Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Recording Secretary: Lenny Cohen

Location of meeting: Hubert O. Sibley Elem. Media Center

Was a quorum established? Yes

Was the meeting advertised? Yes, 01/15/2007

Attendance

Members Present:
Dr. April Grant
Mathew Cuomo
Michael Charlot, Principal
Lenny Cohen, Teacher/Recording Secy.
Michele Farmer, Teacher
Thomas Dardin, Teacher
Katherine Entwisle, Teacher
Rachel Garnand, Teacher
Martha Daulphin, Parent
Jude Bruno, Student
Katherine Exalan, Student

Members Absent (Excused):
Estomene Dorcely, UTD
Mr. Nick, Business Representative
Caphy Smith, Parent
Jarred Baker, Student

Members Absent (Unexcused):

Others Present:

Topics Covered

Hubert O. Sibley Elementary School

EESAC Meeting, Jan. 25, 2007



Meeting called to order at 3:25pm in the media center.


The group reviewed and approved the December meeting’s minutes with no objections. A list of the dates of future EESAC meetings was distributed. The dates are February 15, March 15, April 26, and May 17.



Mr. Charlot talked about using time wisely. He said he’ll make sure an assistant principal sent a reminder to parents that children are being left unattended before and after school. He says following through is important and that we do everything we say.



Dr. Grant says the new before-school procedure discussed at the last meeting is working very smoothly and so is the new after-school procedure.



Mr. Darden stressed that children are showing up even before he does and that we should do something about the situation before something bad happens. Mr. Charlot says a reminder letter should help defend us in case of an unfortunate incident.



Several members mentioned before-school care was stopped because parents were not willing to pay for the service. Mr. Cuomo said parents up north (where he used to work) are charged for supervision by the minute if parents are late. Mr. Charlot mentioned the state statute involving the state Dept. of Children & Families should be mentioned in a 1st letter to all parents at the school and then a follow-up letter to certain parents because the school is not responsible for child care after 3pm.



SIP mid-year review: Dr. Grant said teachers are responsible for visits to their classrooms on Jan. 30. Mr. Charlot said the visitors will be looking for good instruction and everyone should have a copy of the SIP. Dr. Grant says she has extras if anyone needs.



EESAC on-line feedback survey: Mr. Charlot said EESAC members should go online to see what has to be done. He thinks it’s about knowledge of responsibility for school improvement in every area.



Money owed to cafeteria: Mr. Charlot says it’s like beating a dead horse and a principal had gotten into trouble for demanding payment. Mr. Cuomo suggested taking the highest debts first and make visits (CIS/social worker) to homes. He said parents are shocked at high balances and they might be more willing to pay if the amount owed was less. Mr. Charlot said there is no CIS person and he wasn’t allowed to send the last social worker to homes for certain things. He suggested home visits and said the school will be contacting the parents. It was brought up that the kindergarten field trip on this day brought in a lot of money over the past week. Mr. Charlot said he doesn’t agree with denying students field trips because they owe money but something has to be done and it’s the parents’ fault. Dr. Grant is trying to work on Ms. Telfort’s class.



Student business: Jude said library nights were discontinued because of Mrs. Farmer’s other responsibilities. Mrs. Farmer says teachers and parents can volunteer to stay with the students (rather than parents dropping their children off). Mr. Charlot says there will be no extracurricular activities until he feels all students are progressing and on the right track. He’s not pleased with the behavior of the 5th and 6th graders and suggests peer pressure from the EESAC student representatives. He says there should be no perks for wreaking havoc and giving the school a bad reputation. Katherine suggested a concert but again, no extracurricular activities for now.



Mr. Cuomo says a bathroom in the new building still overflows (that flushing the urinal brings too much water and the amount should be lowered) and that the men’s toilet seat in the teachers’ lounge is loose. Mr. Charlot said he didn’t know. Mr. Cuomo says pencil sharpeners in the new building that were destroyed last year have not been replaced. Mr. Charlot said new ones will be found.



Mr. Cuomo says he has mostly boys and Ms. Claude has mostly girls and there is a clique of 6th grade students responsible for fighting and vandalizing the bathroom. He says many students’ grades are declining because of a few. He wants to even out the classes to improve learning. Mr. Charlot wants a list of names. All agree it’s the wrong mix and pulling a ringleader from another set of classes could help. Mr. Cuomo says the 6th grade teachers had a meeting and all are in consensus. Mr. Charlot says OK to the switch as long as it will help working and learning. Mr. Cuomo will get a list to Mr. Charlot and get forms from Ms. Leslie.



Mr. Charlot says the school has no steady social worker but one is sent every once is awhile.



Classes are doubled up for Spanish, music, and PE for schedule purposes (there aren’t enough specialists) and also possibly to make sure all teacher in a grade have the same time off to meet together.



CIS person: Ms. Frederick went back to school. Mr. Charlot says she’s irreplaceable but he’s looking for someone. Creole-speakers are encouraged to apply.



Mr. Cuomo says a PE teacher was out again today and it’s the 4th time this has happened to him and his class. There is trouble finding substitutes but Mr. Charlot will make sure coverage is provided for Mr. Cuomo if this happens again.



Mr. Charlot noted 1st grade teacher Mr. Robledo resigned and Mr. St. Cyr will be taking over. Also, Ms. Nudelman will help students in that class twice a week, when she loses many of her own students top gifted.



The meeting ended at 4:23pm.