Alicia Espinosa Library
Grand Opening
Friday, September 22, 2017

Alicia Espinosa was born on December 22, 1917. She grew up in Havana, Cuba loving to play the piano, reading, and being a loving friend and sister to Conchita. She encouraged and supported Conchita when she decided to open a musical kindergarten in 1933 and for the next 80 years she fostered Conchita's dreams of building a school and conservatory and made sure they worked.

Alicia was the one who did the practical side of running a successful place for learning and growing. She was the one who handled the finances, the paperwork, and the numerous logistics that go into guiding a school. She was the first one to arrive each day, turning on the lights, greeting the children, and preparing everything for students and teachers to have a place where they could soar. Alicia was also a gifted piano teacher herself. She had a special talent for the coaxing of little fingers to the right keys and correct positions and helping them find joy in the music they created. She was never one to seek the limelight. She didn't look for recognition and praise. She had no love of power, but she knew deeply the power of love and shared that with everyone she knew. She worked quietly, dedicating her life to Conchita, Maribel and Luis, Carol and Ana, and the school. She made a difference with her loyalty, her consistency, and her gifts of music and good sense.

At the heart of all libraries are good stories. At the heart of all good stories are beautiful memories and important lessons. At the heart of our memories are Alicia and the product of her hard work. This library is dedicated to Alicia Espinosa, at the heart of CEA.

On, Friday, July 28th, our Educational Technology Coordinator, Christina Gonzalez, was invited to participate in a panel discussion for DISRUPT Miami at The Langsford Hotel in Downtown Miami. DISRUPT Miami is a monthly breakfast series connecting like-minded individuals with local innovators and creators who are shaping the way of Miami's future. This month's discussion focused on education and the role the private sector plays in helping improve the quality of education in our schools in Miami. Ms. Gonzalez joined four other panelists from various walks of life, as she spoke about how the arts impact children and how CEA implements the arts into the curriculum and the students' daily lives. Ms. Gonzalez spoke about the importance of seeing each child as an individual and giving them an outlet to bring out their own "extraordinary". She also spoke about CEA's unique Mastery Program and how it allows our students to explore and hone in an area of interest or passion. When they opened up the Q&A session to the audience, an audience member said "if only all of our schools were like Conchita".

Other areas addressed in the discussion were the need for schools in Downtown Miami, the idea of education changing now that information is so easily accessible to our students, and the improvements that need to be made to our urban and under-served communities.

We are so proud of Ms. Gonzalez and the impact she is making on our community. Each day she is helping to make CEA "mejor, mejor, y mejor!"

From the Desk of Maribel Zubieta-Diaz

It has been a summer of joy, growth, self-discovery and opportunity to make new friends, connect with old friends, and discover how fortunate we all are to be a part of the Conchita family.

     I feel grateful and fortunate to see our former students come back as teachers and counselors to our younger ones.  There is no greater reward than to see the children you have loved and guided grow into intelligent, caring and loving adults.  The history and legacy created by Conchita and all who followed continues to grow, giving our younger generation the physical, mental and spiritual tools to fulfill their destinies and build a better world.

     To the parents and families of our students, thank you for being part of the team.  Have a joyous rest of the summer and come back energized and curious to begin a spectacular 2017-2018 school year.

Maribel Z. Diaz, Director

5th and 6th Grade Parent Night 7:00 p.m.

Happy Birthday, Santa Oyola!

Monthly Assembly – wear gala