monday, may 14, 2018 - a academy

In accordance with the Colorado Open Meeting Law, all Work Sessions and General Meetings of the Aurora Academy Board of

Directors are open to the public. We encourage and appreciate public attendance at our meetings as a way to strengthen

communication within our community.

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Monday, May 14, 2018

Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. Preliminary a. Pledge of Allegiance b. Welcome to Visitors c. Roll Call

i. Board Members in attendance: Amanda Jakl (presiding), Joanna Kingsbury, Courtnay Hazim, Bernadette Fleming, James Kamb, Kristin Trujillo, Zhivonne Armstrong. Kenny Smith, Montonzo Manuel excused.

ii. Staff Members: Angela Fundaro, Amy Hoen, Christine Witt iii. Visitors: Tonoa Manuel

d. Team Norms for the Board of Directors were reviewed e. Public Comment: None

f. Approval of Agenda: Moved by Courtnay Hazim to approve agenda as submitted, seconded. Approved unanimously.

g. Approval of Minutes: Moved by Courtnay Hazim to approve minutes as amended, seconded. Approved unanimously.

2. Administrator’s Report (see attached)

3. Discussion Items a. Discipline Policy: Amy Hoen presented first reading which had been vetted

by legal. The updated changes presented to emulate fluidity of Aurora Public School Discipline Policy.

b. 2018/2019 Budget Amanda Jakl moves to table the 2018/2019 budget approval to the next

meeting, seconded. Approved unanimously. 4. Committee Reports a. Board Development May 19th we will have Board Training 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in school library. b. Community Action: (see attached) c. Finance: (see attached) d. Grievance: report prepared for executive session e. Growth Feasibility (see attached) f. Mentoring g. Personnel: nothing h. School Accountability: (see attached) i. Teachers: nothing

In accordance with the Colorado Open Meeting Law, all Work Sessions and General Meetings of the Aurora Academy Board of

Directors are open to the public. We encourage and appreciate public attendance at our meetings as a way to strengthen

communication within our community.

5. For the Good of the Cause:

Mentoring committee added to committee list. 6. Executive Session: - C.R.S. 24-6-402 (e)(f)(I&II) Personnel

Time: 7:29 p.m. Moved by Joanna Kingsbury to enter executive committee, seconded, so moved. Time: 9:34 p.m. Moved by Bernadette Fleming to exit executive committee, seconded, so moved. Amanda Jakl moves to terminate Angela Fundaro as principal of Aurora Academy Charter School, effective Friday, May 18, 2018. Seconded, approved unanimously.

7. Adjournment at 9:38 p.m.

Principal Report

Prepared by: Angela Fundaro

May 11, 2018

Assessment:

1. End of year STAR testing and end of year PALS testing underway

Academics:

1. Math Committee has made a curriculum choice for next year

School Events:

1. Spring concert and Art Show May 16th

2. Falcon Fest is May 25th

3. We are in the planning stages of Ms. Rockhold’s retirement celebration

4. Students loved Spirit Week! Staff did too…

5. Fifth grade is hosting an American Revolution Day on May 30th

Finances:

1. Nothing new to report

Other:

1. COCAN newsletter will be sent to parent community this week

2. We are fully staffed for next year

3. Teaching and Learning Conditions Colorado results received

May 10th, 2018

Become Part of the Colorado Charter Advocacy Network (COCAN) TODAY

Dear parents,

Your child goes to a charter school – a free public school. There is confusion and misinformation

about charter schools. We need you to help set the record straight about charter schools so

Aurora Academy can continue to be a happy and safe place for your child to learn.

• Please join the Colorado Charter Advocacy Network (COCAN) sponsored by the

Colorado League of Charter Schools. We need you to join this group of parents and

teachers. It will make our school that much better.

• This powerful email system will send you easy-to-use action alerts by which you can

take simple steps to send messages to elected officials in the hope of protecting our

charter school and our students.

Please do your part by signing up for COCAN today or text COCAN SIGN UP to 52886.

