The Importance of Community Involvement in Schools by Jesus Zeus Salas

Jesus Salas
Jesus Zeus Salas with Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho

Although Jesus Zeus Salas has made a name for himself as an award-winning, 20-year veteran of the Spanish-language broadcasting industry, he has taken a recent interest in improving educational opportunities for students in the greater Miami metro area. In light of his recent work with the Miami-Dade County Public School Juvenile Justice Center, Jesus Zeus Salas offers the following insight into why community involvement in schools is so important.

  • Numerous studies have shown that schools do better with community involvement. Drop-out rates are lower and student motivation levels are higher at schools with high community involvement, regardless of whether involvement takes place at the elementary or high school level and regardless of the economic status of the school or its students.
  • With budget cuts, many schools are not getting the support from local municipalities and governments that they need to succeed, and many of the programs that most appeal to students (such as art, music, and sports) are disappearing. Community lobbying, through writing letters to local government officials or attending school board meetings, can help preserve the systemic integrity of public school districts.
  • Community-based initiatives can often help students offer services that can help underprivileged students succeed, such as health clinics, after-school tutoring, book donation programs, and extra meal services. Volunteer hours and resources from parents, friends, and local professionals can make a world of difference for a student who may not have access to appropriate care at home.
  • When open lines of communication exist between parents, teachers, and administrators, school can be “brought home” far more easily. Many working parents don’t have the opportunity to get up to a child’s school for meetings, but regular contact through notes or brief conversations can help parents become more aware of any behavioral issues, homework expectations, and school policies. Likewise, teachers can learn more abut factors at home that may be affecting a student’s ability to perform at school.

For these reasons and more, it’s crucial that parents and local community members get involved in their schools. Today’s students are the leaders of tomorrow, and they deserve that every effort be invested in their success, betterment, and well-being. If you’re interested in finding more information about why community involvement is so important, or examples of ways that you can get involved with the schools in your own community, consider taking a look at the online resources listed below.

www.nea.org/assets/docs/PB11_ParentInvolvement08.pdf

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/community-parent-involvement-essential-anne-obrien

http://teaching.about.com/od/ParentalInvolvement/ht/Promoting-School-Support-Throughout-Your-Community.htm

http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/familycommunity/index_sub1.html

Jesus Salas at the Miami Dade Public School Juvenile Justice Center
Jesus Salas (right) and Steven W. Payne Jr.

Location: Miami, FL

Jesus Salas is honored to announce that he was chosen to serve as Principal for a Day in the Miami-Dade County school system. A professional in communications, Jesus Salas believes in investing time and energy in children and their education.

“Education is a huge part of the opportunity to excel personally and professionally for kids today,” said Jesus Salas. “Investing in education means investing in the economy, and helping the leaders of the future achieve success.”

Principal Day gives over 400 business and community leaders the opportunity to see firsthand a day in the life of a Miami-Dade County public school. In conjunction with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, small business owners, corporate executives and elected officials can translate their ideas and interests into direct resources for schools.

As Principal for a Day, Jesus Salas had the chance to participate in the daily activities of students at the Miami Dade County Public School Juvenile Justice Center. Here, he was greeted warmly by Site Administrator Mr. Steven W. Payne Jr, and then received a whirlwind tour of the school, visiting classes and interacting with students. Jesus Salas provided assistance to students and teachers in the realm of technology, provided motivational exercises, and told the kids about his own work in a question and answer section.

“The students were very attentive in our conversations and interactions,” Jesus Salas remarked. “Future goals and dreams are a big part of their lives, and they wanted to know more about how they can achieve those goals. The students were very interested in the entertainment business, in particular, and I answered questions about getting into various aspects of the field, from writing, rapping, singing and acting, to wanting to take business administration classes. It was an excellent experience.”

A proponent of excellence in education and community service in general, Jesus Salas valued the learning experience, and hopes to continue his involvement with the school. At the end of the school day, Jesus Salas met with the Superintendent Daryl Borroff Wolf. Superintendent Wolf invited Jesus Salas to join the Advisory committee for the Center, an offer that he was delighted to receive.

