HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-15-ESTABROOK-min
Estabrook School Council Meeting
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
MINUTES
Members Present: Joyce Dvorak, Christina Gavin, Amy Klotz, Chhandomay Mandal, Lisa
Riendeau, and Rick Rogers
Others in Attendance: Elaine Yang (parent)
Welcome to Incoming Principal Lisa Riendeau
Council members introduced themselves and welcomed Incoming Principal Lisa Riendeau.
Lisa shared an initial impression that staff are engaged in thoughtful conversations about
students, indicating a high level of care.
School Council Elections
The Estabrook PTO is responsible for running the election of parent representatives for
School Council. Voting is available on-line this week through Sunday, May 19. Three
parents are running for two openings for two-year terms on the Council.
Approval of April 10, 2019 Minutes: On a motion by Chhandomay Mandal, seconded by
Joyce Dvorak, the minutes of April 10, 2019 were approved.
Setting Priorities for School Improvement Plan
The Council continued its discussion of priorities for the new School Improvement Plan
(SIP).
We reviewed the results from a survey completed by 47 staff members and 91 parents:
School Improvement Plan Priorities Summary.
Members commented on the difference between what staff rated highest (Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion and PBIS) and what parents rated highest (STEAM Project Based Learning &
Math Differentiation). On the other hand, 3 of the top five things for both staff and families
were the same (DEI, PBIS and Parent Partnerships).
Some discussion followed about STEAM PBL and whether the focus was on STEAM or on
project based learning. An example of PBL from Gr. 5 was shared. Also discussed was
specifying action steps for the DEI goal and clarifying the math goal (Our data points to a
need to address an achievement gap for students with special needs in math.
Emerging as shared priorities were:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
SEL & Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS)
Project Based Learning
Math Differentiation
Parent Partnerships
Some discussion of parent communication followed. There is a need to clarify expectations
for how teachers should be communicating with families about what children are learning
in the classroom. We need to clarify expectations without dictating a format or timing.
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Some teachers may do weekly. Others may choose to do less frequent but more in-depth
communication. Some may do fancy S’more template. Others may choose to use straight
email. This led to a discussion of our “no written homework” policy and the need to pump
up expectations for daily reading at home. In addition, Amy Klotz has developed a summer
workshop proposal to develop guidelines and resources for sending home targeted
practice next year. It was pointed out that there has to be some accountability and follow-
up coming from the teacher or kids will see It as optional. Reading logs might be one way
to build in accountability for reading at home.
Discussion of the goal on decreasing stress followed. It was agreed that the homework part
of that goal should be moved to parent partnerships. Estabrook has enjoyed participating
in the International Day of Play the past two years, but there is not a consensus that we
need to expand play-based learning in the classroom.
We also noted that some of the action steps were work that faculty should continue, but
that are not as visible to parents, such as Professional Learning Communities (PLC). Other
work may involve a portion of the faculty (e.g. co-teaching, Mental Health Team).
Rick raised the question of whether a literacy goal should be added since literacy will be a
focus of professional learning next year as Estabrook resumes work with a consultant from
Teachers’ College. This could incorporate the “Lab Site Model” work listed in the PLC
portion of the plan.
Next Steps
Rick will work with Lisa and Christina to begin drafting goal statements that reflect
the priorities we identified.
The Council will review a draft of the SIP and discuss it at the June meeting.
Final Meeting: Wednesday, June 5, 2019 – 3:30
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