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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-13-ESTABROOK-min Estabrook School Council Meeting Wednesday, January 13, 2021 @ 8:00 a.m. Members Present: Lisa Riendeau, Christina Gavin, Amy Burk, Sharon Cantone, Chhandomay Mandal, Joyce Dvorak The group was welcomed by Principal Riendeau who acknowledged the unique nature of functioning as a School Council in the current setting. The agenda was reviewed noting the focus on sharing experiences and perspectives to inform our work together this year. The first order of business was establishing a co-chair for the Estabrook School Council. Joyce Dvorak, Estabrook School parent, will fill this role for the 2020-2021 school year. The group took some time to review the aggregate data from the November parent survey and then shared using the I Notice/I Wonder model. notice..... • I notice • I notice a lot of increase in a lot of the data over time • I wonder if we can tease out the feedback question between the blue and the gold week • In June about 74% parents say child is challenged when compared with 45.3% in November • I notice there seems to be an even spread across the columns on the engagement question; RLA seems to be slightly skewed with more engagement wonder.... • I wonder how we can address feedback from teachers. (some hybrid families are not feeling that feedback is timely) • I wonder are students challenged by the content or does executive function play a role? • I wonder did choice in the Spring play a role with perception that child was challenged? • I wonder about students turning in work and the level of student independence with these tasks • I wonder if the format and design of the teacher plans/schedule plays a role in initiation, student engagement and task completion. Example: when slides are scaffolded and links are embedded. • I wonder what are we doing right that is "engaging" and what are we doing that is "not engaging" • I wonder whether teachers can do cross-class breakout rooms for kids to socialize in RLA (e.g. students from Ms. Blazey class and Ms. Stevenson class for 5th Grade) This year's Hybrid and RLA models are each unique and have their own successes and challenges. This working group spent some time reflecting upon these and also considering what initiatives we should consider keeping even in a regular school setting. Strengths & Successes • RLA: for those concerned about health and safety, the RLA model is an important option. 5th grade, students are mostly independent and can transition between subject areas/links. • RLA: 5th grade teacher has virtual classroom management strategies that seem effective • In- school weeks have been going well • Students are happy to see friends during the in-school weeks • Staff and students appeared to be settled in and needs are being met • Kindergarten and first grade students have been amazing at picking up the technology we use. Needs & Challenges • 6-8 weeks between the last set of books. Having leisure books during this remote period would have been helpful • The snow day/remote weeks have prevented RLA distribution and pick up • The blue week structure is very different from the gold week. The blue weeks require increased student independence and work completion remains a challenge for some students. • Unclear if students are doing work but just not turning it in • How do we strike a balance between challenge and engagement? • Teaching in the digital environment is challenging • Students may be having different experiences Initiatives that we should consider keeping • The option to have zoom meetings in place of in-person meetings, when appropriate • The zoom meetings also offer a benefit to working parents (parent would not have to leave work for an IEP meeting, for example) • Technology is a 21 st century skill-set so students practicing tech skills with zoom etc is a good thing • The option to learn remotely has made scheduling easier for some families (less commute time for example) • The option to learn remotely has supported some students with varying needs; remote learning has helped some students to thrive Members of the School Council were invited to note topics that should be discussed further during future meetings. o Role of outside programs this year o Role of Aimsweb and MCAS this year The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.