Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. The minutes from March 19, 2013, were reviewed and approved.

SIP Review: The EESAC is the sole body responsible for the approval and implementation of the School Improvement Plan (SIP). Mr. Rivers gave the SIP review. He informed that new parent members have been elected for next year’s EESAC: Osire Agromonte will return and new members are Laura Weinfeld, Maria Zenoz, and Emma Piniella-Bennett. Suzie Prudhomme
will serve as the alternate parent representative. New student members were elected: Vicente Cortes, Gabryelle Garcia, and alternate Alexandria Hoyt. The SIP was discussed in depth, with particular emphasis added to the following strategies: READING: build capacity school-wide (grades 6, 7 and 8) regarding teaching reading across the curriculum through professional development conducted during the school’s Literacy Team meetings and department meetings; conduct data chats on reading data across departments, excluding the school’s mathematics and science departments. CELLA: teachers will encourage ELL students to speak in class as much as possible and will structure conversations around books and subjects that build vocabulary. MIDDLE SCHOOL MATHEMATICS: provide students with opportunities to investigate geometric properties and differentiate instruction for students. ALGEBRA 1 EOC: provide students with more opportunities to investigate algebraic expressions to solve real-world problems. GEOMETRY: develop strong achievement patterns in the areas of Trigonometry and Discrete Mathematics by providing students with opportunities to complete more rigorous mathematical problems. ELEMENTARY AND MIDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE: provide opportunities for students to explore their surroundings for evidence of cause and effect relationships that exist in Earth and Space Science by incorporating lab investigations and field studies; ensure instruction in Comprehensive Science 1 and Comprehensive Science 2 adheres to the depth and rigor of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards as delineated in the District Pacing Guides. BIOLOGY 1 EOC: build stronger achievement patterns in the area of organisms, populations and ecosystems by providing students with opportunities to complete a more rigorous science curriculum by adhering to the depth and rigor of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards as delineated in the District Pacing Guides. WRITING: teachers will plan for and provide continuous instruction on the use of literary devices and figurative and descriptive language to convey style, tone and sensory details. CIVICS EOC: teachers will utilize district-published pacing guides to align lessons and assessments to the tested EOC exam benchmarks to maximize opportunities for students to master tested content. Teachers will provide students with opportunities to discuss values, complexities and dilemmas involved in social, political and economic issues; assist students in developing well-reasoned positions on issues. ATTENDANCE: identify and refer students who may be developing a pattern of non-attendance to the Attendance Review Committee for intervention services. Each marking period homerooms with the best attendance will be recognized and celebrated.
SUSPENSION: the school’s guidance counselors will provide students with an overview of the Student Code of Conduct. Mr. Sejeck said we had zero outdoor suspensions this year and approximately 25 days of indoor suspensions; last year we had 33 days of suspensions
PARENT INVOLVEMENT: family members, students and teachers are invited to participate in workshops to learn how the school uses assessment results to improve student achievement and how parents can assist their children effectively. STEM: provide classroom and after-school opportunities for all students to design and develop science and engineering projects to increase scientific thinking and the development and discussion of inquiry-based activities that allow for testing of hypotheses, data analysis explanation of variables, and experimental design (i.e. Science Fair, SECME, Fairchild Challenge). CTE: provide opportunities for Social Studies teachers to develop and implement integrated curriculum. The SIP is a living document that is revisited throughout the school year. Strategies are developed based on the needs of the school and the particular goal area.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny reviewed upcoming events. Forty-two students will be inducted into the National Junior Honor Society on May 21. This week, seventh-graders are taking the pilot Civics EOC exam. All other EOC and AP testing has concluded. Sixth-graders will attend a field trip to Seaquarium on May 22. Testing of incoming IS Spanish students from Sunset Elementary will take place on May 22. A “safety-net” course will be offered to students identified on the test as needing additional support. Mrs. Hennessey will take a group of students to compete in the Geography Bee on May 23 at the MDC North Campus. FIPA will hold a parent meeting at 6:30 p.m. on May 23. Eighth-grade students will participate in Hoop-It-Up! on May 23. Mrs. Llewellyn will exhibit students’ work at 6:30 p.m. on May 23.
Eighth-graders will take a field trip to Sea World on May 24. Mrs. Stroleny wished all members a Happy Memorial Day Weekend; no school on Monday, May 27. The awards assemblies for all grades take place on May 28. On May 29, Student Council will hold its luncheon; locker clean-out also will occur. The High School Reunion, organized by Mr. Sands, for former Carver students is on May 29. Mr. Sands will take 43 students on the annual Washington, D.C field trip on May 30. There also will be a French Veterans Ceremony on May 30. A school team will attend SIP training on May 30. May 31 is Francophone Day. The musical theatre class will present Thoroughly Modern Millie during the school day to students on June 3. Students are encouraged to attend. Dismissal for the last three days of school is at 2:40 p.m. The eighth-grade banquet is on June 6.

Mrs. Stroleny also reviewed many of this year’s accomplishments at Carver. We are again an “A” School and were named a 2013 School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America. Carver received second place for BrandsMart USA Premio Verde Escolar; Mrs. Vazquez completed the proposal, which recognized Carver as a “Green” School. Numerous other awards included Fairchild Challenge, SECME competition winners, second place at state in Science Fair, honorary mention in Model UN debates with Mrs. Pena’s students, Math Counts (third in county, qualified for state), many awards from the Spanish Consulate, and Physical Education awards. I-PREP Mathematics has an enrollment of 235 students for 2013-2014. We are offering Gifted Language Arts and Social Studies for sixth grade students beginning with the 2013-2014 school year and have 177 students enrolled. Home Depot donations have been used for the Walk of Fame and potted palm trees; PTSA has helped beautify the campus. Marc Levy, French screenwriter, author and personality, spoke to French students. Five Authors (one Spanish and four Endangered Authors) spoke to students. Parent involvement was excellent as 985 parents attended school events/workshops on topics such as FCAT Reading, FCAT Writing, FCAT Mathematics, FCAT Science, Eighth-Grade Science Fair, Seventh-Grade Science Fair and Civics, International Studies Spanish, Bullying and Substance Abuse Prevention, Parent Resource Fair, Elective Options, and New Student Orientation. “Frankie Shannon Rolle” has been repainted on the outside of the gym.

Mrs. Stroleny thanked the EESAC for a wonderful first year as principal and wished everyone a wonderful summer, adding that she looks forward to a great next year in August. School starts on August 19. Mrs. Robledo said the Europe trip was very successful, providing truly international education; she thanked Mrs. Daniels and Mrs. Peralta for their help. As chairperson, she also thanked all Council members for their work this school year. Mrs. Daniels mentioned the success of the supervised Before School Physical Education program that has been implemented here from 7:30 to 8:30, starting on April 22.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 9:05 a.m.