Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:25 a.m. The minutes from January 7, 2009, were reviewed and approved.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Stroleny presented the School Improvement Plan (SIP) mid-year review. Department chairpersons provided the supporting data. Students have shown growth in reading, mathematics and writing in all grade levels inclusive of all subgroups, including English Language Learners and FCAT Level 1 and 2 students. Interim exams have been helpful in providing hard data by grade level as well as sub-groups to show that student learning is moving in the right direction. Teachers also used additional data sources such as teacher made and text book assessments to show progress and determine what strategies are effective. We can change ineffective strategies for the SIP. Among the top strategies have been in-house timed readings across all subject areas. The literacy team has examined data on an ongoing basis and explored strategies to build reading capacity school wide. Teachers have identified certain student groups for weaknesses and provided remediation. In mathematics, we provide an advanced curriculum to all students. We also have intensive math course and homeroom tutoring for struggling students. Therefore, we “push from top and bottom.” We closely monitor students’ level of mastery for all FCAT-tested benchmarks. In writing, many strategies have succeeded. Mr. Hudson works with identified students Monday through Thursday during homeroom. We have increased descriptive writing through VTS, in which students look at art and analyze it. This helps students look closely for details and develop topics. FCAT-style responses completed in other subject areas have been helpful because language arts cannot do it alone. Social studies and foreign languages have helped considerably. We also have increased publicizing the Perfect 6 Club. In science, highly effective strategies include a homeroom science tutorial with emphasis on FCAT benchmarks four days a week with Mrs. Small to give a boost to identified students. Our science curriculum focuses on investigation and lab experiments. Science teachers monitor benchmarks and use Gizmos and FCAT Explorer for additional reinforcement. Parent involvement and parent attendance at workshops has been high: FCAT Mathmatics (45 parents), FCAT Reading (101), FCAT Writing (26), Science (53), Study Skills (6), and Resource Fair (247). Multiple data sources show that we are making progress in all areas and we do not want to make any changes to the SIP. Mr. Sands asked if we have made mid-term changes to plan in the past. Mrs. Gonzalez explained that strategies are well considered with input from departments. Throughout the year we receive input from teachers regarding what is needed or what needs to be eliminated. Mrs. Stroleny said this SIP is teacher-driven. Mrs. Gonzalez attributed the success to the fact that the strategies come from teachers.

The dress code needs EESAC approval, and Mrs. Gonzalez recommended keeping it the way it is. Miss Diez said our school is more flexible than her friends’ schools. A motion to keep the dress code was approved.

Mrs. Gonzalez explained that we cannot upgrade the sound system because EESAC funds are not sufficient to pay the $21,000 cost and this is not considered an essential expense. “Essential” is anything a teacher might need to function in the classroom. Also, anything related to health and safety will be funded, including custodial supplies. Mrs. Gonzalez said that the district has not “closed my hands with anything that is considered essential.” She asked to use EESAC funds to pay for Carver’s etiquette course ($600) and final renovation to the gymnasium, including volleyball equipment at $1,685. She said she will try to pay from school funds but would like to be able to use EESAC funds if necessary. She would like to use remaining funds to replace computers because computer purchases are presently not being approved. Mrs. Robledo recommended approving funding for flexibility. Mrs. Plummer asked about banners in the gym, which the PTSA funds. She asked about displaying other banners and Mrs. Gonzlez said all banners are displayed. Mrs. Gonzalez said she will let us know at the next meeting the exact costs according to purchase orders. Work has begun on the Hall of Fame for Carver alumni who have distinguished themselves. Captain Winston Scott was honored last year. The hallway by the new cafeteria has been designated as the area to honor these individuals.

Open Forum: Mrs. Gamling informed that we are doing very well on the Fairchild Challenge and we have received scores on the first four challenges and have already met the minimum required score. The Spanish department is active with extra-curricular activities. In Social Studies, we have had three Holocaust survivors speak to students, and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen introduced them. The FCAT Writing exam is on Feb 10. The FCAT Reading is on March 10, Mathematics on March 11 and Science on March 16. The spring fair is set for April 3. The next EESAC meeting is April 15.

The Council asked that data for lottery funds pertaining to EESAC be included in the minutes. In Miami-Dade, the adopted budget is $1,548,767. Second quarter expenditures were $525,248, and year-to-date expenditures are $788,529. Funds are calculated at $5 per unweighted FTE (K-12) intended to increase family and community involvement and give greater flexibility for the school’s EESAC to address unique needs of the students in their schools.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:56 a.m.