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
C.
Approve Minutes
D.
Leadership Team Updates
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
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.