We are stronger together. I’m counting on you to support Aurora Academy’s students and all

charter school students in Colorado. If you have any questions, please contact me at

[email protected] or at 303-367-5983

Sincerely,

Angela Fundaro

https://p2a.co/rD5tArk

https://p2a.co/rD5tArk

mailto:[email protected]

Aurora Academy May 14th, 2018

Category Sub-Category Score 2015 Score 2018

Overall Construct Averages

Time Composite 61.0% 86%


Teacher leadership composite 78.5% 80%


School leadership composite 77.0% 81%


Professional development composite 73.3% 70%


Managing student conduct composite 90.7% 91%


Instructional practices and support composite

75.8% 93%


Facilities and resources composite 79.1% 95%


Community support and involvement composite

90.7% 95%


Overall, my school is a good place to work and learn

93.1% 100%

Community Support and Involvement

The school works directly with parents/guardians to improve the educational climate in students homes

69% 90%


The community we serve is supportive of this school

93.1% 95%


Parents/guardians know what is going on in this school

100% 100%

Facilities and Resources

Teachers have sufficient access to appropriate instructional materials and resources

79.3% 96%

Facilities and Resources

Teachers have adequate space to work productively

86.2% 100%

Instructional Practices and Support

Teachers in this school use formative assessments in their classroom to make appropriate adjustments to instruction.

100% 100%


Teachers have autonomy to make decisions about instructional delivery (i.e., pacing, materials, and pedagogy)

75.9% 96%




Teachers are encouraged to try new things to improve instruction

100% 86%


Provided supports (i.e. instructional coaching, professional learning communities) translate to improvements in instructional practices by teachers

79.3% 87%

Managing Student Conduct

The faculty work in a school environment that is safe

100% 100%


Teachers consistently enforce rules for student conduct

69% 73%


Students at this school understand expectation of their conduct

96.6% 96%

Professional Development

Professional learning opportunities are aligned with the school’s improvement plan (e.g. Unified Improvement Plan)

100% 84%


Professional development offerings are data driven

85.7% 65%


Professional development if differentiated to meet the needs of individual teachers

17.9% 86%


Professional development enhances teacher’s ability to implement instructional strategies that meet diverse student learning needs

78.6% 75%


Follow-up is provided from professional development in this school

65.5% 55%

School Leadership There is an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect in this school

75.9% 96%

School Leadership The teacher evaluation process improves teachers instructional strategies

64.3% 73%

School Leadership The faculty and leadership have a shared vision

81.5% 92%

School Leadership The components of the teacher evaluation process accurately identify effectiveness

57.1% 78%

School Leadership Teachers in this school receive informal feedback about their teaching on an ongoing basis

53.6% 74%



School Leadership Teachers feel comfortable raising issues and concerns that are important to them

69% 79%

Teacher Leadership Teachers have an appropriate level of influence on decision making in this school

60.7% 68%

Teacher Leadership Teachers are recognized as educational experts

79.3% 88%

Time The non-instructional time provided for teachers in my school is sufficient

51.7% 100%

Time Teachers are protected from duties that interfere with their essential role of educating students

79.3% 96%

AURORA ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL HAS ADOPTED THE AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT CONDUCT

AND DISCIPLINE CODE. IN ADDITION, Aurora Academy Charter School has adopted other rules, which will

be respected by its students and parents. These include a dress code, and rules concerning acceptable

behavior in the classroom, school building, and playground areas with respect for teachers, staff, guests

(including visitors and substitute teachers) to our building, and other students.

In addition to our school, this Code applies to conduct at any school, in District vehicles, at any school-

related activities (whether or not the school-related activity is on or off campus), and under circumstances

where off campus behavior has a connection to the school or any curricular or noncurricular activity or

event and is detrimental to the welfare or safety of other pupils or school personnel.

Guiding Philosophy of the AACS Discipline Policy:

• Everyone has a right to feel safe at school.

• All teachers, staff, and substitutes have the right to do their jobs without encountering

disrespect or disruptive behaviors.

• All students have a right to learn without others causing disruption to the learning environment.

• All students are expected to learn by appropriately participating in classroom activities and

instruction.

