School Advisory Council
Present: Co-Chair Lisa Callaghan, Co-Chair Carolyn Reichard, Nancy Dubin, Heather Young, Monique Ring, Jim Rolfes, John Jefferson, Mick Ferrucci, Deanna Nicholas, John Koda, Tracy Knight, Linda Meyer
Handouts: SIP Plan 2006-2007; SCPT Grade Level Data and SRI Grade Level Data
Next Meeting:
Last Month’s Minutes: Minutes from last month were approved as presented.
Tardy Policy
Review Request:
Tracy Knight, a parent from the 6th grade Odyssey team, asked that the existing policy for tardy absences be reviewed to eliminate students from being withheld from Renaissance recognition activities due to legitimate doctor and dental appointment scheduling. The current policy holds that students with 3 tardy days in one marking period are prohibited from participation in the Renaissance activities. The main concern is that with the extended school day, doctor and dental appointments are not available many times in late afternoons and therefore, children who have early morning appointments are being penalized by attending those appointments and coming to school late. Nancy Dubin agreed to research the background of the existing policy and bring it to the members of the management team; she noted that doctor and dental appointments are not considered excused absences. A follow-up will be provided to Tracy Knight pending management team and policy research completion.
S.I.P.
Nancy Dubin presented the S.I.P. as approved with modification to the Professional Development for ESE, Gifted Endorsement and After School Technology in-house training, which were eliminated.
School Recognition
Funds:
Final vote determination was unanimous that the funds will be distributed equally to all staff employees on campus.
SCPT Grade Level
Data and SRI Grade Level Data:
Linda Meyers presented data on instructional indicators that drive the SIP. The focus of the presentation was the disaggregated incoming 5th grade Math data by strands. She noted the efforts of the faculty to build calendars around the 5 strands with the goal of not repeating historical results in testing scores. The strategies and techniques are being piloted and monitored for their effectiveness on an ongoing basis. Heather Young presented a sample Fourth Grade Enrichment Group curriculum that focuses on the goals of complex, critical and creative thinking and cooperative learning, whereby the activities are completed over the course of one year to target the goals of achieving improvement in the scores.
New
The drafted mission and vision statements were presented to the internal community and one comment was received having concern over the “CAN DO” in the Mission Statement, “CAN DO, WORK HARD, GET SMART”. The concern stated that “CAN DO” might have a negative implication for a specific culture or group. The individual providing the comment will be contacted to acquire more insight into the concern. The statements will be presented to the external community following the review of the concern and the completion of gathering all comments.
Professional
Learning Communities:
Discussion tabled to next meeting since Debbie Cohen was absent.
LNS Mascot/School
Colors:
Although students are given until
Student Suggestion
Adoption:
Nancy Dubin announced that a group of 7th grade students presented a suggestion for a healthier choice of food selection in the cafeteria. After discussion with the cafeteria staff, a decision has been made to offer a salad bar as part of the food choice selection. This addition will be announced and the students who suggested the “healthier eating selection” program will be announced and recognized.
Adjournment: Meeting was brought to closure and adjourned
at
Notes taken by Monique Ring, SAC Parent Member