This past Saturday, November 12th, the University of Miami School of Law’s Center for Ethics and Public Service (CEPS) along with the Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance as well as health and education providers throughout the city of Miami hosted the inaugural Coconut Grove Community Health and Education Fair at Esther Mae Armbrister Park adjacent to G. W. Carver Elementary. The free event brought together elementary, middle, and high school-aged children and their parents to celebrate health, education, and community.

The morning started with a neighborhood beautification project, whereby event volunteers and project participants helped to restore the natural beauty of the community by gathering trash and debris. Afterwards, the festivities kicked-off with a variety of fun-filled activities. There was an arts and crafts table, face painting, a bounce house, various sporting events, a live DJ, and a tour of an actual fire truck by the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Free medical services were provided by Helen Bentley Family Health Center and the Miami Dade Health Department. Other sponsors provided additional health-related information, while numerous volunteer groups organized educational and sports activities.

Event sponsors included:

• University of Miami School of Law’s Center for Ethics and Public Service (CEPS)
• Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance
• Helen Bentley Family Health Center
• Thelma Gibson Health Initiative
• Coconut Collaborative Incorporated
• The City of Miami Fire-Rescue
• The City of Miami Police Department
• St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center
• Father’s to the Rescue
• Break Through Miami
• Ransom Everglades School

Box Tops for Education has helped America’s schools earn over $400 million since 1996. You can earn cash for Carver Elementary by clipping Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products. Box Tops also offers easy ways to earn even more cash for our school online.

Box Tops for Education Links:
- General Information
- Ways to Earn Points
- Participating Products
- Participating Online Stores
- Carver Elementary Earnings

How to Participate
Clip Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products or earn eBoxTops when you shop online at e-retailers.

If clipping, please cut the Box Tops along the dotted lines, making certain to leave no more than a 1/4 inch border. Additionally, be sure to check the expiration date for the Box Tops. Then, return your collected Box Tops to your child’s Home Room Teacher.

If shopping online, then go to the Box Tops for Education Online Marketplace to get started.

Below is a short video detailing the Box Tops for Education program.

Enroll in the REDcard® “Take Charge of Education” program for free, and Target® will donate up to 1% of your REDcard® purchases to Carver Elementary.

The Carver Elementary School ID number for this program is: 40260

Target® REDcard® “Take Charge of Education” Links:
- General Information
- FAQs
- Enrollment Information
- Carver Elementary Account Details

Brief Program Overview
Target Credit Card® and Target® Visa® Credit Card account holders can sign up for the Take Charge of Education program by calling 1-800-316-6142 or by visiting Target.com/tcoe or an in-store kiosk. The primary cardholder of a Target Debit Card™ can sign up for the Take Charge of Education program by calling 1-800-316-6142.

Designate an eligible K-12 school, and Target donates an amount equal to one percent (1%) of your Target Credit Card, Target Visa Credit Card or Target Debit Card purchases (minus returns and sales tax) at any Target store and Target.com, and one-half percent (1/2%) of your Target Visa Credit Card purchases made (not including cash advances, balance transfers and purchases of other cash equivalents, and minus returns and sales tax) everywhere else Visa credit cards are accepted. Target will track purchases made on participating Target Credit Cards, Target Visa Credit Cards, and Target Debit Cards, and will distribute the accumulated donations to schools in September.

 
Ghosts and witches joined princesses and super heroes for a fun-filled evening at the annual Little Carver Fall Carnival Sock-Hop hosted by the PTA on October 26th. There was dancing, carnival-style games, face painting, delicious food and lots more.

Reading at grade level by the third grade is the leading indicator of school success and high school graduation, but one-third of our third graders fail to reach this critical benchmark. Guests from Miami-Dade County Public Schools; the office of Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Early Learning Coalition; and Miami-Dade Public Library System talk about a new countywide initiative with the goal of reducing by half the number of third graders not reading at grade level by 2020. Also, President and CEO of The Children’s Trust, Modesto E. Abety-Gutierrez, talks about his recent appointment to President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and the work of this Commission.

