Educational Excellence School Advisory Council

3100 Mater Academy East Charter & 7037 Mater Academy East Charter PREP.

Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes for:    01/28/2003  03:00 PM

Please contact the school for a formatted hard copy of these minutes.

Recording Secretary:    Ana Rodriguez-Ecay

Location of meeting:    Mater Academy East Charter School

Was a quorum established?    Yes

Was the meeting advertised?    Yes,  01/14/2003

Attendance:

Members Present:

Riera, Beatriz (Principal)
Blasko, Monika (Teacher)
Gomez, Marisol (Teacher)
Rodriguez-Ecay, Ana I (Teacher)
Oro, Berta (Educational Support Employee)
Marrero, Lourdes (Alternate Educational Support)
Aguilar, Cristina (Parent)
Perez, Rene (Parent)
Remos, Alejandro (Board of Directors (Charter))

Members Absent (Excused):

No one had an excused absence.

Members Absent (Unexcused):

No one had an unexcused absence.

Others Present:

No one else was present.

Topics Covered:

1. Call to order: 3:00 p.m.
2. Update by principal, Betty Riera
a. Early Intervention Program for the FCAT and SAT has been taking place since November for all level 1 students. In January, it became mandatory for all students to attend after-school tutoring sessions.
b. Discussed that FCAT preparations are going well.
c. Discussed how the issue of third grade retention has made parents more involved.
d. Also expressed that the school is lacking computers and books.
e. Explained that there is already a waiting list for the 2003-2004 school year.
f. Explained that the school has made additional partnerships with community sponsors, such as the City of Miami Police Department and McDonald's.

3. Update by Board of Director, Alejandro Remos
a. Alejandro Remos explained that construction would be starting at Mater Academy East campus in the near future.
b. Also explained that Mater East has not utilized all their money in their budget for computers and textbooks.

4. Question/Answer Session/ Recommendations/ Comments:
a. Monika Blasko-expressed satisfaction with the FCAT after-school tutoring program and has seen progress in her students since November.
b. Cristina Aguilar-expressed gratitude toward the teachers and administration for volunteering their time after school regarding the success of students test-taking skills.
c. Cristina Vizcaino-expressed concern about the Science FCAT because it was the first year students were going to take it and she wanted to know how their scores would affect the school's overall achievement.
d. Rene Perez-agreed that having a strong science curriculum would greatly benefit the students in this arena.
e. Cristina Vizcaino-discussed the school's upcoming science fair and how it would give students a hands-on approach to learning the scientific method.

5. The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.