HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-25-CLARKE-minJonas Clarke Middle School
School Site Council Meeting
April 25, 2017
7:OOAM
Main Office, Jonas Clarke Middle School
17 Stedman Road Lexington, MA 02421
In Attendance: Anna Monaco, Principal; Mary Barry -Ng, Assistant Principal; Jonathan
VVettstone, Assistant Principal; Elizabeth Murphy, Social Worker; Sarah Fattal, Teacher; Casey
Siagel, Teacher; John Chamberlain, Teacher; Angela Chang, Parent; Naomi Priver, Parent;
Jennifer Roney, Parent.
Agenda
Welcome
II. Review and approval of March 21, 2017 Meeting Minutes
A. Minutes approved
III. Review DRAFT of 2017-2018 Goals
A. June 6, 2017 - School Committee meeting where each school principal presents S.I.P.
a. Each principal has one slide with information about what was successful/positive
with last year's plan, and data to support that information as well as what
work/goal would be next year.
b. Shared what information will be presented this year, would like to hear thoughts
of the group.
i. Unconferences that occurred during some of the faculty meetings this
year - good feedback from staff.
ii. Staff walkthroughs, discussed last meeting - use of the "pineapple"
symbol to encourage staff members to observe and provide feedback to
each other
iii. ALICE training - continued safety training with staff
a. Social Worker - even build into the safety goal, build into this goal
"individual safety" - as part of the S.O.S. pilot program
b. Parent - appreciate the idea of personal safety, and making sure we have
clearly communicated to kids where and when they can seek out help.
Also think we don't always do the best job of communicating to parents
how, when, and where they can seek out help
c. Principal - we have discussed this in the past and the communication and
embedded this in other goals, but maybe making this part of a separate
goal would be helpful
d. Parent - was there an evaluation of the S.O.S. pilot, how was it received,
and what is the cost?
e. Social Worker - program (S.O.S.) is so well researched and received that
the DESE pays for it (grant nationally). We are getting anecdotal
information but today is program review and that will be discussed
f. Parent - Is there a staff training component? Do they know what to say if
a student says, "I want to kill myself."
g. Principal - Yes, they immediately reach out to counseling department.
They are also trained as mandated reporters, they are legally bound to let
someone know whenever a student is in crisis.
h. Parent - in this year's S.I.P. there was some information about signs of
students in crisis. This is very much on the minds of LHS, obviously, but it
would be helpful if faculty knew more about this.
i. Social Worker - suggests that review the signs at beginning of year when
we have the mandated reporting.
j. Principal - yes we did have "provide psycho -education to staff regarding
classroom indicators of social and emotional stress."
k. Teacher - a lot of discussion among students (according to his daughter)
about just back to business as usual.
I. Social Worker - we (as a department) have been doing a lot of work with
an outside consultant - Maria Trozzi, her saying is "routine as usual - not
business as usual." Research shows not to change routine, but to provide
support and areas for students. Today (counseling curriculum review) we
will be looking at this again.
m. Principal - Shared that this information and the importance of routine is
key. We recognize that not everyone is back to "normal" - we are all
struggling - and will provide support.
n. Parent - Are students aware that even here at JCMS there are
opportunities to ask for support.
o. Principal - we did not put out an announcement to students, but we did
put email out to staff stating that if they recognize a student struggling to
let the counseling department know.
p. Teacher- I can speak to this. At the beginning of the year counselors do
come in and talk to kids (in class) and let students know their availability
and how they can access help if they need it (for anything).
q. Teacher - as a department we discussed this and identified our role in this
process as teachers of ELA and topics that we discuss in texts.
r. Social Worker - this is a struggle each time that an incident occurs. We
s. Parent - I appreciate the approach - but I don't think that all students
access the help/support they need. It would be important to remind
students about where there is help/support.
t. Social Worker - what do you think about communicating with students in a
case like this? Would you like us to talk to families first, then students?
