Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING October 6, 2015

Council members in attendance:
Ingrid Robledo (chairperson)
Shelley Stroleny
Shelton Rivers
Annette Daniels
Guillermo Garcia
Shannon Sejeck
Cheli Fernández
Richard Hudson
Maria Toledo
Ana Arguello
Shirelle Jackson
Jenny Murphy
Margie Aragon
Sinclair Cerber
Alexandra Torres
J. Hiram Williams

Council members absent:
Vilma Gonzalez
Maria Alvarado
Daniel Toll
Richard Smithies
Pierre Apollon
Tom Kernan
Melissa Nobles

Guests
Maria de los Angeles-Fernandez
Jose Gonzalez
Maria del Rios Galvez

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:25 a.m. The minutes from September 8, 2015, were reviewed and approved. All members introduced themselves.

Official Business: Mrs. Stroleny discussed EESAC funds and explained that the easiest use is for technology. We have $4,934 in funding this school year. Mrs. Aragon asked for disclosure on what exactly the funds will be is spent on. Mrs. Stroleny said it is a small amount and every account has its restrictions for auditing purposes. Mrs. Robledo and Dr. Garcia also assured Mrs. Aragon that this money has been well spent in the past. Mrs. Stroleny said there is no way of knowing the exact technology needs that will arise, as much of the funding is used to replace equipment as needed. The motion to use the funding for technology was approved.

SIP Review: The EESAC is the sole body responsible for the approval and implementation of the School Improvement Plan (SIP). Mr. Rivers began by explaining that the official roster must be approved before next meeting. The entire District has implemented one goal per school; that goal includes all areas and departments at the school. Schools had to identify barriers, along with resources and strategies to address that particular barrier. Our area of focus is Gradual Release: we want students to be more involved in their learning as opposed to the teacher taking all of the responsibility. We have five action steps that will help us achieve this goal. Department chairpersons will be informed of these steps and they will disseminate them to their departments. Mrs. Aragon asked for clarification with the Gradual Release goal. Mr. Rivers discussed the reasoning behind the goal. Mrs. Robledo said this is an internal situation that we will promote student growth and added that much of it is already happening in our classrooms. Mr. Gonzalez said this is more of a process for discovery learning with students working together. Mrs. Stroleny said we have worked toward this goal with the faculty; whereas professional development previously was delivered by outside experts but is now done by our staff, giving more ownership to teachers. This will do the same for our students. Mrs. Robledo mentioned the upcoming high school fair for eighth-grade students. Mr. Rivers said the SIP must be reviewed and submitted by Oct. 9th; the Council approved the 2015-2016 SIP. The 2015-2016 School Improvement Plan (SIP) Signature Page and Assurances were completed. He said the EESAC minutes are available at the District website. Mrs. Arguello asked about building improvements as they relate to the SIP. Mrs. Stroleny said that monies from a bond issue for building improvements exist and that this year is Carver’s turn to receive funding in this area. Painting is our biggest need here.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny informed about some recent and upcoming events. The PTSA Family Night fundraiser on Sept. 9 at Sports Grill was very successful. Open House on Sept. 16 went smoothly and was informative. Mrs. Stroleny recognized Mrs. Basso for her work as organizer. On Sept. 17, we hosted an author visit for language arts students and a French comedian. The SIPA family picnic on Sept. 20 proved a good time for all in attendance. Dr. Garcia led the science fair workshop for parents on Sept. 24. He has been working with the science fair at the district level for many years, and we are appreciative of all he does for our science students. Spike-It-Up on Sept. 25 was a blast for sixth-grade students. The Scholastic Book Fair was very successful; it is important for children to experience buying books. The District Writing pretest was administrated to all students today and yesterday. Oct. 8 is the next Early Release day, and all teachers are involved in teacher-led professional development that they have chosen. Also on Oct. 8, we will host a visit of school administrators from Baltimore; there also will be a Magnet Fair for eighth-grade students and their parents that evening. The Hispanic Heritage Luncheon is on Oct. 9; there also will be the GIPA Oktoberfest off-campus celebration. The Literacy Team, led by Mrs. Coto-Gonzalez, will meet on Oct. 12 to share reading and writing strategies. Mrs. Harmon has organized the Variety Show on Oct. 13. On Oct. 14, SIPA is hosting a free event at the Spanish Cultural Center. Also on Oct. 14 (and Nov. 4), we will host a tour for parents of prospective incoming sixth-graders; there also will be a parent workshop for Civics. On Oct. 15, DonorsChoose will be on campus to film the presentation of a funded grant in Mrs. Vazquez’ class. The German-American Heritage Luncheon is on Oct. 16. Fall school pictures will be taken on Oct. 19 and 20. Red Ribbon Week, with many fun, free activities, is Oct. 23-29. La Festa Italiano is on Oct. 24 at the Coral Gables Museum. Ms. Senior has organized presentations of Inherit the Wind on Oct. 27 and 28. The Fall Social, which is a United Way fundraiser, and Twins Day are on Oct. 29. Oct 30 is a teacher planning day. The next EESAC meeting is on Nov. 5, along with a cybercrime presentation for parents and the PTSA general meeting.

Open Forum: Mrs. Stroleny called upon Dr. Garcia to explain the STEM initiative. He explained that the District is promoting schools to become STEM-designated schools. Carver has always done well in these areas. We are working through meetings and a committee to address the requirements, many of which are already being done here. Visitations by officials will occur during the process. Mrs. Robledo said she and Mrs. Winston are conducting training for Advanced Placement teachers of other schools who are teaching AP foreign language classes.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 9:04 a.m.