Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING September 6, 2016

Council members in attendance:
Ingrid Robledo (chairperson)
Shelley Stroleny
Shelton Rivers
Annette Daniels
Cheli Fernández
Guillermo Garcia
Richard Hudson
Maria Toledo
Jenny Murphy
Shirelle Jackson
Ivannia Van Arman
Maria Alvarado

Council members absent:
Vilma Gonzalez
Rafael Lopez
Sinclair Cerber
Ana Arguello
Margie Aragon
Julian Castro
Aya Hamza
Carson Middlesworth
J. Hiram Williams
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. All in attendance introduced themselves. The minutes from May 3, 2016, 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 reported on the District’s 2015-16 Statistical Highlights, which gives general information for the last ten years. For the last three years, the pupil population has risen slowly, while the number of teacher has gone down. The graduation rate has continued to rise. The number of Students with an ESE Primary Exceptionality was 14,390 (2015-2016), but the number of Students Enrolled in ESE Courses or Consultative Services was 7,120 (2015-2016); this indicates that roughly half of these students are being serviced in the general education population. The enrollment in Advanced Academic programs has risen. IB program enrollment has decreased, Cambridge AIC Program enrollment increased; the Dual Enrollment Program decreased. NOTE: the comparisons for the enrollment in Advanced Academic Programs is based on data from the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. The Wellness Policy for food sold on campus has remained the same. Vending machines are not accessible to students here. Mrs. Stroleny said we do not encourage food celebrations on campus due to problems with sugar and food allergies. She added that we have a “wonderful school nurse who helps us keep kids in school with minor situations.” Mr. Rivers said no carbonated beverages or those with added caffeine are allowed, and food and snacks must meet specific criteria. We follow the district menu in the cafeterias. We meet the physical activity requirement with the help of after-school sports. Dr. Garcia discussed the marked fitness course on campus. Mrs. Daniels asked about the statistics, and Mr. Rivers said they are District statistics.

Official Business: The EESAC unanimously reelected Mrs. Robledo as EESAC chairperson. It was announced that Mr. Sejeck has left the District to take a job as an assistant principal in Brevard County. Mrs. Toledo was approved to take Mr. Sejeck’s position as a faculty representative on the committee. She had previously been the faculty alternate. There will be a faculty vote to elect a new faculty alternate.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny began by welcoming all members back for the 2016-17 school year and commending all for a smooth opening of school. She gave an update of our faculty. Grace Iudica, is our new technology specialist and her assistant is David Mallis; Mrs. Castro has replaced Mr. Sejeck as SCSI Instructor. We are very happy for Mr. Sejeck that he is now an assistant principal in Brevard County. Mrs. Perez-Salman remains as our ESE teacher and will also maintain the Media Center. Ms. Williams has transferred to a high school closer to her home and has been replaced by Mrs. Fletcher in Language Arts. Mr. Jose Gonzalez was commended for his work to develop a new web page for us. It looks great and is a much needed an update. The PTSA will be paying for his laptop and software to maintain the website. Mrs. Stoleny thanked the PTSA for its work with the grounds beautification and the opening of school breakfast. Mr. Hardy, a Carver parent, brought in a crew from his painting company to do touchup work around the campus.

Testing results came in this summer. A.P. results were as follows: French 98 percent passing, Spanish 97 percent passing, German 92 percent passing, and Italian 100 percent passing. FSA results were as follows: sixth-grade ELA 93 percent passing, seventh-grade ELA 92 percent passing, eighth-grade ELA 95 percent passing, sixth-grade Math 93 percent passing, seventh-grade Math 92 percent passing, Civics 97 EOC percent passing, Algebra 1 EOC 93 percent passing, Geometry EOC 98 percent passing, Biology EOC 100 percent passing, and eighth-grade Science 86 percent passing. Homeroom tutoring starts this week: it is a coaching situation in which we use data and teacher recommendation to select students.

The Club Fair for sixth- and seventh-grade students is Sept. 9. Sept.21 is Open House. Interim Progress reports go home Sept. 22. FIPA will hold a wine and cheese event on Sept. 23. Mrs. Stroleny asked parents to please support their child’s language association. A French intern will begin in October and will be sponsored by FIPA. On Sept. 27 at 6 p.m., we will conduct the Science Fair Workshop for parents; Science Fair projects will be due in early November. Sept. 29 is Early Release. FIPA will hold a breakfast for volunteers from 8:20-9 a.m. on Sept. 30. Oct. 3 is a teacher planning day. The next EESAC meeting is Oct. 4. Mrs. Stoleny stressed that at the end of the school day it is very important that parents pick up their children on time. Students should be off campus by 4:30 p.m. unless with they are with a coach for after-school sports.

Open Forum: Dr. Garcia gave an update on the STEM designation. He said we are still awaiting the announcement as to which schools attained the designation but that he remains optimistic and expects the results soon.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:52 a.m.