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2022-04-21 MINUTES1 EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES April 21, 2022 9900 NE 2ND AVE 6:00 PM The meeting was called to order by Mr. Netto at 6:08 PM with the following members present: Ms. Kristen Feuer Ms. Dana Vignale Ms. Sylvie Duerkop Ms. Tiffany Anderson Ms. Leslie Fraser Mr. Joseph Paulino Mr. Antonio Netto (via phone- beginning of meeting) Dr. Michael Lewis- Central Region Superintendent Mr. Esmond Scott- Village Manager Also present: Ms. Ysabely Rodriguez, Village Clerk Ms. Brenda Swain, MSES Principal Mr. Daniel Diaz, MSES Vice Principal PTA Executive Members: Andrea Fleury, Sarah Vahan 1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:08PM 2. ROLL CALL: Ysabely Rodriguez took roll call at 6:08PM 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS- None 4. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY and MARCH MINUTES: Motion by Tiffany Anderson and Second by Joseph Paulino. Motion passed. 5. CONSIDERATIONS • UPDATE BY MSES ADMINISTRATION: Brenda Swain- School in midst of construction and actual building visible by NE 6th, HVAC system in office replaced, foundation cracks filled in, rest room taking shape. Much construction will be finished over the summer. The school will not be a summer school site. Possible ending date for construction is October- December, 2022. Construction Recap: entire new HVAC system, painting outside and inside, new roof for cafeteria and media center, ADA compliant restrooms in pre-K building. Cambridge program is in full effect school-wide. Planning an event for the end of school year and will update the board at the next meeting. Safety and security of building: very limited covid cases, all students in the building with very few absences. In February, MSES was one of the top ten schools that increased attendance during the second grading period. MSES is at 84% capacity. • DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING 2022 MSES PARENT SURVEY Update provided by Dana Vignale. Ms. Vignale thanked everyone for attendance. Ms. Vignale wants to bring many resources to the school which we have access to, to raise the quality of the school. How do we bring our residents back? This was one of the main purposes of the survey. Ms. Vignale asked would it be helpful to have a meeting between Mr. Scott and the School district so that everyone knows their respective roles and accountability. The concern is the Village has proffered funds and the board wants to be 2 kept apprised of the progress. Ms. Vignale stated Ms. Swain’s report tonight is very helpful and we want it to be communicated Village-wide. We really want to do what we can to help spread the word on the great work happening at MSES. Looking at the survey report- looking at students assigned to the MSES boundary only 57% attend. The question is why are parents choosing to leave the boundary school when we have an incredible school right here? Ms. Vignale compared the school to Pinecrest (due to similar demographics) and 86.4% attend Pinecrest. When Ms. Vignale compared these outcomes – Miami Shores families are not attending the neighborhood school which is what prompted the survey. The survey received 164 responses. Looking at comments and feedback, Ms. Vignale does not feel the community knows the great work happening at MSES. Ms. Vignale posed a question to Dr. Lewis regarding the new charter school, Mater Academy at the former Johnson & Whales campus. o Response by Dr. Lewis– Dr. Lewis stated he agrees with the importance of working together and requests increased communication and invitations to meetings so that we may work collaboratively. Dr. Lewis was at initial onset of Cambridge at MSES and wants to work collaboratively to enhance the community school. Very proud of MDCPS choice district. Dr. Lewis indicated that Pinecrest is not a good comparison because it is currently nationally recognized, but agrees that MSES has so much to offer. Dr. Lewis stated the District will make it a priority to have someone from the Region and someone from the school at all meetings. Dr. Lewis requested all invitations/communication be sent to Martha Montaner- because this is an intergovernmental affair. Ms. Montaner is the direct contact person when it comes to EAB’s and the EAB can also request specific data from her. o Ms. Duerkop stated that the PTA is implementing a testimonial project for the benefit of residents who do not attend the school - The idea is to have Ms. Swain and Mr. Diaz speak about the Cambridge program and provide updates on the construction. The testimonials would be on the MSES Website and they would like to have it elsewhere. o Ms. Swain discussed the in-person school tour and the virtual tour. o Ms. Fraser discussed the need for friendliness at MSES since Miami Shores is the “friendly village” as well as the ongoing need for marketing. o Dr. Lewis stated he worked at the Miami Shores Publix in his youth and holds the community in high regards. He acknowledged the great work of the PTA. Dr. Lewis stated that for the next EAB meeting he would pull the data for the boundary including the total number of school-aged children and where they attend and how many attend MSES. o Ms. Vignale discussed