Magnet Update

I just spoke with Pat Copeland again.  She indicated that Dr. Thompson has the proposal and has reviewed it.  She said that Dr. Thompson will have to discuss the proposal with Dr. Kendra March - one of the Deputy Superintendents in DCSD.  At that point, Dr. March will decide if the proposal is: a) approvable, b) needs changes, or c) has to be moved further up the administrative chain for further consideration/approval/denial.  She assured me that more information would be available by Monday, February 4th.  I conveyed to her that our community is VERY restless about this issue and additional anxiety comes from how close open enrollment is at this point.  She repeated that more information would be available by Monday, February 4th, one week prior to the start of open enrollment.

Although I remain surprised and disappointed that the proposal sat idle in the School Choice Office from December 4th, 2012 until January 29th, 2013, Dr. Thompson (who replaced Dr. Taylor on Monday, January 28th, 2013) has only had the proposal for two days and she has just begun working with the School Choice Office. Therefore, Monday, February 4th does not seem unreasonable in this context.  We cannot regain the lost time detailed in the previous post on this issue, but it does seem the proposal is now moving through the DCSD administrative chain.  In addition to this information, I do have read receipts from Dr. Thompson, Dr. Boza, and Ms. Brictson for the email that I sent earlier this week.  I cannot say what actions they have taken, but I can say that they have at least opened the email and checked the box that allows the reply indicating that they have received the email.  

As before, I will provide additional updates as I receive more information.  I appreciate your patience.  I know firsthand that waiting for a response is very difficult for the Evansdale families and community.

February Meeting Agenda

Agenda updated on Friday, February 1, 2013 to identify the presenter of the Inspiration and to break out into two agenda items the New Business that originally was one agenda item.

AGENDA FOR SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

1.    CALL TO ORDER

2.    INSPIRATION – Angela Dunbar

3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Joli Mauldin

4.    REPORTS

a.    PTA President – Jennifer Hatfield

b.    Evansdale Foundation – Angie Claussen

c.    Principal’s Report – Dan McGuire

                                          i.    Staffing and Allotments

                                        ii.    Enrollment

2.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a.    Magnet Proposal Update – Gretchen Neigh

b.    STEM Update – Gretchen Neigh

c.    Student Safety – Dan McGuire

3.    NEW BUSINESS

a.    Public Comments From Welcome Committee:  Engagement of Families With Limited English Proficiency – Angie Claussen

b.    Parental Involvement Presentation and Discussion – Greta Massetti

4.    DEVELOP AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING

5.    ADJOURNMENT

Meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the Media Center. Meetings are always open to the community but are not open to public comment.

Update on Evansdale Magnet Proposal

I know that our community has been anxiously awaiting an update on the Magnet Revision Proposal.  I am sorry that an update was not provided sooner, but as you will see below, there has been very little progress on which to update you.  The email below was sent to Dr. Thompson, the new Director of the School Choice Office (appointed as of Tuesday, January 29th, 2013), and I have received a read receipt for the communication.  I believe the copied email pretty well details the events surrounding the proposal since we last updated you in early December when the proposal was submitted for review.  I will provide additional information once it becomes available. 

Begin copied correspondence:

Good afternoon Dr. Thompson:

I previously sent this email to Dr. Taylor, but learned just moments ago that he was no longer with the School Choice office and that you were the new Director of School Choice.  I realize that times of job transition are tumultuous; however, I must raise an issue for your expeditious consideration.  I am the chair of the School Council at Evansdale Elementary and the parent of two Evansdale students.  The Evansdale School Council and the Evansdale Principal, Dr. McGuire, have been working with the School Choice office and DCSD administration since September 2012 to find a way to sustain the highly successful Evansdale Magnet Program.  I have copied Dr. Boza on this email because he was instrumental in the focus groups to acquire community input for our proposal.  I have included Ms. Brictson on this email because I contacted her office last week to try to determine where our proposal was in the review process given that we submitted the final version on December 4^th, 2012.

In order to provide some history, I will recap the precipitating events here.  The Evansdale Magnet Program began in 1994 and places a particular emphasis on French and Science.  Two changes in DCSD over the past several years have put the program in jeopardy.  The redistricting effort that took place two years ago resulted in the Evansdale School population growing to 120% of capacity.  This redistricting was followed in the subsequent year by the loss of all of the supplemental funding that Magnet had been provided and required the redistribution of resources to be able to retain our French and Science teachers.  In addition, because of the growth in the school population, the students outside of the Magnet program now have very limited access to French.  Compounding the problem is that because of the overpopulation of our facility and the shortage of learning cottages, we have unbalanced classrooms that cannot be balanced with the current restrictions of the Magnet program.  The consequence of these changes has been a division of our community between the magnet and non-magnet families. 

