Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:24 a.m. The minutes from January 5, 2010 were reviewed and approved with the following corrections: In the Fairchild Challenge, Carver students earned two honorable mentions on Option 2 and a first place on Option 3.

Principal’s message: Mrs. Gonzalez began by reporting that the school had a very competitive Spelling Bee on Jan. 29, when Orko Sarkar defeated Maya Wilson-Fernandez to become school champion. Mr. Sarkar, an EESAC parent representative said he knows that it is difficult at the county level but that his son will do his best. At the Science Fair, Carver students did incredibly well, and we received the trophy as the best middle school in the county. Carver was limited to sending 15 students to the district competition; three of those qualified to go to the state competition. Eighth-graders are getting ready for the FCAT Writing assessment on Feb. 9; Sixth- and seventh-graders complete a mock test on the same date. Mrs. Stroleny gave an update on the School Improvement Plan. The progress from the baseline assessments given at the beginning of the school year to the midyear assessments given in January is as follows: Sixth-grade reading improved from 51 percent at or above mastery to 90 percent; our goal is 94 percent. Seventh-grade reading improved from 77 percent to 95 percent; our goal is 98 percent. Eighth-grade reading improved from 48 percent to 80 percent; our goal is 97 percent. Successful reading strategies include collaborative planning, team teaching, vertical teaming, focus calendars to teach all benchmarks, monitoring using data, Voyager reading program for levels 1 and 2 students in intensive reading classes, and Reading Plus with English Language Learner (ELL) students. In writing, eighth-grade students increased their scores from 4.3 to 4.7 (on a 6-point scale) in persuasive writing; our goal is 100 percent of students at mastery. Mrs. Gonzalez commented, “We have always done well; we will continue to do well.” Effective writing strategies are collaborative planning, team teaching, vertical teaming, tutoring during homeroom, and incorporating the visual arts with a focus on descriptive writing. Mr. Hudson and Mrs. Salman have worked with selected students during homeroom and they have improved almost one point on average. We also have publicized the Perfect 6 Club; student council members have visited homerooms, banners have been hanged in hallways, and Mrs. Plaza organized a writing rally in the gym to practice writing skills in a fun way. Mrs. Gonzalez said she liked the rally because it was practice and work, not just a pep rally, and did not take away from instructional time. The rallies took place during homeroom with three homerooms competing at the same time. It took four days to rotate through all eighth grade homeroom classes. In math, sixth-grade students improved from 36 percent to 88 percent; our goal is 93 percent. Seventh-grade students improved from 36 percent to 93 percent; our goal is 99 percent. Eighth-grade students improved from 39 percent to 99 percent; our goal is 100 percent. Math strategies that have been effective are collaborative planning, FCAT Fridays, data from interim reports, data chats, Sharpen Up, and other FCAT practice. Mrs. Fernandez explained that Thursdays and Fridays are official test days and after tests math classes go into FCAT Friday; students also use GIZMO and the FCAT Simulation program, which is harder than the actual FCAT but helps them thinking critically at a high level. Mrs. Gonzalez said our curriculum is very advanced but we also must review tested skills that we previously taught because our students are working above grade level. In science, eighth-grade students improved from 39 percent to 84 percent; our goal is 91 percent. Effective science strategies include collaborative planning, FCAT warm-ups, District Essential labs, GIZMO, student-centered/teacher-facilitated presentations, graph-making and analysis, data chart-making and analysis, Preparing for Science FCAT workbook, Measuring Up, and Brain Pop.
Interventions have been effective in increasing student performance: 88 percent of students participating in language arts tutoring during the second marking period raised their grade to a C or higher the next marking period. Students in FCAT writing tutoring improved an average of .92 points from the baseline assessment. In reading tutoring, 60 percent of students made learning gains as reflected on the midyear assessment. In math tutoring, 67 percent of students raised their grade to a C or higher. In science tutoring, 50 percent of students raised their grade to a C or higher, and 93 percent in FCAT science made learning gains. We are using an additional initiative with ESOL students at levels 3 and 4; they must pass the FCAT reading and the CELA exam to exit ESOL. Mrs. Plaza is working with teachers and students in small groups to help them prepare for these tests. Mrs. Gonzalez said, “We are preparing for FCAT but we are also meeting our advanced curriculum using data to maximize instructional strategies. At no time do we believe in teaching to the FCAT. I am proud of these teachers because it is a double duty.” She also said that staff development has helped prepare teachers to meet these goals and plans are underway for next year’s staff development.

Official Business: Mrs. Stroleny said the uniform policy is working very well and no vote from parents is needed as long as no changes are wanted. The EESAC voted to continue the uniform policy in its present format. Mrs. Gonzalez said research shows that the way students dress indicates how they will perform and that she is pleased with the results of the school’s uniform policy.

Open Forum: Mrs. Robledo reported that on January 30, 100 students from the Spanish program attended a play. The performance will be repeated on February 22 for students who could not attend. Her students are having rehearsals after school and on weekends to prepare for the Mini Concurso. Our Spanish, French, and German students will compete in this event on March 13 in Hialeah. Mrs. Daniels reported that twelve students participated in the ING Marathon and received medals. Mr. Tom Kernan was introduced as the newest EESAC member, representing the community. He said he spent 40 years in the insurance industry, dealing mostly with medical malpractice. Since retiring, he works with college admissions assistance, helping high-schoolers find the best college fit and find money for their parents to pay for college. He also is a member of the Coral Gables and Miami Beach chambers of commerce. Mrs. Fernandez reported that her students are preparing for the math counts competition on February 27 and are looking forward to bringing home another trophy.

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