Review the area covered during Part 1 of 2 Meeting 

Version #1
"Our mission is to educate and develop scholars that are intellectually curious, strong communicators, and solve problems through empathy and inquiry.
Our school uses real-life examples to teach scholars and provides a sense of family and community where we bring out the best in our scholars academically, socially, and emotionally."

DOE structure: School mission statement should include and state educational philosophy and goals.

  
"Inquiry" wording review.  The wording of inquiry viewed as problem-solving/ asking questions environment.  Inquiry-based learning discussed If we are talking about solving problems, inquiries are part of solving the problem.

WORDS discussed, reviewed  and/or considered within the mission statement: 

1. Intellectual curiosity
2. Inquiry 
3. Problem-solving
4. Problem solvers
5. Perspectives 
6. Real-Life Examples  
7. Authentic (real-world/ relevant to the learning)
8. Practical
9. Relevant
10. Drive
11. Inspire
12. Strong communicators - Keep it (Agreed) 
13. Real Life - Reviewed & revised  (Agreed) 
14. Positive change in society - Removed  (Agreed) 
15. College Prep was not included in the mission-vision statement. Thoughts presented:  All students have the opportunity if they want to go to college.  Our job is to allow them to recognize college as a path. College should be the ultimate goal, even if the scholar decides to attend a vocational school.  College may not be the path proven to be most successful for every scholar but the option should be presented and considered.  Added concepts: Ensure scholars are college-ready and also prepared to follow their professional passions, which may not include a college pathway.  Following passions and careers can occur with and without college.  

2 Types of Problem Solving mentioned by Adrian Adderley ( Google Search)

1. Insightful - creative 
2. Analytical - structured, numerical 

Version#2 
"Our mission is to educate and develop scholars who are intellectually curious, strong communicators, and problem solvers who use different approaches and perspectives. 

Our school uses inquiry-based learning to cultivate student curiosity, inspire new ways of thinking, and create practical solutions that connect to the lives of students."

We provide a community environment where we bring out the best in our scholars academically, socially, and emotionally. 

(Alternative) We provide a community environment where students feel safe, valued, and comfortable learning about themselves. (psychological safety) 

Concepts to add:  Ensure scholars are college and/or career ready to follow their passion. 
We give students the tools, insights, and confidence to pursue their passion and lifelong learning.

 

COVID-19 Task Force 
Surveys are still out until August 7, 2020.  Several parents are opting 100% online and several teachers are not comfortable returning to the school. 

Plan presentation: Fully Remote for the 1st Qtr of the School Year, doing 100% online/remote learning and progressively prepare to reopen with a blended model through the remainder of the school year.  

SURVEY RESULTS DISCUSSED:
Data shared provided from Families:  144 Responses
Learning Preference Survey: 

1. 100% Remote: 58.3% 
2. Blended: 41.7% 

Staff Survey:  51 Responses 
Comfort with Coming Back to School Buildings- 

1. Very comfortable: 15.7%
2. Somewhat comfortable: 15.7%
3. A little comfortable: 35.3%
4. Not at all comfortable: 33.3%  

Comments Presented: 

1. 100% remote model needs to be developed no matter what
2. Doing a hybrid model, coming in an hour later, taking temperatures, and reassuring the staff and scholars that there are precaution measures 
3. Comfortable with returning is a matter of individual risk tolerance 
4. Importance of in-person learning reviewed in comparison with staff willing to teach in person 
5. Little Bird has provided support and assistance related to the option of Leave of Absence requests. FFCRA Leave accommodations.
6. Blended learning may be more impactful.  

Board inquired if a vote is needed: 
Voting or Poll will be helpful. Reopening plan draft presented to the school that is due for submission from the school by  Friday, July 31, 2020.  The document is living and will be actively revised as needed and required. 

Remote learning is the toughest for the younger kids. 
The blended model is the ultimate goal, after remote learning for the 1st Quarter/September.  
Live and blended learning will be considered to be going on at the same time. 
Different school districts around the country are considering different approaches. Some have elected 100% remote, some have been approved and others not approved. 

History of Online Activity for Pharos Academy this year presented briefly by Ms. Angeles and Ms.Pierce:  Attendance generally above 90% during the online learning period from March 2020 to June 2020.

Board Chair presented the option of benchmarking to the local district added as an additional thought to consider. 
PACS needs to become very good and committed to being awesome at online education.  Online education must be considered as an option to perfect, rather than as a substitute/alternative method of teaching. 

Areas not yet seen or reviewed that the Board would like to see: 

1. What does the online curriculum look like? 
2. Are Scholars thriving?
3. What does our distance learning look like in comparison with other schools? 

Principal Brown confirms the online curriculum will be handled in the same manner as education takes place in a live and in-person instructional setting over the Zoom platform. Blending and remote learning will be a part of our educational cocktail.  Looking to go all-in with the same curriculum, whether remote or in-person. UFC for DOE has not responded yet with a 100% plan for reopening. 
Various percentages have been presented but nothing confirmed. 

Concerns presented around the scholars that need the extra help both educationally and emotionally.  How will the school address and meet the needs of the challenged scholars? 

Courtney and Brown requesting a vote or poll regarding the fully remote/blended for a time frame.  
Fully remote for the 1st Quarter ( September 2020-  November 2020)

The school should consider having two options available, if following DOE guidelines.  Stacey Sutherland provided DOE insight and procedures related to the plan for schools to each present their plan to reopen, which will then be voted on and then presented to the Governor for final review and decision processing. Recommendation for PACS should be to plan and present to reopen with an option for onsight and offsite learning. This will provide an option for those who are comfortable with onsight and one for the parents to opt-out and consider remotely. The concern of losing scholars to schools that are open and onsight, if PACS considers only offering 100% remote for the. 1st Quarter of the school year. 

Is there a reason why both options can not be offered or considered? 
Teacher variables - Callouts, Sick, and substitute teachers needed.

Board highly recommends the option for a blended model.  Online and In-Person is complicated but the number of in-person attendees can be monitored and restricted.   
Could there be a model where the scholars can attend and the teacher can instruct remotely? 
Mapping exercise should be considered and followed to establish a better perspective on how to move forward with online learning.