AUGUST 2020 NEWSLETTER – Connecting Parents, Students and Teachers

DATES TO REMEMBER

∙ AUGUST 10, 11, 9am – 12pm

Yearbook/pictures pick up (bus loop)

6th, 7th grade textbooks drop-off (parent drop-off/pick-up area)

∙ AUGUST 13, 14, & 17, 630 - 800PM

Parent University: Getting Ready for School and eLearning. Links Inside.

∙ AUGUST 14, 12pm

New School Year Online Orientation on Canvas

∙ AUGUST 19

First day of School

∙ AUGUST 30, Time TBA

School Advisory Council Meeting

∙ SEPTEMBER 3, 6PM

“Family Flow and Let Go” Yoga with Lori Goldwyn

First Thursday of each month

Media TBA.

∙ OCTOBER 21, 6:30pm

Special Guest Speaker: NASA Astronaut, Dr. Jose Hernandez

∙ MARCH 12 (time and venue TBA)

Talent Show Zone

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEDear Parents,

Welcome to Tequesta Trace Middle School's, 2020-2021 school year!

I am Juan Sierra and it is an honor to continue serving as this year’s PTA

President. I hope you all are doing well and staying safe during these

unprecedented times.

As I wish happy retirement to Principal Mr. Paul Micesky, and Assistant

Principal Mr. Ed Gomez, two magnificent Tequesta leaders that left a

legacy to the whole Weston community and will be greatly missed,

I welcome Principal Robert Rivera who is already showing he is the right

leader because of his knowledge, experience, leadership and enthusiasm,

to say the least. Principal Rivera came with a full agenda of great new

ideas that he is already implementing. Principal Rivera, please know you

count with all PTA’s support.

Now, we navigate the changes and challenges of our new norm, slowly

but surely adapt our routines, and learn new ways of moving forward.

For this new school year, I propose we use these changes to reinvent

how to better connect with ourselves, one another, and to dream of a

better world for our children.

With schools reopening this fall, I see the opportunity for us, as parents,

to consciously set the tone for spaces that are congruent with a balanced

life. Principal Robert Rivera and PTA are here to help! Among other

programs, families will have a full-time counselor for students from BCPS,

virtual meetings and workshops, monthly yoga and mindfulness sessions

on every first Thursday thanks to our very own Certified Yoga Instructor

and Math Teacher, Mrs. Lori Goldwyn.

I am confident that with the leadership and faculty Tequesta Middle

School has, our children will master e-learning and perform to achieve

greatness as they will be better prepared.

Last but not the least, I commend all the parents that stepped out to

serve in this year’s PTA executive board and committees.

The future is what we make of it, and the best time to start is now!

Click the following link for pta membership https://bit.ly/PTAMembers

Juan Sierra

TTMS PTA President

2020/2021 SCHOOL CALENDAR

(ctrl+click to open in browser/print)

Wednesday, August 19, is the first day of school. As we prepare to begin the new school year through eLearning, we know you have questions.

To provide answers, we invite you to join the Parent Community Involvement Task Force and District staff and administrators for our Parent University: Getting Ready for School and eLearning live webinar sessions. The four events, which take place between August 12-17, are divided by student groups. They will include step-by-step guidance to help parents assist their students through the school day and information on what to expect once classes begin. District personnel will be available after each presentation to answer questions. 

Choose to attend the grade-level session that applies to your student(s) through the links below:

Elementary School – Wednesday, August 12, 6:30-8 p.m. http://bit.ly/2XDQMOK

Middle and High School – Thursday, August 13, 6:30-8 p.m. http://bit.ly/3fzcucE

Information for Exceptional Student Education and English-Language Learners will be included in the grade-level sessions; however, more information specific to these student groups will be provided on the following dates.

Exceptional Student Education – Friday, August 14, 6:30-8 p.m. https://bit.ly/3a2oDWi

English-Language Learners – Monday, August 17, 6:30-8 p.m. https://bit.ly/3kmTzFs

All four webinars will be available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese through closed captioning.

If you are unable to attend a live Parent University webinar, links to the recorded sessions will be available on our District website, browardschools.com, and your school’s website.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.

PARENT UNIVERSITY: GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL AND eLEARNING WEBINARS

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MR. ROBERT RIVERA!

Principal Robert Rivera is a passionate educator with over

20 years of experience. His dedication to student

achievement and community partnership have been

lifelong.

Throughout his career, he has taught Social Studies,

Spanish and Math, as well as coached various sports

including volleyball and basketball.

