Board members read the revised draft meeting minutes and indicated three corrections:

 

Nicholas Tishuk gave an update on the new organization structure of the lower school:

• Each grade has a teaching associate, so each grade K-4 has a teacher and teaching associate in each room.
• Every grade has a special education teacher
• The total of teaching staff is 15 for K-4 and 5 special education teachers. 

The school went through the following facility changes:

• The first floor now has five learning spaces: dance studio, music& chorus room, media center and the former library space has been updated into two spaces that can be utilized as needed

As of 8/31, enrollment is over 660.

Patience Brown discussed the first four weeks of training for the teachers during August. She explained further the structure of the lower school and how that information will be distributed to parents. 

Silbia Pagan discussed the changes that the middle school is going through:

• All middle school teachers will have their "planning" time after the students leave for the day, to encourage teamwork with the elective teachers. 
• The middle school does not have traditional PE, similar to high schools where there is a PE elective. The PE substitute class will be dance/performance arts.
• The high school counselor will meet with 8th graders during one period during the school year.
• She will also focus on how the 6th graders maintain their averages so they are eligible for the DREAM scholarship which will pay for SHSAT tutoring.
• In terms of technology, the goal is that each student has had some exposure to typing, digital media.
  • The question of tracking BSNBCS alumni was brought up. The school is inquiring about how to create an alumni tracking process for graduates; an alumni association.
  • The one student who went to Brooklyn Tech will return to speak with the BSNBCS students.

The amount of computers in the classrooms has been increased. 

The focus of the parent engagement initiative will be to encourage the scholars development in education. September 20th- Dad Take Your Child to work & May 20th is the 4th Health and Wellness Fair. Elisabeth Young will be the contact for parents in regards to parent inititiaves. 

The Chairman requested any information that parents receive should be sent to the Board as a FYI. 

Lisa-Renee Brown is the final process of hiring an associate. One of the goals of the CFO is to be in closer communication with the Treasurer. 

BSNBCS is continuing its after school program. Due to the state funding it is free for 6-8 grades and the price has been frozen for K-5. The school will have a free lunch program, where the school will pay lunch for all students. All trips will be funded by the school.

Ms.Mondesir requested that the SMT provide the board will tracking information as a FYI. Nick stated that the information was be accessible for the board but could not commit how this information will be distributed. 
 

Kevin Nesbitt gave an update on the Family Life committee. Ms. Mondesir, Ms. Russo and Mr. Nesbitt attended one of the two orientations for the grades 1-8. 

Kevin presented the draft of the mission statement that was presented to the families of the session he attended. 

The Chair recommended the fourth Tuesday of the month for the January-June 2017. 

The Chairman opened the meeting for public comments:

• Diane Benjamin Quail asked about the special education structure and how students were selected for their classes
• Anna Mae West- asked about the foreign language for the 5th-6th and will it be added eventually for the students. She also asked about the curriculum for the after school program
  • Mr. Tishuk informed Ms. West that due to school day limitations there is not a foreign language for 5th and 6th graders. The after school program has been changed and sent to homes for review. DCarter is managing the schedule for the after school and can be contacted by parents. 
• Ms. Julien asked how can parents help their children with homework without information on what to do
  • Ms. Pagan informed Ms. Julien that the middle school is working on how to educate parents on how to help their children
• Ms. Curry made comments regarding the dismissal of the of the children, hostility in the environment, and need for clarity in the school. 

The Board discussed potential legal issues and staff issues. A discussion was made to hire a babysitter for the children attending board meetings with their parents.