Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING November 5, 2015

Council members in attendance:
Ingrid Robledo (chairperson)
Shelley Stroleny
Shelton Rivers
Annette Daniels
Guillermo Garcia
Shannon Sejeck
Richard Hudson
Ana Arguello
Jenny Murphy
Alexandra Torres
Daniel Toll
J. Hiram Williams

Council members absent:
Cheli Fernández
Maria Toledo
Vilma Gonzalez
Maria Alvarado
Margie Aragon
Sinclair Cerber
Shirelle Jackson
Richard Smithies
Pierre Apollon
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 October 6, 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 the EESAC roster has been approved, along with the 2015-16 EESAC Assurances and SIP signature page. Gradual release has been going on in classrooms where teachers are using a wide range of strategies. Mrs. Robledo said our faculty is helping greatly toward this initiative. Mr. Rivers said gradual release has been going on for years. There will be an FCAT parent meeting on Nov. 12. Mrs. Murphy asked which subjects take the FCAT. Mr. Rivers explained that this meeting is only about the science FCAT, as other subjects have switched to FSA or EOC assessments. This FCAT workshop is for the non-biology students. Mrs. Arguello asked if she can sell Carver magnets at the meeting. Mr. Rivers said after the meeting would be a good time for the sale.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny said we recently had a class size review. We are fine with high school-designated classes but were over the class size of 22 students for middle school core courses. We received some assistance and were able to make adjustments to reach compliance. We opened up five new sections. French math classes especially have lower class sizes now. The Hispanic Heritage Luncheon was a big success. Mrs. Stroleny thanked the Spanish Department and Mrs. Gomez, Department Chairperson. Mrs. Harmon organized the Variety Show on Oct. 13; students performed beautifully and the performance was enjoyed by a full auditorium. Mr. Carvalho, Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Payne, Central Region Superintendent, visited Mrs. Vazquez’ science class on Oct. 15 for the awarding of the DonorsChoose/Chevron Grant.
The German-American Heritage Luncheon was a big success. Mrs. Stroleny thanked the German Department and Mrs. Moghani, Department Chairperson. Mrs. Stroleny thanked the PTSA for the Harvest Social, which was a big success. We combined Twin Day, which is a Red Ribbon activity, with our fall social. The parent pick-up/drop-off area on Loquat Avenue has been significantly improved and safety has been improved. This includes a new sidewalk, striping on the road, and landscaping. The Friends of Carver fundraising event is being planned for March/April. The PTSA is selling Carver Hornet Magnets for $5. Mrs. Arguello said they would like to make magnets for school teams and specific activities next year. The magnet application Period is in full swing. Many District changes in this process affect our incoming students from the International Studies Programs from Sunset and Carver Elementaries. They have preferred articulation but will need to take a language proficiency exam and meet school magnet criteria. The District wants uniform entrance standards. In the past, IE students have had to meet standards; now Sunset and Carver Elementary International Studies students will have to meet those standards. They will need to take the proficiency exam. In the past, those students have been very well prepared and we do not anticipate a problem. Once they meet the criteria, they are entered in the lottery, but they receive articulation priority. Mrs. Arguello asked about changing her daughter from IE to IS Spanish, and Mrs. Stroleny explained the process. Mrs. Stroleny discussed upcoming events.
We will hold a Cybercrime and Bullying Prevention workshop for parents at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, with the PTSA meeting to follow. Science Fair week is Nov. 9- 13. There will be no school on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. Hearing screening for sixth-graders will take place during homeroom on Nov. 12 and 13. On Nov. 12, we will hold a Science Fair workshop at 5:30 p.m., followed by Science Fair night at 6 p.m. Mid-year assessments for Language Arts, Mathematics, Algebra, and Geometry will take place Nov. 16-Dec. 18. Mrs. Stroleny recognized Mr. Rivers, Ms. Castillo, and Mrs. Coto-Gonzalez for their efforts to plan this testing. Yearbooks will be on sale from Nov. 16-20. On Nov. 16, there will be a curriculum showcase at Miami Senior High. On Nov. 19, we will host the Principal for the Day; seventh- and eighth-graders will attend a Cybercrime presentation. On Nov. 23, sixth-graders will take a fieldtrip to Bird Bowl, and eighth-graders will visit Coral Gables Senior High. On Nov. 24, sixth-graders will attend the Project Safe Child presentation, and eighth-graders will participate in Hoop-It-Up. Nov. 25 is a teacher planning day. Mrs. Stroleny wished all members a happy Thanksgiving on Nov. 26. The next EESAC meeting is scheduled for Dec. 1.

Open Forum: Mrs. Robledo said that SIPA hosted a presentation of Don Quixote de la Mancha at Carver. The eighth-grade will take a fieldtrip to Islands of Adventure on Dec. 11. On Nov. 14, Mrs. Robledo is leading a workshop to train Spanish teachers and students for the Spanish Advanced Placement exam; Mrs. Winston is doing the same for French teachers and students. Mrs. Daniels reported on athletics. The girls’ soccer team won the county championship, and the boys’ cross-country team was county runner-up. Boys’ and girls’ volleyball are currently in season and doing well. Dr. Garcia reported on the STEM initiative. He said we are “making great progress.” The first goal was to get each department to submit monthly bullets with STEM-related learning and some departments have already handed in their STEM-related lesson plans. We are awaiting word from the District on visitation dates. We are basically highlighting what we do and making note of interdepartmental connections. Mr. Rivers added that there is a designation in math pacing guides for STEM activities. Mrs. Murphy asked if there will be a new magnet to apply to, and Dr. Garcia said there are only a handful of designated-STEM magnets but that all schools can work toward the STEM designation.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:54 a.m.