001assistant Micah absolutely shared uh with me the status of those meetings. Now, the way it was set up, there's a timeline of 90 days so by June 1. That particular work group is supposed to come back with recommendations to the Board of Education of the work that they have been able to do. That group is looking for obvious ways to recommend to the board of. How programs that are presently scheduled to receive cuts. If there's any way that those particular programs don't have to undergo the benefit of that cut. The other thing that has been requested are the actual numbers. And I've heard from this group, and of course many other parents who have written to me that there is a concern that there is an underreporting of individuals that are in the program. And
002so we are collecting the data that does exist. So that we can really present and be transparent about the number of students either enrolled in those programs or and or have received their diploma. For instance, the IB program. That was one of the programs that was highlighted. In the very first meeting back in in February, if I'm not mistaken, about the number of graduates from the IB program over a period of time. So… That's where we are right now. There have been no formal recommendations, and the… based on the way Dr. Moss presents his write-up to the board, it is anticipated that those recommendations won't come forward until after they finish their 90 day work. And so we're looking for that to happen on June the 1st. So that is where that strategic alignment work
003group stands. And I'm sure that from other district representatives, you may have heard more information. But there is indeed a parent representative on each from each district on that strategic work group. Manchair did see the hand, so I'm just going to stop right there for now. Um, yes, um, if Miss Lawrence and Miss Smith can manage whose hands are going up and select them, because I can't see the hands. Good evening, everyone. I'm just simply reporting that I'm a member of the realignment Work Group and it has been extremely productive. Thus far, the information presented has been outstanding. The organization of the group has been very efficient and I'm looking forward to, uh. the breaking out into subcommittees, which is our next assignment coming up, uh, coming up next week. So I just wanted to
004let this group know that I am a participating on that realignment group as well. Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Bronson, and if I might, Madam Chair, Mr. Bronson, is there any additional information that you might want to add at this time that has, you know, come out of the group that you are able to share? No, I think your summation was accurate. We have just been in a data gathering mode. We've heard some great presentations. I think the budget for me was the, um… Thank you, sir. Thank you. That's great to hear. You know, one question that really quickly come, and I don't even know if it's a question or a comment, um, but when you talk about data gathering mode. since the budget was already proposed and cuts were already made, um, I'm quite sure
005that data is very easily available. Because decisions should have been made based on data, reliable data. And that is what is probably most interesting to me is that. How does the public see that data where decisions were already made? You know, for example. the 9 through 12 language immersion portion at Largo, you know, you can't really talk about how successful the program is or is not when the program just started, and it's in its second year, and so I would love to see the data that's being gathered. So, if I might, and then I know I'm sure Chief Collins wants to tag in at this point as well, let me say the gathering part is not on the school systems part, it's on my part. As most of you know, I just got to this
006table. I know that there have been previous discussions about this particular topic that predates me. And so, when we talk about numbers, I want to see the entire picture. Mm-hmm. And that's the information that I have asked for. So this is not about the school system gathering data. I too would suggest and believe that they have the information that I'm requesting, but that's why I'm requesting it from them, because many parents. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. who write daily talk about that they have not seen the information that has been shared by the Board of Education. And so, all I know to do is to receive those numbers and that information myself. And, of course, that public information that should be public to all stakeholders will will definitely happen in that manner. So be clear, gathering is on
007my part, not on the school system's part. Okay. All right. I didn't want to overstate. Mm-hmm. No, I get that. No, I get that. So I have the clarity. No, my con… Is it just me, or okay? Okay, just want to make sure. Yeah, Chair Milhouse, you are going out, so. when you come back on, I'll let you hop back in. Vice Chair Smith, I saw your hand raised, and then Dr. Collins, we can go to you next after that. up to speed because you're casting a vote on things, right? So you want to make sure that you have the information. Vice chair know how I mean, Chair Milhouse, can you start over because you went out? You were gone for a good two minutes. Yes. Can you… can you hear me now? We can.
008Yeah, so I was saying that I appreciate with, um, um, board member liaison, um, Jackson Saunders has shared as it relates to making sure that she can get up to speed in such a short period of time, because you do have to cast a vote, or cast. a vote that was very heavy in impacting, you know, various programs that were cut. Um, but my comment was also more to what Mr. Bronson mentioned. is that they are in a fact-gathering mold, and… the information should be readily available, since the school system has already made decisions and made cuts. based on those decisions. So the data, it shouldn't be a lot for you to have to gather information, right? You should ask, and they should be able to provide, because they've made decisions, hopefully, that were data-driven.
