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Minutes 03-27-14 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD., BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014, AT 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Steve Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Mary Morera, Vice Chair Carla Colebrooks Dr. Tiffany North Valencia Spells Anderson Kellsie Kershaw, Student Regular Voting Member Carmela Nanton, Alternate Loretta Wilkinson, Alternate Carol Lundquist ABSENT: Hattie Miller I. Call To Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection Chair Waldman led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, followed by a moment of silent reflection. Self-Introductions were made. III. Approval of Minutes of February 27, 2014 Motion Ms. Lundquist moved to approve the minutes. Dr. North seconded the motion that passed unanimously. IV. Approval of Agenda Motion Dr. North moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Kershaw seconded the motion that passed unanimously. 1 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 27, 2014 V. Announcements /Presentations /Correspondence Ms. Claude distributed the Recreation and Parks Department annual report for fiscal year 2012 -2013 for the information of the Board Chair Waldman acknowledged Ms. Claude for 15 years of service to the Recreation and Parks Department and as Liaison to the Board. Her efficiency and hard work are invaluable. Ms. Claude remarked this is the third or fourth year an annual report has been done to summarize accomplishments, project updates and it is available on the City's website. Chair Waldman inquired when the next accreditation visit would be and Ms. Claude responded 2016 Ms. Wilkinson wanted to thank Ms. Lundquist for attending the Boynton Reads meeting in her place. VI. Public Audience Patsy Neal, President and Founder of Boynton Beach Leaders of Tomorrow, spoke about her program and what the students do for the community. The program, which offers sign language classes, art and music, was founded in March 2013 and is free to all who wish to join They focus on entertaining senior citizens at facilities in Boynton Beach and Boca Raton singing in sign language. There are approximately 30 students currently in the program and many more who are interested in joining The program does not have an official location so the students hold classes at Ms. Neal's home. Ms. Neal is requesting the Board's direction in possibly obtaining a donation for a location where the program could meet regularly which would allow more students to loin and be able to create additional classes Ms. Spells Anderson commented on an article in the newspaper last year about the Boynton Beach Leaders of Tomorrow and she has enrolled her children in the program. The students do better in school, better in group sessions and look forward to going each Sunday. The children have performed at various nursing centers and have done concerts at Benvenuto Restaurant and St. Matthew Episcopal Church in Delray. These are phenomenal children who need help continuing this program in a larger space. 2 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 27, 2014 Ms. Lundquist inquired if these are students interested in learning sign language or students in need of a sign language program. Ms. Neal replied these are children who are interested in learning sign language. Ms. Wilkinson commented she teaches deaf children and is fluent in sign language. She inquired where Ms. Neal acquired the sign language instructor. Ms. Neal replied the instructor is her daughter who learned signing on her own through the internet and sign language books. In order to get word of her program out, Ms Neal distributes flyers throughout different communities. This is not an after school program. The children meet at her house every Sunday at 3:00 p.m. for about three hours. Chair Waldman inquired if Ms. Neal has gone before the City Commission with her request and Ms. Neal replied she has spoken with Commissioner Fitzpatrick who told her there was no place available at this time. Ms. Claude offered to look into any possible locations available on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. and will give her the contact person for the Recreation and Parks Department for any suggestions they may have. Ms. Kershaw will speak with the youth group she belongs to see if the house they use for their meetings would be available on Sundays for Ms Neal's group. She will contact Ms. Neal with any information she finds. Chair Waldman suggested Ms. Neal follow through with Ms. Claude and Ms. Kershaw and report back to the Board in the event her program secures a location for her students. VII. New Business A. Donation Request from Poinciana Elementary PTA A request was submitted to the Board from the Poinciana Elementary PTA requesting help funding their Scientist/Mathematician of the Month Breakfast program. The breakfasts are held for approximately 60 students (and their families), who have demonstrated a desire to learn and display good citizenship. Although they hold fundraisers each fall their goal was not met this year. The program is in danger of not being able to host the last two breakfasts for 2013 -2014. They are requesting $500 which is the cost of one breakfast. Ms. Lundquist commented it is not clear if the school is asking for both breakfasts at $500 or $500 per breakfast. Ms. Claude mentioned the person who submitted the request was supposed to attend the meeting to answer any questions, but her husband was sick and she was not able to attend. 