Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of Previous Minutes: Ingrid Robledo, Chairwoman, called the E.E.S.A.C. meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. The April E.E.S.A.C. minutes were reviewed. The necessary corrections were made and the minutes were approved.

School Performance Excellence Plan (S.P.E.P.) Update: The S.P.E.P. Update was given by Mrs. Gonzalez. Mrs. Gonzalez stated that all of the 2003 – 2004 S.P.E.P. strategies had been completed. Sixth grader, Samantha Lemes, attended the meeting to demonstrate a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation that she had completed in Mrs. Fernandez’s class. Samantha had surveyed students at Carver to determine which FCAT snacks they preferred. She then used Microsoft Excel to create bar graphs and pie graphs that showed her data and created a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation. It was a sample presentation to show the E.E.S.A.C. committee the final outcome of one of the S.P.E.P.’s data collection and technology objectives. The presentation was outstanding. Mrs. Prahl asked for a copy of the Powerpoint presentation to give to next year’s P.T.S.A. president for guidance when providing the FCAT snack. Mrs. Gonzalez stated that work on the 2004 – 2005 S.P.E.P. has already started. Faculty committees have formed to write next year’s S.P.E.P. goals.

Principal’s Report: Mrs. Gonzalez shared the exciting news that Carver’s FCAT scores had been published in the Miami Herald on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 and were a success. Mrs. Gonzalez stated that the successful scores were due in large part to Carver’s ability to analyze the relevant data and implement strategies geared towards the improvement of each student’s achievement. The analysis and implementation have been an on-going process since July. The lesson is that hard work can succeed with focus, teamwork between the administration and teachers, parental involvement, and a tremendous effort on the part of each student. Mrs. Gonzalez then reviewed the FCAT scores for a variety of different schools. On a different note, the ACCESS Center IV is requesting a proposal from Carver for the 5-year construction needs of the school. Four areas of concern were discussed: the pick-up / drop-off area in the front of the school, the expansion of the Media Center, central air conditioning throughout the old building, and the painting of the school. When questioned about building more classrooms as a proposal, Mrs. Gonzalez stated that there was no way for Carver to expand due to land constraints. In fact, an additional storage room is being built near the cafeteria for combustible material. When questioned about new seats for auditorium, she stated that the P.T.S.A. is looking for money to replace the missing or broken seats in the auditorium. The seats in the auditorium will not be replaced. They are of historical value as they are the original seats of the school. New carpeting, curtains, and paint have been recent improvements to the auditorium as well as a tremendous amount of technology. Mrs. Gonzalez stated that she estimated that the pick up / drop off area project would start in the summer of 2005, when traffic was less due to the summer break with the project being finished in the fall of 2005. Visitor parking might be increased as a result of the project.

Announcements: This week is teacher appreciation week. The P.T.S.A. is providing breakfast, treats, and tokens of appreciation throughout the week. Carver won the 1st place award in Miami-Dade County at the Literary Contest organized by the Florida Foreign Language Association. The Carver students competed in drama, poetry, and impromptu speeches. El Club de Arte Dramatico will have an artistic and cultural presentation on May 13th at 7 p.m. in the Carver auditorium. It will be an exhibition of authentic customs from Latin America that includes folkloric dances, poems, and plays. The Mrs. Gramling extended an invitation to the drama performance of Lucky Dollar Private Eye. The Geography Bee won 1st place and the History Bee won 3rd place at their respective competitions. All E.E.S.A.C. members were encouraged to check the Carver website for the update of the school’s awards. Carmen Salman will join Omar Valerio as the Carver web page web master. Mr. Sands announced that the student council elections will take place the last week of May. Mrs. Gonzalez thanked all the E.E.S.A.C. members for their hard work throughout the 2003 – 2004 school year.

Adjournment: Mrs. Robeldo adjourned the meeting at 8:40 a.m.