009Vice Chair Milhouse. Um, excuse me, Vice Chair, will you finish? Yes. Okay. Yes. Okay, sorry, I'm at Vice Chair Smith. No problem, thank you. So, I had 3 items, and one of them, Chairmanhouse did touch on. Um, I wanted to go back… to, I guess, what started this conversation and. In the simplest form, is there an update on why PCAG was not invited? It's good to hear that there is at least one PCAC member there, but it doesn't sound like. It's in the capacity of PCAC. So, the first question is, why were we not invited and how is, I guess, information sharing going to occur? Um, since we're not at the table, but… Our capacity is to advise. So I would like to know if we can get some information about that. Then the second
010thing, since there is a representative from each district, can we get a list of who those individuals are? I don't even know who who my person is for District 6. And how can I engage with that person? And then the last… question was going to be, how can we see the data that's being gathered, especially if we're breaking… if that group is breaking up into smaller work groups, you know, what does that look like? Thanks. Dr. Collins, did you want to answer that, or should I defer to someone else? I know that you had your hand raised. I don't know if it was… Yeah, because my response was similar to, um… I was gonna piggyback on what Dr. Jackson Saunders was had shared. So, um, good evening, everyone. Here on behalf of Dr. Joseph and
011I for a short time. But just wanted to share something that we think will be helpful. Um, because Dr. Jackson Saunders is only one person, and for her to be only in charge of sharing the information, we can support that. So what we will start to do is so much what we did with the budget information is. This, the strategic planning, the strategic resource. committee uh that Dr. Moss convened that we meet every other week at 7:00 on Mondays. And what we will begin to do is starting next week is. send out a newsletter to the community to give them updates on what was discussed, share the resource, even though the meetings are recorded, they both were recorded in their presentations. Just sharing that information like we did with the budget info, so it'll go
012out to the. school community, as well as we did the legislators, as well as the council. And that will be helpful to keep everyone up to up to speed. In terms of why PCAC was not invited. I don't have a response for that, but I know that, uh, Dr. Moss. Uh, did, uh, do his due diligence to get a good sampling, um, to ensure the group was manageable enough to do the work that Mr. Brunson talked about to be able to get into small groups and really dig into the work. And then I mentioned how we can get information. And then a list of who's on the committee. Again, when we, uh, when the updates go out next week, that's something we can easily put into the update, so people are aware of. exactly who
013is on the committee. I don't think Dr. Jasmine Shaunders needs to do any follow-up for that. If you're okay with that, Dr. Saunders, we can include that in part of the the update for the entire community. And I, you know, the only other thing that I would add is. Doctor Jackson Saunders is correct, and Mr. Brunson's correct. Mr. Brunson is an active participant in the meeting, and so I've I've seen heard him represent really well. So if you have questions or concerns or things you want elevated. I definitely think that you can share that with him, myself, as well as Dr. Jackson Saunders to make sure the information is there. But having a small, intimate group, and when I say small, it's not like five people, it's still a large group. But it helps to
014just. narrow the focus and get the work done. One of the things we talked about last week was the 90-day timeline, and if we need to consider extending it just because of the wealth of information. And there is data that was made for the decision. It's available. It's available in a format right now that may not be conducive to parents understanding it. So the data is available. It just needs to be made accessible. So I just want to add those comments. I'm done, Miss Lawrence. Okay, thank you, Chair Mills. Miss Miss was up first, but that's fine. Dr. Collins, I just had a quick question. So in reference to you said that you were going to send comms out. However, that's disseminated, if it's linked, can we just make sure that the information continues to
015be linked to the original sources? So that when parents go back to view the information, they can go back to where they know for it to be, because this will be the first comms coming out, maybe making sure that people are aware of where to go to click on the information to find the breadcrumb of information would be super helpful. And then, like, I think Vice Chair Smith said to have in the meeting notes a contact list with a link to their email or however that we can contact them, because Mr. Bronson is only one man. We like him, but he's only one person, and we have a multitude of representation of. voices and concerns. Sure. And we probably… if… in terms of sharing the members email addresses, is that what you're asking for as
016well? No. Oh, okay. How would… like, whatever we need to do, but I have one more point to that. You mentioned extending the 90-day window, but when the board voted on this, I think it was in February, they agreed to a 90-day window. So is this something that would be an amendment? Hmm. that the board would have to go back to and. They… yeah, because it it's it was voted on for 90 days. Yeah. So I raised that in transparency, not to say the decision was made, but based on the group's discussion and and what information they want to look at and review. The 90 days may not yield enough time. So no decision was made, but that was discussed, and there would need to be a process if, in fact, there was a thought
017to extend it. That would have to go back to the board for discussion and agreement, but no decision was made to do that. So. Okay, we'll have one more question about this. This Vice Chair Smith. It's just a follow-up, and it's not directed to Dr. Collins. It might be more so for, um, board member CJ. While I can respect the need to keep a work group or whatever we call… whatever this is called, um, at a certain size, I get that. But I do have a concern as a member of PCAC. It just seems like this group was overlooked. Even if it was just… if there was consideration for just representative of one person, I think would have been good. So I just share that feedback in hopes that it can get back to that
