Board Chair remarks his appreciation of the work being done to support students and families. Thanks to the staff and school leadership for their work.

The Committee Chair asks the Executive Director and Principal to share their efforts with the Board.

BSNBCS moved to remote instruction on March 17th, primarily paper-based with phone support by teachers. We also have video recordings. The first week was spent on-boarding families into the process. The last week saw a roll out of the digital platform, including Google apps. Teachers are now in front of the camera and in front of families to provide support to the paper-based work.
About 96% of families have access to the internet via cell phones, so we have been careful to make content accessible by this platform through apps. Our special education students are receiving all their supports from the school, students who receive related services have been receiving them via tele-therapy. An important element when we think of strategies for instruction is that it must be universally accessible, that there is equity and fairness for all students.
The school is using a local printer to send packets to families in envelopes with our logo on it, and the letters are addressed to each student with a spreadsheet we provided them. 


 

The committee reviewed the monthly accounts - school is in good financial shape through the end of the year. At the present time, we are expecting per pupil payments to be paid as usual.
Waiting for budget in Albany to come out to have a better sense of funding for next year and whether cuts, if any, will be needed. If cuts are needed, they will be made in ways that does not affect the classroom experience for children. Special shout out to SMT for what they have been doing through all this. Especially in respect to the academics, this strategic forward thinking is very important - thank you! 

Tamikka has taken the lead on identifying Board candidates through boardserve. Will be providing more information on viable candidates by the next Board meeting.  
Doris reminds committees to use the goals tool in Board on Track.
 

The Gala has been rescheduled to September 23rd. Will resume planning calls in May.

Family engagement has been a top priority for the school. As of now, we have no report of individual student having a positive diagnosis. At this time, no staff member has tested positive either. It has been more than two weeks since our last in-person staff meeting.
What is the feedback from families? Parent feedback has been very positive about touch points. Student Support team does emotional check ins, families receive daily check ins. Some families feel overwhelmed in general, some about the amount of communication, so we are trying to scale back communications in response to that feedback.
How does staff meet? School has held professional learning communities every day, every team has meetings every day. People get assignments and deliverables everyday. 
How do we emotionally support staff? Lisa-Renee does weekly touches with whole staff. We offer TalkSpace to our staff members and send reminders about it. Lisa-Renee sends "Motivational Mondays" emails. 
 

Graduation - Board Chair Sciame suggested that for the April meeting some discussion should take place with regard to graduation set for June 13.  He expressed concern in that the graduating students may not be afforded appropriate graduation ceremonies owing to the issues related to the Coronavirus.  He said he had some alternative ideas to which Principal Brown offered to come forth with some plans and confirmed that the auditorium at Medgar Evans College, CUNY, was reserved thus far.  All agreed to a discussion.

No public comments.

The Board does not feel a need to enter executive session.