Latest news with #Miami-DadeCountyPublicSchools
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Miami-Dade Principal of the Year Gets New Car from Headquarter Toyota
Red-carpet event celebrates Walter C. Hall at Hialeah Dealership MIAMI, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a celebration of community and educational excellence, Headquarter Toyota — a family-owned dealership marking 35 years of service to South Florida — rolled out the red carpet to honor Walter C. Hall, the 2025 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Principal of the Year. The lively event at Headquarter's Hialeah showroom featured music, balloons, and a warm gathering of family and school officials, culminating in Principal Hall receiving the keys to a brand-new Toyota Camry SE with a complimentary three-year lease, presented by the dealership's President and CEO, Jeronimo Esteve. "Today, we celebrate not only the accomplishments of Walter Hall, but also all educators in Miami-Dade County Public Schools who help shape the future of our community," said Esteve. "Headquarter Toyota is proudly committed to education, and this gesture reflects our deep appreciation for those who inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders." Hall has served as principal of Leisure City K–8 Center since 2019 and has dedicated over two decades to Miami-Dade County Public Schools as both a teacher and administrator. Widely respected for his leadership, Hall led a major curriculum overhaul shortly after taking the helm—resulting in the highest assessment scores in the school's history and dramatically improving outcomes for students and staff. He is also a 2025 recipient of the Florida TaxWatch Principal Leadership Award, which honors outstanding leaders at Florida's high-risk K–12 schools. A hands-on administrator who fosters a culture of love, respect, and accountability, Hall describes his mission as personal. "I believe everyone has a purpose," Hall said. "We're here to make a difference in the lives of others. Leisure City is my purpose. I'm honored and humbled to lead such an incredible student body and faculty. I am also deeply grateful to Headquarter Toyota for this generous gift. This means the world to me—not just as an educator, but as someone who believes in the power of community. It's uplifting to know our work is valued and celebrated." Headquarter Toyota, the largest Hispanic-owned dealership in the United States, has served over three million customers since 1990 and has proudly awarded a new vehicle to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Principal of the Year for the second consecutive year. For more information, visit Contact: Carlos Espinosa, carlos@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Headquarter Toyota
CBS News
11-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Manolo Reyes, Miami city commissioner, dies at age 80 after years of public service
Miami City Commissioner Manolo Reyes, a dedicated public servant who overcame personal and political hurdles to become a respected voice in city government, has died at the age of 80, his family confirmed in a statement Friday. The statement did not mention Reyes' cause of death. Reyes had been hospitalized earlier in the week due to declining health, following a lengthy battle with cancer and other medical challenges in recent years. Reyes, who represented District 4, was serving the second year of his current term when his health took a downturn, forcing him to miss several City Commission meetings. Despite these setbacks, he had recently announced plans to run for mayor in 2025, sharing his intention with supporters during his 80th birthday celebration at City Hall in May. Reyes first ran for office in 1985 and lost six consecutive elections before finally securing a seat in 2017 at the age of 73. A trained economist, he had worked as a budget analyst for the city of Miami and later for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He also spent time in the classroom as a teacher at Westland Hialeah Senior High. Reyes was born in 1944 in the Cuban town of Victoria de las Tunas. His father served as the town's mayor until the rise of Fidel Castro in 1959, prompting the Reyes family to flee to the U.S. In 1977, Manolo Reyes earned a degree in economics from the University of Florida, launching a public service career rooted in fiscal policy and community development. In his final interview with the The Miami Herald , Reyes described holding public office as a calling rather than a career. "Power is given to you by the people to serve them, not yourself," he said. Reyes' contributions to Miami's political and civic life spanned decades, culminating in a tenure that, while beginning later in life, was marked by passion, integrity, and a deep commitment to his constituents. This article includes information from CBS Miami's news partner The Miami Herald .
