Sankofa Montessori

Minutes

October Academic Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday October 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM

Location

Please go to zoom.com and join meeting. 

ID to join: 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

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 Oct 18, 2023 at 7:02 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

On condition of amending the September minutes to accurately reflect the following: 

Updates to % of MEFS and MMRP scores and % of Special Ed students expected by 2024.

E. Moore made a motion to approve the minutes from September Academic Committee Meeting on 09-13-23.
A. Allen-Thames seconded the motion.

September minutes will be amended

The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Academic Excellence

A.

Dashboard Planning

Shared MAP Assessment for Reading/Langusage Arts: 86/93 students; school wide 48% with K 54%,1st 23%, and 2nd 29%.  For Math 78/93, school wide 42% with K 64%, 1st 29%, 2nd 28%

Noted that MAP scores are a national indicator and best test to capture student’s skills.

B.

Leadership Team’s Corner

FTE total 94- K 48,1st 30, 2nd 16

Consistent attendance 89.57%

Six suspensions-2 K, 4 1st or 2nd; 6 physical assault incidents with one student(staff called police about threat)

 

13 with special student services 

MTSS- 6 in process; 12 identified for academic and 1 behavior  

Academics-cutoff MAP score of <15% in either Reading or Math as identifiable

 

Five new students enrolling this October

Upcoming community event of Fall festival this Saturday

 

Staffing:

 

New school nurse contracted 

 

No posting yet for school counselor; discussed nonprofits to provide counseling

 

Priority hire is Special Ed teacher- starting Monday

 

Board member Errika plans to reach out to Fitzgerald foundation, Marcus foundation, and Zeist foundation 

 

 

C.

Discussion of Special Education

13/98 currently identified

6/98 in process for MTSS

17/98 pending for MTSS

 

Approximately, 37% of student body with special needs 

 

Barrier for IEPs for students is no medical diagnosis secondary to lack of insurance or medical home- board member Andrea suggested tasking school nurse with establishing medical homes by resourcing and assisting with Medicaid applications for students 

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 7:54 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Allen-Thames