Educational Excellence
School Advisory Council

6611 Country Club Middle School

Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes for:    02/22/2011  05:00 PM

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

Recording Secretary:    Mr. Guillermo Ramos

Location of meeting:    Country Club Middle School Media Center

Was a quorum established?    Yes

Was the meeting advertised?    Yes,  02/11/2011

Attendance:

Members Present:

Fernandez, Jose (Principal)
Conroy, Denise (Union Steward)
Belkin, Linda (Teacher)
Covone, Gina (Teacher)
Gil, Gustavo (Teacher)
Martin, Melissa (Teacher)
Ramos, Guillermo (Teacher)
Lobato, Rolando (Alternate Teacher/Paraprofessional)
Mercado, Nidia (Educational Support Employee)
Pino, Marisol (Alternate Educational Support)
Cartwright, Judy (Parent)
Orta, Daniela (Parent)
Perez, Jesus (Parent)
Rizo, Alex (Parent)
Uz, Jose (Parent)
Uz, Miriam (Parent)
Cardeso, Cindy (Alternate Parent)
Uz, Carlos (Student)
Gonzalez, Adriana (Alternate Student)
Gonzalez, Diana (Business/Community Representative)
Rodriguez, Orlando (Business/Community Representative)


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:

EESAC Minutes – February 22, 2011 – Country Club Middle School

The eighth EESAC meeting of the 2010-2011 school year commenced on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 5:00 pm by EESAC Chairperson, Mrs. Linda Belkin. The minutes from the previous EESAC meeting was presented and read by Mr. Ramos. Ms. Covone motioned to approve the minutes and Ms. Conroy second the motion and the minutes were approved. The first item on the agenda after approving the minutes was the Country Club Middle School Improvement Plan Mid Year Review Update. Each curricular department involved in the School Improvement Plan presented their mid-year review update. For reading, Ms. Vinas presented data from the winter interims. The 6th grade class increased 21% points, the 7th grade class decreased 8% points and the 8th grade class increased 12% points. Some of the changes in instruction to address deficiencies in 7th grade include data chats, professional development for teachers, modeling best practices, walk- ins to address deficiencies, Accelerated Reader, daily interventions, Compass Learning and a Parent Night. These strategies along with continuous data driven exams and parental support should enable all students to be FCAT ready in reading. Ms. Belkin then gave a brief update on Writing for our 8th graders. Currently, the data reveals an increase of 26% points and the school is only 4% off the goal. There has been a definite increase in the Language Arts Department in getting the students ready for the FCAT Writes exam and it has been small group driven. Finally, the 8th grade students will attend a Pep Rally on Monday, February 28 before the test. In Science, Ms. Spicer elaborated that the data shows a positive increase from 12% to 53% from the baseline to the winter interim assessments. The students have shown the most improvement in Scientific Thinking. Amongst some strategies in Science that will be incorporated to continue the upward trend consists of data chats where students will know their strengths and weaknesses from the Edusoft reports, more use of online applications of FCAT Explorer and Gizmos, increased rigor in writing and problem solving, informal and summative assessments, use of sample questions from released tests and continuous emphasis on scientific thinking. Lastly, Mrs. Fields has also been incorporating small group instruction with reading strategies through Science. In Mathematics, Ms. Lebena presented the midyear data from the School Improvement Plan that addresses an increase in percentage points from baseline to winter interims. Furthermore, the highest increases were the following : For 6th grade, an increase of 5% points in fractions/rationals and statistics, in 7th grade, there was a 7% increase in statistics and probability and in 8th grade, 13% increase in expressions and 12% in fractions. Overall, the subgroups all had an increase as well. Continuous strategies in the mid year review of the School Improvement Plan for Mathematics stress use of FCAT Explorer and FCAT Crunch Packets, students in FCAT Levels 1 and 2 to use computer programs and software, such as Voyager, Saturday and Homeroom tutoring. In conclusion, all curricular departments involved with the School Improvement Plan updated the board members on the progress of the school in the mid year review as Country Club Middle readies for the FCAT examination. Next, Ms. Belkin mentioned the Curriculum Fair will be hosted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 for all incoming 6th grade students and their parents/guardians. This is an important sector and reflection in the School Improvement Plan in relation to parental support and involvement. Lastly, there was a discussion on the deadline of the monies granted to fund different school programs and resources and the use and availability of them. Ms. Belkin decided that she will discuss the issue with Ms. York, the school’s treasurer, and get a final balance on the monies used to be able to then purchase printer toner and SmartBoard bulb projectors. Ms. Covone made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Ms. Conroy second the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 pm.