October 28

Event: Monster Splash
Time: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Place: Miami Seaquarium; Miami, FL 33149
Description: This family-friendly extravaganza will keep your young ghosts and ghouls entertained throughout the night with a kid-friendly haunted house, carnival rides, food and Halloween themed shows. Older scare-seekers will also have their own bone chilling experience with a separate haunted house. Kids will also have fun getting goodies from “trick or treat” stations throughout the park.
Admission: General Admission $38.95, Children (3 to 9) $28.95, Plus 7% Florida sales tax, Parking $8.
Website: http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/index.htm

Event: Pumpkin Patch
Time: 3-7 p.m.
Place: Little Farm; Redland, FL 33170
Description: Pumpkins, Pony Rides, Petting Farm, Scarecrow Kits and Harvest Decor.
Admission: No entry fee and no reservation required.
Website: http://www.thelittlefarm.us/pumpkin_patch.html

Event: Boo Bash
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
Place: Dadeland Mall; Miami, FL 33156
Description: This family-friendly extravaganza will keep your young ghosts and ghouls entertained throughout the night with a kid-friendly haunted house, carnival rides, food and Halloween themed shows. Older scare-seekers will also have their own bone chilling experience with a separate haunted house. Kids will also have fun getting goodies from “trick or treat” stations throughout the park.
Admission: Free to Simon Kidgits Club members or families can sign up for membership fee of $5.
Website: http://www.simon.com/mall/EventsDetails.aspx?id=138&oid=66420

October 29

Event: Monster Splash
Time: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Place: Miami Seaquarium; Miami, FL 33149
Description: This family-friendly extravaganza will keep your young ghosts and ghouls entertained throughout the night with a kid-friendly haunted house, carnival rides, food and Halloween themed shows. Older scare-seekers will also have their own bone chilling experience with a separate haunted house. Kids will also have fun getting goodies from “trick or treat” stations throughout the park.
Admission: General Admission $38.95, Children (3 to 9) $28.95, Plus 7% Florida sales tax, Parking $8.
Website: http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/index.htm

Event: Halloween Spooktacular
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Place: Jungle Island; Miami, FL 33132
Description: Calling all princesses, goblins, superheroes and angels: There is only one place to be this Halloween weekend and that’s Jungle Island’s Annual Halloween Spooktacular! From trick-or-treating through the Jungle to our themed animal shows, kids of all ages will enjoy a family friendly, fun-filled day on Jungle Island. Plus, children ages 3-10 can enter in our annual Costume Contest.
Admission: In honor of the spookiness, adults and kids (3-10) come in the Jungle for just $15 – and kids (ages 3-10) in full costume come in for just $10.
Website: http://www.jungleisland.com/public/explore/hours/index.cfm

Event: Pumpkin Patch
Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Place: Little Farm; Redland, FL 33170
Description: Pumpkins, Pony Rides, Petting Farm, Scarecrow Kits and Harvest Decor.
Admission: No entry fee and no reservation required.
Website: http://www.thelittlefarm.us/pumpkin_patch.html

Event: Frost Family Day
Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Place: Frost Art Museum at F.I.U.; Miami, FL 33199
Description: Bring your “costumed” kids for this Halloween themed family day full of themed arts and crafts for their little guests.
Admission: All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise mentioned.
Website: http://thefrost.fiu.edu/event.htm

Event: Zoo Boo
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Place: Zoo Miami; Miami, FL 33177
Description: Included with zoo admission, families and kids ages 12 and under are invited to trick-or-treat in costumes, participate in costume contests, watch special performances, make Halloween crafts, see our wild animals get their Halloween goodies, and more! Music and games with fun prizes will be provided by Radio Disney AM 990 and The Coast 97.3 FM.
Admission: General zoo admission is $15.95 per adult and $11.95 per child (ages 3 – 12) plus tax. Children under two, Zoological Society of Florida members, and parking are free.
Website: http://www.miamimetrozoo.com/articles.asp?categoryId=1&Id=546

