Minutes from the BRAGTS Board of Directors Meeting

February 11, 2008

In attendance:  Michael Kearney (president), Donald Jennings (president-elect and VP public relations), Anita Haywood (VP programs), Gideon Carter III (treasurer), Sherry Scardina (at large), Julie Sheffield (secretary)

Not in Attendance: Carlos Sam (at large), Sherry Brock (at large), Julie Perkins (at large), Jennifer St. Cyr (at large), Richard Truman (VP membership), Judy O’Dell (at large), Lannette Cohen (at large)

January Meeting Minutes – voted to accept

Treasurers Report (Gideon)

▲       No expenditures this month

▲       Current Balance $9330.30

Membership/Website (Michael)

▲       Richard has suggested that anyone having trouble receiving BRAGTS emails, should add br_agts@agts.net to their address book as an approved sender

▲       Don now has the password for the website and can make updates

Winter Meeting (Michael/Anita)

▲       IRC Room has been reserved for 2/19/08

▲       Presenters are:

o   ULL (Torrance program is no more, but they have something else)

o   Timbuktu Academy at Southern University

o   LSU’s Camp Challenge

o   Governor’s Program for Gifted Children at McNeese

▲       Schedule will be as follows. Don will distribute flyers by Thursday.

o   6:00 social

o   6:30 brief business meeting

o   6:45 presentations

o   8:00 breakout sessions

o   8:30 adjourn

▲       Michael found some additional commuter programs online, not sure how current the information is, no time to include in our meeting this time.  They include a program at Nichols, the “Sparkle” program at UNO for ages 5-14, the “Stars” program at Xavier for grades 1-8, plus various program offered by Duke University.

Spring Meeting (Anita)

▲       Woodlawn Middle has offered to host the Spring General Meeting; the Board voted to accept.

▲       Date is April 22^nd

Public Relations (Don Jennings)

▲       Latest printing of brochure by EBPPSS is complete; Sherry brought a sampling for the group.

▲       Don provided a black-and-white electronic logo to Gold Star Trophies as requested for Teacher of the Year (TOY) awards.  They are now ready to produce, just need teacher’s names.  Will kick off TOY campaign at Winter Meeting.

Update from GT Office (Sherry S.)

▲       Feb 11 - High School Talented Art Show Reception – LA State Archives

▲       April 11- 3^rd Grade Gifted Spring Activity – Brookstown

▲       April 15 – McKinley High School Spring Open House 7:45-2:00

▲       April 15 – Middle School Talented Art Show Reception – LA State Archives

▲       April 18 - 2^nd Grade Gifted Spring Activity – Glen Oaks Park

▲       April 22 - 1^st Grade Gifted Spring Activity – Buchanan

▲       April 22 - Gifted and Talented Spring Showcase – Woodlawn Middle

▲       April 24 – 4^th Grade Gifted Spring Activity – Bernard Terrace

▲       May 6^th - Elementary Talented Art Show Reception – LA State Archives

▲       Some parents that moved to resource programs are now requesting to move back to self-contained

Bulletin 1706 Revisions (Gideon)

▲       About 5-8 years ago, Bulletin 1706 was split into 2 – 1706(a) for students with disabilities and 1706(b) for Gifted and Talented

▲       Gideon is on a task force with the state G/T agency to update 1706(b) to properly reflect how federal and state law addresses G/T specifically

Task Force to “Save the Self-Contained Gifted Program” (Kearney)

▲       Goal of Task Force is to prepare a document of recommendations, based on data collected, to present to BRAGTS members, EBRPSS School Board and staff.  Target Date is 2/14/08.