SWCC Education Committee Minutes 2017-07-26

Here are the meeting notes as a .pdf file: SWCC Education Committee Minutes 2017-07-26.pdf

The Education Committee of the SW Common Council

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

6:30 to 8:00 pm at

Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Boulevard

Minutes Posted on: www.locationSW.org/group/sw-education-forum

Attendance:

Mary Adams RCSD School Board, 317-2367, maryb_adams@urmc.rochester.edu

Joe Baldino School #29 Principal, 490-2245, joseph.baldino@rcsdk12.org

Pamela Bollar 19th Ward/Aenon, 527-0799, bollarpam@gmail.com

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

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

Donna Gattelaro-Andersen School #44 Principal, 315-8318, donna.gattelaro-andersen@rcsdk12.org

Jean Willmarth Wilson Commencement, 385-2419, jean.willmarth@rcsdk12.org

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

Lashunda Leslie-Smith 19th Ward Resident, 309-2283, lashunda_smith@yahoo.com

Corey McMichael School #44 Special Ed Teacher, 739-2550, corey.mcmichael@rcsdk12.org

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

Betsy Romson Arnett Block Club/School #16 Alumna, mesromson@aol.om 328-8313

Introductions

Library news

Arnett

8/2, Wed, @ 3, Live Bird of Prey Demo; ages 8-12
8/9, Wed, @ 3 African Drums, storytelling, dance, singing; ages 8-12
8/11, Fri, @ 3 End of Summer Reading Party for the kids; songs, drum-a-longs w/ Topher Holt
8/12, Sat, @ 12 noon Susan B. Anthony will be here to talk about suffrage & women’s issues
8/15, Tues, 5:30, Budgeting Basics

Phillis Wheatley

7/27, Thu, 11-3, Tech Help (computer, Smart Phone, printer, etc.)
7/27, Thu, 3:30 - movie in Children’s Room for “Theater Thursday”

The library trial of not instituting fines on children and young adult books will now be permanently adopted. Statistics showed that, during the year-long trial period, circulation for those materials went up and more library cards have been handed out.

School 10 - Update

Per Mary Adams, Swing Space for School #10 will be at Marshall, not School #44.

School 16 - Update

Possibilities for Community Center Staffing: Have reached out to City Rec Dept - Eric Rose; Boys & Girls Club - Phillipa Stuart; YMCA - Kevin Fitzpatrick.
Mary suggested the need for a series of meetings to research and dialogue what we mean by “community center.” There are older concepts that were oriented to building the community center around the community; newer concepts linked to funding sources are different. The State’s new definition emphasizes the “needs” of students as opposed to the earlier model of asset-based services that focus on the positive attributes of a community.
Concern expressed over the disservice the YMCA has done in the SW community (eliminating the pool; large center promised to the SW community yet the existing center is very small and the new one was built in Gates, not convenient for SW families).
Pools in schools need to be open for community use. Adams St and GVP are open.

School #29 Update - Joe Baldino

PlayWorks is at School #29 (advocated by Carlos Coto, RCSD Phys. Ed.). Playgrounds can be staffed by community adults using building permits; does not need to be RCSD staff. Putting in a permanent garden for mentally challenged children; outdoor courtyard garden being instituted; nine additional parking spaces will be added.
Corn and bean harvest event planned for when corn is ready. Original vision of garden was to have neighbors work with the garden and provide food. Growing lots of pumpkins.
Permanent garden going in.
Courtyard planning is exciting.
Growth and Education of Medically (GEM) Fragile students programming assures that this school not in danger of closing. Edison is the transfer school.
Lawyers for Learning very active in the school; started the garden concept for School #29.
Books by Bike can be present at festival.
Little Library is active.

School 44 Update - Facilities Capacity & Needs Assessment Impact

Grateful for reprieve (staying open); thank you to Mary Adams for advocating for keeping School #44 open. Staff committed to the school despite frequent threats of closing. School administration learned of the good news via the newspaper. Mary noted that there is a commitment to an open and engaging process to develop a district-wide comprehensive plan for building out schools.
Trying to revitalize the PTO. Identified activities that will bring people into the building (parents and community).

Wilson Commencement Update - Jean Kozlowski-Willmarth (Speech Therapist @ Wilson Magnet)

For the first time - Holiday Happening - Craft & Vendor Fair on Saturday, 11/4, 9-3; community can come in and shop; clubs will be able to fund-raise. Have reached out to Episcopal Home to participate. Small booth (7 x 10) = $35. Need to keep in mind the population we will be serving. Set up is the evening before between 4 and 6pm and then the next morning. Use students for set up and community service.
Need a more clear picture of where students will go after the elementary and middle schools. Would be nice to have them attend the neighborhood high school. Julie Roselli, Principal, expressed interest in being part of this group.
School Climate - 9th grade focused on Restorative Practices. Workshop in August for teachers. School climate has changed a lot for the better; current administration responsible for getting staff more connected and involved.

Walk-in Items

RCSD pool para-professionals can be used to staff pools. Lifeguards have to perform some hours of community service and this would be an opportunity for them.
There are 27 area facilities offering FREE swimming lessons.
Mary noted that the pools are often under-utilized; important to get residents more familiar with their communities and the services provided.
Many students walk to the libraries; should be the same with schools.
Transportation requires organization (parents walking groups of children, car pools, etc.). Still exploring a “Walking School Bus” concept.
Governor and Legislators not supportive of the “less than 1.5 mile” concept. Could be a possibility under RMAPI.
Per John, Cecelia Golden (running for School Board) was hoping to attend. Came to recent 19thWCA Schools Committee meeting and explained her agenda. Mary noted that she is impressed with a number of the School Board candidates and recommended having them all attend this meeting to hear from them. Metro Justice is considering a candidates’ night.