Community Education Council 24

P.S. 91 Room 119 68-10 Central Avenue

Glendale, New York 11385
Phone: 718.418.8160 / Fax: 718.418.8168/ Cec24@schools.nyc.gov

New York City Department of Education

Nick Comaianni Dmytro Fedkowskyj Lelani Bomani Ernest Cury Marge Kolb
President 1St Vice President 2nd Vice President Treasurer Secretary

Council Members Department of Education Region 4 Officials Cecilia

Chavez Charles Amundsen
Bill Kregler Regional Superintendent
Deborah Tscherne Catherine M. Powis
Peter Vercessi Deputy Regional Superintendent and
Community Superintendent District 24

FINAL BOARD APPROVED MINUTES

Minutes of Calendar Meeting
January 23, 2007
PS 58, Maspeth, New York

1) Call to order and Roll Call -- The Calendar meeting convened at PS 58 at 7:00 PM

Roll Call – Present

• Cecilia Chavez
• Nick Comaianni
• Ernest Cury
• Dmytro Fedkowskyj
• Bill Kregler
• Debbie Tscherne

Roll Call – Late

• Marge Kolb

Roll Call – Absent

• Lelani Bomani

Also in attendance

Catherine Powis, Community Superintendent, District 24 and Cheryl Quartrano, Director Gifted
and Talented, Region 4

2) Approval of Minutes – Minutes of November 28, 2006 and December 19, 2006 were
unanimously approved.

3) New Member Vote

Mr. Fedkowskyj motioned to vote on new member applicant Mr. Peter Vercessi, Ms. Debbie
Tscherne seconded. Mr. Bill Kregler called the roll; Mr. Peter Vercessi was approved to sit on
the Community Education Council District 24 by a unanimous vote.
4) Report of the President

Mr. Comaianni stated that construction in District 24 is status quo. He announced that
Community Board 5 is holding a public hearing concerning new construction at PS 128 in
Middle Village on February 7th at 7:30 PM. Mr. Comaianni stated that under the new Children
First reforms the regions will be abolished and in their place will be ‘super’ regions. He further
stated that this move will bring the Community Superintendent in closer contact with the
Chancellor and noted that it was a positive move for the district. He also informed the public
that the council will be voting on a resolution regarding the new Beacon program and further
announced that a new committee was formed called the Gifted and Talented Committee of which
Debbie Tscherne will chair.

5) Report of the Community Superintendent

Ms. Powis stated that in return for increased autonomy, flexibility and resources, the DOE is
holding schools accountable for improving the academic outcomes of all students. The DOE
will also be providing schools and families with an unprecedented amount of information about
student achievement while intensively training educators and parents to use this information to
accelerate student learning. By September 2007 all schools will receive Progress Reports
grading them A-F on attendance; parent teacher and student responses to surveys, and student
performance and progress. The focus is on progress by all students at all levels, with additional
credit for big gains by poor, minority, and high-needs children. Starting this year all schools
receive an annual Quality Review. Education experts talk to parents, students and staff; observe
classrooms; and review how schools use data and set targets to improve learning for all students.
A public report details each school’s strengths and weaknesses. The DOE is giving schools new
tools to understand and track each child’s progress throughout the year. Teachers use these
Periodic Assessments to create action plans tailored to the needs and talents of each student.
Further, a new data system (the Achievement Reporting and Innovation System) will give
educators (2007-2008) and parents (2008-2009) on-time access to critical information on student
progress from kindergarten through high school. The DOE will also give schools intensive
hands-on training in the use of the new accountability tools to accelerate student learning. She
further stated that this accountability initiative is only one part of the continued Children First
Initiative. Ms. Powis stated that she will report in detail on other parts as she becomes informed.

Ms. Powis stated that applications are being accepted from parents who wish to nominate their
5th grade child/children for the Gifted and Talented Beacon program. The closing date is
February 14, 2007.
Ms. Powis closed her report by stating that District 24, Region 4 will sponsor a parent conference
on January 27, 2007 at PS 239. Parents will be given the opportunity to attend workshops on
various topics. She further stated that community based organizations will also be present to
provide information to parents.