Event: Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Parade
Time: 12-5 p.m.
Place: Pinecrest Gardens; Pinecrest, FL 33156
Description: Pinecrest Gardens invites you to enjoy a day of Halloween fun at their annual Howl-O-Ween event. People and pet-friendly activities include a pet fair and a pet costume parade. When the sun goes down, enjoy a flashlight guided tour through the gardens and a family-friendly movie under the stairs.
Admission: $3 Adults, $2 (Children 2-17), Children under 2 and pets admitted free.
Website: http://www.pinecrest-fl.gov/index.aspx?page=322

Event: Spooktacular
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Place: The Falls Mall; Miami, FL 33176
Description: Fun Halloween-inspired games and activities as well as pumpkin decorating from Whole Foods. Snap a shot with spooky stilt walkers, festive giveaways and more. Kids are encourages to come in costumes, but no weapons or scary masks of any kind.
Admission: Event is free to Kidgits members and the general public admission is $5.
Website: http://www.simon.com/mall/EventsDetails.aspx?id=1232&oid=67271

Event: Spooky Event
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Place: Gold Coast Railroad Museum; Miami, FL 33177
Description: Trick-or-treating, train rides, and more on these special evenings at the train museum.
Admission: Tickets $5 dollars ages 1 and up.
Website: http://gcrm.org/specevnt.aspx

October 30

Event: Howl-O-Ween Dog Show
Time: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Place: Fairchild Gardens; Miami, FL 33156
Description: Enjoy special activities for pups as you parade through Fairchild’s lush tropical surroundings.
Admission: $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up and $12 for children 6-17. Free for Fairchild Members and children 5 and under.
Website: http://www.fairchildgarden.org/Events/?date=10-2011&eventID=592

Event: Monster Splash
Time: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Place: Miami Seaquarium; Miami, FL 33149
Description: This family-friendly extravaganza will keep your young ghosts and ghouls entertained throughout the night with a kid-friendly haunted house, carnival rides, food and Halloween themed shows. Older scare-seekers will also have their own bone chilling experience with a separate haunted house. Kids will also have fun getting goodies from “trick or treat” stations throughout the park.
Admission: General Admission $38.95, Children (3 to 9) $28.95, Plus 7% Florida sales tax, Parking $8.
Website: http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/index.htm

Event: Halloween Spooktacular
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Place: Jungle Island; Miami, FL 33132
Description: Calling all princesses, goblins, superheroes and angels: There is only one place to be this Halloween weekend and that’s Jungle Island’s Annual Halloween Spooktacular! From trick-or-treating through the Jungle to our themed animal shows, kids of all ages will enjoy a family friendly, fun-filled day on Jungle Island. Plus, children ages 3-10 can enter in our annual Costume Contest.
Admission: In honor of the spookiness, adults and kids (3-10) come in the Jungle for just $15 – and kids (ages 3-10) in full costume come in for just $10.
Website: http://www.jungleisland.com/public/explore/hours/index.cfm

Event: Pumpkin Patch
Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Place: Little Farm; Redland, FL 33170
Description: Pumpkins, Pony Rides, Petting Farm, Scarecrow Kits and Harvest Decor.
Admission: No entry fee and no reservation required.
Website: http://www.thelittlefarm.us/pumpkin_patch.html

Event: Zoo Boo
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Place: Zoo Miami; Miami, FL 33177
Description: Included with zoo admission, families and kids ages 12 and under are invited to trick-or-treat in costumes, participate in costume contests, watch special performances, make Halloween crafts, see our wild animals get their Halloween goodies, and more! Music and games with fun prizes will be provided by Radio Disney AM 990 and The Coast 97.3 FM.
Admission: General zoo admission is $15.95 per adult and $11.95 per child (ages 3 – 12) plus tax. Children under two, Zoological Society of Florida members, and parking are free.
Website: http://www.miamimetrozoo.com/articles.asp?categoryId=1&Id=546

