This school year witnessed a wave of change go through Miami Lakes K-8 Center (MLK8), leaving it much stronger as it continues to build on a long- standing tradition of excellence.
With the leadership of new principal Yanelys Canales, and her assistant principals Veronika Sasturrias, Kelly Cabrera, and Dan Gangeri, the school achieved designation as a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) school by the Miami-Dade County School district.
STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The administration is hopeful that the school will achieve Silver STEAM designation this school year. The new administration also implemented new enhanced security and access measures to ensure the students’ safety.
The wave of change also included a new Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Executive Board. The 2017-2018 MLK8 PTSA Board led by president Dianne Jauregui, vice president Yesenia Fernandez, treasurer Marisol Rodriguez Basulto, Jaclyn Cabrera, and René I. Basulto, worked closely with the new administration to provide and augment the tools teachers needed to better educate the students. With the help of dedicated parent volunteers and community sponsors, the MLK8 PTSA secured the necessary funds to provide programs and tools requested by the school’s administration and educational departments.
The MLK8 PTSA provided $7,500 for new science text books, $2,000 for much-needed art supplies, and $6,500 for music supplies, satisfying the departments entire wish lists. The administration’s wish list included a technology cart with 25 laptops for student instruction. The PTSA was able to double the request with $28,000 towards the purchase of two technology carts with 50 laptops. These are in addition to other projects that were provided for the teachers and school beautification. Overall, the PTSA provided close to $80,000 in programs to improve education.
The PTSA improved itsr online presence with an expanded online store for uniforms and fundraising programs, minimizing classroom interruptions. The most significant program in this area was the launch of the MLK8 PTSA Mobile App, which provides links and an essential communication portal for parents and students. The app, which currently has 1,300 users, can be downloaded for free in the App Store and Google Play Store.
The 2018-2019 school year PTSA Executive Board was recently elected, and hopes to continue and build on this wave of change.
“I am excited to see what next year will bring as we have turned over the board to a wonderful group of volunteers who have stepped up to take the lead and work with our administration hopefully to mimic our goals,” said Jauregui.