Garden Elementary School Advisory Council Minutes

10-16-02

 

Members Present:  Emile Quinn, Principal, Stella Pettit, Gabrielle O’Berry, Susan Ionescu, Jack Shultz, Kim Tubbesing, Pastor Gray, Karen Blackburn,  Dot Moore, and Sandy Ryan. Absent: Terri Ramey

 

Old Business

 

1. Technology Update:  Mr. Quinn updated the group on the new tech hardware that has come to the school as a result of the construction funds that were given back to Garden. 6 new wireless eMacs have been placed in the media center, 49 iMacs have been set up for primary classrooms, 3 mobile carts containing 16 wireless iBooks will become a part of the intermediate grade levels equipment, 39 iBooks as teacher stations will soon be distributed to staff, and several CD Boomboxes and VCRs have been added to our collection. Garden students and staff are truly excited about the future of technology in our learning environment.

 

New Business

 

2. Renaissance: Gabrielle O’Berry, staff coordinator of Renaissance, explained changes planned for the program in the coming year. A new committee has been formed to help facilitate and make decisions for improving Renaissance recognition. Gabrielle noted upcoming events that have been planned: T-shirt Day, 1st Quarter Award Distribution and Gold Renaissance Lunch, Green/Gold Game Days, and student interviews on KNN. She then showed the group the new T-shirts that have been ordered. The shirts were partially funded through SAC. A letter soliciting business and parent support of the program was shared.

 

3. FCAT Student Packets:  Stella presented a sample of a zip-lock pencil case with enclosed FCAT related materials (i.e. pencil, eraser, sharpener, ribbon). Mr. Quinn commented that these had been purchased for students at Venice Elementary. It was agreed by the group that this would be a good incentive for our 4th and 5th grade students and that the cost could be shared by SAC and the internal account that is generated by picture money. 200 packets will be ordered for at total of $678.

 

4. Strategic Plan for Excellence:  It was noted that the district has given preliminary approval to Garden’s draft of the SPE. The only revision requested was to include the use of Title II training dollars. Mr. Quinn pointed out that Garden was one of the few schools whose plan was accepted in the first round of district review.

 

5. SAC Representation at Community Forum:  A meeting is going to be held at Taylor Ranch School at 7pm on Oct. 21st. The purpose of this meeting is to keep the momentum going following the referendum of last March. Karen Blackburn, Mr. Quinn, and Stella Pettit will represent Garden’s SAC. JaneAnn Jennings and Debbie Beese will represent the PTSO. All interested members were invited to attend as well. The group will be updated at the next SAC meeting.

 

6. New State Progression Policy:  The new legislation that addresses mandatory retention in third grade based on FCAT was distributed and reviewed. It was mentioned that the goal of the state is to eliminate social promotion and ensure that all students are reading on level by the end of 3rd grade. The waivers were discussed with special mention of an alternative assessment being announced later in the year for students who teachers believe did not test well on FCAT.

 

7. Kindergarten/First Grade Conference Days: On Nov. 4th - 5th, kindergarten and first grade will be holding conference with all parents at the Venice Assembly of God Church. Substitutes will be funded through the Venice Foundation Grant. Pastor Gray was thanked for once again graciously offering the use of the church for this event. There will be a follow-up report at the next SAC meeting.

 

8. Budget Review and Requests: $200 was requested by Debbie Gerardi to attend a workshop at Harvard. A $500 contract was written to Dee Schmidt to continue with her assistance with the website and to add to the training of staff on the new iBooks. The current budget, including monthly expenditures and projected budgets, was distributed and discussed. It was explained to new members that these dollars are generated from the Florida lottery and are distributed to schools based on student enrollment.

 

9. A+ Money Allocation:  Approval was granted for the decision made by the Faculty Leadership Team in the distribution of the state awared A+ money. The money will be used toward contracts for remediation, classroom allocations, science lab equipment, and stipends for staff.

 

10. Other:  Pastor Gray offered to assist with suggesting ways to improve the sound system in the new cafetorium. He will meet with Mr. Quinn to discuss his ideas.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:50pm.