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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-07 Education Advisory Board MinutesCity of Dania Beach Education Advisory Board Monday, October 7, 2019 City Hall, NW Conference Room, 1st Floor 5:00 PM APPROVED MINUTES on 01/06/2020 Board Members: Batia Dayan - Present Diana Curry – Present Mandraker Jagroop – Absent Bob Adams – Absent Bonnie Carlton – Present Principal Tracey Jackson - Absent Assistant Principal Maureen Keenan – Present on behalf of Collins Elementary Principal Lewis Jackson – Absent Assistant Principal Galina Markevich – Absent Principal Valerie Harris – Present Magnet Coordinator Michael Friedel – Present on behalf of Olsen Elementary Teacher Marie Carcizas - Present on behalf of Dania Beach Elementary Angel Gomez – Present on behalf of Governmental Affairs – SBBC Eric Brown – Director for Parks & Recreation - Present Alberlean Pollard – Administrative Coordinator for Parks & Recreation - Present I. Roll Call was taken & meeting was called to Order at 5:11 p.m. II. Public Comments - None III. Minutes: Approval of Minutes – May 6, 2019 I. 1st Bonnie Carlton, 2nd Diana Curry, minutes approved IV. Old Business - Concerns with the charter schools and efforts being made to high light what each elementary in Dania Beach offers - Concerns on how the City can help V. New Business - A Florida Department of Environmental Protection Land and Water Conservation Fund Program (LWCF) grant and a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant is being sought after to assist with the cost of development of the Frank C. “Tootie” Adler Park discussed VI. Members Comments Board Chair Batia Dayan welcomed everyone to this meeting and provided an overview of what the goals of this board is. Angel Gomez from Governmental Affairs introduced himself in adding that he replaced Charles Webster who retired, he is a liaison between the board, the School Board, and elected officials. He explained that there are 31 municipalities in Broward County and only 19 have EAB’s. His goal is to be of aid to those 19 municipalities and as such, Superintendent Runcie will be making his rounds to speak at each EAB. He further explained that on Monday, March 2, 2020, Superintendent Runcie will be speaking at this EAB. It was further explained that it is very important that we have an EAB which allows them to speak with our City. He is available to anyone on this board that wish to reach out to him. Everyone is invited to EDTalk on Saturday, November 2, 2019. He discussed the power of the members of this Board and providing information to the neighbors in this neighborhood. He wanted to ensure that the narrative given to the neighbors of the community are facts and those facts are provided by EAB. He shared on Monday, October 14, 2019 is National School Lunch Week which is a very important day to him and encouraged participation at the schools. Elected officials were invited to go and participate. Lastly, on October 30, 2019 the School Board of Broward County are observing the National Walk/Bike to School Day. This is a day that children are being encouraged to walk or bike to school for this day to promote safety in walking and biking. Broward County elected officials will be walking with children to school to promote this date and again participation is encouraged. Michael Friedel, Magnet Coordinator for Olsen Middle School. He explained that this is Olsen’s first year as a magnet school which offers five (5) different academies: business, education, music/media, hospitality/tourism, and robotics/marine science. The ICAN grant funds their magnet programs which is based on career and college readiness to their students. Olsen is in partnership with South Broward High School. Each academy has gone through a re-branding process just as the City of Dania Beach. Michael gave an overview that they will be taking a tour of the airport and Channel 10. Efforts are being made to bring as many people to their school to give each academy insight and information. Olsen has partnerships with FIU Aquatic Underwater Program, Broward College to create a curriculum for their Education Academy, and South Broward High School. Diane Curry asked what type of subjects/curriculum do they have throughout the day? Michael responded the students go through their traditional schedule, but specialized electives that go along with their regular electives. The core classes are supporting some of the work in the electives which corresponds with material from the magnet academies. Board Chair Dayan asked if every student gets to participate? And exposed to each academy? And is it throughout the years. Michael responded all students are in at least 1 magnet academy. And there is some crossover in the academies. No, it is for the three (3) years that they are in middle school. Assistant Principal Maureen Keenan for Collins Elementary, discussed that they have started the new school year strong and are close to capacity with 352 students which is down from the past of 371. They had to eliminate one (1) kindergarten class to accommodate the budget constraints. Also, had to have two (2) open houses to accommodate the topics that they were addressing the parents with. Were able to sign contracts with students and parents. The school also participated in Peace Week with BSO. Al Huggins was in attendances and created a mural on the basketball courts with 4th and 5th graders. In October, they are looking forward to Fire Safety with BSO, Fall Festival, and etiquette classes with the Prestige Club. BSO Fire will bring the fire truck and give the children an opportunity to learn all about it. The 4th and 5th graders will be attending an etiquette class from the Prestige Club at Tropical Acres. A total of 100 students will be in attendance and learn how to set a table, etc. Last time the students learned how to tie a tie. For the first time