Present – Emile Quinn

Teachers – Bruce Anderson, Anne Feely, Rachel Hallman, Gabrielle O’Berry

Classified – Stacie Nokes for Karen Blackburn

Community Members – Dot Moore, Joan Koson for Terri Ramey, Jack Shultz

Parents – Nicole Harten for Gary Gray, Mollee McFarlane, Sandra Ryan, Ashleigh James for Shannon Via

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

2) Budget – Gabrielle O’Berry presented the budget with a final balance of $7329.05. Monies spent this month included $60.76 for the chairperson’s supplement and $1,158.50 to purchase 350 FCAT packs to be used as an incentive for all 3^rd – 5^th graders to “Score High on FCAT.” All approved the budget as presented.

3) FCAT Packs – These have been ordered. SAC members will assemble the packs during the January SAC meeting.

4) Regional Discussion Group Update – Bruce Anderson reported that he attended the forum at Venice Elementary. He commented that many attendees expressed that they enjoyed the small group sessions. Teachers mentioned that they were overwhelmed with too many new initiatives. SAC members asked Mr. Anderson what was going to be done with the information that was gathered at the forums. Mr. Quinn would check on this at the Principals’ meeting on Wednesday.

5) YMCA Remedial Reading Partnership Update –

Anne Feely reported that there was no official testing data yet, but she was receiving positive feedback from teachers. She commented that the first grade team mentioned that the children who are participants are excited about being in the

program. The children enjoy receiving one-on-one reading assistance. Ms. Feely will be meeting with a state representative this week to discuss progress as this program is financed with state funds.

Emile Quinn reminded us of our previous commitment to provide incentives for approximately 40 children. The attendance level has been very high. To encourage these children to continue to do their very best by being present, Mr. Quinn requested $200 from SAC to purchase items for the children. These items would be distributed to the children according to their attendance records. Monies would also be used for a pizza party in May. Mollee McFarlane suggested giving the children a book based on exiting reading levels. An additional $200 would need to be set aside to purchase the books. All SAC members agreed to these suggestions. SAC will also revisit this issue and increase the amount of money set aside for incentives/books as needed.

6) Business Partnership of the Year Nomination –

Emile Quinn and all SAC members congratulated Jack Shultz of Community National Bank for being an exemplary School Advisory Council member. We sincerely appreciate all the support his bank and he have provided to Garden Elementary for many years.

7) Other – Gabrielle O’Berry reported that Susan Ionescu has been communicating with the author Joan Hiatt Harlow. The author is a Venice resident. We hope to be able to retain her for a wonderful evening of family reading. Mrs. Ionescu will soon let us know what Ms. Harlow’s fee is for her presentation and

book signing. There was discussion about bringing other local authors/illustrators to the school. Gabrielle O’Berry asked SAC members to e-mail her with any information they may have concerning our local artists.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.

(Remember, there will be no December meeting. Come stuff the FCAT packs and congratulate Jack Shultz at the January meeting!)

Next Meeting: January 17, 2006, 3:00 PM

Garden Conference Room