C Ircle of Adults Focusing on Education

CAFE C ircle of Adults Focusing on Education

GRADY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT In Partnership with the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Wrap Up: 7th C.A.F.E Full Session January 9, 2017

A C.A.F.E. is a school, community and family stakeholder team collaborating to increase the local graduation rate, particularly for students with disabilities and/or with other academic challenges, by working together on targeted systemic educational issues. Grady County School (GCS) District C.A.F.E. Members in Attendance: Ms. Rebecca Best Parent Mentor, GCS Ms. Katina Cooper Grady School Social Worker Ms. Nola Daughtry Family Connections Representative Ms. Tammy Donalson Assistant Principal/ Instructional Coordinator, CHS Ms. Cristie Gilliard Director of Special Education, GCS Ms. Cathe Hoskins Special Education Teacher, CHS Mr. Chris Lokey Principal, CHS Ms. Betsy McGriff Archway Education Business & Industry Ms. Regina Thompson Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)

Members not in attendance: Mr. Justin Amaro Assistant Principal, Whigham Elementary School Ms. Laura Elliott Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, GCS Mr. Stephen Francis Director, Cairo Unit, Boys and Girls Club of Southwest GA. Dr. Kermit V. Gilliard, Jr. Superintendent, GCS Ms. Pam Hollingsworth Student Success District Coach Ms. Marquelle Hopkins 5th Grade Math Teacher, Eastside Elementary School Ms. Cassie Hudson Special Education Inclusion Teacher, Whigham Ms. Felicia Hunter Business/Community Leader, Capitol City Bank Ms. Laneika Thomas GVRA Representative Mr. Hank Smith General Education Teacher, CHS

Meeting Highlights:  The C.A.F.E. began on an encouraging note with Principal Chris Lokey highlighting the progress made in planning Cairo High School’s future Ninth

1 CAFE Grade Academy. Construction is underway with the completion date set for Fall, 2017.  A team of administrators recently visited the 9th grade academies in the Lee and White County School Districts. Mr. Lokey said the team gathered a wealth of information, including academic strategies, and last week presented the information to the Grady School District Board of Education.  An open house to discuss the future 9th Grade Academy is planned for Jan 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Cairo High School. During this time, eighth grade students and their parents will learn how the new academy will operate.  All students identified for intervention under the State Improvement Performance Plan (SSIP) continue to be seen once every two weeks by selected school staff. There are eight volunteers who mentor a total of eight students each.  Mentors meet monthly with Principal Lokey and Ms. Pam Hollingsworth to discuss any concerns or needs.  Tutoring also started for SSIP students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Transportation is provided for any student who signs up Friday prior to the upcoming tutoring session.  The district offered “Saturday School” on December 18 which happened to be the first day of the Christmas break. A total of 10 students were transported by their parents to the school to receive help in math. Cairo High School provided breakfast for students.  SSIP students were given an interest inventory skill test, which is a career assessment that provides possible career avenues to fit students’ interests, skills, and personality. This information is vital to volunteers as they mentor students.

Math Career Fair Planning: Following the update/reports on the district's progress, The C.A.F.E. members began planning the upcoming special event that will promote the important role of math concepts in post secondary plans.

The event is scheduled from 1:35 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on March 14, which is National PI-Day. Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, about 3.14159.

The event’s location was changed to the high school’s gym to allow adequate space and time for to students explore vendor stations.

The C.A.F.E. members discussed inviting businesses from the community to set up booths that would provide information to students about careers that use math. Members discussed the importance of including occupation in both professional and manual fields.

2 CAFE Students will visit booths that interest them. Results from the interest inventory test will be used to choose participating businesses. Ms. Cathe Hoskins said valuable information could be learned from the event. She suggested each student attending complete a card that asks specific questions about the experience.

Ms. Tammy Donalson said Pizza Hut supports PI Day on a national basis by hosting several promotions. The members decided to ask Pizza Hut and all other local pizza restaurants to support the event by donating at least 5 boxes of pizza.

The team divided up responsibilities and will use the next eight weeks to prepare for the event.

Next Steps!

1. Principal Lokey, Ms. Daughtery, and Ms. Rebecca Best will contact local pizza restaurants to request pizza donations. 2. Ms. Betsy McGriff and Ms. Daughtry will generate a broad list of all local businesses. C.A.F.E. stakeholders will divide contacts and call possible participants 3. Ms. Hoskins will contact the local forestry department, Grady EMC and Monrovia to participate. She also will ask Walmart plates, napkins, and drinks for the event. 4. Ms. Regina Thompson will contact the Grady and Thomasville Fire Companies. 5. Ms. Cristie Gilliard will seek other ways to promote the event throughout community 6. Ms. Best will develop and generate a “Save the Date” flyer to share at the 9th Grade Academy Open House and to distribute to participating businesses.

Ms. Tracy Barber, SW C.A.F.E. Community Engagement Coach, Ms. Best, Grady Parent Mentor, and Ms. Patti Solomon, statewide C.A.F.E. Facilitator/Coach under GaDOE’s State Personnel Development Grant support the Grady County School District C.A.F.E.