Do you think we should share with students, and then let you know?
u. Parent - I do wish this was more broadly shared with parents. Because if
you don't know why your child is all of a sudden acting strange (and if
parent not aware of the incident might not know). So it would be helpful
for parents to know of a situation that occurred in another school (in
district) not in detail - but to be aware.
v. Parent - no need to tell students about this, but parents yes.
w. Teacher - concern that social media may have impact on this
x. Principal - Netflix series, "13 Reasons" is currently a very popular show
with students in middle school. So concerned, as a school, what is our
role about informing parents about this? This is a tough show - and there
are varied opinions about the show. Some think too graphic and should
not be allowed to watch. Others think it is prompting students to stop and
think about the topic of suicide, helping others, preventing it, etc.
y. Parent - Perhaps a parent forum about this topic might be an interesting
way to communicate with parents about this, especially at the middle
school level.
z. Principal - interesting - a parent coffee, with a focus on how to speak with
your children about this topic (given recent events).
aa. Parent - the speaker that spoke at the town -wide event was excellent.
bb. Principal - she is actually a Clarke parent.
cc. Parent - if there is a goal for next year, really do think the social -emotional
goal is far more a priority (you do a great job with the academic).
B. Back to SIP - how to we word the goal?
a. Principal - do we get more specific? Do we have different goal?
b. Teacher - mentions Yoga and mindfulness used by staff, could become
part of the school culture.
c. Teacher - perhaps just faculty sharing ideas and then communicating with
administration and counseling. You might have a better way of
addressing it.
d. Parent - Even a coffee by counseling about the normal developmental
growth and resources for parents.
e. Parent - I will surely be working on organizing the parent forums next year
as a member of the PTO, to get information from parents and faculty and
plan for what topics a addressed.
f. Teacher - maybe an action step or being more explicit around the need
for a social -emotional discussion about students and concerns.
g. Principal - perhaps that is from my end, and meeting with team leaders
that I am discussing this with teams and their agenda.
h. Asst. Principal - importance of / relation to homework issue and teaching
metacognition/problem solving.
i. Teacher - walkthroughs with staff would help, but also discussions with
students and having them become more aware of what teachers to that is
helpful.
j. Parent - I really do like the idea of student feedback, not in evaluation of
teachers, but for students to give teachers feedback about what is helpful
or what projects/units they liked.
k. Principal - I agree - and creating that culture of providing and receiving
feedback is important.
I. Teacher - yes, and having staff model this for students and then having
students work to provide feedback would be helpful.
m. Social Worker - perhaps a summer proposal where we work on the Clarke
Challenges and making it more a part of the culture throughout the year.
Even connecting with a department (example: ELA and a book they are
reading).
n. Teacher- more opportunities for students and staff for building our
community
o. Principal - yes, we do discuss how to use that Tuesday morning 20
minute period.
p. Social Worker - yes, we could use summer time to plan a few of those
lessons/discussions (e.g. Kid President video and discussion)
q. Parent - Even using the iPads, it must be easier to create a way for
students to give feedback.
IV. Questions, Comments, Concerns
• Principal - Please look at the SIP and provide me feedback or ideas, what is in red
• Parent - the superintendent has a "LPS Listens Link" - is there a way to have something
like that for Clarke?
• Principal - with the proper set up, I think that would be helpful. I will have to look into
that.
• Social Worker- wondering if there is a way to get to more parents or (different parents
than the ones who always attend the coffees). Perhaps during "Back to School" night -
providing a counseling discussion where we can introduce ourselves and preview our
supports and resources.
• Parent - What about even a "back to school" packet with a handout for parents with a list
of resources.
• Social Worker- Perhaps a video from the counselors that goes out around the time of
Back to School night. Purpose to inform parents about the the counseling department
and differentiate between a school counselor and a social worker.
• Parent - LHS counselors have tried to meet with each student once this year to get to
know them.
• Social Worker - yes that is a goal for our department. We are trying to get to individual
• Principal - they surely know the students, but the students are not always aware that the
counselors know them.
V. Adjourn at 8:OOam.