Sankofa Montessori

Minutes

June Academic Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday June 12, 2024 at 2:00 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 Jun 12, 2024 at 2:34 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

E. Moore made a motion to approve the minutes from May Academic Committee Meeting.
A. Allen-Thames seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

II. Academic Excellence

A.

Leadership Team’s Corner

1.  Enrollment- need 180, currently with confirmed 218.  30 1st; 30 2nd; 90 K.  Currently, there's a campaign via text/phone call and emails to confirm attendance for enrolled students prior to start of school year.   

 

2.  School Expulsions/Suspensions- (reflects May)   1 Out of school (Lower El); 1 Out of school (K); No In school for Lower El; 1 In school (K); 

 

3.  Personnel Updates- 6 lead teachers and 1 left to hire for K.  SPED teacher 1 hired, need 1 more.  Teacher assistants (requirement of Bachelor degree/Teaching experience)- hire 5 full time assistants and partnering with Hands on Atlanta AmeriCorp (40 hrs/week=FT) - 4 out of 5 hired.  

 

4.  Standardized testing-  NWEA Academics (MAP testing) there was an uptick in scores from Winter to Spring, however, did not meet goal of 60% for school in Reading comprehension or Mathematics.  Jumped 10 achievement points overall for school in Spring scores.  

 

5.  Miscellaneous-   Leadership retreat last week  to bridge curriculum between Montessori to GA state standards.  Summer professional development will be to focus on how to integrate GA state standards.   School utilizing Science of reading course.  Sankofa Summer School social event in May.  Sankofa back to school orientation on July 19.  First day of school will be July 29,2024.   

B.

Discussion of Special Education

For special education, the current approximated SPED numbers around 30 confirmed students with individualized education plans (IEPs), so 17% of student body.  

C.

Discussion of Gifted Services

Nothing to add to record. 

D.

SY24-25

First day of school will be July 29, 2024.  At next meeting, will further discuss plans of classroom schedule and curriculum schedule.  

III. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

Will continue current schedule to meet on Wednesdays from 2-3 PM for the 2024-205 school year.  

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 2:58 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Allen-Thames