Sankofa Montessori

Minutes

Academic Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday May 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Location

Meeting ID: 601 495 1069

Through a culturally responsive, child and family-centered Montessori education, Sankofa Montessori ensures that all of our students develop the knowledge, skill, and agency to have a life of purpose.

Committee Members Present

A. Allen-Thames (remote), E. Moore (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

Guests Present

Parent (remote)

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

A. Allen-Thames called a meeting of the Academic Excellence Committee of Sankofa Montessori to order on Wednesday May 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

E. Moore made a motion to approve the minutes from April Academic Committee Meeting on 04-10-24.
A. Allen-Thames seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Leadership Team Updates

Leadership Team’s Corner (PPT presentation shared, see notes below)


1. Enrollment status- current status & School Attendance

Student enrollment- K 46, 1st 36, 2nd 22, 3rd 11.  Withdrawals in March- 3 in 2nd grade, 1 in 3rd grade. 

Currently,  for SY 25-26, there are 124 applications, 99 applications submitted, 92 re-enrollment packets completed.  SY 25-26- K 73, 1st 12, 2nd 6, 3rd 5, 4th 3. 

Whole School Average Daily Attendance of 90.6%, 1% decrease from last month

Staff Absences (overall decreased from prior month; Flight Captains-7, Co-Captains-4,             Staff support-1, Flight Control-1.


2. Personnel Updates- Updates on staffing and updates regarding professional
development of staff.  23 Flight Crew Members (9 Flight Captains, 3 Co-Captains, 4 Staff Support, 4 Flight Control, 4 Contractors). Contractors include recruitment, SPED Para, gifted, and ESOL.   For SY 25-26, hired 4th grade teacher, specials teacher, kindergarten teacher, and 1&2 teacher.  Hiring ESOL contractor, EIP teacher, and K teacher (on pause).
 

3. Updates on school suspensions/expulsions by grade- Out of school suspensions with increases from previous month in K-2nd grades; K 8, 1st 4, 2nd 3, 3rd- 0.  Most common reason of physical assault or combination
 

4. Standardized Testing and Screening Data Updates- Any outstanding outcome data
per grade from fall assessments if applicable. Updates/Preliminary Results of Spring
NWEA MAP (Math vs. Reading) and GA Milestones for 3rd Grade.  Awaiting results of GA milestones. Discussed Math MAP data in 3rd graders and gaps in achievement scores.  
 

5. Discuss School-Parent (PTO)-any updates for upcoming SY25-26- None
 

6. Organizational Chart and Miscellaneous-  Shared about the Takeoff celebration on 4/30, scholar attendance awards for 40 students, Lower El trip on 4/23 to Braves game, and GA milestones pancake breakfast for 3rd grade students.  Upcoming bridging ceremony for students on 5/21. 
 

7. Curriculum Review- pending for next Academic meeting.

E.

Special Education

B. Discussion of Special Education


• Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or
identified special needs- Total of 28 students.  K-9, 1st-6, 2nd-5, 3rd-8;  Six students with 504 plans (K-1, 1st-3, 2nd-0, 3rd-2).  

ESOL- Four students- one in each grade.


• Any updates on staffing for Special Needs and progress of Special Ed
classroom-None


• Any updates on classroom integration of special needs and updates on external
supports for special needs (ie Speech, ABA, OT/PT)- Speech for 25 students.  OT for 16 students


• Any updates on psycho-educational testing for students- plans/progress- N/A

F.

Gifted Student Services

C. Discussion of Gifted Services
 

Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or identified
for gifted services- Total of 7 students

 

Discuss plans for data tracking/allocating #/% of students for appropriate funding per
student for special services or gifted services-N/A

G.

SY 25-26 Goals

SY 25-26 Goals Discuss 

Any updates or changes to the short term and long term goals for next school year- Discuss next meeting


Any outstanding items or updates on grants/funding/external partnerships for next
school year- None

H.

Curriculum for SY25-26

Curriculum for SY25-26 Discuss 


• Discuss curriculums vetted by staff to implement across multiple subject areas
for SY25-26 (Leadership Team to lead)-  No updates at this time, follow up at next meeting

II. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 2:59 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Allen-Thames