Connecting Us - Sustaining Progress (CUSP)

CUSP Education Committee Meeting Minutes for February 20, 2020 Idaho Falls Public Library Room 2 The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm Those in attendance- Tomm Larson, Marie Giraud, Christine Leusch, Margaret Wimborne, Pat Tucker, Michaelena Hix, Catherine Black, Kylie Dixon, and Sarah Cherry Introductions were made, including meeting our new committee chair, Michaelena Hix. District 91 Kindergarten Program- Kylie Dixon (Principal at Sunnyside Elementary) and Sarah Cherry (Assistant Principal at Sunnyside Elementary) came to present on their new full day kindergarten option for this year, as well as other programs being used within the district. (Please see the attached handout) The problem local schools are facing is that first graders are not arriving prepared and possessing the skills they need. Sunnyside has started a pay-to-participate option for their Kindergarteners. Parents can opt to pay $275/month for full day Kindergarten with a certified teacher. Approximately one third of the students are participating in this program. Temple View and Bush Elementary schools have a new program that enrolls all Kindergarten students in a full day schedule. Half of the day is with a certified teacher, and the other half is with a para professional. This is paid for with Title 1 and K-3 money. The remaining elementary schools in District 91 have an extended day program. Students scoring a 2-3 on the IRI have extended time with a para professional in addition to the half day with the certified teacher. This program varies from school to school and is paid for with Title 1 and K-3 money. Pat Tucker's presentation was postponed and will take place next meeting United Way Education opportunities- Christine Leusch came and explained ways that United Way is involved with education. (Please see the three attached handouts she provided.) They have just started a “SOAR” program for 4th-6th graders who are recommended due to issues with poor attendance or behavior. Attendance in SOAR is voluntary, and is held at Hawthorne Elementary after school 2 days per week. Students are paired with mentors that listen to them and participate in activities. They are seeking grants to expand this program. They are also hoping to pilot another program this summer called Kindergarten Bootcamp to help get Pre-K students more prepared for Kindergarten. Focus Areas and Priorities Discussion- It is important that in our next couple meetings we narrow our focus to create a few recommendations. We can then spend remaining months studying, supporting, and clarifying these recommendations before submitting them to the Mayor. We will try to meet every two weeks to meet this objective and avoid meeting often in the busy months of summer. Meeting adjourned at 8:08 The next meeting will be March 10, 2020 at the Idaho Falls Public Library Rm 2 at 6:30pm A meeting had also been calendared for March 24, 2020 in the same location at 6:30pm