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, 2015

Council members in attendance:
Ingrid Robledo (chairperson)
Shelton Rivers
Shannon Sejeck
Richard Hudson
Brigitte Kavanaugh
Elvia Brathwaite
Natalia Torres
Richard Smithies
Cheli Fernandez
Annette Daniels
Suzie Prudhomme

Council members absent:
Shelley Stroleny
Guillermo Garcia
Maria Alvarado
Ana Hernandez
Pierre Apollon
Laura Weinfeld
Flavia Verde
Thomas Harley
Natalia Lopez
Tom Kernan
Annie Baker
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 January 8, 2015, 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 we are currently in the process of mid-year assessments for Biology, Civics, Science, and U.S. History. We have completed mid-year assessments math, reading, and writing. This data will shape the SIP for next year. Early morning tutoring for Math, Reading, Writing, Civics, and Science has been very well attended.

Principal’s Message: Mr. Rivers gave the principal’s message for Mrs. Stroleny who was attending a principal’s meeting outside the building. Mr. Rivers said flag football, a new sport for girls in middle school, began on Feb. 3 with Mrs. Daniels as coach. On Feb. 4, we are administering the IS Language Test for random-selection students for next year; selected eighth-grade students will take the NAEP Assessment. On Feb. 5, there will be a Teacher of the Year recognition event for Mrs. Garcia; also teachers will participate in PLCs for professional development on early release. Students earned a Jean Day on Feb. 6 for outstanding attendance. On Feb. 7, Dr. Garcia and Mrs. Vazquez will take students who qualified for the Science Fair to a competition at Miami-Dade North. Mrs. Noa’s Spanish Talent Show will take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11. The Valentine’s Day Social is on Feb. 13; the Fire College graduation ceremony will take place in the auditorium. There is no school on Feb. 16 for the Presidents’ Day holiday. The Black History Month Luncheon, organized by Mr. Scippio and Mr. Sands, is on Feb. 19. Seventh-graders will attend a fieldtrip to Dave and Busters on Feb. 20. The Literacy Team will meet on Feb. 23. The Alumni Hall of Fame induction event is on Feb. 27. PTSA Beautification day is Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. On March 2 and 3, all students will take the FSA Writing exams. On March 3, there will be an Elective Walk for incoming students from Sunset Elementary. The Scholastic Book Fair is March 4-6.

Official business: Mr. Rivers said the Council needs to discuss the proposed changes to the school uniforms for next school year. He began by saying that at its meeting on Jan. 16, 2008, the School Board eliminated mandatory voting every three years. The EESAC or a school uniform council makes the decision and no voting is required if a school wishes to remain as it is. He said we want to remain a uniform school and make some changes for next year with three colors (orange, green, and white) for shirts, while bottoms will remain the same colors. Both student members, Miss Torres and Mr. Smithies, said they like the current shirt colors and expressed concern about the orange shirts. Mrs. Robledo and Mrs. Kavanaugh asked if returning students can use the shirts they have already bought if the colors change. Mrs. Robledo said we should keep the colors we currently have for students who pass down the uniforms to younger siblings. Mr. Smithies said he would like to keep the colors as they are and suggested adding more shades of those colors. Mr. Hudson said he likes the green and orange and that parents will buy the required colors. Mrs. Robledo and Mrs. Kavanaugh both endorsed remaining with the current colors. Mrs. Robledo also suggested that the new uniform tops be introduced to 6th grade for the upcoming school year; the EESAC agreed. Mr. Rivers said that students and parents can purchase uniforms at a variety of locations, but the uniform company needs to be notified which colors to order.

Open Forum: Mrs. Robledo said the European Trip is set for March 19-28; an informational meeting for students attending the trip took place on Feb. 2. Mrs. Robledo also commended the recent project completed in eighth-grade Spanish humanities classes taught by Mrs. Gomez. Miss Torres, a student in the class, said students made models of existing cities with additions that could make them better or fix problems such as traffic. Mrs. Robledo called it “an amazing project.” Mrs. Kavanaugh and Mrs. Fernandez also commended the project, saying that it is a reflection of the design of cities. Mrs. Kavanaugh said she attended a district meeting on Feb. 3 about the EOC exams for foreign language humanities classes. Mr. Hudson asked about the recent petition drive involving the French IS program. Mrs. Kavanaugh said the French program will remain at Carver but its type of accreditation is being reviewed.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:45 a.m.