018work group, because. We're in place for a reason. So that's all I have to say to that. I'll go on mute. Madam Chair. Thank you, Vice Chair Smith. Um, and I just want to add to that. I appreciate that, and I want everyone to know. She is not angry. She is not mad. She is communicating. Okay, so there's a difference. No one is mad. No one's angry. She is sharing her perspective. Yes, board member liaison. Thank. Thank you, Madam Chair, and of course to Member Smith, I want you to know that. the concerns, this was not the first time you have… you as a group, have raised that issue. I know you raised it at the very first meeting when the superintendent joined us after the group was assembled. And so, I will continue, obviously,
019to raise that as your liaison to this board, um, regarding your role, your advisory capacity, and of course, the concern about your… the lack of PCAT. representation on this strategic work group. So yes, ma'am. I do hear you. They have heard you. They… the board is absolutely aware, but I will continue to raise that voice in meetings. Okay. Well. Thank you for raising that. We don't want you to spend too much time on it may fall on a lot of deaf ears. So, you know, spend your time on something that's a little bit more productive. But we appreciate you for advocating on our behalf. Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. We appreciate you. So what I would like us to do is is move on to the next agenda item. If we don't have anything else, because
020there is nothing else left in my report. Vice Smith, nothing else, right? So let's move on to the next agenda item, and I just got back into my office. So what item number are we on, Miss Woodridge? We're on items at the report. important that design report. the points. So we'll move into the report of the, um, Superintendent designees. And. Yeah. Item 6… 5.6.1. 6.1 and so the way it's set up… Well, what I sent in is for the… interim superintendent to speak, and Dr. Collins, you are here in his place, so you're not a designee. That would be Dr. Jackson and Ms. Welsh, but we are going to, um, give you that time slot for item 6.1. Miss Woodridge, right? Correct. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Milhouse. I appreciate it. And I'm here with
021Dr. Jackson. Dr. Joseph is at a. a national school board association conference with the board members, so that's why he wasn't here. But it was important that. uh, one of us represent, so I appreciate you allowing me to support Dr. Jackson and Ms. Welsh to just give you some updates that I… that we believe are really important. Um, so for the short time that I have, I wanted to just make sure. that this group in particular, to your point about being the voice of the community and making sure that you can advise. I'm going to drop a link in the chat. I'm not going to share my screen, but I'm going to. See if I can… Oh, you don't have chat. Okay, well, Dr. Jackson will share it with you. I wanted to make sure
022that everybody is aware. We don't have chat capabilities. No. of our new strategic plan that's being built, because there is information online. So I'll make sure Dr. Jackson has it to push it out to the group. Um, but, uh, for our strategic plan that's being built, there are a couple of important pieces that are happening, um. right now that I wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of. So give me one second, because I want to navigating on my other computer to make sure that I can share the latest and greatest information. But it is in in phases, and we are at the phase where. It's really about getting input. from the community about what they value. If the strategic plan is moving in a direction that is giving voice to the work of
023our district. So, you know, right now it's called forward by design, and it's really going to be a roadmap for the next 3 years. Um, it's more about being just a document, right? You know, we write plans to write plans to write plans, but it's really gonna be, uh, our North Star guiding the work in our district. So… Overall, we want to make sure that it's clear that there are folks are aware that there are different phases. We're definitely trying to lay the foundation. It'll include the requirements from the State, such as the blueprint. Right? We have to make sure that just as any district, the work we're doing is aligned to the blueprint. which is the State expectation. So we are going to be held accountable to meeting those standards. So the blueprint has
024to be incorporated into our strategic plan. But it also needs to represent the context of Prince George's County Public Schools. And so that will be important. So a lot of. A lot of you spoke about data and the importance of data, so we have been analyzing data publicly available data, the dashboards data that's been available to really help us determine where is it that we need to improve, and what will be the metrics and key performance indicators we're going to be measuring. Um, where we are right now, talking not only to you all, but out and about in the community, you know, getting input from staff. Um, within the next 2 months for about 60 days, they'll continue to be pushed out to the community to provide input, and that's why having this information accessible
025on our website right now is really important, because a community can actually go see all the phases. where we are now, and where and why we really need their input. Eventually, the plan will be brought to the full board to see. The board has been engaged throughout this process, um. To ensure we're aligned with their mission and vision, but we want to have this done by the end of June. And so community voice is really important. The culture and climate survey, for example, that was pushed out for the community is one example of a data point that is informing this. Um, what we are hearing so far from our community that's really important is student success. Elevating specific academic outcomes and ensuring rigorous coursework for all students is important. Another key aspect that we've heard
026from our community is well-being. Supporting mental health and the social-emotional needs of our students, and also our staff. Another key area we're hearing a lot of is safe schools, right? Maintaining safe, clean, welcoming learning environments for our students, for our staff, and for the parents that join. And then also another area that we've heard a lot of feedback around is recruiting and retaining high quality teachers, but also high quality leaders as well. So we view our community as the experts as well. Um, we do need to look at state policies and procedures as well, but this is a shared responsibility like we can't design a strategic plan that only our staff is responsible for implementing. We make sure that we need to make sure that. Our community feels and sees their voice is embedded, and
