Here are the meeting notes as a .doc file:  SWCC Education Minutes 2017-03-29.doc

The Education Committee of the SW Common Council

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

6:30 to 8:00 pm at

Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Boulevard

Attendance:

John Boutet             SWCC Education Committee Chair, 328-4271, jboutet@frontiernet.net

Eleanor Coleman    OACES & ProsperRochester, Inc. 224-5119, eleanor.coleman@gmail.com

Robin Dettman        Ed & Bus Org Dev/Baobab/JOSANA, 615-5311, rjdedu@aol.com

Liz Hallmark            RCSD School Board, 414-7285, 262-8525, elizabeth.hallmark@rcsdk12.org

John Laing            19th Ward Schools Committee Chair, Volunteer @ Schools #16, #19 & #29

Jennifer Lenio          Rochester Public Libraries (South District), 428-8272, jlenio@libraryweb.org

Lee Loomis             Retired Engineer & Volunteer @ School #10, leeloomis46@gmail.com

Dean Schove          19th Ward Resident, 748-1760, dschove@rocheser.rr.com

Jeff Sciortino           Wilson Magnet PTSO Pres, 461-1156, jjsciortino@frontiernet.net

Erick Stephens       Common Ground, 729-5970, 224-3112, erick.stephens@commongroundhealth.org

Fana Tareke          Empire State College Student

Beverly Usher       Grandparent, School #44, 730-7833 & 851-6866

Introductions

Library news

Arnett

• Arnett Music Series - 4/22, noon, Salaff String Quartet

• African Drums Pgm, 4/17, 3 pm, kids 12 and under (storytelling, dance & singing)

• Mon & Wed, 3-6 homework help with teachers for ages 6-12

• Adults:

Phillis Wheatley

• Easter Egg Hunt, 4/10 5-6.

• Children’s film fest 4/20 3:30

• Gardening for kids, Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30

• Teens - Tuesdays, 4-5, resume writing

• TASC Prep, Wed & Thurs, 3-5

• Resume Roundtable Wed 6-7 adults

• Tenants Rights, Wed 4/26, 5:30-7pm

School 10 - Update

Lee Loomis has a tutoring team at School #10 (young professionals from an engineering consulting firm). Principal Clyburne has been told that once School #16 is finished, #10 is next in line.

Question as to which school would be “swing space” when School #10 begins renovations (possibly #44).

School 16 - Update

• Latest school floor plans were updated with designations of air conditioned room and emailed to Building Advisory Committee with Feb. BAC meeting notes.

• Rooms in “red” indicate air conditioning (Few rooms initially have AC). Ventilation in all classrooms will allow for future AC upgrade, when funding is available.

• The Gym and Cafeteria can be separated from the rest of the schools with locked doors to permit its use after hours as a Community Center. We do not yet have a commitment for staffing the community center after hours. Agreed that it is good that the current construction layout includes the ability to house a community center. Community Center would benefit all the area children and families, not just School #16 students and families

• The current design could not accommodate rooms for PTSA, Music Ensemble, Agency Partnership.

First floor plan above and Second floor plan on the right show air-conditioned rooms labeled in red. There are no air-conditioned rooms on the third floor.

School #29

Rotary Club has been working with school to plant a community garden. 19th Ward helped put in a Little Free Library and raised bed gardens last year. Principal: Joe Baldino.

School 44 - Update

Need more tutors, especially for Special Education. Beverly being asked to be the Parent Coordinator; lack of transportation is a drawback for her. Principal is Donna Anderson. School #44 has been on list to be closed for past 4 years and intended for use as swing space for School 10 renovation. The need for classroom space in the district is being reevaluated and these plans may change. School 44 had a 2-step jump in performance last year which took them off receivership list.

Question: Are they implementing the mandatory 20-minute daily recess component? Answer: Yes, School #44 has recognized the value of physical activity and it’s relationship to academic success. RCSD’s Carlos Coto has brought in a national trainer to teach teachers how to implement recess.

FLHSA is now Common Ground Health (CGH). Erick will explore CGH help with identifying a community center lead agency. Erick noted that School #2 and #19 are slated for Walking School Bus program but required parents/neighbors not yet available; also recommended for School #16.

Managed Choice Policy Task Force

Explored recommendations for neighborhood schools; Liz reported that Task Force recommendations were presented to the new Superintendent. Many responsibilities on Superintendent’s plate that need to be addressed ahead of implementing for School #16 and others. School #16 definitely on the radar.

Walk-in Items

• Kitchen Table Conversations (Superintendent & her staff); tomorrow morning 8am, Rm 3A; next one 4/22 (question as to whether it will actually be held due to Easter break).

• Spelling Bee - Sat 4/9, 1 pm, Hoyt Hall (main quad), UR; $500 scholarship award for when winner goes to college

• School #16 Project Fair; tomorrow night, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

• RocSOUP Prep Workshop, 4/29, 4-7pm @ Phillis Wheatley; special workshop Saturday, 4/1, 12-2, for potential presenters to get tips on how to present their projects in 3 minutes.

• Black Lives Matter Talent Show, tomorrow, 5-7, 501 Genesee

• Wilson brought the Regional Robotics Trophy back to the Westside (over 50 competitors)

• Robin Dettman now on GV Regional PTA Board (5 counties) with 3 other RCSD parents.

• Community School Training being explored with RAMPI by Ralph Spezio, Robin Dettman, Tucker & Glen Gardner

• RACF/ACT Annual Report Card Meeting, Fri, 4/7, 8am, Rochester Museum & Sci Center, Eisenhart Auditorium; update on demographics and statistics related to local poverty issues.

• Data, Dialogue & Donuts - Sat, 10-12, 131 W. Broad; data regarding RCSD (attendance, behavior, etc.)

• Need: Best Practices for parents regarding Title I. Informing parents how Title I funds are spent and how to best use it.

• RTA Annual Speaker/Expert - Author of Afrocentricity and 2 other very knowledgeable authorities; online registration; presentation of all the things that are being learned about issues students have that are not being addressed. Experts will share what is actually going on in classrooms, not just research.

• IB Art Show - week from Thursday, 5-6:30; students who have art as their IB focus will present their projects.

• All Pro Dads - national organization that brings dads together and provides skills, especially for “broken” men who need support of others. Currently active at Schools 2, 10, 19, 43 & 46. Dads and children come together in the morning; dads start by introducing their children and why they are proud of them. RCSD’s Ken Davis has organized “Father’s Roc,” another group for fathers.

SWCC Education Committee Chair, John Boutet, 328-4271, jboutet@frontiernet.net

19thWCA Schools Committee Chair, John Laing, 235-5236, jlang1@rochester.rr.com

Scribe Services: Eleanor Coleman, ProsperRochester, Inc.