Co-Principals, Beth Birnkrant and Shakira Smith gave updates on instruction and school culture. They talked about challenges, successes and their hopes for the 2022-2023 school year.

Mr. Amenda reviewed key details with the Board on the following topics: Beat the Odds recognition, talent update, school-based planning committees, student enrollment, renewal application and advocacy. Philadelphia School Partnership identified YSCS as a Beat the Odds school. Their study showed that the school is making academic gains for students in high needs areas and YSCS students learned 39.2% more each grade than peer schools nationally and achieved 1.5 grade levels above peer schools nationally over a 10-year period. The recruitment team has supported school leaders in their retention of 95% of our current staff. The new staff model, designed by teachers, better meets the needs of students and is more sustainable for teachers. Planning committees with a focus on Curriculum, Special Education and School Culture are meeting regularly to inform program and develop a comprehensive professional development series to ensure effective implementation and regular progress monitoring. We are currently fully enrolled for next year and plan to maintain enrollment between 300-305 students.

High School Admission & Alumni Engagement- Lois Pressman talked about priorities for next year and how to set goals for a successful high school admissions position. She mentioned the importance of the school’s high school guide.

School Performance & Curriculum- Sanjeev Midha talked about how all performance goals are relatively positive when looking at the dashboard. PSSA results will come out in the summer.

Development- Ellyn Saft talked about the upcoming Fall event at the Fitler Club on September 28th. The team also exceeded the annual campaign fundraising goal. The team will also continue working on foundation work.

DEI- Valerie Hanraty discussed meeting with the school’s Active Citizenship Committee and how the Board will continue to work on quarterly initiatives and figure out ways to champion the school committee.

Governance and Planning & Property- Ira Brind talked about how plans for the building are moving forward. Mr. Brind discussed the current policies that have been updated this past year. Ed Diasio is continuing to review and update the school policies and put them into a uniform template. This process will continue throughout the next several months. The updated Student Attendance policy is up for its final review and approval.

Win Churchill mentioned the Career Path Profile Project, an alumni project that is being worked on by an outside consultant, along with a small Board committee.

Mr. Corcoran reviewed the school’s financial summary. The school continues to meet every metric that the school district tracks.

Mr. Amenda and the school team are working on the renewal application, which is due July 15. We are currently approaching and/or meeting all of the standards mentioned in the application, including academic success, organizational compliance and financial health and sustainability according to the ACE.

Mr. Amenda talked about investing in new furniture for the school building this summer and how the team is working on plans to replace all current furniture and approach it in a more modular sense. This will encourage and promote collaboration and innovation.