Governing Principles of the AACS Discipline Policy:

• Discipline will be used for one of two purposes: 1) as a tool for learning; or 2) as a means to

maintain an environment that is safe and conducive to learning.

• Discipline practices will focus on helping to change or control disruptive and/or inappropriate

behaviors.

• Removal of a student from the learning environment may sometimes be necessary either for the

safety of others or to ensure an appropriate learning environment.

Communication of Disciplinary Action:

Classroom:

Each teacher will maintain their own practices and procedures for handling minor day to day

disturbances of the classroom while maintaining Aurora Academy’s governing principles. This may

include issuing a Behavior Reflection and/or Demerit.

School Wide:

Behavior Reflection and Demerit forms will be issued when a student is exhibiting repeated minor

behaviors or for egregious behaviors. When a demerit is given, a parent will be notified either by phone,

email, or in person the day it is given. A copy of the form will be sent home with the student for a parent

to sign acknowledging notification of said behavior. The signed form is to be returned the next day.

Commented [AH1]: Different word choice?

Suspension:

By Colorado law, a student may be suspended or expelled for behavior which constitutes any of the

following:

• continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of proper authority;

• willful destruction or defacing of school property;

• behavior on or off school property which is detrimental to the welfare or safety of other pupils

or of school personnel, including behavior which creates a threat of physical harm to the child or

other children;

• committing one of the following offenses on school grounds, in a school vehicle, or at a school

activity or sanctioned event;

o possession of a dangerous weapon

o the use, possession, or sale of a drug or controlled substance as defined in C.R.S. 18-18-

102(5)

o the commission of an act by a student at least ten years of age which, if committed by

an adult would be robbery pursuant to title 18, article 4, part 3 of the Colorado Revised

Statutes;

o the commission of an act by a student at least ten years of age which, if committed by

an adult would be assault pursuant to title 18, article 3, part 2 of the Colorado Revised

Statutes (other than third degree assault);

o carrying, using, actively displaying, or threatening with the use of a firearm facsimile

that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm in a school building or in or on

school property; AND

o pursuant to C.R.S. 22-12-105(3), making a false accusation of criminal activity against an

employee of an educational entity to law enforcement authorities or school district

officials or personnel

• declaration as a “habitually disruptive student”, (which is defined in our handbook); and/or

• repeated interference with a school’s (teacher’s) ability to provide educational opportunities to

other students.

Suspensions may be in-school or out-of-school and will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The length of

any suspension depends upon the severity and type of infraction and may proceed directly to expulsion.

Aurora Academy administrators have the ultimate authority on how and when suspensions will be

carried out.

Expulsion/Denial of Admission as It Relates to Disciplinary Actions: In accordance with Aurora Public Schools guidelines and because Aurora Academy Charter School is

chartered through Aurora Public Schools, AACS reserves the right to deny admission to, or expel for any

period up to a full calendar year, any student on the grounds stated below per APS guidelines:

A. The following shall be grounds for expulsion of a child during a school year:

a. continued willful disobedience or open and persistent defiance of proper authority;

b. willful destruction or defacing of school property;

Commented [AH2]: Can we add teacher’s to this for day to day logistics

c. behavior on or off school property which is detrimental to the welfare or safety of other

pupils or of school personnel, including behavior which creates a threat of physical harm

to the child or other children;

d. committing one of the following offenses on school grounds, in a school vehicle, or at a

school activity or sanctioned event;

1. possession of a dangerous weapon

2. the use, possession, or sale of a drug or controlled substance as defined in

C.R.S. 18-18-102(5)

3. the commission of an act by a student at least ten years of age which, if

committed by an adult would be robbery pursuant to title 18, article 4, part 3

of the Colorado Revised Statutes;

4. the commission of an act by a student at least ten years of age which, if

committed by an adult would be assault pursuant to title 18, article 3, part 2

of the Colorado Revised Statutes (other than third degree assault);

5. carrying, using, actively displaying, or threatening with the use of a firearm

facsimile that could reasonably be mistaken for an actual firearm in a school

building or in or on school property; AND

6. pursuant to C.R.S. 22-12-105(3), making a false accusation of criminal activity

against an employee of an educational entity to law enforcement authorities

or school district officials or personnel

e. declaration as a “habitually disruptive student”, (which is defined in our handbook);

and/or

f. repeated interference with a school’s (teacher’s) ability to provide educational

opportunities to other students.