027that our community is holding us accountable to meeting the outcomes that are expected. So shaping this vision is really important so that everybody feels that they're on it. And, you know, I want to close with we're not just asking for feedback, but also partnership. You know, community outreach and engagement is just going to be an ongoing thing that we've got to continue to get better at as our communities continue to change. And we have to also make sure we're figuring out how to engage communities that may not feel they're being engaged or giving feedback. And we're doing engagement that makes sense for the broader community. So I'll definitely follow what Dr. Jackson to make sure she can share. The direct link to the website with all of you, so you can push it out. But
028if you have any questions about the strategic plan, you know, follow up and input. Definitely Dr. Jackson can connect with the lead team who's planning that. But again, I can't stress enough. the partnership and the community voice is going to be really important. Thank you, Dr. Collins. I I just want to state one thing, and I I I know I say it often, and I want to for clarity, make sure that the parent community advisory Council, we are an advisory group. Mm-hmm. And, um, when I hear the word, push it out, share it with your network, this, that, and the other, um, we are… we are looked at more so as an extension to brand and market something than it to advise. And I'm not sure if you, um, noticed in the dialogue that as
029you were speaking about it. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. an opportunity to utilize the group is to have feedback about the strategic plan, to meet. I mean, we could have set up this forum to have that discussion as well, but I also want to make sure that I add. Mm-hmm. that when we talk about engagement, that really is the cornerstone of any organization, right? And one of the things, as we are out and about doing our prospective things, when parents are advocating. Mm-hmm. Right? Right, wrong, or indifferent, for, against, when the school system chooses to engage in label and frame those individuals as the loud and privileged. Mm-hmm. Okay. Mm-hmm. It sets a tone that there is no desire to partner. There is no desire for real engagement unless it aligns, right, with what, um, aligns with the
030agenda set by the individual setting the agenda. Mm-hmm. And so, I'm hoping that what you're hearing from me is an opportunity to do more with. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. the school system just talking about… family and community engagement, but really living up to it. Because we will continue to hold you all accountable, and we will speak out. And so whatever people want to label an individual who speaks forth the truth. Mm-hmm. and ask and demands accountability and transparency. Call us what you want, but you cannot, in the same breath, talk about engagement and talk about partnership if, when people are speaking out, asking questions, then those who don't align with the agenda. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. get labeled as the loud and privileged, and what I can tell you, we're just gonna talk about me, um, privileged… To
031be an American in what we have access to, absolutely in comparison to. Um, but I do know under the public education system, it doesn't matter how much money I have or what anybody has access to, we all have a right to a free and fair education. And that's what we're always going to fight for and push for. So when we talk about the strategic plan and engagement. I said it before, Dr. Jackson's department is dwindling in resources. Mrs. Welsh department is dwindling in resources, so the policy side and the engagement side, and, um, so I'm always wondering what a school system really believes in, in the areas where they are pulling many of the dollars from where we need it the most for the experts to push. Mm-hmm. The engagement piece, the push, the policy
032piece, who have the budgets that become smaller and smaller and smaller. So I hope that you can receive, um, what I'm saying with, um, an understanding of wanting to collaborate and partner. Mm-hmm. But the language that is used when parents do speak up and advocate and push for accountability and transparency, it is very important that those individuals are, um… met with, um, open arms just as much as you all want us to meet you with open arms, but when they are labeled, and it's not something I'm making up, this is something that's been on record, um, and I'm working with a lot of parents, is come as co-creators. And be willing and open to understand what's happening. But when we talk about the strategic plan, it does take the entire group, right? The entire every
033stakeholder to really. put something in place and move something forward. Mm-hmm. Yeah. So that received, and I actually was going to. That was going to be my follow up question. Because I know these are your meetings. If there is an opportunity for the strategic planning team to come to one of these meetings to do like a feedback session. That was… that was gonna be my next question. Is that something that the group would be open to? Because I know these are your agendas, so I didn't want to plan that for tonight without, you know, getting the, uh, sharing this request with you all. But I think that, to your point, because you are. This group is an advisory group that that would be helpful if we would be able to do that. We would be
034prepared. Is there a meeting next month? Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. Hmm. Yeah. Yes, there's a meeting in May, there's a meeting in June, and we have been setting agendas because no one's been meeting with us for advisement. And so we've been kind of, you know, pulling in people, having them to present. And so as we've been saying, even prior to you coming, this is the space to meet with all of the intelligent, the creative minds. to really get access to the advisement and, you know, putting the information out there, getting the input, we're here. And so that… Yeah. Yeah. So let's try for May. If we can, we can do that. Dr. Jackson can follow up to coordinate that as our, you know, liaison. But let's try for May. I mean, it won't take us any
035time to pull it together, because it's something. That's just a part of this. So I'm gonna ask that. So I'm glad you brought that up. Yeah, and you all can have the whole agenda. You can have the whole agenda. We don't need to report out from me. We, you know, it is set for us to advise, and that's the only thing that we've been advocating for for 4 years. Okay. Well, I think it's important for you to report out, and I appreciate hearing the updates from you. I don't have anything to report out on. And also Board Jackson Saunders, so thank you. Yeah, but we, you know, I mean, we're here. So absolutely, Miss Perkins, and we're going to move on after this, Miss Perkins. Go ahead. I'll be brief, Chair Mouse, thank you. Dr.