About: Jesus Salas is the Executive Vice President of Programming at Spanish Broadcasting Systems.

 

 

Jesus Salas Radio Ink Programmer of the year 2012

Radio Ink Medallas de Cortez Programmer of the Year 2012: Jesus Salas Miami

Jesus Salas Miami is proud to have been honored by Radio Ink as the Medallas de Cortez Programmer of the Year 2012.  As a radio programmer with more than twenty years of experience under his belt, this award comes as a tremendous honor for Jesus Salas Miami.  Years of hard work, and flexibility (Jesus Salas Miami switched from FM to XM and back again) which makes Jesus Salas Miami a noteworthy candidate. He hopes to be a viable candidate yet again in 2013.

 

Jesus Salas Media Professional

Jesus Salas with Carlos Vives

 

Jesus Salas Miami began his career in the radio business at a young age, advancing quickly as a respected and successful Hispanic radio programmer.  He began his career as an on-air radio personality and at 19 years of age was appointed the program director for the station.

In 1997 Jesus Salas was named Program Director for WSKQ-FM and WPAT-FM New York, where he and his terrific team led WSKQ-FM to number one 12+ (Arbitron Spring & Summer 1998)

In 2004, Jesus Salas joined Univision Radio as Program Director. Two years later Jesus Salas accepted a national position in Washington DC with XM Satellite Radio, as Senior Program Director where he managed Latin channels Caliente (tropical), Viva (Latin pop) Aguila (Regional Mexican) and Caricia (Spanish oldies). At XM Satellite radio he spearheaded a national marketing campaign to grow the Hispanic subscriber base achieving immediate positive results.

Jesus Salas currently serves as the Executive VP of Programming and Multi-Platform coordinator for Spanish Broadcasting System Radio, TV, Digital and concert divisions in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico.

Jesus Salas has strong leadership skills and thorough knowledge of the Latin formats, along with a very intense attention to detail, and an overall top notch work ethic. He has a proven track record in discovering, training, cultivating and coaching successful Latin on-air personalities.

Jesus Salas with Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez (to left)

Online PR News – 13-September-2012 –There’s a lot more to a man than the rewards he receives, the accolades that fall upon his name.  However, it’s sure worth noting when a man like Jesus Salas Miami is the recipient of two high-profile awards, in addition to carrying a great reputation through the radio industry.

2012 was a big year for Jesus Salas Miami – a very big year.  Not only did the Spanish Broadcasting Systems Executive Vice President of Programming take home Radio Ink’s “Programmer of the Year” award, but he’ll also be walking into 2013 with another honor about his shoulders…

Jesus Salas Miami is the proud recipient of Monitor Latino’s Recognition of Achievement.  For those who are outside the industry, Monitor Latino is the equivalent of Billboard for the Latin music industry.  Tracking the airplay of singles throughout the United States and Mexico, Monitor Latino is the authority on “who’s who” and “what’s what” in the Latin music industry.

For Jesus Salas Miami to receive the Monitor Latino Recognition of Achievement 2012 award is a big deal.  Of course, it’s an honor to receive an award of this nature any time.  However, 2012 is an important year for Jesus Salas Miami.  The year marks his 20th anniversary in the music industry!

Jesus Salas Miami first got his start at WXDJ-FM Miami where was an on-air personality.  Then, at the young age of 19, he was promoted to be the Program Director at WXDJ-FM.  His career hasn’t looked back since.

When considering all of the possible ways he could celebrate 20 years of life in the music industry, few options are more appealing to Jesus Salas Miami than receiving the Monitor Latino Recognition of Achievement award.

As for now, Jesus Salas Miami intends to continue working as hard as he can.  And, who knows… he might just earn the prestigious award one or two more times in his future!
About

Jesus Salas Miami is proud to have been honored by Radio Ink as the Medallas de Cortez Programmer of the Year 2012.  As a radio programmer with more than twenty years of experience under his belt, this award comes as a tremendous honor for Jesus Salas Miami.  Years of hard work, and flexibility (Jesus Salas Miami switched from FM to XM and back again) make him a noteworthy candidate. He hopes to be a viable candidate yet again in 2013.