19th Ward Schools Committee
7:00 p.m., December 7, 2021

Present by Zoom: John Boutet, Douglas and Charlotte Giebel, Lee Loomis, Phyllis Moss, Dan and Jay Ross, Eva Thomas, Jason Wertz, Sarah Yaworsky,

Dr. Phyllis Moss convened the meeting at 7:00 pm and introduced Jason Wertz, the Assistant Principal at School 10.

Volunteering in the Schools:
Phyllis Moss reported that on checking, she learned that all four schools are interested in having volunteers help their students.
Jason Wertz mentioned that Browncroft Community Church is preparing to send a group of volunteers to School 10.
Lee Loomis expressed reluctance to send his volunteers into the schools when so few children have been vaccinated. He is considering beginning tutoring by Zoom.
A solution suggested was to have vaccination clinics AT the schools. Jason Wertz said he would investigate that possibility with the School 10 nurse. (Walgreens comes to check for Covid every week and has vaccinated all Kindergarteners with the standard childhood vaccines—not Covid. This is to prevent the school being fined for noncompliance.)
An idea was mentioned for the 19thWCA to sponsor a workshop on vaccines, answering the questions of those who are reluctant.
In the meantime, Principal Eva Thomas of School 10 is hiring parents to help in her school. Others are also going through the process with Ricky Frazier to be certified to tutor.
There was mention of the U of R sending students to help tutor also.
Phyllis Moss offered to put together a method for volunteer tutoring online and present it next month. Eva suggested including instructional coaches for ELA, math, and science.

School 16 update:
A program entitled “Encompass” is being used in the building, which is helpful. They also have Quad A functioning there.

School District Changes
The district’s plan to close School 29 met with some concern, especially since many of the children who attend there have special needs. Dan Ross offered to speak to the Principal Joe Baldino to learn his opinions about this proposal. If Joe agrees, Dan will write a letter with Sarah’s assistance to the School District on our behalf.
In closing School 29, the District proposes to combine those students with School 19, though without the middle school grades, six through eight.

Spelling Bee
Monroe County has given the 19thWCA $10,000 for the Spelling Bee. This money will be held for distribution by the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Principal Thomas reported that School 10 is eagerly preparing for the Spelling Bee and already has 50 participating students!

School Busing
John Boutet went to the Public Safety Meeting and asked about local busing for
students from the standpoint of equity. LaShaye Harris is going to raise the issue with
our mayor-elect Malik Evans.

The next Schools Committee meeting was set for Tuesday, January 4 at 7:00 pm via
Zoom.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Charlotte Giebel