Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING February 28, 2014

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

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

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:29 a.m. The minutes from February 4, 2014, were reviewed and approved.

Official Business: Mr. Rivers said the committee needs to approve the school dress code declaration policy. The committee unanimously approved keeping the current policy for uniforms. Mr. Rivers said that color changes are being discussed for the 2015-16 school year, possibly replacing the current colors with green, orange and white. These are the school colors. Mr. Hudson suggested striped patterns. Mr. Rivers said students would prefer solid colors. Mr. Cortes agreed, saying that students do not want to wear stripes. Dr. Garcia pointed out that some colors, such as orange, are difficult to acquire. Mr. Rivers said that if we order in advance, we can get those colors. Next, Mr. Rivers said that the committee needs to approve the waiver to the labor contract regarding the school day. He said the faculty voted overwhelmingly to keep the block schedule currently in use. Miss Hoyt asked what the difference is between the two schedules. Mr. Rivers explained that all classes would meet every day without the block schedule. Dr. Garcia said that some schools use a block schedule Monday through Thursday but all classes meet on Fridays for testing. A motion to keep the current block schedule was made and unanimously approved.

SIP Review: The EESAC is the sole body responsible for the approval and implementation of the School Improvement Plan, (SIP). Mrs. Stroleny discussed the disaggregated Winter Interim data that is now available. In grade 6 reading, the average score was 83 percent correct; 91 percent achieved satisfactory progress but we need to reach 95 percent based on last year’s grade 6 FCAT scores. In grade 7 reading, the average was 80 percent; 94 percent achieved satisfactory progress, up from 93 percent on last year’s FCAT. In grade 8 reading, the average was 80 percent; 95 percent achieved satisfactory progress but we need to reach 98 percent based on last year’s FCAT. In grade 8 science, the average was 65 percent; 84 percent achieved satisfactory progress but we need to reach 92 percent based on last year’s FCAT. In grade 6 mathematics, the average was 61 percent; 81 percent achieved satisfactory progress but we need to reach 92 percent based on last year’s FCAT. In grade 7 math, the average was 71 percent; 90 percent achieved satisfactory progress but we need to reach 97 percent based on last year’s FCAT. Results of the 2014 Winter Interim were also compared to the 2013 Winter Interim. In grade 6 reading, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress rose from 88 percent to 91 percent this year. In grade 7 reading, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress rose from 91 percent to 94 percent. In grade 8 reading, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress remained at 95 percent. In grade 6 math, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress fell from 87 percent to 81 percent. In grade 7 math, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress fell from 92 percent to 90 percent. In Algebra, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress rose from 87 percent to 88 percent. In Geometry, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress fell from 100 percent to 95 percent. In grade 8 science, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress fell from 89 percent to 84 percent. In Biology, the percentage achieving satisfactory progress remained at 100 percent.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny said it is amazing how Carver rallies around causes. She thanked everyone for voting for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow project by Mrs. Vazquez and her students. She encouraged further voting.

Open Forum: Mrs. Robledo expressed her gratitude for the parent enthusiasm with preparations for the grade 8 banquet. Mrs. Daniels announced that in track, girls’ junior varsity won the county championship, girls’ varsity tied for third place, and boys’ junior varsity took fifth place. Basketball season is starting for boys and girls. Dr. Garcia announced that the bowling team took fifth in county. Mrs. Zenoz asked whether bowling is a sport. Miss Garcia said she is a member of the team and explained that indeed it is a very big sport in the county.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:49 a.m.