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Minutes 04-26-07 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION &. YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING ON THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2007, AT 7:00 P.M. HELD IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FL PRESENT: Steve Waldman, Chair Pamela Camel Hattie Miller Loretta Wilkinson Christine Hogenkamp, Student Alyssa Ewing, Non-Voting Student Sherri Claude, City Employee Representative ABSENT: Mary Morera, Vice Chair Susan Buchanan Robert Chiste, Student I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION The members recited the Pledge of Alli;mcc Allegiance to the Flag, which was followed by a moment of silent reflection on behalf of our men and women in the Armed Forces. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 22, 2007 Mr. Waldman requested the minutes be corrected to reflect that on page two, under "A," Mr. Chiste's name be changed from "Chist" to "Chiste." Additionally, on page four, under "Motion," the second sentence which began with "Susan seconded the motion..." should be corrected to "Susan Buchanan seconded the motion...". Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Ms. Camel seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms. Camel moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Wilkinson seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2007 V. ANOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE Ms. Wilkinson expressed her appreciation to Panera Bread for donating the cookies for the board's Oceanfront Concert fundraising effort. The cookies were warm when Ms. Morera picked them up. The bakery Manager, "Joe," was the person contacted by Ms. Wilkinson, and he was eager to provide as many cookies as the board needed. The people at Panera Bread requested a letter from the board each time Panera contributes to the board's fund raisers. Ms. Claude would attend to this. Ms. Claude advised that the sum of $105.40 was raised from the sale of 150 cookies. Mr. Waldman suggested that the board might want to request 200 cookies from Panera Bread for the next fundraiser. VI. PUBLIC AUDIENCE Jeanne Heavilin, President of the Boynton Beach Sister Cities committee, advised that the committee appeared before the board in July 2006 and met jointly with the board at a workshop held at the home of Chair Waldman. Ms. Heavilin provided an update on the Young Artists competition. Based upon recommendations of the board with regard to increasing participation, Sister Cities contacted the two area superintendents covering Boynton Beach who promised to support the program. Sister Cities contacted the principals and art teachers in the City's high schools and middle schools. Only three entries were received, and they were from Lake Worth Christian School. Sister Cities had a student liaison on their committee who was contacting the schools; however she dropped out in mid-February 2007. There were approximately 36 entries from Qufu, China, which were on exhibit at the museum. The committee did not have an awards ceremony, as the judges did not feel the entries were worthy of the honor, and no one from Qufu flew in for the awards. Ms. Heavilin inquired whether the board would be interested in partnering with Sister Cities International Artists Showcase competition next year, and distributed a brochure with respect thereto. The Boynton Beach committee would be participating in fundraising efforts and would appreciate the board's assistance in increasing participation in Boynton Beach. Ms. Heavilin advised that there was a decline in participation in March, as FCAT tests were a major issue, and suggested that perhaps the event be held sometime in the fall. Ms. Wilkinson advised that the board previously held an art competition with Youth Expo; however, that had fallen by the wayside. Ms. Heavilin suggested that perhaps Youth Expo could be held in conjunction with Heritage Fest. Chair Waldman advised that Youth Expo was held every other year and was held last year. He inquired as to the age group of students participating in the international showcase. Ms. Heavilin replied that eligibility guidelines called for participation by middle and high school students. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2007 Ms. Camel suggested that the art teachers be brought on board early as budgets were submitted early in the year, and the projects and materials required for the year were usually determined by August. She commented that October and November were good months for a project of this nature, as the schools geared down during the months of January, February and March. Ms. Heavilin suggested that a luncheon be given for the art teachers during the preschool season. The board members indicated their interest in supporting the program. Chair Waldman advised, however, that in terms of voting on the item, while the board could make a decision tonight, he would prefer that a full complement be present. Chair Waldman suggested that the board again contact the district superintendents and, possibly the superintendent as well. Ms. Camel suggested that contact be made directly through the Fine Arts Departments at the district offices, as they would be planning for the preschool workshops within a few months. Ms. Camel informed the board that she would provide the contact numbers. Ms. Heavilin announced that a Sister Cities International conference would be held in Fort Lauderdale this summer, in conjunction with a youth conference entitled "Connecting Cultures, Building Peace through the Arts," which runs from July 18-21, 2007, and that she would e-mail the registration information to Ms. Claude for dissemination. Dan DeCarlo, a member of the Sister Cities committee, provided an overview of the Pen Pal Program in Qufu. The students in Qufu indicated their interest in developing a stronger connection with Boynton Beach. Qufu is a regional school with an enrollment of 6,000 students. The setting is unique in that all of the teachers and administrators reside in apartment dwellings adjacent to the school. Sister Cities had been working with Qufu for several years on the Young Artists Program. The Pen Pal Program was established this year with Poinciana Elementary School students corresponding with Qufu students. As part of the program, the teachers would collect the letters written by the students and would send them via e-mail. The committee anticipates expanding the project in the fall to include all fourth grade classes at Poinciana Elementary