Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING November 12, 2013

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

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

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:24 a.m. The minutes from August 29, 2013, were reviewed and approved.

Official Business: Mrs. Robledo said that the distribution of A+ money based on last year’s test scores needs to be approved. It has traditionally been used as bonuses for teachers. The faculty has already approved the distribution plan; the Florida School Recognition Program funds will be awarded as nonrecurring bonuses to the faculty and staff. The motion to approve the distribution plan was then approved unanimously by the EESAC.

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. Last Thursday, the district approved our SIP, and we are now working on accreditation, which traditionally has been for high schools only. Every MDCPS school will take part in this process this year; the process is similar to the SIP but the requirements are somewhat different. Information can be found at accreditation.dadeschools.net.
We are required to conduct a certain amount of emergency drills per year; we also are required to do bus drills for school board busses in October and February. Miss Garcia pointed out that Room 19 could not hear the alarm for the recent fire drill, and Mr. Rivers said that is being addressed.
The Common Core State Standards are being addressed in each grade level; they encourage collaboration across curriculum and engage students in critical thinking. More information can be found at commoncore.dadeschools.net. Mr. Rivers reviewed fall interim data. The district has changed from Edusoft to Thinkgate and the new program has been somewhat of a challenge. Some classes are still testing and some answer sheets have yet to be scanned. All three grade levels were satisfactory in reading: sixth grade at 78.46 percent, seventh grade at 78.88, and eighth grade at 79.09. All mathematics results were also satisfactory: sixth grade at 66.01 percent, seventh grade at 67.56, Algebra I at 63.3, and Geometry at 76.69. Grade-eight science at 61.16 percent and Biology at 55.88 were also satisfactory. Seventh-grade Civics at 52.3 percent was non-proficient. Mr. Rivers explained that we have our work cut out here but are confident that these numbers will rise by the next interim. Dr. Garcia commented that Social Studies teachers are concerned about whether questions are truly aligned with the EOC and that may be part of the reason the scores are low. Mrs. Stroleny said this exam tested some material that has not yet been covered, adding that we want to be able to show growth and that is why data is where it is.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny began by commending Mr. Rivers for his efforts in leading the development of Carver’s SIP. All stakeholders have had many opportunities to provide much input and with this input he has facilitated a document that we are very proud of. The District is in a process of system accreditation this year. Mr. Rivers is also spearheading our school's efforts in meeting/completing our accreditation. On Oct. 24, we held the Fall Social and it was very successful as the Student United Way fundraiser. It was done differently: students who wanted to participate did so and others remained in their classrooms. Oct. 31 was Twin Day and also featured a visit by the French ambassador and the French Minister of Education. At the teacher workday on November 8, 29 teachers participated in learning about Edmodo, CPALMS, Remind 101, blogging and Fairchild Challenge. Carver Family Night takes place tonight at Sports Grill in South Miami; Mrs. Stroleny encouraged support and reminded to mention the Carver name, as this is a fundraiser. SIPA is hosting its Paella dinner on Nov. 16. A Spanish author will visit and conduct a reading here on Nov. 18. On Nov. 19, select Carver students will help welcome the Princess and Prince of Spain in a performance at Coral Way Elementary. On Nov. 20, Mrs. Ketlyne Alexis, owner of Lighthouse Garden Center, will be our Principal for the Day. The FCAT Science workshop (4:30 to 5:30 p.m.) and Science Fair walk-thru (5:30 to 6:15 p.m.) for parents is on Nov. 20. There will be an eighth-grade fieldtrip to Coral Gables Senior High on Nov. 27. Mrs. Harmon’s students will present a holiday concert on Dec. 10. Sixth-graders will have scoliosis screening on Dec. 16. Hoop-It-Up for eighth-grade students is Dec. 20. Magnet recruitment is in full swing; we are doing our tours and high schools are coming to recruit our students. PTSA purchased 20 tablets for our students. They have arrived, are being set up, and will be ready for check-out soon. The Italian government purchased five additional tablets and will purchase one more for a total of six. We are asking GIPA, FIPA, and SIPA to do the same. I-Prep mathematics is going well. Dr. Garcia was recognized by the Florida Association of Science Teachers as state finalist for the Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching. Mrs. Vazquez has entered our school in the Dream in Green competition to reduce our carbon print. Mrs. Vazquez is a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow State Finalist. Out of the more than 2,300 applications, she was chosen as one of the five best in our state. To reward her for becoming a state finalist, she is receiving two Samsung Galaxy tablets to aid in her classroom instruction. She will now compete against four other schools for the state winner. Should she win, Carver will receive a video technology kit and a technology package valued at $20,000. Mr. Gonzalez’ grant was funded by Chevron’s Donorschoose.org and other teachers are applying. Our Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Noa, Spanish teacher. We have a new attendance initiative: 99.2 percent attendance and 22 or fewer tardies and early dismissals will result in a free Jean Day for students. The Magnet Schools of America application has been completed by Mrs. Basso. Mrs. Stroleny wished all a happy Thanksgiving holiday and winter recess. The next meeting is Feb. 4.

Open Forum: Mrs. Daniels reported about athletics. Girls’ cross-country finished as county runners-up, and girls’ soccer won the county championship. Girls’ and boys’ volleyball teams are both currently undefeated. Spike-It-Up went well. We are considering getting grade level teachers out to help more with future events. Mrs. Robledo said the Common Core’s the intent is that if a student moves to another state there will be a common curriculum. Mrs. Zenoz asked how it will be aligned. Mrs. Robledo explained that there will be common testing across the nation. She also asked about the accreditation process and Rivers said we have already submitted the executive summary , same as from SIP; material on standards has been submitted, surveys to teachers and students are next stage; visitation will occur in Feb., not sure which schools will be visited. This is a 5-year process of continual approval. She asked about getting a copy of the SIP and Rivers said it is 66 pages long and anyone can have it. Stroleny said it is on the state website and anyone can access it.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 9:02 a.m.