Miami Herald
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami City Commissioner Manolo Reyes dies at 80
Miami City Commissioner Manolo Reyes, who dedicated his life to public service, has died at age 80. 'It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Miami City Commissioner for District 4 Manolo Reyes,' his family said in a statement Friday. The family did not provide further details. Earlier this week, Reyes was hospitalized due to a decline in health. He has faced health issues in recent years, including battling cancer. Reyes had a nontraditional path to elected office, winning his first election in 2017 at the age of 73 after six unsuccessful attempts dating back to 1985. Reyes was born in 1944 in Cuba in a town called Victoria de las Tunas, now known as Las Tunas. His father, Ernesto Reyes Payes, was mayor of the town from 1952 until 1959, when Fidel Castro seized power. That year, Reyes — then a teenager — came with his family to the U.S. seeking refuge from the Castro regime. In 1977, Reyes went on to graduate from the University of Florida, where he studied economics. After that, he landed a job at the city of Miami as a budget analyst. An economist by trade, Reyes served as the principal economic analyst for the Overtown Park West Redevelopment Project and later was a principal budget analyst for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He also taught at Westland Hialeah Senior High School. In an interview with the Miami Herald in May, Reyes said public office was something he considered to be a 'vocation.' 'If you get into government, you get power to serve, and many people forget about this,' Reyes said. 'You don't obtain power to serve yourself. The people give you power to serve them.' The commissioner began facing health problems not long after his first election in 2017. He went into remission in 2019 following an earlier battle with cancer. Then in September 2023, amid his reelection campaign, Reyes was diagnosed with leukemia. But by February 2024, Reyes announced that his cancer was in remission. In May, he celebrated his 80th birthday at City Hall, telling the crowd: 'It's like I was born again.' With three wins under his belt, Reyes appeared poised for his next chapter in Miami politics. He announced in May that he planned to run for mayor of Miami in 2025, 'God willing.' But the commissioner's health began to decline in subsequent months, causing Reyes to miss City Commission meetings. He was about halfway through his term at the time of his death.
Miami Herald
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami school board votes to urge Trump administration to protect law-abiding immigrants
In a rare showing of bipartisan unity, the Miami-Dade School Board voted in favor of a symbolic resolution to ask the Trump administration to create new protections for immigrants who will soon lose their Temporary Protected Status, also known as TPS. Venezuelan and Haitian immigrants will lose the protection, which allows people from countries with challenging circumstances to live and work legally in the United States, this year. The item passed with 5 votes in favor and 4 dissenting votes. Danny Espino was the vote that strayed from the board's usual conservative majority, allowing the item to pass. He joined with Steve Gallon, Luisa Santos, and Joseph Geller to propose the measure and Dorothy Bendross-Mindigal cast the fifth vote. Espino represents District 5 which includes Doral, a stronghold for Venezuelan immigrants, many of whom have or have family on TPS and have expressed frustration with the canceling of the program. The resolution urges the administration to consider new safeguards for law-abiding immigrants who were previously protected by TPS. The school board proposal explains that many families in Miami-Dade County Public Schools are recipients of TPS and will be impacted by the revocation of their status. 'The elimination of TPS without alternative safeguards unfortunately may jeopardize the legal status of many law-abiding students and their families in our community,' reads the item. The item calls on federal policymakers to 'create new measures that stabilize the immigration, employment, and protection status of law-abiding individuals who fled countries due to religious and political persecution, economic upheaval and civil unrest due to political corruption, and other similar crises.' During the meeting, board member Steve Gallon called immigrants in the community 'friends,' and said, 'we support you.' School board's role in influencing federal policy During a committee meeting on Tuesday before the school board meeting, Espino encouraged his fellow board members to search their hearts and support the item. The item was co-sponsored by Steve Gallon, Luisa Santos, and Joseph Geller. Gallon's district includes parts of Little Haiti, Miami Gardens, Opa Locka, North Miami, and North Miami Beach, which includes neighborhoods with large Haitian immigrant populations. Haitian capital Port-au-Prince is teetering on the verge of lawlessness as gangs are take over many of the institutions in the city, but as recently as last week a flight of Haitian deportees arrived back in the country. Joseph Geller said he vehemently disagreed with the idea that Venezuelans are a danger to society. 'They are no danger or threat to anyone who lives in this country. They are trying to be safe and they have done that within the confines of our system,' he said. Venezuelan migrants have been targeted by the Trump administration, which recently issued an executive order invoking the Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to 1798, in order to deport alleged members of a Venezuelan gang to a prison in El Salvador. Several relatives of those deported claim their family members were not involved in a gang and were denied due process. During the committee meeting, Luisa Santos mentioned the idea of including a statement that would offer support for students in public universities who are recipients of DACA – or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival. Recently, in-state tuition for those students was revoked in the state. Read more: 'What if I can't go?': Florida repeals in-state tuition for undocumented students Santos also mentioned her own experience as an undocumented student in Miami and how much it meant for her to feel supported by her teachers. 