North Beach Elementary School
North Beach Elementary School is a public institution serving Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade students in Miami Beach, Florida. As an International Baccalaureate school, and recognized as an “A” school,” they always strive to develop life-long learners who will make a positive impact on the world. In maintaining their rigorous curriculum and setting high expectations for their students, they continue to pursue their goal of becoming a designated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) school, earning the prestigious STEAM Platinum Award. The school is grateful to collaborate with committed and extraordinary parents and teachers, as well as community stakeholders who strive toward making a positive impact on their students’ educational environment.
The teachers, students, staff, and families actively engage in implementing a curriculum that promotes and supports inquiry as a basis for an international education, developing knowledgeable, open-minded, and caring individuals. North Beach Elementary School believes in educating the whole child. They are committed to fostering responsible citizens of the world who will enjoy being life-long learners. They are also committed to preparing students to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Their students are encouraged to positively impact the world as tolerant individuals who understand, accept, and respect inter-cultural differences.
One of the standout initiatives at North Beach is the Jennifer Beth Turken Heart Award. Jennifer’s spirit and kindness left a lasting impact on those around her, prompting her parents to create this award to promote kindness among students.
At North Beach Elementary, they know that this program cultivates a culture of kindness and compassion among students. They look forward to implementing the Jennifer Beth Turken Kindness Award for many years to come.
Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center
Miami Beach Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center is a vibrant learning community dedicated to nurturing academic excellence, social responsibility, and a love of lifelong learning. Located in the heart of Miami Beach, the school is a pillar of diversity and inclusivity, welcoming students from various backgrounds and celebrating their unique contributions. They emphasize a well-rounded education that balances rigorous academics with arts, physical education, and social-emotional learning, preparing their students to thrive in high school and beyond.
Central to their school’s ethos is fostering an environment of kindness, respect, and empathy, where students are encouraged to grow as compassionate individuals and active community members. The Jennifer Beth Turken Heart Award aligns seamlessly with this vision, recognizing and celebrating students who embody the principles of kindness and respect they hold dear. Named in memory of a beloved individual whose legacy inspires compassion, the award reinforces their commitment to instilling these values in their students. By honoring young role models who exemplify kindness, the school celebrates their character and inspires the entire school community to embrace and practice kindness every day.
Biscayne Beach Elementary School
The mission of Biscayne Beach Elementary School is to provide an educational program that empowers students to make a positive difference in their school, community, and global society. Founded in 1941, Biscayne Beach Elementary School is located in the North Shore Neighborhood in the City of Miami Beach. The school serves PK-5 with a student population of 522. The student composition is 89.4% minority student enrollment with 95.9% of students qualifying as economically disadvantaged.
In addition to achieving an A rating, Biscayne Beach is designated as a STEAM GOLD school. The STEAM program offers an approach to teaching and learning that combines science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math to guide student inquiry, discussion, and problem solving. Biscayne Beach is also an International Baccalaureate school that provides a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning that focuses on the development of the whole child: academic, social, physical, emotional, and cultural. Additionally, the program incorporates a concept-driven curriculum and the understanding that socially responsible actions are an integral part of the learning process.
Biscayne Beach Elementary is also a proud provider of essential services and resources to the broader community. The school provides opportunities for their community to access medical, vision, and hearing services, academic intervention, and after school enrichment programs. Additionally, they also provide adult programs that address the technology, employment, and parental needs of the community.
Biscayne Beach Elementary offers many amazing programs that enrich the lives of its students. The Jennifer Beth Turken Heart Award is one that has transformed the culture and environment, making kindness a core part of the school’s essence. Teaching young children to treat one another with respect and compassion shapes future adults who carry these values forward.
Fulford Elementary School
Fulford Elementary is a community school with a diverse population of students from dozens of different countries and languages including, English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Ukrainian. Fulford Elementary’s goal is to improve and maintain an environment where all are committed, attuned, and responsive to the individual needs and guidance of its multicultural population.
Fulford Elementary is not only focused on academic achievement but also on nurturing the holistic development of every child. They are committed to meeting each student’s academic, physical, social, and emotional needs, ensuring their students thrive in a safe and supportive environment. It is a school that is deeply rooted in kindness and compassion, where individuals understand the profound impact of small acts of generosity. Kindness, compassion, patience, and love are reinforced daily as they celebrate Acts of Kindness on thei announcements and through their partnership with the The Jennifer Beth Turken Heart Award.
Greynolds Park Elementary School
Greynolds Park Elementary School aims to provide each child with a world class education in an environment that is caring, safe, and exudes high expectations for all. They believe every child is important, and every parent deserves to be heard. Their focus on reading, math, and the sciences assures that their students will have strong foundations that will enable them to take on any challenge in the future. In addition to their academic focus, they aim to assist their students in managing their emotions and becoming the kindest people they can be. Greynolds Park uses Brain Power strategies to help their students navigate their difficult feelings, and with the Jennifer Beth Turken Heart Award, they consistently reinforce the school-wide philosophy that “It is cool to be kind!” As a result of participating in a school based program about kindness and compassion, their children can be found frequently supporting each other and developing friendships even in some unlikely places.
Gertrude K. Edelman Sabal Palm Elementary
Gertrude K. Edelman Sabal Palm Elementary, located in North Miami Beach, Florida, has approximately 495 students registered in Pre-K through 5th grade. GKE is a Title I school with a 97% minority rate, including 100% of families who economically-
disadvantaged. Despite the aforementioned, the quality of instruction at Sabal Palm has garnered an “A rating” for the past three Florida gradings.
In addition to academics, addressing the social-emotional growth of all students is a critical component to the culture and environment of the school. The Jennifer Beth Turken Heart Award compliments the characteristics GKE loves to build and foster for all of their students. Teaching goodness sounds so simple, yet it is so impactful. When students understand their actions are not only noticed, but also recognized, they make it a point to be kind to everyone daily. Through faculty, staff, and students, GKE brims with positivity, and the Jennifer Beth Turken Heart Award makes it extra special. Recognizing the kindness and compassion in their students contributes to the “feel good” environment GKE believes all children deserve and should be exposed to.