Are you ready for back to school?

Teresa Martinez | Director of Communications
With the first day of school just around the corner (August 20th for new students and 21st for everyone) the faculty reported back to campus on August 13. Administration and members of the staff worked throughout the summer closing out the 2017-2018 academic year and getting things ready for the new one. During the week of August 13, the faculty heard presentations from guest speakers and took part in various professional development workshops. Teachers also prepared their classrooms and finalized lesson plans.
 
“It’s been a busy and productive summer,” said Jose E. Roca ’84, principal. “We are rested and ready for a great year and look forward to welcoming new students and greeting everyone as they get back to school.”
 
As everyone prepares for the first day, students and parents are reminded of a few things:
  • Drop-off is no longer permitted via the 6th street entrance. Instead everyone should use the entrance on 127th Ave.
  • School supplies will be listed on each teacher’s syllabus. They will be posted on the teachers’ onCampus (My Belen) page and/or given to students on Tuesday, August 21st.
  • Please update your iPads to iOS 11.4.1 by Saturday, August 18, 2018. The update must be done over-the-air (OTA) not via a computer. If you do not update your iPad to iOS 11.4.1 by Saturday, August 18, 2018 you will not be able to access the internet. Please be sure to complete the update at home in order to avoid difficulties. Before updating, make sure you have a recent iCloud backup and that your data is backed up.
  • Your Textbook Hub app must be updated to the latest version 1.2.1. Please check the App Store for any pending app updates.
  • Enroll in MySchoolBucks and deposit money for use in the Dining Hall for breakfast and afternoon snacks.
  • P.E. uniforms are sold at the Campus Store. The store is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • FHSAA required online courses for athletes should be completed before the beginning of the academic year, and definitely must be completed before trying out for a sport. 
Aside from campus security changes (click here to read more), new batting cages are being built on the baseball fields and a renovation of the main lobby is underway. A new platform for textbook deployment and a point of sale system for the Dining Hall and Campus Store were introduced (click here to read more) and plans continue for the construction of the Our Lady of Belen Chapel and the Arroyo Quad. Additionally, twenty employees joined the Belen Family:
 
  1. Barbara Acosta, Mathematics Teacher
  2. Javier Alonso, Music Teacher
  3. Monica Amador, RN, School Nurse
  4. Andres de Angulo '93, Dean of Men
  5. Wilfred Cruz, Director of Campus Security
  6. Mario de Armas, Theology Teacher
  7. Marisol Delgado, Social Studies Teacher
  8. Luis-Alejandro Dinnella-Borrego, Social Studies Teacher
  9. Aida Fernandez-Magariño, Data & Special Projects Coordinator
  10. Jesuit Father Manuel Maza
  11. Kyle Fisher, Athletic Trainer
  12. Teresita Gonzalez, Community Service and Outreach Coordinator
  13. Yanitza Iglesias-Callejas, English Teacher
  14. Michael A. Martinez, SJ '09, Theology Teacher
  15. Andres Leiva, Marketing Specialist
  16. Jorge Perez-Alvarez '76, Director of Giving
  17. Friedman Sifontes, Full Time Substitute
  18. Maria Vilberg, Science Teacher
  19. Kristina Villa de Rey, World Languages Teacher
  20. Olivia Zarraluqui, English Teacher
Our Catholic, Jesuit identity will be reinforced throughout the year with a reinvigorated community service program and more opportunities to take part in the Spiritual Exercises. The Belen Jesuit STEAM team is gathering best practices by visiting schools with established programs. The goal is to launch the program the following school year. Also coming soon, before the end of 2018, the alumni association will debut a new communications platform (more information coming soon).
 
“All in all, it is a great time to be a Wolverine,” said Mr. Roca. “We are excited and hope everyone in the community is as well, as we look towards the future with great optimism and enthusiasm.”
 
The Belen community is encouraged to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings and news by following the school on social media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. For the latest dates on events and details please visit MyBelen regularly.
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BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain.  The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.  In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty.  The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow.  Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.