For the past five years, he has been an Assistant Principal

supporting the students and families at New River Middle

School, a marine science school. His focus has been on

improving the middle school experience by creating

welcoming social emotional learning classrooms and

working on an interdisciplinary approach to education

through project-based learning.

Mr. Rivera was born in New York City where he attended public schools, becoming a huge

advocate for public education. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida

and a master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University in Educational Leadership.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Full-time bilingual student counselor will be available! Details to come.

Projects Beautification for year 2020/2021:∙ Security Camera upgrade 40 new cameras ∙ School murals in front of school and Cougar's Den∙ Telephone update coming∙ Computer cart laptops coming (9 laptop carts)∙ Teacher laptops (27 laptops)

Calling parents to attend SAC meetings -School Advisory Council-. The first SAC Meeting will take place August 30, 2020. Time and Media TBA. Come and support Principal Rivera and the proposed school much needed improvements.

Invitación a padres para que asistan a las reuniones del SAC -Consejo Asesor Escolar-. La primera reunión del SAC se llevará a cabo el 30 de agosto de 2020. Tiempo y medio por confirmar. Venga y apoye al director Rivera ya la escuela propuesta que tanto necesita mejoras.

Farewell, Mr. Gomez!Assistant principal Mr. Ed Gomez decided to retire early this Summer.  According to Mr. Gomez, it has been a difficult decision to leave his family of 18 years. “Education is the most noble profession, I enjoyed each minute, each second of it, and even when facing challenges, I  always enjoyed it”.

He expressed how, without a doubt, the 2019 talent show felt like the peak of his career working with children; he helped them grow as an assistant principal to then saw them come back to him as successful adults.  “This first Talent Show set a mark in the history of the school and in my memories as an educator”. 

We wish Mr. Gomez a very happy retirement.

OTHER NEWS

Tequesta’s “Family Flow and Let Go” Yoga with Lori Goldwyn!

Come join our very own Lori Goldwyn, long time GEM teacher at TTMS, for family yoga night.

Mrs. Goldwyn began her yoga journey in June 2016, after finishing her 9-month fight with

breast cancer. She was drawn to the connection of mind and body through breath, which

taught her to live in the present moment. As Mrs. Goldwyn’s love for yoga grew, she

completed her 200 RYT Yoga Alliance Certification through Weston’s Prana Lab Yoga

Studio, where she currently teaches.

“Family Flow and Let Go” Yoga is a class for all levels, allowing for a mindful experience while

providing an opportunity to experiment with poses and challenge the body. The class will also

include deep stretch, breathwork, and meditative cues and is geared towards any yogi who

has goals of disconnecting, embracing the “now” while building strength and flexibility.

See you on the mat. Namaste!

PTA PLAN OF WORK

PTA MISSIONSupporting children to have a balanced life, taking into account the present environment.

PRIORITIES

Awareness. Promote awareness of the needs of school children and their families.

Relevance.  Ensure all we do benefits children and families. 

Outreach. Invite and welcome new stakeholders at all times. 

Cooperation. Find common ground to make programs which benefit all. 

Scalability. Implement expandable and measurable programs.

Sustainability. Create effective self-sustainable programs. 

PTA VISION

Enable all TTMS families to be connected and involved in TTMS student’s education and life.

STRATEGIES Develop virtual and in-person educational programs for parents and children which aim to promote Mental Health Outreach and increase the level of awareness of our current reality and the importance of their choices; Vaping talk, Talent Show, Tech-Youth-Family Roundtables.         Direct all fundraising efforts to corporate vendors, thus alleviating family financial strain; i.e.  offer sponsorship opportunities to TTMS parent’s corporate business first, then to the local business community. Here are the current local sponsors.        Partner with local schools to join forces for programs like roundtables, and to interact with local community institutions like the UF/IFAS Extension Office which offers multiple resources which enable teachers, parents, and students to enhance life; i.e.  Farm to School, 4H, Butterfly Garden, Sea Level Rise, Master Garden, Vegetable Gardens, Urban Food Production Alternatives. Also, cooperate with local groups such as the Rotary Club of Weston which promotes leadership activities and service opportunities to benefit the community.        Reach out to parents directly via phone to learn how PTA can help. As parents, we are often busy and we may not be aware of what is being sent or communicated to us and how relevant the messages we receive are to our family lives. PTA can help parents and families navigate these informational and communication needs.        Create  a "Teachers are Parent’s Partners" campaign. Motivate  parents to reach out to each of their teachers and learn how to work together to achieve their children’s learning objectives. Highlight to parents the importance of the teacher’s job. No parents or teachers are alone on the mission to inspire children. 

