Community School of Excellence | Hmong Language and Culture School | 270 Larpenteur Avenue West | St. Paul, MN 55130 | (651) 917-0073

The Community School of Excellence District # 4181 

Board of Directors’ Meeting

May 24, 2023

Mission

The Community School of Excellence develops global-minded leaders through high academic standards and real-life experiences.

​

Vision

Community School of Excellence is a catalyst for academic transformation.

Board of Directors

Terrence Gray Jones

Director - Community Member, Board Chair

Say Vang

Director - Parent Member

Xeng Xiong

Director - Community Member

Faith HuabCi Thao

Director - Community Member

Christie Keefer

Director - Licensed Teacher, Secretary

Txajchang P. Young

Director - Parent Member,

Treasurer

Board of Directors’ Purpose:

​

To provide leadership, set policy, and develop accountability practices that will ensure high student achievement.

Agenda

1. Call to order
2. Public Comments
3. Conflict of Interest (Action)
4. Review Agenda for May 24, 2024 (Action)
5. Review Meeting Minutes for April 17, 20244 (Action)
6. April Financial and supplemental report (Action)
7. Annual School Presentation
8. CEO/CAO Update
9. Election update
10. Other
11. Adjourn

​

Annual School Presentation

Academic and Program Updates

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Charter Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

5 Year Strategic Goals

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Conference Contacts

Elementary

Fall 98%

Spring 99%

Reading Well

MCA Reading

NWEA Math

NWEA Reading

PreK Goals

MCA Math

Career Exploration

HS Graduation

Attendance

5 Year Goals

Academic Programs

Conferences

CSE Programs

Middle School

Fall 98%

Spring 99%

High School

Fall 100%

Spring 100%

​

CSE Programs

English Learners

:

849 (58%)

Number of Total English Learner Students in grade K-12: 2023 - 2024

Staffing

4 ES Teachers

2 MS Teachers

1 HS Teacher

Pull Out

Small group Instruction (outside the classroom). Grouping based on EL level needs

Push In

Whole group and small group instruction within the classroom. Grouping based on EL needs

Program Model

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

English Learners

A proficiency level over 4.5 means the students is eligible to exit the program.

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Special Education

Parent participation at IEP meetings - 98% Increased attendance at Special Education Parent Advisory Night

8% (125) currently

10% (145) possible by end of school year

​

2023-2024

Staffing

ES Teachers - 3

MS Teachers - 2

HS Teachers - 2

Paraprofessionals - 7

Related Servicers - 5

Student Growth

Students exiting Special Education

​

Rate:1% (13)

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Special Education

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

• Proud to have 9 of 10 (90%) seniors graduating from High School this June. The 1 student not graduating this year will be returning to CSE to finish up next fall.
• 34 initial special education evaluations have been completed during the 2023-2024 school year.All of those students met the state requirements to receive services. This demonstrates the effectiveness of CSE’s Student Support Team at providing interventions and recommending students appropriately for evaluations.
• Due process materials are filed correctly and efficiently as we prepare for the 2025-26 MDE audit.

Title I-IV and Intervention Programs

• Title I: Intervention and Family Engagement
• Additional services and tutoring support in Reading and Math
• Monthly educational learnings and activities to support students and families

​

• Title II: Essential Professional Development for Instructional Staff
• Grading, Catalyst, Mental Health

​

• Title III: English Language Learners (EL)
• EL programming, resources, professional development for staff

​

• Title IV: Well-rounded Education, Safe and Healthy Schools, and Technology
• PBIS, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), needed curricular resources

​

​

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Hmong and Chinese Language Program

• Language and Culture Classes PreK-12
• CSE Curriculum and Assessments
• HMONG: 6 staff, PreK-12 / MANDARIN: 1 staff, MS-HS
• Staff Training (PD) GLAD Strategies, Training weekly as language department, Summer PD on literacy, data review, curriculum, and standards development.
• Collaboration with New Millennium Academy and Prairie Seed Academy
• Hmong Spelling Bee Club (ASP) and Annual Hmong Spelling Bee Competition
• Supports CSE with interpreting and dual language translation
• Data-driven instruction
• Cultural Awareness
• World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages
• Bi-literacy Seal from MDE
• Collaborating with Mong United Equality Association, Moob Leeg inclusion

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Link: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/oos/after/21/index.htm

21st Century Learning Community Center

A partnership between HAP and CSE, the center provides students with a broad array of academic support, enrichment programs, college and career readiness, and school engagement opportunities designed to complement their regular academic program and help students achieve, connect, and thrive.

