SOURCE: Get Smart Kids Academy

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL–(Marketwire – Mar 6, 2012) – The students at Get Smart Kids Academy (1550 NE 147th St, North Miami Beach, FL 33161) were surprised and excited this morning by the unexpected visit of North Miami Beach Mayor George Vallejo at their North Miami Beach campus. Mayor Vallejo was there, along with NMB Chamber and Council leaders, to celebrate the students’ excellent academic achievements as well as their school’s recent recognition by the State of Florida and the Florida Association of Child Care Managers for having higher standards in preschool education.

The school’s Executive Director, Maggie Montes, kicked off the event sharing the importance of one of the school’s core values of achieving early literacy skills that prepare students to be life long learners.

“What an incredible honor it is to receive this recognition for having higher standards at our preschool, and even more important, to see our students benefit from this and excel in academics. Our structured program is designed to provide our students with a head start in the ‘life learning’ process and it gives me great pleasure to see our students thriving in the learning process. We are thrilled to have Mayor Vallejo with us today supporting our program. We are encouraged by what he is doing to promote economic development in the city and are glad we can be a part of that. We opened our North Miami Beach campus earlier this year to extend our preschool services to this area. This milestone further validates our commitment to serving North Miami Beach families and surrounding communities with quality preschool education and care. We are very excited about this!” said Mrs. Montes.

For Lynda Ariyan, an Accreditation Specialist for Family Central in Miami, this day was rewarding. “I have been working with Get Smart Kids Academy for several years now and have seen the positive results they have made in student achievement through their program at their schools. At Family Central we strive to help childcare facilities improve the quality of service they provide. Get Smart Kids Academy has been doing just that, exceeding minimum standards required by The Department of Children and Families (DCF) on many counts. In fact only 26 percent of childcare centers in Miami-Dade County are accredited according to DCF records; Get Smart Kids Academy is one of the few. I am thrilled to be a part of this recognition and the accreditation process they have undergone.”

The students and Mayor Vallejo both had an opportunity to read to each other. The students proudly shared their reading skills by enthusiastically reading excerpts from their favorite stories, while the Mayor read I Can Read with My Eyes Shut, by Dr. Seuss as a tribute to Dr. Seuss and his recent 108th birthday.

Following the reading, the celebration continued with a picnic and a birthday cake for Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss is an author that is adored by preschoolers and the students recognized the great learning experiences they have obtained reading his books. “What an awesome event to celebrate the Get Smart Kids Academy’s accreditation, the students’ reading achievement, and Dr. Seuss’s 108th birthday! What a pleasure it was to meet these students, they are truly amazing. Get Smart Kids Academy is a great addition to our community. We are thrilled to have them serving our North Miami Beach area!” said Mayor Vallejo.

The event closed congratulating the students for their academic success. Mayor Vallejo congratulated students and Get Smart Kids Academy administration for their recent accreditation. Students proudly cheered celebrating the moment while Mrs. Montes presented the Mayor with a Dr. Seuss book inscribed with a message from the students and school thanking him for participating in the event today and supporting their program.

About Get Smart Kids Academy

Get Smart Kids Academy is a leading provider of Preschool Education and Childcare Services. We serve North Miami Beach, Aventura, North Miami, Sunny Isles, Bay Harbor, Miami Shores, and Beach communities through multiple locations. Our goal is to provide a safe nurturing environment, where children come first, and one that will maximize our students’ potential preparing them to be life long learners. Get Smart Kids Academy has a unique, highly structured and successful program that is designed by professional educators with over 30 years of experience educating children. Get Smart Kids Academy believes in the importance of beginning the educational process at an early age as it promotes the love of learning and sets a firm foundation for their future.

For more information about Get Smart Kids Academy, its program, and locations, visit us at: www.getsmartkidsacademy.com, and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Get.smart.kids) or email us at learn@getsmartkidsacademy.com or call us at 305-895-5993 (North Miami) 305-944-3499 (North Miami Beach).

About North Miami Beach Mayor George Vallejo and Council

For more information about Mayor George Vallejo and City of North Miami Beach Council visit: NMB Mayor and Council (www.citynmb.com/index.asp?Type=B_DIR&SEC=%7BDFE536FB-4D32-48D8-9EF2-7F0E0812D116%7D)

About The Greater North Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce

For more information about The Greater North Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce visit: NMB Chamber (www.nmbchamber.com)