036Collins, thank you so much for this update. I guess my question is, and I may have missed this. When was this sent out to the community? And then the questions that are asked, these are basic data is that we've been asked as parents before. What is the intent of this? first set of questions, and why would it? Why does it take 60 days when we're nearing the end of the school year? I just want to make sure that the efforts that you all are developing are something that we can give you some real feedback for as the parent community. Um, so that you can take it and develop things, because these questions are just basic questions that I'm sure you have the data set that's already been answered in another survey. Sure, so for the
037first questions, when was it pushed out? I'd have to go back to the team to see. We do have a timeline, and I don't have that up with me, so that's something I can have Dr. Jackson circle back. The second question in terms of the question. So we actually work with Hanover research. Um, who's an advisor on developing the strategic plan. So in determining the questions to ask, they are the the consultants that help us form the questions. But during some of the, um… Focus groups, from what I've seen before, not only in this district, but in other districts. You have the ability to just have a dialogue and move away from some of some of those questions and really have a dialogue. And and that's kind of the beauty of having sort of these
038advisory sessions and and smaller meetings. I also know I don't know the date. I think it was around in February. Um, there was information, uh, pushed out inviting parents to be part of some small focus virtual work groups. And I know there was, I think, a limited number of folks that that could apply. But I know that. was pushed out as well. So in terms of the the questions again, working with Hanover research and using their best thinking. They do national work on strategic planning. They help, you know, design those questions, but never wedded to those questions. It's. You know, when you dialogue with folks and you just kind of have a facilitated discussion. Some of the data also, I can tell you we find we don't have the answers or the specific. to those
039questions, and so it allows us to follow up and ask more concrete questions as well. But I'll definitely circle back on your question around when was… when was it pushed out? Mm-hmm. Okay, then one more, I'm sorry to turn the house. So, also, like, we're talking about transportation, how they developed a tracker of their progress to their goal. It'll be nice to have a tracker to just point parents in the right direction. It's just like there's information, but there's no. tangible information for people to grab and understand and communicate and digest. Um, it's just to me, it feels like it's… That's helpful. So last question. I know we have to go and I have to go to Miss Perkins. My wonder is if you'd be willing to have a follow up conversation with one of
040our directors, because the feedback you're giving is very specific, and I want to make sure we hit that. So if you're open to that. Um, I can reach out through Dr. Jackson to you separately, to maybe just schedule a conversation so you can meet with Dr. Weathington, and you could help advise in that way, if that would be okay with you. Yeah, that's fine. Thank you so much. And seeing no other hands. Thank you so much, Dr. Collins. We will move into. Dr. Jackson? I think you're up for a presentation. You're mute. I see you saying something that you're going to turn off mute. You're ready to go. Yes, thank you. As I'm trying to pull up and share the the real presentation. There's one in diligent. And as we got ready to start the
041meeting, I was like, whoops, I sent the wrong one. Um, so I want to open the one I have, and I will go through it very quickly, because you will get the updated version, and I hope this opens for you. Can you see my screen? Yes. Yes, I can see it. Are we good? Great. So I will go very quickly. I just had some updates. A lot of what you see is what I've been over before. I always refer to our big rocks because all of our work in our department is aligned. To make sure that whatever we do, we want to make sure that we are helping the system move forward in meeting those big rocks. So it's a little bit about what we do and who we are, but this is what's happening
042now. I wanted to share with you all. Uh, actually, tomorrow morning, and I don't know why I didn't put it here, I'm sorry. Tomorrow morning, let me start with that one. We are celebrating the last of our library renovations that were done by the Heart of America. Our partners, uh, it will be a ribbon cutting at Frederick Douglass High School at 9 a.m. And any of you who are available, who would like to come, it would really be a great thing to see. If you haven't been to any of the 45, um, places that have been renovated by this partner, if you've been, you will be blown away. So, the last one is tomorrow at the Frederick Douglass High School. Uh, in, um, District 9, and so I invite you to go, and I can
043email you the address after our meeting. Um, the other things that we have coming up that are big system things, I'll start… I'll go through first, uh, our Teacher of the Year process is nearing its end, and it will… that person will… the 3 finalists will be announced soon. And then the final person will be announced on April 16th, and we will share that information with you as well. Because of our budget cuts, it'll be a small celebration. I will talk to the people in charge. to see if I can send invitations out. I know at this point, it will be the three top finalists and their families, and probably the schools that they're from, but I will let you all know so that you can, if you want to participate, you can. Uh, we
