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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-16-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 Office: (781) 861 -2450 Fax : (781)674 -2043 Jonas Clarke Middle School School Site Council Meeting October 16, 2014 Site Council Meeting: 3:15PM Main Office Jonas Clarke Middle School 17 Stedman Road, Lexington, MA 02421 Agenda and Minutes Present at the meeting: Mrs. Monaco, Principal; Mrs. Turner, Assistant Principal, Mr. Wettstone, Assistant Principal; Mr. Schechner, Teacher; Amy Selinger, Parent; Barbara White, Parent; Andrew Boni, Parent. I. Welcome and Introductions o Mrs. Monaco discussed the importance of the SIP and how it helps drive what we do here at Clarke o Mrs. Monaco supplies site council members with articles that have been shared with the staff - topics currently being discussed. o Meeting minutes from 6.11.14 were approved. o Parent shared experience with monthly site council meetings - history of site councils and enrollment data history and predictions. How can we make the parent body more aware of the topics and concerns. There is a set agenda of topics - next is social, emotional wellness. • Mrs. Monaco discussed current collaboration with architects regarding space mining. Curious to hear recommendations - where can we find more space. Meeting with yet another architect to discuss long -range analysis on capacity. Classroom sharing makes the process more complicated - teacher workroom can house staff, allowing classroom spaces to be used my by multiple staff members. • Mrs. Monaco continued discussing physical use of the school - looking for more permanent walls and learning areas (moveable walls less than ideal). • Mrs. Monaco identified high enrollment numbers (298 current 5th graders) for 2015 -2016. Potential request for additional staffing to create a half -team at the 6th grade level to manage the numbers. This request will be included in the budget process going on now. • Parents confirmed data presented at site council training - numbers could easy jump above 300 for the incoming students. The old model (birth rate in Lexington) was not reliable. The need to advocate with the school committee is important - request for additional staffing /space needs to be supported. o Mr. Monaco outlined the Capital Budget process - submitted in September and is being reviewed by CO /Facilities. o Mrs. Monaco then outlined the staffing and program request portions of the budget - now through November, where we will request additional staffing for next year's 6th grade students, as well as additional staffing in math coaching - one math coach at each grade level. 11. 2014 -2015 School Improvement Plan — What are we working on? Mrs. Monaco reviewed the SIP - same two goals for each school in the district. A third goal can be added - more building facilities based. o Goal 1: Using student data to discuss student progress, select instructional strategies, etc. Mrs. Monaco then went on to outline the components: includes supervision and evaluation, utilizing technology, Response to Intervention (getting kids what they need, when they need it), Professional Learning Committees, the LPS vision, mission and belief statements, as well as professional relationships with staff. o Goal 2: focuses on the social emotional needs of students. Mrs. Monaco outlined components of this goal: Rachel's Challenge (pro - social curriculum) and how we focus on paying it forward and less on the school tragedy; developing a strong community service program, connected to our student government team. • Mrs. Monaco discussed a fundraising effort to support the Lexington Food Pantry - Empty Bowls. Students would make bowls, seek donations and make donations to the community. • Mrs. Monaco discussed the Youth Risk Behavior survey, which will be implemented again this year. Anxiety - where and when does it start in middle school. They have tailored the survey for our middle school students, and the data can be fed back to the town. Parents and students can opt out of the survey if desired. A forum will be held in November for both middle school, giving parents a chance to hear and discuss concerns. (previous survey prompted development of 8th grade health curriculum to meet identified need) III. Our Goals / Your interests? • Mrs. Monaco asked for parent input - are there big concerns that we could discuss here? Are there areas that are not being addressed? o Parent - stress and enrollment are key topics. o Parent - homework is a concern. Difficult to do anything other than homework - stress. o Parent - are there guidelines for assigning homework? • Mrs. Monaco - yes, teachers do coordinate. Teacher shared efforts of the team to coordinate and plan ahead. School Committee has regulations outlined, but each student is different and takes different amounts of time to complete tasks. • Parent - important for the community to think about expectations or rigor. Nice to be #1, but it comes at a cost. • Mrs. Monaco - important to have a balance. Conversations with teachers about the importance of homework - extending the learning. o Parent - are there areas that we as parents can advocate for in the community? • Mrs. Monaco - focus will be on the enrollment numbers and the needs that come with the staffing and physical space needs. • Potential for re- working the redistricting lines to better balance the enrollment numbers. IV. Future meeting dates / November and beyond • Thursday afternoons work for the members. • Thursday, November 20, 2014