PINE VIEW SCHOOL

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

MINUTES

NOVEMBER 12, 2007

Attendees: B. Baranowski, C. Braun, P. Dean, K. Gobalasingham, C. Hall, J. Koda, S. Largo, T. Schwimmer, A. Tahiri

Agenda Item/Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the joint SAC/SDMT held on October 25, 2007 meeting were reviewed and approved.

Agenda Item/Next Generation Update

Mr. Largo reviewed the NeXt Generation update via a PowerPoint presentation; this was also presented at the Gifted Conference held at Pine View in September.

This presentation focused on the districts and Pine View’s vision and goals, as well as school connections with NeXt Generation. The district listed the following accomplishments and efforts:

• 28 “A” schools
• Innovative technologies
• Fiscal management
• Arts and athletics
• Partners and volunteers
• Community support
• Clear vision and planning

Next discussed were the district expectations, such as:

• Closing the achievement gap; which Pine View modified to identify students with a FCAT level 3 or below.
• Dramatically increase graduation rate – doesn’t apply to Pine View.
• Enhance career and technical education. In the future Pine View may offer engineering and health career classes.
• Maintain focus on safety and security – we are fortunate to have a good track record with regards to safety and security. Although parents, through climate surveys, do bring up the issues regarding the openness of our campus.
• Provide adequate resources.

The differences between the 20^th century learners and NeXt generation learners were discussed. The 20^th century learners learned passively, received information, learned alone, learned content only, replicated and memorized. While the NeXt generation learners learn actively, construct knowledge, learn together, leverage technology, think globally, innovate and create and engage different learning modes.

There are 5 pillars to NeXt Generation learning they are quality, people, service, resources and safety. The instructional approaches of research-based strategies, cutting edge technologies are collaborative planning and instruction, small class settings, challenging programs of study and monitoring of student progress. These are all terms that have been part of Pine View’s vocabulary for the last couple of years.

The following are Pine View’s commitments:

• Continue providing time and resources for teachers to collaboratively plan
• Using data to plan instruction, curriculum mapping and common assessments
• Integrate technology
• Implement “Smart and Good Schools”
• Long-range facility needs
• Enhance student and staff recognition programs
• Expand communication with parents and community

What makes Pine View Unique:

• Named as one of Newsweek Magazine’s Public Elites – 2 years in a row
• Only publicly funded full-time gifted school in the State
• Empowering students to make a difference
• A commitment to Character Development
• Recipient of the “Points of Lights Award” for student-led volunteer projects

Mr. Largo then handed out a summary of what was discussed at the FORUMS. The following are the three questions asked with suggestions.

1. What can we do for you and your child?
• Lighten load of backpacks/second set of textbooks at home – Dr. Tahiri mentioned that although it would be cost prohibitive to have a set of textbooks for home it would be helpful to have a CD for each textbook in elementary. There is textbook support on-line for some of the elementary textbooks but not all.
• Air conditioned buses – there is a plan that all new buses will have air conditioning
• Social support for new/transfer students/orientation for all new students.
• Adequate technical support for laptops/students - Taylor Schwimmer mentioned that there should be more tech support for high school students. Possibly reinstating the laptop initiative. He said it was difficult to access a computer, not always available in media, if he needed to write a paper after classes were over. Would it be possible to have a laptop cart available in the media with a sign-out system? This would help high school students that need to finish homework before the go home.
• Less emphasis on acceleration/focus on gifted learning.

2. What can you do for your school or district?

§ Join PVA

§ Be aware of current budget issues and current issues affecting school

§ Volunteer/contribute talents and time

§ Teachers could post needs on website so parents know the needs

3. How can we move forward together?

§ Continue to form PAC’s as a “watchdog” for issues that may impact our school/united focus/public relations

§ Focus groups – age specific/open dialogues at various times to meet scheduled needs.

§ Utilize Best Practices

§ Websites are strong tools-links and posted assignments/website should have test dates

Dr. Tahiri mentioned would it be possible for him to go ahead and try to have a large company sponsor the needs of our school, such as a science lab. Mr. Largo said definitely.

The next SAC meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 10, 2007 at 4:15 p.m. in room #911.