the Miami-Dade County Health Department, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and The Children’s Trust will officially kick-off the 2009 H1N1 Influenza (Flu) Vaccination Campaign. All residents of Miami-Dade County are requested to seek the H1N1 vaccination through their primary care provider. However, if a student does not have a doctor or insurance, the H1N1 vaccine will be free of charge at select locations.

Although some schools with Health Connect in Our Schools teams will be providing H1N1 vaccines at the schools, H1N1 vaccines will not be provided at our school. However, the Miami-Dade County Health Department has identified several clinics and federally qualified health centers throughout the community to administer the H1N1 vaccines free of charge to children under 18 years of age. The Miami-Dade County Health Department provided schools with copies of the attached letters in English/Spanish to distribute to parents. These letters contain important information regarding locations for students to receive the H1N1 vaccine, free of charge. Information regarding additional locations to obtain the H1N1 vaccine is contained in the letter sent home today or may be found on the Health Department website at www.dadehealth.org.

$5000 match campaign!

Adpot-A-Classroom is pleased to share an exciting opportunity for members of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools community - a $5000 match campaign! Starting Wednesday, October 21, the first 200 online credit card adoptions will receive an additional $25 matching donation from South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union. With only 200 matches available, we encourage you to tell everyone today about the $25 bonus!

Congratulations Ms. Sirker!

Congratulations to Ms. Sirker! She has been selected as Seminole’s 2011 Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year.

No School

There will be No School on Monday, October 19th. This is a Teacher Workday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 20th.

Cartoon Shirt Day

On Friday, October 16th, students will be able to wear a Cartoon Shirt for a one dollar donation to PTA. (Students may wear a T-Shirt with a cartoon character.) Please make a contribution for this most worthy cause.

Hispanic Heritage

In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, on Wednesday (October 14) the students will be allowed to wear clothing that promotes their Hispanic heritage. Please note, students are not permitted to wear jeans or open-toed shoes.

PTA Sales

The PTA will continue to sell the Seminole Spirit Shirts, sweat pants, jackets and backpacks. The PTA sales will take place each morning in the school’s breezeway until Friday, October 16th. The prices for the PTA sales are as follows:

• Jackets - $20


• Sweat Pants - $12


• T-Shirts - $10


• Backpacks - $5

PTA Sales

The PTA will be selling Seminole Spirit Shirts during the week of October 15th. The shirts will be sold beginning at 8:17 am in Room 101.