Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m. The minutes from November 13, 2007, were reviewed and approved.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Gonzalez began by explaining that magnet recruitment is in process for incoming sixth-graders and outgoing eighth-graders. She gave an update on the replacement of the gym roof. Hoop-It-Up for eighth-graders was a success under the direction of Mr. Sands and the school’s Student Council. Mrs. Vinat was selected as the Region IV Teacher of the Year, and she is a finalist for the District’s Teacher of the Year. The Blue Ribbon Celebration was a big success with approximately 1,000 students participating in field day. Student behavior was excellent and clubs did a wonderful job providing activities. At the conclusion of the event, students did a great job cleaning up the field. The second event was “high culture” with students from all three language programs putting on a wonderful show for the eighth-graders and visiting dignitaries in the auditorium. Sixth and seventh grade students were able to watch the event on television from their homerooms. On November 29, foreign language teachers from Orange County visited Carver with plans of using Carver’s program as a model. Science Fair judging is today with a parent Science Fair night tomorrow. The last week before the holiday recess will be quiet as it is mid-term review week. Mrs. Stroleny continued the message by discussing the school’s multi-page Mid-Year Review. Last year the scores of the district interim assessments in reading and math were significantly lower because the examinations did not match our scope and sequence in language arts, mathematics or science. The district’s interim assessments since have been modified and are much closer to what we are actually doing in the classrooms. Now we can tell how our students are doing according to the tested benchmarks. The general population, ESOL students, and students in the reading classes are improving. The testing is a good tracking device to see how we are preparing students. Timed readings are occurring in language arts classes in grades 6, 7, and 8 and teachers are tracking student progress. We have not tracked this data in the past this closely. This doesn’t take more than 20 minutes, but it helps teachers see that skills are being acquired. Tracking reading and writing in language arts classes is taking place and our students are increasing steadily in all three grades. In mathematics, teachers are much more pleased with the interim assessment and student progress. Mrs. Gonzalez added that there were many discussions across the district because exams previously were not closely aligned to the district’s pacing guides. Mrs. Stroleny said Carver’s results are impressive and most students are making satisfactory progress in math. The science department made an in-house exam for sixth-graders, but seventh- and eighth-graders were tested with the district’s interim assessment. While scores were lower than in reading and math, Carver scores are high compared to other schools. We don’t just have core subjects being evaluated in the SIP. Parental involvement is well on its way to meeting its goals with orientation fairs and parent workshops, some of which are still ongoing. Discipline and safety are being monitored. The district’s character education program is being implemented across the curriculum. As of this date, we have no outdoor suspensions. We have used indoor suspensions where students can make up work. Mrs. Gonzalez explained that the district has come up with an alternative for suspension—students must do work after school and parents and students must attend workshops. Coral Gables High School, Ponce de Leon Middle School are working collaboratively with Carver on this program. The program has a specific curriculum. Technology objectives under Mrs. Miyares are being implemented. Students’ progress is tracked through the foreign language classes. Health and fitness objectives are ongoing, and the PE department is generating data. The national fitness test is in April for all PE students, many of whom have already reached high passing rates in many of the areas tested. Another goal has been to increase student participation in clubs and give more responsibility to the club officers. For example, when a teacher is absent, the club meeting is not cancelled, unless it is a club with a large number of students. Club officers run the meeting with the help of the substitute teacher. Mrs. Stroleny said that overall we are on our way to doing what we need to do to improve according to the SIP, and we do not see a need to make adjustments to existing strategies. Mrs. Stack asked if we have comparisons within the state of Florida. Mrs. Gonzalez said we do not because these are district assessments, not state. The logic behind this is to make sure our students are ready to take the FCAT. This is not done to compare Carver to other schools. The NRT on the FCAT is a comparison nationally. Mrs. Fernandez concurred about the NRT’s role.

Open forum: Mrs. Robledo commented that two students attended a workshop for the Advanced Placement foreign language test. Both students saw that what we are doing in classes is what is expected on the test. She also informed that we have implemented the distribution formula for the FCAT A+ money. Mrs. Gonzalez said that Mrs. Vazquez took the biology students to Miami International Airport and they proposed how the airport can go green and become more environmentally friendly. Students did research and made presentations. Mrs. Straus also attended and said the student work was very impressive and that some of the proposals are being considered. Mrs. Baker raised a concern about the renaming of the school. She said she heard the rumors from graduates of Carver High School. Mrs. Gonzalez assured her that there are no plans to rename the school. Mr. Sands added that students currently are learning the alma mater from the high school.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:57 a.m.