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= = __MDCSS NEWS AND UPDATES __ __**July 5, 2012 - MDCPS Social Studies Textbook Adoption Update**__
 * MIAMI-DADE COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES (MDCSS) **
 * || || * The following grade levels/subject areas will receive new social studies instructional materials for the 2012-2013 school year. All materials are from McGraw Hill.
 * 5th grade U.S. History: Title- United States History Florida Edition
 * 6th grade World History: Title- Discovering Our Past: A History of the World- Early Ages, 2013/1st Edition
 * 7th grade Civics: Title- Civics, Economics, and Geography, 2013/1st Edition
 * 8th grade U.S. History: Title- Discovering Our Past: A History of the United States- Early Year, 2013/1st Edition
 * 11th grade U.S. History (Regular and Honors): Title- United States History and Geography: Modern Times, 2013/1st Edition
 * 11th grade U.S. History (Advanced Placement: Title- American History- Connecting with the Past/14th Edition.
 * Teachers may preview materials online by accessing the following website: http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com and use the following usernames and passwords:
 * Elementary School (5th grade U.S. History): username- mdsdtel; password- mdsdtel1;
 * Middle School (6th grade World History, 7th grade Civics, and 8th grade U.S. History): username- mdsdtms; password- mdsdtms1; and
 * Senior High School (11th grade U.S. History- Regular/Honors/Advanced Placement): username- mdsdths; password- mdsdths1.
 * For specific information regarding ordering and approving, please see briefing #12086 from Instructional Materials.
 * New materials MAY NOT be available for the start of the 2012-2013 school year; therefore, teachers are encouraged to use existing instructional materials until the new materials arrive.
 * The Division of Social Sciences and Life Skills is creating instructional materials for the new 6th grade World History course which teachers may use for the first part of the grading period since current 6th grade World Geography materials do not address the benchmarks in the new 6th grade World History course. These materials will be posted on the Division of Social Sciences website at the beginning of August.
 * **Updated pacing guides for all K-12 social studies required courses will also be posted early August.**
 * Grade levels/courses that DO NOT receive new instructional materials in social studies for 2012-2013 school year are expected to receive new instructional materials during the 2013-2014 school year.
 * Should you need additional information or have questions, please email rbrazofsky@dadeschools.net || || ||

April 2011 - MDCSS Teacher of the Year Awards Dinner On Thursday night, April 14, the Miami-Dade Council for the Social Studies hosted its annual Teacher of the Year dinner recognizing the best teachers and students for the 2010-2011 school year. It was a joyous occasion as teachers, students, families, and administrators joined to acknowledge and appreciate those who promote and appreciate our profession and subjects.

The Paul Hanson Award is given to the individual who has shown immense dedication to the social studies profession throughout his/her life and career. With clever assistance and covert tactics from the MDCSS Board and district personnel we were able to surprise this year's **Paul Hanson Award winner, __Robert Brazofsky__**. Not only was he totally unaware of the surprise, but we were able to have his parents from Ohio in attendance. Robert Brazofsky has provided all of us social studies teachers immense support in helping to establish excellent professional development activities and presentations and is always on call to assist us. We congratulate Robert Brazosfky as the 2011 Paul Hanson Award winner.

MDCSS honored **__Jose Vazquez__ of the Academy for Advanced Academics and __Ephraim Diaz__ of School for Advanced Studies - Kendall for Social Studies Students of the Year**. Each student earned a $500 scholarship. Congratulations to Jose and Ephraim.

MDCSS honored **__Jessica Mouttet__** of **Zelda Glaser Middle School** for **Middle School Rookie Social Studies Teacher of the Year**.

MDCSS honored **__Leinad Coya__** of **Zelda Glaser Middle School** for **Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year**. MDCSS honored **Christine Dorico** of **Pinecrest Preparatory Middle School** as **Middle School Social StudiesTeacher of the Year Finalist.**

MDCSS honored **__Renee Ilhardt__** of **Coral Reef Senior High** for **High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year**. MDCSS honored **Carlos Ardaya** of **Ferguson Senior High** and **Kevin Mullin** of **Turner Technical High** as **High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year Finalists**.

Congratulations to all of our winners and finalists. We thank all the teachers, administrators, families, and friends for attending the 2011 Teacher of the Year Banquet.

We want all teachers and department heads to know you may start considering nominations for next year. Departments may nominate their prospective candidate. Also, please note teachers are more than welcome to self-nominate. Also, any past finalists may be re-nominated. We invite nominations for elementary, middle school, and high school, both for rookies and veterans.