3 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 27, 2014 Dr. North inquired if requests to the Board are generally the requestor's last resort. Chair Waldman responded it is often the case and in this particular situation it seems they are desperate to meet their goal of funding the last two breakfasts. Dr. North wondered if the school's fall fundraiser is the only fundraiser they hold and if they have a balance in the PTO fund. Ms. Claude stated the school does other fundraisers and could get more information about the budget if needed. Ms Wilkinson felt $500 was too much and suggested giving half or contributing to some part of the breakfast. Chair Waldman offered to give $100 if the Board would cover the balance of $400. Ms. Kershaw suggested contacting the Culinary Academy of a few schools who might donate the breakfast or help. Boynton Beach High School and South Tech Preparatory Academy both have Culinary Academies and Ms Claude will make that recommendation to the school Ms. Colebrooks recommended contacting Subway or McDonald's who may be willing to donate some or all of the food. Ms Claude will suggest this to the school as well. Motion Ms. Lundquist moved to approve giving Poinciana Elementary School $400 towards one breakfast. Ms. Nanton seconded the motion that passed unanimously. B. Assistance at annual "Egg - Stravaganza" Event April 19 Ms. Claude stated the Recreation and Parks Board would like to request volunteers from the Education and Youth Advisory Board, Senior Advisory Board and the Recreation and Parks Board to help with this year's egg hunt which is part of the Play Outdoors Unplugged event on April 19 Board members have helped in the past with getting people to fill out the satisfaction survey, which has proven to obtain a better response than letting people fill it out themselves. A large crowd is expected and at least six to eight volunteers will be needed. The event is from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Barrier Free Park. Volunteers would be needed from 11:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. for part or the entire time of the event. C. Summer Meeting Dates Ms. Claude inquired what the members wanted to do as far as scheduling meetings during summer months. Last year, the members decided not to meet in June and July Chair Waldman would like to follow the same schedule as last year There will be no meetings in June or July. 4 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 27, 2014 VIII. Old Business A. Shred -A -Thon (May 31, 2014) Ms. Wilkinson reported the event is moving forward. She spoke with the owner of the company who is not in agreement with giving a discount for the truck arriving late last year. The company explained their expenses for gas from Miami in addition to staff does not give them much to work with in order to give a discount. Ms. Claude sent necessary paperwork to the company but they did not fill out the forms correctly. Ms. Wilkinson will forward another copy of the agreement for their review. The date is set for May 31 but the time has changed to 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Ms. Wilkinson approached the Graphics Department at South Tech Preparatory Academy about possibly creating a banner for the Shred -A -Thon. Ms. Wilkinson sent an email to one of the graphic instructors inquiring about the banner and indicating there are minimal funds that can be used if a donation is not possible. The instructor needs to know exactly what the banner should say and what size is needed. Ms. Wilkinson inquired if the City's logo and the Education and Youth Advisory Board's logo could be placed on the sign Ms. Claude responded there is no Board logo and since the banner is not being used for any kind of advertising, the City's logo is not necessary. Ms. Wilkinson suggested two banners about 1.5 feet wide simply saying; "PAPERSHREDDING ", one with a right arrow and one with a left arrow. Ms. Spells Anderson suggested adding a smaller sign underneath the large sign with information such as the time that can be changed in the future if needed. Ms. Wilkinson will contact the instructor again with the information and confirm payment if any Chair Waldman was in agreement and asked for the instructors name to be sure to send a thank you note B. Tennis Carnival (4/26/14) Ms. Morera stated children ages five and up interested in tennis should sign up. Ms. Claude commented there are 12 children currently enrolled and the event continues to be advertised Ms. Morera will obtain beverages for the children. C Youth Volunteer Bank /Bob Borovy Award Ms Claude reported there are 146 students currently enrolled in the Youth Volunteer Bank. They have all received a letter, a postcard and an email reminding them about turning in their hours and the deadline is April 4 th Ms. Claude inquired if a prize should be given out as was done last year. A lunch bag and /or $10 gift cards were given but that would depend on the number of students The members felt a lunch bag would be a better prize. 