Mr. Fedkowskyj asked if there were any meetings planned regarding the roll out of the new
super regions to which Ms. Powis stated that there are many meetings planned and she will keep
the CEC informed.

Mr. Fedkowskyj asked if there was an understanding as to how the CEC will interact with the 4
empowerment schools in District 24 to which Ms. Powis responded that the schools are being
steered by a team leader who does not evaluate the principals. She stated that the principals met
with her last night to explain their goals and strategies; she further stated that if a child is in an
empowerment school the parent needs to reach out first to the principal, the team leader or
herself.

Mr. Comaianni added that the empowerment schools fall under the CEC by state law.

6) Guest Speakers -- Cheryl Quatrano, Director of Gifted and Talented Region 4 and Melinda
Spitaro, Coordinator, Gifted and Talented Region 4

Ms. Quatrano stated that she is thrilled to be rolling out a Gifted and Talented Middle School
program in District 24 and reminded the public that it is a work in progress and still in the
planning stages. She stated that the Region wanted to get word out to the parents right away so
that parents who wish to have their child/children tested can do so in a timely fashion.
Specifically there will be new classes formed in IS 119 and IS 61 and the first year 2 new
classes, one on each site will be formed. As PS 16 students move into IS 61 and the children
from PS 153 will move into IS 119. A projection sheet will be designed as to how the program
will progress over the years. In District 30 there has been a Gifted and Talented middle school
program for the past 20 years and it has been very successful. The City of New York has
centralized entrance criteria and so we are going through major changes and throughout NYC
Region 4 has received thus far the most applications for this program. We will be recruiting
certified teachers for this program; we are in our first stages so that we can get this program off
the ground in September.

Mr. Comaianni asked Ms. Quatrano to explain the difference between the ‘Beacon’ program and
the ‘Gifted and Talented’ program to which she stated that there is no difference.

Mr. Fedkowskyj asked if the 6th graders in the Beacon program who graduate in June will be
tested again for the middle school program to which Ms. Quatrano stated that they will be
grandfathered into the program. He then asked if the 5th grade students currently in the Beacon
program will be able to take the test or will they have to stay in the program at PS 153 to which
Ms. Quatrano responded that the students will be moved up in 153 to fill empty seats. Mr.
Fedkowskyj pointed out that in September 2008 there will be two 7th grade classes moving into
IS 119 to which Ms. Powis stated that the resolution for this situation has yet to come to fruition.
She further stated that she had presented a few options to parents such as there would be a
grandfathering situation and another possibility is to level the whole program and take the 6th
grade Beacon class out of PS 153. This decision is way off and it will be talked about and
worked out to the best of our ability.

Mr. Comaianni assured the parents that anything discussed regarding the above issue will be
discussed with parents as well through future meetings and forums.

Mr. Fedkowskyj asked how many seats will be available for both classes to which Ms. Quartrano
stated that the number has yet to be determined. It will be the same as what is mandated by the
city – 30 or 32.

Mr. Fedkowskyj then asked when the testing will take place to which Ms. Quatrano stated that it
will be ongoing. He then asked when the decision will be made to determine which children will
fill the G&T seats to which Ms. Quatrano stated that at some point in mid-March, perhaps April,
it is beyond our control. Mr. Fedkowskyj asked if parents will know by the end of April to
which Ms. Quatrano stated that parents will know by then if all goes well with the testing
company.
Marge Kolb stated that her issue is equity across the District. She feels that students should be
able to enter in the 7th grade. She also feels that statistically speaking District 24 should be
asking for at least 240 seats for middle school G & T, not less when taking into consideration the
student population. Ms. Powis stated that educational equity is the goal of the New York City
Department of Education.

Mr. Fedkowskyj asked if the test score is used for entrance into other programs (outside of the
Gifted and Talented entrance) to which she stated that the DOE uses it for placement.