B. The following shall constitute grounds for denial of admission to Aurora Academy Charter

School as it relates to discipline:

a. having been expelled or in the process of being expelled from any school district during

the preceding twelve months

b. behavior in another school district during the preceding twelve months that is

detrimental to the welfare or safety of other pupils or of school personnel.

c. To the extent provided by law, Aurora Academy Charter School shall prohibit any

student who is expelled from a public school from enrolling or reenrolling in our school

where the victim of the expulsion offense or member of a victim’s immediate family is

enrolled or employed (C.R.S. 22-33-106(4)(a)).

Behavior Definitions:

Habitually Disruptive

A student who has, on three or more occasions during a school year, caused a material and substantial

disruption in the classroom, on school grounds, in school vehicles, or at school-related activities. Once a

student is declared “habitually disruptive”, the student may be expelled.

Commented [AH3]: Can we add teacher’s to this for day to day logistics

Fight/Physical Aggression

Is present where: (1) a student acts with the intent of making physical contact with another person (or

acts with the knowledge that physical contact could probably result); (2) physical contact with another

person does result; and (3) the intended contact is significantly offensive to the other person. If

Assault (3rd Degree)

This crime is committed if a person knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury (even slight injury) to

another person.

Assault (2nd Degree)

In general, the following types of injuries will be present where a second degree assault has been

committed: intent to cause “bodily injury” which results in significant facial scars, broken bones, second

or third degree burns, impairment of vision or hearing for an extended period of time or injuries

resulting in impaired mobility for an extended time period.

Assault (1st Degree)

Intent to cause “bodily injury” which results in a substantial risk of death, or serious and permanent

disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body; or

broken bones or burns of the second or third degree.

Behavior Forms: SAME

Aurora Academy will use one of two forms for any disciplinary situation – a Behavior

Reflection or a Demerit. Each violation will be categorized into one of three categories

as either a minor, major, or serious infraction (see table below). Should a student receive

either a Behavior Reflection or a Demerit, a copy will be sent home for a

parent/guardian to review and sign. The signed form will then be returned to the

student’s homeroom teacher on the next school day. Should the student not return the

form the next day a phone call to a parent/guardian will be made.

Behavior Reflections – Behavior Reflections will be given for minor behavior

infractions. A parent will be notified of the Behavior Reflection either by phone, email,

or in person the day it is given. A copy of the reflection will be sent home with the

student for a parent/guardian to review and sign, and then returned to the student’s

homeroom teacher on the next school day. Accumulation of Behavior Reflections will

reset each trimester.

When does a Behavior Reflection become a Demerit?

• If at any time the student repeats the same undesired behavior with the same staff

member, he/she will be given a Demerit.

• If a student accumulates three Behavior Reflections for different behaviors with the same

staff member, he/she will receive a Demerit.

• If a student accumulates three Behavior Reflections for different behaviors with different

staff members, he/she will receive a Demerit.

• Being disrespectful or argumentative when being issued a Behavior Reflection will

result in a Demerit. This is a disruption to the learning environment.

• At times, a situation may necessitate a Demerit for a minor infraction rather than a

Behavior Reflection. These will be issued at the discretion of staff and administration.

Demerits - A Demerit will be issued when a behavior is a repeated minor behavior or is

classified as a major/serious behavior infraction. When a Demerit is given, a parent will

be notified either by phone, email, or in person the day it is given. A copy of the

Demerit will be sent home with the student for a parent/guardian to review and sign,

and then returned to the student’s homeroom teacher on the next school day.

