Dahime Gordon, 21st CCLC Site Coordinator, presented the 21st Century Community Learning Centers monthly programming and budget report.  The afterschool program now offers a new and exciting program called The Stride program.  This is a fun fitness and running program for boys in grades 3rd - 5th.  The students are trained in physical fitness to help prepare them for an upcoming 5k marathon held in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.  Summer programming is tentatively scheduled for July 5, 2022.

Dr. Lorilyn Coggins presented the Charter School Program Grant current month
and cumulative amounts with the Board of Directors as required to be presented
monthly at each board meeting. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Public School Academies Unit (PSAU) is currently scheduling site visits for subgrantees that have received Charter School Program (CSP) grant funds.  These visits are necessary to verify grant activity and ensure the MDE and subgrantees meet all federal requirements.  The site visit for Escuela Avancemos Academy is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 9:00 am and is expected to last approximately 2 hours.  Board Trustee Mariva Gonzalez will be onsite for the walk-through.
 

March 2022 financial reports were presented by Dr. Lorilyn Coggins highlighting
cash on hand, year-to-date revenues, year-to-date expenditures, and the current fund
balance in a summarized format. The financials are in order. 
 

The Sanga Monthly Management Report was presented by Dr. Steven Ovares (4th-8th Instructional Leader), Stephanie Yassine (Sanga Consulting Executive Director), and Ana Ulloa (Founder/CEO). Intensive efforts to support students currently off-track are ongoing.  SIPPS (Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words) is a research-based foundational skills program proven to help both new and struggling readers in grades K-12, including English Language Learners (ELLs) and students identified with dyslexia.  The plan is to supplement and not supplant, core instruction by having paraprofessionals in classrooms during WIN differentiated instructional blocks to support specific groups of students with a specific area of need.   Madam President Cristina Stamatin inquired if SIPPS will work for our students.  At the end of the school year, data will be presented to the Board of Directors.  Ana Ulloa stressed to the Board of Directors that this program is not to supplant but aide as a supplement to instruction.  By law, the Academy is required to meet the needs of each and every student and provide adequate service.   This year was the first year for the Academy to administer the PSAT assessment. The assessment gives students, and teachers valuable information about the student's academic strengths and weaknesses while there is still plenty of time for them to improve their skills before the actual SAT.  The academy's 8th-grade teacher Tiffany Rhymes has done a remarkable job of making sure all 8th graders were tested within the window and prepared for the assessment. Board Trustee Mariva Gonzalez requested that 8th grader parents be contacted over the summer to go over the student's PSAT results.

MSTEP testing for grades 3rd-8th is on May 2, 2022.  A shift in emphasis, coaching, and observations are in place to ensure that students are ready for the MSTEP.  The Academy proficiency target goal is 30% or higher. Madam President Cristina Stamatin asked if CMU had a target growth proficiency the Academy is required to meet.  Dr. Ovares mentioned the proficiency growth requirement is for the NWEA assessment. 

The Academy has had 1 positive COVID-19 case to report in April.

Educator recruitment and hiring season are in full swing.  Shan'Ta Johnson has really put on her recruitment hat and vetted several talented educators.  The Academy has hired two elementary teachers, 1 middle school teacher, a Resource Room Teacher, and a School Social Worker.

Ana Ulloa was excited to announce the reinitiating of the parent club meetings.  Over 95% of all of the parents that we were part of the literacy club back in 2020 attended the meeting.  This was a great opportunity to listen to the parents" experiences during the quarantine and celebrate their dedication and commitment to their child's learning. For "Teacher Appreciation Week" the parent club has decided to cater a wide variety of food for the staff to show their appreciation for what they do for the students.  This is a true example of parental engagement and relationship building.  

The HVAC unit has been ordered. Renovation updates will be provided to the Board of Directors.

Brennah Grace Donahue, 3rd grade teacher shared that she is looking forward to celebrating June with her students.  This has been a very positive school year.

Jennifer Joubert was unable to join the board meeting due to a schedule conflict. 
 

Escuela Avancemos Academy Board of Directors thanked everyone for all their hard work!  The Board of Directors is very excited for the Academy's first 8th grade graduating class. Congratulations to the founder Ana Ulloa and the founding members on the Academy's growth and how far the Academy has come. Madam President Cristina Stamatin, Madam Vice President Andreea Bordeianu, and Treasurer Linda Chittum will be attended the 2022 National Charter Schools Conference which will take place in Washington, D.C., from June 19-22, 2022. The Annual Calendar of the regularly scheduled June 21, 2022 Board Meeting will need to be rescheduled for quorum requirements to be met. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos! Academy; 2635
Howard St. Detroit, MI 48216.