'It can mean everything when a leader acknowledges that you are not a criminal, that you belong in our schools'. Danny Espino said he was motivated to propose the item by residents who expressed their concern about TPS ending. Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas said, 'because of the uncertainties I can understand the anxiety and fear.' But, she said she would not support the item because she believes the school board does not have the jurisdiction to support the measure. Steve Gallon mentioned that in 2017 he introduced a similar item asking President Trump to extend TPS. It was approved unanimously. Roberto Alonso, Monica Colluci, and Rojas expressed concern that the item would distract from the school district's role, which is to educate. During Wednesday's school board meeting, Mari Tere Rojas re-stated her position, saying that although the district supports immigrants, 'the school board does not have jurisdiction over immigration policies.' During the meeting, Maurits Acosta, the student representative on the board spoke out in favor of the item. 'It's not about where you are from it is about what you give to make this country better,' he said. 'We must demand those who built their lives here have a right to stay. They came to contribute, work, and dream.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida alerts first measles case of year in public school as experts stress vaccination
A case of measles has been detected in Florida for the first time in 2025. One student at Palmetto Senior High School tested positive for the disease, according to local sources and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres addressed the measles case in a news conference on Thursday, noting that the vaccine rate at the school is 99.7%. Watch Full Interview With Dr. Marc Siegel And Rfk Jr. On Fox Nation "Everything is very stable," he stated. "We have no other incident regarding the measles at this point." Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo also confirmed the measles case in a press conference in Tampa on Wednesday, noting that it's possible there "may be more of them." Read On The Fox News App "Obviously, we wish the best for everyone's health," he said. Amid remarks on a variety of topics, Ladapo acknowledged that measles is "extremely contagious." He said "it's one of the most contagious diseases around" — and confirmed that the Florida Department of Health has been in communication with the school about the case. "We've provided information about options that parents have," he said. New Mexico Adult Dies Of Measles A Week After Texas Child Died During Outbreak "One of those — it's very important — is communicating that their preferences and choices for their healthy kids are going to be respected," he said. He also said, "We also have measles vaccines available … for any parent who wants them. So that option is there also, and we provide education there." Texas, meanwhile, has reported the highest number of measles cases since January, marking 198 infected people as of Friday morning, including 23 hospitalized, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Most of the cases were detected in unvaccinated, school-aged children — which included one child who died from the disease. Vitamin A As Measles Treatment? Rfk Jr.'s Comments Spark Discussion Of Benefits And Risks New Mexico also reported its first measles death on Thursday in an unvaccinated adult, according to state officials. The DSHS in Texas has stated on its website that the best way to prevent sickness is to receive two doses of the vaccine against measles, "primarily administered" as the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization. Ladapo also mentioned using vitamin A as a treatment for measles for some people, as suggested recently by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which has proven effective in some research. While this option can work for people who are deficient in vitamin A, according to experts, vaccination is the only way to prevent measles, as vitamin A is not an alternative. Measles Vaccines Given Long Ago Could Be Less Effective Now, Doctors Say In a recent opinion piece for Fox News Digital, RFK Jr. noted, in part, "As healthcare providers, community leaders and policymakers, we have a shared responsibility to protect public health. This includes ensuring that accurate information about vaccine safety and efficacy is disseminated. We must engage with communities to understand their concerns, provide culturally competent education, and make vaccines readily accessible for all those who want them." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told Fox News Digital that inappropriate dosing of vitamin A can result in toxicity and a condition known as hypervitaminosis. "Thus, people should not be administering generic vitamin A supplements purchased at a pharmacy or health food store to their children," he said. Neil Maniar, PhD, MPH, professor of public health practice at Northeastern University, stressed that the MMR vaccine is the "most powerful tool" in preventing and controlling outbreaks. For more Health articles, visit "It is vital that we work in partnership with communities to educate individuals and families about the importance of the MMR vaccine and ensure that this vaccine is available to all who need it," he told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital reached out to Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Miami-Dade Public Schools, Palmetto Senior High School and the Florida Department of Health for further article source: Florida alerts first measles case of year in public school as experts stress vaccination
