Subscribe with Bloglines MAST Academy Captain's Blog: November 2009

MAST Mission Statement

MAST Academy provides a marine setting and a nurturing environment for studies leading to academic success, career preparation, an appreciation of the sea, and environmental awareness. Stakeholders work together to instill a commitment to life-long learning and to advance and improve a challenging curriculum integrated with sciences and technology.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

MAST Students taking the Initiative

Over the past several weeks, I have been speaking with many of the students about two things in particular:  initiative and perseverance.  Makos are incredible students who are leaders in their communities.  I have made the argument that for them to continue to learn and grow, they must take initiative for projects they wish to see done and that hold value for the community - be it home or school!  Once they take this responsibility, they must have the strength to see the project through, to persevere through the unforseen obstacles and unanticipated setbacks with which initiative often comes.

This in mind, I'd like to thanks and congratulate the Class of 2011 and cadets of the USCG JROTC who saw the need to spruce up the sand volleyball court.  Through their efforts, the court is looking as good as ever and is in top shape ready to be used in class, after school, or during activities period.  Congratulations for taking the initiative and making MAST better for it.

Congratulations to the following students who took on the project and saw it through to completion:
Paige Owens
Alexander Schwindeman
Ryan Leibowitz
Gabriela Aroca
Quinlan Canary
Rodrigo Silva Urlaneja
Max Cruz
Christian Archer
Joey Fernandez
Katie Goldberg
Alexadra Lara
Kevin Alvarez
David Escudero

Way to lead the way Makos!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Makos on the Move - Honors Won this Past Weekend

Congratulations to all the MAST students for representing us in such tremendous form this past weekend.

Model United Nations

The MAST Model United Nations team completed at Gulliver Prep this past weekend and did a great job!  Ms. Reboredo and the Makos garnered recognitions including:

Outstanding Delegates:

Michael Ronzetti representing Russia on the Security and Peace Committee.
Sebastian Borja representing South Africa in the General Assembly.
Nicolas Montano representing Panama in the Organization of American States.

Best Delegate:

Tosca Lichtenheld representing Ethiopia on the Security and Peace Committee.

Inaugural Model Water Tower Competition

In an event hosted by the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department and the Florida Section - American Water Works Association, Ms. Fernandez's MAST Academy engineering students won first, second, and third place honors for their designs and productions.  Student water towers were judged on hydraulic efficiency, structural efficiency, and innovation including use of recycled materials for construction.

Adopt-A-Classroom

Adopt-a-Classroom is a way for parents and community members to support specific classes and teachers.  If you would like to support any particular MAST classroom, please see the poster below and the Adopt-a-Classroom website by clicking on this entry's title or in the bar to the left!  Thank you!




Advance Tickets for The Fair



Click on the entry title for the link to The Fair's website for more information!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Calendar for November 23-27, 2009 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


Ms. Jones-Roberts - Regional Center III Teacher of the Year Finalist

Congratulations to our own Ms. Jones-Roberts for being selected one of the Regional Center III Teacher of the Year finalists.  Up next are committee observations and finalist interviews!  Congratulations and good luck as we move ahead!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Miami-Dade PTA/PTSA Education Forum

Please see the flyer below with information about the Education Forum hosted by the Miami-Dade PTA/PTSA at the School Board Auditorium this Thursday evening.


Sunday, November 15, 2009

Weekly Calendars - November 16 - 20 & 23 - 27, 2009

Here is what is on the horizon for MAST this week!  For a hand in planning ahead, please see the calendar at the bottom of the page.


Friday, November 13, 2009

MAST's Teacher and Rookie Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Ms. Jones-Roberts, MAST's nominee for Teacher of the Year, and Mr. Hamilton, MAST's nominee for Rookie Teacher of the Year.  Thank you both for your dedication and commitment to our students.  Good luck at the region level!




Freshmen Recognized - Sunshine State Scholars

Congratulations to the 39 MAST freshmen who received honors as Sunshine State Scholars.  Students are recognized by the state based on performance on the 2008-2009 mathematics and science sections of the FCAT.  Keep up the good work! Way to go, Makos!


Monday, November 9, 2009

MAST Academy's Electric Savings - September 2009

MAST received its first energy conservation report from downtown and it was excellent.  As you can see from the graph below, MAST came in 5.8% below our target.  We saved a total of $1129.18.  As per the email below, the school site will get to keep 75% of the savings - MAST's first month, for September 2009, resulted in a reinvestment of $846.89 for the school.  Congratulations to all the Makos.  We all win when we meet our energy goals.  Let's keep on this path and do even better!


"Attached please find an updated report reflecting the September, 2009 energy 

consumption for your site. As previously noted, each month you will receive similar updates 

so that you may monitor actual consumption vs. the targets, as well as monitor any cumulative rebates.
Remember that your site gets to keep 75% of any savings achieved beyond the targets."

What a great way for us to play to a win-win.  Less impact on our environment and increased funding for MAST!  All well within our control!  Keep it up!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Captain's Blog Update

Some time has passed since I last had the opportunity to write more extensively as to the sailings of MAST and her crew.  It has been an amazing full month with activities ranging from College Night, Principal for a Day, and Homecoming to MAST Expedition, PTSA & ABC meetings, and the completion of the first quarter.

This afternoon I received our first Energy Management Report from plant & facilities.  Congratulations to all as we came in 5.8% below our target.  Our total savings were about $1130.00.  As Mr. Carvalho announced at the Opening of School Meeting, at the end of the year, schools will get to keep 75% of the savings for site use!  That translates to just about $865.00 coming back to MAST for the month of September.  I sure hope this is a trend we can maintain over the course of the year.  I encourage everyone to  do all you can to save electricity when possible.

Congratulations and a huge thank you to Dr. Khalil, her students, and volunteers from TREEmendous - Miami.  This past Friday they planted about 100 new native trees about the MAST campus.  Over the next few years this will help us with more shade on campus and allow us to reduce and finally eliminate the need to use the sprinkler system in the front of the school therefore saving much water.

This year we renamed the internship fair and mock interview activity the MAST Expedition.  Each class had a different set of activities aimed at providing different learning experiences.  Ninth and tenth graders had a MAST Manners review paired with a discussion from representatives from the South Florida Federal Credit Union titled "The True Cost of a College Education."  Eleventh graders had a tripartite schedule that included a Money Matters discussion and presentation with partners from Merrill Lynch, a science research presentation, and a mock interview with one of the volunteer interviewers from local business and community partners.  Finally, the seniors walked to RSMAS for a senior breakfast followed by a keynote by Mr. Evan Forde and a presentation given by the South Florida Federal Credit Union called "How to Use and Build Good Credit."  The feedback from the students, teachers, and community members has been extremely positive.   The MAST Expedition is something that will only grow and get better in the future.

This year's Principal for a Day was MAST Advisory Board member and former MAST parent Mr. Chico Goldsmith.  We began the day with a quick breakfast and meeting with the curriculum council and spent the day working about MAST on different projects and visiting different classes.

Finally, Homecoming was a tremendous success!  Congratulations to everyone for all the work they put into making Poseidon's Adventure such a successful and enjoyable evening.  It was super to see everyone dressed up so sharply and putting their best foot forward.  Mako spirit was strong and everyone seemed to have a really enjoyable time.

As we sail onward, there is much to do.  The quarter has now ended and we are into the second quarter. Keep up all the hard work and make each moment count whether it is in the classroom, in the water, or on the field.  Go MAKOS!!

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