Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING February 4, 2014

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
Alexandria Hoyt

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

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m. The minutes from November 12, 2013, were reviewed and approved.

Official Business: Mr. Rivers explained that there should always been one set of EESAC minutes pending. He said he submitted the past minutes early but has addressed the situation. He also reported that the System Accreditation has gone well. The following components of the System Accreditation have been completed and submitted: (1) Executive Summary, (2) Self-Assessment, (3) Student Performance Diagnostic, (4) Stakeholder Feedback Diagnostic, and (5) AdvancED Assurances. As per the District’s review, some changes to our documentation were required and those changes have been made. We are waiting for results of our self-assessment and are prepared to be one of the schools to be reviewed if chosen.

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, covering the Winter Interim Assessment results. In reading, 92 percent of the sixth-grade students achieved satisfactory progress; 93 percent of the seventh-grade students achieved satisfactory progress; and 94 percent of the eighth-grade students achieved satisfactory progress. In mathematics, 83 percent of the sixth-grade students achieved satisfactory progress; 90 percent of the seventh-grade students achieved satisfactory progress; 88 percent of the Algebra students achieved satisfactory progress; and 100 percent of the Geometry students achieved satisfactory progress. Mrs. Stroleny commented that we are so proud of iPrep because the average score of students in that program is significantly higher than that of other students in the school in sixth and seventh grades. Other teachers are very good but there is an iPrep advantage, where students get individual attention and progress at their own rate. In science, 80 percent of the eighth-grade students achieved satisfactory progress, and 100 percent of the Biology students achieved satisfactory progress. In Civics, 12 percent of the students are at proficient progress. Mr. Rivers explained that the Civics exam is comprehensive. Mr. Hudson asked if math and science interims are also comprehensive, and Mrs. Fernandez and Dr. Garcia explained the nature of those tests. Mr. Rivers said the Florida Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be administered to randomly selected students on February 5.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny began by discussing the District’s homework policy. She said Carver is doing a good job of following the requirement of 75 minutes nightly, plus 30 minutes of reading for middle school students. Classes for high school credit or advanced placement can have more homework. German state exams (A2) are being administered to level 3 grade-eighth IE students. Mrs. Vazquez is a Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Winner, bringing $20,000 in technology to the school. Six teachers had grants fully funded this year through Chevron’s DonorsChoose.org Program for a total of $4000. Carver participated in the Million Minute Reading Marathon Challenge on January 13 during homeroom. Mr. Scippio was recognized at January 15 School Board meeting as a 5000 Role Model. Carver’s A.P. performance was recognized at the Advance Placement Awards Ceremony, attended by Mrs. Robledo, Mrs. Winston and Mrs. Stroleny. Mrs. Noa was recognized as Carver’s Teacher of the Year at the District Teacher of the Year event on January 29. Four of our students will compete at the state level Science Fair Competition: Adrien Ferrarati, Linus Freyer, Bibi Soraya Moghani and Sophie Ricard. One of our students received a special merit award for Scientific Representation in the 2013-2014 Fairchild Challenge (Challenge 1A: Exploring, Explaining and Conserving Design category). Emma Bennett won first place for Challenge 1C: Design Your Future Garden. One of our students was selected to participate in the Beaux Arts Student Artist Showcase. On February 6, Carver will host a Holocaust workshop where a presenter from Germany will meet with selected group of students. The literacy team meets on February 10. The Spanish Talent Show, organized by Mrs. Noa, is on February 12. The Valentine’s Day Social is February 14. On February 21, Carver will conduct an African-American Celebration with a full program and an assembly where speakers will include Carver alumni Markus Dixon, Daryl Sharpton, and Frosso Parker. On February 25, eighth-grade students will take the FCAT Writing assessment. February 28 is Alumni Day and induction for the Carver Hall of Fame. On March 18, Mrs. Harmon’s Musical Theater class will present “Once Upon This Island.”

Open Forum: Mrs. Daniels reported about athletics. Softball finished with a winning record. Since January 11, many students have been completing in track on Saturdays at Ferguson High School. Three track meets are upcoming. Basketball has just started, and golf, tennis and bowling are upcoming. Mrs. Bennett discussed the Future Garden competition of the Fairchild Challenge, saying it was a great learning experience for the students. Mrs. Zenoz informed that “masquerade ball” is the theme of the eighth-grade banquet. The PTSA is making sure that all students with financial difficulties can attend; there is some money left over from last year’s jeans-day fundraisers. The t-shirts will be ready for this year’s eighth-graders.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:50 a.m.