044will have a parent leadership data update again, because many of our schools did not participate fully this year. Miss Shannon and I have been kind of tracking them down to say, we want every school. to have some type of parent leadership organization. And our superintendent leadership does not care what it's called. It can be a PTA, a PTO, a PTSA. It can be a parent club, it can be whatever that school community and the parents in that community want to have. But it has to be an organization that allows parents to give input into the school's planning and the way programs are delivered. And so, again, Dr. Joseph has asked us to please go after him again. We know that some schools. Are having elections in the spring so that we will follow up again,
045but the plan is for… the hope is that every school will have some type of parent leadership organization. And then we will have our parent leadership fourth quarterly conversation at the beginning of June. So we'll do that before the school year ends. So if I could go backward now, Family Institute sessions, we have four left for this year. April 14 will be about understanding how your child's IEP supports their learning. We have another set of specialists from the Department of Special Education that work closely with the IEP process. To talk with parents about how they can use that information to work in partnership with the class teacher to really support their child's learning. And so there's strategies for families to have, as well as what's supposed to be happening to honor that child's IEP. Uh,
046as everyone knows, uh, pre-K and kindergarten enrollment is happening right now. And then we are offering another session about kindergarten readiness so that we can make sure that all families understand. What needs to be happening, how they can help their child be ready, you know, to attend school pre-K or K in the fall. We have a session in May, uh, about trauma and resiliency. We know that our communities are being traumatized right now. With the… with many things, but one of the main things, of course, is the. Infiltration of ice. We have families that are reacting to what's happening with the wars that are war that is going on, and all of that impacts children. Children bring those… that stress to school. And we'll be talking about what we can do, and what can we
047do together as families and educators to really support our children. And then May 19th is getting ready for summer. Uh, we call it the No Slide Zone. We want children to really be engaged in learning. Over the summer, so, uh, we have our, uh, one of our instructional directors who will talk about some of the recommended practices that families can use to help their children avoid that summer slide. Uh, we also have structures within our department that we run. One is called Parent Cafes. Uh, it's a very, very innovative approach, whereas these schools have selected to host an event, invite as many parents as possible to come in and talk about parenting. What is it that we as parents can do to help develop what we call protective factors around our children, whether it's helping
048them with their emotional, social-emotional learning, whether it's about helping them learn good manners. Or, you know, just how to be effective individuals. Those cafes have been happening, and they have been incredible. Some of them have 60 parents a night, and we have people in tears because of the conversations that they get to have. Because a lot of times parents, you know how we feel as parents, sometimes we feel like we are isolated. we decided to do these as opportunities for parents to just come together. Children are in another place, and the parents are there, they have dinner first, then they begin to have conversations about how can we become better parents. Another one is what we call Dadversity. This is focusing. On father or male role model engagement. And that is led by Mr. Ortiz
049on my staff, but it's also led by a lot of the male parent engagement assistants. And these are schools that have selected. To have these 5-week programs with the same group of fathers come together 5 weeks in a row, and they, uh, talk about the importance of father engagement in their child's educations. So these are the sessions, and I can. share with you. I think the date, uh, the dates are here, the times are here, and if anyone is interested in attending, please let me know, and I will let Mr. Ortiz know if anyone's interested in Parent Cafe, I'll let Winsome Felby know. And so, again, I just wanted to give you some updates, and then everything else is in the slideshow that you will get replacing what's in the, uh, indulgent right now. Uh,
050thanks to Ms. Perkins for opening it up tonight and saying, hey, you got some typos, and I looked, I said, that's not the one. Thank you, Miss Perkins. I appreciate you. So thank you all. And if you have any questions for me about any of the things that we're doing, um, I do want to share with you all a big thing that's happening. Uh, because of the budget cuts and trying to figure out how do we keep some things, because if you were with me about in 2009, we were up to about 75 parent engagement assistants. And the budget bottom fell out. And all of those positions were cut. And so to avoid that happening, because Dr. Joseph had made a commitment that he doesn't want to cut service people, people who are, I call