October 31

Event: Monster Splash
Time: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Place: Miami Seaquarium; Miami, FL 33149
Description: This family-friendly extravaganza will keep your young ghosts and ghouls entertained throughout the night with a kid-friendly haunted house, carnival rides, food and Halloween themed shows. Older scare-seekers will also have their own bone chilling experience with a separate haunted house. Kids will also have fun getting goodies from “trick or treat” stations throughout the park.
Admission: General Admission $38.95, Children (3 to 9) $28.95, Plus 7% Florida sales tax, Parking $8.
Website: http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/index.htm

Event: Halloween on the Mile
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Place: Miracle Mile; Coral Gables, FL 33134
Description: Downtown Coral Gables invites kids of all ages to enjoy safe Halloween festivities. There will be scary story telling, safe trick-or-treating along Miracle Mile and adjacent streets, live entertainment, Halloween-themed photo booth and kiddie and doggie costume contests.
Admission: Free.
Website: http://shopcoralgables.com/blog/2011/10/12/14th-annual-halloween-on-the-mile/

Event: Mall-O-Ween Event
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Place: Dadeland Mall; Miami, FL 33156
Description: Ghouls and Goblins 12 and under are invited to attend the annual Trick-or-Treat in the Mall. Join in a safe well-lit environment and grab some goodies from Dadeland Mall. No toy weapons. Costumes should be worn only during event hours and masks are allowed only on children 12 years old and younger. Don’t forget your free trick-or-treat bag and DOLE Real Fruit Bites samples while supplies last.
Admission: Free.
Website: http://www.simon.com/mall/EventsDetails.aspx?id=138&oid=66413

This past Saturday, October 22nd, on the campus of the University of Miami, I attended the Second Annual Fatherhood Conference hosted by the Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida and the University of Miami School of Education. The theme for this year’s conference was “Building Family Success: Keeping Fathers Involved”. Included as part of the conference was a vendor exhibit featuring local children, father and family-focused community associations and organizations.

The mission of the Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida is to facilitate the involvement of fathers in the lives of children. To that end, the conference brings together fathers, local officials, community leaders, organizations and associations (nonprofit, aid, etc.) to learn how best to encourage fathers to become active participants as well as discuss the importance of fathers in the lives of their children.

Some of the featured speakers included the President of the Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida, Holly Zwerling; former publisher of the Miami Herald, CEO of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation and leader of The Children’s Movement of Florida, David Lawrence, Jr.; syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald, author and Pulitzer Prize recipient, Leonard Pitts, Jr.; Dean of the University of Miami School of Education, Isaac Prilleltensky; Associate Dean for Research and Director at the University of Miami, Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D.; Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Shahnaz Duara, M.D.; Chief Judge of the Juvenile Division Circuit Court, Honorable Orlando A. Prescott.

The following is a summary of the key points from some of the featured speakers:

Holly Zwerling

• The importance of a father in a child’s life needs to be validated; this conference and its supporters are committed to this goal.

David Lawrence, Jr.

• America should be worried by the attitudes of its citizens towards the lack of importance for a strong family unit, as well as the lack of concern for supporting those mechanisms that foster a strong family unit.
• It is important to live the present years with your children, because once these years have passed, it is impossible to regain the time.

Leonard Pitts, Jr.

• There needs to be a re-defining of “what it means to be a man”; shift emphasis from one’s physical toughness and masculine swagger to one’s commitment to support (emotionally, spiritually and financially) their loved ones while serving as a positive role model for their families and the community.
• Contrary to popular culture’s message, fathers do matter; this message needs to promoted in our households, communities and society as a whole.
• A single mother cannot truly serve the role of both mother as well as father; there is a distinct difference between what mothers provide (mentally, emotionally and physically) to their children versus that which fathers provide.

