SEED Miami student Chozen has her poetry featured on display in the Opa-Locka Light District on Opa-Locka Boulevard near Caliph Street. Click on the image below to read the article in the Miami Herald.
SEED Miami's First Graduation - The Class of 2021
The conclusion of the 2020-2021 school year marks the beginning of a new chapter for SEED Miami’s founding graduating class. On June 12, 2021, SEED Miami staff, families, donors, and community supporters joined together at the Concours Club in Opa-Locka to celebrate our 19 scholars’ growth and achievements and watch them walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
Below are just a few photos of our ceremony. Please click here to see more!
SEED Miami Champions Provide Resources for Families
During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, The SEED School of Miami has worked hard to stay connected with our families and to support each with the resources necessary to successfully navigate current challenges. Through the generosity of our network of SEED Champions, SEED Miami received $3,500.00 worth of grocery store gift cards as well as over 150 laptops for students to engage in virtual learning. As one SEED parent noted, "SEED has offered us tools to make this time easier on our family. I appreciate being part of a community that cares so much and asks me how they can help me and my child so often." The staff, students, and families of SEED Miami are grateful for all those who contributed to this tremendous effort!
24-Hour Virtual Support: Tuskegee University House
In his role as Student Life Counselor for the young men of the Tuskegee University House, Edward Cody knows about the importance of relationship building in motivating and supporting his 10th grade scholars. Transferring this work to a virtual setting is a whole new world for him and the boys, and a challenge he has readily accepted.
Typically, Mr. Cody is with his students at SEED’s dorm from 4pm – 12am overseeing Study Hall, Sparks (clubs), dinner, House meetings, and his character development course – HALLS (Habits for Achieving Life Long Success). Now that SEED’s academic AND student life program is virtual, he connects with his scholars as a group in daily House meetings, and individually in one-on-one phone calls.
“The biggest challenge is not seeing my boys every day and continuing to have the “family dynamic” of our House when we are not together. I’ve been calling my boys every day and looking for ways to have fun and remind them that I have not forgotten them and care about all of them no matter what.”
Last Thursday evening, at 7:30pm, the Tuskegee House young men each logged in to their virtual learning platform for the daily House Meeting with Mr. Cody. They were joined by other members of the SEED staff including a Mental Health Counselor, Head of School, Assistant Dean of School Culture, and Director of Student Life. One-by-one, the boys joined the hangout by video, each dressed comfortably in home attire, happy to see one another, and ready to engage in the group conversation.
It began with motivation and reminders. Mr. Cody – having reviewed the work completion log being used by all SEED Miami staff to track student progress – began with the positive. “Gentlemen, I loved seeing that a few of you who weren’t getting work done earlier in the week have picked it up.” A few individual shout outs to students followed, those students earning top praise popping collars, brushing shoulders, and proudly accepting the feedback. Others received firm, but loving, prompts. Reminders that they are capable of excellence and need to demonstrate better effort and work ethic. All of the feedback ended in support. “You all know I am here, let me know how I can help.”
After the reminders, the meeting shifted. Each young man was requested to share with the group. First, what had they learned about COVID-19 in their research, how are they (and their families) doing, and lastly, their metaphor for the upcoming POL (Presentation of Learning). Students shared what they are enjoying about virtual learning (often, completing work whenever they like) and what was challenging (also, completing work whenever they like!) Most mentioned missing friends, staff, and daily structure. Boredom and balance were also themes. As the meeting drew to a close, Mr. Cody announced his upcoming incentive initiative – students who met certain work completion benchmarks would be earning virtual game credits and/ or gift cards to mark their success. He also announced an upcoming Netflix Party, a chance for them to all log on together to watch a movie and have discussion.
Mr. Cody’s session had all of the characteristics of a hallmark SEED Miami House Meeting: high expectations, care, concern, challenges, and solutions. It exemplified the connections and care that bring together a group of 10th grade boys at a time that most high schoolers may prefer to be elsewhere.
As we work to provide our 24-hour services and model to a virtual setting at The SEED School of Miami, the meeting was a clear reminder of the importance of wraparound support and the value of SEED’s student life program and staff. No matter the platform, the relationships within our community persevere and leverage outcomes for our phenomenal students.
Howard University house visits Wynwood
Earlier this week, the 9th grade ladies of the Howard University house enjoyed a trip to the Wynwood Walls for some creative expression! The girls also had a chance to walk around Wynwood and enjoy some of the street art before being treated to some ice cream at Mr. Kream's Hip Hop Creamery! Next week, they'll incorporate some of the pictures they took into their Creative Expressions HALLS lesson!
SPARKS Spotlight - Sewing
Throughout the second quarter, SEED Miami students have been working on their colorful creations. Many students have created more than one design derived from templates that they were originally provided with. Great work!
Bess the Book Bus visits SEED Miami
Bess the Book Bus is a mobile literacy outreach which shares its love of learning with children across the country. Last week, Bess the Book Bus visited SEED Miami and gifted each student a book of choice. We all thank you for your generosity!
Fourth Annual Dream Ceremony
During the Dream Ceremony last week, the students in the Class of 2024 shared their dreams with their peers, staff, families, and supporters within the community. When SEED Miami opened its doors in 2014, our staff consciously built a culture that put our mission and our students at the center of every decision, including their dreams for the future. Our students are already dreaming BIG—like Kemauri, who wants to become a lawyer and open a SEED school, and JP, who wants to become a doctor with the hope of one day finding a cure for diseases. We can’t wait to help them make those dreams a reality!
Football Debut
Yesterday our high school football team, led by Coach Farley and Coach McBride, played their first game of the season. The young men played their hearts out, leading for much of the game, before falling short late, 22-20. Although our team was made up of six 8th graders and six 9th graders, they played against 9-12th grade students in the league they are competing in. Joseph Portillo led the offense with 3 passing touchdowns to Marvin Wright, Tavariz Williams, and Vaughn Harris. Gaudner Paul had an interception for the defense.
8th Grade Formal Dance
The Class of 2021 has grown up so quickly! Professor Ogle and our 8th grade students helped plan and orchestrate a formal dance to celebrate their transition to high school. It was truly a night to remember.
SEED Store Beach Party!
To celebrate the end of the 2016-2017 school year, Professor Diaz and the SEED Store helpers organized a SEED Store Beach Party incentive for students who did not earn a referral that week. Students snacked on icees, ice cream, and other snacks while lounging on beach chairs.
Visit to the Biscayne Nature Center
Last week, SEED Miami students visited the Biscayne Nature Center, where they waded into the ocean to further explore the South Florida ecosystem of the Seagrass Bed. They collected live specimens, such as invertebrates like crabs and Mantis shrimp, as well as various fish species such as Pipefish, Puffer Fish and Trunk Fish. After their collection, students spent the afternoon in a hands-on laboratory, where they learned more about these species as well as other aspects of our South Florida ecosystems.
SEED Miami Supporters - The Braman Family Charitable Trust
SEED Miami ambassadors and staff presented a gift as a token of our appreciation to the Braman Family Charitable Trust. The Braman Family Charitable trust was an early supporter of SEED Miami and we are grateful for their continued support!
Alvin Ailey Performance
Along with 1900 other dance enthusiasts in Miami-Dade County, SEED Miami scholars attended a special performance of Alvin Ailey at the Adrienne Arsht Center on February 24th. Superintendent Carvalho reminded students, “Alvin Ailey believes in all of us.” We were inspired to keep dancing thanks to supporters and our generous hosts, The Adrienne Arsht Center, Alvin Ailey Foundation, and Superintendent Carvalho.