051them the boots on the ground. The grant of community schools has been opened up so any parent engagement assistant who is assigned to a school that is a community school will have their salary picked up by community schools. So their job description stays the same, but what they will do is learn even more about community schools so they can help the community school coordinators in those buildings make sure that they're fully implementing the pillars of community schools. So I'm very excited about that, because. That would have been close to 70 people that might have lost their jobs this year, and we were able to keep them here because of opening up that grant. We got permission from the state, um, not only will PEAs be covered. that are in community schools, also pupil personnel workers
052who are assigned to community schools' salaries will be picked up under the community schools grant. So that doesn't change their job description, but it expands their work, expands their opportunity to collaborate. with other people doing similar work. And I see a hand, Ms. Thank you, Dr. Yeah. Miss Harris, his hand is up. Ms. Hello. Yes. Hi, Dr. Jackson. Thank you very much for that. Thank you very much for that presentation. I was just noting that the annual artisms submit that is coming up. I noticed you didn't have it on there. Is it still happening? On the 18th. Okay. you know, because it's not something that I manage, I will make sure that I pull those things, because there are some other things happening. You're right, the autism summit is happening. There's a Latino summit that's
053getting ready to happen. I'll make sure I provide all of those. Um, and I'll attach it into this PowerPoint, because you're right. Yes, it's still happening. Okay. Thank you. Seeing no other hands. Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for your. very thorough presentation. We will now move into and keep me… keep me correct, Miss Woodridge. Item 7. the presentation. from Miss Welsh. Good evening, everyone. I'll be brief. Also, actually probably briefer than Dr. Jackson. I wanted to just share where we are of the Policy and Governance Committee, where the the committee is in terms of policies that are coming up. We have a policy and governance committee on April the 14th, and the policies that will be discussed at that meeting are going to be Policy 0116. And I did send that in so that you could
054see it posted on the. On the on the website. But I mean on the screen. But I I don't see it yet. But anyway, the policy policy 0116 is wellness, nutrition and physical activity. And this is a policy that we worked on probably over a year ago with the committee. And there it is. Thank you. And the at the time when we had discussed this policy and we actually expanded, it became much broader, and we talked about many different areas in terms of wellness, nutrition, and physical activity for students. The question came up by committee members. What are okay. Is it possible to provide a recess period for middle school students because they really do need to have the opportunity to get up and move around during the day? Plus, there's a lot of research
055out there that shows that physical activity does help with brain functioning. So the problem is, is that Maryland State Department of Education actually prescribes pretty much in detail how many minutes you have to spend on each of the subject areas within the curriculum. And so that does eat up almost an entire day. In the policy itself, there is a paragraph that talks about the fact that there would be a team that would come together and they would actually research all of the evidence out there right now that goes to things that could be done within the school day for middle schoolers. that would allow them to have movement during the day, whether it's through the… out the day or even in teaching middle school students. So the combination of people from the academic division as
056well as school support division. got together, and they, uh, been working on the research, and they will be presenting at that meeting on, um, next Tuesday, uh, in terms of what they found in their research, and hopefully we will end up with some additional language in the policy that will address how we can get middle school students to. provide them the opportunity to move throughout the day to help them, um, you know, just… they'll probably enjoy their day much more if they can move around a little bit during the day. So I think that's going to be quite interesting. And then we have, uh, certificates of recognition. That is going to be revised, and that policy is an old, old policy, so mainly it's going to be on our formatting and everything, but it will
057be revised and discussed. And then two policies will be combined together, because generally they come up with, if you look at a board agenda, you'll see them both together under the consent agenda, and one is policy 3186 cost estimates and board resolutions, and then policy 9305. cremations. So that will be… those two will be combined into one policy, and then we'll have a discussion about that policy. Additionally, right now, there's no policies out for public comment, but when the committee meets on Tuesday, April 14th, they will end up voting. to send, well, hopefully they'll end up voting to send out for public comment policy 8302, which was originally policy 5115, and it is 7305 Student Appeals of disciplinary action. So when a student has been either suspended for more than 10 days. or has been
058expelled, the student absolutely has a right to appeal that decision. And so this particular policy actually goes through in pretty much detail all the steps and the rules for the appeal and what the Board of Education must do as they're going through that appeal process. And you know what rights the… The student and the parent has as they go through this appeal. So you look for it, because I'm pretty sure they'll vote to send it out for public comment, and it'll probably be out then sometime next week, and it'll be sitting out there for at least two weeks to get everyone's comments. And then the only other thing I wanted to say in terms of policies is that on March 26th, right before the break, the board did enact 2 new board policies. One is