I have attached two copies of our proposed changes.  One is simply a table that lists the requested changes.  The second is a more detailed document that explains some of the challenges our community is facing that have led to the necessity of change.  The core of the proposal is that we want to make Evansdale a Magnet School instead of a Magnet Program within a school.  This will allow the classrooms to be balanced.  The other points of the proposal are repercussions of this core request and the necessities created by the dramatic loss of funding over the past few years.  The second point is actually a statement of no change and simply a reassertion of the Evansdale commitment to STEM education.  As an aside, we are actively engaged in the STEM certification process, further evidence of our community commitment to STEM education.  The third point is a request to alter the delivery of French which equalizes the amount of French offered to all Evansdale students.  We have a strong commitment to offering a world language and French has been a tradition at our school for 20 years.  We include the clause, “as funding allows”, because in our focus groups the families made clear that Science was of higher priority than French.  If DCSD reinstates our funding, if we are successful in pursuing a grant for foreign language education, or if we can raise sufficient funds within the community to offer French (after Science is already paid for) then it is our commitment to do so.  We have to make the distinction of “if funding allows” because of the lack of resources and lack of knowledge about future budget availability.  The fourth point regarding how many students from at-large will be admitted each year was the direct result of input from Pat Copeland.  Our original language indicated that we would admit a minimum of 5 at-large students per year in order to maintain a pool of at-large students and demonstrate our continued commitment to being a Magnet.  The wording now states that enrollment of at-large students will be based on the discretion of the DCSD Planning Department.  During my conversation with Pat Copeland on Friday evening, she made clear that this change essentially made our proposal equivalent to House Bill 251.  Please note that this was not our intention nor is the wording in point 4 reflective of what our School Council wanted.  We included the wording verbatim that Pat Copeland told us to use.  I was shocked to learn that this wording is now a major issue with the proposal.  The fifth and final request in the proposal was to remove the requirement of a B average.  This is a matter of necessity based on Point 1.  Because we are also a neighborhood school, we cannot require a B average of our students in district and therefore it is unfair to require a B average of out of district students.  I do feel the need to point out that the B average was not originally a requirement of any Magnet Program or School in DCSD.  It was actually Evansdale that requested that the county added this provision.  But, times and circumstances have changed, and now the B average cannot be included in our requirements.  However, I also want to make clear that we highly value success of all our students and any student falling below a B average will be offered tutoring and other services – as is currently the protocol at Evansdale. 

The Magnet program has been a very important part of our school for nearly 20 years.  We want to maintain Evansdale as a Magnet but we have to find a way to adapt the program to be sustainable in light of the burdens of overpopulation and extinguished funding.  Many hours went into crafting the proposed changes and efforts included extensive meetings and discussions among Evansdale School Council in August, September, October, November, and December 2012, community focus groups led by Dr. Boza in October 2012, a community letter and email input campaign in October and November 2012, input from the DCSD Principals in October 2012, and suggested changes from Pat Copeland in November and early December 2012.

As I briefly touched on above, I finally had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Copeland on Friday evening and she indicated that although she had serious concerns about the proposal that she would bring it to Dr. Taylor’s attention on Monday, January 28^th.  I was very surprised to learn that Ms. Copeland had so many concerns regarding our proposed changes given that she helped craft the proposal and never raised these concerns during our interactions with her in November and December 2012.  I was also surprised to learn that Dr. Taylor had not seen the proposal yet as it was submitted to the School Choice office on December 4^th, 2012, and in a follow up phone call on December 21^st, 2012, I was told that the proposal would be voted on at the DeKalb Board of Education meeting in January 2013.  I learned last week that the proposal is still within the School Choice Office.  When I called today, January 29^th, 2013, to follow up  with the School Choice Office, I learned that Dr. Taylor was no longer in the office and that you were the new Director.  I am emailing you to bring this matter to your immediate attention.  I realize that open enrollment starts in just two short weeks.  I realize that it will be very difficult to make changes at this point, but I ask you to understand that we began this work in September 2012 and DCSD has known about these efforts since that time.  The final draft of the proposal was made available to Ms. Copeland on December 4^th, 2012, and she saw earlier drafts as early as the beginning of November 2012.  Our community has been awaiting feedback from DCSD and given all the effort to acquire community input, our community is expecting a positive change that will contribute to the academic growth of our students. 

