International Baccalaureate at Miami Beach Senior High

Dear Scholars 10th graders and families,

First of all, let me please congratulate you on a job well done last week during our IB site visit.  The interview team was very positive in our exit interview, and specifically singled out the motivation of our students and support of our parents for commendation.  I am optimistic that we will hear good news this spring — thank you for being well-informed and effective advocates for our school.

The site visit team advised to proceed as though we are going to be authorized, which means selecting students as soon as possible so that we can build a cohesive cohort this spring.  To that end, I want to outline the admissions timeline below:

1. TODAY: The IB Application goes live online.  Please review the application with your family over winter break and decide if you are interested in the program.  Feel free to email me any questions at aweiss@dadeschools.net.
2. JANUARY 13: Teachers will make presentations on their courses to interested students and parents in the auditorium.  Each teacher will explain external and internal assessments, what kind of assignments students can expect, and how the course will differ from similar AP coursework.  Teachers, students and parents, please RSVP here: http://scholarsacademy.ning.com/events/ib-teacher-presentation
3. JANUARY 22: IB applications are due in my office, room 706.  If I am not in my office, please place them in the folder on my door.
4. From JANUARY 25 to FEBRUARY 14: a committee of IB teachers will review applications and call in selected students for interviews.  During this process, the committee will determine whether there are enough students to fill one or two IB sections (Mathematics/Math Studies and Biology HL / Chemistry SL). 
5. FEBRUARY 14: admissions decisions will be sent via email. 
6. From FEBRUARY 17 to FEBRUARY 28: I will meet with accepted students and parents to formally plan out two years of IB coursework.  This means the school commits to offering the courses and the student commits to taking them.  We will be using the school’s security cameras to record the signing of paperwork.  I am kidding, sort of.
7. MARCH 5: IB induction ceremony in the school auditorium.  Teachers are parents are encouraged to bear witness to the significant commitment these students will be undertaking. 
8. REST OF YEAR: Inducted students will learn more about Creativity, Action, Service and Extended Essay requirements and will begin to draft proposals and select faculty mentors.  Also, anticipate some fun team-building activities:  Ziplines. Rope Bridges.  Human Pyramids.

So, to sum up, please download a copy of the IB Application and review it over winter break.  Make sure you visit the teacher presentations after break and that you submit your application by January 22.  And as always, if you have any questions, email me at aweiss@dadeschools.net.

This has been an exciting year for the Scholars Academy, and I can’t wait to see our IB program take shape over course of the new year.  In case I don’t see you before break, everyone please have a happy and healthy holiday and a joyous New Year celebration.  I will far, far out of email contact over break.  Test my out-of-office reply to find out where starting Saturday!

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss

December Advisory Board Meeting

Dear Scholars Community,

Just a quick reminder that our monthly parent meeting will be this Thursday at 7 PM at the Kramer home at 2834 Regatta Ave.  I plan on briefing everyone on our IB Site Visit and outlining a timetable on joining the IB program moving forward.  I hope to see you there!

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss

IB Site Visit

Dear Scholars Community,

The big day is finally here for IB at Miami Beach Senior High!  On December 7 and 8, the International Baccalaureate Organization is coming to inspect our school to decide whether we will be authorized to launch the IB Diploma Programme next year.

The Parent Interview is December 7 at 4 PM, and I would very much like to show the IBO a strong turnout.  If you are interested in the IB Diploma for your child, please consider attending. 

The Student Interview is December 8 at 11:15 AM.  All Scholars Academy sophomores with all A’s and B’s will be released from class to attend.

The interviews are our opportunity to show what we know about the IB Diploma, and to show our enthusiasm for bringing IB to Miami Beach Senior High.  To that end, I want to reattach my general IB presentation here:  IB Presentation.  I will also be visiting sophomore classes towards the end of this week to give my dog and pony show and answer your questions.

I’d also like unveil the winning entries in the IB Learner Profile / Get Famous at MBSH Poster Contest.  The posters should be up around school by the end of the week.  Much respect to Carlos Morales, who shot most of the winning entries:

Over the past two years I have truly come to believe that IB will do great things at MBSH if we all work together.  Let’s show the IBO who we are, what we know and what we can do!

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss

November Meeting Rescheduling (again)

Dear Scholars Community,

I hate to do this, but it looks as though we are going to have to reschedule our November advisory board meeting one last time.  Dr Sidener was called out of the building for a meeting with her immediate supervisors, and I know that everyone is looking forward to hearing from her. 

We are setting the meeting for Friday, November 20 at 7:30 AM in the Media Center.  To download the event into Outlook or iCal, or to RSVP electronically, click here: http://scholarsacademy.ning.com/events/sa-advisory-board-meeting-all-2

I apologize for the inconvenience and hope that many people are still able to make the re-rescheduled meeting – it should be very informative with regards to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

As always, to see the schedule of all future events, click here: http://scholarsacademy.ning.com/events

To receive future event reminders by email, click here: http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=LatestEvents-MyScholarsAcademy

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss

Advisory Board Meeting Change

Dear Scholars Community,

Our monthly advisory board meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 AM in the media center, due to a conflict with a PTSA meeting.  Unfortunately, we can only be in one place at a time!  Here is the link to RSVP or download a reminder into your Outlook / iCal: http://scholarsacademy.ning.com/events/sa-advisory-board-meeting-all-2

To see the schedule of all future events, click here: http://scholarsacademy.ning.com/events

To receive future event reminders by email, click here: http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=LatestEvents-MyScholarsAcademy

Don’t forget that our meetings are truly open to the general public.  There are no requirements or dues to attend and your presence is always appreciated.  Dr. Sidener and Ms. Robins will be on hand to answer your IB related questions this month – as we approach our IB site visit this December, I hope to see many faces new and old!

