Sankofa Montessori
Minutes
Academic Committee Meeting
Date and Time
Wednesday March 12, 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)
Committee Members Absent
None
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 student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or
identified special needs- ↓ 3% from prev month; Currently, K-10, 1st-5, 2nd-7, and 3rd-7
Total students currently with 504 plans (K-1, 1st-3, 2nd-1, and 3rd-2)
ESOL- 4 students (2 pending for services)
• Any updates on staffing for Special Needs and progress of Special Ed
classroom- New SPED teacher starting next week
• Any updates on classroom integration of special needs and updates on external
supports for special needs (ie Speech, ABA, OT/PT)- Currently, 26 students receiving Speech services (↑ 5 from prev month) and 15 students receiving OT (↑ 3 from prev month).
• Any updates on psycho-educational testing for students- plans/progress- None
F.
Gifted Student Services
C. Discussion of Gifted Services
Discuss student enrollment #/% of student population with suspected and/or identified
for gifted services- 7 total students
Discuss plans for data tracking/allocating #/% of students for appropriate funding per
student for special services or gifted services- Not applicable
G.
SY 24-25 Goals
SY 24-25 Goals
Any updates or changes to the short term and long term goals for this school year- No updates or changes. Will discuss new curriculums for SY 25-26 at next meeting.
Any outstanding items from last year's committee- updates on grants/funding/external
partnerships- None
A. Leadership Team’s Corner (PPT presentation if applicable)
1. Enrollment status- current status & School Attendance
K- 46, 1st-36, 2nd-25, 3rd-18
Re-enrollment deadline approaching on 3/31, Total applications submitted 83, Total 102 applications
School Attendance by Grade: K 88.5% (↓ 2%), 1st 94.7% (↑ 1%), 93.6% (↓ 1.5%), 90.5% (↓ 3%)
2. Personnel Updates- Updates on staffing and updates regarding professional
development of staff.
23 Flight Crew Members {9 Flight Captains, 5 Co-Captains, 4 Support Staff, 4 Flight Control, and 4 Contractors (1SPED Para, 1 Gifted, 1 ESOL, 1Gifted)}
Hiring for SY 25-26: Hired 4th grade teacher, interviewing Montessori Academic Coach. All staff with invitations to return SY 25-26 are returning. Depending on final student enrollment, may need + 1 K and + 1 1st/2nd grade teachers.
3. Updates on school suspensions/expulsions by grade
1 out of school suspension in Feb, Kindergarten (Reason: Invasion of privacy)
4. Standardized Testing and Screening Data Updates- Any outstanding outcome data
per grade from fall assessments if applicable. Updates and preparation for Spring
NWEA MAP (Math vs. Reading) and GA Milestones for 3rd Grade.
3rd Graders will take the GA Milestone Math on 4/29 and 4/30 and GA Milestone Reading (ELA) 5/6, 5/7, 5/8
5. Discuss School-Parent (PTO)- Supporting recruitment and family/school-wide events.
6. Organizational Chart and Miscellaneous- Shared the successes of February Take off Celebration and Black Wall Street events. Upcoming Field Trips for Piedmont Park and The Battery.
7. Curriculum Review- Sarah sharing slide with links to details on curriculums (Wonders Curriculum and Science Curriculum for upcoming SY25-26); will plan to discuss at greater length in April meeting.