LISD Academic Advocates

1. Call to Order and Pledge. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 P.M. At that time the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2. Minutes & correspondence. The minutes were read from the Sept. 29,2004 meeting. Elizabeth Frey moved to accept the minutes. Chris Cavalli seconded the motion.

3. Treasurer's report. The beginning balance from Sept. 29,2004 was $1948.14. There was income from 7 individual memberships for $35.00 and one individual donation for $15.00. There were two expenses: 1. staff scholarship for Nancy Young for $500.00 2. 6 months renewal of the website for $89.94. The ending balance was $1423.20.

4. Committee reports. The criteria for determining who receives scholarships may need to be looked at. Chris Cavalli said she would be on the committee to look at this.

5. Old business:

--Ray Cowperthwaite reported that he had met with the principals to discuss their active support for UIL and other academic competitions within the school district. The principals have had a mild response from the teachers. There may be more response in January or February. Social Studies seems to be a good subject to start with.

--Someone wanted to know if Academic Advocates have done anything about getting started a site base recognition committee at Leander or Vista Ridge High Schools. Chris Kaye said that we are not a site base decision-making counsel. This is done by parents and teachers at each of the schools.

6. Speaker. Maryann F. Barry spoke to us on Dyslexia. October was the National Dyslexia Awareness Month. These students are smart- average to above average intelligence. They need to be taught in a different way than the average student. It is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling problems.

Maryann Barry talked about the difficulties, characteristics, symptoms and what early intervention can help with. Linda Dozier, the LISD coordinator for dyslexia programs attended and provided some LISD specific information.

7. Announcements:
--The next meeting will be Wed. Nov.17, 2004. The subject will be the state Accountability standards.

--The College Planning Seminars were held Thurs. Oct. 28,2004 at CPHS and Mon. Nov. 1, 2004 at LHS.

8. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Hosier
Secretary