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss

Scholars Academy Club Dues and Executive Board Meeting

Hi Everyone!

I’m Erica Graff, the President of the Scholars Academy Club.

To the Executive Board: We will be having a short meeting on Tuesday, November 10 in Mr. Weiss’ office right after school.

To the rest of the Scholars Academy: Dues are $10 and should be paid by November 20. They can be paid to Gaby Gerinska. I encourage all of you to join the Scholar’s Academy club. All of the money collected will directly benefit you in your classrooms.  If you are unable to afford the $10, please see Mr. Weiss for a waiver.

Thanks!

Erica

A Few Good Interns

Dear Scholars,

State Senator Dan Gelber’s office is looking for additional interns.  Please read the job posting below:

I am looking for a few good interns, to add to the great ones we already have. State Senator Dan Gelber’s  is running for the position of Florida Attorney General.The primary will be held in August 2010, and the general election will be the following November.

 I’m looking for six or more students who have good computer skills, are interested in learning about the state-wide campaign process, and are able to work in a fast paced office. The tasks range from research, which is then entered into spread sheets,to preparing materials for fundraisers and conventions,  to the ubiquitous stuffing and stamping of envelopes, and everything in between.

Ideally, the students would be able to commit to at least two days per week for a minimum of two and a half hours each time. I’m also happy to speak to someone who can give more hours, but fewer days. Bringing their own laptops is a plus.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to email me at henri@dangelber.com.

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss

Monday Trip to CGHS

Dear Sophomores,

Just a reminder to everyone that we are heading down to Coral Gables High School Monday afternoon at 4 PM to learn more about the IB Diploma Programme from actual, real live IB students and parents.  I hope you are able to attend – please RSVP on my door.

For more information, see my original post: http://scholarsacademy.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/ib-the-real-deal/

See you soon!

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss

IB: The Real Deal

Dear Scholars Sophomores and Families,

As I’m sure you’re already well aware, you are positioned to be the first class in the history of Miami Beach Senior High to receive the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma.  You’ve probably heard me go on and on about the benefits of the IB program.  You might even have viewed some version of the handy IB_Presentation I’ve shown at various venues.  If you’re really lucky, you might remember something informative I said.

Well, now you have the chance to see something truly rare: I will shut up, for roughly one hour, on October 26, 2009.  It will be a sight to behold.  You will want to bring your friends and family to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially after you see the breathtaking flyer that will appear all over school tomorrow morning:

As the flyer says, the idea is that you will have the opportunity to learn firsthand from current Coral Gables IB students and their parents about what the program is like: how much homework is assigned, how difficult the exams are, what kind of studying is necessary, etc.  That way, you will be able to begin to determine for yourself whether you are interested in pursuing all the aforementioned benefits of International Baccalaureate, pending our site visit and authorization.  I promise I will be quiet the whole time.

The details of the event are as follows: A bus will leave MBSH at 4:00 PM to try and avoid traffic heading south to Coral Gables.  If we get there early, we will be able to grab a quick bite at the Merrick Park Mall.  At 5:30,  the IB Coordinator of CGSH will give a quick rundown of how their program works, after which there will be some structured Q and A time and breakout sessions for parents to speak frankly to parents and for students to speak frankly to students.  We will leave CGSH at 7 PM and return to MBSH before 8 PM.

I will be speaking to teachers this week to try and assure that there won’t be any tests or major assignments due Tuesday.  Please RSVP either electronically, or by signing up on my door in room 706.  As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me at aweiss@dadeschools.net.

I hope to see many sophomores and their parents at the event.  Don’t forget to RSVP!

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss

Class of 2014

Dear Scholars Community,

I’d like to announce that the online application is now live for the class of 2014.  I can’t believe that is recruitment season again, especially since it was 97 degrees yesterday, but I am excited to meet with all of our potential scholars.

You can find the application online by going to http://scholarsacademy.ning.com and clicking on the “Apply” tab.  Parents and students should review the application together before submitting, as the form contains lots of important information regarding prerequisite courses, gifted classification, space constraints, notification timelines, and other FAQ. 

The most important thing for you to know is that our priority deadline is Jauary 15.  If you apply prior to this date, your application will be considered without concern for space constraints.  No qualified candidate who applies before January 15 will be turned down.  However, after January 15, I will have to see how many spaces are open and judge your application relative to those of other applicants.  I may have to stress you out by placing you on a waitlist, and that is never fun, so please do your best to apply before January 15.

In general, we are looking for students with a 3.0 unweighted GPA in their academic classes, who are excited to take high-level academic classes in each discipline for all four years.  Virtually all of our students enter ninth grade having already taken Algebra I and Earth Space Science as a minimum; if you do not fall into this category, please contact me directly at aweiss@dadeschools.net so we can figure out if there is a way to keep you on track for success in the Scholars Academy.  There is usually something we can do, but the sooner we speak, the better.

I will be hosting tours of the school most weeks prior to January 15.  The tours will leave at 9 AM on Fridays from my office (706).   Please RSVP electronically at http://scholarsacademy.ning.com/events if you intend to attend one.  Also, please consider joining the “Future Hi-Tides“ group on the My Scholars Academy social network.  It is a great way for me to get important information to applicants and recently accepted students. 

Please forward this post to anyone considering the Scholars Academy or Miami Beach Senior High.  I think we have a top-rate program and would love to show prospective students and families what we do here.  Feel free to contact me at aweiss@dadeschools.net

Best Regards,

Andy Weiss