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Minutes 01-08-98 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD AT ROLLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1998 AT 6:30 P.M. PRESENT Nellie Denahan, Chairperson Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the Anne Centi, Vice Chairperson City Manager Ron Ehster Muslima Lewis Stephanie Murray Dawn Russell David Brownstein, Alternate Heidi DeVries, Student Falechia Price, Student ABSENT David Weinstein I. GREETINGS Chairperson Denahan called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. and introduced the following people: Elizabeth Decker, Executive Director, Area 2 – South-Central Henderson Tillman, Commissioner The Members of the Board Wilfred Hawkins, Assistant to the City Manager Also present were: David Katz Dee Zibelli Dr. Gay Voss, Principal, Rolling Green Elementary School Karen Abbott, Rolling Green Elementary School SAC Chair Officer Cindy Newman, sent by Chief Peter Kelly of the School Board Police The following people arrived at various times during the meeting: Jamie Titcomb, Vice Mayor Jody Gleason, School Board Member Bob Hayes, School Board Member MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 1998 Shanna St. John, Chairperson of the Advisory Board on Children and Youth Chairperson Denahan expressed pride in Rolling Green Elementary School and thanked Dr. Voss and Karen Abbott for hosting this meeting. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dr. Gay Voss. III. INTRODUCTION OF ROLLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SAC CHAIR, MRS. KAREN ABBOTT A. Tour of Resource Room Mrs. Abbott took the group on a tour of the Resource Room after the meeting. Dr. Voss invited everyone to visit the school during the daytime when the school is bustling. She also invited everyone to the Science Fair Project meeting being held in the cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. this evening. The purpose of this meeting is to explain the Science Fair Project to the parents. Translators will be present to assist any Creole or Spanish-speaking parents. The School Science Fair will be held in mid February in the Music Room. Dr. Voss advised that 52 students from the Safety Patrol will be going to Washington in March. Many of them are going because some wonderful people in Delray Beach underwrote the cost of full scholarships. Those same people were also responsible for sending some of the children last year. She was excited that the students will have the opportunity to see the historical sights in Washington. Dr. Voss advised that a calendar of the upcoming events at Rolling Green Elementary School is put out at the beginning of every month. She also advised that the Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a Bicycle Safety Rodeo in the parking lot of the Rolling Green Elementary School this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Prizes, awards, and certificates will be given out by the Sheriff’s Office. She appreciated the cooperation of the Sheriff’s Office and the Chamber of Commerce. At this time, Jody Gleason, a member of the School Board, arrived and was welcomed by Chairperson Denahan. 2 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 1998 Dr. Voss advised that Chairperson Denahan has been on the Rolling Green Elementary School SAC for the last two years. Mrs. Abbott gave a brief overview of the Literacy Program at Rolling Green. She explained how the teachers worked all summer to add to their resources and build a collection. The Resource Room consists of sets of books used for reading instruction and the materials are color-coded. All the books are leveled according to the levels of literacy. The teachers at Rolling Green Elementary School did not want to adopt a single reading series based on grade levels (the traditional kindergarten books, first grade books, second grade books). They felt that it was not the most appropriate reading series for the students. Over 50 percent of the students at Rolling Green Elementary School are ESOL students, many of whom came to the school without reading skills. The teachers felt that when a book was too challenging, it made many of the students feel less successful and less part of the community. The teachers wanted to find a way to better match instructional materials to the students’ needs. They assess a student to decide what level of literacy is appropriate, analyze the students’ errors, determine what strategies the students use, and set up the next learning step to make them successful. All the teachers have taken the Early Literacy In-Service Course. Dr. Evangeline Nicholas taught the course twice at Rolling Green Elementary School. She was the school’s author in residence and is a published author. Rolling Green Elementary School has many of her titles in its Resource Room. Not only did Dr. Nicholas teach this course to the teachers after school, but also she went into the classrooms and demonstrated it to show the teachers how to make it work. Mrs. Abbott distributed materials regarding the Resource Room, including Levels of Literacy and science, social studies, and math objectives. She advised that Rolling Green Elementary School wants to concentrate on reading, writing, and math. However, many of the students come to Rolling Green Elementary School without the background in social studies and science that the school also wants them to have. At this time, Mr. Hayes and Vice Mayor Titcomb arrived and were welcomed by Chairperson Denahan. Mrs. Abbott advised that phonics are taught in the primary grades and higher grades as needed by the students. She also advised that research has shown that students should not be asked to spell words until they can read them. Therefore, Rolling Green Elementary School has a school wide spelling program. 