Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

Approval of minutes: Mr. Sands called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. The minutes from December 15, 2020, were reviewed and approved.

SIP Review: The EESAC is the sole body responsible for the approval and implementation of the School Improvement Process (SIP). Mr. Rivers discussed Phase III: Mid-Year Review and Phase IV: School Culture and Academic Programs. A motion was made to approve the SIP in its present form; it was approved unanimously. Mr. Rivers discussed 6th grade screenings. Information regarding the screenings and the District’s COVID-19 waiver will be sent to all 6th grade parents. Accommodations for MSO students that opt to participate in the screenings will be provided.

Official business: None

Principal’s Message: Mrs. Stroleny began by saying that the second marking period ended on Jan. 22. Overall, our students are making progress and doing well as evidenced by classroom observations, grades, iReady assessments, and communication with teachers. Our administration is working closely with the Student Services Department facilitating student success. Attendance and academic grades are being monitored daily, and support is being provided as soon as needs are identified. The administrative team and Student Services are speaking with parents and students to create the most positive MSO (online) or PHY (physical) learning environment possible. When needed, students are being brought back to the schoolhouse model instead of the virtual model. Presently, we have approximately 570 PHY and 435 MSO students. Out of an abundance of caution and following District procedures, we have had to quarantine quite a few students. Covid transmission is not occurring at the school site, but it is occurring in the community. One sick student means about 80 students out on quarantine. We have seen no transmission at school. Our custodial team is doing an exceptional job. We have hired an extra custodian to clean surfaces.

Before-school tutoring for mathematics and language arts began on Jan. 25. Beginning Feb. 1, Black History Month activities and lessons are planned through Social Studies classes (bulletin boards, morning announcements, social media). IS testing to determine language proficiency for incoming students for next year takes place on Feb. 3. A Black History student luncheon with special foods in the cafeterias will be on Feb. 4. The PTSA is organizing a Black History Grab-and-Go luncheon for teachers on Feb. 5. On Feb. 12, students will be allowed to wear a Valentine’s Day top and the cafeterias will be decorated by the PTSA. Feb. 15 is the Presidents' Day holiday. Feb. 26 is Jean Day. We are preparing labs and computers for state assessments. In April and May standardized assessments are scheduled, and we will be ready. We had a very successful AP parent workshop in January with 100 parents attending. All AP teachers participated in the event coordinated by Mrs. DiPietro. Our Media Center is getting a facelift in February. Mrs. Stroleny commended Mr. Rivers for an exception-free property audit and a passing Safety to Life inspection.

Open Forum: Mrs. Vinat said that during Black History Month guest speakers from the 11th Judicial Court will speak to many classes about black history. It is easier to connect digitally for many of the speakers. She also said that the Union is working with concerns related to the Letter of Understanding as it relates to Covid issues. She said that Mrs. Stroleny is doing a great job holding with protocol. We need to improve on overall contact tracing as a system, and the Union is trying to finalize details and retirement incentives for teachers. She said she will share more information with the staff at the next faculty meeting.

Mrs. Delavalette asked about online testing. Mrs. Stroleny said physical students will be tested at the school site. Testing for online students will be optional at the school site. We currently have no details about AP testing. Mrs. Delavalette asked if there are any regulations about student integrity during testing. Mrs. Stroleny said each subject would have a window of testing, and students are required to sign agreements to not talk about the test. Miss Elliott asked how quarantines will impact testing. Mrs. Stroleny said we have a long testing window but that we are awaiting more details about testing procedures. Miss Rhone asked how we are ensuring that all are safe as it related to the safety protocol. Mrs. Stroleny responded that we have strict cleaning protocols with special chemicals and procedures from the District. Second, communication about positive test results and guidelines about contact tracking are being followed. We are strict about those guidelines and quarantine entire classes and the teachers out of precaution. It is unlikely that anyone will get sick this way, as we have had no in-school transmission. People are not getting sick here because we are being very careful. It takes about two hours to get all affected students and staff out of the building who have been in contact with that person who has reported a positive test. Miss Rhone asked about students not following guidelines after school. Mrs. Stroleny said that is a community issue, and we need to count on everybody doing the right thing, and that people must do right because they have a community conscience. Mrs. Delavalette responded that students could set up a challenge about contact cases or quarantine issues. Miss Rhone said competition could be a good motivation and a fun way to deal with this issue. Mr. Sands said Student Council will discuss this topic. Mrs. Rodriguez asked about the Civics EOC that students missed last spring. Mrs. Vinat said so far only the Algebra I EOC is a requirement for students to make up. Mr. Rivers added that passing Algebra I is a state requirement.

Adjournment: Mr. Sands adjourned the meeting at 8:31 a.m.