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

21CCLC Program

21st Century Community Learning Center

Enrichment Activities

Homework Help

After School Program

Summer School

Field Trips

Mentorship

Academic & Enrichment Activities

Community Center

Mental Health Resources

MNSure

SNAP

Parenting Resources

Karenni/

Karen Girls Group

Mentoring Groups

Teen Outreach Program

Youth Leadership

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Summer School

Academics

AM

Teacher Recommends

Students

Project-based Learning & Application of Reading and Math Skills

2st Century Camp for HS

• Breakfast and lunch served daily
• Busing provided for all St. Paul residents
• Recess provided for all students daily
• Field trips integrated into summer programming

Cultural Enrichment PM

Hmong language and culture

Clubs & activities for HS Students

Hands on engagement on content

Credit Recovery: High School AM

Students catch up on missed credits

Taught by licensed CSE HS teachers

On-site support for all students

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS),

Mental Health Support and Resources

Social Emotional

Tabitha Chrisman

PreK-8

School Counselor

Tommy Khang

PreK-12

Social Worker

Kanong Lee

High School

School Counselor

Anne Thao

Wilder Foundation

Hlub Zoo Program

Kaly Lee

Elementary

PBIS Coach

Clara Chang

HS College and Career

Counselor

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Mental Health & Support Resources

PBIS Support:

• Attendance Support
• Phone calls
• Attendance tracking
• Truancy notification
• Home visits: Mainly for attendance purposes
• Excellence ticket awards
• Academic excellence ceremonies

​

​

SEL and Academic Support:

• Family connections
• Family meeting on student SEL needs
• Mental Health Support
• 1:1 intervention when necessary
• Small group problem solving
• Home visits
• Academic support
• Class Schedules

​

CSE Counseling site:

Counseling & Support (google.com)

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Student Councils

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

Parents & Family Engagement Meetings

Hmong Chinese

21st Century

Title Intervention

SPED Program

English Learners

Summer School

Social Emotional

Student Council

Parents & Family

Surveys

CSE Programs

II. Staff, Parents

& Students Surveys

​

CSE Surveys

Family Survey

​

493 Responses Total

Organization Update

Staff Survey

Student Survey

Family Survey

Surveys

Person Completing

the Survey

How many students

do you have attending CSE?

1 78 (19.7%)

2 107 (27.8%)

3 117 (30.4%)

4 60 (60.6%)

5 14 (3.6%)

6 11 (2.8%)

7

8

9

10+

0

What Grades?

Parents Age Range

10-24 6 (1.7%)

25-31 69 (19.9%)

32-38 139 (40.1%)

39-45 79 (22.8%)

46-52 42 (12.1%)

53-59 10 (2.9%)

60+ 2 (0.6%)

1. Level of Satisfaction with Communication

• 297
• 172
• 19
• 6

• 327
• 140
• 8
• 15

• 234
• 167
• 12
• 79

• 214
• 137
• 8
• 130

2. Level of Satisfaction with Discipline and School Safety

• 330
• 144
• 4
• 15

• 296
• 154
• 13
• 27

3. Level of Satisfaction with School Programs

Academic Programs

• 308
• 148
• 14
• 22

Specialist

Programs

• 309
• 150
• 12
• 18

After School

• 231
• 149
• 21
• 88

Hmong

Language

• 292
• 146
• 28
• 24

School Lunch

• 246
• 141
• 75
• 26

Title 1

Reading/Math

• 255
• 147
• 8
• 79

4. Level of Agreement with Following Statements

• 346
• 125
• 8
• 8

• 261
• 173
• 28
• 22

• 272
• 162
• 21
• 27

• 331
• 124
• 7
• 19

• 354
• 124
• 7
• 19

• 337
• 120
• 4
• 18

5. How would you like to receive communication from the school?

• Phone Call
• 234 (55.6%)
• Email
• 82 (18.8%)
• Newsletter
• 14 (3.2%)
• Robo-Call
• 13 (3%)
• Parent Conferences
• 10 (2.3%)

