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2022-12-15 MINUTES1 EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES December 15, 2022 Village Hall 6:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 6:02PM with the following members present: Mr. Antonio Netto Ms. Kristen Feuer Ms. Dana Vignale Mr. Joseph Paulino Ms. Sylvie Duerkop Mr. Michael Weber Also present: Ms. Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk Ms. Sarah Vaughn: MSES PTA President Mr. Daniel Diaz (MSES Principal) Mr. Douglas Clark: Supervisor at the Office of Inter-governmental Affairs and Family and Community Engagement Mr. Alejandro Perez: Regional Director 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:02PM 2. ROLL CALL: See above 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: a. November 16, 2022, approved. 5. CONSIDERATIONS: a. MSES UPDATE PROVIDED BY ADMINISTRATION - Mr. Diaz spoke about the recent Cambridge Night at MSES which was a big success. A children’s author presented his books, signed books and provided a demonstration on illustrations. Many children signed up for library cards. The event had a very positive result. - Ms. Vaughn discussed the PTA Holiday shop with funds raised going towards new outdoor picnic tables for the school. - Mr. Weber inquired about the possibility of the Village grant writer helping the school with grant writing. - The board was introduced to Mr. Alejandro Perez, the Regional Director. Mr. Perez has been with the school system for 30 years and has overseen the budget process for the Central Regional office which includes twenty schools. He opened the first bilingual school in Coral Gables in 2010, and this is his first time working with Miami Shores Elementary School. Mr. Perez expressed they are very happy with what is taking place at MSES and acknowledged that we all want the Cambridge program to continue to grow. Mr. Perez expressed that Mr. Diaz has a very good long-term goal for the school and Mr. Perez is here to support Mr. Diaz, the school, the board, and the region. 2 - Mr. Netto asked about Middle Schools in the Village and the possibility of the Cambridge program being the next step in middle school. Mr. Diaz answered that Horace Mann Magnet is the Cambridge Middle School. - The board discussed the gifted program as it relates to the Cambridge program. Mr. Perez stated that as long as there are two gifted students in a school, the school will offer the service in some capacity. If a student has been identified as Gifted, they are entitled to the service. - Ms. Duerkop addressed the desire to also bring a language program to the school as well as the possibility for travel abroad. Mr. Perez agreed to meet with Mr. Diaz and Ms. Duerkop after the holidays but stated any language program would require buy in from faculty and parents. Mr. Perez identified the four types of language programs: 1. Traditional 2. EFL (extended foreign language) 3. BIS0- 60/40 program 4. IS (International studies) - Mr. Netto and the rest of the board discussed the ongoing boundary issue and any updates. Ms. Ysabely Rodriguez has reached out to Dr. Lewis but has not heard back. Because MSES is not a targeted school there is currently no action being taken on this issue. Mr. Perez will follow up with Dr. Acosta, who oversees the ABC (attendance boundary committee). Currently, due to so many school options (charters, magnets, etc) district wide schools are under capacity. Mr. Perez stated that MSES can be a model school, with the Cambridge Program the first key, and language can be secondary. - The board recognized and commended Mr. Diaz for his leadership and that of the PTA as well. b. ACTION PLAN FOR 2022-2023 PRIORITIES: - Mr. Netto asked the PTA what their ideal wish list would be and what the board should be advocating for. Ms. Vaughn suggested teacher wish lists, and the ongoing beautification of the school. - The Board discussed the school courtyard. Ms. Vaughn stated that “Landscapes” did the mini courtyard landscaping and wants to provide additional help. The Board discussed marketing for landscaping as well as finding volunteers to assist with pulling weed on 6th Avenue. - Ms. Vignale brought up the idea of the Spring time realtor open house. Mr. Diaz suggested we can also invite realtors and other business professionals to tour the school on Tuesdays. - Mr. Weber discussed the possibility of a dance recital or children’s choir in the bandshell. - Mr. Netto discussed the possibility of having a Miami Shores Village event inside the school once construction is complete. - Ms. Duerkop suggested a write up in Miami Shore Living magazine because the magazine owner would like to show the school. 3 - Lastly, Ms. Duerkop suggested the possibility of fundraising for the 5th graders to travel, ideally abroad. Per Ms. Vignale, international trips have to go before the school board which requires 6-8 months of planning time. However, there is a trip to St. Augustine, Florida already in the works. 6. ADJOURNMENT – 7:10 PM.