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Minutes 04-26-12 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD ON APRIL 26, 2012, AT 7:00 P.M., IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD. BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Mary Morera, Vice Chair Hattie Miller Dr. Tiffany North Loretta Wilkinson Armisha Roberts, Student Regular Voting Member ABSENT: Carol Lundquist Libby Stroud Victor Norfus Khadijah Davis, Student, Non - Voting Member I. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance /Moment of Silent Reflection The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Ms. Miller, followed by a moment of silent reflection. Self introductions were made. III. Approval of Minutes of March 23, 2012 There were two corrections made to the minutes. Mr. Norfus should be listed as absent and Ms. Claude should be listed as present. Motion Ms. Roberts moved to approve the minutes as amended. Dr. North seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda Chair Waldman noted a Sister Cities representative was present and would be heard under VIII. Old Business as Item E. 1 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2012 Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Announcements /Presentations /Correspondence Ms. Claude announced she received correspondence from the Boynton Beach High School Thespian Troupe thanking the Board for their donation which allowed them to attend a competition in Tampa. It was learned the Troupe received accolades and ratings of Excellent and Good in the competition. The letter was circulated to the members. It was also noted the Thespians performed in the High School play. It was a wonderful opportunity for them and the play was great. Chair Waldman encouraged all to attend the play next year and support the students. Ms. Wilkinson reminded all of the upcoming Tennis Carnival to be held at Hunter's Run. Additionally, she announced the Bury the Violence March on April 28th starting at City Hall and ending at the Ezell Hester Center. The community invited everyone living in and outside the City limits to attend and show their support that the community would not stand for violence. The members were encouraged to attend to show the Board's support. A. Presentation by "Education Rocks" from Boynton Beach High School Geri Grocki, a teacher at Boynton Beach High School, was present to introduce the Education Rocks Program to the Board. Five years ago, she was in Bali, Indonesia, when she met a young man who just finished the 9th grade, but he could not continue his education because his family did not have the funds to pay for it. He would end up in a rice field working manual labor for the rest of his life. At the beginning of the next school year, Ms. Grocki brought the matter to her leadership class to see if they would be interested in helping her put the youth through school and the students agreed. She announced the students raised enough money for him to complete the remaining three years of high school and today, he is being sponsored to go to university. Ms. Grocki thought more could be helped so she presented it to the class again and they agreed and started the Education Rocks Program. Currently they are sponsoring 119 students in Bali, Indonesia, and Ethiopia. The students choose a child from pictures provided, write letters each month and learn about one another's country and culture. The cost is about $1 per day. The students do all the fundraising. With 78 children being sponsored, they needed to raise over $28,000. Last year, they raised $22,000 and sponsored 65 students. Ms. Grocki expressed she never realized the students would glean so much satisfaction and appreciation from the program. 2 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2012 The students held car washes and had "A Dollar for a Dream" wherein the students went throughout the campus and asked students if they would donate $1 to the program. In four hours, they raised $1,500. They needed to raise the $28,000, and were just past the $21,000 mark. Through the leadership program, they also teach students to ask for assistance, which was why they were present. It was hoped the Board would support them and the program. The following students spoke in support of the program and explained how it enriched their lives: ➢ Kerron Ramlochan, a Senior ➢ Mark Geronvil, a Junior ➢ Laronda Laster, a Junior ➢ Jose Marquez, a Junior ➢ Junior Paul, a Senior Ms. Grocki explained the students have taken community service to a global level. Vice Chair Morera left the meeting at 7:28 p.m. Chair Waldman inquired if the School District was aware of the Program Ms. Grocki responded she believed so but in a very limited manner. She expressed she was unaware of any other school that had students raise over $50,000 in two years and she was immensely proud of them. She hoped to get the word out about the Program. Chair Waldman promised to alert those individuals he knew in the District and School Board to the Program and her and the students' work. Ms. Grocki explained every penny raised goes entirely to the Program. As part of a non - profit organization, they were able to connect to organizations in Indonesia and Bali. All the funds go to the student and anything Education Rocks needed to continue operating was raised by the Board. Ms. Grocki goes to Bali every summer and meets each student. They have 106 in Bali and 13 in Ethiopia, which they hoped to begin next year. In Bali, the Bali Children's Project has one educator who goes to the villages. His visits are at the point where parents are seeking the educator out and it was possible they could have another 100 children seeking sponsorship. Ms. Grocki explained they want to expand the program to other schools, and believe the program could be a nationwide project and a community service project. Under the Education Rocks