September 20

                  SBDM Minutes

               September 20, 2007

 

The Picadome School Community is committed to all students becoming lifelong learners through academic success and responsible citizenship.

 

The meeting was called to order at 3:07.

 

Members present: parent-Tim Locker; faculty- Chris Camuel, Darla Simms, and Ricki Rosenberg

Members absent: Kathy Cleary and Steve Stone

 

I.                    Approval of minutes

Council approved the minutes of the September 6, 2007 meeting by    consensus.

 

II.  Budget

A.     SCIF

The copier rent seems high and we will keep an eye on it.  Several teachers were concerned about needing to spend SCIF money by December.  Ms. Simms suggested extending the deadline to February 15.  Council approved by consensus.

 

B.     Activity Fund

Fee waiver money may need to be supplemented to ensure that all students get to go on all field trips.

 

II.                 Information Items

A.     No Child Left Behind (NCLB) results

Picadome met all 10 of our NCLB targets.  Official results of Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS) should be released by September 27.

 

B.     Staffing Update

Ms. Justice is on medical leave and we are looking for a long-term substitute.  We are also trying to fill the .5 PSA position.  Mrs. Crystal will be taking medical leave; Ms Simms will hire a long-term substitute.

 

C.     Enrollment Update

We are full in kindergarten, first, second and fifth grades but we have some space in 3^rd and 4^th grades.

 

D.     ESS Update

We are waiting for state approval for the day waiver.  We have begun the selection process of students for our after-school program.

 

E.      Dates for Primary Progress Reports and Report Cards

Primary will be receiving report cards every twelve weeks and grades 4 and 5 every nine weeks.  Fourth and fifth grades would like to cut off grades for report cards on October 12 instead of October 5 to space them out better; council approved.  Mr. Camuel asked if we could initiate giving grades in Primary.

H.     Playground

We will postpone this discussion until we meet with an independent certified playground inspector.

 

 

IV.              Action Items

A.     Portable Lap Top Lab Update

We have cleared up the issue with the Request For Proposal (RFP) from Spring 2007 regarding the laptops. We will be receiving the $15,000 from our RFP for laptops.

 

B.     Additional RFPs

Council approved submission of RFPs using state KETS funds for additional laptops to complete our mobile unit and Classroom Performance Systems (CPS) for all intermediate classes (if possible). Submission of an additional RFP using 20/20 Vision funds was approved to bring in Dane Hosler, a visiting artist in residency to Picadome.

 

C.     Hiring and Consultation

Hiring and Consultation occurred for the filling of the special education para-educator vacancy.  The interview committee is recommending Olivia Moore to fill this position.  Council agreed by consensus with this recommendation.  Ms. Simms recommended Debbie Rickets (previously a long-term sub) for filling the custodial position.  Council approved by consensus.

 

D.     Co-chair for SBDM Meetings

Chris Camuel agreed to be the co-chair of SBDM meetings.

 

E.      SBDM By-Laws

We need an Ad hoc Committee to review Council By-Laws.  Tim Locker, Darla Simms, and Kathy Cleary will be on the Ad hoc Committee.

 

F.      Request for extended field trip by fourth graders attending 4-H Camp:

Council approved the 4-H Camp field trip by consensus.  Ms. Simms presented activities that will be supporting core content.

 

G.     YMCA

We will postpone this discussion until Steve Stone is present.

 

H.     School Improvement Plan Implementation Time Line

The ad hoc committee met to begin reviewing timeline for implementation of our School Improvement Plan (SIP).  The Committee decided to review the Parent Involvement Component in first and continue with the other components at future meetings.  Ms Simms reported for the committee on the implementation of strategies that the committee identified for review in September—see attached.

 

I.        2007-2008 Expectations and structures for Success-Student Achievement

Some revisions have been made to our expectations and structure document.  Ms. Simms reviewed the document with the faculty on September 19 at the instructional faculty meeting.  Tim Locker and Steve Stone received a copy.  Council approved implementation of document.

 

Mr. Camuel and several other staff members would like to see non-negotiables/best practices implemented school wide; vertical planning is one avenue to help us attain this goal.

 

J.       Mr. Bowsher – Wellness Policy

Mr. Bowsher presented the wellness policy revisions for the Health and Safety Committee. The revised policy recommends 20 minutes of recess daily, not using physical activity as a punishment, not withholding recess as a consequence for poor academic performance, adding grades K-2 to the mileage club and doing the Presidential Fitness Test for third through fifth graders twice a year (Fall and Spring).  The policy also recommends healthy snacks and limiting sweets.

 

Mr. Bowsher also reviewed the Emergency Management Plan. First aid kits and megaphones have been ordered.  Whiteboards need to be added to the toolboxes and asthma medications and epi-pens must accompany children in emergency situations.

 

V.                 Public Comment

None

 

VI.              Professional development requests

A.     Leave.

Three of our new fourth grade teachers requested PD funds to pay for subs in order for them to attend New Fourth Grade Teacher writing training. Council agreed.

 

B.     Individual PD Contract

A teacher requested a stipend for a staff member to train her on how to create a website.  The council suggested attending district PD to receive this training rather than using school funds.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:11.