2007-03-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, March 16, 2007 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Burnley-Moran Elementary School. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Luncheon Meeting with School Board BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BURNLEY-MORAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – March 16, 2007 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Ms. Rosa Atkins, Superintendent of Schools, said that the main topic of the meeting will be an update on volunteers in the schools. Ms. Gertrude Ivory, Associate Superintendent of Schools, said that information about volunteers was solicited from all the schools. She said over 1,400 volunteers were identified that provide tutoring, mentoring, both in the classroom and out, and for after school programs, at an estimated value of $525,856.98. She said many volunteers were not included in this count. Mr. Norris said he thinks parent volunteers in classrooms is an undertapped resource that depends on the individual teacher. He suggested providing training to teachers on how to utilize parents. Ms. Ivory said assistance is needed on training, and there is a need to provide a meaningful activity for volunteers. Mr. Lynch asked how a large group of volunteers (i.e., IMPACT), could be involved if they were interested, and Ms. Atkins said they should contact central office. Dr. Brown asked if areas where volunteers are needed have been identified. Ms. Atkins said that is the next logical step. She said each school will need to identify the need. She said it would be beneficial to have a more formal process. Mr. Norris encouraged the School Board to look ahead to how this could be formalized in next year’s budget. Dr. Brown said the volunteer list is impressive and speaks well of our community. Ms. Hamilton asked if it would be possible to address training of teachers and parents through staff development sessions at the beginning of the year. Ms. Beth Baptist, Director of Special Education and Student Services, explained that academic success conferences were held to inform parents what their child needs to do to graduate. She said this effort was taken down to the middle school level as well. She said it is hard to know outcomes at this time. Mr. Norris asked for a rough estimate of the number of single parents who attended the conferences. Ms. Bishop said that most students came with just one parent, but she does not know if that meant they are a single parent family as it was not tracked. Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Ms. Bishop said Counselors will follow up with information on the status of children who did not attend the conferences.