how physical school tours can begin again next year earlier than this year since private school deposits are typically due the first week in January. Ms. Vignale also suggested that when the new construction is finished, we could plan a ribbon cutting ceremony and make it a big event, inviting everyone from the community to come and see the new building. Ms. Vignale also suggested a strategic marketing idea to invite local realtors to the school due 3 to the fact that buyers always ask realtors about the local schools. This would be a very strategic way to reach residents. Ms. Swain responded that local realtor Robert Borne has always been very supportive of MSES. o Ms. Duerkop asked whether there is a resource for a more dedicated marketing team to help with the school website and general communication. o Ms. Andrea Fleury stated the PTA is considering the idea of a smaller marketing committee for the sole purpose of marketing given the many other issues Ms. Swain and Mr. Diaz have to focus on daily. o Regarding the open house, Dr. Lewis stated these events are done by the District and a ribbon cutting ceremony is actually a requirement of the Office of Facilities, organized by Mr. Robert Perez. It is not an expectation but a requirement. Regarding marketing, Dr. Lewis stated that the majority of schools normally hire a private entity. Ms. Swain indicated we have someone at the school who works on the website. o Ms. Anderson suggested the use of the newsletter of Miami Shores for an MSES corner. o Ms. Vignale posed the question on when to close the survey and how to counter the false perception that non-attendees have as well as comparing the survey to the school climate survey. Ms. Swain stated we will not have results to the climate survey by May. o Ms. Feuer made a motion to close the survey on May 30 after the PTA movie night and Miami Shores Green Day. Seconded by Mr. Paulino. Motion passed unanimously. o Ms. Vignale and Ms. Duerkop addressed the ongoing concern that there is a territory of Miami Shores assigned to Hubert O. Sibley school boundary instead of MSES. It was discussed that prior to the Cambridge program, Mr. Benton was going to work with the School District to incorporate that small area into the MSE boundary. Ms. Vignale stated the Board would need to revisit this issue and look at minutes to see if there was action we should have taken, or was ever taken on this issue. o Dr. Lewis stated he would also reach out to North Region Office (Dr. Cabrera- North Region Superintendent) and bring us in but stated the process takes place in October. He stated we need to reach out to Dr. Cabrera as it will impact her region. That correspondence should come from our Village Manager and we also need to include Martha Montaner. The first step would be to let her know the intent so that she can bring Dr. Cabrera into the conversation since it will negatively impact the North region. o Mr. Esmond Scott, Village Manager, stated the will directly handle this matter. o Ms. Ysabely Rodriguez stated that the former village manager was given that directive and he did send a letter but to the wrong contact. • DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE EAB COLLABORATING WITH MSES PTA ON GREEN DAY, APRIL 30. o Ms. Andrea Fleury and Ms. Sarah Vahan discussed the representation of the school at Green Day and the goal to have families come out and meet the type of 4 people attending MSES, show smiling faces and encourage our MSES families to come out, encourage all students to wear school T-shirts as it would be a nice way for the school to show our school spirit and for Green Day attendees to see how many families are attending MSES. Stated that Mr. Antonio Netto wanted to come and represent the EAB. Ms. Swain will be in attendance as well. 6. NEW BUSINESS: • DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING UPCOMING MIAMI SHORES COMMUNITY ALLIANCE GRANT FUNDING REQUEST. o Ms. Ysabely Rodriguez stated the deadline for the grant is next week 4/30/22 and began filling out the application but wanted direction from the Board, specifically as to the proposed use of the funds. o Ms. Swain suggested funds could go toward the continuation of the hedge project. The PTA used the donated EAB funds from the GoFundMe page and also raised additional funds and found irrigation already in place but would like to continue the hedge along the 105th street perimeter of the school. This is the area where the students play so it is important to create privacy for the children. o There was consensus to continue with the application for the community alliance grant. • DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE EAB DONATING $600 TO MSES PTA TO ASSIST WITH TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON o There was consensus to transfer money to the PTA by Ms. Duerkop. o The PTA has an entire week of events planned in honor of teacher appreciation including a massage therapist on campus, two food events. One event is a taco lunch costing approximately $700. Tinta Y Café is sponsoring a breakfast and Pebble & Vine is providing gifts for the teachers. During the Spa Day, teachers will also receive self-care gifts. 7. ADJOURNMENT: 7:25 Motion to adjourn by Mr. Anderson. Meeting adjourned.