2023-02-16 MINUTES1
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
February 16, 2023
6:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 6:02PM with the following members present:
Ms. Kristen Feuer
Ms. Dana Vignale
Ms. Sylvie Duerkop
Mr. Michael Weber
Also present: Jason Nwamah
Ms. Sarah Vaghan: MSES PTA President
Mr. Daniel Diaz (MSES Principal)
1. CALL TO ORDER: 6:06PM
2. ROLL CALL: See above.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
5. Motion by Mr. Weber, Seconded by Ms. Duerkop. Passed.
6. CONSIDERATIONS:
a. MSES UPDATE PROVIDED BY ADMINISTRATION
- Mr. Diaz met with Ms. Duerkop and Mr. Alejandro Perez (Regional Director)
after last morning to discuss initiating a language program after hours, possible
French program in the afternoon. Discussion about increasing Spanish to 150
minutes and beginning French after school to begin and to see how it works.
- Ms. Duerkop advised the third graders began a France pen pal program last
week.
- Ms. Vignale suggested an after school French program paid for by the parents.
In lieu of an aftercare program and would serve as revenue for the school.
One example is downtown Doral Charter Elem. It would not impact the school
budget. The school would take a cut in the revenue.
- Mr. Diaz advised we would have to have a facilities agreement.
- Discussion about the former Chess club. The board discussed many possible
after school activities that parents would want to pay for.
- Mr. Weber- suggested an after-school Lego club as an example.
- Ms. Duerkop advised she has a contact for a French teacher.
- Ms. Vignale suggested conducting a survey of the parents to see what their
interests are and then find contacts and brainstorm a list of activities that would
be profitable.
- Mr. Diaz advised the Media Center is up and running. The school spent $11,000
to get new books, furniture, rugs, etc. There are no updates on construction at
this time, but the school logo is being updated with an Eagle and marketing
materials are being dropped distributed throughout the Village.
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b. ACTION PLAN FOR 2022-2023 PRIORITIES:
- Ms. Vignale asked (our pillars are community engagement), what is it that the
board can help with? Mr. Diaz stated, “promoting our school in a positive way.”
- Back to the aftercare discussion, Ms. Vignale stated the goal would be not to
interfere with the school budget, but to bring additional money to the school.
- Mr. Diaz stated the current aftercare is $80 bi-weekly. $70 for a student who
qualifies for free and reduced lunch. At aftercare they complete homework,
have snacks, have outdoor play, and participate in certain activities like pizza
making, ceramics, etc. This new idea would be complimentary to the existing
program.
- Ms. Vignale stated she would craft it as one of our community ideas for the
upcoming year and suggested surveying the staff first before the parents to see
who would be interested in doing an activity.
- Ms. Duerkop stated that some parents were asking for updates on Cambridge.
- Mr. Diaz stated the staff/administration will be visiting Marjorie Stoneman
Douglas Elementary next week because they are a Cambridge showcase school.
Hialeah Gardens Elem. integrates stem and Cambridge so MSES will also visiting
them.
7. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Feuer, second by Weber. 6:48PM.