​

• All of the Above
• Other

6. What assistance can CSE provide to help you, help your student(s)?

122 Responses

• Provide more reading and math
• Updates on child’s behavior
• Updates on student’s academic progress.
• After School Program for all students
• Email communication from staff and teachers regarding class changes
• Tutoring resources, writing assistance
• After school program for out of city students
• More homework
• Improved (fresh) breakfast and lunch
• Teacher email checklist of homework
• 1:1 student assistance
• Bus on time
• Assistance to Student Portal

7. Additional Comments

77 Responses

• School to provide counselor services for emotional well being
• Earlier start time
• No insight on HS activities or news
• Have a nicer area for students to play
• Provide better food
• Children have been coming home hungry
• More food for older students
• Recommends breakfast like cereal or hot
• Improve sports program
• Improve drop off, passing lanes blocked
• Classes seem (super) full
• Hardly see students do homework
• More security guards

Student Survey

585 Responses

Organization Update

Staff Survey

Student Survey

Family Survey

Surveys

1. Experience this year:

I like to come to school

• 185
• 329
• 70
• 17

I like Math class

​

• 249
• 235
• 75
• 31

I like Language Arts class

• 187
• 264
• 99
• 46

I feel safe at school

​

• 266
• 198
• 50
• 80

I like my teachers

​

• 359
• 195
• 15
• 25

My teachers treat me with respect

• 409
• 137
• 16
• 40

I learn a lot at school

​

• 332
• 277
• 19
• 18

Learning is fun

​

• 201
• 288
• 68
• 35

1. Experience this year:

Teachers treat students with respect

• 400
• 141
• 8
• 47

Rules are fair

​

• 284
• 197
• 59
• 49

School is clean

​

• 190
• 295
• 71
• 43

Homework helps me learn

• 222
• 215
• 82
• 81

Career exploration help me think about my future

• 205
• 166
• 62
• 147

I like Hmong class

​

• 272
• 208
• 69
• 42

I enjoy school lunch

​

• 226
• 279
• 76
• 20

I like the administrators

​

• 338
• 141
• 23
• 93

2. Opinions on After School Program

• 186
• 80
• 26
• 297

• 111
• 115
• 29
• 318

3. What do you like best about CSE?

• Dance program
• Friends
• Hmong class
• Teachers are nice and help when needed
• I like the classes and subjects
• I like making new friends
• Free lunch
• I like being around friends
• I like the events and celebrations
• I like after school programs
• I like to hang out with some teachers
• I like the size of the school
• My teachers being able to make lessons simple and sometimes fun

• I like that this school feels more safe than other schools
• We don’t need to wear uniforms
• The school is close to my home
• There are friends and family at this school
• Pho and pizza!

​

4. What can CSE do to be

an even better school?

• No dress code and be able to use phone
• Make better lunches
• Wednesday learning advisory - students can learn it during their alone time, no need to be taught by teacher, it’s wasting time
• Have shorter class periods
• Enforce rules and discipline
• Listen to students and staff
• More food portions, warm lunch, no cold lunch
• HS don’t like MS on the HS campus

​

• Let responsible students choose their classes
• Make Hmong class optional
• Provide more course options for after school program, then I will attend
• Clean the bathrooms and add more safety to the doors
• Playground

5. Student opinion about learning at home on days school is canceled because of weather.

• I think learning at school is better for me to focus
• It feels the same except you’re in bed
• I feel distracted at home because I could be disturbed by siblings
• I may have trouble understanding without teacher present
• I am happy that I get to stay home
• The work gets harder
• Good because we are already home and don’t have to commute
• I don’t like the idea, it should just be a day off of school
• It’s less stress at home but sometimes I miss the social environment

• Snow days are a must. Student safety first.
• What if I have lag or computer problems at home?
• Good because I already do everything online
• I don’t like it because it can be confusing
• Students may not remember online things when returning to school.
• We may not have our chromebooks at home at time of school cancellation
• I don’t like being home
• It can be boring learning at home because of distractions
• It could be difficult to ask or explain to the teacher my questions about a subject

