December 2

Picadome Elementary

SBDM Council Minutes

December 13, 2001

       The Picadome school community is committed to all students attaining the highest levels of academic achievement and responsible citizenship through equitable opportunities in becoming lifelong learners.

  The meeting was called to order at 6:10 by chair Darla Simms.  Members present:  Juaacklyn Cunningham, Tammy Johnson, Betty Ann Scott, Tammy Lynch, and Darla Simms.  Members absent:  Tom Barnes (Mr. Barnes is attending required SBDM  training tonight)  Visitors:  Charles Skipworth

  The minutes were read and approved with corrections noted.  We still do not have an SBDM secretary so Miss Simms will continue to type the minutes; Tammy Johnson will take notes tonight and tonight’s meeting will be taped.

  Miss Simms updated the council on the Summer Vacation Program that was approved at the November meeting.  The contract has been signed and we were able to get the dates we wanted.

  Budget

            The General Fund, SCIF, and Bank Reconciliation Reports were reviewed and discussed by council. (see attached)  Miss Simms explained that 6C funds were those carried over from last year. 

       There was a question concerning the amount of money budgeted for field trips.  SBDM would like to have more information on the number of field trips taken and the type of field trips taken by each class.  Mrs. McDowell is our trip coordinator; she arranges for buses, keeps a record of trips each class takes and writes checks to cover field trip expenses.  All field trips, except ABE, must be approved by Miss Simms.  Forms will be made available to staff to fill out for approval by principal.  Miss Simms will ask Mrs. McDowell to print out a report on field trip funds and per class expenditures for field trips.  Council is concerned that the amount of money set aside for students with fee waivers may not cover all trips classes are taking.  Currently we have approximately 28.6% free and reduced lunch with 425 students.  Early Start students are not included in this percentage; with ES included the percentage would be higher.   We need to have a school field trip policy.  Council charged the Curriculum Committee to write a field trip policy.

  Discussion items

Science position

        Since there is no funding available, we are unable to add to Mrs. Ocelli’s position at this time.  On Tuesdays, Mrs. Ocelli takes the kindergarten classes twice a month.  She is doing this voluntarily on days we have staff meetings and committee meetings.  Contingency funds were suggested as funding for the time she is volunteering.  Miss Simms will look into this.

Science Fair

The Science Fair is to be held on Thursday February 21 in conjunction with our PTA meeting.  Mrs. Bodkin and Mrs. Ocelli will be setting up dates for training with parents on Science Fair projects.  Tammy Lynch, PTA president, reviewed other upcoming dates for PTA programs/events:

·        January 15-PTA meeting and Art Show

·        February 12-Music Around the World

·        February 21-Science Fair

·        March 1-Carnival

·        March-???move music program to March?

·        April 16-Kindergarten and 1^st graders-music

·        May 12-Variety Hour

 

Disaggregated Fall District Student Achievement Data

            We will look at this data at the next meeting: percent of students on grade level by gender, race, and socio-economic level as well as what we are doing to close the achievement gap.  In February we will compare the fall and winter data.  The winter testing window is January 7-25, 2002.  Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI), Star Math, and the Math Standards Test (MST) will be given to 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade students.  SRI and MST will be given to 2^nd grade students and MST to 1^st graders and kindergarten students.  Kindergarten students will also be given the Brigance.

            The school board requires all 3^rd and 5^th grade students to take the SRI and Star Math to see the percentage of students on grade level in reading and math.  As a council, we need to review the data to see if all students are making progress and identify interventions for those students who are not making progress. 

ESS Proposal

            Mrs. Smith was not present at tonight’s SBDM meeting however, staff members explained that she e-mailed staff for input on our proposal for Extended School Services and that she received little input from staff.  Council would like Mrs. Smith to report at the next meeting to present a draft proposal and address the following questions:

• How much money remains in our budget? 
• Do we have enough money for both an after school ESS program this winter/spring and for a summer school program?
• Was the fall ESS after school program (identified 4^th and 5^th graders in reading and math) successful in terms of student achievement?
• How can we make sure ESS addresses the specific academic needs of our students?

Action items

Key Code Door Lock

The school board will be providing each school in the district one door lock with key code.  SBDM had proposed ordering two more depending on their cost.  Miss Simms reported that the cost per lock will be $1035 rather that the original estimated  $435.  Council approved purchase of one key lock in addition to the one the district is purchasing.  This is needed for the back door closest to the playground.  Miss Simms will talk with Mrs. McDowell about funds for this purchase.  Charles Skipworth shared the card system his company uses.  He will get information on this system to Miss Simms.  It was also suggested that we contact Wayne Thomas to check on other systems.

 

Proposal from intermediate teachers

            Fourth and fifth grade teachers signed a proposal to be presented to SBDM concerning the date the intermediate report cards are to be sent home to parents.  Teachers feel that because January 7^th    is the first day students return from the two-week winter break, the day to send report cards home should be changed to January 9^th.  Council agreed by consensus.

Primary Exit Criteria

            Primary teachers are worked on this at the December 4^th grade level meeting.  At the next scheduled grade level meeting, kindergarten and 1^st grade teachers will meet and 2^nd and 3^rd grade teachers will meet; then 1^st and 2^nd grade teachers will meet.  Grade level meeting ideas will be presented to the council.

Work Session

Interventions for closing the achievement gap

            Classrooms are using Accelerated Reader but it is not used consistently school wide.  It was suggested that we look at how all teachers are using the Accelerated Reader program to support our reading program.  Second Step should be used in all classrooms.  Different classrooms may be implementing this program differently.  These programs are part of our Consolidated Plan and should continue to be used.  Miss Simms mentioned the Accelerated Math program; currently we do not have funding to purchase.

            Council suggests that after the January district student achievement testing, intervention strategies should be used for students not showing progress.   Strategies used to meet the needs of individual students should be documented.  Miss Simms and Mrs. Smith will design a form for documentation and provide training for staff on the purpose and use of these forms.

School Report Card

            Council reviewed the School Report Card (see attached) and approved by consensus.

 Items to be considered for the January 17^th council meeting:

·        Disaggregated Student Achievement Data

·        Committee Reports (Technology; Budget and Personnel; Student, Faculty, and Parent Support)

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

  Respectfully submitted,

       Darla Simms