Education Advisory Committee

Approved: 121514 M&C Nagro Gardiner Approved Minutes Education Advisory Committee October 20, 2014 City Hall Attendees Members Present Absent Brian Bertges, Dist 1 __X___ ______ Carolyn Bernache, Dist 4 __X___ ______ Charlene Mahoney, Dist 2 __X___ ______ Cory Sanders, Dist 2 _______ __X___ Doris Ellis, Dist 4 __X___ ______ Maia Sheppard, Dist 2 _______ __X___ Melissa Day, Dist 3 __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 7:35 PM. Agenda Items Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes After correcting a few typographical errors, Mr. Bertges motioned to approve the May meeting minutes as amended. Ms. Homer seconded the motion before the minutes were unanimously approved by the committee. After correcting a few typographical errors, Ms. Homer motioned to approve the September meeting minutes as amended. Mr. Bertges seconded the motion before the minutes were unanimously approved by the committee. EAC Grants Recommendation Greenbelt Middle School: Greenbelt Middle School’s grant application revolved around taking their middle school students on two college visits. They will be purchasing pennants, t-shirts, and six laptops. While the committee requested that Greenbelt Middle School provide more detailed information concerning the pricing for the laptops, pennants, t-shirts and supplies, the committee did authorize recommending funding this grant. Parkdale High School: Parkdale’s grant application requested funding for competing at a robotics tournament. Dr. Bernache moved to approve Parkdale’s grant request. Accordingly, the EAC unanimously recommended to approve Parkdale’s grant request. The committee recognized that the grant would not cover the entire competition expenses and that the school will have to seek other funds for the remaining $1,200. Paint Branch Elementary: Ms. Homer informed the committee that she would have preferred if the grant application specified the types of computers the school intended to buy. Dr. Bernache motioned to approve the grant application. Ms. Homer seconded the motion, before it was unanimously approved by the committee. The committee will send the grant application back to the school to revise and correct typographical errors before presenting it to the City Council. Hollywood Elementary School: After consideration and discussion, Ms. Homer motioned to approve Hollywood’s grant application. Ms. Mahoney seconded the motion before the committee approved it unanimously. Berwyn Heights Elementary School: Ms. Homer liked the idea of taking every grade level in the school to the USDA and the Smithsonian. Mr. Bertges motioned to approve the grant request, while Ms. Homer seconded the motion. The committee unanimously approved to recommend funding the grant application. Cherokee Lane Elementary School: After consideration and discussion, Mr. Bertges motioned to approve the grant application of a series of programs at the school. Ms. Wilson seconded the motion before the committee approved it unanimously. Hyattsville Middle School: After consideration and discussion, Mr. Bertges motioned to approve the grant application for funding a cyber-security program. The motion that was seconded by Dr. Bernache before the committee unanimously approved the motion. Dr. Bernache informed the committee that three schools have yet to submit a grant application (High Point High School, Buck Lodge Middle School and University Park Elementary School) and had request extensions to complete their applications. Mr. Bertges motioned to extend the deadline to December 8, 2014, before it was unanimously approved by the committee. Principal Appreciation Event The Principal Appreciation Event is schedule to be held at the Parish House on November 17, 2014 in lieu of the EAC November meeting. According to Ms. Wilson, so far she has heard back from two principals. The committee decided to present each principal a gift card for Target and a ream of paper.  Ms. Ellis agreed to bring paper goods for about 25 guests. Ms. Mahoney will bring the reams of paper, drinks and ice. Ms. Homer will bring the gift cards for Target. Dr. Bernache, Ms. Day, Ms. Homer will bring an assortment of snacks and finger food. Ms. Day will also take care of the certificates. Ms. Wilson will provide the table centerpiece decorations and snacks. Dr. Bernache will ask her Japanese exchange student if she would play the piano at the event. The committee also decided to invite members of the City Council. Dr. Bernache will send an evite to them. Ms. Homer suggested a few edits for the grant application, in addition to a few grammatical corrections. She suggested adding “operation support,” to page 1 of the application as “programs” might not cover all the grant application request. Concerning the Pre-School Fair, Ms. Day informed the committee that she had put in a request to reserve the Community Center for January 31, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event will be from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Ms. Higgins will consult with her secretary concerning running an ad for the fair in the gazette. Adjournment The next meeting will be in December. The committee adjourned by consensus at 9:23 PM. Minutes prepared by Faheem A. Mahmooth