Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:22 a.m. The minutes from December 12, 2007, were reviewed and approved.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Gonzalez reported that Carver students excelled at the Science Fair Awards Ceremony. She said the success and the many high quality projects are a credit to our Science Department. The Internet Safety Class for parents last week was successful and informative, and we have received great parent feedback. The Sixties Celebration, suggested by Mr. Hudson, will take place on March 26. The Black History luncheon is Friday. The Superintendent’s Town Hall meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on March 5 at Edison Middle School; parents are encouraged to attend. One of the topics of the meeting will be the SPOT Success Initiative whereby teachers can nominate a child for great work. We are sending two students to the meeting. Olimpia Reboll and Yuberniz Orengo will be recognized. On March 6, Arielle Wilson-Dodard will be honored at the Youth Fair as a finalist for the Walter B. Arnold Youth Hall of Fame Award. Mr. Hudson explained that the award is primarily to recognize students for outstanding community service. Pep rallies for FCAT will take place during homeroom on March 5 through March 7. For the eighth year in a row, Carver received the Magnet Schools of America Excellence Award (the highest level). Mrs. Gonzalez explained the need to amend sections of the EESAC Bylaws. The references to School Performance Excellence Plan (SPEP) need to be modified to School Improvement Plan (SIP) in sections I B, I C, and I E. Next, section IV A needs to be adjusted concerning the term for parent representatives from one year to “The term may be extended if the parent has a student enrolled in the school.” Last, in section V A, “The council must meet a minimum of once per marking period and may meet more often if deemed necessary” can replace the previous requirement to meet every month. Mrs. Gonzalez said she still plans for the council to meet every month when possible. The amendments were approved unanimously by a vote of the council.

Open forum: Mr. Sands informed the council about the Mock Supreme Court activity taking place this week with his seventh-grade Civics classes. He also said Student Council is organizing the FCAT pep rally. Miss Quintana said preparations are progressing well. Mr. Sands added that students are learning the Alma Mater with Carver alumni teaching it to the kids. Mrs. Gramling reported that the Fairchild Challenge is moving right along and we are accruing points at a good rate. Deadlines for many options are coming up. There are 10 options in total and Carver students have scored well so far. Mrs. Daniels said the girls’ and boys’ track and field teams are competing tomorrow and finalists will compete on March 5; the tennis teams are getting started with Mr. Jones serving as coach. Mrs. Robledo said the Spanish Drama club is having rehearsals after school almost every day but trying to limit it to three days and Saturdays because of parent requests. For 17 years, the club has won first place overall in poetry, impromptu, and drama. Mrs. Castro had her baby, a 9-pound boy. Miss Quintana said that a group of students under the leadership of Mrs. Vazquez went to the Miami International Airport on February 20 and spoke with executives about environmental issues. She said Mr. Ralph Silva was especially receptive to the students’ presentation. The group is now planning to make a presentation to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools School Board on ways to make schools more environmentally friendly. Mrs. Gonzalez informed that Carver won first place for the Regional Center IV Employee United Way Campaign, and she said she is very proud of the faculty as caring and giving people. Mrs. Greif explained the Papa John’s Pizza Un Maestro Especial campaign, which highlights and rewards teachers who are making a distinct positive impact in children’s lives. Ten teachers will be honored with $1,000 cash prizes, and Mrs. Greif encouraged members to nominate Carver teachers for the honor.

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