Sankofa Montessori
Minutes
Academic Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday August 13, 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), S. Harvey (remote)
Committee Members Absent
None
Guests Present
Parents (Sankofa)- 3 Total (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 at next meeting
• Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or
identified special needs
• Any updates on staffing for Special Needs and progress of Special Ed
classroom
• Any updates on classroom integration of special needs and updates on external
supports for special needs (ie Speech, ABA, OT/PT)
• Any updates on psycho-educational testing for students
F.
Gifted Student Services
C. Discussion of Gifted Services- Discuss at next meeting
Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or
identified for gifted services
Discuss plans for data tracking/allocating #/% of students for appropriate funding
per student for special services or gifted services
G.
SY 25-26 Goals
Any updates or changes to the short term and long term goals for next school
year- Discussed Academic goals for standardized assessments, cultural goals for school, and family goals.
Any outstanding items or updates on grants/funding/external partnerships for next
school year- None
H.
Curriculum for SY25-26
Leadership shared the curriculum programs in detail for the SY25-26 utilizing structure and Montessori principles including Lexia, Open Up Resources, IXL, and Wonders. Additionally, TouchMath and Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) for the SCC.
II. Public Comments/Questions
A.
Public Comment will be for 2 minutes allotment per person.
Question #1: When will we get the QR code for Lexia home access?
Response: Should be in Monday folder for the coming week, both IXL and Lexia.
Question #2: Combination of classes for lower elementary and Parents Grant not updated yet. Response: Sync with Infinite Campus and hopefully corrected by Friday.
Question #3: As a second year parent, my son loves to use Lexia. I like getting the folders during 1st grade, very informative. If kids understand feeling safe? The school could maybe include an Emotional/Safety section in the next notice or meeting, you could add the section for the parents.
Response: Thank you for the feedback.
Leadership Team’s Corner (PPT presentation shared, see notes below)
1. Enrollment status- current status & School Attendance
Student enrollment- K 48, 1st & 2nd combined 55, 3rd & 4th combined 26. Carribean class 7. Withdrawals- 2. Goal of enrollment of 160 due Sept. 26
Student Attendance - Pending and discuss in next meeting.
Staff Absences (; 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 (10 Flight Captains, 3 Co-Captains, 4
Staff Support, 4 Flight Control, 1 Part-time CNA and 1 Part-time Custodian,4 Contractors). Contractors include SLP, School Psych, Gift Contract, OT). Hired an additional Co-Captain starting today and hiring pending for ESOL Contractor.
3. Updates on school suspensions/expulsions by grade- Pending and discuss in next meeting.
4. Standardized Testing and Screening Data Updates- Any outstanding outcome
data per grade from fall assessments if applicable. Discussed Math and Reading assessment and plans to improve "Developing" students to "Proficient" students (noted a few pts difference and no difference amongst IEP students)
5. Discuss School-Parent (PTO)-any updates for upcoming SY25-26- None
6. Organizational Chart and Miscellaneous- Shared about Orientation of families, Professional development in July, upcoming community events including Donuts with Dads/Father Figures and Snacks with Sarah.
7. Curriculum Review- Discussed the continued plan usage of Lexia and Open Up Resources; will add IXL and Wonders curriculum to further enrich classroom goals. In addition, adding TouchMath and Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) for SCC.