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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-07-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 Office: (781) 861 -2450 Fax: (781) 674 -2043 School Site Council Meeting October 7, 2015 Site Council Meeting: 7:OOAM Main Office Jonas Clarke Middle School 17 Stedman Road Lexington, MA 02421 Agenda In attendance: Mrs. Monaco, Principal; Mrs. Turner, Assistant Principal, Mr. Wettstone, Assistant Principal; Liz Murphy, Teacher; Susan Stein, Teacher; Sarah Fattal, Teacher; Andrew Boni, Parent; Naomi Priver, Parent; Amy Selinger, Parent. • Welcome and Introductions • Overview of the Clarke Site Council • Principal provided an overview of the Clarke site council - goals • Clarke School Jim .)rovemeni P 11 20 i 5 20 i 6 • Principal provided an overview of 2015 -2016 SIP, asking for questions before going into more details. • Last Spring - adjusted SIP to what we really needed to focus on. • Academic Goal - WIN Block - getting students what they need, when they need it. o Developing assessments o Professional learning for teachers - Lexington Learns coming up on Friday. o iPads in 8th grade - another focus of academic plan. Teachers have embraced. • parent reports that students /teachers have used the technology throughout the class and has reduced the need for a textbook. • Notability and air drop has been observed - making teaching and learning much more efficient. • parent noted the jump to HS without the iPad - a concern. • Pro - Social Goal - WIN block is a step in that right direction to reducing stress. o Many students opting to stay in and get work done during the school day, having the teachers at their disposal. o Teachers currently adjusting to differences in class time during the week. o Teacher stated that WIN block allows for additional social interaction opportunities, especially for specific sub groups who have social pragmatic goals during the school day. • Parent stated that she's noted a positive difference due to the WIN block - much better pace. • Teacher stated that WIN block allows for more opportunities to work with the technology and problem solve. • Parent stated that 6th grade is currently having recess, which is a good transition from the elem school. o Principal looking to obtain data from the wellness survey the students took last Spring - will contact Jen W. • Counselors & Social Workers looking to proactively identify students in need, as well as the re -entry process to ensure student support. • Looking to tie Community Service, Student Government, Linked -Up and all our other pro - social programs together. • Building Construction Goal o Meeting on the 15th, updating on current plans for construction. o Waiting to see what plans move forward out of the multiple options. o Funds have been allocated to continue the study. o Principal talked about the inequity of one very large school (if all the work is done at Diamond), and how going to a school with 1200 students can change the middle school feel. o Parent reminds committee there will be opportunities to vote and parents should be aware and participate if possible o Principal speaks about how the elementary plans and middle school plans really need to be discussed together o Even if the addition is not put on, there are other projects that need to be completed - parking lot, science lab for example o Parent asks about the physical space for an addition - Principal explains a 10 classroom addition would be built out by the gym and we would have to consult regarding the conservation land o Putting permanent walls in the triangle classrooms is also on the table o Site updates will also have to be looked at (parking, traffic flow, buses etc) • N 11001 Committee I tom work Policy • Superintendent has asked principals to share the homework policy with site councils • Principal points out that the pieces around parents' role, teachers' role, etc. are additions • Parent asks if this is policy or a draft - Principal explains that it has been voted on by school committee but the superintendent is looking for feedback • Principal shares questions that the Superintendent posed for the committee • Parent comments that she likes the breakdown of role responsibilities for teacher, students and parents • Teacher comments that there has been more conversation this year between teachers about how much homework is being given - question arises as to whether those conversations include off -team teachers • Principal comments that there is a major shift between 5th grade homework and 6th grade so there is an adjustment - this reflects a shift in teaching where teachers want to see the work in class in order to provide feedback • Teacher shares that her experience as a parent is that in other districts students are given more each night and it is too much from a family perspective • Principal reminds committee that the time limit is an average and students should stop if they go over that limit - parent comments that is a challenge for students who are concerned about homework and grades, etc. • Teacher says it is great that we are talking about it • Parent responds that some students see homework as their job - they come home and immediately complete their assignments • Parent asks if there is a policy about the number of tests a student can take in a day - Principal says it is not a policy but an understanding that teams discuss the number of assessments and plan accordingly • Questions, Comments, Concerns • Parent asks about the review process for the school improvement plan - Principal explains we will review it throughout the year as things come up and then mid -year we will draft a mid -year evaluation of where we are - then at the end of the year we will revisit again • Future Meeting Dates and Times • Next meeting will be November 12, 2015 at 7:OOAM in the main office conference room.