• J. Scalice shared that he sent over the school's initial draft for the Commissioner's Network. He shared with the governance committee that the school has been invited to participate in the commissioner's network, which works with schools in the bottom 25% of the state that also show improvement (Bridgeport has a few CN schools, there are others across the state in other districts as well). Schools that are being identified for additional funding to improve outcomes based on previous improvement; we were selected to put in a letter of intent for CN; if selected from first round we'd receive funding for an application year, which would include additional support for students but also consult services to put our application in and solidify an entire plan, in Cooperation with our primary partners, like the Barr foundation, SpringPointe (academic think tank that works with GOF around curriculum and teacher improvement, they also spearhead redesign efforts (e.g. NY CITY public schools); We'd also work with Fairfield University, through their reading and writing workshops. Our partnership with Fairfield has grown rapidly (we have a cohort of students coming in to observe our ELA classes and we are working on a career and college pathway partnership); having partners go into the intent letter, it helps with the CN network and the state.

• Social Work & Mental Health Grant and SocialMedia grant being submitted
• MATH SBAC practice tests & SAT results
  • SAT scores jumped from fall to spring; we did offer our SAT class his year with some juniors and seniors, of which we saw very positive results; BPT scores went up 2% from PSAT to SAT and CT state went up 1.5% from PSAT to SAT  
    • Huge improvement that we saw; we are currently at 17% below the state
    • if you look at non-magnet BPT schools, we are performing about 6% higher than non-magnet BPT schools right now
  • Partnerships for SAT prep and closing the gap in learning loss from middle school through, we expect to see those scores continue to increase over the next 3-5 years
• C. Sneed noted that this was a meaningful move in the right direction and wanted to know how we ensure, as best possible, consistency with this growth
  • J. Scalice noted that GOBPT developed an SAT prep course, designed by C. Pellegrino, Dr. K. Francis-Barnes, and K.A. Hewell-Walker, a set curriculum that we will do with students year after year. It's not dissimilar than what you would get at a Kaplan- type prep course, expect we have embedded it in the school day so we can reach all students. 
  • J. Scalice is looking to expand this course in partnership with Fairfield University and Kaplan to offer a Saturday course in addition to that work; that's part of the grant funding from Barr for next year
    • Able to offer SAT prep as a credit-bearing course in 11th and 12th grade
    • Teacher leading this has a pending certification in math but also has extensive background in business operations and communications
    • The SAT prep class is co-taught with an English teacher; nice balance
    • Progress monitoring and data ownership is a part of the course as well; students were able to chart their own progress and set goals
    • We are teaching students the thought processes in college level thinking not just test prep and memorization, but also how to think about challenges, or something we are not prepared for - this also helped our students who are dually enrolled; learning time management, organization, breaking down problems and assignments; our students are having great success (Post university).

We have received feedback from students who graduated and are currently enrolled in college courses, noting that they wish they had more opportunities for college prep courses not just their senior year but also 11th grade year - which is how we designed the embedded program.

C. Sneed asked if there were any cuts to Barr if this would disrupt these plans; J. Scalice noted that no, by leveraging the relationship with Fairfield University, we could move these college prep courses into our career and college pathway; we'd be able to do this in addition to their English and math classes 

The amount of money we put aside for Barr is $10,000 over 3 years to do that Saturday work - not a huge amount of money that we would need to figure out how to shift through the course of the years. 

C. Sneed said as an outsider looking in as a funder, as it relates to the school's successes- this particular success is easily relatable (college prep - college going - improved  scores) - when it comes to grant opportunities, fundraising, etc. C. Sneed emphasized the importance of these successes being woven into a narrative about all the great things happening at great oaks, in order to continue increasing awareness for other funding opportunities.

B. Bagley shared a bit of what they were doing in Fairfield County, commenting that as many of the assignments that you can get to mimic the SAT and PSAT format, and the thinking process that goes behind that on a day-to-day, it becomes more like the SAT process doesn't have to become an add on that they learn, because they've been experiencing the format all throughout their curriculum; it becomes more authentic for the kids.

J. Scalice noted that's part of the reason they like the middle school math curriculum they switched to, when we made the decision to go with it 6th-8th grade this year, it was after a 4-5 mo. pilot with the 6th grade. J. Scalice noted that they saw 6pt. increase in proficiency in 6th grade, where 7th and 8th grade dropped after covid, our 6th grade went up. It's primarily because a lot of the culminating assignments match up to the math processes they're being asked to do on SBAC type assessments. Valuable, oriented on real life application, kids enjoy them but they mimic the same thought process. If you are incorporating those skills in the test, you're not teaching to the test, but kids understand what they're supposed to do.

It goes back to the SAT - these prep courses are not just rote memorization, but we are talking about usage, application, and background to the test design.

C. Sneed shared how this is useful to share a snapshot with funders and others about the authentic, consistent results coming out of the school.

J. Scalice jumped in to note that at some point, his mid-year evaluation needs to be wrapped up, because they'll be starting his end of year review shortly.

J. Scalice also shared that J. Garrett would not be returning another year at GOBPT because of an incredible opportunity to be a Director of DEIBJ at an independent school in Delaware and her husband, a current teacher at GOBPT accepted a faculty position at a private school in Delaware. J. Scalice shared in congratulations, but also sadness that J. Garrett will be leaving, due to the impact she's had on the school. Janay has been very transparent  in the process, so we can plan our next steps. We will be posting the position soon - so the committee and board is aware.

L. Hubbard shared that she will be out for the upcoming board meeting. 

• J. Garrett will shared updates on insurance (business, health) research we've been doing as a part of the separation
• Finance approvals for this month