Minutes of the December 9^th, 2015 meeting of

The 19^th Ward Community Association Schools Committee

Attendees: John Boutet, John Laing, Dan Ross, Sarah Yaworski

Approval of November minutes

Accepted

School 16 status

Meeting with principal expected in January.

School 44 status

A three year old preK class will be starting in January which is encouraging.

Spelling Bee

April 9^th has been selected as the date for the 7^th Annual Spelling Bee. A proposed budget for the Spelling Bee has been sent to the executive committee but there has not been a response. We agreed to provide pencils and ribbons for participants at the school level, pencils and books for students attending the library practice sessions, t-shirts for finalists, alternates and staff from each school and some recognition for schools for their participation. John L was to communicate this to the school co-ordinators and

ask for their feedback on recognition ideas.

Impressions of interim superintendent

Dan Lowenguard had a Q&A and also participated in a coffee and conversation. He is an educator (middle school teacher and principal ) as well as an experienced superintendent of a similar district (Syracuse). He favors neighborhood schools, including middle schools, and sees K-8 as a better place for middle school students than a 7-12 model. He envisions a number of K-6 neighborhood schools feeding a K-8 facility. He has a list of 30 items that he wants to work on for the next 7 months.

Book Distribution

John B’s van has been refilled several times and there are now about 40 boxes available. Planned distributions are SWEM Christmas baskets, books with BackPack food, and the spelling bee practice sessions.

Next Meeting

Wednesday, January 13^th at 7 pm in the 19^th ward association office.