New neighboring school seeks ties with BBC

By: Fallan M. Thompson / Staff Writer
After months of construction and traffic delays, the new school near the entrance of Biscayne Bay campus next Biscayne Landings dubbed David Lawrence Jr., opened Aug. 14.

The Kindergarten through eighth grade school is a marine science theme school with a dolphin mascot and the motto: riding the wave of excellence.

“The theme is perfect because [we] are next to FIU. This [area] used to be mangroves and we live in South Florida,” Blanca Correa-Cespedes, assistant principal, said. “We could have limited it to technology, math and science, but why do that?”

The school began correspondence with former vice-provost Raul Moncarz to establish an educational part before he left to establish an educational partnership with FIU. The school hopes to use FIU’s resources to fuel its theme but is willing to offer something in return to the university.

“We’d like to use [FIU’s] library, biology resources, and marine science building but student teachers could [do their internships] at our school,” Correa-Cespedes said. “It would be dual benefit for both parties.”

Since Moncarz’s departure, the school is in need of a contact person at FIU, as well as a representative from each departmentthey are interested in.

For example, the physical education teacher wants access to the track and pool. The school also wants to establish contact with Hospitality Management to further the school’s Healthy Eating/ Healthy Choice Grant.

“A clear and strong relationship with Hospitality Management would be helpful because they could come and educate teachers on healthy eating; to take it beyond the salad bar for the kids.”

David Lawrence already has a working relationship with Johnson and Wales University.

Construction is continuing at the school. There is currently no parking on campus and teachers and parents are using the FIU stadium as their parking lot.

Full completion of the school should be November 2006, according to Principal Bernard Osborn.

“It was shared to me by the contractor,” Osborn said. “But since it’s construction, we’re taking it with a grain of salt.”

Concerns about traffic will not be made aware of until FIU’s Fall semester begins Aug. 28. Public Safety’s Captain Michael Wright is working with Osborn and North Miami Police on any traffic issues.

“It is certainly expected [to have traffic delays] and expect to have more traffic on the first couple days of school,” Wright said. “I recommend coming to school a little early the first week.”