Dr. Shahnaz Duara

• During a women’s pregnancy, there is a lack of inclusion of fathers by the medical community.
• Recent studies confirm there is a direct correlation between the level of a father’s participation during pregnancy, and the overall rate of successful deliveries.
• There is a growing adoption of “Kangaroo Care” – skin-to-skin contact between a new born and the care-giver – for the treatment of certain infant conditions as well as for the overall healthy development of infants.

Honorable Orlando A. Prescott

• The judicial system is not bias against men with regards to issues of parental rights.
• A father has a mandated right to be involved in the lives of their children; the courts are the proper forum for achieving this outcome.
• There are many resources available to provide free legal counseling to fathers seeking help with issues regarding parental rights.

The following files contain information distributed at the conference:

• 2011 Fatherhood Conference Schedule and Speaker Profiles
• Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida “Becoming a New Father” Brochure
• Fatherhood Facilitation Support Group Meeting; November 10-11, 2011

For more information about the Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida, contact Holly Zwerlig at 305-812-4000, via email at fatherhoodtfsf@aol.com or visit www.fatherhoodtaskforceofsouthflorida.org.

For more information on the University of Miami School of Education visit www.education.miami.edu.

To purchase a copy of the book “Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood” by Leonard Pitts, Jr. visit Amazon.com.

Red Ribbon Drug Free Week. The Red Ribbon Campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week, October 23-October 31 each year. Wear your Red Badge proudly and have the courage to say no to drugs.

The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment toward the creation of a DRUG-FREE AMERICA. Learn more details about Red Ribbon Week.

Support the Little Carver First Graders’ Coupon Drive benefiting U.S. Troops. Led by the efforts of Mrs. Torres, the First Grade classes are collecting coupons to help U.S. Troops supplement their incomes. The students have adopted the U.S. Naval Base in Gaeta, Italy, and have thus far collected and sent over 2000 manufacturer‘s coupons to the service women and men stationed at the base. In addition to the students participating in the coupon drive, Mrs. Navarro -Italian teacher- will be teaching the IS students about Gaeta, Italy.

Please support the First Graders’ Coupon Drive efforts by submitting pre-cut manufacturer’s coupons to Mrs. Torres in Room #7, any morning before school or by taking the coupons to the Main Office for placement in her school mailbox. The drive ends on Veteran’s Day, Friday, November 11, 2011. Learn more details about the Overseas Coupon Program.

Thank you to all that volunteered to be Room Parents. The Little Carver teachers and PTA would like to acknowledge and thank the following parents who have volunteered to be Room Parents.

• [Kindergarten: Mrs. Miller] Melani Pauly, Marisa Casablanca
• [Kindergarten: Mrs. Navarro] Mariel Piedra
• [Kindergarten: Mrs. O. Gonzalez] Eunice Sala-Suarez
• [First Grade: Mrs. Schilling and Mrs. Aguilera] Ani Fernandez
• [First Grade: Mrs. Trailor] Maribel Plasencia
• [Second Grade: Mrs. Doval] Dawn and Bobby Hayes, Oneika McGee
• [Second Grade: Mrs. H. Fernandez] Jessica Lopez
• [Second Grade: Mrs. Kaddour] Alicia Kossick
• [Third Grade: Mrs. Ferrer and Mrs. Black] Ana Luszczynska, Cristina Sesler
• [Third Grade: Mrs. Schriver] Mariel Piedra
• [Fourth Grade: Mrs. Gonzalez] Anna Bertram
• [Fourth Grade: Mrs. C. Fernandez] Carmen Rodriguez
• [Fourth Grade: Mrs. Marchan] Virginia Ariemma
• [Fifth Grade: Mr. Garcia] Chasity Moore
• [Fifth Grade: Mrs. Cabrera] Lucy Martinez
• [Fifth Grade: Mrs. Rebecca Gonzalez] Tracy SIres
• [Fifth Grade: Mrs. Muchette] Arlene Reyes, Karen Michelle Caldera