FUN Raising Family Event Saturday at Beach Club
Published in The Islander News October 4, 2008
By Orlando Rodriguez. orodriguez@islandernews.com
The Key Biscayne Education Foundation, Inc. is sponsoring the "FUN Raising and Family Event" from 6-10 p.m. Saturday at the Beach Club, 685 Ocean Drive, in hopes of drumming up support for the proposed charter high school and lifelong-learning Initiative.
"Our intent is to have a gathering for community members of all ages and position on the high school initiative to jointly enjoy an evening full of entertainment with food, live music, drinks, bingo and an outdoors movie with popcorn among other activities," said Angel Martin, chairman of Key Biscayne Education Foundation, Inc. "All Council members have been invited to participate, and our Mayor, Bob Vernon, and Councilwoman Pat Weinam will briefly address the attendees with their views on the lifelong learning opportunity we have in our island. This event will give residents of all ages the opportunity to exchange ideas, get to know each other, have fun and contribute to building inter-generational bridges."
Martin, who also chairs the Charter School Steering Committee of the Key Biscayne High School Stakeholders Group, characterized the event as an exercise in grassroots "community-building" and futher painted the informal gathering of friends and neighbors as an opportunity for mending the disconnect presently felt between proponents of establishing a local high school and those who are not fully sold on the idea.
“Basically we want for the community to understand that there is a clear intent on our side for this project to be a community asset, and not as something we are pushing on the community or Council," said Martin.
Martin said there is misinformation in the community about the school initiative, and building understanding of what his group is trying to achieve in a relaxing and informal setting is the main objective of Saturday's event.
Established in 2007 by a small group of parents interested in establishing a community-focused public high school on the island, the Key Biscayne High School Stakeholders Group engages in a wide array of advocacy activities, including development and updating of its website, printing flyers and postcards, distributing promotional materials and conducting informational workshops at the Community Center.
The group won a small victory in July 2008 when the Village Council approved the submission of an application to the Miami-Dade County Public School District to establish a municipal charter high school in Key Biscayne. However, on September 9, the Council deferred the application.
Now, Martin and other like-minded school advocates are encouraging the public to attend upcoming visioning workshops to express their interests and share their opinions on the feasibility of a charter high school in Key Biscayne.
In the meantime, Martin recommends attending Saturday's family shindig at the Beach Club.
"It's going to be an informal, relaxing environment where everyone can have a transparent, clear conversation about the issues," he said.
Tickets prices are $25 per adult and $15 for children 4-14 and for adults over age 65. The price of admission covers food, one soft drink and entertainment.
"Proceeds are just expected to pay for the venue, as the event is intended to build community by bringing together residents of all ages," Martin said.
For tickets or additional information, visit www.hs4kb.com or call 305-9629797.
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