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Minutes 01-25-07 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION &. YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 25,2007 AT 7:00 P.M. Present: Stephen Waldman, Chair Susan Buchanan Pamela Camel Robert Chiste Alyssa Ewing Christine Hogenkamp Mary Morera Loretta Wilkinson Sherri Claude City Employee Representative Absent: Hattie Miller I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection Ms. Hogenkamp led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silence for our troops overseas and the passing of Vice Mayor Robert Ensler. III. Approval of Minutes of November 30, 2006 There was one correction to the minutes on page four under Old Business, first paragraph, sixth line; the name Swopes was changed to Swotes. Motion Ms. Buchanan moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Mr. Chiste seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda Chair Waldman added Item B, Fundraising to Old Business. Motion Ms. Buchanan moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Morera seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 25, 2007 V. Announcements/ Presentations/ Correspondence A. Kathleen Perry, Principal, Boynton Beach Community High School Chair Waldman introduced Kathleen Perry, Principal of Boynton Beach Community High School. Kathleen Perry thanked the board and gave an update of activities at the high school. She reported the high school was posed for change. Part of the change had to do with the culture of the school and one of working toward higher achievement and improving their image through raising standards. Beginning in August 2007, Boynton Beach Community High School will be the home of an Aeronautical Science Academy, in partnership with Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach. The program in Boynton Beach would be the sixth Embry Riddle program instituted and students completing the program could accrue up to 36 college credits in the aeronautical/aviation field. Ms. Perry announced Embry Riddle tuition runs about $1,000 per credit hour so the program has the potential to provide a tuition savings of up to $36K. Additionally students completing the program would receive admission status to Embry Riddle or if the students opted to, they could transfer the credits to other colleges or universities. A major recruitment and marketing effort for the program would be commencing in mid-February of 2007. The program was recently approved by the School Board and the program would be offered as a magnet or choice program in the County taught by Embry Riddle professors. Ms. Perry explained the high school was a performing arts academy, which was a choice program and they have been very successful with their vocal/choral academy. The Dimensional Harmony group recently participated in a workshop for music educators. She noted the director has been able to recruit more young men into the program than any other choral program in the state. As a result, the educators wanted the opportunity to hear the group. Over 200 educators attended the workshop, and the group has been invited to perform again. Ms. Perry reported the State anticipated the school to be an F school by the end of the year. The school had put in place a program that was focused and strategic on improving test scores on diagnostic tests, such as SSS, which was like a practice FCAT. So far the scores were looking very good. She explained historically, scores for reading achievement had been flat, but now are moving upward. Math had been an area that held up the school, but they expect it to be a positive area this year. The school instituted a Science Ambassadors Club, which was an afterschool and extracurricular program. The top 200 science students participate in the club. In December 2006, the student participated in the South Florida Fair program on DNA. According to the science museum, they had more students attend than any other school and a special session is being held in recognition of the fact that so many students from Boynton Beach participated. Ms. Perry emphasized this was an afterschool activity that would make a tremendous difference in how they performed on the science portion of the FCA T. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 25, 2007 There was an impression there were gangs and violence in the school. Ms. Perry clarified that was not what she found. She explained she found men and women who were respectful, who followed rules, and wanted to learn. She explained because of highly published incidents, such as something happening after a show or a game that had to involve police, those incidents became associated with the high school. She apprised the board those incidents did not involve the students; rather they were spectators that got out of hand. Ms. Perry did not deny incidents occurred; however, she reported students were not afraid to go to class. Ms. Perry informed the board members she was a disciplinarian. She did not allow excuses for poor or bad behavior. She believed in consequences and teaching. This year they implemented a dress code. The school felt the way the students were dressing had a cultural influence with an emphasis on drugs. The dress code did not allow polo shirts with logos, only a collared shirt and solid colored pants with a belt. There was too much focus on appearance as opposed to academics. Finally, Ms. Perry praised the teachers at the school and noted they were very dedicated and capable of getting the students to achieve. She indicated the community needed to embrace the school, and the school needed to get out there and share with the public what is happening. She announced the Science Department would be at the beach with telescopes for the upcoming lunar eclipse. This was something the public could attend and it was a good way to change their image. Ms. Perry reported she was open-minded. All her decisions were based on how they would impact the students learning and the school. She espoused using opportunities and turning them into teaching moments. All students are entitled to a good education and her expectation is the teachers would provide at all times, their best efforts for them. Chair Waldman announced there was a Beautification Clean-up Day scheduled for January 27, 2007 and perhaps the school wanted to send volunteers. Ms. Perry explained she was invited in December to present the Embry Riddle Program to the Business Development Board for the County and the Department of Airports. Industry had been very supportive of the program and internships would be offered. One airline is offering internships out of Chicago and Palm Beach County. There was a