HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-07-Clarke-minJonas Clarke Middle School
17 Stedman Road • Lexington, Massachusetts
02421
Anna W. Monaco, Principal
Jennifer E. Turner, Assistant Principal
Jonathan R. Wettstone, Assistant Principal
Site Council Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2014
Office: (781) 861 -2450
Fax: (781) 674 -2043
In Attendance: Anna Monaco, Principal; Polly Kienle, Parent; Jonathan Schechner, Teacher;
Andrea Foley, Teacher; Jonathan Wettstone, Assistant Principal
I. Approval of minutes from May (4/10/14)
• Minutes approved from 4/10/14
II. School Improvement Plan for 2014 -2015
• Goal 1 - Continue implementing new DESE supervision and evaluation system.
o Mrs. Monaco went on to discuss implementation steps such as PLC collaboration,
common meeting time, calibrate feedback, etc.
Goal 1 - Implement and utilize new technology with the support of administration and the
ITS.
o Mrs. Monaco went on to explain the implementation steps to support, such as new
0.5 ITS staff member, iPad carts for each 8th grade team, etc.
o Working with Tom Plati to identify online platform to host blended learning
environment (learning management system), supporting current efforts of staff and
their learning.
o Attempting to add an additional laptop cart to meet student /staff needs.
o Parent discussed student reflections on iPad usage - what worked and what does
not. Identified specific qualities of each device and how they are used for different
purposes.
Goal 1 - improving RTI model, the child study process and meeting student needs.
o Mrs. Foley discussed ways to expedite supports for students, starting with access
to RTI supports directly from the academic team meeting, not having to wait and
present at another meeting. The plan is to pilot the model in the Fall of 2014,
revisiting the process in December to assess success of new process.
o Parents asked for background of the process. Mrs. Foley shared frustrations from
team members, who found the old process to be a waiting area when the students
needs the supports now.
o Plan is to present the pilot program to the staff during the Monday faculty meeting.
• Discussed ways to assess pilot success and what data points could be identified.
Conversation included entry criteria, exit criteria, number of recommendations, log
of team based interventions, etc.
o Discussed including math and reading intervention courses on the RTI sheet as
well - continuing efforts to expedite the process to meet student needs.
Goal 1 - Content teams continue to meet, create and implement common assessments.
o Mrs. Monaco discussed currents efforts by the math data team and how the
program can expand next year. She went on to provide an example of how the
team works, bringing student work to discuss as a group. Focus is on teaching
strategies.
o Teacher suggested adding segment about cross - district collaboration, developing
common curriculum and assessments.
Goal 1 - LPS vision, mission and beliefs
o Superintendent is looking to solidify the language and move forward as a district.
Goal 1 - School leadership will continue to advance trusting relationships in order to
improve student achievement.
o Mrs. Monaco expanded on the goal, discussing ways to continue the conversation
with the staff, revisit the norms, and look to update them in the Fall. Specifically
norms around sharing spaces. The conversation centered around what type of
professional work environment do we want to create? Creating norms as staff will
affect every staff member, regardless of position in the school.
Goal 2 - Continue Rachel's Challenge
o We will continue efforts next year, continuing efforts with the Linked Up club, and
establishing common language
Goal 2 - Increase parent education around pro social behaviors
o updating resource website, parent coffees, etc.
Goal 2 - Increase and improve communication to parents from guidance, teaching and
school leadership.
o Discussed increased Twitter /Blog use.
Goal 2 - refine social work referral process
o identified appearance in goal 1
III. Development of Goal 3 for SIP 2014 -2015
Mrs. Monaco identified the need to include building based goal to address major
initiatives moving forward.
o Traffic Study - working with specialists
o ALICE Training (Incident Management) -
o Space Mining - examining current space and the need to proactively plan for future
and larger enrollment.
o Team drafted language for goal 3, attempting to put into words how we can
examine the school, school grounds, and how we can ensure safety for the
students, staff and community. The goal would be to work collaboratively with
outside consultants to develop new procedures and potential policies.
IV. Next Steps
• Mrs. Monaco will be emailing out a draft of the 2014 -2015 SIP.
• Next meeting, scheduled for June (date TBD) will be used to review the proposed SIP, as
well as discuss end of year results.