program, the educator speaks with the family who makes a commitment the child will go to school. They enroll the student and agree they student would not be kept home. Bali is very family- oriented and believes if a child gets a job, they bring it back to the family and village and it breaks the cycle of poverty. If the 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2012 student struggles academically, there is tutoring and Education Rocks will raise the money for them to get the help they need. The educational system there is different from what exists in the States. Education is their only way out, so there is help after school. There is a non - profit organization also in Ethiopia they work through so there was a liaison in place to oversee the program and ensure the students go to school. Chair Waldman praised the students and teachers and wished there were decision makers that could see what outstanding students and teachers there are in Boynton Beach. He congratulated all on their efforts. VI. Public Audience VII. New Business A. Donation Request from "Education Rocks" (Boynton Beach High School) The deadline to raise the money was June 8th because that was the last day the students would be at school. There was agreement the Board would make a donation but the amount would be disclosed at the May meeting. Chair Waldman invited the students present to apply for membership on the Education and Youth Advisory Board as current student Board members eventually leave to go to college VIII. Old Business A. Donation Request from Poinciana Elementary School Poinciana Elementary School had requested a $300 donation for the robotics program. It was explained they needed items to trade with other schools. There were no City trinkets available to give to them and it was thought part of the donation request would allow them to obtain those items. Motion Ms. Wilkinson moved to give Poinciana Elementary School $300 for the robotics group. Dr. North seconded the motion that unanimously passed. B. Youth Volunteer Bank /Bob Borovy Award Ms. Claude announced nearly 30 students turned in volunteer hours and an agenda item was put on the May 15th City Commission Agenda. The volunteers would be presented with certificates and gift cards if the Board so desired. There was brief 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2012 discussion $10 gift cards to Target would be sufficient, and it was thought receiving a certificate and being recognized by the City Commission should be memorable. Motion Dr. North moved the Board provide $10 gift cards. Ms Miller seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Ms. Claude announced five students that met the criteria turned in applications for the Borovy Award. The judges were Debby Majors, the City's Grants Coordinator; Gary Solomon, Head of Sand Sifters Group; and last year's winner. The winner would receive $1,000 cash gift. Ms. Claude would notify the winner via letter next week when the decision was made by the judges. Both the winner and runner -up would receive a cash award and would be invited to the May 15, 2012, City Commission meeting to be recognized. Ms. Claude noted the application was online and was distributed to the school guidance counselors. C. Tennis Carnival — April 28, 10 am @ Hunters Run Thirty youth were registered for the Tennis Carnival, which is a free event hosted by Hunter's Run The roster information was forwarded to Hunters Run and Vice Chair Morera purchased the beverages and snacks which will be delivered before the event. Ms. Claude would be present as Vice Chair Morera could not attend the Carnival this year. There was brief discussion that, in the past, the Board sent Hunters Run a plaque after the event. After brief discussion, there was agreement to do so again D. Shred -A -Thon Ms. Wilkinson explained she contacted the shredding company and the Board could hold a Shred -a -Thon any day in May except for May 20, 2012. The Board only needed to select a location. The first Shred -a -Thon was held in October and the press helped make the event successful. Residents could have personal documents shredded for $5 per box. Ms. Wilkinson contacted the High School to see if they could hold the event at the entrance to the High School, but had not heard back. She agreed to contact Mr. Gary Grover in this regard. It was noted Christiane Francois has a property that could be used for the fund - raiser on Federal Highway, but after consideration, the decision was made to hold it at the High School on June 2. Chair Waldman agreed to contact the High School Principal, Ms. Wexler, and the time set for the event would be from 9 a.m to 12 noon. The profits would be split with the Sister Cities organization and there had been prior discussion about advertising the event listing the Sister Cities, however, the company preferred to keep the event listed as an educational activity even though the proceeds would be split 50/50. 5 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, FL April 26, 2012 E. Sister Cities Christiane Francois, representing the Sister Cities, spoke about the art exhibit recently held and advised it went well. Four schools were represented. Great art was received; however, they received the art from China too late to judge so it was only displayed at the Library Ms. Heavilin would be sending the winning art to Washington for the international Young Artists Competition and Ms. Francois expressed her pleasure that the City was on -board with the effort. Ms. Claude encouraged all the members to be present at the May 15, 2012, City Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. IIX. Future Meeting Dates: May 24, 2012 June 28, 2012 IX. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Wilkinson moved to adjourn. Dr. North seconded the motion that unanimously passed The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 043012 6