Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:23 a.m. The minutes from March 13, 2007, were reviewed and approved.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Gonzalez began the message by saying, “Your wish is my command” in response to parent requests for typing instruction. The school purchased the license for a program for teaching keyboarding skills during homeroom. Students will rotate to use the computers. Students will receive practice and guidance during homeroom, but they also can log in and practice at home. Mrs. Stroleny said that currently all classes in the new building are set up for the program; a few classes in the old building are not fully operational but should be ready soon. Mrs. Miyares is supervising the program. Mrs. Gonzalez said she will do a Connect-ED message to inform parents and also will send a flier home with the students. She asked Mr. Hudson to place an article in the school newspaper about the program. Mrs. Szmulewicz pointed out that parents and teachers also can use the program. Mrs. Broadmeadow suggested that students use the program during the summer.

Two orientation meetings were held for incoming students, April 16, 2007 for IE students and April 10, 2007 for IS students. The spring book fair took place, where the PTSA sold required summer reading books, and it was very successful. The District-Wide Language Competition took place on April 14, 2007 and our Spanish, French and German teams all earned overall first place awards competing against high schools. Next week the German team is going to the German Language state competition; Spanish and French are not invited participate at the state level. The brain research staff development project continues with Mrs. Corzo. She is back on campus after her injury; she is planning an exciting summer institute where for one week teachers will work with her to learn to provide training throughout the year. That will be our main professional development next year. April 17, 2007 is the end-of-year concert for the music program. April 18, 2007 is the 7th grade science fair parent workshop, which in past years has been very successful because parents and students can begin researching their projects over the summer. Spring pictures will take place on April 23 and 24, and an eighth-grade business etiquette training also is scheduled for this month. Take Your Child to Work Day is April 26. Mrs. Greif asked if students will miss work that day and Gonzalez said that this is a district initiative and that students will be allowed to make up any missed work. Mrs. Vinat is a finalist for the Social Studies Teacher of the Year and we are very proud of her. Her husband, who teaches at Felix Varela High School, is also a finalist for the honor. At the May 4, 2007 PTSA meeting, elections will take place. The final drama performance is set for May 3, 2007. Mrs. Robledo is a state finalist for the FEA award for Teaching Excellence. The state winner will be announced on June 14, 2007 in Orlando. The national award is in July in Pennsylvania. We had a great student council convention. Mrs. Gonzalez said, “It takes courage to get in front of 300 students, faculty, and staff. I do admire the students. It was done in a very professional and eloquent fashion. Students were well behaved in the audience and speakers were very well prepared.” She thanked Mr. Sands for his work on the elections and also for his work with law week. The Renaissance Faire was mentioned as a success, and Mrs. Gonzalez thanked Mr. Hudson for coming up with a possible idea for next year’s fair. At the district competition, the SECME team won first place for its poster and second place for its banner. At the state science fair, Kira Graber got third place. The final EESAC meeting of the school year is May 8, 2007. Mr. Sands will take a group of students to Washington this Thursday through Saturday. Mr. Sands explained that Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen set up a tour of the Capitol and student Larissa Weinstein’s father set up a tour of the Supreme Court.

Open Forum: Mrs. Robledo informed the Council that the Advanced Placement course is now an official course at Carver; The College Board has approved the Spanish and French courses and the German course is pending and is expected to be approved soon. Collection of money by the PTSA for the eighth-grade banquet will take place next week. There was discussion about changing the date of the next EESAC meeting because of possible conflict with the Spanish AP test but Mrs. Robledo, who teaches the AP course, suggested for the date to remain unchanged.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.