HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-26-DIAMOND-minDiamond School Site Council Minutes
October 26, 2015
Attendance: A. Carothers, L. Boardman -Liu, J. Zhou, D. Strollo, J. Rodrigues
(notetaker), D. Sawhney, J. Burgin, R. Scampini, C. Findlay
Agenda
1. Assign notetaker: J. Rodrigues will take notes today.
2. Member signature: Done
3. Homework Policy Feedback:
The members read over the homework policy and discussed.
Following discussion points represent individual member views, rather than a School
Council consensus view:
Discussion related to the wording of the policy:
• List of homework types needs to be updated with flipped classroom in mind:
e.g. preparation for the class. Flipped classroom concept was explained to the
group. Adding the term "accessible" to homework descriptors was
suggested.
• Under "Parents will" - add: encourage interaction between home and parent;
share concerns about too much homework.
• Phrase "making up homework when absent" - add "classwork" to that.
Discussion related to improving communication and transitions:
• Partnership between parents- teachers is key.
• How can teachers partner better with parents and parents with teachers?
• How can parents be more connected to the middle school? Fifth to sixth
transition?
• Can we have the link to the team's online homework on the same feed that
goes out with the Diamond Daily Announcement?
Discussion related to improving homework policy:
• Work is may be needed on estimating how long the assignment will take; the
reality is that some students take more time than others
• The amount of homework given varies by team and /or teacher.
• Homework has a valuable place in children's learning - keep high
expectations - preparation for high school.
• Homework as a preview - reading with short questions.
• Two hours for eighth graders is high.
• Can we do a survey? Could individual teachers use an anonymous class
survey to get feedback?
• Homework policies need to be reviewed by staff: particularly the policy of no
homework over holidays, vacations.
4. Updates:
• Diamond budget:
Capital budget is already submitted. (Items: furniture, refiguring a closet)
Programmatic and personnel budget will be reviewed next. Budget will have
some trimming in nonessential areas.
• Construction plans:
150 more kids possible. New wing probable.
Maybe: cafeteria moved /teacher workspace created.
More information to come.
• ICE & TIE Pilot:
Survey in future. Decision to continue lies with faculty.
• Additional Supports:
Special education department has been restructured to serve students in
different ways.
Specialized general education programs include Guided study, Megamath,
METCO after school, HW support after school Mon - Thurs. (by teacher
recommendation)
5. Setting next agenda:
Child study, building updates, homework "poll ", Ipad project