Sankofa Montessori

Minutes

Academic Committee Meeting

Date and Time

Wednesday December 11, 2024 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

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 Dec 11, 2024 at 2:02 PM.

C.

Approve Minutes

E. Moore made a motion to approve the minutes from Academic Committee Meeting on 11-13-24.
A. Allen-Thames seconded the motion.
The committee VOTED to approve the motion.

D.

Leadership Team Updates

1.  School Wide Goals: 

TNTP Insight Survey (Sankofa scores in national top quartile on Winter and Spring as measured by Index Metric.  Plans to utilize TNTP survey to measure student culture, since students won't take survey.  Families will take the TNTP (Spring only) along with Staff (Winter and Spring).  

Data (all emails given to TNTP and they send out surveys)- Staff has already received Winter this school year. 

2.  Staffing:  24 flight crew members/8 FC/5 Co-C/4 Staff/5 Flight control

Gifted contracted teacher (Thursday) started this week; ESOL will start next semester on Thursdays next semester.  

Social Studies/Science teacher transitioned

Every class now instructing Lexia Core5 Reading, a month ago and good feedback from parents

Hiring part time CNA in process (8-1; M-F) for next semester

3. Staff Attendance- November has seen an overall decrease in absences; significant decrease noted in Co-captains and Staff Support

4.  Out of School Suspensions:  K 1, 1st 0, 2nd 1, 3rd 2.  Reasons- highest of physical assault among peers; goal to decrease physical assault amongst peers. Social/emotional (Harmony curriculum) has decreased with consistency and more instruction

5.  Enrollment- total 138 

Goal of 145 by March

6. School attendance: Nov.1-Nov.31.  Increases in K and 1st, but decreases in 2nd grade.  Whole ADA school in 90%, 1% inc from previous month

7.  TNTP STAFF Data- 99% took survey; national average- 3 areas scored below: Peer culture, instructional planning for student growth, academic opportunity.  2 areas scored at level: Hiring process, professional development.  Other areas scored above level with highest at DEI. Last year, highest level score of 5.4, this year highest of 7.1.  Plans to address TNTP feedback.

8.  Professional development- Plan to include mini 15 minute PD sessions in the next semester. Longer staff PD continues on Wednesday. 

9.  Academic Data- Reading MAP Data growth charts- 3rd grade 80% shows growth; K (Africa) 80% shows growth; K(N. America) shows 75% growth;1st&2nd (Ghana) 90% shows growth; 1st&2nd (Brazil) 58% shows growth-highest IEP class; 1st&2nd (Peru) 80% shows growth; 

Students with low growth secondary to needed services for IEP, ESOL, late attendance missing reading, or self-regulation.  Math MAP data will be given at January Academic meeting.

State regulations- do not check MAP data, only GA milestones

10.  Calendar- Shared at PTO, Snacks w/ Sarah, and newsletter.  Will add Maria Montessori's birthday and Read-a-thon/Book Fair via PTO

 

 

 

 

E.

Special Education

29 students with IEPs, increase of 3 from previous month

Speech- decrease of  2 students

OT- 12 kids

# of students with 504 plan- decrease in 1 (7 total)

 

ESOL support- 4 students via teacher/student support

 

MTSS- 13 students

F.

Gifted Student Services

As stated above, new Gifted teacher contractor has started to work with the 4 identified students. 

G.

SY 24-25 Goals

As stated in previous meetings.  New item added to SY 24-25 goals is the 85% rating for the TNTP Survey as mentioned in Leadership team section.

II. 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 2:50 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
A. Allen-Thames