| School Report - April 2006 |
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Schools/Parks Report April 2006 By Elizabeth Hays My last report was in October, 2005, so I will briefly try to feature some of the highlights of Educational Advisory Board only since then since time prevents me from incorporating Parks and Rec Advisory Board summary in time for April report. I will focus on update on Parks and Rec for May report. Before I do that I want to update you on the Sunland Park Elementary School project and the King Tut trip. See my March report for background preliminary planning for the trip. The trip on April 5th was a tremendous success and the kids had a great time. Council donations helped to pay for the bus driver and for funding for the FCAT and Reward incentive program at the School. Commissioner Moore, using extra campaign money, is sponsoring a Wannadoo City trip for the kids at Sunland. Next week I will be taking to the Sunland additional donations to the incentive program at Sunland that total right now $115 in response to my request for Council members donations. Thanks are to Genia Ellis and Jan Idelman from Council, Lu Deaner from EAB and Commissioner Teele for their contributions. Educational Advisory Board At the October meeting, Charles Webster was welcomed as the new liaison from the Broward County Public Schools. Terri Murru from Council was also in attendance. For this school year, the EAB had selected two or three in need schools serving kids from the City of Fort Lauderdale to work with to provide help to the schools. CoChair Dassler had met with principal of Arthur Ashe Middle School. The new principal has brought student behavior back into control and improved teacher safety. Business partners had been recruited. Arthur Ashe suffers from a significant disadvantage due to its boundaries, having absorbed all of the neighborhoods that other schools did not want. The school district had promised a new middle school to the black community and built Arthur Ashe less than a mile away from William Dandy. The school no longer is overcrowded because its “double F” status has enabled kids in the voucher program to go elsewhere. Number one on her list was to make Arthur Ashe a Health and Wellness magnet school. All other middle schools in city have magnets. She indicated she needed mentors. CoChair Brown remarked on her meeting with Ms. Batie, the principal of Sunland and received a wish list from her that included King Tut trip and other incentives for good behavior and good academic achievement. Lauderdale Manors elementary principal was not met with because Jeb Bush had asked Mayor Naugle to get involved with Lauderdale Manors as part of an achievement program. EAB chairs were to meet with City Manager to find out the City plan for helping Lauderdale Manors. It was also approved by EAB to report to the Commissioners, perhaps as a conference report. Other issues discussed was the potential hazard of the dry cleaning establishment right next to the front door of Sunland and the lack of School Resource Officers for the elementary schools. The November meeting discussion continued as to how to help Sunland School. CoChair Dassler confirmed that Mayor had been asked by Governor to become “Chair” of a community support group for Lauderdale Manors Elementary. Work is continuing on magnet school for Arthur Ashe. December was targeted for a report to Commission. The December meeting was held at Sunland School and, during the meeting, EAB members who were interested in volunteering or mentoring at the Public Schools were fingerprinted. Ms. Wanda Robinson, BCPS Mentor Coordinator, explained the mentoring program to the Board. Dr. Smiley was working of Arthur Ashe Magnet issue and would report back to EAB in January. As far as Lauderdale Manors was concerned the principal had sent a letter to the City Manager with specific requests which the City was fulfilling. The principal had also asked that any mentoring program be postponed until after the FCATs. The current liaison for the mentoring program was not known since Jeff Moderelli has been promoted. Larkdale Elementary was also identified as a target school for the City mentoring program and City employees would be recruited immediately after the new year. Also, BCPS Deputy Superintendent, had agreed to request an environmental impact update. At January meeting, major focus was on discussion with Dr. Earlean Smiley, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction/Student Support, of a magnet program at Arthur Ashe. She explained the process. The EAB explained the need based on a number of facts including that Arthur Ashe is only middle school in Fort Lauderdale that does NOT have a magnet program. The principal of Arthur Ashe, Luwando Hines, feels the school could build and support a Magnet Program. The concerns of EAB will be shared with Dr. Till and then report back to EAB at the February EAB meeting. Deedara Hicks, principal of Lauderdale Manors spoke on her experiences at Lauderdale Manors this academic year. She spoke of City Manager’s as well as Chris Pollock’s visit to the school. She talked about incentives for improvement. Others, as Ruden McClusky law firm had made several donations to the school, including sports tickets and 150 computers. Efforts continue with Stranahan High and Fort Lauderdale High. At February meeting, Dr. Smiley was not present to report as previously promised. A feasibility study for magnet program at Arthur Ashe. Meeting change due to request to meet where could be recorded by City system was discussed due to problem with fourth Monday. Board then decided to meet for March on third Monday in Commission Chambers since Commission Conference room was not available. Sunland principal Batie expressed concern about lack of police presence at school due to the loss of SROs. She requested that perhaps an officer could at least “pop by” the school from time to time. This was to be brought to City Manager for response. Larkdale plans were abandoned since the percentage of Fort Lauderdale students at Larkdale was too low. Work continues on Stranahan and Fort Lauderdale High (removal of pool to west side of NE 4th Avenue). Meeting in Commission chambers was determined not to be feasible since there is limited room on dais and not all present could be in front of a microphone. Next meeting of EAB is scheduled for Thursday, April 20th on 8th floor of City Hall |
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