Nuasin Next Generation Charter School

Minutes

Monthly Nuasin Board Meeting

Date and Time

Thursday April 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM

Location

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Passcode: 180165

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Mission
At Nuasin Next Generation, we believe in the unlimited talent and intellectual potential of our scholars and our community. We cultivate this talent and intellectual potential through a progressive education that focuses on deep exploration, thoughtful questioning, relentless curiosity and critical thinking. Nuasin Next Generation Charter School implements a progressive K-12 educational program and an unyielding commitment to cultivating our scholars’ innate intellectual talents to empower our graduates to achieve excellence in their postsecondary paths and make positive impacts on the broader community. Every single one of our scholars have the potential to be great and change the world, at Nuasin Next Generation we prepare our scholars for that opportunity.

3 Pillars
The Mission of Nuasin Next Generation stands firmly on the foundation of our three pillars: Rigor, Self-Advocacy, and Community. These three pillars are the guiding principles for our school and culture. Please find a deeper explanation of our  pillars below.

Rigor:
We use the word “rigor” not in the stringent or inflexible sense, but in the sense of an unyielding need to challenge and push our scholars because we understand and believe in the potential, talent, and ability of our scholars and community. We challenge our scholars to build their confidence and help them realize what they can achieve. 

Self-Advocacy:
Our scholars are empowered to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities. As our scholars come to understand that their voices are valued and needed, they learn to advocate for themselves. Our scholars are seen and valued; they understand that not only do they have the right to express their opinions, views, and perspectives, but it is their obligation to do so. 

Community:
Our scholars will embrace community and understand that as a member of a community you have certain
inalienable rights, the right to be seen, the right to be heard, the right to be protected and the right to be loved and
cherished. Our scholars will also learn of their obligations. As a member of a community you have the obligation to
respect, listen, support and only want and assume the best in all others. Every member of our community must understand that they are active participants in the Nuasin community and the community goes as we go.

Trustees Present

E. Chen (remote), J. Scott (remote), M. Dorrie (remote), S. Pressley

Trustees Absent

A. Bothner, A. Khanyile, J. Boulet, K. Brisseau, K. Shabazz, S. Huda, T. Bryan

Guests Present

A. Brown, C. Polanco, J. Keeney, K. Davidson, M. Alston, M. Russell (remote), S. Meding

I. Opening Items

A.

Record Attendance and Guests

B.

Call the Meeting to Order

There are not enough members to meet quorum. 

C.

Review the Agenda

D.

Board Meeting Updates

II. School Update

A.

Executive Director Update

MR discussed the attendance of where we are at with Middle School having the highest attendance. 

 

MR discussed expansion updates: 

  • We have had some moves in our permanent space, all that is missing now is the security deposit. MR met with the borough president that went well. 
  • We feel good in these spaces
  • Long term we are looking at the Inwood Space

B.

K-8 Update

KD shared images from the K-2 space, especially given with the state testing. 

 

KD shared images from the 2-4 and 5-8 Open Mic Nights. 

 

KD shared the Monarchs of Mastery, where scholars, who meet or exceed the goal, are crowned the Monarch of the week. 

 

KD shared that AJ is now a semi-finalist in the Big Apple Award for Teachers. 

 

KD discussed Mock assessment data: 

  • ELA Overall Score: 
    • 3rd: 63%
    • 4th: 71%
    • 5th: 54%
    • 6th: 59%
    • 7th: 55%
    • 8th: 67%

We expected flat-lining in our middle grades but have surprisingly seen steady increase in ELA!

  • Math Overall Score: 
    • 3rd: 52%
    • 4th: 60%
    • 5th: 54%
    • 6th: 63%
    • 7th: 58%

KD discussed some ELA Takeaways, Math Takeaways, and Mastery work; including emphasizing the power of transferability especially when it comes to Mastery

 

KD discussed the importance and emphasis on intentional small groups in order to prioritize content gaps, with both leaders and teachers 

 

Questions: 

JK: is NYS requiring computer-based testing? 

KD: Yes, but mainly for the middle grades, so we decided to go straight through MS. We had very tech issues, especially because we have been using computer-based softwares with the scholars all year so it was not a large transition. We also did a simulation is January. 

 

 

 

C.

9-12 Update

D.

Operations Update

III. Closing Items

A.

Adjourn Meeting

There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:18 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
K. Shabazz