Garden
Elementary School Advisory Council Minutes
11-20-02
Members Present:
Emile Quinn, Principal, Stella Pettit, Gabrielle O’Berry, Susan Ionescu,
Kim Tubbesing,, Karen Blackburn, Dot
Moore, and Sandy Ryan, Terri Ramey, (Jane Ann Jennings as substitute for Pastor
Gray). Absent: Pastor Gray, Jack Shultz
Old Business
1. Kindergarten/1st Grade Conference Days: Kim
Tubbesing reported on the success of the conference days. Parent conferences
were held on November 4th and 5th, 2002. All of the Kindergarten and First Grade
teachers found them to be extremely important and valuable as they were able to
share information about curriculum, school policy, the report card, student
expectations and progress. Parents’ questions were answered and pertinent background
information was shared that will help teachers work more effectively with each
child. A special thanks was expressed for the use of the Venice Assembly of God
church. Flowers were sent from the school.
2. Technology Update: Susan Ionescu, 3rd Grade Advanced
Work Placement teacher, reported on the new technology that has recently come
to Garden. 39 new iBooks were given out to staff. Susan brought hers to show
the group. There were also 4 wireless mobile laptop carts that have been placed
in grades 3-5 for student use. Susan shared the many ways in which the new
technology is changing the delivery of instruction. Students are involved in
group and individual projects that enhance learning in all areas of the
curriculum. Science and math investigation is becoming a primary focus,
particularly in the intermediate grades.
3. New Garden Website: Stella reported that the new Garden website is
complete, and the group will have the opportunity to visit the site with the
wireless computers at our January meeting.
4. Venice Foundation Grant Update:
Reading and writing inservice, special area teachers’ conferences,
and the kindergarten/first grade conference days have all been funded through
the Strategic Grants in Education provided by the Venice Foundation. The grant
proposal is being modified in the area of professional development in math.
Model teachers, Sue D’Angelo and Aggie Harrison, will be contracted to assist
with the development of math activities specific to Garden’s needs. Teachers have
been invited to visit their classrooms at Taylor Ranch and Toledo Blade. In
looking ahead at year two of the grant, Emile and Stella have been researching
the possibility of bringing AIMS (Activities Integrating Math and Science) to
the staff the week before teachers return to duty in the fall. This idea will
be presented to the Lead Teachers after the holidays. Emile also updated the
group on the science lab progress and the Selby funds that will be utilized for
equipment and construction of the lab. A lab will be up and running for grades
3-5 next year. Following the completion of this project, another math/science
lab will be planned for the primary grades. SAC will continue to be updated on
the progress.
5. Community Forum: Karen
Blackburn, parent representative, reported on the October 21st
School and Community Forum held at Taylor Ranch School. She said they addressed
the long term solutions for Sarasota County schools. Also, the Nov. 5th
ballot items pertaining to class size and pre-K were discussed. These meetings
are intended to keep the community informed and to maintain the momentum of the
referendum in light of the fact that the district will be facing similar needs
in four years. Karen Blackburn, Emile Quinn, Stella Pettit, Jane Ann Jennings,
and Debbie Beese will continue to be our school representatives. Karen will
report to SAC for the group after each meeting.
6. Climate Surveys: Garden
will once again be suing school generated climate surveys with district
mandated items included. The climate surveys for students, teachers, parents,
and classified were reviewed and approved. Stella mentioned that next year, the
school might considered the automated telephone survey that is now available
from the district.
7. Budget Review and Requests: This month’s budget and expenditures
were presented and reviewed. $200 was paid for Debbie Gerardi to attend a
workshop. She will be sharing the information at an upcoming faculty meeting.
Dee Schmidt was contracted to assist with the website. FCAT kits were ordered
for 4th and 5th grade students.
8. Other: Special mention was
made of the success of the first Renaissance assembly. Gabrielle O’Berry was
commended for steering the committee. She added that much work had been done by
others to accomplish the goals.
There being no further business,
the meeting adjourned at 3:50pm.