A Busy Time for All at MAST!

       

It certainly has been extremely busy for everyone at MAST - students and crew members alike - during the month of October.  Just a quick overview of the month includes a huge Ecomedia press conference including visits by Mr. Carvalho and Mayor Manny Diaz, the first of the Fairchild Challenge events, many college admissions visits for seniors, Intel training, visiting professors from around the world, U.S. Coast Guard vessel tours at our dock, parent group meetings, PSAT for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, a pending PLAN test, and election of MAST's Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year (Mr. Cruz & Ms. Plana - CONGRATULATIONS!), and a very successful magnet open house.

Our sails have been full of strong winds during the past weeks.  Ms. Yancoskie and Ms. Garcia have both completed and passed reviews for renewal of their National Board Certifications.  Mr. Cruz and Ms. Plana, as mentioned above, were chosen as MAST's representatives for the region and district competition for Teacher and Rookie Teacher of the Year, Mr. Tohulka is in the final preparations to become the first "Teacher Under the Sea" with the Aquarius Project, and we held an amazingly successful magnet open house for potential applicants.

Our magnet open house was extremely full as parents and students from around the district came to learn about MAST, tour the campus, and ask questions.  Many thanks to all who made the event so successful but particularly to Dr. Haun for planning the event, the USCG JROTC cadets who truly shined and exemplified what it means to be a MAST student, Dr. Khalil, Ms. Ulman, Ms. Yancoskie, Ms. Fischer, Ms. Posse, Ms. McCrary, Mr. Siegmeister, Ms. Fernandez, Ms. Marquez-Diaz, Ms. Sinkler, Mr. Cherilien, CWO Hawkins, Ms. Layne, and the multitude of PTSA and JROTC Booster Club parents who volunteered their time to support our programs.  We showed all who came to visit who we are and what we are about at MAST Academy!  Mako Pride shone brightly!

Earlier in the month we hosted the Ecomedia "Green My School" competition press conference that included school, civic, and business leaders from across the country.  Once again, MAST students and teachers put their best foot forward and delivered.  I will post a slide show of the event in the weeks to come for all to see.

Other highlights of the past few weeks include guest lecturers in partnership with UM RSMAS from around the world.  Professors Stefan and Vossler met and discussed global climate concerns with MAST students as well as sharing their research from across the world.  Soon, MAST will be able to broadcast these lectures and special presentations to schools around the county live in hopes of sharing the experience and powerful learning with students beyond our school.

Please stay tuned and add your comments about this blog.  More to come ...