Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Recording Secretary: Susana Brito

Location of meeting: Fienberg Fisher Elementary Media Center

Was a quorum established? Yes

Was the meeting advertised? Yes, 12/06/2007

Attendance

Topics Covered

Fienberg Fisher Elementary
EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Minutes for Meeting on Wednesday, January 17th, 2007

Meeting was called to order at 2:15 PM.

I. ROUND ROBIN INTRODUCTIONS
· The following attendees introduced themselves:
Olga Figueras, School Principal
Beatriz C. Sears, Assistant Principal
Aisha Marrero, Chairperson / Teacher Representative
Kenneth Boos, Business Community Representative
Susana Brito, Recording Secretary/Teacher Representative
Michael Erwin, UTD/Vice Chairperson/Teacher Representative
Claudia Sullivan, Business Community Representative
Debbie Daniels, Teacher Representative
Carmen Longueira, Parent Representative
Tai- Li Frazer, Teacher Representative
Ana Patricia Ramirez, P.T.A. / Parent Representative
Ernesto Cajina, Parent Representative
Milena Cajina, Student Representative
Milagros Myers, Alternate Educational Support Employee
Angelica Aguilar, Educational Support Employee
Walter Amaya, Parent Representative
Waldy Blanco, Parent Representative
Valerie Blanco, Alternate Student Representative
Sandy Araujo-Cox, Teacher Representative
Erika Matos, Alternate Teacher Representative
Jerold Blumstein, Guest, Administrative Assistant to Martin Karp, Board Member
· The following members were absent:
Marjorie York, Business Community Representative
Rafael Motta, Business Community Representative

Committee welcomed Jerold Blumstein, Beatriz Sears and Susana Brito.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
· The minutes were approved after edits were made in Section V.

III. CORRESPONDENCE
· E-mail correspondence from the District via a weekly briefing about the 2007 EESAC On-line Feedback Survey. EESAC needs to convene a Strategic Focus Group Meeting to gather information based on the EESAC’s knowledge and/or experience with MDCPS. Aisha Marrero distributed copies of the survey, and a Power Point Presentation on Strategic Planning Focus Group from MDCPS. She asked the members to read the presentation and the questions so that EESAC can discuss this on the February meeting and complete the survey prior to the deadline of March 9th, 2007.

IV. PARENT CONCERN
· Update on flashing lights on Washington Avenue: As of this morning the flashing light signal on Washington Avenue between Espanola Way and 15th Street is not working.
· E-mail correspondence from Dr. Karp, Region II Board Member dated 11/17/06 and Agustin Barrera same date, in response to Ms. Sandra Hernandez one of our parents e-mail stated that this light was operable and that the other one on Washington between 14th and 13th Street would become operable the week of November 1st.
· E-mail correspondence between Olga Rodriguez dated 10/31/06 to William Rivera, Traffic Engineer from Miami-Dade Traffic Signal Department, stated that they were working on it and that the process would take anywhere from 2 weeks to one month, the month expired 11/30/06.
· Members expressed that this was not acceptable; it is not safe for our students to cross the street while cars zoom through this street because the light is not flashing alerting drivers. By the time the drivers see the other flashing light by 13th street, it’s impossible for the drivers to reduce the speed.
· Consensus was reached at last meeting to write a formal letter, however, since a representative from Dr. Karp’s office was going to be at this meeting, we thought it would be prudent to wait for feedback.
· Jerold Blumstein will immediately follow-up with Dr. Karp and will contact Mrs. Figueras.
· The budget, which allowed for us to have four crossing guards in the past, was reduced and this is why we only have two guards. Mrs. Figueras will mention that we need four crossing guards at the Quality of Education Meeting scheduled for January 23, 2007.
· Status regarding K-8 Center Application: Mrs. Figueras thanked Dr. Karp and Mr. Blumstein for their support in the K-8 conversion. Mrs. Figueras expressed that converting the elementary School into a K-8 Center has been the goal of the parents for over ten years and that the sentiment of parents continues to grow strong. Mr. Blumstein provided Mrs. Figueras with a copy of the completed report for the Traffic and the Facility Studies dated March and April of 2006; the report comes to us almost one year after the survey was conducted. Mrs. Figueras expressed concern that the approval process has taken a very long time. Mr. Blumstein mentioned that we were awaiting feedback from Curriculum and Instruction, a meeting would take place on January 31st, 2007 to address the K-8 Center conversion. He affirmed that Dr. Karp fully supports the conversion and has expressed this to Dr. Crew and his staff. The traffic and the facility studies that were conducted returned “positive.” It appears that the conversion plan is moving forward and either Dr. Karp or Mr. Blumstein will present the information gathered in the Curriculum and Instruction meeting at the next regularly scheduled EESAC meeting.

V. OLD BUSINESS
· Bathroom door located in room 118 update: Kenneth Boos announced that the bathrooms for the adult students would be cleaned by the adult education custodians. He made the recommendation of having the administration of the adult education school keep the keys for the shared door to the adult education bathrooms and the special education classroom. Mrs. Figueras clarified that the personnel from the special education classroom must have access to the bathrooms in order to serve the students’ needs written on the IEP. Questions were raised regarding how this shared door to the adult education bathrooms and to the special education class is opened and kept locked. Milagros Myers clarified that from the side where the adult education bathrooms are, this door remains automatically locked and from the classroom side, one can open the door. In knowing this, the students from the Adult Education School using the bathrooms do not have access to the classroom and therefore the situation has been resolved.
· Laptops: Teachers want to know if it is possible to have a laptop because of security and safety issues using the electronic grade book. Can the monies from the Microsoft settlement could be used for this purpose? This agenda item has been tabled for the next meeting. Mrs. Figueras will inquire and will let the EESAC know.

