The audit report was presented by Mr. Wilkerson and included the report to the board, the financial statements, and the A-133 compliance report with no findings.   The board reviewed the reports in advance of the meeting and had no questions for Mr. Wilkerson.  The board thanked him for his work.

Dahime Gordon, the 21st CCLC Site Coordinator, presented the 21st Century Community
Learning Centers monthly programming and budget report. The 21st CCLC anticipates offering Robotics two days a week for students who participate in the after-school programming.  Board Secretary Monica Barbour inquired if soccer would be offered in the fall. Soccer is only offered in the Spring through Detroit Pal athletic programs.   Board Treasurer Linda Chittum would like for students to experience attending a soccer game for more exposure to the sport. 

August 2023 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 Ana Ulloa (CEO and founder). Students are enjoying Music and Language Acquisition classes.  The Language Acquisition period allows for differentiation and intervention that is designed for English Language Learners and formerly English Learner students to develop their language proficiency in the target language. Students have received workshops on organizing for learning: time management skills and organization skills are emphasized this month.  All students have received a planner and will learn to use it daily to keep track of their priorities.  Dr. Arza Ali shared with the board of directors the importance of all instructional staff members receiving Professional Development in Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol instruction to build students’ academic language skills.  SIOP planning documents allow for increased deliberate practices to ensure that all students are learning and achieving their student achievement goals. The Instructional Coach and EL Coach are working together to provide increased support to instructional staff members on using evidence-based strategies.  In addition, instructional staff members have received Amplify Science and Success For All Program training sessions.  Friday’s half-day Professional Learning Community and PD are allowing for increased and sustainable time to build professional learning relationships and staff development.  Leader in Me and Restorative Justice training will be provided in October along with an emphasis on SIOP utilization across the curriculum.

NWEA Testing is set to begin the week of September 25th.  New teachers are receiving training in proctoring the assessment. NWEA will be administered to students in grades K-8 in math and reading.  Students who have less than 12 months in the country will be waived from testing in the Reading component of the test.  Students will develop literacy and numeracy skills to improve their proficiency and growth goals using the NWEA and MSTEP indicators of success.

WIDA screeners are currently being administered to all kindergarten students and new students who have identified their Home Language to be another native language other than English.  WIDA screeners help identify ELL students and their placement status for EL services.   IReady assessments/lessons will be used for progress monitoring and digital practice of online assessments so that students have more opportunities to experience digital learning and testing options.  During targeted intervention times, students will practice their learning skills and will receive feedback on learning targets. 

Sanga management is working and collaborating with different special education companies that can provide services at the school.  There is a shortage of special education staff to provide services to charter schools. Child Study Team and Responsive To Intervention training will be provided for all new and returning teachers. It's Dr. Azra Ali's suggestion to restructure the RTI model that is currently being used.   Ms. Ulloa believes that teachers need to earn the right to influence students.

Detroit Children's Fund partnership to continue this year to support the student achievement goals.  DCF will be meeting with Ana Ulloa on partnership initiatives for this current school year. In August DCF felt deflated after speaking to school administrators about the partnership. After some negotiations with Ms. Ulloa, the retention bonuses for staff members that were effective last year will continue. The academy will move onward and forward to keep leading with “heart and mind” this school year.

The leadership is excited to announce "Cafecito" parent meetings once a month.  Parents of Escuela Avancemos Academy are pleased to know that parent engagement events will resume this year as they did not last school year.  Maria Estrada shared how the parent engagement component is important for her and other families.  Escuela Avancemos Academy allows families to feel a sense of belonging and is one of the reasons why her children have been attending the academy for years. 
 

Fatima Gomez would like to see the great communication the academy once had on the return to the school year.  Ms. Gomez travels 30 minutes to the school to ensure that her students receive a good education and feels that Escuela Avancemos Academy provides that experience for her children. Some parents are concerned if translation will be provided during the board meetings.  Ana Ulloa and Beatrice Hill are certified interpreters and will be willing to handle translation during the board meetings moving forward. 

The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools Central Michigan University Field Operations School Lead, Jennifer Joubert thanked the parents for attending the board meeting. Central Michigan University's visit to the academy was great. Both Orlando Castellon and Christopher White enjoyed their visit and speaking with the school management team.  This meeting was one of the best meetings. The Center for Charter Schools 8th grade Fire Up for the Future field trip information communication will be shared with the team within the upcoming weeks. 


 

Board Trustee Mariva Gonzalez is available to attend Cafecito meetings as a representation of the Escuela Avancemos Academy Board of Directors.  It's essential for the parents to see the board outside of board meetings. 

Board Treasurer Linda Chittum expressed thankfulness to the team for another great audit.  A special acknowledgment was expressed to Dr. Coggins for a fantastic job with the audit and the academy's financials.  Speech and Language Pathologist service contacts will be shared with the management team to help fill the open vacancy.

Board President Cristina Stamatin requested for all school marketing materials to be shared with the board for review. Accolades were disbursed to the leadership team and Dr. Coggins for their great work.  A special thanks was expressed to the parents who attended the board meeting. Beatrice Hill was interviewed by Metro Detroit Maganize. The Board of Directors is excited to review the article once it is published. The selected date for the Fall 2023 Board Retreat is slated for November 3rd - 4th.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 6:30 pm at Escuela Avancemos! Academy.