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BRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCHOOL-BASED SITE COUNCIL NOVEMBER 15, 2019 MEETING MINUTES APPROVED JANUARY 17, 2020 Attendance: Margaret Colella, Erin Cerat, Tiffany Crooker, Kimberly Hensle Lowrance,Amy Kvaal, Zeba McGibbon, Sejal Patel, Melanie Tanionos, Brienne Thibodeau, and Betty Yee. The Bridge Elementary School School-Based Site Council (SBC) held its monthly meeting on Friday, November 15, 2019 at 8 AM in room 19, 55 Middleby Road, Lexington. Meg Colella opened the meeting with a discussion of the new homework policy. (See https://docs.google.com/document/d/lpOCPglSuZvDq,xZONxKZubMXPIx4 iTiBUs3ajrLhs LQ/edit?ts=5dc192cf.) The SBC considered the implications of the plan on the Bridge community. Meg noted that the fifth grade team recently met with representatives from the middle school team to understand how the transition from elementary to middle school is going for Bridge students, especially as it relates to homework. The feedback was the students could use more preparation on executive functioning and time management. Meg referenced Zeba McGibbon's work this summer to create additional academic opportunities to supplement student learning.These activities can be completed with family members. Some are focused on life skills (for example: helping to set the table), and the activities are presented in a Bingo format so students see them as fun and interesting. Other teachers present similar activities in a monthly calendar format. Families are facing some challenges when offering optional additional homework, as kids see it as not assigned and therefore does not need to be completed. This is a family issue, and is not something that can be addressed at school. Meg explained that there is leeway in the homework policy. Teachers can assign relevant and useful homework over and above the expected reading. Meg has empowered teachers to make decisions about what is best for their students,but the policy must be consistent school to school. Therefore,teachers are checking in with her to make sure they are working within the parameters of the new policy. Parents have indicated that homework is how they know what's happening in the classroom, and its elimination leaves them uncertain how their child is doing. In response, teachers are increasing the ways that they keep parents apprised of what's going on via Class Dojo, newsletters, emails, and other communication tools. Kids are busy and focused all day long, and many have afterschool activities, so balancing homework and other obligations is a consideration. 1