SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT TEAM – LAWN AVENUE SCHOOL

MINUTES- JULY 23^RD, 2009

Attendees: Principal Kathy Almanzor, Jenn Clark, Ann Zainyeh, Theresa LeBlanc, Janet LaMantia and Lora DiMuccio

1. Acknowledgements

• Thank you to Ms. Jenn Clark for serving as Co-Chair of SIT team. Also, recognition for her work and effort to align student report cards to a standard based document.

• Introduction of new member.

2. Accomplishments

• Island Treasures – SIT will take up in September

• Advisory – First advisory steering committee took place on 7/21/09. Incoming 5^th graders will design a “wolf paw” tying in to school mascot. This advisory kick-off activity will include pictures of the students along with their advisory group (wolf pack). The School Improvement Team will receive advisory updates at monthly meetings.

• Updates on advisory work will be included in the Warrior with a possible link on website.

• An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is a goal driven document that will be completed by students at different times throughout the year during advisory time. The advisor will facilitate this process.

• The need to inform and clarify for parents the role of Advisory and the purpose of the ILP document was discussed.

3. Old Business

• Junior National Honor Society – work in progress – criteria for inclusion will need to be communicated to students and parents.

• Excellence in Effort – Grades 7&8 (September) / Grades 5&6 – in discussion

• Standard Based Grading System – Grades 5&6 – working on adding standards to report cards. Awaiting feedback from team teachers. Grades 7&8 – Standardized report card.

• Benchmarks – Identifying Writing Benchmarks will be the focus at beginning of the year.

• Challenging all students – Rigor and Relevance – Work from SIT will be included in district’s strategic plan. Ideas for informing parents/community include evening events, slides show, web page. Possible Oct./Nov. evening for informational night. A survey will be utilized to determine interest.

Classroom Visits – yearly basis – possible March date.

4. Kids Corner – Jamestown Press – Principal Almanzor will submit work on a rotating basis 5^th through 8^th grade. Student work will be published on the 2^nd week of the month commencing October. Funding concerns will need to be discussed further.

5. VIE – Volunteer In Education – Ann will provide total count of parent volunteers. Coordination required in order to match parent/community member with teacher. Expertise journal to be sent out parents.

6. Discipline – Free Fridays – dates to be scheduled at first school faculty meeting. Emphasis on structured events. Students not participating will report to designated room/area.

3R pledge - To include grade 5 – community meeting during homeroom to discuss pledge. Students will take pledge in H.R. with volunteers assisting with project and hanging up of work.

Grade 5 – TIES – Tolerance…Integrity….Empathy will be the focus. Possible emphasis on the trait “empathy” to start the year.

Next SIT meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 10^th at 3:30pm in the Lawn Avenue Library.

Submitted by,

Lora DiMuccio

Recording Secretary