Verified EESAC Meeting Minutes

WELCOME
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES:
- Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE:
- The Power of One:Global Impact
- Mr. Rivers provided some context for this year's theme (The Power of One: Global Impact) and how it aligns with our Magnet theme.
- Student safety
- Mr. Rivers reiterated that student / staff safety is of utmost importance. He aligned student safety to the school's uniform and the wearing of student
identification cards.
- Student Drop Off and Pick-Up
- Mr. Rivers reminded the parents that there are only 2 drop-off, pick-up areas for parents (Lincoln Drive and Loquat). Parents are not allowed to drop-
off or pick-up on Jefferson, which is a designated bus loading zone.
- Emergency Communication.
- Mr. Rivers informed the committee that the District has a new mass communication system (Finalsite).
- Finalsite has the same functionality as the previous mass communication system (SchoolMessenger).
- FAST Testing PM 1.
- We are scheduled for testing on September 15, 16, 17, 22, and 24.
- Students that are absent will be scheduled for make-up before the testing window closes.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROCESS (MONITORING, IMPLEMENTATION, REVIEW, ETC.):
- Mr. Rivers discussed the development of the 2025-2026 School Improvement Process
- He shared a copy of the SIP with the committee that included the areas of focus, the measurable outcome, and actions steps
- The committee approved the 2025-2026 SIP.
OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS
- Open House
- Mr. Rivers informed the committee that we had a successful, uneventful Open House.
- We received positive feedback from both teachers and parents.
ANNOUNCEMENTS / OPEN FORUM:
- Mrs. M. Vinat, UTD Steward.
- Ms. Vinat discussed the educational crisis that is being felt throughout the state.
- Public schools throughout the state are reporting a decline in enrollment; M-DCPS have lost approximately 13K students.
- She urged parents to celebrate the importance of public education and appeal to our elected officials about the state of public education
- She also urged the committee to keep abreast with any proposed legislation that will impact public education (i.e. the discussion about vaccines).
- Eli Valdes, STEAM
- Ms. Valdes and a group of teachers worked on S.T.E.A.M. lessons for Mathematics and Science
- The team is working with Ms. Artime and the PTSA to purchase materials for the lessons / activities.
- Our S.T.E.A.M. designation is SILVER
- Mr. Sands, Kitty Hawk
- Mr. Sands informed the committee that we plan to participate in the District's Kitty Hawk presentation (field trip) this year.
- He appealed to the committee and the parents to register as volunteers so that they can serve as chaperones for the field trip and future field trips.
Ms. Llopiz - Sports / Athletic Updates
- Boys Volleyball tryouts will be held in the gymnasium before school (September 08 - 8th grade; September 10 - 7th and 6th grade.
- Girls Volleyball tryouts will be held in the gymnasium afterschool (September 08 - 6th grade; September 09 - 7th grade; September 10 - 8th grade). Make-up tryout dates will be announced.
- Boys Soccer tryouts are scheduled for September 11 (all grade levels)
- Girls Soccer tryouts will be announced.
- Cross Country tryouts will be announced.
- Tryout days are subject to change (based on the weather).
- ALL students must submit a signed liability form before trying out for a sport.
- We will be exploring the idea of creating a sports booster club for the various sports to assist with equipment, fees, travel, etc.
- Mandatory EKGs for student athletes will begin 2026-2027.
- House Bill 1607 effective on July 1, 2025. This legislation requires that all athletic coaches in middle and high schools across Florida hold and
maintain certification in CPR, First Aid, and AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) use. All coaches have been certified this year.
- Mr. Gutierrez (Academia Couture) informed the committee that he will be making a donation to the school in the amount of $750.
ADJOURNMENT