May 30, 2008

Site Council Minutes  -  May 30, 2008, (3:15-5:30)

In attendance: Cynthia, Kris, Michela, Erica, Amy, Dick, Jay, Deborah, Constance, Irma, Emily

Announcement  - “Tiling the Lizard” on Saturday at 10.  Come one, come all with soup for lunch and onsite training.

Review of proposed class and staffing for next year

1.     Some staffing is incomplete but there will be blended classes for K-1,  1-2, and 3-4.  The incoming class size has been steady for the last 3 years so the blended classes are necessary to accommodate uniform class sizes and FTE limitations.  There is some talk of the district providing certain needs common to schools transitioning to K-8 such as a media specialist.

2.     Interest was expressed in setting a goal of establishing curriculum for such blends to improve continuity for teachers and kids.  The caveat is that incoming class sizes are not always stable.

Discussion of K-8 Transition issues

3.     There was an extended discussion about the future of K-8 at Irvington.  Roughly half of 5^th graders are likely to return to Irvington.  The class currently in 4^th is smaller and would create tough choices if the same percentage would stay at Irvington.  (Irvington is caught in the perfect storm of middling grade sizes, competition of Beaumont Middle School, proximity of DaVinci, and no extra physical space.)   The agreement was that Irvington must commit to building the strongest K-8 program possible and present that to parents so they make the right decision for their kids. “Build it and they will come.”  Adaptations and growing pains have taught valuable lessons that will make each year better.  What will aid retention?

     - Establishing traditions that younger classes look forward to such as

              - Student government

              - Ashland or Washington DC trips

              - Student newspaper

              - Service projects

     - Strong academic basics by maintaining rigor and top notch instruction

     - Competitive enrichment including a full year of daily Spanish instruction

     - Focused SBS in 6^th grade. 

     - Supportive community school where everyone knows your name.

     -  Enriched technology such as issuing personal laptops to all 6^th graders.

4. We reviewed the schedule for 6-8 for next year and it was agreed that the additional resources directed to the older grades and the flexibility of the additional grade makes for a richer academic schedule.

Review of the School Improvement Plan (SIP)

1. SIP will be posted on the school web site.

2. Action plan steps were reviewed with an eye for repeating or removing and with a discussion as to whether they were completed. 

     - Intervention profiles were not done consistently but were cited as a positive goal for those who were reading below grade level.

      - 60 minutes of writing each day was not possible especially because common assignments took so long.  Changed to a more realistic 3 times a week.

       - 7^th needed to be changed to 8^th where appropriate.

Miscellaneous Items not placed on earlier agenda

 -Discussion of the benefits/hurdles to issuing simple durable computers to each 6^th grader for them to keep.  Agreed that a media specialist was needed to drive such a program, set rules, maintain focus on educational benefits.  Faculty champion/advocacy would be needed to sell the idea to PTA.

-Current computer lab is almost unusable as no common image is established.  One recommendation is to use a server and dumb terminal to force consistency and fewer points of failure.

-Report from District Vestal K-8 meeting attended by Kris and Dick where there was an extended question and answer period.

   - Acknowledged FTE formula problematic for smaller schools and hinted at a change.

    - Moved up by one year the 10 period a week of enrichment goal.

    - Stated that schools need a media specialist but no firm commitment.

    - State law requiring PE everyday is to kick in next year but seems wildly unrealistic when so many schools do not even have an instructor.

    - Would like to extend the day for middle schoolers which would extend for everyone. 

Meeting on June 9 for newly elected members – one classified selected, two teachers at the next staff meeting and two parents at PTA meeting next Tuesday 6/3.

Last updated by jhoover on Jun 02, 2008 at 12:35 PM

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