HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-06-Hastings-min
School Improvement Council Meeting
May 6, 2004
Agenda
PRESENT:
Lynne Stinson, Bette Piece, Barbara Lockwood, Susan Campbell, Jennifer Hertzel, Janet
Lane, Tammy Mulligan, Jessie Steigerwald, Maria Moxon, Jess Lindley, Susan Kenyon,
Beth Somers Sutzman, (later, Monica Galiczi)
VOLUNTEERISM TASK FORCE
The volunteerism task force meeting included
Central Calendar
A of school wide events. Curriculum events should take first
scheduling priority, that holiday tied events, then fundraising events.
Training for Volunteers
– the first year for everyone, 1 hr. in duration with free time to
socialize and make connections built in. Ideally there will be 3 in the Fall (First day after
the welcoming coffee, one in the early morning and one in the evening).
Handbook
– volunteer handbook was written this Spring, revisions over the summer,
printed and distributed in the Fall by both the volunteer trainings and by curriculum
night. This should go to everyone. Teacher's input is still needed. Task force will hold a
meeting and solicit input (email another feedback option).
Flyers
- too many, printing costs high. Idea that a parent volunteer group could produce
an email server list with announcements, (also a list serve so you don't have to type in
individual family emails) This would take labor to maintain, At some schools the
webmaster does it.
Screening and Prioritizing Events
– we need a process to screen fundraising events so
there aren't too many things going on. What type of clearing house?
MAY 19 TOWN BUDGET UPDATE
It will be held at Hastings from 7:30 – 9:30 to inform parents about the school and town
budget in preparation for the override vote on June 8.
Dawn Mckenna, Olga Gutag, Lynne Stinson, Nancy Alloway have agreed to come. It
will use a question answer format. Lynne will do introductions.
The Student council will need to make phone calls and provide food (Jess- cookies,
Jennifer- food, Janet – brownies, Tammy – coffee).
SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS:
Traditionally (last 10 years) elections have been held at a PTA meeting. The Nominating
Committee (NC) solicits candidates. You don't have to be a PTA member to vote for the
School council representative and NC doesn't have to sponsor any particular candidate.
NC does nominate officers of the PTA for nominations, but any number of people can
run for school council. Bylaws do not require that 2 candidates for School council be
nominated. The idea of using ballots sent home via backpacks is used in other schools.
PTA's role is to solicit names and school council will develop the process with the
Superintendent's approval and PTA approval. Jennifer Hertzel already got Joanne
Benton's OK. If approved, paper ballots may bring in new interest and worth a try, but it
is procedurally important to be sure the PTA is in agreement and is aware of the change.
School Council voted to recommend that the PTA change the process.
Lynne, Janet, Jessie will all go to the Monday PTA meeting and if approved
announcemnt will go out along with school survey results.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
The plan should identify problems, not list solutions. The plan items should be specific
enough that critical issues aren't lost in general abstractions. The discussion began with
the following suggestions, to be elaborated on and further explored at the next meeting:
-Volunteer Handbook
-School Handbook with legal issues (drug & alcohol, CORI, sexual harassment policies)
-Communication improvements: Excess Flyers
Clearing house process for new events
-Volunteerism as it relates to direct classroom volunteers (We have worked on the issue
of schoolwide volunteering this year).
-Adapting to budget cuts
-Comfort and Safety in Large Groups
Recess, Cafeteria, adult and child bullying trainings
-Math – math curriculum sensitive to language issues
NEXT MEETING:
School Improvement plan will be discussed further on
MAY 20, 3:45
at Lynne Stinson's office