Garden Elementary School Advisory Council Minutes

October 26, 2004

 

Present: Emile Quinn, Principal

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, Jack Shultz

Absent: Terri Ramey

 

1) Welcome: Gabrielle O’Berry welcomed SAC members and opened the meeting at 3:00 PM.

 

2) Budget  - The SAC Budget was distributed. It remained the same as last month. Gabrielle O’Berry did mention that an extra 20 FCAT packs were added to the original 350 packs that were approved on September 28. The amount that SAC set aside was $1200. The new amount, which includes the extra 20 packs, is $1,185.30. The order will now be placed for 370 packs.

Mrs. O’Berry also mentioned that we needed to increase the amount of Teacher Web Pages from 25 to 28. This would be an extra $66. SAC approved an amount up to $625 on August 31. The total for Teacher Web Pages is now at $616.

 

3) A+ Monies – Mr. Quinn explained how the monies were being distributed. Approximately $550 will go to all staff members who helped make Garden an A school during the 2003 – 2004 school year. Approximately $600 will go to each 2004 – 2005 teacher to use to purchase needed items for the classroom. Gabrielle O’Berry made a motion to accept this proposal. Jack Shultz seconded. All approved the distribution of the monies as described by Mr. Quinn.

 

4) Five Star Schools Portfolio – Mrs. O’Berry let Mrs. Blackburn know she could ask for monies/supplies as needed to put together the Five Star School Portfolio. A reminder was given by Karen Blackburn and JaneAnn Jennings to give any and all documentation to them in a timely fashion.

 

 

 

 

5) Five Star Recognition Dinner – Mrs. Blackburn and Mrs. Beese were thanked for being able to attend the dinner held on October 21. Mrs. Blackburn accepted Garden’s Five Star School Certificate. She reminded us that we have held this important designation for eight years.

 

6) School Improvement Plan – Mr. Quinn stated that Garden’s “very ambitious” SIP has been sent to the School Board for approval.

 

7) SAC Project Update: Mrs. O’Berry thanked all those involved with Garden’s first “Family Night.” It proved to be very successful. There were over 50 families in attendance. They were able to check out books, read with one another, and take Accelerated Reader tests. SAC thanked Mr. Shultz for providing funds to purchase soda. SAC thanked Mr. Quinn for providing and popping all that delicious popcorn. Thank you to Mrs. Rule, media aide, who was in charge of the media center on this evening. Mrs. Rule will be paid for the hours she works past her regular duty day. Mrs. O’Berry reminded the council that $1,000 (4 hours rather than 3 was decided upon for these evenings.) has been budgeted for this project. Mrs.O’Berry also sent out thank you letters to all the staff members who supported this wonderful event. Anne Feely reported that the workshop called “Outsmart the Test” which was also held that evening for third through fifth grade parents was well attended and was successful. Garden will be holding the Science Fair/Book Fair on November 18. We will not be having another “Reading Family Night” during the Science/Book Fairs. Other parent workshops are scheduled for November 4 and 18. The next SAC sponsored “Garden Family Night” has been scheduled for January 13 from 3:30 – 7:30 PM.

 

8) FCAT Packs – See “Budget” section above.

 

9) Other – a) Mrs. O’Berry mentioned that Dr. Norris’ Round Table discussion would be held on November 18 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM at Taylor Ranch. Terri Ramey, Mollee McFarlane, Gabrielle O’Berry, and Emile Quinn will be attending. The purpose is to “open dialog between the superintendent and the SAC groups and to discuss common issues and concerns the schools share.”

b) Ms. Feely wanted to thank Mrs. McFarlane for coming up with the great idea of creating a script for homeroom parents to use when calling families about the “Garden Family Night’ event. Mrs. Blackburn inquired as to whether we would be getting a phone tree. Mr. Quinn commented that we would soon be able to record messages for parents about upcoming events or even for emergencies. The service then would call all parents and leave a message.

c) Mrs. Moore expressed that Garden’s SAC runs very well. She also mentioned how impressed she was with the advanced technology/Science Lab at our school. She made a suggestion to invite Shannon Staub and Jon Thaxton to view our school, especially the Science Lab.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.

 

Next Meeting: November 30, 2004, 3:00 PM,

Garden Conference Room