2021-11-18 MinutesEDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
November 18, 2021
Miami Shores Community Center
6:00 PM
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Netto at 6:13PM with the following members present:
Antonio Netto
Leslie Fraser
Kristen Feuer
Dana Vignale
Sylvie Duerkop
Daniel Jimenez
Tiffany Anderson
Joseph Paulino
Also present: Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk
Sarah Vahan (MSES PTA President)
Daniel Diaz (Vice Principal MSES)
1. CALL TO ORDER - 6:13 PM
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS- No public comments
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES- Motion by Mr. Daniel Jimenez to approve the October
2021 minutes and the motion was seconded by Ms. Tiffany Anderson. The motion
passed unanimously.
4. CONSIDERATIONS
a. School Update by Mr. Diaz. The school currently has a mental health counselor
twice a week serving as many students as possible. The PTA is up and running.
Construction has begun and is ongoing. They are on the timeline. Renovation
includes a new media center and a second cafeteria. The school is still practicing
social distancing guidelines.
MSES was selected to be a Cambridge global perspective challenge school
starting next year. Mr. Diaz clarified Cambridge is not just a project but a way of
teaching.
- Mr. Netto discussed how the board wants to gain a thorough
understanding of the Cambridge project and the results taking place, the
budget, and the investment of the Village. The Village needs to know how
the investment is paying off. Mr. Netto addressed the email the board
received from council member Alice Burch seeking a detailed update.
- Mr. Diaz asked what exactly the Village wanted to see from the school
and Ms. Vignale explained how we put together metrics, which she
created based on the contract between the school district, the school,
and what our residents wanted to see. W hat we want to see includes
increased school performance, more Miami Shores residents attending
the school, and an improved parent perception of the school. At the time
of the last survey the perception of iPrep over MSES was one of the
biggest challenges.
- Mr. Netto discussed how the board had put together a spreadsheet for
the September Village Council meeting when the school made a
presentation, but not all points were addressed so questions remain.
- Ms. Vignale stated that people want to know how the Cambridge money
is being spent and the importance of marketing the school.
- Mr. Netto would like to create a time to go over the questions again to
reconcile the questions with the presentation.
- Ms. Vignale asked about school tours. Mr. Daniel Diaz stated that they
are not happening in person right now due to COVID-19, the construction
and the fact that the current students need support right now. Ms. Vignale
stated the board can be of help, stating that other schools have done
videos, campus renderings, etc. because prospective parents want to
see the classrooms.
- Ms. Duerkop (as part of PTA) is working on the possibility of a virtual tour
and will be meeting with Ms. Swain and Mr. Diaz about that.
- Ms. Fraser stated that going back to the original survey, customer service
was a need and asked how the board can help support the school and
help the school go from a B school back to an A school.
- Mr. Netto suggested something as simple as using the city newsletter
once a month and including bullet points on the school. Inquired how the
board can help the school with the marketing and creativity while the
school focuses on the operations.
b. Presentation by MSES PTA: Ms. Sarah Vahan stated this is the first active PTA in
two years and they have begun recruiting parents. The PTA is planning a staff
breakfast, a holiday shop and a winter movie night outdoors. All outdoor events for
now. Ms. Vahan and Mr. Netto discussed the beautification project and the
possibility of collaborating on an Earth Day event.
- Ms. Feuer discussed the possibility of school tours again and reconciling
the school tours with the other in person events at the school. Ms. Vignale
stated that tours in the spring are too late because parents have already
made school decisions and the magnet window closed.
- Ms. Duerkop discussed the EAB sponsoring the school holiday lights.
- Mr. Netto- inquired about the $600 grant and whether we could sponsor
the Thanksgiving breakfast and then the PTA purchase the lights? Ms.
Vahan was going to check with the PTA treasurer whether that was a
possibility.
- Ms. Vignale brought up Give Miami Day and how we could not do it
through the Village since we are not 501c but next year it could be done
through the PTA. Next year’s deadline is October 1st.
- Ms. Anderson inquired whether the winter movie night was open to
community at large. Mr. Daniel Diaz expressed concern about the
protection of his students.
- Ms. Vignale discussed relaunching the survey again and recommended
we do it same time of year (February) to see how we have moved the
needle in the two years. Everyone needs to review the old survey and
come back with suggestions to get ready to launch it again.
5. ADJOURNMENT 7:23PM