tremendous need for employees in the aviation aerospace and engineering fields. Chair Waldman indicated the board would like to playa role in assisting the high school and he informed Ms. Perry the board has a Youth Volunteer Bank with credits students could take advantage of. Several board members are in the field of education and some of the board members were students who could speak on behalf of other students. He reported the board was available to come in and talk to kids or invite them to some of their functions. He requested Ms. Perry think of ways the board could assist. Ms. Perry advised the school was interested in mentoring, business, civic and industry involvement, and having speakers come into the schools. The school wanted to know what kind of employees the City was looking for, what the standards were and what 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 25, 2007 skills were needed. She also wanted to know what opportunities and finances were available. Ms. Perry spoke about the Science, Engineering, Math and Communications Programs that do a outstanding job with afterschool activities; but, she reported, most often there are no funds for the program. She advised obtaining any in-kind services or guidance; a listing of people interested in serving as mentors or assisting with grant writing would be of use. It was noted the high school has an individual attending the Chamber of Commerce meetings to look for partnerships with companies who might be of assistance. The school motto is "Dignity/ Respect and Personal Responsibility." Ms. Perry looks to reward demonstrations of those attributes, similar to a "Caught being Good" program. This year 11 students will be attending the Presidential Classroom in Washington, D.C. in March. The students were the top 10% of juniors and seniors across the country. The cost was $10K and the students approached the Commission and have raised about half. Ms. Perry would be leaving the "wish list" with Chair Waldman and one with the Mayor. It was also her understanding the City was forming a SOl(c)3 to help support the school financially. Ms. Buchanan reported the Chamber was forming its own education committee and she suggested having a representative on that committee as well. Ms. Perry advised the students were asking how they could be involved with the Education and Youth Advisory Board. Chair Waldman responded there would be some vacancies on the board and students could attend the meetings. He indicated the board could facilitate speaking with the City to make a presentation on what they need when they interview. Additionally, the City holds a Youth in Government Day the students could be involved in. Ms. Camel and Ms. Wilkinson had to leave the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Ms. Wilkinson first expressed her sympathy on record to Mrs. Ensler at the loss of Vice Mayor Ensler. She indicated he did much to assist the board and the City. She also congratulated Ron Weiland on his appointment to the City Commission. Ms. Camel indicated she would be contacting Ms. Perry later about a possible speaker for the school who was a captain for a major airline and an Embry Riddle graduate. Ms. Morera announced there were opportunities that arise and she requested a contact number to get the information to them. Ms. Perry explained the Student Government Advisor was Linda Friedman. Chair Waldman thanked Ms. Perry for attending the meeting and advised the City wants to help. He also gave Ms. Perry scholarship information and invited her to stay and hear the presentation on the Sister Cities program. There were no objections from the board to hearing the Sister Cities presentation out of order. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 25, 2007 A. Sister Cities (Heard out of order) Dan DeCarlo spoke about the Sister Cities program. One program was the Pen Pal Program, which was a program that communicates via e-mail with elementary school students in the Sister City in Qufu, China. Galaxy and Poinciana Elementary Schools were participating in that program. Another project they were working on was a similar Pen Pal Program in the high school. Mr. DeCarlo explained they have spoken to the teachers that teach dance, music, and theater and there were a number of things in Qufu the teachers would like their students to become involved in such as an Ambassador Program. They were hoping to find a sponsor or someone at the high school to work with the Sister Cities program and the committees to help put that project together. Both Chair Waldman and Mr. DeCarlo worked with Ms. Juanita Simmons from the high school about the program and she indicated she would like assistance as far as being officially designated as the contact for the program. The committee was setting up criteria for the Pen Pal Program that would meet the requirements of the FCAT. This was done for the elementary school program and could work well on the high school level. The high school lends itself to more of an opportunity to do this than the younger aged students on the elementary school level and Mr. DeCarlo hoped the high school would participate. There was a dynamic Sister Cities board that was anxious to work with Ms. Perry however they could and Mr. DeCarlo advised they would like the Education and Youth Advisory Board to become involved with the Sister Cities Education Committee effort as well. Teachers from a high school in Qufu will be coming to Boynton Beach and a teacher exchange was discussed. He indicated he has been working on the Confucius Institute in Palm Beach County with the School District and although that program has not yet been approved, a major component of it was a teacher exchange. The focus now was finding one or two teachers who were willing to do the exchange. Ms. Buchanan suggested contacting the school superintendent for the South area. She pointed out teachers could come from another City in Florida, they did not necessarily have to be from Boynton Beach. Conversely, the classes Qufu would like to have taught in China were English classes taught by an American. Ms. Heavilin, President of the Sister Cities Committee added they would try to have the teachers here meet their Qufu counterparts for a two-week visit, or visit the schools one on one, which would be a much less complicated procedure than the official Teacher Exchange. If the teachers in Qufu working on the Pen Pal program visit and stay with a host family, it could greatly boost the program, which was all about learning other cultures. Chair Waldman announced the City and the CRA have taken over the Heritage Fest and would be presenting activities for youth. Board liaison, Sherri Claude had the complete schedule of activities. Chair Waldman indicated anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Hester Center. 