this year, they have twelve (12) clubs that the students can join mentoring tomorrows leaders, peace makers, best buddies, band, food recovery program. Partner with a local food pantry to recover the food during school lunch. Henry Graham comes to pick everything up to give back to the community. Board Chair Dayan asked if the clubs are after school? Assistant Principal Keenan responded they are all during school hours to give students that can’t stay after school or students that participate in other extra-curriculum activities after school an opportunity to be a part of the clubs. Specials are being utilized to allow students to participate in the clubs. Board Chair Dayan asked if the students choose to be in the clubs? Assistant Principal Keenan responded the students get to choose two (2) clubs to be a part of. Mr. Gomez asked what does the food recovery program mean, what do they do? Assistant Principal Keenan stated that if it is unopened milk a student didn’t drink or food the student hasn’t touched or intentions in eating – the food is refrigerated and donated to the community. The students keep track of what is refrigerated, donated, and thrown out. A local food pantry is used to pick up the food and takes to Broward Outreach. Board Chair Dayan asked is this something the school came up with or county wide? Assistant Principal Keenan stated the District came up with a way that it can be done safely and correctly. Mr. Gomez asked if he could come over to see it because at Hallandale Beach Elementary they are trying to come up with a way to get rid of the waste. He proceeded to say as he sits in this meeting – he may have found a solution for them. Assistant Principal Keenan responded yes. Board Chair Dayan added that she is going to see if she can do the same on her end and it was previously told that she had to discard the food. Assistant Principal Keenan stated Food Recovery K12 is the name of the food resource that is helping them out with calculations. Board member asked where did they get the commercial refrigerator. Assistant Principal Keenan stated they were donated through a grant outreach. Mr. Gomez added that this is great program and that the EAB could present this to the Commission that the students are doing something for others. Board Chair Dayan added that this is what this Board is for to share ideas and create open communication. Marie Carcizas, Math Coach at Dania Elementary. They just had Donuts for Dads. This was where dads bring the children to school and have breakfast with their children where ninety-eight (98) dads participated. They paid $2.00 for breakfast. Bake Shack donated donuts for this event. Lighthouse Mentoring has begun where they meet with the children during lunch social skills, behavioral skills, the importance of academics and doing homework. They mentor science students during their lunch time. They have established Latina’s in Action with South Broward High School. This is where about thirty (30) students come from South Broward, one (1) per class room and tutor students. They are starting their O.T.T.E.R. Program which stands for Our Time Together Enjoying Reading with Olsen Elementary. October 16, is their math night in collaboration with anther organization and dinner will be provided for the first 100 families. They wanted to thank the City of Dania Beach for the donation of school supplies. They will be reaching out to City of Dania Beach for the students to take a tour of the City and learn more about they do at City Hall. Board Chair Dayan stated she like the fact that they are collaborating with older students at South Broward High School. She also asked what time is math night? Math Coach Carcizas answered 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Board Chair Dayan asked when was the book fair. Math Coach Carcizas responded not sure the exact date, but it is next week. She also added that this is her first year at Dania Elementary and did hear that the book fair is slightly later than usual. Board Chair Dayan asked about the lot by the school that they are littering and parking there. Math Coach Carcizas responded they park in the neighboring area, but it hasn’t been too bad this year. Board Chair Dayan added that this is her favorite time of the year with the holiday festivities and the students coming into the new year. She asked is there any questions remaining. Assistant Principal Keenan asked what is the next phase for Dania Crossing, because last year they lost seventy (70) students. She continued that they were unaware of this until a parent stated they were not able to get Section 8. They would like to plan better for a possible influx of students once development is completed. Board Chair Dayan stated she was unaware and that is why she was hoping Bob was present because he serves on the Dania Beach Housing Authority Board. Dialogue ensued about how communication between the Dania Beach Housing Authority and the schools need to get better. Math Coach Carcizas stated that their school is looking for a community sponsor to fund their shared reading program. It’s large books that the teacher use in the class room to read to students. Also added that they are always looking for mentors as well. Board Chair Dayan asked is the Shared Reading Program through Broward County. Math Coach Carcizas responded it is just for the books – purchasing the books which are kind of pricey. Board Chair Dayan had a last call for any questions or concerns. Assistant Principal Keenan asked is the Tree Lighting really happening before Thanksgiving. Administrative Coordinator Pollard responded she would have to double check because the Department were going back and forth with some dates that are not yet concrete. Adjournment at 5:53 p.m. – Motion Adjourn, 1st by Bonnie Carlton and 2nd by Diana Curry. Respectfully Submitted, Alberlean Pollard Parks & Recreation, Administrative Coordinator