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Minutes 06-26-08 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2008, AT 7:00 P.M. COMMISSION CHAMBERS, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Stephen Waldman, Chair Pamela Camel (arrived at 7.'16 p.m.) Carol Lundquist Hattie Miller Lesha Roundtree Loretta Wilkinson (left at 8:00 p.m.) Lisa Pierre, Student, Reg. Non-voting Member Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Absent: Mary Morera, Vice Chair Roberta Fasano, Alternate Robert Chiste, Student, Reg. Voting Member Brianna Frank, Student, Reg. Voting Member I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Ms. Wilkinson, and observed a moment of silent reflection for our troops in harm's way. III. Approval of Minutes of May 29, 2008 Ms. Claude noted a correction to the minutes on page 2 under Public Audience. The youth team traveled to Virginia on May 1, 2008, not 2007. Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve the minutes of May 29, 2008 as amended. Ms. Lundquist seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda Chair Waldman advised he would be adding one item to New Business regarding "Character Counts." Meeting Minutes . Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 26, 2008 There was consensus to approve the agenda as amended. V. An no u ncements/Presentations/Corres pondence None VI. Public Audience Myra Jones, a resident of the City, thanked the Board for its letter of support regarding keeping Galaxy Elementary open. She approached the Board earlier this year soliciting community support in her endeavor to keep the school open. She also invited Board members to attend the Black History Month event at Sims Center, which is scheduled for the first Saturday in February 2009. VII. New Business Chair Waldman distributed the letter that had been sent to Commissioner Ross. He and Ms. Wilkinson attended the visioning meeting at the City of Oelray for Character Counts. Oelray has declared itself a "A City of Character" by infusing the six pillars of character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship) into their daily routines. He noted this is already being done by the School Board in the schools. He would like to see Boynton Beach adopt this as well. The Board will await Commissioner Ross' response to see if this is something that the City would be interested in pursuing. VIII. Old Business A. Youth Volunteer Bank Ms. Claude distributed the section of the Code of Ordinances that established the Education and Youth Advisory Board and lists its duties. Chair Waldman questioned Sec. 2-119 (b) regarding attendance, which appears to be different from the general board attendance policy. Ms. Claude will get clarification on this. There was consensus that the Youth Volunteer Bank is something the Board wants to continue. Chair Waldman stated that now the Board needed tactics to accomplish its objectives and for the program to grow. Ms. Wilkinson thought that they should start with the younger kids, building a core group of elementary-aged students. She thinks they are too focused on the awards. The focus should be on 6-12 year olds and appealing to the parents in order to get the young children involved. Ms. Camel suggested making contacts with principals and pre-school directors to get the information to the students. They could piggyback on activities organized by other organizations, such as the Red Cross, Easter Seals and Community Relations Board. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida June 26, 2008 Non-Title I schools could "adopt" a Title I school in Boynton Beach. The Board could recognize the entities who participate in events co-sponsored by the Board. Ms. Pierre advised that students at Galaxy Elementary each have their own "mailbox" and this may be one way to get information to them. Ms. Lundquist suggested advertising what the Board is doing in the community via the newspapers. Ms. Roundtree said she didn't know about the Youth Volunteer Bank until she joined the Board. Another way to get through to the youth is via the youth department at churches. Ms. Miller said she has tried to do that. In addition, a lot of information left at the schools never gets from the office to the students. Ms. Camel advised that all schools are responsible for career development components and the Board must have direct contact with the schools. The School Advisory Councils won't reach the masses as well as Guidance Departments. She stressed that all board members would have to be responsible for making and maintaining these contacts and reporting on their progress at board meetings. Chair Waldman indicated that a plan was needed; including what schools would be targeted, what to say, a timetable, etc. Ms. Lundquist suggested a presentation to parents at the beginning of the school year. Chair Waldman reminded everyone they must have something to "sell". Ms. Camel suggested highlighting things that were already on calendars as special days or holidays, such as Arbor Day or National Literacy Month. The Board would keep in contact with the schools and report back at each meeting and recognize students who participate. Ms. Wilkinson suggested choosing two or three dates. She also thought that incremental rewards were important. Ms. Camel suggested there are various and creative ways that children could volunteer, including donating coloring books to hospitals and making cards for sick children. Chair Waldman suggested starting small to see what works. A plan needs to be developed at the next meeting on how to proceed, including what schools will be targeted, how they will be contacted, what the talking points will be, etc. IX. Future Meeting Dates: July 24,2008 August 28, 2008 X. Adjournment The meeting properly adjourned at 8: 1 0 p.m. Jeu~ (~((Nvc~ Sherri Claude Assistant to the Recreation & Parks Director 070708 3