Public school students to be mindful of life’s value

Miami Dolphins launches initiative through Football Unites program

Miami Times Staff ReportAug 28, 2019

Miami-Dade County Public Schools students will need to be mindful of who they are and how they treat each other through Values Matter Miami, a series of initiatives designed to promote education and values. The effort was announced on Friday, Aug. 23 at Miami Carol City Senior High School with Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, School Board Member Steve Gallon III, Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications & Community Affairs Jason Jenkins and Miami Dolphins alumnus Troy Drayton.

Part of the Football Unites program, Values Matter Miami, over the past four years, has engaged students in learning about nine core values: respect, honesty, kindness, fairness, integrity, citizenship, cooperation, responsibility and pursuit of excellence – inside and outside of the classroom.

“This partnership is a testament to the commitment of the Miami Dolphins beyond the football field,” Carvalho said. “Values Matter Miami, which promotes and recognizes exemplary behavior, is part of our ongoing effort to empower students to make positive decisions based on core values, enabling them to make lasting contributions to our community.”

Starting in September, the Dolphins will recognize a student each month who best exemplifies each value in a special ceremony. Football Fridays featured Values Matter Miami at the Miami Carol City Senior High School game against Deerfield Beach High School at Traz-Powell Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 24. Students will also design a Values Matter Miami cleat that will be worn by a Dolphins player during the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1 at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins will help sponsor the Values Matter Miami Awards Ceremony in May.

“Positive values are paramount to a great educational environment and we wanted to highlight this great program that promotes the great work done every day by students, teachers and administrators,” Jenkins said.