KNOW YOUR PTA BOARD MEMBERS

PTA TREASURER, Vyju NarendraI PTA to support my children as much as I can.My job as Treasurer is custody the association interests, do the checks and balances to keep a sound financial system at all times.

VP OF VOLUNTEERS, Virginia Victorio "I PTA because I believe in the power that encouragement has in our children's life and in their future. As VP of Volunteers, I plan to create an inclusive environment where volunteers can feel engaged and motivated to participate in events and assignments for the benefit of the students and the school. At the same time, I aspire to build a link between the school and other parents that cannot be as involved as they would like. We are here for them and for their children".

VP OF MEMBERSHIP, Digna CorreaI PTA because I want to be the first to know, and contribute to the children and the school with talent and time.My job as VP of Membership is plan the annual membership campaign. The membership VP is responsible for creating and implementing a membership plan, promoting membership throughout the year, collecting dues and ensuring all members get the link to print the membership cards.

PTA RECORDING SECRETARY, Daniela de MajlatWhy I PTA,Because I want to know firsthand about the decisions that affect my childrenMy job as recording secretary is to keep a record of all conversations pertaining to the PTA including Minutes of meetings, correspondence to the PTA and up to date membership lists. I also support the PTA president by reminding him of PTA commitments he has made. 

VP OF WAYS AND MEANS, Azenet SierraMy name is Azenet Sierra. This is my second year serving in the TTMS PTA  as 2nd ‘VP Ways and Means’. My main function is to create a Ways and Means committee and oversee the Fundraising efforts. Once the committee is created, my aims are to plan and organize fundraising activities such as the school’s talent show zone to engage children, parents, teachers, and strengthen the community. I also focus on fundraising amounts needed to meet the event budget.Please email me if you would like to be part of the 2020-2021 committee! Email- Ttmsptawm@gmail.comwm@gmail.comCell-954-4102345954-410-2345

PTA PRESIDENT, Juan Sierra

I PTA because I want to play an active role in my kids' choices. The PTA President’s job is to work on the 2020-2021 Plan with the PTA team, by fulfilling the PTA Vision and Mission, and supporting the School Principal.Direct: 954-214-6796email: ttmsptapresident@gmail.com

PTA CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, Sandra Ares

My name is Sandra Ares and I volunteer for PTA to be involved and contribute in any small way I can to our kids’ education while having more access and information to the school’s vision and plans.

Responsibilities of the corresponding secretary include: handling correspondence of the PTA as requested (keeping files of all correspondence and carrying copies of recent correspondence to meetings), participating on executive board meetings, as well as overseeing sunshine committee.

KNOW YOUR PTA COMMITTEE CHAIRS

PTA WELCOMING COMMITTEE, Karim CoronadoNew at Tequesta Trace? New in town? English is not your mother language? We are here to help you.  If you have questions about our school or community or you want to know how you can get involved at school through our PTA activities, just contact us at  ttmswelcome@gmail.com  . We can help you in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.Comité de Bienvenida¿Nuevo en Tequesta Trace? ¿Nuevo en la ciudad? ¿El inglés no es tu idioma materno? Estamos aquí para ayudarte.  Si tienes preguntas sobre nuestra escuela o comunidad o si quieres saber cómo involucrarte en la escuela a través de nuestras actividades del PTA, sólo escríbenos a ttmswelcome@gmail.com  Te podemos ayudar en inglés, español, portugués y francés. Comitê de BenvindaNovo no Tequesta Trace? Novo na cidade? O Inglês não é seu idioma nativo? Estamos aqui para te ajudar. Se tiver perguntas sobre a nossa escola, nossa comunidade ou quiser saber como participar das atividades da nossa escola através do PTA, é só contatar-nos pelo e-mail: ttmswelcome@gmail.com. Podemos te ajudar em Português e Espanhol.

 PTA WEBMASTER, Shanna Llorens-FerrierMy name is Shanna Ferrier-Llorens. I am the TTMS PTA Webmaster. My goal is to keep our school website (ttms.my-pta.org) and our TTMS PTA Facebook page up to date. I hope to keep all of our Tracer Families informed with PTA/School news and events throughout the year. 

 

https://bit.ly/PTAMembers

CONVIERTETE EN UN MIEMBRO DEL PTA HOY!

https://bit.ly/PTAMembers

BECOME A PTA MEMBER TODAY!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DIAMOND SPONSORS!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GOLD SPONSORS!

15860 W SR-84Sunrise, FL 33326

(954) 533-5312

ALSO, SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SILVER AND BRONZE SPONSORS, AND ALL

DONORS TO THE 2020 TALENT SHOW!