Minutes of the December 11^th meeting of

The 19^th Ward Community Association Schools Committee

Attendees: John Boutet, John Laing, Gloria Lawton, Dan Ross, Jay Ross

Acceptance of Previous minutes

No additions/changes

Review of Action Items

• Generate a list of retired teachers/administrators in the ward and contact them – Dan Ross, in process
• Check with McQuaid for potential volunteers – Mark Sweetland via John Boutet

Discussion on Superintendent Vargas’ proposal for University involvement in running schools

Although there are not a lot of details available from Vargas, this may prove to be a benefit. We had some discussion on the thought of having U of R take on school 16 when it returns to the Post Ave location. They could be involved in planning the renovation with the goal of making it a community, as well as a neighborhood school. Dan was to contact a person in the early childhood education at the Warner school to see if something is being discussed there.

Status of Spelling Bee

We need to have volunteers for the practice sessions at the Arnett library starting January 25^th. We will need 10 or more volunteers at each session as there are 5 grades of kids, all of which have their own spelling lists. The dates we need to man the library are Jan 25, Feb 8 and 22, March 8 and 22, April 5 and 19. People can volunteer for all of them or only one, which ever fits their schedule. Have any potential volunteers contact me as I will keep a list of the volunteers before each date and will send folks the spelling lists ahead of time.

Recruitment of Volunteers

We are now covered under the MOA of FREE (FRiends of Educational Excellence) and can now supply volunteers to the schools. We need volunteer co-ordinators at each school. I am planning to do one long term and would like volunteers for the two other schools. Bill Nichthauser is waiting to hear from school 44. I will make contact with the principal to give him Bill’s information. Jay Ross has started with a first grade class at school 16.

New Business

Recommended reading : Hope and Despair in the American City: Why there are no bad schools in Raleigh. A telling comparison of Syracuse and Raleigh

Recommended viewing WXXI program on the Common Core with John King. King makes the case for commin core and was looking for feedback on how it could be improved.

Next Meeting Wednesday, January 8^th at 7 pm in the 19^th ward association office.

Minutes submitted by John Laing