BPAC Meeting Minutes
9/15/16
Attendees: Jill Podzimek, Jamie James, Thirmanda Zavala, Ken Joslin, Kathleen Isztoic, Jamie Wall, Tim
Shimp, Kristine Liptrot, Jill Zapata, Mayra Johnson, Manindri Joslin, Chris Sierra, Elvira Del Toro, Areli
Perez, Lisa Casbarian, John Purcell.
1. Introductions

District and school staff, board and parents introduced themselves.
2. BPAC President Jorge Ayala provided a BPAC overview for 2016 – 2017.

The BPAC logo has been optimized for printed materials, and finalized.

Due to a conflict with 4H Cloverbuds meetings, and the significant number of families
involved, future BPAC meetings will be moved from Thursdays to the previous
Wednesdays; an updated calendar will be distributed.

The mission of BPAC is to advocate for ELL program excellence through family support,
communication and education.

BPAC includes ELL teachers and staff, parents and guardians; all members are
responsible for participating in the success of the program.

In addition to attending and volunteering for BPAC events, members can help drive
program progress through improved communication and education about bilingual
issues. For example, in May, BPAC members successfully advocated for a second section
of DL kindergarten.

The DL program has produced excellent academic results to date; in its third year, the
program has two kindergarten, one first grade, two second grade and one third grade
section(s), and with more than 100 students, accounts for approximately 25% of the
ACES student population.

The District, school and community strongly support the DL program, with advocates on
the School Board, increased support staff at ACES and a waiting list of English speaking
students.

BPAC goals for this schoolyear include planning for DL program grades four through six,
and addressing classroom space concerns as needed; reviewing BPAC bylaws; preparing
an annual budget; increasing communication with other District schools; meeting with
other area BPACs; inviting guest speakers to meetings; and attending BPAC summit and
incorporating learnings.
3. Superintendent Tim Shimp provided an enrollment update and overview of the new District
strategic plan.

According to the District Sixth Day Enrollment Report, enrollment in elementary and
intermediate schools throughout the District is down slightly compared to the previous
year, with the exception of ACES, where enrollment has increased and projected to
continue. Enrollment also increased at YMS and YHS.

These enrollment increases are driving larger class sizes.

The District will work together with the community to determine how best to expand
the DL program, accommodate other programs and address space concerns in the
coming years.

The new District three-year strategic plan includes a mission, vision, guiding principles,
portrait of a leader and strategic goals.

Several elements of the strategic plan fit well with BPAC objectives – “apply skills and
experiences” added to mission, “individual learning paths” included in vision, student
success strategic goal incorporates the needs of student subgroups like ELL, and
community of learners strategic goal highlights “everyone has a voice”.

District Board approved action plans to support each of the four strategic goals –
student success, community of learners, partnerships with home & community, and
operational excellence.
4. New Communications Director Kristine Liptrot provided an overview of communication
initiatives.

Communication emphasis on home and community partnerships, with focus on
consistency and face-to-face communication, like Citizens Advisory Council, District
Advisory Council, PT3 and new District Foundation; PTO Council and Business Advisory
Council to come.

New this year, one school will be selected for each monthly District Board meeting,
where four students will make a Heart of the Fox presentation about special school
activities; parents and teachers from that school are highly encouraged to attend.

The District is revamping its web site, and has also updated their logos; it is also focusing
on social media communication, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, with live
tweets before, during and after District Board meetings. Mrs. Liptrot requested
feedback on the web site.

A new format of Newsletter that will increase consistency across all schools in the
District has been adopted.

Mr. Shimp will provide a mid-year state of the District address to report on progress
toward the four strategic goals.

There was a discussion about what District and school communications should be
translated to Spanish. Mr. Ayala indicated that broad District communications, like the
strategic plan or grading system changes, should be translated. Student registration
forms, as well as vendor communications (like Aramark), also need translation. While
ACES staff provides translation for some District and many school communications, the
need will be greater as the DL program and ELL populations grow. Suggestions included
parent meetings, instructional videos and Adult ESL class Parents as Educational
Partners.
5. ELL Director and ACES Principal Mayra Johnson provided an update.

The year is off to a good start, with her new dual roles going well.

Ms. Johnson attended a bilingual director workshop, and has many new ideas based on
the success and challenges of other area programs.

The waiting list of English speaking students has increased from eight to 12; students
may enter the DL program in kindergarten or first grade, if space allows.

DL program registration may be combined with District kindergarten registration next
year, and could take place earlier than in the past.
6. Assistant ELL Director Jill Zapata provided an update.

In addition to assisting with communication translation, Ms. Zapata is focusing on
improving communication with ELL families throughout the District, by personally
contacting new families after screenings to review next steps, etc.
7. DL Second Grade Teacher Chris Sierra provided an update.

Second grade classes went on their first field trip, to outdoor education.

RTI interventions started in second grade classes, and possibly third grade as well.
8. New Business

First movie night is 9/23; movie will be shown in English, although Spanish may be
considered for future movie nights. Shared movie licenses have been explored.

Previous meeting minutes and BPAC budget provided; although not a fundraising entity,
BPAC attempts to cover event costs.

Once all sponsor checks are collected, BPAC will distribute tee shirt order forms; each DL
student will receive a free tee shirt, and families may purchase additional tee shirts for
parents or siblings.

BPAC Board asked if members were interested in Ballet Folklorico performance, to take
place at YMS, this calendar year pending availability. The cost to BPAC is $800 for a onehour performance, and tickets would be sold at a nominal, TBD fee – like $3 - $5 each.
The event would be communicated throughout the District and community. Members
expressed interest, and also raised the possibility of other, less expensive options. The
BPAC Board will consider creating a committee, and follow up with Ballet Folklorico;
volunteers are needed.