Mr. Comaianni opened up the discussion to the public.

Ms. Quatrano then answered questions posed in an e-mail by Marge Kolb (see attached).

7) Resolutions

Debbie Tscherne read Resolution #23.

Gifted and Talented Middle School

Whereas, there is a gap in gifted educational services between elementary school and high school
in District 24, our highest-achieving children have limited choices at the intermediate “middle”
school level.

Be it resolved that the Community Education Council for School District 24 strongly supports
and recommends to the Department of Education that a Gifted & Talented Middle School
Program (Grades 6-8) be implemented for qualifying students in District 24 and this program
operate in two locations, I.S 61 and I.S. 119 so students throughout the district have a location
closer to their home.

Marge Kolb motioned to open discussion, Ernest Cury seconded the motion. Ms. Kolb stated
Resolution #23 limits the amount of seats and stated that the sites are not geographically
desirable for students in all parts of the District.

Mr. Comaianni motioned to end the discussion and vote on the Resolution as is to which Mr.
Fedkowskyj seconded. The roll was called and the resolution was passed by a 6-1 vote.

Mr. Fedkowskyj read Resolution #24 regarding the 5 Year Capital Plan

Be it resolved that the Community Education Council for District 24 hereby approves the 2006
Five Year Capital Plan, but strongly recommends to the Department of Education that more seats
(than currently assigned) be allocated for utilization in District 24 to relieve severely over-
crowded schools and reduce class size to improve the quality of education. In addition, the SCA
should review and implement comments originally report on January 15th, 2007, based on
information acquired from schools in need of various capital improvement not included in the
2006 Amendment to the Capital Plan. The CEC for D24 also urges that all haste be used in this
effort, with the assurance that our requests can be implemented by the 2007 Amendment to the
Five Year Capital Plan.

Ms. Kolb motioned to open discussion, stating that she did not understand why the CEC would
approve the 5 Year Plan when it does not provide enough new seats for D24. No one seconded
the motion for discussion, motion denied. The roll was called; the resolution was passed by a 6-1
vote.
Ms. Kolb read Resolution # 25 – Gifted and Talented Testing

Be it resolved that the Community Education Council for District 24 strongly recommends that
the newly planned Middle School gifted program test children for entry to 7th grade as well as 6th
grade effective with the 2007/2008 school year. This will allow for an appropriate class size
(supplementing the current 6th grade Beacon class from PS 153) at IS 119 in 2007/2008, and
going forward, will allow children who attend primary schools which terminate in 6th grade to
remain in their home schools through 6th grade.

The roll was called; the resolution did not pass by a 6-1 vote.

Marge Kolb read Resolution # 26 – Gifted and Talented Population

Inasmuch as the National Association for Gifted Children estimates that 6% of the student
population can be considered as gifted, and
Inasmuch as the average student population by grade in D24 is 4,000 and 6% of that number is
240;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Community Education Council for District 24 strongly
recommends that the newly planned Middle School gifted program not be limited to 4 classes per
grade at two locations (IS 61 and IS 119) but rather be placed at a minimum of 3-4 sites with a
total of 240 seats offered.

Mr. Comaianni felt it best to await decisions from Ms. Powis and Ms. Quartrano and motioned to
table Resolution # 26. Mr. Fedkowskyj seconded.

8) Report of the Committees

Mr. Fedkowskyj, Chair of the Building, Zoning and Maintenance Committee stated that the
Capital Plan is in place and the School Construction Authority is moving forward with the
capital improvement taking place in our district. We filed our 5 Year Capital Plan comments
with Deputy Chancellor Grimm’s office and in addition to what was offered in the Capital Plan
we made a notation that the SCA strongly review the site on 74th Street and 57th Avenue
(Restaurant Depot). We also informed the SCA of the responses from school principals
regarding work they needed in their schools that was not included in the Capital Plan. We also
noted that IS/PS 87 was not included in the plan for a gym or any other improvements they
require in order to function as an IS/PS school. It is our hope that the SCA incorporates such
facilities for IS/PS 87 in next year’s plan.

