School Improvement Team – Lawn Avenue School

Minutes: 11/12/2009

Attendees: Jackie Haberland; Ann Zainyeh; Janet LaMantia; Jenn Kittredge-Clark; Kathy Almanzor; Kristen DeSantis; Lisa Carlisle; Lora DiMuccio; Nick Alfred; Nora Santamour; Susan Pratt; Tom Carney

1. Acknowledgements

• A thank you from parents commending those involved in refining the 5^th & 6^th grade report cards to enhance format.

• Increased parent involvement in Spanish Night. Thanks to Michaela Onosko.

2. Subcommittees

   1. Island Treasures – seeking a representative (possibly a retired teacher) interested in chairing this committee. Any individual interested, please contact SIT chairperson by January.

   2. Advisory – Gingerbread Express is a yearly community service project for students in advisory. Twenty one youngsters, in need, will be sponsored. All gifts will be brought in to advisory by November 19^th for distribution. Students are excited to purchase gifts for their own age group. Individual Learning Plans(ILP)- upon completion of quarter one grades, students in grades 6-8 will begin to set 1-2 goals to work towards for remainder of the year. ILP’s will be stored in student folders and kept in advisory. Parent review of ILP document could occur during open house evening.

   3. Technology – Questions/discussion regarding an electronic report card system. Technology survey results received. An overview of the data from survey completed. The survey reinforced both the weaknesses and strengths of current technology. Technology committee reviewed results. Upgrades, professional development for teachers, downloading student information, compatibility were concerns discussed. Currently, all computers in school are working, laptops are a plus, additional laptops through SAMS. Recent PD with teachers addressed the following: Smartboard 1&2, Blogs, Word Tool 7 presentation. Nick Alfred will be the Technology representative for SIT.

4. Section 508 of ADA states that technology needs to be accessible to disabled i.e. web pages for visually impaired and captioned videos. This is a discussion that will be addressed through the technology committee.

5. Lisa Carlisle received comments regarding upgrading of school website. Feedback will be incorporated in web page. The goal is to have one company manage to provide software package to support all aspects of the web page including maintenance. Graphics, functionality, real time information, ease of use, and customizing will be discussed with chosen company. Grades 7&8 are using blogs which could also be incorporated. Principal Almanzor, Principal Meluccio and Dr. Lukon are all working toward the same goal. Contact Lisa with any thoughts/concerns concerning web page.

3. Old Business

• Kid’s Corner – 6^th grade work went out to Jamestown Press. Seventh grade selections will be next. Internal schedule for submissions is working.

• VIE – Two members from Community Band assisting with school band each week. Additional members to assist would be welcome. Fifth grade parent will take over the planters. Students in grade 5 will take ownership of planters and will work to maintain area.

• 3R pledge – All complete with the exception of a few in grade 8. This will be completed ASAP.

• Standard Based Grading – 5^th/6^th grades have a uniform report card. 7^th/8^th grade report card completed. There are some minor differences. Codes relate to grade. Some minor changes may be needed in Learner Qualities section. Teams are happy with the results and are waiting to see how it works/feedback.

• Benchmarks – Writing benchmarks will be available at the end of quarter 1. Each benchmark will reflect the same prompt, utilize a school rubric and will meet or exceed the standard. Benchmark pieces will be placed on school web site and in hallways. In showcase, writing pieces will be posted showing a 3, 4, and 5 score.

• Affecting Change – The submission of committee ideas from the September meeting, centered on giving voice and setting agenda, were discussed. Discussion of main points.

• Looking for ideas for November activity to reinforce good student behavior. December’s activity will be a sing along. New discipline code is helping reduce inappropriate behaviors. Student meetings with Principal are helping students own and understand their behaviors.

• Rigor & Relevance – Tracking lower strata of students – great deal of discussion regarding tracking and leveling. Scheduling teachers for this type of classroom format is an obstacle/further discussion needed.

• Junior National Honor Society is up and running – Community Service project will be discussed with students after Q1.

3. New Business

• Food Restrictions – Concerns regarding food restrictions for students and classrooms. Some believe policy is too restrictive. Issues should be brought to the School Committee with supporting data.

Next SIT meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 10^th, 2009 in the Lawn School Library.

Submitted by,

Lora DiMuccio

Recording Secretary