School Advisory Council
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Educational Excellence School Advisory Council |
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5141 Hubert O. Sibley Elementary School
Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes for: 10/19/2006 03:30 PM
Please contact the school for a formatted hard copy of these minutes.
Recording Secretary: Lenny Cohen
Location of meeting: Hubert O. Sibley Elem. Media Center
Was a quorum established? Yes
Was the meeting advertised? Yes, 10/11/2006
Attendance:
Members Present:
Dr. April Grant, EESAC Chair
Mathew Cuomo, EESAC Co-Chair
Donald Clippinger, Asst. Principal
Estomene Dorcely, UTD
Lenny Cohen, Teacher
Michele Farmer, Teacher
Junia Decius, Business Representative
Members Absent (Excused):
Ms. C. Smith, PTA/Parent
Members Absent (Unexcused):
No one had an unexcused absence.
Others Present:
David Guss, Counselor
Jarred Baker, Student
Jude Bruno, Student
David Coulanges, StudentTopics Covered:
Hubert O. Sibley Elementary School
EESAC Meeting, Oct. 19, 2006
Meeting called to order at 3:30pm in the media center.
In attendance:
Dr. April Grant
Mathew Cuomo
Donald Clippinger, Asst. Principal
Estomene Dorcely, UTD
Lenny Cohen, Teacher
Michele Farmer, Teacher
David Guss, Counselor
Jarred Baker, Student
Jude Bruno, Student
David Coulanges, Student
Junia Decius, Business Representative
Dr. Grant introduced Junia Decius, wife of Nick of Nick’s Photo Studio. They will be the community representatives/business leaders to EESAC.
Mr. Cuomo was added to the last meeting’s attendance list and the word recruit was spelled correctly. Then, the minutes from the September meeting were approved.
Mr. Clippinger talked about the School wide Instructional Review. He said representatives from other schools came to Sibley, observed many classes, and were impressed. He explained words like centers and guided readings are buzzwords. Unfortunately, they didn’t always show up in a classroom at the appropriate time, so the visitors would’ve liked more evidence of it happening. Still, they were pleased overall and especially liked how we analyze/utilize data/DIBELS, Saturday Academy, and tutoring.
The School Improvement Plan checklist must’ve been done or we would’ve heard about it. Only 2 items in the document had to be qualified, and Dr. Grant, Mrs. Farmer, and Mr. Cuomo did it. They also did a checklist that may be the one in question.
Vending machine money: A teacher had mentioned money from the vending machines used to go to the teachers’ social committee but not anymore. Can it be changed back? Mr. Charlot will meet with Ms. Dorcely and Ms. Violich to discuss the matter.
6th graders Jarred Baker and Jude Bruno (in Mr. Cuomo’s class, Room 304) requested to be on EESAC. EESAC needs a 6th grade liaison and alternate and the nominees must be approved by 6th graders, but the office-holders will represent all Sibley students. Baker and Bruno will make short campaign speeches during Tuesday’s morning announcements. 5th grader David Coulanges can be an unelected liaison to EESAC and prepared to assume official duties next year. Dr. Grant will make and collect ballots in 2 boxes: 1 in Mr. Cuomo’s classroom and the other in either Mr. Smith or Mr. Colon’s room.
Dr. Grant is concerned about K-1 children being dismissed at 2pm but not picked up until much later. She says there are people outside watching them but these people shouldn’t have to spend an hour doing this. Also, it’s not the school’s responsibility to supervise, so we need to inform parents. Mr. Cuomo suggests sending a letter to parents that children will be forced to go to aftercare and the parents will be charged by the minute. The group liked that idea but someone will have to talk to the YWCA.
The topic of unsupervised children continued. Apparently, some are dropped off at school at 6:20am. Is that abandonment? Mr. Clippinger says he saw a whole game of soccer taking place with a smashed plastic water bottle as the ball, and the school could be liable for letting it happen if someone gets hurt. Mr. Clippinger suggested going after parents who owe money for aftercare should be done like going after parents who owe money to the cafeteria. It was suggested school police be at Sibley by 6:30am to approach parents who drop off their children too early. Our school shares resources with North Miami Middle.
Mr. Guss expressed concern about the 3pm dismissal. Dr. Grant said that’s a different issue because the older children are expected to walk home and they simply don’t go. Mr. Clippinger suggested possibly holding the children in locations aside from aftercare. They’d be divided by their method of getting home (like parent or private bus). Then, someone with a walkie-talkie would let supervisors in those rooms know when to let a student out. Private bus drivers often contribute to the problem by not picking the children up on time. Parents should complain to the bus companies to show up on time. The school can’t put as much pressure on those parents because they’re actually paying for childcare.
Mr. Cuomo wondered about the school security situation. He said someone is needed in the new building because toilet paper is being thrown in the bathroom and students from different classes often hang out at hallway water fountains without hall passes. Apparently, some students are being let out of class and don’t return. Mr. Clippinger says we’re over budget on security and that money is already being taken from other places to pay for “2-1/2 people” instead of the “1-1/2” in the budget. Work schedules are in place and the front of the building is always manned. After this month’s Amish school shootings, word came from downtown that people including the media were trying to get past school security to show lapses. For several days, Mr. Allen stood by the door near the P.E. shelter, but that has been discontinued. Right now, Ms. Simms works a fulltime schedule and others work part-time. Mr. Cuomo suggested a spreadsheet of 6th grade students so security guards can mark off how many times they go to the bathroom in a morning. A discussion also took place about watching when older ESE students go to the bathroom when they’re working individually. In other words, who gives permission and who watches the students?
Mr. Panisch can’t be an EESAC rep so he’ll have to be replaced. It was suggested Mr. Guss be nominated. Mr. Guss wondered if there’s enough diversity if 2 counselors are members. Mr. Guss and any other nominee will be voted on at the next faculty meeting. Members were reminded that they can’t have 2 absences from meetings without calling somebody.
Once again, the group thanked Junia Decius for being our business representative.
Mr. Guss reminded everyone next week is Red Ribbon Week. The morning news team will broadcast daily events.
The meeting ended at 4:20pm.