19th WCA Schools Committee Meeting Minutes

March 7, 2023

Dr. Phyllis Moss convened the meeting by Zoom at 7:00 p.m.

Present: John Boutet, Jane Braband, Charlotte Giebel, Douglas Giebel, Lee Loomis, Dr. Phyllis Moss, Dan Ross, Jay Ross

Spelling Bee:

Douglas reported that the Spelling Bee will be held on April 8 at 2 p.m. in Wegman Auditorium, Wegman Hall at the University of Rochester.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity has arranged for the time and place and will host a pizza lunch for the families involved beginning at noon followed by an informal tour of the campus.

George Larkin will give a short introductory speech at the opening of the bee. He is a former RCSD principal who is eager to interest more students in the opportunity to attend either the U of R or RIT with free tuition if they can graduate from a City school with a B+ average and gain admittance.

In preparation for the bee, the schools have received the app for personal practice from Scripps to be available for the students. In addition, practices are being held every Saturday at the Arnett library. The schools are also organizing teaching sessions and practice bees.

Tutoring:

Lee Loomis reported that there is now one team of four engineers from the Engineering Association who are working at School 10 on a four-week rotation. He is recruiting for more volunteers from any source.

Phyllis offered to submit a paragraph to Ruth Jenerson of the 19th WCA regarding the need for more tutors. To work with Lee at School 10, they must fill out his application form which can be obtained by emailing him at leeloomis46@gmail.com.

Volunteers are also needed for School 16. A sign-up sheet is available at this link.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GAkiWsqszJx4DIN2Fo2nhV0WZHG4ENrw5CfsK_bsGOw/edit

Contact the principal, Lisa Garrow at lisa.Garrow@rcsdk12.org for more information.

Phyllis has met with 19th WCA president Josie McClary and a parent representative from School 16 to discuss ways we can be of help.

It was suggested that the need for tutors be presented to local churches.

RASE:

Phyllis mentioned that this anti-racism effort is taking on new leadership with Candace Lucas. Phyllis would like us to consider our future work with them. She expressed distress at the extent to which racism is entrenched in the church as well as the rest of our society.

Parent Café at School 10:

Lee was happy to announce the successful beginning of a parent café which is supported by a grant to assist families of School 10 students with their concerns. Educational leaders will meet with parents. The speaker last week was Sylvia Cooksey who discussed ways parents can help their students with topics like the new math. Parents were given the opportunity to write down topics they wanted to know more about.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlotte Giebel