Here are the meeting notes as a Word file:  SWCC Education Committee Minutes 2016-03-23.doc

The Education Committee of the SW Common Council

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

6:30 to 8:00 pm at

Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Boulevard

Attendance:

John Boutet              SWCC Education Committee Chair, 328-4271, jboutet@frontiernet.net

Eleanor Coleman      OACES & ProsperRochester, Inc. 224-5119, eleanor.coleman@gmail.com

Dan Esler                  Permaculture Garden @ Phillis Wheatley, mr.esler@gmail.com

Bill Nichthauser        19th Ward Resident, 235-0851, inky389@frontiernet.net

John Laing                19th Ward Schools Committee Chair, Volunteer @ Schools #16, #19 & #29

Jennifer Lenio            Rochester Public Libraries (South District), 428-8272, jlenio@libraryweb.org

Eamonn Scanlon       MetroJustice, 355-2765

Aggie Seneway          Brockport College & Receivership, part of Sch 44 CET, 392-7438

Introductions

School 10 – Update – From last months report by Lee Loomis

Large number of students in the building; in jeopardy of school receivership.

School 16 – Update – John L.

Nothing to report.

School 29 - Blocks in Bloom program - John B.

Recently moved into “good standing.” John B., Marian B. & Mark Sweetland have gotten the school and some residents from the Kenwood block to work together on Blocks in Bloom. Have also arranged to have Michael Hagelberg build a Little Free Library to be installed in the planned community garden in the empty lot at Kenwood and Kirkland; $40 to officially register it with “Little Free Library” organization so as to be included in LFL map and get a plaque.

School 44 - CET (Community Engagement Team) Update – John B, Aggie

Meeting all day today for school staff. We are pursuing having the Healthi Kids grant application filled out and submitted by April 1^st deadline working with grant writers suggested by Eamonn Scanlon at the last CET meeting. No other update. Aggie stressed the importance of receiving accurate information.

AQE/Metro Justice Update - Eanonn Scanlon (Note - There will be an AQE/Metro Justice Press Conference at School 44 at 11am, Thursday the 24th. Please come and support the school.)

Asking for more funding allocated in the budget for schools and other educational needs: (1) Foundation Aid (prioritize high-need districts) increase by $2.1 billion (2) include money in the budget for community schools (give receivership schools funding to provide services for the students and the surrounding community (mental health, dental, recreation, programming for adult education, etc.); school open longer and it becomes a hub for the community. Instead of punishing schools that are having problems, help them become stronger by supporting them in becoming community schools. Community schools across the nation are showing increased academic improvement and graduation rates when addressing whole family needs; breaking the cycle of trauma.

Jennifer mentioned libraries were put in the schools category years ago and currently receive even less funding than the schools.

John B. mentioned we should be looking at School #3 which is a community school, and which is still in receivership. New principal, Rodney Moore (3 yrs), reportedly effective. Very few students (less than 27) from Corn Hill attend this “community school.” John B. videoed School Receivership presentations for 3, 17 and 44 last August. He will send out links to the videos. ( Sch.3: https://youtu.be/chMiHQBGG1M , Sch.17: https://youtu.be/eXIdZi0DrQs , Sch. 44: https://youtu.be/GDoKeLX3F8g ) We need to connect School 3 with the Corn Hill Neighbors Association.

Aggie asked what the visit at School 44 by John B. and others yesterday was about. Teachers wondered why we were walking through taking notes. We were taking notes on the school environment using a checklist for a survey by AQE/Metro Justice; is it welcoming/supportive, etc.?

19th Ward Spelling Bee – John Laing

April 9, 1 p.m. Hoyt Hall, Main Quad, UR. New t-shirt design for Spelling Bee. Bus leaves School #19 at 9:30 a.m. To bring them to the UR for the Spelling Bee. Fraternity brothers pick them up at gym, give tour, lunch for families and students. Winner at each grade level (3-8). Participating Schools: 10, 16, 19, 29 & 44. Fraternity pays for lunch, medals, trophies, etc. (Video link to last years event:  https://youtu.be/mHXBsC3Guuw.)

Library

General news – Jennifer Lenio

Every Child Ready to Read programs at Arnett (Sat, 11-12:30, 4/9-5/7) & Wheatley (Wed evening) starting in April. Flyers available. Parents learn the importance of reading to their children using play, song, talking, reading & writing. Supervision for children available. Free nutritious meal provided at each session. Chance to win $25 Wegmans gift card at each session; chance to win $150 Wegmans gift card at end of series. For more information, call 428-8212.

Sat, 3/26, 11-1:30; women’s History Month - local Black Women authors will talk about their books and their process for becoming authors.

Thurs, 3/31, 4 p.m., Wild Wings is bringing owls for ages 12 and under.

Permaculture * Garden at Phillis Wheatley - Dan Esler

Planting Permaculture garden starts on 4/5, and will be every Tuesday at 3pm through August. Kids in the Library will be invited to participate. Patty Love’s “Lots of Food” organization creates plots around the city to put in plants; homeowners maintained the property. Lots of work up front but less work over the long run and very productive plants. All edible and medicinal plants.

* Designing a full-functioning, self-sustaining eco system. Incorporate plants that complement each other offering nutrients and pest control within a system.

Walk-in Items

Jeremy Coleman - brought invitation for all high school and youth rugby players to attend a “Tournament Campus Day” at Binghamton University on 4/16; students can take a tour of the campus, meet Admissions Office representatives, and watch the Empire Rugby Conference Rugby 7s Series. Meet at 11am at East Gym Parking Lot (free parking). Deadline to register is 4/8. Details on attached flyer. For more information, contact Jeremy Coleman at jeremy.coleman4832@gmail.com or (585) 966-9652.

Eleanor - ProsperRochester will be forming a youth tour guide program this summer that organizes tours of the Susan B. Anthony District focused on history, architecture, art and gardens. Program is being spearheaded by Calvin Eaton who can be reached at 732-0002.

John L. - SWEM in partnership with Foodlink delivers backpacks with food to Schools 2, 29 and 16. Hoping to show improved attendance on Fridays when food is made available. Over half of the students indicated that they are encouraged to come to school on Fridays to pick up their food. Upcoming walk will raise funds for this project.

Dan recommended that schools be encouraged to grow their own foods. Visited China and was able to view democratic classrooms; students given responsibility for cleaning their classrooms and making decisions about their own education; janitors help with fixing things. Suggested that School #29 be approached as they have cooking classes already.

Denmark - Forest Kindergartens; don’t start with reading; start with puddles, climbing trees, sliding down hills, etc.

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