Charter application has been submitted.  Alan with GaDOE really put us at ease and went over how many people we can have.

APS has maintained the payments as promised and we have received our regular January payment as scheduled.

We have hired a new 5th grade teacher, Ms. Peoples.  Started the first day back for students.  More than 10 years experience.  We are fortunate to have her at this point in the year.
 

Currently have 1 middle school special ed available and anticipating the need to add additional special education staff based on needs.

We are trending up --> MAP data
Ms. Thompson provided an update on data.

Middle School Ceremony - Celebration and awards ceremony for 42 MYP students that were the top 5 in growth for MAP from Fall to Winter.  For many, it was the first time anyone had acknowledged them academically.  Boys outnumbered the girls, which was wonderful.

For the first time, our teaching staff received the Semester 1 Achievement Summary Report - 107 page document.  All pages are hyperlinked and breaks down everything based on teacher.  Breaks down MAP data. Standards not met in Q1 should appear on Q2 report.  Anything 70% or higher during Q1 may not be tested during Q2.

This data will be used to help develop curriculum as we move forward.  Administration is meeting with teachers weekly to review data and teaching plans to ensure continued growth. Teachers have become extremely focused on data to better understand where we are and where we need to go.

SPED and EIP growth rates are higher than they've ever been for projected growth in MAP in Reading and Math.

Board would like to see sample questions so we can become more familiar with the format.  This will come from Dr. Johnston and Dr. Pullen.

Summary of plan to help students reach Milestones Goals distributed to board.  Including: School Wide: Online supports such as goFAR and Study Island; Title I Tutoring; Special Population Support (GATE, SPED, EIP, REP) PYP: Test Preparation Resources such as Mentoring Minds, ABC Publications, Study Island and goFAR; Administrative Classroom Support; Typing Club; Common Grade Level Instructional Practices; Non-Content Specific Segments (intervention and enrichment); MYP: Non-Content Specific Segments; Administrative Classroom Support; Targeted Remediation During Daily Instruction; Test Prep Resources such as Study Island and goFAR.  All are either being implemented during second semester or year-long.

PYP recommendations:
Address missing quarterly data (some students didn't press "submit" after taking the test; some didn't finish the test, etc.)
Create a system for monitoring and measuring achievement data in K-2 social studies and science
Establish and maintain a balanced literacy instructional framework
Enact initiatives that address specific target areas
Continue to progress monitor math domain initiatives for student process and teacher support
Support achievement growth of individual teachers and grade levels through modeling, collaboration and evidence-based feedback.

MYP recommendations:
Address special population missing testing data.
Monitor the packing of learning objectives to ensure that time is given for assessment, review, and reteaching.
Continue to progress monitor math and reading initiatives for student progress and teacher support
Consider obtaining feedback from teachers on carpool data digs
Create opportunities for department members to observe each other in practice
Measure the impact of weekly collaborative data meetings with teachers

6 staff members traveled to Boston for Data Wise.  Developing an action plan using the Data Wise Improvement Process
    Define the problem
    Choose a solution
    Plan to assess progress
        Evidence to check
        SMART Goals
        Completion Data
    Action Plan
        Tasks
        Who
        When

None tonight.

Board opted to keep February board meeting as scheduled.

Board opted to keep February board meeting as scheduled.

Meet on January 25th

Met earlier today.
Fundraising is going well.  Doing a big push around China Night - February 9th at Maynard Jackson High. 
Hosted dinners coming up in February to raise funds.
Continuing small business initiative.
Working to replace signage throughout building to all be in English and Mandarin

Met last week.  Regular monthly draw came in from APS as anticipated.  Loan should be repaid in full by end of January.

December financials slightly delayed due to school closed for snow.

QBE Money notice - should be able to start working on mid-year budget revisions soon.

Finance committee meetings, agendas and minutes to be updated ASAP for this school year.  Update by canceling meetings if meetings didn't occur.

We have two spots to fill on the board for next year.  Beth (term is expiring) and Elisa will not be returning, but will continue with committee work.  Accounting of skills spreadsheet available on Dropbox or Mazie Lynn can email out at request.

We have a few people in the pipeline, but please let Tom and Mazie Lynn know if you have been speaking with any other potential candidates.  Goal is to have a consistent interview panel for this year as we move through the recruitment process.

It is not a majority of the board that needs to be there.  There would like 7 people; our 4 officers and 3 leadership.  We have requested to bring 8-9 people due to the structure of our school.
Jason, Lisa, Anita, Donald, Beth, Thomas, Mazie Lynn, Chip, and one member from our academic excellence committee.

We do not currently have a date for the interview.  Expect a date anytime.  Plan on being presented at the March committee and full board meeting.

Weighted lottery - we asked for a 5:1 weighting in the application to APS.  Because we are doing enrollment now for the next charter term, the question was can we weight our lottery now.  GaDOE stated "yes" we can.  We have placed 5:1 in our charter, but are concerned it will not get us to our 60% FRL goal.  Allen stated we can request an adjustment; Drew Charter is in the same position right now.  Will need to determine if we will also require an adjustment from APS.

Fundraising - similar to what was discussed in development update
Looking to see if their insurance is not needed and if they can be covered under the school's
All board members should sign up for PTA.

February 6th.  Thomas and Darryl are scheduled to attend.