Laurel Nokomis School

School Advisory Committee

Minutes – October 5, 2004

Present: Co-Chairperson Lisa Callaghan, Co-chairperson Carolyn Reichard, Maggie McKay, Paula Cimillo, Tanya Poleschner, Scott Singleton, Jean Thompson, Linda Johnson, Nick Day, Joy Mahler, Peggi Conlin-Paquette, Deanna Lawton, Melodie Deeds, John Jefferson, Richard Holder, Joe Marisi, Kathleen Day, Michael Deming.

Handouts: Minutes of September 21, 2004

School Improvement Plan Review Checklist

School Recognition Funds 2003-2004 SAC/SBMT Subcommittees

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.

Review and Approval of Sept. 21, 2004 minutes, submitted by Kathleen Day.

School Improvement Plan…Goals Review. We will continue strategies that LNS is currently doing. There is a “ü” by goals we are currently addressing. On the plan, the boxes to mark “Add, Maintain, Delete, and Not Applicable” will be left blank, to be marked at the end of the year. On page 21 of the plan, the priority goal areas marked are Reading and Mathematics. Data and research considered include Student Performance Data. The purpose of the plan is to increase achievement and to close the achievement gap by developing team and grade level professional learning communities which meet regularly to plan and implement academic interventions for below level students. The proposed objectives and descriptions of how each objective will be evaluated are listed.

The question of how we are being held accountable for Hurricane Assistance Students came up. We are accountable, but we want to track them separately. Many ESE students entered without correct records. As of today, about 80 FEMA students had entered LNS.

School Recognition Money Committee Update. Approximately $10. per child - $16,000./$17,397 (actual)

SAC needs to make a decision about where fund go. Some possible considerations:

- $ for a writing consultant $7,000.

- $ for PLC conference in February

- $ for FCAT camp (2 days Reading, 2 days Math) (We could do this for about $8,000).

- $ for Author’s Workshop (We could do this for about $5,000).

Questions:

Are we covered financially for students who need extra assistance? Currently, money is coming from after school fund.

What can we put in place for FEMA kids prior to FCAT? Joy Mahler discussed bringing Big Brothers in school to help with these students. The concern about this, is that the School Recognition Money must support a school wide initiative, such as Young Author’s Workshop.

What about the Science Fair? There is no science fair this year. (There is a history fair). Science is taught as a separate class in middle school, and incorporated throughout in elementary. Administration offered a stipend to head up science fair, which no one accepted. At the beginning of next year, SAC will address Science and the Science Fair for options.

Approved:

- $8,000 set aside for FCAT camp

- $5,000 set aside for Author’s Workshop

- $4,300 set aside for LNS satellite tutoring/mentoring (FEMA students)

$17,300 total

Ballot for Recognition Funds ($178,713.00) was reviewed.

Grants/Laurel Civic Association. John Jefferson passed around information about available grants. Mr. Jefferson shared a handout about the Laurel Civic Association. He explained the purpose and the mission. He also discussed projects and events supported by the association. The flyer may be added the LNS Scoop to reach more students.

Legislative Update. Richard Holder continues to keep current with legislation. He gave out a handout from SCANE (parent group). Their mission is to inform the community members about legislative issues in education.

Our next meeting will be on November 16, 2004 at 6:00pm.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Paula Cimillo and Tanya Poleschner

Co-Secretaries