Mr. Cury, Chair of the English Language Learners Committee had nothing to report.

Ms. Kolb, Chair of the Curriculum Committee had nothing to report. She did read out loud
an article regarding the reorganization of the DOE under Children First Reforms.

9) Old Business –

Mr. Fedkowskyj stated that the busing situation from the PS 49 and PS 128 zones and IS 119 has
not been resolved and Mr. Richie Scarpa has been reminded.

10) New Business –

Mr. Comaianni stated that Chancellor Klein has been invited to our March or April meeting.

11) Public Agenda Session –

The council took question from the public.

12) Adjournment –
Nick Comaianni motioned to adjourn, Dmytro Fedkowskyj seconded, meeting was adjourned at
9:45 PM.
 Attachment

Marge Kolb to Cheryl Quartrano regarding Gifted and Talented

Q-- Is the G&T entrance exam (Otis-Lennon) adjusted for the exact age of the child? For
instance, two children born almost a year apart – one in January and one in December of the
same year – could conceivably be applying for entrance to the same grade. Would the younger
student be graded higher than the older student if they both got the same number of questions
correct?

A--The scores are based on 3-month age bands, so for example, students who are between 5.0 to
5.2 are scored together, students who are 5.3-5.5 are scored together, 5.6.-5.8, and 5.9-5.11. The
same 3 month intervals are used throughout all the ages in OLSAT to ensure that similar age
students are evaluated together.

Q--Is there a minimum score required for entrance to a gifted program or will you accept anyone
who applies provided that there is room (regardless of their score)? For this year’s
administration, given that there are an uneven number of programs in each district, we will fill
available seats from list of ranked eligible applicants.

A--Why is the test given so early in the year? Wouldn’t children perform better if they had a few
more months of school under their belts? (I know this is a city-wide testing schedule, but has it
been explained to you or discussed on a city-wide basis?) DOE officials have stated their desire
to attract more minority, ELL, and disadvantaged children to G&T classes – so wouldn’t it make
sense to hold the testing in the spring? (D24 used to begin testing in May and sometimes ran into
July).
The timeline for gifted and talented assessments are in line with other application processes such
as school lotteries and choice programs. G&T is following the OSEPO calendar of elementary
and middle school choice programs as closely as possible. Our outreach efforts began in early
October enabling all constituents to be aware of programs and opportunities for testing.

Q--Can teachers be instructed to encourage parents of the brightest students to apply for testing?
I know that all the schools sent home the information, but some parents might not realize that
their child is the top student in the class without the teacher’s input. Teachers have always been
able to recommend to parents that they have their child tested for a gifted & talented program if
they see potential.

A--How much does it cost to test each student and where does the funding come from? (e.g. does
the DOE send separate money for G&T testing or does the Region have to carve it out of the
overall regional budget?)
The NYCDOE is funding the centralized standard assessment program for all applicants in K-3.

Q--Is there extra money given to each school with a self-contained G&T program to support the
program? Is it a lump sum or per child?

A-- All regions were allocated funds to support new and existing programs. These funds were
not allocated on a per-school basis. The funds are itemized in SAM 54.
Q--Does the Region’s G&T office actively apply for grants to support gifted programs (e.g. PS
153 is the beneficiary of a long-standing, yearly grant from a local elected official; have similar
grants been sought for the programs at PS 16 and PS 91?)

A--We have offered grant writing workshops and it is the Principal’s decision to send
representation. There is a grant writer for Region 4.

Q--How are children assessed for participation in School-wide Enrichment programs, which are
also administered by the G&T office?

A--This is a school-based decision. Most enrichment programs try to meet the needs of their
students with specific abilities, interests or talents, capitalizing on available resources.

Q--How many schools currently participate in School-wide Enrichment and when will ALL
schools in the district participate?