Disciplinary Action Levels

Level 1 – Conferences

• Conference with student and/or staff

• Conference with parent/guardian and student

• Contract with student

• Time with Counselor

• Other similar actions

Level 2 – Interventions

• In-school suspension

• Exclusion from extracurricular activities

• Assignment to another class or teaching teammate

• Community service

• After school detention

• Confiscation of unauthorized materials

• Payment of damages by student to one who was wronged

• Meet with school counselor

• Other similar actions

Level 3 – Suspension / Emergency Removal / Reassignment

• Out-of-school suspension

• Time in office

• Emergency removal – immediate danger or serious disruption presented

Level 4 – Expulsion

• Out-of-school suspension pending expulsion

• Expulsion

Level 5 – Mandatory Expulsion

• Mandated by federal law, state law, or Aurora Public Schools Board of Education

Policy.

Community Action Committee Report Prepared by Amanda Jakl Previous Meeting – April 18, 2018 @ 3:40pm Current & Upcoming

• Celebrate the Arts o Ticket sales and silent auction brought in about $2500

• Skate City Family Nights o Have gone well this year and are scheduled for next year.

• Staff Appreciation o “If You Give a Mouse” theme o Everything went well.

• Falcon Fest o Big Air Jumpers has been confirmed

Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 16th Canceled

CAC-Marketing Minutes· April 20, 2018 Attending: Zhivonne Armstrong, Montonzo Manuel, Tonoa Manuel, Joanna Kingsbury • Mission of CAC-Marketing “Strengthen relations within the community at large in order to support the facilities and programs of the school”

o Organization of the sub-committee § Montonzo Manuel: chair

• High Priority “Investigate new resource development projects, activities, and ideas for possible use in the future”

o Corporate Sponsorship pamphlet development (Tonoa will have done by May 18)

o Marketing strategy process (Montonzo will develop) o Havana Business District: contact Mark Brazee (Joanna) and get list of

community consortiums o

• Mid Priority “Assure appropriate parent, alumni, and local community communications and programs to facilitate continuing cultivation of the friends and patrons of the school” • Low Priority “Facilitate recruitment of students to our school and enhance the school’s name recognition and reputation in the local community”

o Ideas for community recognition and reputation facilitation: brainstorm ideas to expose community awareness – doing a business expo with Falcon 5K or other school-wide event? (Zhivonne will look into)

Next meeting: June 1, 8 a.m., Administration Meeting Room

Finance Report 4/24/18-5pm In attendance: Bernadette Fleming, Angela Fundaro, Peggy Fake, Bart Skidmore Review of past month financials

• Bart reviewed our financials.

• Books and periodicals category was reduced to $25k. We are using more consumables versus standard textbooks.

• Bart has left messages for APS regarding the variability of the amounts APS is charging to try to get more information, but no response yet.

Future Budgeting

• No major capital improvements are planned for next year-but still budgeting about $50,000 for capital improvements, carpet, repairs, etc.

• Estimated FTE number-potentially 570 students with a 535.98 FTE

• 4.5% increase in PPR

• 1.5% PERA increase

• READ and ELPA funding will increase

• Future budget is being prepared assuming a 4.5% increase in revenue, but it is likely to be 6% plus mill levy funding.

• 6.36% salary budgeting increase

.

Next Meeting: May 22nd 5pm

Growth Feasibility Committee Report Prepared by Amanda Jakl Previous Meeting – May 2, 2018 @ 8:00am Items discussed:

o Playground status

o Operations and Maintenance Manual: Mark introduced a format and procedure, from the Whole Building Design Guide, on how to gather data, layout and contents of an O&M Manual. He will begin to work with Steve Snyder on it this summer.

o Summer maintenance

o Updating the Facility Master Plan: what revisions are necessary, why and

how we can use it to attain financing for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning work.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 6th @ 8:00am

SAC Meeting 4/18/18-3:30pm In attendance: Angela Fundaro, Ms. Ostrander, Ms. Steyaert, Bernadette Fleming Review of teacher survey results

Angela reviewed survey results. No definitive data on the teachers was gathered as there were only 1 to 2 responses per teacher.

Review of parent survey results

Overall results were positive. There weren’t any identifiable trends of concern. We discussed potentially simplifying the questions to make them easier to understand. We also discussed making the surveys available to parents on pj and books night,

conference nights, etc. We might get more responses if we make it available during other school activities.

.

monday, may 14, 2018 - a academy

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