Education Advisory Committee

Approved: October 20, 2014 M&C Nagro Gardiner Higgins Approved Minutes Education Advisory Committee May 19, 2014 City Hall Attendees Members Present Absent Cory Sanders, Dist 2 __X___ ______ Charlene Mahoney, Dist 2 __X___ ______ Brian Bertges, Dist 1 ______ __X___ Melissa Day, Dist 3 __X___ ______ Carolyn Bernache, Dist 4 __X___ ______ Doris Ellis, Dist 4 __X___ ______ Tricia Homer, Dist 1 __X___ ______ Peggy Wilson, UMD __X___ ______ Also Present: Peggy Higgins, City Liaison; Faheem Mahmooth, Recording Secretary Call to order Dr. Bernache called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM. Agenda Items Introduction of New Member and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes As requested by Dr. Bernache, Ms. Tricia Homer, the newest member of the EAC, introduced herself to the rest of the committee. She said that this is her second year living in the city. Her first job out of college was as a teacher of a combined class of third, fourth and fifth grade students at a small church school. She currently works at the University’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. She also speaks at career days and teaches acting at a children’s talent agency during the weekends. After adjusting a few grammatical errors, Dr. Bernache motioned to approve the April minutes. Ms. Mahoney seconded the minutes; minutes were unanimously approved. Old Business UMD Summer Camp Scholarships Ms. Higgins revisited the criteria for selection of the scholarship recipients. According to the current selection criteria, first-time applicants were given the first preference in the scholarship funding, while those who had received the scholarship last year were preferred next. Finally, those who were awarded the scholarship the previous year but didn’t attend the camp were given the least preference. There were 58 students who were provided summer camp scholarship this year, of which 25 are scheduled to attend academic camp, 16 signed up for Terp Quest, which is a combined recreation and academic camp, while 17 signed up for a recreation or athletic camps. Dr. Bernache also mentioned to the committee that in order to fund more students the committee decided to fund the less expensive of the applicant’s two camp choices. Dr. Bernache suggested considering making this procedure part of the official selection process. After discussion, the committee decided to give priority for applicants who selected academic camps during next year’s selection process. The committee will also consider siblings as a family unit. Therefore, all siblings from a single family will be considered under the category of the sibling that received the most summer camp scholarships. The committee decided these discussion items would be guidelines to be considered again during next year’s selection process. New Business Determining the Chair of the Committee The committee Selected Dr. Bernache to chair the EAC again for the next school year. 2014/15 Calendar Dr. Bernache reminded the committee that they usually do not meet in the months of June and July. Not having enough items to discuss in August, the committee decided to meet next in September. The committee then formulated the following calendar for the upcoming school year September 15, 2014 – The EAC will use this meeting to sign appreciation cards and certificates for local principals. The committee hopes to hand-deliver the certificate and appreciation cards. October 20, 2014 – The EAC will use this meeting to plan for the Fulbright Reception, which will be headed by Ms. Wilson. The EAC will also review the grants during that meeting. November 17, 2014 – The EAC will host the Fulbright reception on this day. There will be no scheduled EAC meeting this month. December 15, 2014 – The EAC will use this meeting to plan for the Preschool Fair. January 12, 2015 – The EAC will also use this meeting to pan for the Preschool Fair that is currently planned for January 31, 2015, with a snow date of February 7, 2015. Ms. Day will be the point person for this event. February 9, 2015 – The EAC will use this meeting to discuss the UMD Summer Camp Scholarships. March 23, 2015 – The EAC plans to meet on this date. The EAC may continue to discuss the UMD summer Camps Scholarships. April 20, 2015 – The EAC plans to meet on this date. May 18, 2015 – The EAC plans to meet on this date. This will be the final meeting for the 2014/15 school year for the EAC. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:00 PM. Minutes prepared by Faheem A. Mahmooth