About Our School
Vision:
Ben Sheppard Elementary aims to provide a quality education where all students will reach their
full potential within a caring, secure environment.
Mission:
To provide all students with an excellent instructional program in which their individual needs are met by providing qualified teachers
who utilize effective teaching practices in order for every student to be prepared to compete in a global society.
Facts
Ben Sheppard Elementary School was established in 1986.
It was named after Dr. Ben Sheppard, former Dade County School Board Chair-person.
It houses approximately 1,400 Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students.
The school sits on approximately 9.62 acres of land.
A new school site across the street opened on April 28, 1998 to house ten kindergarten classes.
Approximately 95 percent of its student population is of Hispanic origin, two percent are White, two percent are African-American, and one percent is Asian/Indian or multiracial.
Almost forty-seven percent of the Ben Sheppard student population is of limited English proficiency (LEP).
Last year (2006-2007) the school had 550 instructional computers, and had approximately 16,000 books in circulation.
Ben Sheppard Elementary: A Full Service School
Ben Sheppard is a full Service School. This means we have additional service to help our students and their parents. The Florida Department of Health works closely with the staff at BSE. We have a full-time nurse: Ms Grisel Gigato; a full-time nurse's assistant, Ms. Terry Pearson; and a social worker, Ms. Marr. The Jackson Care-A-Van from Jackson Memorial Hospital visits Milander Park Auditorium 4800 Palm Avenue Hialeah, any Thursday and Friday from 9:am to 4:pm to offer immunization shots and medical examinations to all Dade County School students. Parents may also seek health services or referrals from the Jackson Care-a-Van Social workers and therapists from Children's Psychiatric Center, Citrus Health Network and other Children and Family Services work cooperatively with parents, counselors, and teachers to ensure student academic, emotional, physical and social success. If you feel you could use further services from our school, call 305-585-7040.
About
Dr. Ben Sheppard
Dr. Ben Sheppard left an indelible mark on the Florida community. Known as "Dr. Ben" to those of us who loved him, he was a man of many talents. Dr, Ben was a pediatrician, a Dade County medical examiner, a juvenile judge and a humanitarian who worked extensively in drug rehabilitation and with Catholic charities. Dr. Ben was best known to the Dade County Public Schools as a member and chairman of the Dade County School Board. In either capacity, he served the Dade school district devotedly from 1968 until his death in 1980 at the age of 77. Dr. Ben was active in numerous organizations, from the local to the international level. They included the Children's Center for the Emotionally Disturbed, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Association, the American Medical Association and the International Venom Research Foundation, of which he was cofounder. In addition he was founder and chairman of the Ben Sheppard Foundation through which he attempted to develop treatments for multiple sclerosis and arthritis using snake venom. Dr. Ben spent a lifetime serving humanity. He worked hard to ensure that children were sound both in mind and body. He worked for progress in education and medicine. He was a leader in the development of drug abuse prevention programs in the Dade County Public Schools. Dr. Ben Sheppard earned many awards and honors. Perhaps the one award that best sums up his lifetime of contributions was given by the Florida State Society. It was the Good Samaritan award. Dr. Ben Sheppard was everyone's GOOD SAMARITAN.
