SAC Meeting

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

3:00 p.m. in the Building 4 Conference Room

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

  • Thanks:  Many thanks to Jane DeClercq and Lynn Wagenseil for the excellent refreshments.

 

  • Welcome:   Our SAC welcomes Denis Cain  who joins the group as our business partner representative from Publix.  Denis is the new assistant manager at the Englewood Publix, and he will assume the duties of SAC community representative.

 

·         State Technology Survey Results: Donna continued her review of the Englewood Elementary results from the 2003 pilot StaR survey.  (School Technology and Readiness = StaR).  She reminded us that the results of the survey have had a sizable impact on school improvement planning by providing a specific goal and a description of Target levels for technology goals in administration and support, technology capacity, educator competency and professional development, Learners and learning, and accountability.  We are making gains in many of these areas.

 

Donna specifically discussed the new take-home computer program that has been put into place as a strategy for closing the achievement gap.  Our first target group for the take home computers has been the current 3rd grade retainees.  Donna offered a thorough orientation to the computers and the accompanying software and got positive response from most.  The computers that have gone home with these students support excellent software programs that can help the students with FCAT preparation, reading, and math, as well as other activities.  ESOL students also have access to Rosetta Stone to support ESOL needs.   

 

In the area of computer access, we are establishing a refresh cycle to replace classroom computers at a reasonable rate.  The district is also providing a refresh cycle for teacher station computers by providing the school with 11 new computers as teacher stations over the next three years.

 

Another computer access issue that has been addressed is the establishment of mini computer labs in the ESE classrooms --- again an achievement gap concern.

 

Donna has also investigated what a universal access station is and how we may provide it.  She has found that the universal access station should be in the Media on a desk or table that can be easily adjusted to accommodate a wheel chair or other specific needs.  Some models of universal access stations are available around the state, including one in Charlotte County.  There are not models designated in Sarasota County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As our technology needs increase, it is important to recognize that we will not be able to support every single classroom having equal technology equipment packages.  We need to make sure that equipment that is allocated to a classroom is equipment that is being utilized on a consistent and regular basis.  Equipment will need to be requested, and applications for equipment will include statements of how the equipment will be utilized and justification for the request. 

 

Both needs and planning for technology need to be linked to school goals for closing the achievement gap.

 

 

·         Five Star School:  Vicki reviews the 5 Star program and asked for assistance in gathering the necessary documentation for completing our 5 Star binder for this year.  All classrooms K – 5 need to collect any flyers and communications with parents or about special events.  Documentation about business partners, volunteers, student-community service, SAC, etc. need to be placed in the 5 Star mailbox.  In addition, Vicki needs help with quantitative statistics that relate specific school programs and volunteer programs to increases in student achievement.  We also need to identify a student generated community service project, and we need to document parent information and new family welcoming practices.  The binder is due at the beginning of May, so time is short.

 

·         Harcourt vs. Blast Off:  SAC reps need to gather information from their teams regarding the need for SAC fund expenditures for Blast Off materials in Math.  The new math series may provide adequate support materials.  Please have the information from your team available for our March 24th meeting.

 

·         More StaR Report:  Please be sure to bring along your copy of the StaR chart results to the March meeting so that we can complete our review of the information and compile any questions we may have.

 

·         Next Meeting:  Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24th at 3:00 p.m. in the Building 4 Conference Room.  Refreshments will be provided by Diane Gomoll and Cheryl Roeder (thanks).