Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING May 13, 2015

Council members in attendance:
Ingrid Robledo (chairperson)
Shelley Stroleny
Shelton Rivers
Annette Daniels
Guillermo Garcia
Shannon Sejeck
Richard Hudson
Brigitte Kavanaugh
Natalia Torres
Natalia Lopez
Richard Smithies
Maria Alvarado

Council members absent:
Cheli Fernández
Elvia Brathwaite
Suzie Prudhomme
Ana Hernandez
Pierre Apollon
Laura Weinfeld
Flavia Verde
Thomas Harley
Tom Kernan
Annie Baker
Melissa Nobles

Guests
Maria de los Angeles-Fernandez
Maria Toledo

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:25 a.m. The minutes from April 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 discussed the 2014-15 End-of-Year Assurances for EESAC. There are eight requirements from the District and we met all of them. Mr. Rivers commented on some of the requirements: The EESAC is required to meet at least four times and we met eight times; quorum must be established at all meetings where voting takes place; minutes must be recorded for all meetings; and there must be an end-of-year SIP review by the EESAC and faculty. Mr. Rivers also discussed the End-of-Year School Improvement Plan (SIP) Review and Planning document, which identifies successful action steps and opportunities for improvement. Department chairs met with their departments to compile the top three Instructional Components where additional professional development will be needed for the next school year. Information to complete the 2014-2015 End of Year Best Practices Survey was done through the identified content areas. The EESAC roster is being updated for next year. Mrs. Toledo was elected to replace Mrs. Kavanaugh as faculty alternate; educational support will have an election to replace Mrs. Braithwaite, who is retiring; the PTSA will hold its meeting on May 29 to elect five parents and an alternative; student council elections are on May 22 to elect two student representatives and an alternate.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny thanked Mr. Rivers for his excellent work done on EESAC this year, commending his professionalism and attention to detail. She also publically expressed appreciation to faculty and staff for their work during this testing season that is culminating now. The testing schedule impacted every staff member and it was a very challenging time. She thanked all for their efforts to continue teaching so that our children were able to continue learning. She gave special commendation to Ms. Castillo for her commitment and long hours of dedication that kept testing incredibly smooth. Carver has applied for the 5 Star Award. Mrs. Coto-Gonzalez, Mr. Sejeck, and others compiled information to document what we do for this award. The NJHS induction ceremony is this evening with more than 60 new inductees. Lastly, Mrs. Stroleny thanked everyone for their service on EESAC this year and wished all a great summer.

Open Forum: Mrs. Robledo commented that agreement to cover classes and sacrifice planning periods was painful, but she wanted to clarify that it was agreed upon by the faculty. She thanked the three student members for their participation in the EESAC this year. She hoped that parent participation would improve. On May 12, Mrs. Robledo attended the first Department of Education Instructional Evaluation System Workshop to speak out about and discuss testing and teacher evaluations. She said about 100 teachers from Dade and Broward counties attended the meeting, which was the first of three meetings, but that more teachers should get involved. Mrs. Stroleny said logistics of the meeting, which was held in the afternoon in Broward County, made it difficult for teachers to attend. Mrs. Daniels said the tennis and golf are finishing their seasons. The tennis team participated in a tournament on May 12 and qualified for the finals on May 14. The golf team also has done well and qualified for the finals on May 20. Mrs. Daniels asked whether students will be released early on the final three days of the school year as has traditionally occurred. Mrs. Stroleny said we have not received official notification yet.

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