Sankofa Montessori

Minutes

Academic Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday November 19, 2025 at 1:00 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), M. Davis (remote), S. Harvey (remote)

Committee Members Absent

None

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 Nov 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

E. Moore made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Committee Meeting on 10-08-25.
M. Davis seconded the motion.

Motion was approved contingent upon amendment of Attendance members role.  

The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Leadership Team Updates

1. Enrollment status- Current enrollment status and efforts for enrollment fundraising & School Attendance.  Total enrollment 127- K 40, 1st 31, 2nd 23, 3rd 18, 4th 15.  Withdrawals to date 17 (K9, 1st 3, 2nd 3, 3rd 1, 4th 1), various reasons.  

School Attendance K 90.96%, 1st 90.31 (dec 4-5%); 2nd 94.83, 3rd 91.18 (dec 1%), 4th 85.69 (dec 3%).

 

2. Personnel Updates- Updates on staffing and updates regarding professional development of staff.  6 Flight Captains/ 3 Co-Captains/1 PT CNA/1 PT Custodian/2 Support Staff/ 4 Flight Control. Contractors (4)-Gifted, ESOL, OT, SLP.  Hired new Reading teacher whom started this week.  Hiring for Montessori Academic Coach Consultant (Contractor)- 3 candidates in pool. 

Staff Attendance- Inc in staff absences in month of October (mostly among lead teachers 17 from 12 prev month, correlating to illnesses/student exposures. Board briefly discussed health mitigation strategies. 

 

 

3. Updates on school suspensions/expulsions by grade.  Total of 10 out of school suspensions for the month of October- K (3), 1st (4), 2nd (3), all related to physical aggression.  School noticing pattern of suspensions post breaks/prolonged periods out of school (i.e. post Fall break). 

 

4. Standardized Testing and Screening Data Updates- Any outstanding outcome data per grade from fall assessments if applicable. Updates/Preliminary Results if applicable (I.e. IXL and Lexia data; data on low performing 2nd-4th graders.  ANET testing currently taking place for 3rd and 4th graders.  Pending DIBELS, Lexia, IXL assessments in December.  Awaiting MAP (Winter) and ANET data along with December assessments for January Academic Task Force Meeting. 

 

5. Discuss School-Parent (PTO)-any updates for upcoming SY25-26 - Spelling Bee hosted today afterschool by PTO.

 

6. Commission Meeting Site Visit and any SCSC Follow Ups- No new updates

 

7. Curriculum Status- updates on progress for implementing new curriculums (Wonder)-N/A

 

8. Assessment Calendar- N/A

 

9. Professional Development Calendar- N/A

E.

Special Education

Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or identified special needs- SPED 20, ESOL 5,  MTSS 29.  Currently estimated school population stands at ~ 40% compared to state rate of 10%. Tier 3 support 14.  Tier 2 support 15. 

 

• Any updates on staffing for Special Needs and progress of Special Ed classroom - N/A

• Any updates on classroom integration of special needs and updates on external supports for special needs (ie Speech, ABA, OT/PT) -N/A

• Any updates on psycho-educational testing for students- plans/progress- 4 to 6 referrals 

F.

Gifted Student Services

Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or identified for gifted services - Total 9 (7%)

 

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

Any updates or changes to the short term and long term goals for next school year- Discussed School Climate Data (7 Mindsets SELweb Climate Survey), not yet at goal, but improving.  Areas of strength in safety, instructional support, encouragement. Areas of growth (future school focus) in teacher care, peer belonging, and fairness & rules.  

 

Any outstanding items or updates on grants/funding/external partnerships for next school year-N/A

II. Public Comments/Questions

A.

Public Comment

Speakers please limit questions/comments to 2 minute.

 

No public comment at this time. 

III. 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 1:51 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Allen-Thames