059a number hasn't been assigned yet, but it will be probably I'm not sure if it'll be in the 5000s or the 00s, but it's the policy is interacting with immigration enforcement agents. And that is that we by law, we were required to put together a policy. The state from a bill that was passed last year. And the attorney General for the state actually put together a model policy. And so all the school systems were required to use the model policy. We did add some extra things to the policy. So it's more expansive than what was in the Attorney General's policy. And we received tremendous amount of feedback, especially from the CASA group. And we did really listen to what they had to provide and sort of made definite changes to the policy. The board did
060enact this policy on March 26th. And then the other policy, which actually goes into a tremendous amount of detail also is Policy 0126, which has to do with student safety, prevention of child sexual abuse and reporting suspected. Child abuse and neglect. And it's pretty specific in terms of what needs to happen to ensure we keep the students safe in the in the school setting. So that's… that's where we are right now with policies. And then the only other thing I wanted to say for the legislative update is signing day is on March, I mean, on April 13th is coming Monday, which means that the legislative session will. close. And for this legislate for this year. So right now they both the House and the Senate are voting like crazy on bills, so they're coming up
061like they have, like, long list that they're voting each of the different committees. So it will be by the 13th, we'll pretty much know all the bills that have come through that were voted through to actually go to the governor. And then the governor starts going through the bills and he either passes them or vetoes them. Or he might not sign them at all, and then it does get passed, and that'll end… happen near the end of April and the beginning of May, and then we'll know for sure every bill that we'll be accountable for. And just so you know, what we do internally, once we know exactly what has been passed and signed off by the. Governor, then I put together this big spreadsheet that has each bill and a description of all the
062compliance requirements for that particular bill, and it goes out to each of the chiefs, and I do identify which departments or divisions are responsible for ensuring that they do implement. The new requirements in each of the bills. And I try to get that out to them by May, mainly because most of the bills say that they begin enacting July 1, which is crazy, because that's a very quick turnaround in terms of some of the things that they're requiring in the bills. Keep moving forward. So that's about where we are in terms of the legislative session. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Well. Any questions? Okay. Hearing no questions or seeing no questions. Miss Welsh is always thank you for providing so much information that's always very helpful to keep us on target with. the laws that
063govern what we do. And so at this time I do want to make one quick announcement. We will be having. our PCAC elections in May. Um… So stay tuned for an email that will be coming out. So. the positions that will be available are chair, vice chair, and Recording Secretary. Dr. Jackson, before we close out and move to ending the meeting, you have your hand up. I do, Mrs. Milhouse. One of the things you asked at the very beginning of the meeting is about the. Community School Symposium. and that is going to be on April 15th at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Maryland, from 9 Am. To 3 pm. I will put this information in the slideshow that I will send. back tonight to replace the others, and I'm also looking up those other
064things. Thank you, Ms. Harris, for asking me about the Autism Summit. I know we have a Latino Summit coming up very soon, too. So anything else like that, I'll make sure you get that. Thank you so much, Dr. Jackson, always. A wealth of information. Thank you so much. Miss Perkins. Yes, your hand is up. I'll be brief, one thing. Dr. Jackson, is that the event that you said that you needed volunteers for? No, that would be the sympos. The community school. which is the April the 15th. I think we need volunteers for that. Okay, could you share whatever that link is? And I'm assuming Pgcps cleared parents or whatever the requirements are to volunteer. I will definitely find all of that and put that with it because you're absolutely correct. Dr. Williams Horton did ask
065for volunteers, so I can put that in and what areas they need volunteers in. And that probably should just be a direct just for that since it's coming up so quick that. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I know that there's a flyer, and I'm gonna see if I can download that into the Powerpoint as well, so that it'll have the all the contact information for it. Okay. I just want to get clarity for the minute. So 415 event is not the community school symposium. It is. Yes, that is the community school symposium. It is. Yes, it is. It is. So the 14… Okay, and then this event that needs volunteers is the… Well, it is the same. the same. It needs that they yeah they ask for volunteers. Okay. Yes. Okay. So, um… See no other
066hands, no other questions. We will move forward with adjournment at 811. Can I get a motion to adjourn the meeting? Anyone. I move that we adjourn the April 8th, 2016 meeting of PCAT. Thank you. Hearing no one opposed to that. You all have a great evening. We will be adjourney now. Thank you so much. I secondHave aThank