November 13, 2013
Minutes
Attending:
C. Broadley, G. Bellows, N. LeClair, J. Ronning, J. Palmiotto, G. Elsesser, S.
Cahill, M. Aumand, J. Fabis, L. Brooks, S. Manning, L. DeCoste, S Jacobs
1.
Community Forum:
*No specific comments
2.
Approval of Minutes---No comments or changes
4. New
Business Items (moved from agenda this position due to the budget
presentations).
a.
Accountability with Testing---Pre-K will even be preparing for testing. The
district is now discussing the amount of Assessments that are being done. Are we
getting the right information? Are we over-testing? What are the right
schedules and tests for our children? We want consistency throughout the
district. We hope to reduce the amount of assessments. We are trying to
prioritize our assessments and streamline our approach. Assessments should
drive instruction/and help give teachers information. Teachers are listening to
each other and giving feedback to each other to get ideas. Some of the teachers don’t feel that they are
trained to use the assessments and the some are feeling there is a great deal
of
repetition/duplication.
There is a great deal of time that must be invested in this. A 1-year study is being conducted. Whatever
test we do must be aligned to Common Core.
b. Math Program Review Team-----district-wide
curriculum/approach is being reviewed. The team is narrowing it down to 2/3
programs. In March the Prof. Develop
Committee will use that time to have reps come in to teach us about their
programs. In terms of K-12 program,
there is no one good company that does this. It must be district-wide K-5 and
then 6-8, then something for the high school. These programs will be with us
for a while. New teachers must be retrained by the company so they are up to
speed on it. Fact Fluency is also a district focus. (A review of Karate Math
from NWS was discussed).
c. CCSS Update------How teachers are
incorporating standards into the current lessons, we may only new “tweak” the
current programs. We are using the trainings we have had to present the program—using
the existing program to build toward Common Core. Discussion. Parent workshops, Parent meetings about CC
will possibly take place in the spring.
d. WES
School Climate/Activities: Middle
School working on connections and relationships, recognition, etc. newer
activities to inspire the students. Positive school climate-student of the
month---recognition for a variety of reasons, three certificates, reward trips,
no F’s, no detention, get to go swimming, bowling, etc. Dances are not so much about grades—2
detentions or in-school suspensions,
there is an incentive to participate. We
want to remain positive about dances---now kids can go to the dance if they are
having academic/behavior issues.
Opportunity to feel success---Pep Rally/Sports/Academics/dancing at the
end/ teachers play the games. Advisory Groups these groups work together each
morning----they are multi-grade level. Reward
bracelets: Requirements for bracelet—no detentions, commendations, no D’s or
F’s. Earned privileges listening to ipod during lunch/recess choices, when to
go out, etc. Sit outside weather permitting during the summer/fall mths. Fun
days throughout the year---students participate in FUN DAYS, etc. Academic Fair
provides a chance for community to see student performance/etc. put in
newspaper this year…..older kids mentoring little kids.
e. Open House Survey----notice going home
principal’s coffee, informal talk with the principal prior to PTG. Open
House---meet and greet, etc. NW had one just for parents----Back to School
Night—and Open House----when? Before School Year begins, etc. Parents liked the
idea of both---evening, and an afternoon when school starts.
Other
Business: P/T Conferences---great
participation
December
11th—put on agenda----discuss how to get businesses involved.
3. Budget Review—
4. K-8
Salaries—underfunded than we were last year
5.
Budget discussion and reviewed.
