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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-16-DIAMOND-minDiamond School Council Meeting Minutes March 16,2023 Members in attendance:Marlon Davis,Christy Prasad,Katina Lawdis,Ye Tong,Joyce Dvorak,Remy Coombs (Liz Sharp,non-voting member) A.Welcome B.Approval of Minutes February 16,2023 C.Updates Principal ●SBG Discussion. ○This week will be the review of the bids for SBG system.Friday will be vendor presentations. ■Faculty asked:Where are we for SBG practices?What functionality would we be looking for in a new system? ■The review committee is comprised of various stakeholders from both middle schools and central office staff. ■The second stage will provide “sandbox”opportunities.Parent access will be after teachers are trained and know how to use the system.We may have parents in this phase. ■Goal is to start training in early May,using PD days and then paid opportunities over the summer. ■Expectation is that all teachers will use this same system so that we have consistency on grading and should help with making sure everyone is clear on our grading practice. ○We are debating on pedagogy and philosophy around SBG internally.We are committed to standards based grading.LHS will not go to SBG.We are committed to the transition from 8th to 9th to help what students need to understand about grading differences. ○The “progressing”category is too vast.We will be deciding if we should have gradients in this category,P1 and P2.This will ensure consistency so that “meeting”actually means the student has met the standard. ○We are also debating whether or not there can be grade level equivalents so that we are mirroring the high school grading practices.Can SBG and a traditional grade equivalent co-exist?Perhaps our new grading system could provide a range of traditional grades and we may not put it on the report card and give to parents,but something that we have behind the scenes.That would be helpful if a private school asks for the equivalent and we won’t have to do it manually like we did this year. ○Goal is to dial down the pressure -this new software isn’t meant to make big changes. ○The superintendent says we need to be considering offering the letter grade along with standards based grade. ○Think about how important homework is for grades at the high school,as well as attendance. Retakes aren’t as common at LHS. ○Both middle schools will get a full day at LHS for the transition.How to navigate the building, getting support at school,difference for LHS,etc.Plans between LHS principal and middle school principals are in the works. ●Restorative Justice ○Looking at next phase as a RJ refresher. ○Faculty meetings have been using circles. ●We are moving to Clarke’s 42 block schedule for the new year.We will have more time for additional WINS,and should give us more time to use the DEI curriculum. ●Focus in the classrooms for organizing and executive function skills.For example,all students are given a planner and we will try to work that more strategically in all classes. Parents ●Could parents be part of the RFP process to look at reports?(answer:we will have parents involved in the “sandbox”phase) ●Agree that “progressing”doesn’t always offer enough feedback on how to reach the next level. ●We need to be sure we are communicating with parents about SBG and the grading system. ●Conversion to letter grades -if we do this behind the scenes,parents will be asking for this to be shared. Staff ●Question:Is Counseling part of these discussions,particularly for students who need to adjust to something new? D.Open Discussion a.Notes incorporated above. E.Meeting Adjourned:7:35 AM F.Next Meeting:April 13,2023