The long-term strategies to support student growth and achievement:

• First one is launching the Elementary School by August 2024
  • We currently have multiple bus ads around NYC
• Next one is Becoming HRS Levels 1-3 Certified 
  • Currently waiting on the HRS Level 1 certification approval
• And most importantly, the Five Year Renewal by the Authorizer 

Highlights:

• Hispanic Heritage Month celebration
  • Roots and Recipes event was great this year 
• College Application Night:
  • 300 Applications were submitted by the students
  • A little over 60 students took advantage of this night; about 50 or so parents attended 

Elementary School Presentation:

• The Goals:
  • Gaaya will engage in professional developments to further prepare & align to IAL practices
  • ES programs will be aligned with Levels 1-3 of Highly Reliable Schools
  • Hiring of the ES team; teachers, leaders, and support staff
    • Develop the professional development plan for the ES team
  • The overall recruitment of K-1 students for 2024-2025 academic year
• Some things that have already been accomplished for the ES expansion are (Specifically HRS Level 1):
  • Defining and aligning the IALCS values for the ES students 
  • Tier 1 Systems
  • The ES structure, hiring needs, and draft school calendar
  • Identifying the SEL and leadership development program; we have landed on Leader and Me
    • A visit to a school that uses Leader and Me will be held soon; to see their values and kid-friendly terms used 
• Working on:
  • Establishing Tier II & III for SEL & Behavior
  • Identifying school wide systems 
  • PLC protocols
  • Identifying celebration, and school events for the ES
• We are then focusing on:
  • Decision making protocols and specific feedback systems we will be using and aligning with the rest of the school 
  • How we are going to be working closely with FACE 
  • Celebrations and the staff leadership for the ES
• HRS Level 2 Alignment
  • Gaaya has been attending multiple Marzano workshops in order to improve student outcomes and supporting teachers 
  • Gaaya has also been involved in the development of teacher evaluations and the best systems that will be beneficial on the ES level 
  • Currently working on, the best way to evaluate teachers for the 2024-2025 academic year 
  • Then we will be working on creating the best Professional development for the ES team
    • Systems and protocols for instructional rounds will also be created 
      • We currently meet twice a month, and will continue to do so for the best alignment 
• HRS Level 3 Alignment
  • We are making sure our curriculum aligns with the science of reading with the middle school; and also supports all diverse learners. 
    • For ELA we have chosen to use Wilson's reading foundation and Wit and Wisdom; which is currently being used at the middle school level 
  • We are currently working on identifying the Math curriculum 
    • Working closely with the middle and high school; alongside our CSO, Bianca Mercedes. 
  • Also working on is standard based proficiency scales
    • While ensuring everything is aligned with HRS
    • So that all students can progress from the ES, to the MS, and eventually to the HS

Recruitment:

• We have had a photoshoot and have began to use multiple different strategies for marketing
  • Like bus ads 
  • And ads throughout all local businesses in the area 
  • We will also begin advertising the free after school opportunities we will be offering  
• We have also held our first Open House 
  • Over 40 people joined 
• The lottery will be held in April 
• We are currently working on finalizing the job descriptions
• All job postings will begin in January

Potential Schedules for ESL

• These will consist of an A & B day; similar to Middle School and High School
  • Consisting of 9 periods
    • Morning meetings will be focused on their calendars, and Leader in Me, and Physical Education  
    • 3 Blocks of ELA; Readings foundations & Wit & Wisdom 
    • 2 Blocks of Math
    • They will also have science and social studies 

The requested changes to the board meetings are as follows:

• March board meeting from a Tuesday night to a Saturday morning (March 16th)
  • For a mid-year check in and renewal prep
  • To be held at the middle school from 9-12
• June Saturday annual meeting moved to Tuesday June 18th at 7pm; regular meeting 
• September 2024 meeting from a Tuesday evening to a Saturday, September 28th 9am-12pm meeting at the middle school 
• The board approves all recommended changes to the board meeting dates and times