If you find that the attached proposal is not feasible, I implore you to please work with us to find a solution.  We have been trying to engage DCSD administration in helping us to find a solution that will best support the DCSD goal of “victory in every classroom.”  We have the same goals – the best possible education for the county’s children.  Please work with me to make this a reality for the students of Evansdale Elementary.  I am currently traveling in a different time zone for my job, but I should be reachable between 11 am and 5 pm EST.  Please call me at .... if I can be of any help in explaining the need for the proposed changes or our goals.  We are very willing to adjust the proposal, but we need to find a sustainable solution for our community that will allow us to preserve our French and Science Magnet but be attentive to the needs of all of our students.  We need to identify workable changes and enact them before open enrollment begins on February 11^th, 2013. 

I thank you for your time and patience in reading this very long email.  I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to find a solution.  I will call your office on Thursday, January 31^st to follow up on this email.  Please feel free to contact me at any point.

Best Regards,

Gretchen N. Neigh, Ph.D.

The Flu: What You Need to Know

It is flu season and news reports indicate that the flu is here in Atlanta and spreading quickly.

Although the Evansdale School Council encourages attendance at school, it is important to keep your child home if they have the flu.

Here is some information to help you and your family prevent the flu and recover from the flu if you catch it.

A flyer from the CDC can be found HERE.

Some of the highlights from the CDC handout are quoted below for convenience:

How serious is the flu? 

Flu illness can vary from mild to severe. While the flu can be serious even in people who are otherwise healthy, it can be especially dangerous for young children and children of any age who have certain long term health conditions, including asthma (even mild or controlled), neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, endocrine disorders (such as diabetes), kidney, liver, and metabolic disorders, and weakened immune systems due to disease or medication. Children with these conditions and children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy can have more severe illness from the flu.

How does the flu spread?

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze
or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get the flu by touching something that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.

What are the symptoms of the flu? 

Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Some people with the flu will not have a fever.

How long can a sick person spread the flu to others? 

People with the flu may be able to infect others by shedding virus from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7
days after. However, children and people with weakened immune systems can shed virus for longer, and might be still contagious past 5 to 7 days of being sick, especially if they still have symptoms.

What are some of the other ways I can protect my child against the flu?

In addition to getting vaccinated, take – and encourage your child to take – everyday steps that can help prevent the spread of germs.

This includes:
 Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
 Stay away from people who are sick.
 Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
 If someone in the household is sick, try to keep the sick person in a separate room from others in the household, if possible.
 Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
 Throw tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.

What can I do if my child gets sick?

Talk to your doctor early if you are worried about your child’s illness.

If your child is 5 years and older and does not have other health problems and gets flu-like symptoms, including a fever and/or cough, consult your doctor as needed and make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks enough fluids.

If your child is younger than 5 years (and especially younger than 2 years) or of any age with a long term health condition (like asthma, a neurological condition, or diabetes, for example) and develops flu-like symptoms, they are at risk for serious complications from the flu. Ask a doctor if your child should be examined.

What if my child seems very sick? 

Even children who have always been healthy before or had the flu before can get very sick from the flu.

Call for emergency care or take your child to a doctor right away if your child of any age has any of the
warning or emergency signs below:

 Fast breathing or trouble breathing
 Bluish or gray skin color
 Not drinking enough fluids (not going to the bathroom or making as much urine as they normally do)
 Severe or persistent vomiting
 Not waking up or not interacting
 Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
 Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
 Has other conditions (like heart or lung disease, diabetes,or asthma) and develops flu symptoms,
including a fever and/or cough.

Can my child go to school, day care or camp if he or she is sick?

No. Your child should stay home to rest and to avoid giving the flu to other children or caregivers.

When can my child go back to school after having the flu?

Keep your child home from school, day care or camp for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as 100°F (37.8°C) or higher.

Evansdale Education Foundation Seeks New Members

What Roles are Available?

Committee chair positions in the areas of Foundation Chair, Communications, Fundraising, and Grants as well as Evansdale Teacher Liaison and “at-large” positions are available.  Board members generally serve two to three-year terms and serve on standing committees and/or actively participate as needed.  If you would like to become involved with EEF as a volunteer rather than pursuing a position on the Board, we invite you to serve on EEF committees for events or fundraising efforts taking place throughout the year. For committee involvement and to contribute to enhancing each Evansdale Elementary School student’s educational experience, please contact JC Boyanton, EEF Chair, or email the foundation at info@evansdalefoundation.org.

Who is Eligible?

