Superintendent Carvalho Visits Miami-Dade Schools Ahead Of First Day
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The 2016-2017 school year is just hours away in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho has spent the last few days visiting schools across the county, including iPrep Academy where he serves as principal.
"Today was all about ensuring that all systems are go, that the renovations, that the new schools that we built, the technology that was installed, is all ready for that bright-eyed student to walk in to the school for the first time tomorrow," said Carvalho.
The Superintendent refers to this as the eve of the reawakening of the sleeping giant, with 356,000 students going back to school, along with 52,000 employees. A thousand school buses will also be hitting the roads.
"15 mile-per-hour speed limit is back on," said Miami-Dade Schools Police Detective Sofia Shakir. "The signs are posted. Elementary and middle schools have a certain time. High schools have another time. Citations will be issued. There's zero tolerance."
In Broward County, nearly 270,000 students are heading back to class. Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie posted a special message on the district's website.
"I know this is an exciting time for our families with back-to-school preparations and all the various activities taking place."
But the dawn of a new school year could also create anxiety for some youngsters.
Child development expert Lina Acosta Sandaal says to help your student adjust, communication, reassurance and being involved is key.
"Role play," said Acosta Sandaal. "Pretend you're the teacher. They pretend they're the student. You pretend you're that mean girl in the classroom and they're the student and play the role-playing game. And then it becomes fun and less of a big deal, so it lessens the anxiety."
Superintendent Carvalho and Superintendent Runcie plan to visit several schools throughout the day on Monday, but first thing in the morning, they'll be greeting school bus drivers.