6. Additional inputs:

• Add more school lunch variety
• Better lunch options
• Have white rice
• More Hmong food
• Stop cold lunches
• More lunch time
• More events and activities
• More sports
• Wants the playground back
• Loves the Hmong themed school
• Additional time for recess (ES)
• Bring back recess (MS)
• Have (balls) equipment provided for recess
• Separate 5th grade from middle school

​

• Earlier school hours
• Mrs. Emerson is the best teacher and I like Typing Club
• Would like a dodgeball game against teachers
• The cell phone rules are not fair
• More field trips per year
• There is not enough disciplining (MS), students are disrespectful to students and teachers
• More behavioral interventions
• Student choice for classes (MS/HS)
• Appreciates maintenance and kitchen staff

​

Staff Survey

​

52 Responses Total

Organization Update

Staff Survey

Student Survey

Family Survey

Surveys

Level of Agreement: School Programs

I use a variety of assessments to plan and deliver instruction.

• 36
• 13
• 0
• 5

I have adequate resources to teach my students.

​

• 32
• 19
• 1
• 3

I use a variety of technology to teach my students.

​

• 35
• 11
• 2
• 5

Teachers work together to support student success.

• 33
• 15
• 3
• 2

The school provides an atmosphere where every child can learn.

• 33
• 15
• 3
• 2

I use Pre and Post assessment to help me target for my students.

• 32
• 15
• 0
• 6

Level of Agreement: Professional Development

• 30
• 21
• 1
• 3

• 39
• 11
• 0
• 3

• 24
• 30
• 2
• 7

The following are helping me

learn and grow in my position:

• 22
• 17
• 3
• 10

• 21
• 19
• 5
• 7

• 18
• 27
• 5
• 2

• 31
• 17
• 0
• 4

• 16
• 25
• 3
• 9

• 19
• 26
• 2
• 6

• 18
• 24
• 4
• 7

Level of Agreement: Student Discipline

• 13
• 28
• 9
• 2

• 7
• 32
• 11
• 2

• 15
• 27
• 6
• 6

• 18
• 22
• 9
• 5

Extent of curriculum meeting needs of students in subject areas:

• 28
• 4
• 0
• 20

• 22
• 9
• 3
• 19

• 17
• 12
• 8
• 17

• 13
• 14
• 5
• 20

• 30
• 9
• 0
• 14

• 23
• 5
• 3
• 21

• 27
• 4
• 0
• 21

• 29
• 9
• 3
• 12

• 23
• 9
• 0
• 20

• 19
• 13
• 7
• 14

• 17
• 10
• 7
• 19

• 26
• 6
• 0
• 20

• 16
• 10
• 5
• 23

Level of Agreement: School Climate

• 30
• 16
• 2
• 3
• 1

• 26
• 21
• 7
• 0
• 0

• 46
• 6
• 1
• 0
• 1

• 35
• 18
• 0
• 0
• 0

• 32
• 21
• 0
• 0
• 0

• 28
• 21
• 4
• 0
• 0

Level of Satisfaction: School Programming

• 17
• 3
• 6
• 26

• 15
• 9
• 2
• 26

• 10
• 7
• 6
• 29

• 28
• 15
• 1
• 9

​

III. Organization Updates

​

Organization Structure

for 2024-2025 School Year

​

CEO/CAO

Chief Operations Officer

Chief Academic Officer

Operations

Transportation

Food Services

Middle School Principal

PreK-4 Principal

​

High School Principal

​

2024-2025 School Update

​

• Summer School
• Move to Project-based Learning
• Hmong Cultural Lessons
• READ Act – Fall
• Wit and Wisdom Pilot K-6
• Core Reading Training
• FastBridge/STAR

​

Upcoming Events

• May 27th - Memorial Holiday - No School
• June 7th High School Senior Graduation at 6pm
• June 13th -
• Academic Assembly & End of Year Celebration
• High School Picnic
• Teaching staff and 10 months contract staff last day
• June 24-August 1st - Summer School
• August 31st - High School Expansion Grand Opening & Open House
• September 5th - School start for 1st - 12th Graders
• September 7th - School start for Prek/Kindergarten

​

P: (651) 917-0073

F: (651) 489-0181�info@csemn.org

Hmong Language & Culture School�270 Larpenteur Ave. W.

St. Paul, MN 55113