Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING January 8, 2015

Council members in attendance:
Ingrid Robledo (chairperson)
Shelley Stroleny
Shelton Rivers
Annette Daniels
Cheli Fernández
Guillermo Garcia
Richard Hudson
Natalia Lopez
Richard Smithies
Elvia Brathwaite
Shannon Sejeck

Council members absent:
Brigitte Kavanaugh
Maria Alvarado
Suzie Prudhomme
Ana Hernandez
Pierre Apollon
Laura Weinfeld
Flavia Verde
Natalia Torres
Annie Baker
Thomas Harley
Tom Kernan
Melissa Nobles

Guests
Maria de los Angeles-Fernandez

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m. The minutes from November 12, 2014, 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 said the District has compiled a list of target schools that may be affected by boundary changes [Attendance Boundary Committee (ABC) Notification of Final Targeted Schools]. G. W. Carver Middle will not be affected directly. Some area schools may be affected, including Sunset and G. W. Carver elementary. Each region will have open meetings about boundary changes. School climate surveys are coming up soon (mid January) for selected parents and students and the entire staff. Participants are urged to complete the surveys as soon as possible. Results are public and can be viewed online. Mrs. Stroleny said it is important to take the surveys seriously, explaining that a small percentage or participants take out their frustrations on the survey. Mr. Rivers said results are completely anonymous. An email will be sent to the entire staff about school safety and the importance of looking out for people on campus who do not work here. Dr. Garcia asked if unscheduled parent visits are a big problem. Mr. Rivers said teachers should refer parents to the office to sign in first before they go to classrooms to meet with teachers.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny said we had many activities before the holiday break, including a French senator’s visit on Jan. 18 and Hoop-It-Up! on Dec.19. Telemundo is coming to Carver on Jan. 12 to interview Mrs. Robledo and a student. We are eligible again to apply for the Blue Ribbon Award and will be starting that process. We need to show that great things are happening at Carver; it is our responsibility to promote what we are doing. The District Writing post-test is on Jan. 14 and 15 for all grade levels. Jan 16 is a teacher planning day, and Jan. 17 is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The Science mid-year assessments (paper-based) will be Jan. 26 and 27, and the Civics mid-year assessments will be Jan. 28 and 29 on tablets. The Biology mid-year assessment will be Jan. 28. Mrs. Stroleny discussed how our technology has increased dramatically this year. Technology can be used to replace books, enhance books, and can revolutionize more than it was possible before. Change is well worth our effort. The Spanish parent workshop is scheduled for Jan. 28. Report cards go home on Jan 29. The PTSA general meeting is on Jan. 30. The Literacy team will meet on Feb. 2. On Feb. 4, we will conduct the International Studies entrance exams for incoming students; also, randomly selected eighth-graders will take the NAEP test, which compares students nationally. We are working toward completing the requirements for the 5 Star Award; Mrs. Basso has already submitted the application for the Magnet Schools of America. The next EESAC meeting is on Feb. 4.

Open Forum: Mrs. Daniels asked about information on the Physical Education EOC; Mr. Rivers and Mrs. Stroleny said no information has been issued yet by the district but word is that there will be a test later in the year, probably in April. Mrs. Daniels said they been using have revised textbooks and a pacing guide, along with a test bank. Mrs. Robledo asked about administering exams and dates for the FSA. Mrs. Stroleny said state exams will be conducted between April 13 and May 8. Mrs. Daniels said the school is starting track and field this Saturday. Girls’ flag football is beginning this year and will meet on January 13; next year, the sport will begin for high schools. Dr. Garcia said Carver is sending 15 students to the District Science Fair on Feb. 6 and also is participating in the SECME competitions.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:46 a.m.