Any friend of Evansdale Elementary School may be nominated for the EEF Board—this includes, but is not limited to:

• Parents

• Neighbors

• Local business people

• Teachers

• Grandparents

• Other community members            

You may nominate yourself or another individual may nominate you. Candidates must be willing to actively serve in rewarding positions on the EEF board. Successful candidates for this volunteer organization will have a passion for excellence in public education and the mission of the Foundation.  Prior experience working with volunteer-driven organizations is helpful, but not necessary.  Professional and/or volunteer experience relating to the Board and committee role you are interested in is also a plus.

More information can be found by clicking here.

Please Note:  The Evansdale Education Foundation and Evansdale School Council are separate entities with the common goal of providing the best education possible for the children of Evansdale Elementary School.

Message from Evansdale Principal Regarding Intruder Drill

Parents/Guardians,

Evansdale had an intruder alert drill today. Throughout the year, our school practices tornado, fire, intruder, and other safety exercises as part of our school safe plan. In the future, we will not send home notices after a drill. If Evansdale has an actual event in which we have to follow one of our safety procedures, we will send information home with your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Dan McGuire

Principal

Synopsis of January 8th School Council Meeting

The School Council met from 5:04 pm to 5:55 pm in the Media Center on Tuesday, January 8th, 2013.

All members of the Council were in attendance.

The PTA President was the only non-Council member present for the meeting.

Inspiration was provided by Dr. McGuire and was a letter of thanks for the generous donations of winter clothing during the December giving tree collections.

Minutes from the December meeting were approved and are now available on the School Council bulletin board at the school and on this blog under the "Approved Meeting Minutes" tab.

The PTA President reported the following:
1) Honors Day would occur this week.
2) Science Night is scheduled for January 24th and will include a Science Fair
3) A Symphony field trip and Cultural Arts presentation will occur during January

The Foundation did not send a specific representative but it was noted that the Foundation Auction will occur on Saturday, March 23rd, 2013 at the Greater Good BBQ and the theme would be Americana.

The Principal's Report indicated that enrollment is down to 655 and there were no changes in staffing.

Under Unfinished Business two items were discussed:

1) The Magnet Revision Proposal is still under consideration by DCSD.  It is expected that more information will be available following the January BOE meeting.  Dates for enrollment were pushed back by DCSD until February 11th.  Continued efforts for updates from DCSD on the proposal status will be made.

2) STEM Certification was also discussed.  A meeting of interested parents was help in December and efforts are continuing to start the process.  A presentation to the BLT will be made by Gretchen Neigh in February.  A draft of a letter regarding STEM for all Evansdale parents was reviewed and further changes will be made prior to translation and dissemination of the letter.  More parent involvement will be necessary for the efforts to be successful.  Use of some of the Lego educational programs is being explored.

Under New Business three items were discussed:

1) Security procedures were reviewed and some modifications will be made to the handbook regarding morning procedures and dismissal (these were not voted on; they are administrative decisions).  Specific information will be sent home with students.  In addition, enforcement of procedures stated in the handbook will be increased in efforts to insure safety of students and staff.  Finally, a new check in/check out system will be implemented and details will be provided by school administration in the near future.

2) Test scores were reviewed.  The Mock Writing tests from December showed that 77% of 4th graders and 90% of 5th graders had gains since the previous tests in August.  ITBS results were just released and a cursory review showed that:
- First Grade IMPROVED in all areas over the 2011 scores
- Third Grade IMPROVED in all areas over the 2011 scores
- Fifth Grade IMPROVED in all but one area over 2011 scores and they stayed constant on the final area

3) Funding for foreign language at Evansdale is being explored.  DCSD is submitting a grant for funding of foreign language in several select schools and Evansdale will be a part of the application.  Additional details will be available if DCSD successfully competes for the funding.

The agenda for February was discussed and will include:
1) General Housekeeping and Regular Reports
2) Unfinished Business: Magnet and STEM updates
3) New Business: Parental Engagement Discussion
The agenda for February will be fluid until one week prior to the February meeting.

January 8th Meeting Agenda

AGENDA FOR SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

1.     CALL TO ORDER

2.     INSPIRATION – Dan McGuire

3.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Joli Mauldin

4.     REPORTS

     a. PTA President – Jennifer Hatfield

     b. Evansdale Foundation– TBA

     c. Principal’s Report – Dan McGuire

          i. Staffing and Allotments

          ii. Enrollment

         

5.     UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a.     Magnet Revision Update  – Gretchen Neigh

b.     STEM Certification Update – Gretchen Neigh

         

6.     NEW BUSINESS

a.     Review of Security Procedures – Dan McGuire

b.     Mock Writing Update – Dan McGuire

c.     Foreign Language Grant Opportunity – Dan McGuire

         

7.     DEVELOP AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, February 5^th, 2013

8.     ADJOURNMENT