Teachers who need support for their high school culinary arts and restaurant management programs may apply for a $5,000 check from the 2025 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants.      A project of The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the grants may be used to upgrade classroom equipment and resources or by schools that want to launch their own ProStart...

     Area schools welcomed back students on Aug. 14 to start the school year. Kids enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade enjoyed first day activities, and some wore custom crowns to mark the beginning of their senior year. Miami-Dade Public Schools Board Member Roberto Alonso visited with students and administrators at Miami Lakes K-8 Center. A trend among backpacks this year was to wear designs that referenced...

The Miami-Dade County Library branch in Miami Lakes is offering classes.        Most events require preregistration and popular courses may fill up early. Sign up in advance to avoid being shut out of classes.         To see what is available, call 305-822-6520, email truglioj@mdpls.org or sign up at bit.ly/3Wnp6tC. The library at 6699 Windmill Gate Rd. is open Monday - Thursday,...

     House Bill No. 711 began as an idea from Dr. Tamara Moodie, principal of South Florida Autism Charter School: Creation of a public emergency notice about missing children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, similar to the Amber Alert for endangered kids or the Silver Alert for lost elders.       Moodie thought about the parents of her students who worry that their child could get hit by a car...

Ocean Bank is continuing its 33-year tradition of financial support for educators in Miami-Dade County public schools through The Education Fund, which provides free classroom supplies.      The bank is increasing its annual contribution to the Fund to $125,000 for the next four years, it said in a media release.           The Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials administered by the...