Lara Zelski led the Brain Smart Start activities.  

There were no public comments.  

Paige Teusink gave the PTCA update.  Membership has increased but participation is down compared to last year due to COVID.  "Cooking with ANCS" events have been very successful.  Gift cards in appreciation of teachers and staff to go out before holidays.  See packet for report details.  

Middle Campus:  Cathey Goodgame reported on the diversity of topics students are working on, including musicals, the languages and religions of Europe, how to build websites, and writing linear equations from word problems.  

Elementary Campus:  Lara Zelski reported on the virtual Talent Show held in lieu of Winterfest, activities the EC is participating in as a "No Place for Hate" school, and the upcoming January MAP assessment.  

NPU-V and NPU-W both unanimously approved the ANCS charter petition.  The school is awaiting receipt of documentation of this approval.  See packet for report details. 

The rationale for reopening despite the consistently high number of new COVID cases in Fulton County is that both international studies and the local experience of schools that have remained open with rigorous health and safety protocols indicate that schools have not been a source of community spread of COVID-19.  

Choice remains a key feature of the school's reopening plan.  As long as rates of community transmission remain high, teachers, staff and students will have the option to remain in a virtual school environment.  

To ensure a safe learning environment upon return to school, new hires will be made to create an ANCS Cohort Hybrid Support Staff,  Duties will include supervising and supporting students in classes where teachers are remote, checking students temperatures upon entry to the building, and monitoring recess. 

School facilities are being prepared for a safe return to school.  Preparations include the addition of outdoor seating at both campuses, the installation of ionizers on school HVAC systems, installation of directional and social distancing signage, and training of Cohort Hybrid Support Staff.  

Students will be divided into two cohorts for hybrid learning.  In person instruction will resume in February.  See packet for further details.   

Jason Rhodes reported that DEAT has been active this semester with two meetings of the DEAT Book Club, which discusses juvenile fiction, and a discussion series of the New York Times podcast 1619, aimed at adults.  These will resume early next year.  

DEAT Co-chairs will meet with the Leadership Team in January to begin discussion of establishing a DEAT budget and the creation of stipended positions in support of outreach to economically disadvantaged families in the Tier 1 attendance zone.  These recommendations were approved by the board at the November board meeting.  

Emily Ormsby reported that paperwork had been filed for forgiveness of the Payroll Protection Plan loan.  Revisions to the school budget are currently being made in light of COVID conditions.  The board will vote on this revised budget in January.  See packet for report details.  

Chuck Meadows reported on new spending required to hire support staff and prepare school facilities for a safe school reopening in February.  See packet for report details.  

Lee Kynes reported that the Governance Committee had worked with the Educational Excellence Committee to clarify the school attendance policy for virtual learning conditions.  This policy is ready for a vote. 

The Executive Director Evaluation survey has been completed and will be distributed to board members and the Leadership Team early next year.  See packet for full report. 

Kristi Malloy provided an overview of the nominations process, and outlined the Task Force's diversity commitments, including a shift in focus from hard to soft skills in the recruitment process.  See packet for full report.  

Sabrina Sexton reported that the fundraising goal for Giving Tuesday was exceeded, and that the annual fundraising goal would be revised downward in light of COVID conditions.  A virtual Spring fundraising event to replace the annual Wonderball event is TBD.  See packet for complete report.  

Hanah Goldberg reported that the Leadership Team will present a draft 2021-2022 school calendar in January and seek feedback from stakeholders.  The Educational Excellence Committee will review the draft calendar and feedback and make a recommendation to the full board for a vote at the March, 2021 meeting.