SWCC Education Community Meeting

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

SW Community Center

275 Dr. Samuel McCree Way

Focus:  School #16

In Attendance:  Mary Adams (19WCA Resident, School Board Member), Ricardo Adams (19WCA Resident), Sharlene Banks (School #16 Pre-K), John Boutet (19WCA Resident, SWCC Communications Committee Co-Chair, Location19 Administrator), Eleanor Coleman (SWAN Staff, SWCC Communications Committee Co-Chair), Brenda Driscoll (19WCA Resident, School #16 Teacher), Kathy King (School #16 Volunteer), Chojy Schroeder (19WCA Resident), Troy Townsend (School #16 Parent, 19WCA Resident), Diane Watkins (19WCA Resident, 19WCA 2^nd VP, RCSD Teacher)

Pre-Meeting at 5 p.m. was to begin the work of creating a survey to determine what parents want and what students want.

No word on release of FMP (Facilities Modernization Plan); we only know that there are many options.

Concern:  Still many parents and community members who do not have accurate information about the school.

Suggestion:  Have youth, working with adults, distribute a flyer informing youth and families of School #16 status and the impact on the community.  

Suggestion:  See about Wilson H.S. PIG students being engaged to administer the survey.  Would also appreciate input from students on the survey (needs to be sought out now prior to finalized version.) 

How is the Freddie Thomas setting? 

• We were assured there would be 3 schools with no interaction.  That is not the case.  Older students are among the younger students; problems with profanity and other poor role modeling for younger students.
• Issues around inadequate photocopying resources.
• Suggestion:  Have community members provide support during the school day.  Times to target support - 9:15-10; 12-1:15; Dismissal of older students (around 2; 1:15 on Wed’s)

Concerns: 

• Parents who have Pre-K School #16 (School #10) were not aware of School #16 status; parents were of the impression that the school would be closing.

Pre-K Parents meet regularly on Thursdays 8:45–11:15 a.m. in the portables behind School #10 (Congress Ave).   

School #16 @ Freddie Thomas has Open House Thursday, 9/27, 6 p.m. 

Questions: 

• What is the plan for the opening of School #16?  When does work begin?  Who do we ask?  Answer:  Jerome Underwood, Director of Facilities

School #10 Principal, Cameron Clybourne, has been very gracious and accommodating to help School #16 Pre-K fit into this temporary setting.

Current School #16 parent definitely wants a neighborhood school.

Pre-K would like to have Open House with Freddie Thomas where the rest of the families are, as opposed to School #10.  Asking this group for help in keeping Pre-K and Freddie Thomas School #16 families connected.  Both teacher and parent disappointed that Pre-K won’t be part of all the traditional School #16 events (science fair, assemblies, etc.).

Solution:  RCSD Fatherhood Initiative is a way of providing necessary requested support; while general community is not always welcome in schools, fathers would be backed up by the Office of Parent Engagement.

Short Term:  Use capital funds to make building habitable

Long Term:  Use FMP Phase 2 funds to make it an exceptional school

Next Steps:

Get surveys done

Connect with different potential allies

Engage and support the School #16 Pre-K group