SW Common Council Education Committee

At Barns and Noble

Mount Hope and Elmwood Avenue

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The Meeting convened at 7:15 pm.

Participants: John Boutet (19^th Ward Resident, SWCC Education Committee Chair, Location19.org manager), Maya Broady (19^th Ward Resident, past volunteer at School 29), Ana Casserly (Representative for Spanish Community students with disabilities, AQE/Metro Justice Education Committee), Brianna Casserly (Ana's daughter, Representative for Spanish Community students with disabilities, AQE/Metro Justice Education Committee), Robin Dettman (Education and Business Organization Development Consultant, on Board of Baobab Cultural Center, works w/ JOSANA Safety Net for School 17), Jennifer Lenio (Librarian in charge of 5 Southern Branches), Pat Merle (Retired Social Worker – ran program for woman in prison, Corn Hill), Bill Nichthauser (19^th Ward Resident, past School #19 volunteer, currently volunteers at School 22, Oboist), Beverly Usher (Grandparent of student at School 44, 19WCA Delegate)

AQE/Metro Justice Suspension Report Press Conference – Brianna and Ana

Brianna passed around a copy of the Suspension Report that had been released the day before by the AQE/Metro Justice Schools Committee at the School 17 press conference. The press conference was very well attended and was covered by 3 TV channels and 2 news papers. The Superintendent and Van White were there as was Mary Adams. Representatives of AQE/MJ including Eamonn Scanlon presented a summary of the results of their analysis of data that had been provided to them by the District. It basically showed that minorities are suspended much more frequently than whites for similar offenses and that the majority of suspensions were for minor offenses. Ana reviewed many of the problems faced by Hispanic and handicapped students and their families. The Superintendent and Ralph Spezio also spoke at the event. The last half of Ralph's presentation can be seen at: http://youtu.be/coctrEd-oAo

The City newspaper account of the press conference is at: http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/rochester/city-schools-suspen...

The report itself, ”Breaking the School-To-Prison Pipeline” can be found at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/247020643/Metro-Justice-Report-on-RCSD-S...

Rochester Joint Schools Construction Board Nov. Meeting Review - John Boutet

The November 3rd meeting was quite interesting because they reviewed renovation plans for two schools. They also mentioned they had requested a preliminary review of School 16 renovation needs by SWBR Architects. The District funded this initial work and would be reimbursed when Phase 2 funds are available. At the November 13 Coffee and Conversation meeting Dr. Vargas gave me a copy of the of the resulting report. I have not had a chance to study it yet but just glancing at the executive summary the study offers three options which range in cost from $20,622,000 to $28,975,000. Unfortunately the NYSED Maximum Cost Allowance covers only $10,922,067 to $11,709,243 of those costs. The Allowance is renewed every 5 years. Ways to do the work in one phase rather than in two phases 5 years apart will be investigated.

Issues to consider in preparing for reopening a neighborhood school

How do we interest parents near School 16 on Post Avenue to send their children to their neighborhood schools once it is renovated?

• Go door to door with the information. Ana and Beverly would be willing to do this.

• Get the churches involved.

• Use contacts in the neighborhood to help get the word out.

• Beverly is working with School 44 and could use that forum to publicize School 16 reopening.

• Do fliers describing benefits of attending school locally.

• Having after-school programs is easier if kids are can walk home.

• Use Libraries to connect with parents through fliers and meetings.

• Highlight the value of the neighborhood libraries coordinating with the neighborhood schools to offer educational opportunities.

• Have the neighborhood schools offer use of facilities in the school to home schooling families for mutual benefit of all students.

• Willie Robinson will help us connect with parents in the area of 16. Can we get addresses so we can make house calls?

• Highlight the value of family participation in the local school: PTO, School plays, open house, etc.

• School serves as source resource information for parents.

• Have continuing education offerings for parents to draw them into the school. (Use OACES)

“Change Our World” Essay Contest

Robin Dettman passed out a flier for an essay contest that students 10 to 14 in Rochester can participate in. This years essay theme in “How to make school better” and be 300-350 words.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Minutes submitted John Boutet

Past meeting minutes can be found in www.Location19.org in the SW Education Forum located at http://www.location19.org/group/sw-education-forum

Our next meeting will be January 21, 2015 at 6:30pm at the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, 929 South Plymouth.

Map: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=gandhi+institute+for+nonviolence+rochester+ny&hl=en&ll=43.138847,-77.623816&spn=0.008126,0.013078&sll=43.186182,-77.616399&sspn=0.519681,0.837021&t=h&hq=gandhi+institute+for+nonviolence&hnear=Rochester,+Monroe,+New+York&z=17&iwloc=A