The HEAT Group is proud to announce that on Tuesday the team was presented with the 2003-04 Dade Partners Exemplary Award, acknowledging the organization’s tireless and effective work with the HEAT’s flagship community initiative, HEAT Academy, which is a free after-school instructional program designed to provide assistance to students who need extra classroom support.

The HEAT Academy presented by Carnival Cruise Lines, sponsored by Citibank, Lucent Technologies, JPMorgan Chase and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, has embraced the importance of providing children quality after-school mentoring. Focusing on math and reading through a unique curriculum that introduces hands-on thematic lessons, the HEAT Academy also provides its students with homework assistance, a safe haven to learn when their parents are not available, afternoon snacks, as well as frequent visits from HEAT players, coaches and front-office staff. In addition, major program emphasis is placed on preparation for the annual FCAT exam.

Selected from among 150 local companies to receive the esteemed honor, which is awarded yearly to an organization that is recognized for making extraordinary contributions to the Miami-Dade County Public School System, the HEAT has set the benchmark in helping to shape the education of today’s youth.

Principal Marie Destin of Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary in Overtown, one of the three local elementary schools where the HEAT Academy program exists, nominated the HEAT for this prominent award. Citing the positive impact the HEAT Academy has on its students, who grow very eager to attend the tutoring classes, appreciate the special attention, and experience an increase in self-esteem and student performance, the profound impact of the program is tremendous. In addition, earlier this school year, with the support of Home Depot and Dell Computer, the HEAT unveiled a brand new Miami HEAT Reading & Learning Center at Dunbar Elementary, supplying the schoolchildren with an environment conducive for learning, complete with books, new computers and educational software.

The HEAT Academy exists at three local inner-city schools; Dunbar Elementary in Overtown, Little River Elementary in Little Haiti and Riverside Elementary in Little Havana, reaching out to more than 300 children.

Since its inception in 1999, HEAT Academy has garnered numerous awards in addition to the 2003-04 Dade Partners Exemplary Award, including the 2002 Dade County Council PTA/PTSA Special Achievement Award, 2001 ACE of Florida Award, the Commissioner's Business Recognition Award, presented by Charlie Crist, the Florida Commissioner of Education, the 2000 John I. Smith Award, and twice was presented the Dade Partners Exemplary Newcomer Award.

Attached below, please find a list of some of the notable local companies and organizations nominated for the 2003-04 Dade Partners Exemplary Award:

American Airlines

Bank Atlantic

Bank United

Barnes and Noble

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami

Calder Race Course

City of Coral Gables Police Department

Coconut Grove Bank

Comcast Cables Communications, Inc.

Cordis Corporation

Deloitte and Touche

DeVry University

Dolphin Mall

Doral Golf Resort & Spa

Florida Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Florida Savings Bank

GIS Americans Team (GAP)

Homestead-Miami Speedway

Johnson & Wales University

Kmart

Krispy Kreme Donuts

McDonald’s

Mercy Hospital

Miami Children’s Hospital

Miami Parking Authority

Motorola, Inc.-IDEN Subscriber Group GTSS

Publix Supermarket #112

Public Supermarket #375

Readers Digest QSP, Inc.

Starbucks Coffee

T.G.I Fridays-At-The-Falls

The Wolfsonian-Florida International University

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc and the Lexus Division

University of Florida-College of Education

University of Miami/School of Education/Success