3 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 1998 B. Questions and Answers Mr. Brownstein asked how long this program has been in place and if the students’ test scores have improved. Mrs. Abbott stated that Rolling Green Elementary School has been moving in this direction for many years. She advised that Dr. Voss feels very strongly about staff development. Mrs. Abbott stated that she personally has benefited from Dr. Voss’ investment in her. There is not a high turnover in staff. Staff spent many hours discussing and reaching a consensus on what they felt was the most appropriate reading series. They also realized that what happens in literacy many times is not the result of the materials themselves, but a product of the instruction. Dr. Voss invests heavily in staff development. Staff has studied and learned a lot together. Many classes have been doing this now for several years. The school does a lot of portfolio assessment and sampling of students’ work over time. Test scores have improved, Mrs. Abbott contributed to many factors. The third grade and fifth grade scores improved dramatically. There are many factors which staff has no control over that affect the fourth grade scores. However, they are doing the best they can and Mrs. Abbott felt test scores will continue to improve. Chairperson Denahan advised that the Education Advisory Board for the City of Boynton Beach is very focused on helping their schools to be the best that they can be. They meet at different schools in order to share the information that they receive from each school with all the schools. Chairperson Denahan expressed pride in Rolling Green Elementary School for the efforts that they are making to help their students improve their test scores. On behalf of the Education Advisory Board, she presented medals of appreciation to Dr. Voss and Mrs. Abbott. IV. APPRECIATION CERTIFICATES Chairperson Denahan presented Certificates of Appreciation to the members of the Education Advisory Board from the City of Boynton Beach. V. MINUTES APPROVAL 4 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 1998 A. October 25, 1997 Chairperson Denahan and Vice Chairperson Centi attended this Open Advisory Boards Forum and did not have any additions, deletion, or corrections to make to these minutes. B. December 4, 1997 No additions, deletions, or corrections were made to the minutes of the last meeting. Vice Chairperson Centi was not at that meeting, but read the minutes. She inquired about the community forum that Virginia Farace, the Library Director, mentioned. Chairperson Denahan explained that the forum will be open to the public; however, Ms. Farace wanted a manageable core group so that tasks could be delegated. Motion Ms. Russell moved to approve the minutes of the December 4, 1997 meeting as submitted. Mr. Ehster seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Reverend Newton’s Death Chairperson Denahan advised that Margaret Newton has been unable to attend the Education Advisory Board meetings because her husband has been very ill. Rev. Newton passed away last week, and Chairperson Denahan sent a card to Mrs. Newton on behalf of the Board. B. January 31, 1998 Special Forum Ms. St. John invited everyone to attend the next Open Advisory Boards Forum, which will be held on Saturday, January 31, 1998 at City Hall in the Mall from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. She explained that the purpose of this forum is for the Education Advisory Board, the Advisory Board on Children and Youth, the Community Relations Board, and the Senior Advisory Board to get together and discuss group issues. C. Good News Articles 5 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 8, 1998 Chairperson Denahan attached copies of the following newspaper articles to the agenda: ? A proposal for a charter school in Pembroke Pines – sent by Rep. Bill Andrews ? Teacher of the Week - Kris Swanson, and Student of the Week – Cody Smith, both of Poinciana Elementary School ? Atlantic High School Eagle-ettes perform the opening act for the Orange Bowl Parade She advised that there was an article in today’s Palm Beach Post about the Student of the Week and the Teacher of the Week, both of whom are from Santaluces High School. Also, the band at Atlantic High School has made a trip to Arizona. She thanked David Weinstein for producing a letter to be sent to the individual schools so that the board can better service those schools. She also thanked Mr. Hayes for printing the original Education Advisory Board pamphlet and circulated an updated version. Chairperson Denahan advised that the members of the board will be setting goals and giving their liaison reports at their next meeting in February. She welcomed any suggestions for goals. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Eve Eubanks Recording Secretary (One Tape) 6