5 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 27, 2014 Ms. Claude stated three applications have been received for the Borovy Award and the deadline is March 31 The judges have been secured. The volunteer award and the Borovy award would be presented at the City Commission meeting on May 20 and Ms. Claude will request those two items on the agenda for the City Commission meeting. Chair Waldman gave a brief summary of who Mr. Borovy was. Mr. Borovy was the Vice Chair of the Education and Youth Advisory Board and was a civil engineer in Delray who named many of their streets. He was also with the Veterans and the American Legion. Ms. Kershaw inquired if May 20 was the only date to present the awards to the City Commission or was another date possible She is applying for the award herself and is part of the volunteer bank. She would like to be at the presentation but will be out of the country on May 20 Ms. Claude responded May 6 th might be possible. Chair Waldman asked Ms. Claude to go ahead with May 6th D. Fundraising Ms. Wilkinson remarked at the last City Commission meeting, $5,000 was awarded to the Boy Scouts of America. Since the Board is always receiving requests for funds, it might be a good idea to request funds for the Board from the City Commission. Apparently, the funds came from the Police Department and not from the City's budget. Chair Waldman stated he would put together an annual report to bring to the City Commission's attention showing what funds are needed to meet the needs of the community. Ms. Wilkinson stated the karate fundraiser she was involved with did not go very well, partially because the advertising did not go out in enough time before the event. Chair Waldman suggested doing it next year when there is more time. Perhaps a back to school fundraiser would be a good idea. Ms. Wilkinson suggested contacting people who have received money from the Board in the past to let them know what fundraisers are going on and ask for their participation to help the Board. A list of organizations or individuals who have received funding in the past two to three years will be created in order to contact those people. Chair Waldman stated he would go to Galaxy Elementary to see what their needs are and if the Board can help. 6 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 27, 2014 E. Sister Cities The Young Authors/Young Artists program is complete and the artwork is currently being displayed at the Boynton Beach Mall next to TooJay's. The essays written by the students are also displayed and they have been judged. The order of first place to honorable mention has been submitted to Ms. Heavilin. Artwork from China and Haiti as well as locally were submitted F. Boynton Reads Ms. Lundquist attended the meeting and reported the annual goals of Boynton Reads is to get books to the children to improve and reward attendance and getting to school on time Barnes and Noble's representative stated there are 21 stores that are helping. Crosspointe was last year's recipient and each child received a new book. Sixteen thousand books were purchased from four stores locally during the holiday book drive by customers On June 3` there will be a mini -book drive and the goal is to give each student two books using money from a $500 grant "Gently- used" books are accepted On Thursday, May 22 " the final count is due from the schools for those students with perfect attendance and no lateness. Subway is donating Buy One Get One Free for the second trimester and hopes to do the same for last trimester The Boynton Beach Fire Department will be hosting dinners for students including their family members. Ten students from each school will participate. The Scholastic Books representative handed out packages of books and activity sheets to four schools. The Boynton Beach children's librarian attended the meeting and will go to each school to speak about summer programs to help student's lower fines and how to replace lost library cards. Boynton Reads' next meeting is scheduled for May 6 th at the Children's Services Council. G. Brotherhood Award at Boynton Beach High School Chair Waldman discussed the award he is starting at Boynton Beach High School Chair Waldman will meet next week with former Vice Mayor Hay, Frank Hayden formerly of the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, and Isaac Robinson, Jr., a Commissioner in West Palm Beach, to discuss the new award. Chair Waldman would like to give the first award to a Boynton Beach student. The criteria for the award and other details have not been established. 7 MEETING MINUTES EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD BOYNTON BEACH, FL. MARCH 27, 2014 The premise of the award is to give money to a young student who has done something to help others. Chair Waldman would like the award to be $1,000. Ms. Wilkinson announced her Kiwanis Club is planning a "reading oasis" at Rolling Green Elementary School and have been granted the location from Scholastics if the project goes forward. The Kiwanis Club is hesitating because of the $10,000 commitment The Kiwanis Club will hold a fundraiser that coincides with the SunFest which starts at the end of April After the fundraiser, they will have a clearer picture of what funds are available but will still need donations from the community and from key donators. The Education and Youth Advisory Board along with the Boynton Reads program, will be contacted to help as well IX. Future Meeting Dates April 24, 2014 May 22, 2014 X. Adjournment Ms. Spells Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting Dr. North seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Chair Waldman adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m. race Morales Records Coordinator 4/1/14 8