Educational Excellence School Advisory Council

7571 International Studies Preparatory Academy

Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes for:    12/02/2010  04:10 PM

Please contact the school for a formatted hard copy of these minutes.

Recording Secretary:    Marisol Restrepo

Location of meeting:    Koubek Center - 2705 SW 3rd Avenue - Room K-1

Was a quorum established?    Yes

Was the meeting advertised?    Yes,  10/15/2010

Attendance:

Members Present:

Perez, Alejandro (Principal)
Iglesias, Caridad (Teacher)
Johnson, Kimberly (Teacher)
Marin-Restrepo, Marisol (Teacher)
Rodriguez, Deanna (Teacher)
Conto, Anne (Alternate Teacher/Paraprofessional)
Calvo, Tamara (Educational Support Employee)
Gari, Mariano (Alternate Educational Support)
Bustamante, Rocio (Parent)
Ferre, Helen (Parent)
Gimenez-Zapiola, Fernando (Parent)
Luque, Thais (Parent)
Parchment, Samantha (Alternate Parent)
Kassner, Samantha (Student)
Gimenez-Zapiola, Camila (Alternate Student)
Arias, Ulises (Business/Community Representative)
Chao, Pablo (Business/Community Representative)

Members Absent (Excused):

Ulises Arias, Business Representative
Thais Luque, Parent
Helen Ferre, Parent

Members Absent (Unexcused):

No one had an unexcused absence.

Others Present:

No one else was present.

Topics Covered:

International Studies Preparatory Academy (ISPA)
EESAC Minutes
December 2, 2010
Attendees: Mr. Perez, Mrs. Iglesias, Mrs. Calvo, Ms. Rodriguez, Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Hernandez, Mrs. Marin-Restrepo, Mr. Chao, Mr. Gimenez, Mrs. Bustamante, and Samantha Kassner.
Mr. Perez Introduction:
• Mr. Chao, Director of Koubek Center was welcomed as new member of the committee.
• Approval of minutes from prior EESAC meeting
• School Improvement Plan Update
• Midyear Review will take place in January 2011
• Construction of new ISPA building has already started
• Regarding transportation for students next year, a shuttle bus from the nearest metro-rail station will be doing continuous rounds to school.
• Shuttle will by picking up students in South Miami metro-rail station approximately from 6:40 to 7:20 AM.
• It is expected that half of students will use metro rail services and the other half will be dropped off by their parents.
• We will have some small private buses too.
• ISPA will be a non-driving school. No parking will be available for students
Mr. Perez continued:
• So far, we have 163 applicants for next year. Approximately, five students are applying per day.
• July 1st, 2011 is the target date to move to the new building.
• The new school’s logo was presented to the committee, which includes the colors of the school: green, blue, and red.
• The goal is to have 150 students next year.
Mr. Gimenez:
• How many would there be in each group?
Mr. Perez:
• There will be about 100 students in the Spanish program, 25 in the French program, and 25 in the Italian program.
• Possibly, there will be an open house for parents in August 2011.
Mrs. Johnson:
• What about offering pre-AP courses?
Mr. Perez:
• Yes, our goal is to offer in 10th grade Pre-AP Language Arts and AP European History.
• During 11th grade, we want to offer AP Biology.
Mrs. Johnson:
• Are we going to offer tutoring after school?
Mr. Perez:
• No, we are not doing that yet.
Mr. Gimenez:
• It would be nice to have a class on “Study Techniques” to teach students how to study efficiently.
Mr. Perez:
• Maybe, during the summer we could offer some activity to address study skills.
Mr. Gimenez to student Samantha Kassner:
• Do you think you have too much homework?
Samantha:
• Well, it is tedious but not too hard.
Mr. Gimenez:
• Suggested teachers to announce home assignments with more time ahead and possibly giving less homework.
Mrs. Iglesias:
• We have to follow the Pacing Guide.
Mrs. Marin-Restrepo:
• Concurred with Ms. Iglesias and explained the Pacing guide with the parents.
Mr. Perez:
• Advised committee of the next EESAC meeting in January 2011.
• Possibly in March, we will take the students to see construction of the new school.
Mrs. Iglesias:
• Notified Andrea Villa won a scholarship in Spanish
• Explained the PSAT scores are coming soon.
• High scores were received in the Fairchild Challenge
• During summer of 11th grade, it would be great to take students to visit the country of the language they chose: Spain, France, or Italy.
• Would like to make a “Time Capsule” of these students to have a memory in the new building.
Mr. Perez:
• Discussed the possibility of creating a capsule and expressed his support of the idea..
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:00 p.m.