VI. NEW BUSINESS
ADULT EDUCATION
· Some adult education students continue not to wear their IDs. Mr. Mac has been assisting us with this endeavor. Adult education teachers will remind students to wear IDs before entering the building until they exit the building. Signs have been made that read: “MIAMI BEACH ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER, ALL VISITORS AND ADULT STUDENTS MUST WEAR I.D. BADGES BEFORE ENTERING SCHOOL, If you DO NOT have your I.D. You MUST report to the Elementary Administrative Office or the Adult Administrative Office to obtain a pass.” EESAC suggested to have these signs translated into Spanish. They will be laminated and then posted at designated areas throughout the campus.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
· Valerie Blanco mentioned that one 5th grade classroom was arriving in the cafeteria before the designated time. Mrs. Figueras will speak to the 5th grade teacher to ensure that the lunch schedule is followed.
· Sandy Cox mentioned that often the 4th grade students are served pizza for lunch since the cafeteria runs out of the other menu items for that day. She mentioned that the students were complaining about this. Mrs. Figueras stated that she will speak to Janice Bender, the Cafeteria Manager to make sure that the food calculations are conducted adequately so that those students arriving during the last lunch hour will also have access to the menu item selections for that day.


ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· UNIDAD conducted a successful free dental screening on Wednesday, January 10th, 2007. EESAC appreciates the efforts of Mrs. Stebenne, Mrs. Torres and Mrs. Aguilar for coordinating and making this service available for our students. UNIDAD staff not only screened the 2nd through 6th grade students as scheduled but they were able to check the students in the Head Start Program, Pre Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 1st grade!
· In an attempt to continue to involve stakeholders in the students’ education, the Office of School Quality Improvement will be scheduling monthly EESAC community trainings across the school district.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
SIP
· Mrs. Zabala has completed the SIP mid-year review. The deadline to turn the SIP to the Region Office has been postponed to January 31st, 2007. This item was tabled until a special meeting is called to discuss SIP mid-year review or at the next EESAC meeting.
DISCIPLINE & SAFETY
· The Discipline and Safety Committee Meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 11th, 2007 was cancelled.
· At this time, there is no plan for EESAC to vote on.
· A discussion was held regarding splitting the Discipline and Safety Committees or keeping them together. The pros and the cons were considered and discussed. Mrs. Figueras expressed that Committee members must take responsibility to be present at the scheduled meeting time. The latter falls under part VII of PACES Professional Responsibilities. Furthermore, she explained that all full-time staff must sign up for a minimum of two (2) committees: One Seasonal, and one (1) Curriculum or Year-round. Seasonal Committees generally plan specific events/activities for one week/month of the year. Curriculum Committees generally meet year-round in order to monitor progress, identify strategies, and report on student achievement. Year-Round Committees generally meet monthly/quarterly in order to monitor progress, identify strategies, and report on student achievement or school initiatives. The first meeting of the year for each committee is to called by the person who is the first one on the committee list usually delineated with an asterisk (*). During that meeting the committee members should elect a chairperson for the committee who will be in charge of planning and scheduling all subsequent meetings. During this meeting a plan of action need to be discussed and later turned into Mrs. Figueras containing at least three activities that the committee is going to oversee, participate, or conduct. All teachers know this, and it is the responsibility of the chairperson of each committee to make sure the latter is happening.


· After members were able to express their views on either keeping these Committees together or splitting them, a vote was conducted.
· EESAC members voted and consensus indicated to keep the Discipline and the Safety Committee as one Committee.
· Mr. Erwin will inform Mrs. Ingrid Whalen, Discipline and Safety Committee Chairperson, about this vote result so that a meeting can be scheduled as soon as possible.
· EESAC suggested to consider scheduling the Discipline and Safety Committee meetings from 2:00-2:30 on the same day as the EESAC meetings so that members are able to attend and quorum can be reached. Mr. Erwin will also mention this to Mrs. Whalen.
· The last meeting minutes reflect that all exterior doors to the building need to be locked and that the only entrance is through Washington Avenue. All visitors must enter through the gate located on Washington and obtain an ID from the Security person stationed there. Mrs. Marrero expressed a concern that the gate by the parking lot located by Pennsylvania Avenue remains locked, however, the gate by the gymnasium is open and there is no security posted there in the afternoon. Mrs. Figueras announced that Mrs. Restrepo has been hired part-time for 5 hours a day in order to secure the post by the PTA in the afternoon. This position is paid from the discretionary funds.
BY-LAWS
· Aisha Marrero e-mailed the By-Laws and suggestions from the District to all of the EESAC members who have an e-mail posted. A hard copy was given to those members who do not have an e-mail address listed. She asked all members to review and or revise this information so that members may vote on any amendments or corrections needed at the next regularly scheduled EESAC meeting.
BUDGET
· No report given at this time
VIII. NEXT MEETING DATE AND TIME
· The next EESAC meeting is scheduled for February 7th, 2007 at 2:15 PM in the Media Center.
IX. ADJOURMENT
· The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM