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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-15-Harrington-min Harrington School Council Meeting February 15, 2011 Members Present: Amy Chamberlain, Suzanne Cherenson, Judy Crocker, Michelle Dardeno, Elaine Mead, Genevieve Ng, Susan Rosie, Liz Sherriff, Susie Lee-Snell Excused: Grant Smith 1.January 11 minutes were reviewed and approved with amendments. 2.Secretaries for Future Meeting: March 15 – Susie Snell April 12 – Judy Crocker May 17 – Michelle Dardeno June 14 – Susan Rosie 3.Mid-Year Update on School Improvement Plan Academic Goal (see attachment) – Would especially like to highlight teacher leadership which has been and continues to be a significant driver in improvement efforts. The technology team has been instrumental in promoting the use of instructional technology to improve student learning. Social/Emotional Goal –Teachers are helping to identify children with leadership qualities as well as those who are struggling. -There will be a two session parenting course on “self regulation” in conjunction with kindergarten orientation. Teaching and modeling self regulation both at school and at home will help reinforce the skill. Studies have shown that children who can self regulate do better on tests. -Children are encouraged to model the behavior of classmates – “Look how Jane is sitting and ready to listen”. Attention is drawn to those who are behaving appropriately rather than to those who are not. -Grant Smith will be holding orientations with kids regarding the expected behavior at dismissal while waiting to be picked up. -Pro-social behavior communicated to parents through contract signed by both students and parents. 4.Discussion of “Tiger Mom” -Children are not the only ones feeling stress. Parents too are feeling the stress of whether they are doing the right things for their children, keeping up with the Joneses and the need to be a perfect parent. * all my friends are sending their kids to Kumon or Russian Math, should I be sending mine too * is it better to keep kids busy with activities/classes all day or let them have down time * pressure from our own parents on whether we’re doing the right things for our kids -Plan future PTA meetings with topics of discussion around parent stress or “Tiger Mom”. 5.How Full is Your Bucket – feedback from the classroom Teachers agree that it has given them and the children a common, consistent language to use, and has provided a great foundation. The lower grade teachers have found it beneficial while fifth grade teachers felt it was a bit on the simple side. The council discussed the possibility of developing leadership opportunities for grade five to enhance the message for them. Next meeting is March 15, 2011. Respectfully submitted, Genevieve Ng