A-- Lists of all schools with SEM programs are available at the following website:
http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/TeachLearn/OfficeCurriculumProfessionalDevelopment/GiftedTa
lented/Programs/default.htm

Q--Is there a limit to the number of children who can participate in School-wide Enrichment? If
so, is it a percentage of the total school population so that larger schools are not disadvantaged
vis a vis smaller schools?

A-- School-wide Enrichment programs are school-based; they can be grade-specific or

comprehensive and school-specific depending on school resources and the needs of the students.

Q--Why do some districts have so many more G&T seats than D24? For instance, D3 in
Manhattan has gifted programs at 8 elementary schools and their total pre-K-8th grade
population is about 15,000, while D24, which has more than 36,000 students in the same grades,
has only 3 programs totaling 75 seats?

A--Districts have responded to the needs of their communities in a variety of ways – there are
communities where G&T programs are desired and those where they are not. This has
historically been a local decision, though central has encouraged the establishment of new
programs in underserved communities.

Q--Similarly, why are only 120 (or fewer) G&T seats planned for our new middle school gifted
program in D24? Why not expand the program to more than two middle schools and admit up to
240 children (which would be 6% of the population of a given grade in our district and therefore
consistent with the National Association for Gifted Children’s definition of the size of the gifted
population)? Incidentally, in an op-ed this week, The Wall Street Journal opined that 10% of the
population (those with an IQ of 120 or higher) should be considered “intellectually gifted.”

A--This was discussed by the Superintendent at the meeting.

Q--What is the difference in curriculum between the primary (Beacon) G&T classes and other
primary level classes? Do the Beacon classes have leeway to ignore the structure of the city-wide
curriculum (e.g. workshop methodology strictly adhered to every day)?
A--The same workshop methodology is implemented in the Beacon classes at P.S. 153 and P.S.
16. The Beacon classes follow an instructional program in this workshop structure that matches
and challenges their instructional levels and independent levels of learning. Resources, such as,
the classroom libraries, are also matched to their levels. In addition, the Beacon classes are
provided with challenging enrichment activities suited for their level.

Q--What will be the difference in curriculum between middle school SP classes and self-
contained middle school classes?

A--This will be planned in the spring.

Q--Will current middle school Regents Math & Science teachers be willing to obtain gifted
certification from the state, or will you have inexperienced teachers covering these Regents
classes – this is especially important to know vis a vis IS 119 which will begin a 7th grade gifted
program next September, which is the starting point of Math A (Regents level Math)?

A--We will try to recruit gifted & talented certified teachers.

Q--Will the G&T classes have leeway to reduce the amount of time spent weekly on literacy and
math and increase the time spent on Science, Foreign Language etc? Can they abandon the
leveled reader approach (America’s Choice etc.) and have all the students read and discuss the
same books (that is, those in the classic middle school canon, e.g. The Diary of Anne Frank,
Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird etc.), since presumably they are all capable of reading
on a similar level?

A--G&T classes do not need to reduce time in content areas – these classes should have teachers
adapting and modifying the curriculum to meet students’ needs in a variety of ways. The
principal, as the instructional leader of the school, makes instructional decisions.

Q--How will you fill in next year’s 7th grade class at IS 119, since the current 6th grade Beacon
class at PS 153 only has about 25 students, and they may not all opt to attend the program at IS
119? (Cathy Powis informed me that the middle school classes would NOT be capped at 25, but
would reflect the class sizes at the school in which they reside – I believe the average class sizes
at IS 119 are 30-32.)

A--Undetermined thus far.

Q--If Beacon students at PS 153 are not to be penalized by being forced to start the middle
school program in 6th grade because their primary school extends through 6th grade, then why
would students at PS 229, 58, and 102 (which also extend to 6th grade) be penalized by having to
leave their schools after the 5th grade if they wish to attend a gifted middle school program?

A--No one is being penalized. We are offering a small beginning program in the middle school
in response to parent feedback over time. The 6th grade at PS 153 is the third site for the
upcoming year for a Beacon class. Any vacant seats will be filled.