School Improvement Team – Lawn Avenue School

Minutes: September 10, 2009

Attendees: Lora DiMuccio, Michaela Onosko, Nora Santamour, Suzanne Sakovitz, Janet LaMantia, Bev Rudman, Dara Chadwick, Kristin DeSantis, Kathy Almanzor, Sue Pratt, Tom Carney, Ann Zainyeh, Lisa Carlisle and Jenn Kittredge-Clark

1. Acknowledgements

   • Welcome

   • Thank you to teachers, parents and staff for hard work throughout the summer months.

Affecting Change

• Discussion on the importance of giving a voice to past and present members.

• Request for feedback from SIT team members to identify the change they would like to see occur at Lawn School.

• Information received will drive the agenda for the team in the current year.

1. Sub-Committees

   • Island Treasure – Chairperson needed. Please contact SIT team member if interested.

   • Advisory Update – Discussion regarding the need for parents and students to learn more about the goals and structure of advisory time. As a member of the Advisory Steering Committee, Jenn Clarke will update SIT team members monthly.

   • Advisory commences on 9/10/09 with baby picture/wolf paw kickoff. This is a school wide event with a slideshow assembly on October 1^st.

   • Advisories main goal is personalization.

2. Old Business

   • Jr. National Honor Society – Update from Kathy Almanzor. Roll out will take place at Open House with a follow up with students in 7^th and 8^th grade. Academic criteria for JNHS applicants will be an average of “4” in all areas. Students that meet the criteria will be required to fill out nomination papers along with completing 10 hours of community service. Behavior and Citizenship will also be included as criteria for selection.

   • Excellence in Effort – Same criteria based on effort for 7^th and 8^th grade students. Students in 5^th and 6^th grade will be included at a later date.

   • Standards Based Grading – possible website to address frequently asked questions. Issues/concerns regarding the capability of the website continue. SBG slideshow available for anyone interested in learning more.

   • Report Cards – School Improvement Team initiative – looking for consistency and defining expectations. Principal Almanzor will share the 5^th and 6^th grade report card with faculty on Professional Development Day. Examples of new Report Card will be available by November SIT meeting.

   • Benchmarks – Identifying Writing pieces that demonstrate for parents and students what is expected. Benchmarks will be collected each quarter by grade. All benchmarks will show work at or above proficiency. SIT members discussed the scanning of benchmark items with teacher comments in order to further clarify grading. Samples will be gathered and reviewed after 1^st quarterly assessments.

   • Challenging All Students – Rigor and Relevance – District will roll out. SIT will initiate a workshop for parents after Dr. Lukon’s presentation. Review of video at October SIT meeting. All information will be put on website.

   • Kids Corner – Jamestown Press student page. Pieces submitted by teacher with an anticipated date for October. Procedures for submission of items will be drafted.

   • Volunteers in Action -VIE is idea that came out of SIT last school year. Developed with standards and set of criteria. The overall number of students at Lawn last year was 197. Out of that 197, 14% had a family volunteer participate through VIE during the school year. A letter to teachers will be sent in October…redefining the mission…all information in binder for teachers to utilize, as needed.

   • Discipline – Free Fridays – will need to identify September activity. Students following code of conduct will participate. Students issued yellow slip will be asked to sign to ensure understanding of offense. SIT member on record stating concern regarding students receiving yellow card after first infraction. There was discussion over punishing student by not allowing participation in Freedom Friday activities.

   • 3R pledge – 5^th grade handprints will be done on 9/11. Missing handprints will need to be completed.

4. New Business

   • Communication both internal and external is a goal for the School Improvement Team. Additional goals include academics, behavior and school atmosphere.

   • Meet and Greet vs. Open House – Consideration of a change in format in the future. Discussion at a later date.

   • School Website – Continued discussion of concerns regarding the limitations of the school website. All information will ultimately be put on the school’s website.

5. Next SIT meeting- Team will view video on Rigor and Relevance by Bill Daggart. Meeting will take place on Thursday October 8^th at 3:30pm.

Submitted by,

Lora DiMuccio

Recording Secretary