Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

G. W. CARVER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Educational Excellence School Advisory Council
Ingrid Robledo, Chairperson

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING August 29, 2013

Council members in attendance:
Ingrid Robledo (chairperson)
Shelley Stroleny
Shelton Rivers
Cheli Fernández
Annette Daniels
Shannon Sejeck
Richard Hudson
Guillermo Garcia
Osire Agramonte
Maria Zenoz
Emma Piniella Bennett
Vicente Cortes
Gabryelle Garcia
Alexandria Hoyt
Annie Baker

Council members absent:
Brigitte Kavanaugh
Maria Alvarado
Elvia Brathwaite
Laura Weinfeld
Suzie Prudhomme
Thomas Harley
Tom Kernan
Melissa Nobles

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Stroleny called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. The minutes from May 21, 2012, were reviewed and approved.

Official Business: The first order of business was electing the chairperson for the year. Mrs. Robledo was nominated and reelected as chairperson. The council members then introduced themselves. Mrs. Stroleny said there is a great need for technology funding, and that she would like to use the EESAC funds for technology as needs arise. This motion was 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 report. Mr. Rivers reviewed baseline data. Civics is still testing but others are finished. Dr. Garcia commented that seventh-graders are having a hard time finishing the science test in one period. Mr. Rivers said not all answer sheets have been scanned. He also said some low scores may scare some parents but not us because we know much of the information is unfamiliar to the students, especially in math and science. The results of the baseline assessments that have been administered thus far are as follows:

Grade 6 Mathematics – 1% proficient
Grade 7 Mathematics – 9% proficient
Grade 8 Science – 26% proficient
Grade 6 Reading – 67% proficient
Grade 7 Reading – 88% proficient
Grade 8 – 70% proficient
The results presented are subject to change; all student answer documents have not been scanned and some assessments have not been administered.

The School Improvement Plan for 2013-14 must be submitted to district on Sept. 3. We are waiting for subgroup data but otherwise ready to go with strategies based on the 2013 FCAT results. EESAC must approve the SIP, which is a living, breathing document; we work on it every day of the school year, adjusting it constantly to meet our needs. We get department input to determine the best strategies for our school. Mrs. Bennett asked how we come up with strategies, and Mr. Rivers and Mrs. Stroleny said we examine data to see areas of greatest need. We then implement interventions and plan classroom strategies.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny welcomed the members, and commended all for a successful opening of school. We are the highest scoring school on the state accountability formula (does not include high schools). We did exceptionally well on the Advanced Placement exams: all four languages scored better than 90 percent passing, with Italian at 100 percent. EOC results were off the chart: 100 percent of biology students scored level 5 (highest possible); 98 percent passed the algebra exam; and 100 percent passed in geometry. Mrs. Stroleny discussed the beautiful landscaping by Ketlyne Alexis - Lighthouse Garden Center and the PTSA, saying that outside appearances are important. She then discussed some changes at Carver: I-Prep mathematics is up and running for grade 6 and 7 IE students; gifted language arts and social studies courses have begun for sixth-grade students, with plans to add grades 7 and 8 in upcoming years. Orientation assemblies have occurred for all three grades. Presently we are in the process of distributing bus passes. Baseline assessments have been completed for mathematics, writing, reading, science, and civics. There will be no school on Sept. 2 for Labor Day. Both the PTSA Fall Fundraiser and locker distribution take place on Sept. 4. A teacher planning day is on Sept. 5 when there will be a workshop for our French teachers. Homeroom tutoring starts on Sept. 9; this is an opportunity to give some kids a boost, especially in math and reading. Required-reading books will be sold Sept. 9 -12. Dr. Garcia will give a Science Fair workshop for parents on Sept. 11. The Scholastic Book Fair is Sept.16-20 in the auditorium. Open House is Sept. 18; Literacy Team meeting is Sept. 23; and early-release day is
Sept. 26. Mrs. Harmon will present Variety Show at 4:15 p.m. on Sept. 27. The next EESAC meeting will be Nov. 12; other meeting dates will be Feb. 4 and April 8, with other meetings called as necessary.

Open Forum: Dr. Garcia discussed the Healthy Schools Initiative, saying that he needs more parental and student involvement. Carver Fitness Trail signs are up, and he invited parents to use it. The exercises are low impact; we are looking for ways to use the trails as a reward instead of cake and junk food. He added that stimulating the body enhances student achievement. There is a need to repaint the lines in some areas of the building; this will need to be done on a Saturday. Mrs. Daniels said PE classes are visiting the trail and the stations and a video also will be made to promote the trail. Mrs. Robledo said she would like to see action to justify to the expense of the trail. Dr. Garcia said some teachers are even using it. Mrs. Daniels added that the fitness trail will be used in PE classes. She said she recently attended a meeting for PE teachers about the new EOC upcoming for PE classes. It will be computer-based, along with a skills portion. Mrs.
Robledo said students are more than a test and have dreams that we need to develop. She said there are reformers who are trying to destroy public education by coming up with more tests, and she asked parents to think about this topic of testing. Mr. Sejeck reported that Carver finished second in total sports program among Miami-Dade County middle schools, showing that we are well-rounded. Mrs. Fernandez reported that I-Prep is a challenge, but kids love it. There has been no problem having so many students in the classroom (60-66 students with three teachers); because the students are anxious to learn, discipline has been no problem. The program utilizes individual, group and teacher-based learning, and is especially successful with active kids because it allows movement. Dr. Garcia said Science Fair parental involvement is encouraged to help set up and organize the event. He attended a district science meeting where one topic was upgrading lab ware and equipment to promote a high tech approach. He said funding is a problem and schools are examining funding sources.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 9:01 a.m.