HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-10-27-DIAMOND-minDiamond Site Council Meetings 2016 - 2017
October 27, 2016: Meeting Minutes
Members in Attendance: Yi Yang, Sean Han , Dan Strollo, Deepika Sawhney, Jen Turner,
Catherine Findlay, Krystal LeClerc, Sam Bosbach, Katina Lawdis, Johanna Rodrigues
Note - taker: Liz Sharp
Approval of 10/13/16 Minutes: Approved
Open Meeting Law Review: Co -Chair reported. In the past, trainings by the town. We will get
documents about the rules. Need to send the official list to the town. Open Meeting law key
items:
• Agenda needs to be posted 24 hours ahead
• Should include member input, would allow us to put a parent item on the next agenda if
it comes up at the last minute
• At each meeting need to approve minutes and have them posted
• To be considered a member with voting rights, if sick or too far away, can be excused
• Parents cannot get together without teachers to discuss site council issues
• Voting needs a quorum, all equal members (teachers and parents)
Review of Diamond Site Council By -Laws: Parent serve for two years, and should have a
student at the school. Faculty serve for two years. Principal, six parents, five faculty, and up to
three community representatives.
If a member has an agenda item, let Jen or Dan know and they will put it on the agenda.
However, each member can always bring something up under Member Input if it's the last
minute.
Principal's Report:
• PTA Coffees. 9 AM in the Cafe. Each coffee will have a topic:
o November 4 on technology. ITS will talk about the iPads and plans for sixth
grade. Principal will invite the new director of technology.
o January 13 presentation by Counseling Dept and difference between school
counselor and social worker.
o March 3 STEM with math and science department heads presenting curriculum
and extracurricular opportunities.
o April 28 will be a homework discussion. Would like Site Council to have a
discussion beforehand. No policies will be decided, just a discussion.
• Parent Conferences
o Parents will be able to meet with all four teachers at once
o Cut down time to 10 minutes in order to have more slots
o Thinking about changing a bit of the format - more of a collaborative conversation
than each teacher reporting out individually
o Teachers can offer two time slots if there are significant concerns - by invite only
o Faculty Meeting November 21 time available
o 83 slots are available. Most teams need between 85 and 90
o Should teachers put out a video on "what to expect for parent conferences "? Jen
will consider a way to put out the information
o Teacher shared what one team does with a questionnaire to focus on the whole
child
o Not concerned about parking issues with the Fall Play or Conferences because
limited amount of people at a time. Should we have police presence at night?
Principal will check on it and lighting concerns. Parking for PTA Coffees will be a
problem.
• Virtual Open House
o Value having the time to watch
o Principal reported mixed feedback. She shared it with the teams. Part of the
reason to go to four person conferences
o Videos will stay up until conference time
Member Input:
• Question about Construction Delays - still hearing that they will finish on time for next
school year. Furniture choices and technology needs are being reviewed (committee
for the furniture). Demo will begin soon for the new cafe area.
• Question about the meeting structure for the year. Should act as an advisory group to
share concerns as they come up. SIP is the major focus. If parents know the parent
members on Site Council, they will be able to communicate their concerns which can be
brought to the meeting. Next month's newsletter will have a blurb about Site Council.
• Meeting times: 7 AM once a month works for the majority of members. Move 3:30 PM
meetings to 7 AM.
Next Meeting: December 1, 2016 at 7 AM