5 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 25, 2007 VI. Public Audience None. VII. Old Business A. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award Ms. Claude requested the board set a date for the Awards Banquet, which was a way to recognize and encourage youth to volunteer in the community. Last year the awards took place at the senior center. She explained with the Youth Volunteer Bank, youth fill out an application and a database is kept. As volunteer opportunities become available, the youth volunteer for the activity and bank the hours. Ms. Claude reported in addition to door prizes at the banquet, there are monetary and in kind donations made. Volunteers, who are City residents, receive a certificate at the dinner held in their honor. The deadline for Bob Borovy Award applications was April. Ms. Claude noted anyone can volunteer but the Bob Borovy Award is limited to City residents. The judges were the previous year award winner, Debbie Majors, Recreation Supervisor and a third judge. Chair Waldman asked Ms. Heavilin if she would be interested in being the third judge. The applicants have to write an essay about what they learned from volunteer work and the applicant needed to have three recommendations from non-relatives, along with background information detailing what they did. The award was $1,000. Ms. Heavilin could not commit due to time constraints. The board discussed using the Senior Center for the dinner and there was consensus to hold the event on Friday, May 11th. A further discussion ensued about whether board members were eligible to apply for the award. Ms. Claude indicated the board never officially addressed that issue. Additionally, the board had questions about board members serving as judges. Ms. Claude was not certain, but thought the board might have opted not to serve and remain impartial in case a student member of the board applied for the scholarship. Chair Waldman thought since the full board was not present, the issue should be deferred and a vote held at another time. B. Fundraising Chair Waldman asked whether the board wanted to hold another fundraising event at the next OceanFront concert. Ms. Claude announced the next concert was on April 20th and he would check with Panera Bread to see if they wanted to donate again. He announced he would be at the function and requested different board members volunteer. Ms. Morera sent a follow up thank you letter to Panera Bread for their assistance. Chair Waldman announced they could discuss other fundraising events at later date. C. Golf Clinic 6 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 25, 2007 Ms. Morera reported nothing was confirmed but she sent a letter to Phyllis Stern, in response to her request, asking to hold a golf clinic at Hunters Run on April 28, 2007. Chair Waldman clarified they used to have a tennis carnival at Hunters Run and now they would have a golf clinic. This idea emanated from Ms. Stern. Chair Waldman advised Hunters Run was most generous with their donation of time and professionals and allowing them to bring children in and use their facilities. Ms. Morera would follow up with Ms. Stern to see if she can be put in touch with the golf pro or anyone else she needed to work with. D. Adopting a School This item was addressed later in the meeting. VIII. New Business A. Sister Cities Chair Waldman spoke about the Adopt-a-School program and indicated the issue would be put aside for now. Ms. Buchanan advised the Chamber of Commerce was also interested in the program and she suggested instead of duplicating efforts, perhaps they could partner with them. B. Palm Beach County League of Cities Chair Waldman indicated the Palm Beach County League of Cities has a William A. Cruickshank Scholarship Program and they were considering instituting other scholarships. The Cruickshank Scholarship provided up to $1,000 for high school seniors and $500 to municipal employees who were in the law enforcement and fire services fields for Continuing Education Units. Chair Waldman advised Boynton Beach provides up to 100% tuition reimbursement for their municipal employees who take classes; however, Chair Waldman announced he was assured that would not preclude individuals from receiving the $500 scholarship. He advised they had an Education and Scholarship Committee comprised of elected officials in Palm Beach County, and City and Assistant City Managers as well. There was a National Conference of the League of Cities scheduled for November. He announced the League of Cities would be sending a youth delegation to New Orleans for the one-week program. Chair Waldman was unsure of how many youths they would send, but he announced anyone interested could seek additional information by visiting www.nlc.org on the web. Chair Waldman informed the board an Education Committee for a youth center was being created as a result of the assembly and they were looking for members for the subcommittees. Chair Waldman was assured he would be contacted or other board members could serve. He also noted they should have students on the committees. 7 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida January 25, 2007 Chair Waldman asked Ms. Perry if he could call on her for student recommendations as needed and she responded he could. C. Beautification Day - January 2007 This item was addressed earlier in the meeting. D. Bowling Tournament Chair Waldman asked if the board wanted to continue the tournament and if so, whether they wanted it to be a social event or a fundraising event. He explained they have been holding the event for the last eight years at the bowling lanes on Boynton Beach Boulevard. The tournament was a youth/adult tournament and the cost was $20 to enter a team. He noted the event did not raise much money, one year making $190. Ms. Buchanan asked how the issue had been promoted in the past. Ms. Claude responded the event was marketed in Funfare and in the Palm Beach Post and usually was held in July before school started on a Sunday. The board will try to set up the tournament for the July 15th. Chair Waldman will approach the lanes and try to set it up for that date. Registration would begin around at 1:00 or 1:30 p.m. IX. Future Meeting Dates The next two meeting dates were February 22, 2007 and March 22, 2007. X. Adjournment Chair Waldman announced he would not be present for the March meeting. Motion Ms. Morera moved to adjourn. Ms. Buchanan seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, c~' ~/YtKJ./IA Cathenne Che ry-Guberman Y I Recording Secretary 012607 8