HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-26-DIAMOND-min Diamond Site Council Meetings 2017-2018
October 26, 2017: Meeting Minutes
Members in Attendance: Jen Turner, Deepika Sawhney, Katina Lawdis, Sean Han, Sam
Bosbach, PK Shiu, Krystal Wettstone, Dan Strollo
Note-taker: Liz Sharp
Approval of 9/17 Minutes: Approved.
Principal's Report:
• First in-home parent PTA coffee was earlier this month. Topic focused meetings at
school will continue. The in-home meetings will be less structured. About 30 parents
were at the October meeting. Next one is in December.
• Washington, D.C. fundraiser for all three grades. Concerns from some parents will be
addressed in the Principal's newsletter to families.
• The purpose of fundraising was for supporting financial assistance and offset the
cost of the trip.
• The fundraising company suggested starting fundraising at sixth grade to hold
those funds each year for their 8th grade trip. No money is going to the PTA.
• Consider one fund each year or split up when we run for 8th vs. the other grades.
• Budget update:
• School does not have its own budget except "operating budget". Everything else
is in the town budget. Operating budget includes funds for copier machines,
some PD money, Enriching Students software for scheduling WIN, and
miscellaneous items. No major changes for next year.
• Staffing will be through district. Projected enrollments show that Diamond will be
much larger next year, so we will be asking for more staff. Since Clarke is at
capacity for some grades, we will be getting new growth in the future. Both
Clarke and Diamond are asking for an unallocated fund amount to add staff when
we know our needs in the spring.
• Would reaching out to the real estate agents give us a better idea of projected
enrollments?
• Concerns from last meeting:
• Rotten milk concerns - addressed with Wittson's manager. He assured
refrigeration is working and expiration dates are checked.
• iPads and distractibility.
■ New tech director will announce 1-1 iPad program being phased out.
Likely in favor of Chromebook. Look for updates at the next School
Committee Mtg.
■ Looking forward to "next steps" for families. Hoping for a district vision
around technology both in and out of school.
■ Katina updates council on scientific studies re: students and screen time
&value of technology and diversified instruction.
• MCAS Next Gen - no comparisons year to year for individual students. May compare
scores across students in a single year, and SGP should be accurate. Not a "pure
comparison". Reporting language more consistent with standards-based language.
• Brief discussion about search for new Superintendent. Moving quickly.
Staff Report:
• Student Council fundraiser complete. In process for allocating raised funds.
Member Input:
• Science Bowl update: Diamond has one spot currently. Some concerns about baseline
science content knowledge among the students.
• Parent forums about Intnl Trips and the new Homework Policy implementation coming
up Who gets to go on trips?
Adjournment