ASSOCIATION OF COLOMBIAN AND CARIBBEAN AMERICAN SCHOOLS (ACCAS)

EVENT:          Annual Meeting

PLACE:          Council Room (4^th Floor)
                  Hilton Atlanta
                  Atlanta, Georgia

DATE:            Tuesday, December 7, 2004

TIME:            4:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
 

MEMBER SCHOOLS IN ATTENDANCE:                      

American School of Quito, Ecuador

American School of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

                        Carol Morgan School, Dominican Republic
                                Colegio Albania, Colombia

                        Colegio Bolivar, Colombia

                        Colegio Dominico-Americano, Dominican
                        Republic

                        Colegio Granadino, Colombia

                        Colegio Karl C. Parrish, Colombia

                        Colegio Nueva Granada, Colombia

                        Colegio Panamericano, Colombia
                                George Washington School, Colombia
                                Gimnasio Ingles, Colombia

                        MC School, Dominican Republic

                        Saint Joseph School, Dominican Republic

                        St. Michael’s School

                        Union School, Haiti

 

AGENDA:                             

1.  Call to Order
2.  Minutes
3.  Treasurer's Report
4.  Staff Development
5.  Other Business
6.  Adjournment

1.  Call to Order

The Meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. by President Jack Delman.

2.  Minutes

The minutes from the previous annual meeting were approved. The President reminded members that the minutes are available on the ACCAS website.  Updates for the website may be submitted either to the President or Vice President.

The President also reminded members that at a previous meeting, the membership decided that the EBSCO fee must be paid in order for schools to maintain their membership in ACCAS.

3.  Treasurer's Report

Dr. Joseph Nagy reported on the lengthy hand-over process for the Treasurer's position, which is now nearing completion.  Questions remain about two deposits that were made in the past year but cannot be identified.  After a brief discussion, a suggestion was made and approved that Dr. Nagy will send a second notification to those schools whose payment he cannot confirm. Schools that have paid should fax the receipt to Dr. Nagy.

4. Staff Development

Michael Adams spoke about the work Janie Pollock has done in the region, which Mary Virginia has expressed an interest in supporting.  Janie will offer a dual session this summer: one for schools ready to move into a second phase, and one for schools that are just starting.  Janie has changed her methodology because she does not feel it has been effective.  Therefore, she is no longer willing to come out to the regions and make stops at several schools.  She will invite schools to the summer program in Colorado if they have a contract with her.

Mr. Adams suggested that ACCAS contribute towards her fees.  After some discussion, it was suggested that ACCAS contribute a minimum of $500 per school, up to a maximum of $1,000 per school, not to exceed a total of $5,000 of ACCAS funds, to support sending representatives from ACCAS schools.  This suggestion was approved by the members.

Dr. Barry McCombs invited member schools to send teachers to Bogota for two workshops to be held at Colegio Nueva Granada.  One is on Mathematics and will be led by Janice Hegel, who works from a whole-school perspective, beyond the textbook, on the five math strands. The other is on Best Practices in Early Reading, an inductive model based on developmental reading skills.

The Dominican Republic had requested further EBSCO training, which will take place next week and will represent no cost to ACCAS, as it is being underwritten by EBSCO and Mary Virginia.  The Colombian schools have also requested such training.  Dr. Delman will speak to the EBSCO representative on their behalf.

Dominican schools have asked for continued training in ESL techniques from Ginni Rojas.  She is scheduled to come on May 9th and 10th.

Colombia will host Dr. Michael Hogan from the College Board.  He is the Director of the Latin American region and is attempting to promote the AP program in our schools.  ACCAS is not expected to support this visit.  Each Colombian school will pay for Dr. Hogan’s local visit, and they will all share expenses for his airfare.

Dr. Delman commented that he negotiated with 7 universities in the Dominican Republic to accept AP credits. The agreement he made with them appears on the AP website, and may be used as a model for other countries.

ACCAS schools will have a common curriculum day in September.

5. Other Business

Dr. Delman asked the members to consider the possibility of using ACCAS funds to support joint student activities, such as music, drama, debate, Knowledge Bowl, etc.  Dr. McCombs suggested that a subcommittee be formed to give further thought to the matter, planning a year ahead. CNG will be the center of the subcommittee.  The following directors volunteered to serve: Dr. Barry McCombs; Jeff Jurkovac (Colegio Panamericano, Colombia); Peter Nonnenkamp (Colegio Jorge Washington, Colombia); Joe Nagy (Colegio Bolivar, Colombia); Michelle Monel (St. Michael's School, Dominican Republic).

Dr. Delman asked if additional meetings of the ACCAS board can be held to plan coming year events and to bring the group together on a more frequent basis.  Several suggestions were made about possible venues, including the AAIE conference, video conferencing from our schools, etc.

A suggestion was made to look into the possibility of associate membership in AASSA, which would allow members access to a wider field of candidates. 

Arrangements were made for an ACCAS dinner at Trader Vic’s. Approximately 15 people will attend.

6. Adjournment

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting ended at 6:00 p.m.