HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 060999• CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD
JUNE 9, 1999
The June 9, 1999, Regular meeting of the City of Palm Beach Gardens Education
Advisory Board was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the
Municipal Complex located at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens,
Florida.
The roll was called and the following members were found to be in attendance: Chair
Wayne Anderson, Anne Berg, John Gardner, Ilene Gerber, Judith Hanrahan, Murtaza
Kakli, Nancy Krause- Laurie, George Mastics, Leslie Millar, James Panoch, Jan Porter,
and Ron Sadaka. City Council Liaison Eric Jablin was also present.
Ron Sadaka made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 12, 1999 meeting with
changes on page 2 in the paragraph regarding comments made by Faith Myers to
change the wording situation at Timber Trace to situation at Duncan; and omit the
phrase by writing to the school board and changing the practice of sending disruptive
• students to alternative schools. Motion was seconded by George Mastics and carried
by unanimous vote.
Vice Chair Leslie Millar, Chair of the Partnership Committee, introduced Jeffrey
Lieberman, Manager of Jacobsen's Department Store, who explained his interest in
having Palm Beach Gardens high school students and teachers work part time in the
store. Vice Chair Millar explained this would be a part of the global magnet program.
Ron Sadaka introduced guest speaker Linda Gelinas from Little Acorns, which
provided children and family developmental programs on parenting skills, relationship
skills, communication skills, and explained that this very successful program had been
in existence in Miami for sixteen years. Ms. Gelinas explained that the 10 -week
program focused on grades 3, 4, and 5, included the parents, was designed to help
families grow stronger and build trust, and was presented as a fun club. A homework
skills club was offered at the school so that children would have a place to stay while
parents attended the Little Acorns program. A Mighty Oaks Club was offered in which
community services were performed, and a Little Acorns teacher was located in each
school. Ms. Gelinas described the contents of the informational packet provided,
• described the kite festival which was the annual fundraiser for the program, described
ways children were selected for the program, and related incidents which had occurred.
• Education Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
June 9, 1999
Page 2
The Board discussed with Ms. Gelinas the cost of the program and how to go about
establishing this program in Palm Beach Gardens. City Council Liaison Jablin and
Vice Chair Millar volunteered to present this idea to Wackenhut and other corporations
to see if they would be interested in sponsoring a pilot program. Chair Anderson and
Anne Berg volunteered to talk to Allamanda and Palm Beach Gardens Elementary to
see if they would be interested in a pilot program. Ms. Gelinas agreed to provide
additional information packets.
Public Liaison Committee Report
There was no Public Liaison since Jordan Evert had graduated. Nancy Kraus was
appointed as Public Liaison; Ron Sadaka volunteered to be Historian, and Leslie Millar
volunteered to recruit students for the coming year.
0 Boundary Committee Report
Chair of the Boundary Committee Ron Sedaka reported the Boundary Committee had
discussed Little Acorns, boundaries, and school safety.
Curriculum Committee Report
Curriculum Committee Chair Wayne Anderson reported he had sent letters of
congratulations to the Principals of Palm Beach Gardens and Timber Trace because
their test scores had improved this year. Chair Anderson reported that a representative
of the Board had been requested to meet with Mr. Smith at Area Five office with
Duncan parents, and he had attended that 2 -hour meeting, the outcome of which was
that the Principal at Duncan had resigned. Chair Anderson also reported the Principal
of Allamanda was moving to Pine Grove Elementary.
Business School Partnership
Vice Chair Leslie Millar reported that over the summer she would prepare packets for
• all of the Principals with information regarding the partnerships established with R. J.
Gators, the American Legion, and Jacobsen's.
• Education Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
June 9, 1999
Page 3
Membership Committee
Chair Anderson reported there were no vacancies at this time. Since Mr. Lieberman
had expressed interest in joining the Board, an application would be sent so that he
could be available when a vacancy arose.
SAC Committee Reports
Chair Anderson reported the school improvement plan for Allamanda had been
completed and that it was not yet known who the new the Principal would be.
Anne Berg, representative for Palm Beach Gardens Elementary SAC, reported they had
discussed the school improvement plan and professional and developmental strategies.
• A request had been made for more volunteers and business or professional people to
spend one day in school to describe their professions to the students. It was decided
to invite the City's Public Information Officer, Beth Ingold, who was in charge of
recruiting volunteers, to attend a future Board meeting
Ron Sedaka, representative for Timber Trace Elementary SAC, reported the school
improvement plan had been finalized, the budget had been reviewed, and second grade
teacher Lynn Baldwin had been nominated for the "I Make A Difference Award ".
Murt Kakli, representative for Howell Watkins Middle School, reported he had missed
the last meeting.
Jan Porter, representative for Middle School of the Arts SAC, reported no meeting had
been held; however, she had attended the School Board meeting where the new Riviera
Beach school had been discussed. Ms. Porter expressed concern over an attendance
program that had been established.
Leslie Millar reported the Palm Beach Gardens High School SAC had approved the
• school improvement plan.
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June 9, 1999
Page 4
Ilene Gerber reported the Dwyer High School SAC had improved their 10th grade
Florida test scores, and had approved the school improvement plan.
Jim Panoch, representative from Suncoast High School SAC, reported discussion on
graduation, sports activities, and the school improvement plan.
Nancy Krause -Laurie reported unless North Tech SAC changed their meeting time
from mornings at 9:30, she would not be able to attend.
Chair Anderson requested that each SAC representative learn the meeting times for
their SAC for the coming year to share with the Board at the August 11 meeting, so that
if one person could not attend, another might.
• OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to come before the Board.
NEW BUSINESS
Chair Anderson requested that everyone think of ways to improve the Board.
No guest speaker was suggested for the next meeting since the Board wished to discuss
the Little Acorns program.
The next meeting was announced for August 11, 1999, however, subcommittee
meetings would be held regarding Little Acorns before that date.
Member Comments:
Chair Anderson reported Charlotte's husband was quite ill. Chair Anderson thanked
all the members and students for their participation and hard work during the past year,
• and thanked Leslie Millar and Ron Sadaka for bringing food. A thank you note was
to be sent to the students who participated during the past year. City Council Liaison
• Education Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
June 9, 1999
Page 5
Jablin thanked the Board for their participation, and provided handouts of different
types of information. Other Board members extended their thanks for hard work and
a good job. Information on vouchers was distributed.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
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