LISD Academic Advocates

1. Call to Order and Pledge. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. At that time the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2. Minutes & Correspondence. The minutes were read from the Oct. 27, 2004 meeting. Ray Cowperthwaite moved to accept the minutes. Elizabeth Frey seconded the motion.

3. Treasurer's report The beginning balance from Oct. 27, 2004 was $1423.20. There was income from 24 individual memberships for $120.00 and on individual donation for $10.00. There were no expenses for the month. Elizabeth Frey found a shortage of $29.00. She's looking into where it is. The ending balance is $1519.20.

4. Committee reports: (membership, scholarship, nominating, special events) The changes on the Academic Advocates Associates Scholarship were discussed. It was decided to move the questions relating to activities and awards up to the application checklist. Some additional minor wording changes were made in the four remaining essay quesitons.

No information has been found on the toastmaster club as of yet. We would like them to mentor/assist the seniors with presentation skills for their senior projects. Chuck Doyle, head of the English Dept. at C.P.H.S., should be contacted and let him know what we are trying to do.

Erika is going to meet with Alicia Russell and talk about the Education Expo. It was suggested that we should have this along with another school event that would draw a number of people, such as getting % off of school shirts or sign up for the school cafeteria meal ticket.

5. Speakers: Nancy Young, CPHS, 2004 Faculty Grant winner: Nancy described the gifted and talented training she was able to take with her grant money. She explained how she is successfully using the skills she learned with her special education students. Erika Mittag, summary of Mike Johnson's grant report: Mike used his grant funds to purchase additional classroom support materials for the AP European History class he was able to offer for the first time this year. The primary source readers, DVD's and videos and other materials have engaged the students' curiosity and enhanced their learning experience.

6. Sound off: LISD-ACC College Connection overview: This program allies LISD and ACC in a plan to assist all graduating seniors with completing the application process for acceptance at ACC when they graduate. The goal is for each graduate to be handed an acceptance letter along with his diploma. This encourages students who might not otherwise have applied for college. Once accepted, students would be eligible to enroll in ACC classes at in district rates for life.

7. Announcements.
Next meeting: February 23 : Erika will follow up on Summer School as the topic
March meeting: March 23 - Change of location to CPHS

8. The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Hosier
Secretary