A parent whose children once studied at Spanish Lake Elementary School returned to campus at 7940 NW 194th St. on Dec. 7 to serve as Principal for the Day. Monica Marquez, manager of commercial financial operations for Coastal-Pacific Wine & Spirits of Florida, wrote to the administration to praise the “level of care and love shown to the children” and said, “I cannot fill your shoes, but I am forever...

    The Town of Miami Lakes and its Education Advisory Board donated $30,000 to Barbara Goleman Senior High School on Dec. 7.      The gift will fund the installation of new cubicles for students to study in at the media center in the school, at 14100 NW 89th Ave. in Miami Lakes.      Shown at the campus, from left are:  Ana Lara, aide to Perla Tabares Hantman, chair of the Miami-Dade County...

     The Board of Miami-Dade County Public Schools recognized the Civic Engagement Academy at Bob Graham Education Center on Dec. 15.     Calling the academy a “precious asset” to the board’s focus on civic education, it was praised for its outstanding performance. The academy was founded in 2012 by former U.S. Sen. and Fla. Gov. Bob Graham, for whom the school is named.    ...

     Janet Marie Johns DiDonna was so passionate about teaching mathematics to her students at Miami Lakes K-8 Center that they described her as “funny,” able to make “clear explanations” and “patient” and “positive,” too.      So said the proclamation from Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid that celebrated DiDonna’s 30-year teaching career.     ...

 To jumpstart its future, Dade Christian School’s soccer program looked to the past.      On hiatus since 2016, Dade Christian restarted the program this season and hired alumnus Marino Torrens, Jr. as its new head coach.      Torrens, 31, helped the Crusaders to a district championship during his senior season in 2008.        He was hired to help oversee the programs at...