Minutes of the July 20^th, 2016 meeting of

The 19^th Ward Community Association Schools Committee

Attendees: John Boutet, John Laing, Dan Ross, Jay Ross

June minutes Approved

School 29 status

Tanya Wilson is moving to East. No information on her successor. The garden kittycorner to the school is taking shape and the students participated in some planting.

School 16 Status

The funding bill was finally passed in the house and signed by Cuomo. Thanks to all who called, e-mailed and/or signed the petition.

16 has a new principal. John L to contact district for information. Teachers expressed concern at SWCC education committee meeting.

School 10 Status

School 10 is on the FMP phase 2 schedule for closing the building 6/18 and using 44 as swing space. This assumes that 44 as a school will close. John L to contact the principal at 10 to make her aware of the various strategies.

School 44 Status

Summer school is in session. Donna is planning to have one last meeting of the CET to wrap up those activities.

School choice Task Force

The focus has been on enabling a return to neighborhood schools. The most recent City Newspaper has a good article on the task force.

New Superintendent

Barbara Deane-Williams has been named superintendent and is proceeding on a listening tour. We plan to invite her to the southwest side for a discussion on issues and opportunities.

Volunteers

There is a need for more volunteers to the schools to help students. Dan offered to write something up for publication to the 19^th ward membership and we discussed the possibility to make a video of volunteers expressing the benefits.

Urban Fellow

Eliza has developed a reading program at 6 of the lunch spots The sites includes an in-home daycare. These may be places to offer books and may also be locations to inform families of the preK programs at our schools. Dan was to get a list of home day cares in the area.

Next Meeting

Wednesday, August 10^th at 7 pm in the 19^th ward association office.