Laurel Nokomis School

School Advisory Council

November 28, 2006

 

 

Present:  Co-Chair Lisa Callaghan, Co-Chair Carolyn Reichard, Nancy Dubin, Heather Young, Cory Williams, Monique Ring, John Jefferson, Barbara Needleman, Mick Ferrucci, Deanna Nicholas, Hannah Nicholas, John Koda, Deanna Lawton, Joe Marisi, Tayler Callaghan, Steve Dembinski

 

Handouts:  Professional Learning Communities K-8 plan; Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test level report

 

Next Meeting:  January 23, 2007

 

Last Month’s Minutes:  Minutes from last month were approved as presented.

 

PLC’s (Professional Learning Communities)

Debbie Cohen presented an update on the weekly monitoring of student achievement that occurs between teachers and teams.  The goal of this interactive approach to achievement is to allow teachers to work directly with one another to support child achievement success and to meet the Sunshine State Standards.  This collaborative intervention, between student and teacher observations, has provided extremely rewarding results and the data/trends that can be gathered from the results can be used to further enhance the learning process and achievement levels.  Assessments and evaluations of the plan of action includes parental involvement and all information that is gathered throughout the process is used in modifying the course of intervention.

 

Science FCAT Data:

Heather Young presented State, District and LNS FCAT science results for the past year.  Although these scores did not count last year, it was noted that the scores for LNS;  5th grade scoring 3 or higher was 33% as compared to the State at 35% and the District at 46%, 8th grade scoring 3 or higher was 53% as compared to the State at 32% and District at 42%.  Heather noted concern that the S.M.I.L.E. lab is not be utilized due to lack of intensive workloads on teachers.  She suggested that a review of the reimplementation be giving consideration during the budget process and the possibility of hiring a teacher to oversee the lab whereby they would also render science support.  Nancy Dubin suggested that the need for a teacher who could possibly offer after school tutorials and teach the students how to read and interpret the FCAT questions in addition to servicing the lab be reviewed during the budget process.  This years FCAT camp will also include a time allotted to Science. Nancy Dubin offered to present the SAC committee with a mini PowerPoint presentation on the scoring methodologies and calculations. 

 

Budget monies for school improvement:

This topic was tabled until the next meeting.  Consideration should be given as to how the funds ($12,373.18) will be appropriated for the Literacy Fair, FCAT camp, Renaissance program and other areas that the committee deems worthy of consideration.  The committee was asked to come in with ideas for the next meeting.

 

Laurel Civic Center Program:

John Jefferson presented an update on the growth increase in the Laurel Civic Center program, last year enrollment increased from 63 to 86; this year enrollment has exceeded 111, with 70 students attending from LNS.  Mr. Jefferson discussed the point reward system that students earn by their efforts and achievements.  These points are converted into a monetary value can be redeemed next month for holiday gifts, up to three per child.  In addition, Mr. Jefferson discussed his success with providing the Laurel Civic Center program and some children with free computers.  These computers were refurbished through the Education Foundation and loaded with links to education sites including FCAT Explorer and encyclopedia sources.  Debbie Cohen also noted that computers were provided to 20 families at LNS at no charge and were refurbished by the effort coordinated by Ron Zimmermann.  Ms. Cohen will bring in the contact information for anyone interested in donating old equipment for refurbishment.   

 

 

Other Business:

 

Active Boards

The District will be funding the purchase of Active Boards for all classrooms.  The projected implementation of the boards will be completed as follows; 35 % next month, 33% by fall and the balance by January of 2008.

 

Tardy Policy Review

 

Last month 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. 

 

Follow-up Status:  Nancy Dubin researched the background of the existing policy and brought it to the members of the management team. It was voted upon that the existing policy will be changed to allow for doctor and dental appointments to be considered as an excused tardy, when and only when supported with a doctor’s note presented on the day of the tardy attendance.

 

Adjournment:  Meeting was brought to closure and adjourned at 6:50 pm.

 

Notes taken by Monique Ring, SAC Parent Member