Education Advisory Committee

Approved: 012819 Minutes Education Advisory Committee (EAC) November 19, 2018 City Hall Attendees Members Present Absent David Toledo, Dist 1 __X __ Dawn Powers, Dist 2 __X __ Melissa Day, Dist 3 __X __ Carolyn Bernache, Dist 4 __X __ Doris Ellis, Dist 4 _X __ Daniel First __X __ Also Present Peggy Higgins, City Liaison Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Call to Order Ms. Bernache called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Approval of the October Meeting Minutes The committee reviewed the meeting minutes from the October 15, 2018 meeting and edits were made to the minutes. Mr. Toledo made a motion to approve the October meeting minutes as amended. Second by Ms. Bernache. All members were in favor; no opposed. Thank you Ms. Bernache thanked Mr. Toledo for chairing the October meeting and thanked the committee members for their help at College Park Day. Review of Committee Goals The committee reviewed the current EAC goals and discussed if each goal should remain the same, if changes are needed, or if the goal should be removed. 1. Informing the community and the City on education issues and opportunities. A committee member commented the committee works better at opportunities instead of issues. The committee discussed having a meeting with PTA leaders and to re-instate the meeting with Principals to help reach goal #1. It was suggested to invite the Principals to dinner before the January City Council meetings where the schools will receive their grant checks. Ms. Powers made a motion that during the January grant check ceremony, invite the Principals to a restaurant to discuss their school’s challenges and achievements to bring awareness to the EAC. Second by Mr. Toledo. All members were in favor; no opposed. The dates of the January grant presentations are January 15th and January 29th. The dinner with the Principals will occur at Ledo’s at 5:45pm. Ms. Powers and Mr. Toledo will attend the dinner on January 15th. Ms. Powers, Ms. Bernache and Ms. Ellis will attend the dinner on January 29th. The committee decided to keep goal #1 as currently written. 1 2. Improving the image of our schools and other educational opportunities in College Park: A committee member feels the committee doesn’t improve the schools image. The committee discussed highlighting school activities in the College Park weekly bulletin. Ms. Powers made a motion to change goal #2 to say “Supporting the awareness of our neighborhood school activities and educational opportunities in College Park.” Second by Ms. Bernache. All members were in favor; no opposed. 3. Promoting parental and community involvement. The committee decided this goal is repetitive and should be removed. Ms. Bernache made a motion to drop goal #3. Second by Ms. Ellis. All members were in favor; no opposed. 4. Facilitating University of Maryland involvement. The committee decided to keep goal #4. 5. Building partnerships with other College Park entities (i.e. College Park City-University Partnership, local school PTAs, etc.) The committee decided to keep goal #5. 6. Implementing the Pilot EAC report. Mr. Toledo made a motion to remove goal #6. Second by Ms. Bernache. All members were in favor; no opposed. Mr. Toledo will send an email to Councilmember Brennan to join the committee at the January meeting to discuss the decisions on the EAC goals. Status of Green School Initiative Ms. Bernache sent a link to each Principal for the Green School applications. Applications for the Green School Awards have to be submitted by December 23, 2018. Awards will be announced on March 4, 2019 and there will be a presentation on March 5, 2019. The committee will need to review the applications at the February 25, 2019 meeting. School grantees of $2,500 to attend January 2019 Council meetings The schools awarded $2,500 grants will be invited to the January 15th and the January 29th City Council meetings to receive their grant check. Feedback from applicants regarding grant process Ms. Higgins provided the committee feedback from 3 schools, Hollywood, Berwyn Heights, and Parkdale, regarding the grant applications. The following items were suggested by the schools: o Add a note in the application that if the program is continuing, state what was done the previous year. o Questions #2 and #4 seem similar and the schools asked can these questions be combined. o Schools would like to receive the grant applications earlier. 2019 meeting schedule There is no December 2018 meeting. The 2019 meeting dates are as follows: January 28 February 25 2 March 18 April 15 May 20 The agenda topics for the January meeting will consist of: ▪ Review discussion with Principals after grant presentations ▪ Councilmember Brennan will return to review committee goals ▪ Break up schools among committee members to revisit PTA connections The agenda topics for the February meeting will consist of: ▪ Green School Awards ▪ College Park Day ▪ Update grant applications Other Business Ms. Powers reached out to Mr. Thomas, the new School Board member, regarding the Prince Georges County language emersion task force. Mr. Thomas read the report and is very supportive on this initiative. Adjournment Mr. Toledo adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m. 3