Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Recording Secretary: Marina A. Prieto

Location of meeting: Media Center

Was a quorum established? Yes

Was the meeting advertised? Yes, 09/02/2011

Attendance

Topics Covered

1. Approval of Minutes: Last month’s meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.
2. SIP Reviews/Updates:
School Improvement Plan (SIP) End of Year Review/Recommendations:
EESAC met and reviewed the end of year recommendations given by every grade level at the school site. The recommendations were as follows:
Fifth Grade: Ms. Chantea Salley, Grade Level Chairperson, Fifth Grade and Ms. Tameika Smith, Fifth Grade Teacher and UTD Alternative Representative were present at the meeting and spoke for fifth grade. Foresight testing was used this year in the area of Mathematics. The grade used this testing mechanism to differentiate instruction. There are many kinds of data analysis provided by this company. Ms. Smith would like to use it for Science next year.
Clarification from Ms. Klein, Principal: Although this product is available for 3-5 grades, it is slated to be used by fifth grade only at this time. This is due to budgetary constraints. Please be advised that the funding did not come from EESAC monies.
Fourth Grade: Ms. Marina A. Prieto, Grade Level Chairperson, Fourth Grade was present at the meeting and spoke for fourth grade. The grade level wants to recommend that three strategies be added in the area of Writing. Specifically, (1) To use more concrete lessons about the “Writer’s Toolbox”; (2) Develop a repertoire of lessons that helps students to make real world connections to their writing; and (3) Increase the explicit instruction on note-taking and summarizing in all subject areas. (Ms. Klein noted that this should be taking place across all grade levels so that fourth grade is not where this type of learning begins to take place.) Ms. Prieto also spoke about the materials, resources, and mechanisms to make this a possibility for next year by: (1) Allocating space in the Media Center so that teachers have easy access to mentor text, (2) Create Power Point lessons that can be shared across grade levels, create a “prop” box to help students visualize and role play, and develop themed lessons in Writing; (3) Use subject notebooks to train students on how to take notes (Power Notes) and use this strategy to reinforce the material presented in class. Ms. Prieto noted that her grade level met and that the ideas provided were a result of the input from Dr. Fernandez and Ms. Desrivieres. She thanked her grade level for being so cooperative and positive about the upcoming school year and its challenges.
Third Grade: No changes to the SIP at this time.
Second Grade: No changes to the SIP at this time.
First Grade: No changes to the SIP at this time.
Kindergarten: No changes to the SIP at this time. Please see the “Open Forum” section for the question that was raised about the use of Success Maker.



Review of By-laws, Minutes, and Roster; Election of EESAC Members:
The EESAC Chairperson, Ms. Amparo Quintero, reviewed the by-laws and minutes with the committee. New parents for the 2012-2013 EESAC were selected.
Motion to elect the remaining 2012-2013 EESAC members was presented. Ms. Joanne Welch, UTD Steward indicated that there were many other teachers on the staff that would like to be a part of EESAC next year. The motion was tabled. A memorandum will be distributed to survey which teachers are interested in joining the committee in lieu of calling an additional faculty meeting. Ms. Quintero will draft the memorandum. The vote will be tabled until the May EESAC meeting.
3. RtI/Leadership Team Reviews/Updates:
Ms. Klein is pleased that teachers have provided Ms. Quintero, Reading Coach with Voyager Data.
Ms. Ferguson: Please be advised that April 30th is the last day for opening initial SST cases for this school year. Voyager data is a requirement in order to properly refer students via the SST process. As a reminder the process for SST referrals is to provide Voyager Interventions as early in the year as possible and use the data collected to refer the students so that our students receive the appropriate services. If a child’s name is not on the list to receive Voyager interventions, please see Ms. Janell Ferguson, Assistant Principal so that a Voyager kit can be provided and the necessary intervention be implemented. Keep in mind that ELL students who have been in the school system less than two (2) years are not eligible.
4. Open Forum Discussion:
School Operations:
Ms. Welch, Kindergarten Teacher asked if Kindergarten and First Grade could have Success Maker access for her grade level. Access for teachers in these grade levels will be provided by Mr. Marcellus on Thursday, April 12, 2012. Teachers can also ask their colleagues for assistance.
Ms. Klein spoke to Ms. Ana Cordo from Success Maker. The icon has been installed by Mr. Marcellus. Other schools have purchased this product on their own for Kindergarten. Kindergarten will have access to the software after FCAT testing and for the remainder of the school year. All teachers are to wait to use Success Maker until AFTER FCAT so that we do not strain the system with usage. Please limit computer time until after FCAT. Second through (2-5) fifth grade will receive Success Maker training May 3, 2012. The software application is being updated.





Curriculum Issues
QZAB: Kindergarten and First Grade teachers may conduct QZAB testing on Thursday, April 11, 2012 and must finish prior to FCAT testing. The test is not time consuming.
All grade levels may use the results for a grade in the Grade Book.
Grades Three through Five (3-5): Please read the memorandum. Materials will be distributed and testing will commence after FCAT.
Book Fair: Broadmoor Elementary School is proud to announce its Annual Book Fair. Materials will be distributed April 30th. All books will be collected on May 18, 2012. A memorandum will be forthcoming.
Textbooks: Ms. Welch asked if the school would be receiving new textbooks. Ms. Klein indicated that no information has been circulated and the decision to purchase all textbooks is made at the District level.
5. Budget Reviews/Updates:
EESAC funds were used this year to procure the Go Math! Grab & Go Kits for grades 3 – 5 along with custodial supplies. These expenditures were previously voted on.
6. Title I: Ms. Klein is currently reviewing this budget. In order to avoid a shortage in funding or a reduction in employee hours, next year’s budget will be calculated using the employee’s actual hourly salary instead of the District's calculation which is based on average hourly salary.
7. New Business: no new business items.
8. Comments/Concerns: There are no comments/concerns from parents.
Adjournment: Following a call for "Questions, Comments, and Concerns," the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.