The Miami-Dade School Board approved four items proposed by Board Member Perla Tabares Hantman at its regular monthly meeting including, recognizing Town of Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid, promoting March as Florida Bike Month, and April 22 as Earth Day.
“The Honorable Manny Cid is the first mayor raised in the Town of Miami Lakes. He has been an extraordinary leader and public servant for the residents of Miami Lakes, and a valued friend and neighbor,” said Hantman.
Hantman honored Cid with a School Board proclamation for his continued commitment in setting a positive example for the youth in the community and his dedication to Miami Lakes.
“Florida Bike Month promotes healthy lifestyle choices and encourages physical fitness. Additionally, I am proud to be able to bring forward initiatives to help raise students’ consciousness and prepare them for life beyond the classroom as citizens of the world.”
In previous actions, the School Board unanimously approved other agenda items proposed by Hantman in late January. The first item recognized Miami-Dade County Commission chairman Esteban L. Bovo, Jr.
“Esteban L. Bovo, Jr. has been an extraordinary leader and public servant for the residents of Miami-Dade County for 19 years and a valued friend, neighbor and resident of Miami-Dade County for more than 45 years,” said Hantman.
The second item endorses March 2017 as “Arts in Our Schools Month.”
“The arts have been shown to develop a child’s self-esteem and sharpen their critical-thinking skills, as well as increasing multicultural awareness, and technical, communication and expressive skills,” said Hantman, a long-time supporter of arts education.
The last item authorizes the Superintendent to engage in dialogue with the new federal administration in support of reasonable immigration relief for undocumented students who have grown up in the United States, have good moral character, and are enlisted in the military or pursuing a college education, or a vocation.
“It is important that we create public awareness as the federal government transitions into a new administration. We must continue to urge our leaders to find a fair and reasonable way to address these children who are in our country without documentation through no fault of their own,” said Hantman.