Garden Elementary School Advisory Council Minutes

September 28, 2004

 

Present: Teachers – Anne Feely, Robbie Thomas, Barbara Henschell, Susan       Ionescu, Gabrielle O’Berry

Classified – Kim Tubbesing

Parents – Karen Blackburn, Gary Gray, Sandra Ryan, Mollee McFarlane, Anita Weber

Community Members – Dot Moore, Terri Ramey, Jack Shultz

Absent: Emile Quinn, Principal

 

1) Welcome: Gabrielle O’Berry welcomed SAC members and opened the meeting at 3:00 PM. Robbie Thomas has replaced Rachel Hallman. This change has been noted on the attendance roster.

 

2) Renaissance: Flo Neu, Renaissance coordinator, asked the SAC to approve up to $1,000 from the 2004-5 SAC budget to be used for the Renaissance program. This program provides incentives for students who fulfill specific grade and work habits requirements. Susan Ionescu made a motion to approve the $1,000, which was seconded by Mollee McFarlane.

 

3) SAC Membership: Gabrielle O’Berry reported that the PTO Board voted unanimously on September 1st to appoint parents Mollee McFarlane and Anita Weber to Garden’s SAC. The same was true at the September 13th Faculty Meeting whereby Anne Feely, Barbara Henschell, and Robbie Thomas were voted onto the SAC.

 

4) Operational Guidelines: Gabrielle O’Berry distributed the 2004-2005 Operational Guidelines. After a review and discussion about the proposed guidelines, Dot Moore made a motion to approve the 2004-2005 Operational Guidelines. Pastor Gary Gray seconded the motion.

 

5) FCAT Student Award packs: The SAC members were reminded of the FCAT Packs which were purchased last year for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Members wanted to know what the pack consisted of. The “Tackle the FCAT’ pack includes a zippered pencil pouch, topper pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, gripper, and ribbon. Gabrielle then asked for discussion. The cost of the items for 350 students @ $3.09 each would total $1, 121.50 (including shipping and handling). Mrs. O’Berry asked for a motion to approve up to $1200 to fund this project. Mrs. O’Berry also asked SAC members to participate in an “FCAT Pack” stuffing activity, like last year. Jack Shultz made a motion to approve the packs at $1200. Karen Blackburn seconded. All agreed to stuff the FCAT Packs.

 

6) Budget: The September budget was presented and a motion to approve it as submitted came from Terri Ramey with a second from Anne Feely.

 

7) PALS Training: The PALS Annual Fall Training was held on September 23 at Laurel Nokomis School. Garden was represented by Mollee McFarlane (SAC new member meeting), JaneAnn Jennings (Volunteer Coordinator), Karen Blackburn (Five Star Schools), and Gabrielle O’Berry (Grant Writing).

New SAC members who could not attend this training have been asked to view the PowerPoint presentation. Karen Blackburn inquired as to the availability of funds to cover the cost of materials to put together the Five Star School Portfolio. Gabrielle O’Berry will discuss this with Mr. Quinn but felt it shouldn’t be a problem. Mrs. Blackburn also suggested we display the portfolio so parents could have an opportunity to see what goes into earning this designation.

 

8) SAC Project Update: Anne Feely gave SAC members a handout listing the workshops being offered to Garden’s parents. She also discussed that the SAC project would include “Garden Family Reading Nights.” Mrs. Rule, media aide, has been asked if she would be in charge of the media center on these evenings. Mrs. Rule will be paid for the hours she works past her regular duty day. Mrs. O’Berry reminded the council that $1,000 (3 hours per month) has been budgeted for this project, but we may revisit this figure if we find a need to increase Mrs. Rule’s hours. Jack Shultz stated he would help with funding refreshments. Terri Ramey will be recruiting up to five high school students to volunteer their time by reading with Garden students. The first “Family Night” has been planned for October 21.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9) School Improvement Plan Approval: Garden’s proposed SIP (2003 – 2008) was distributed. Gabrielle O’Berry went over the adequate yearly progress goals as well as the scores from last year and the expected scores for the 2004-5 school year. Mrs. O’Berry also presented the five Professional Development Plans in reading, writing, science, technology, and mathematics. Mrs. O’Berry explained to members that Mr. Quinn has worked very hard on these documents so faculty members will have enough training to be able to implement the strategies. Understanding and participating in Professional Learning Communities is a major portion of the plan. Mrs. O’Berry then asked for discussion. SAC members were very impressed with the overall scores and the suggested strategies to continue to help all Garden’s children achieve to their highest potential. The same plan is being presented to the staff and the PTO Board. After discussion, a motion was made by Mollee McFarlane to approve Garden’s School Improvement Plan 2004-2005. Pastor Gary Gray seconded it. Gabrielle O’Berry then thanked the AdHoc committee, Mollee McFarlane, Barbara Henschell, and Anne Feely, for contributing their time and effort to help complete the plan. Copies of Garden’s SIP plan will be available for parents, community members, and staff to review at any time.

 

10) Other: Mrs. O’Berry asked for volunteers to attend Dr. Norris’ regional roundtable discussion on November 18, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, at Taylor Ranch Elementary. Terri Ramey and Mollee McFarlane volunteered to attend with Emile Quinn and Gabrielle O’Berry.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:11 PM.

 

Next Meeting: October 26, 2004, 3:00 PM,

Garden Conference Room