Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

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

E.E.S.A.C. MEETING February 7, 2017

Council members in attendance:
Ingrid Robledo (chairperson)
Shelley Stroleny
Shelton Rivers
Annette Daniels
Cheli Fernández
Guillermo Garcia
Richard Hudson
Brigette Hirson-Troubady
Maria Alvarado
Maria Toledo
Rafael Lopez
Julian Castro
Carson Middlesworth

Council members absent:
Vilma Gonzalez
Sinclair Cerber
Ana Arguello
Margie Aragon
Ivannia Van Arman
Shirelle Jackson
Aya Hamza
J. Hiram Williams
Tom Kernan
Melissa Nobles

Guests
Jessica Coronado
Maria de los Angeles-Fernandez

Approval of minutes: Mrs. Robledo called the meeting to order at 8:20 a.m. The minutes from January 10, 2017 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 that on January 25, 2017, the staff voted on the 2017-2018 School Improvement Plan (SIP) Waivers [Labor Contract Waiver and Alternative Supplement Model Waiver. The staff agreed to make no changes to the existing contract waiver (90 percent); we’ll maintain our block schedule for the 2017-2018 school year. There were no Alternative Supplement Model Waivers requested.

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny began by discussing the monitoring of student performance data. We want to ensure that students are prepared as we go into exam season. We are looking for gaps that need special attention. Administration is meeting with departments to review data, and teachers are reviewing data as needed so their students are successful when the exams take place. Intervention is happening now with an emphasis on homeroom tutoring of “bubble students” who “need that little push.” The majority getting that special push are students in language arts and math who scored a high level 3 last spring and are close to achieving level 4. We have purchased new technology to implement the Advanced Placement testing to replace the use of tape recorders. We have started working on next year’s master schedule, which is integral to keeping the school running at optimal level. Students and teachers need good schedules for school success. Mrs. Coto-Gonzalez works diligently on the master schedule, which must start from scratch yearly to make a quality product. Mrs. Basso and Mrs. Coto-Gonzalez are working on the magnet application process, testing incoming sixth-grade IS students. Author Debbie Reed Fischer visited with sixth- and seventh-graders in January; Patricia McCormick will visit on Feb. 22-23; Kwame Alexander also is scheduled for an upcoming visit with sixth-graders. The PTSA Book Fair is in progress this week.

The PTSA met on Feb. 6. Mrs. Stroleny commended the PTSA for having “a huge impact on making going to school special and fun.” The Spanish Talent Show, organized by Mrs. Noa, is on Feb. 8 and students have worked hard to prepare. The Black History Month luncheon is on Feb. 10. The Literacy Team meets on Feb. 13. The NAEP Assessment for selected eighth-graders is on Feb. 14. This national exam provides a chance for students to demonstrate the excellence represented in Miami-Dade County. AP Pilot testing for French and German students takes place on Feb. 15. An elective walk for incoming students from Sunset Elementary is on Feb. 15. Feb. 16 is an early-release day with professional development for teachers taking place in the afternoon. The Valentine's Day Social is on Feb. 17. The Presidents’ Day holiday is on Feb. 21. Alumni Day is on Feb. 24 with alumni from G. W. Carver Senior High School visiting; this talented group has impacted Miami. Many of our students participate in this true cultural enrichment. The IIPA Carnevale is on Feb. 25 at Coral Gables Museum. The FIPA Gala also is on Feb. 25, along with the PTSA participation at the Coral Gables farmers’ market.
The FSA Writing Assessment begins on Feb. 27 with computer-based testing for eighth-graders and paper-based for sixth- and seventh-graders. The annual Friends of Carver fundraiser is on March 3 at Key Biscayne Beach Club. The next EESAC meeting is on March 7.

Mrs. Stroleny announced recent awards. Our students competed in the District Science Fair Competition, and three students, Alexander Chinea, Jacob Gunderson and Cecilia Suarez, advanced to the state finals. The SECME team won first place in bridge competition, second place in Brainbowl, and second place in IQ Vex Robotics. Mrs. Daniels received the University of Miami Let's Move! Champion of the Game Award. Sophia Leng is performing at the Florida All-State Orchestra in Tampa. Jacques Rive is a Piano Slam finalist. Carlos Aragon earned first place in the 2016 Creative Writing Contest sponsored by the Jewish Museum of Florida FIU. Mr. Rivers, Mr. Hudson, and numerous students completed the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon on Jan. 29.

Official Business: The Council voted unanimously to retain the block schedule for the 2017-18 school year.

Open Forum: Mrs. Stroleny gave athletics news from Mrs. Daniels. The girls’ flag football won yesterday. The boys’ and girls’ track and field teams are competing in a meet today with the top finishers advancing to the finals on February 11. Mrs. Robledo said the eighth-grade field trip to Islands of Adventure was a big success with almost 300 students attending. Mr. Lopez said kids were extremely happy, and Mrs. Stroleny called it a great group experience. Mrs. Fernandez said the local annual Math Counts competition will take place on Feb. 26 with 34 schools participating. She said she hopes to do well and explained that the students have been preparing as members of the Math Counts Club. Mr. Castro explained a project from the eighth-grade Advanced Placement Spanish classes. Students worked in groups over four months to write a script and then filmed it. Dr. Garcia said the girls’ varsity volleyball team reached the District finals and the junior varsity won the District championship. He said he is confident of a strong season next year with many top players returning. He also said the boys’ and girls’ bowling teams competed in the Youth Fair bowling tournament with Melanie Miquez and Robert Weckel both taking second place. He also said we have 34 teams participating in the
E-cyber mission on Feb. 22; this activity helps prepare seventh-graders for science fair. Four field trips to Fairchild Tropical Garden are taking place this week through iPrep and were funded by a grant. Mrs. Toledo said her technology students are competing in teams in the Internet Science and Technology Fair.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robledo adjourned the meeting at 8:57 a.m.