Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Recording Secretary: John Tanner

Location of meeting: Cafeteria

Was a quorum established? Yes

Was the meeting advertised? Yes, 12/15/2014

Attendance

Topics Covered

Meeting Minutes
January 08th, 2015

Opening:
The regular meeting of the ASPIRA Leadership & College Preparatory Academy/EESAC was called to order at 9:37 AM on January 08, 2015 in the school cafeteria by EESAC Chair parent, Mrs. Tomeka Lahoz and seconded by Mrs. Linda Giammarino.

Present:
Mr. Garrick Keidan (Principal), Mrs. Charmaine Dennis (Assistant Principal/CIS), Mr. Robert Interian (Testing Chair/Teacher), Mr. John W. Tanner (Title I Facilitator/Teacher & Temporary EESAC Recording Secretary), Mrs. Maria Rivera-Ruiz (ESE/SPED Teacher), Ms. Emily Ricardo (ELL Teacher), Ms. Tomeka Lahoz (ESSAC Chair), Ms. Mirna Carter, Ms. Yrmina Gonzalez, Ms. Polly Clarke, Jessie Hannah, Karen Mendieta, Maribella Vieyva, Gabriela Vieyva, Lanidra Jones Payton, Shenterica Jones Clark, and Symarcus Clark.Mr. Robert Parker, Business Rep Martha Guillen,Student Sierra Griffin

A. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved and distributed.

B. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were distributed and approved.

C. Open Issues

1. Introductions: Mr. Keidan welcomed the parents in attendance. (1), he provided an update on the kindergarten playground, the several site visits for permitting, and when phase two (the flooring) would roll out. (2) Gradventure to Universal Studies is coming up on 5/15, a small group than last year will be going. (3) The Charter School Renewal Board convened and we have been renewed for another 5 years. A lot of work went into that meeting, so we are glad to receive the renewal. (4) Testing is coming up – Mr. Keidan deferred the floor to Mr. Interian, Testing Chair.

2. Testing: Mr. Interian reported that round 2 of FAIR testing is required and that next week our middle school language arts students would be taking the writing post-test. Although it is a requirement this year, the writing test may be phased out in the near future. Science and Civics have a mid-year assessment at the end of January, as well as CELLA testing for ELL students. A screenshot handout was distributed to the committee members to illustrate how FCAT is phased out and the FSA’s have replaced it. Mr. Interian informed the members that the parent portal has sample tests for students available. There are interactive testing prep requirements that students should access in advance to be ready for the upcoming tests. Mr. Keidan stated that we have Saturday school for students to prepare for the tests.

3. Drama Club: Mr. Tanner reported that the winter play was a success and how the students enjoyed the production. He also reported that the Drama Club would not commence in January because of a scheduling conflict with professional educational course requirements for the renewal of his teaching certification.

Parent Question: “Will the test affect passing the class?” Interian: “The test counts for 33% of the grade. The course grade would be lowered if the student failed the test. Mr. Keidan: “If the student fails two core subject classes, then they would be held back.”

Mrs. Dennis: After welcoming the parents, Mrs. Dennis explained how there were several new faces at the meeting that morning because she wanted to encourage more parents to attend our EESAC meetings, our next meeting is scheduled for March 5th at 9:30AM.

- Forms for our 8th graders transitioning to high school are going out today. Robert Morgan has a new form, as well as the recommendation form for Coral Reef Senior High .and Cambridge
- The next PTO meeting is scheduled for 1/21 @ 6:30PM, she invited the parents to please come and participate.
- We will begin to work on the PIP for the next school year.
- Report cards will be coming out on 1/29.
- We won the award at the last DAC meeting.

Mr. Keidan: “If there are any topics that parents want us to talk about, inform us.”

Parent: “Do we still have the internet program?”

Mr. Keidan: “Yes, we have it. The parent will need to pick up a form from the office. It’s available for students with free or reduced lunch.

Parent: “Do you have any news when the 8th grade graduation will be?”

Mr. Keidan: “This year’s 8th grade class may not be able to pay for the $25.00 fee. So, we may need to downsize.

Mrs. Dennis: “Students have not participated in the fundraising that we’ve held and so there’s not going to be enough funds to pay for the same type of graduation as last year.”

Mr. Keidan: “We wanted the students to rent the cap & gowns, but last year’s students did not sell back their packets so we are short by about forty packets. We will have to order more packs and sell them to the students like last year.

Parent: “How much are the packets?”

Mr. Keidan: “Twenty dollars. It includes the diploma with it. In addition, the costs of the facilities are going up. We always try to make each graduation different and have been contacting many venues for prices.

Mrs. Dennis: “We had the graduation two years ago at a nearby church, but some families who are J.W. were not comfortable with the location. So, to respect everyone’s religion, we’re looking for a private, non-religious facility.

Ms. Lahoz: “I want to suggest we hold a yard sale for parents to donate lightly used items to raise funds.

Mrs. Ruiz: “We welcome everybody to come because we need things like that.”

Mrs. Dennis: “We will look at the calendar and let you know when we can put it together. We only had 1 movie night so we can have another movie night and charge, so that will bring in some money.”

Mr. Tanner: “By the way, we are going to have a Valentine’s Dance and items for sale in February.

Mrs. Dennis: “We usually sell flowers, balloons, etc. so that the students aren’t bringing in items from outside the school. Also, we are going to have a graduation ceremony for the K students here onsite.

Mr. Keidan: “One last thing, next year we will have K, 1, 6, 7, and 8th grades. We are looking at phase 2 of construction to include a new 2-story building to replace the portables. Phase 3 may include a pool where we can have students participate in water safety classes as well as compete in swim meets.

Adjournment:
Meeting was motioned to adjourn at 10:40 a.m. by Mrs. Giammarino and seconded by Ms. Mendieta. The next general meeting will be on March 5th, 2015 at 9:30AM in the ASPIRA L.C.P.A cafeteria.

Minutes submitted by: Mr. John W. Tanner

Approved by: _______________________

Ms. Tomeka Lahoz (EESAC Chair)