School and possibly at Galaxy Elementary School as well. Mr. DeCarlo was impressed with the learning tools utilized in Qufu, adding that the teachers focused on instructing the students in English. A delegation from Qufu, including the high school and elementary school principals, would be coming to Boynton Beach in July 2007 in conjunction with the Citrus City International Conference. A reception for the principals would be planned. The Sister Cities Committee hoped to use their visit as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the school districts in Boynton Beach and in Qufu. The Pen Pal Program would facilitate this effort and provide an opportunity for the students to remain in contact all through school. The Sister 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2007 Cities Committee would like for the Education and Youth Advisory Board to become involved in this project. Mr. DeCarlo noted that, as a follow-up to the January 2007 meeting, he was working with the multicultural liaison who was interested in planning an event at the high school before the close of the school season and in anticipation of the July 2007 visit from the Qufu delegation. Chair Waldman noted the board's interest, and requested that Ms. Claude be kept informed as to the event planned. Mr. DeCarlo advised that he would be leaving for China in May 2007 and, hopefully, the itinerary would be finalized upon his return at the end of the month. Arrangements could then be made, and the board would have an opportunity to participate. As an aside, Mr. DeCarlo recalled they had the same difficulty in Qufu recruiting students to participate in the Young Artists Program and, as a result, brought the teachers on board early and began the budget process for the Young Artists Program in August. Chair Waldman mentioned that if the committee and board wanted to convene in order to organize the event, he would be pleased to host another meeting. Mr. DeCarlo commented that the committee was setting up an exhibit at the Poinciana Elementary School library in furtherance of the Sister Cities-Boynton Beach-Qufu connection. In turn, the Qufu principals would take back to their schools information pertaining to Boynton Beach, and would set up a similar display. Chair Waldman suggested that, in order to increase participation in the Young Artists Program, it might be wise to include elementary students, as well as students aged 13 and older Mr. DeCarlo advised that the Sister Cities Committee was hoping the fourth grade Pen Pal Program would lead to other programs. As Sister Cities International had programs in schools all over the world, there were many opportunities to begin programs at the elementary level and through the higher grades as well. Chair Waldman advised that both he and Ms. Miller were acquainted with some of the art teachers at Poinciana Elementary School, and this could serve as a starting point that could dovetail into other programs. Ms. Heavilin believed that an elementary school component could be added to the Sister Cities International Program at the local level. Ms. Heavilin noted that the Sister Cities Committee was partnering with the Wheelchair Foundation, an international organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for people all over the world. The goal was to provide 500 wheelchairs, which, based upon information from the Chinese Government, is what was required. The Wheelchair Foundation also had a matching grant program. To date, enough funds were raised for the first 200 chairs, and distribution would be made in Qufu on May 20, 2007, the "National Day for Disabled Persons" in China. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2007 While Ms. Heavilin would not be able to make this trip, three people from Sister Cities would be attending. Another 300 chairs would still be needed, requiring at least one more trip. Chair Waldman thanked Ms. Heavilin and Mr. DeCarlo for attending and requested that they e- mail all pertinent information to him as well as to Ms. Claude, and they would provide the information to the board. Chair Waldman announced that he would be out of town from May 4- 15, 2007. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award (Banquet May 11, 2007 @ Senior Center) Ms. Claude advised that she received three applications. The winner and second place were selected and letters went out on April 24, 2007. In 2003, the Board voted that if there were fewer than ten applicants, there would be an award of $1,000 for first place and $300 for second place. In years where there were more than ten applicants, aft a third place award of $200 was given. The winner was from Boynton Beach High School. The date for the banquet would be May 11, 2007. Ms. Claude requested that the board members telephone her and advise whether they would be attending. B. Fundraising Chair Waldman reiterated that $105.40 was raised from sale of the cookies donated by Panera Bread. The board agreed to discuss other fundraising activities when all members were present. C. Golf Clinic (April 28, 2007 at Hunter's Run) Ms. Claude announced that to date, there were 24 participants, and the roster was e-mailed to Phyllis Stern. Additional names, if any, would be added to the roster as well. Ms. Claude requested the names of board members attending. Ms. Wilkinson and Ms. Ewing advised that they would not be able to attend. Chair Waldman, Ms. Miller and Mr. Chiste would be attending. Ms. Claude would e-mail other board members with regard to attendance. D. Adopting a School Chair Waldman spoke with the Principal of Boynton Beach High School, who advised that she was unable to attend this evening's meeting and was unable to send someone in her place; however, someone would attend the May 2007 meeting. Chair Waldman advised the Principal that the board was interested in working with the school and would address this further at the May meeting. E. Sister Cities This item was addressed under "Public Audience." 5 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2007 F. Bowling Tournament (July 15, 2007 @ AMF Lanes) Chair Waldman announced that arrangements were made with AMF Lanes to provide the shoes at no charge. This item would be discussed further at the May 2007 meeting. VIII. NEW BUSINESS None. IX. FUTURE MEETING DATES: May 24, 2007 June 28, 2007 X. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Wilkinson moved to adjourn. Ms. Camel seconded the motion that passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. ~~OL Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 04- 26-07 6