Living Values School Dedicated
A LIVING VALUES SCHOOL
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2003
The new Aventura Charter
Elementary School, known as ACES, has adopted the Living Values Program as a
major part of its curriculum. ACES is a K-6 school and enrolls 650 students. At
the school's recent dedication ceremony, presided over by the mayor of the City
of Aventura and attended by many City officials, school administrators, educators, and
parents came together to acknowledge this innovative, educational
concept. This is one of the first times a municipality has sponsored a
charter school, and the commissioners present received praise for their
forward-thinking vision which created this school in order to
serve the community.
Members of the Miami Living Values team,
including Dr. Kathy Shea, Roz Reich, Isabel Delano, and Alex D'Alamberte were
present to enjoy the program. The team had tears of joy upon seeing
their long-held dream of having a Living Values school in South Florida become
a reality.
As part of this school's Living
Values Program, each class selected a "Kid of Character" each month
for the particular Living Value of that month. The local Optimists cooperate
by awarding a certificate to each student. All students selected in September,
October, and November came together to form a school chorus of about 100 students
which entertained the guests with 2 school songs written by their
music teacher. Both songs embodied the living values. Many
in the audience found the students' rendition of John Lennon's song Imagine
to be very touching. The students in the chorus were
dressed in very pretty matching T-shirts, each with a particular
value on the back--such as Peace, Respect, and Love.
The bulletin boards in the halls were decked out with art work based
upon the themes of the Living Values. Some photos are attached.
We are continuing to work with this school in the hopes that it will
soon become a national demonstration of Living Values, in much the same way
that West Kidlington is featured in the UK.
Aventura Charter School Elementary School (ACES) "Kids of Character". They
are all "peaceful stars."
"Peace is...." by Bailey
The Miami Living Values Team with
Dr. Katherine Murphy, Principal (2nd from left)
Ms. Julie Alm, Assistant Principal ( 4th from left)
Happy Thanksgiving from the Miami Living Values Team!
