HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-09-ESTABROOK-min �g gitgyr�
Joseph Estabrook Elementary School
117 Grove Street ® Lexington, Massachusetts 02420
Sandra A. Trach (781) 861-2520
Principal strach@lexingtonma.org
Fax: (781) 862-2145
ESTABROOK SCHOOL
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday,May 9, 2018, 3:30-4:15 pm
Estabrook School Conference Room
Welcome
In attendance:
• Sandra Trach, Principal/Co-Chair
• Pauline Benninga, Parent/Co-Chair
• Jeffrey LaBroad,Assistant Principal
• Amy Burk,Math Specialist
• Katrina Roscoe, Grade S Teacher
Absent:
• Steve Chang, Parent
• Joyce Dvorak, Parent
Review draft of the 2018-2019 Estabrook School Improvement Plan
The Estabrook Site Council reviewed the draft 2018-2019 School Improvement Plan:
• It was discussed that the School Improvement Plan is an important document. It speaks to what has been done
and what has been valued, and serves as a roadmap of purpose and course for the school.
• The council commented that they were pleased we were refining and improving our practice--not changing
course. The council feels this will be important with new leadership. It was said, "plan speaks to 'what we're
about'"
• There was substantial discussion about the STEAM(Science, Technology, Engineering,Arts and Mathematics)
goal and how to weave parts of the goal together.Suggestions were made to possibly look at the Next
Generation Science Standards(NGSS) to create overarching themes. The council also suggested finding ways
to connect existing content opportunities together. There was discussion about the importance of
'perseverance, 'the iterative process, and 'authentic learning'as part of thegoal.
• Under the professional learning'goal, it was suggested that the school add '...and math progression'to the
sentence: 'Continue to learning walkthroughs with a focus on literacy progressions and Standards for
Mathematical Practices....[insert. and math progression.]'
• The Council is supportive of the social-emotional goals and safety goals as written.
ESTABROOK SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY.MAY 9, 2018
P. 2OF2
Highlight homework pilot survey efforts
Ms. Trach and Mr. LaBroad shared that they presented a homework update at Lexington School Committee last night
(Tuesday,May 8,2018). Highlights from the staffsurvey and student survey of Diamond 6th graders so far:
• All Estabrook faculty respondents(N=47) indicated that they saw 'positive or no significant impact on
academic performance in reading'
• 95% of Estabrook faculty respondents reported 'they saw positive or no significant impact on academic
performance in math'
• 55% of Estabrook faculty respondents believe 'that their students'academic performance has improved since
the beginning of this pilot; the remaining 45%believe there has been no significant change in student
performance'
• According to the former Estabrook students(current 6th graders)responding to the Diamond Middle School
survey(N=90):Estabrook students were no more likely to find homework a transitional challenge than its
counterpart elementary schools that feed into Diamond
• According to the former Estabrook students(current 6th graders) responding to the Diamond Middle School
survey(N=90):most respondent students indicated that they can accomplish their homework independently
or with little help in 6th grade
Ms. Trach shared that the school's plan was to continue the school's approach to homework(daily reading with no
written homework) while also focusing on offering `strategic home practice'for students who need it, 'strengthening
home/school communication, and determining next steps for the 'at-home learning calendars' Council suggestions
were offered to possibly consider integrating more project-based home projects for extension and enrichment.
Ms. Trach shared the updated homework goal for 2018-2019, which says: "Implement the refined Estabrook
Homework plan after two years of pilot implementation, research,feedback and improvement. Focus on the
implementation of strategic home supports, home/school communication, organization and work habits, and
enrichment opportunities."The council was supportive.
The school has already had a strong return rate on the parent Homework Survey, and looks forward to sharing this
data and refining our school's homework system.
Next steps
1. Ms. Trach will evolve the STEAM goal (Science,Technology, Engineering,Arts, Mathematics) on the
2018-2019 draft School Improvement Plan.
2. Ms. Trach will add the phrase "math progression"to the first goal under the professional learning goal on
the 2018-2019 draft School Improvement Plan.
3. Ms. Trach and Mr. LaBroad will share the findings of the incoming parent homework survey,analyze the
results,and use the data to inform and refine next steps of the school's homework system for 2018-2019.
Final Meeting(3:30-4:15 pm, Estabrook School Conference Room): Wednesday,June 6,2018
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