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