SIT meeting: Monday, December 6, 2010

School Improvement Team Meeting


1) Call to Order

2) Attendance

X Brad Royal - Admin
X Jill Friesen – encore/secretary
X LaJoi Wilson-Moore - Admin
X Tamara Hughes – encore
Stephen Kottenbrock - Admin
X Deborah Cummings - encore
X John Downs - Tech
X Daniel Bryant – 6 th
X Candi Fernandez – CC
X Elizabeth Hobson – 6 th
- Class. (ATkinson explained that Jennifer is no longer coming since at that time of day it is just too hectic in the office :(
X Matt Fossa – 7 th
X Lisha Vannoy - guidance
X Robin Moon – 7 th
X John Cardarelli – S.S.
X Gail Frank – 8 th
X Kelly Hall – L.A.
X Brent Atkinson – 8 th
X Dave Jenkins – Math
X Richardson/Edmonds – EC
X Mark Schnably – Science
X M.Hunter/J. Fangmann- PTA
X Karen Parker – Teacher Assistant

3) Minutes

-Motion to approve last meeting minutes? Hall motioned, Fossa- 2nd, Motion approved.

4) P.E. Role in bully prevention – Peverall- To discuss later... she’s not here and we don’t know what she wanted to say.

5) Technology Update – Tech Committee


PTA Campaign Phases Item Purchase Order at TJMS Cost

 

PHASE 1: $67,000

• 1 Solution + 10 Laptops $12,500.00
• 1 Solution + 10 Laptops $12,500.00
• 1 Cart + 20 Laptops $16,000.00
• 1 Solution + 2 CPS + 4 Laptops $13,500.00
• 1 Solution + 10 Laptops $12,500.00

PHASE 2: $75,500

• 2 Solutions + 10 Laptops $18,500.00
• 2 Solutions + 1 CPS $14,500.00
• 2 Solutions $12,000.00
• 2 Solutions + 1 CPS $14,500.00
• 1 Cart + 20 Laptops $16,000.00

 

PHASE 3: $57,500

• 2 Solutions + 1 CPS + 6 Laptops $21,000.00
• 2 Solutions + 2 CPS + 4 Laptops $19,500.00
• 2 Solutions + 2 CPS $17,000.00

 Grant total:  $200,000

 

 Prices Assume: 

 

~$6,000 per Classroom Solution 18 Classroom Solutions $108,000

 ~$2,500 per CPS 9 CPS (Classroom Responders ) $22,500

 ~$2,900 per Cart 2 Laptop Carts $6,000

 ~$644 per Laptop 90 Laptops $58,500

 $195,000

 

• The above is the organization order of what to buy as money comes in. (Bryant)
• The Media Center is not considered as the 20 solutions goal because it’s a public place, though it will serve as one temporarily until we get there. (Bryant)
• This is the goal: it’s definately a high one, especially during the recession going on now, but we have a plan in place. (Atkinson)

• We’re now officially the school the most behind in the county. We’re dead last (when you compare the number of students to computers ratio: Jefferson, 4.03 students per computer district 2.36  . (Atkinson)

• This plan does not include stuff already purchased. (Bryant)
• IT IS ESSENCIAL THAT TEACHERS GO TO THE MEETING THURSDAY NIGHT TO SHOW THAT WE’RE REALLY WANTING THIS AND BACKING IT. We believe that parents seeing all of us there will convince them how important it is and how much we need it, and donate more money! The presentation goes from 6:30-7, and then the orchestra concert follows. (Atkinson)
• Maybe we could do the student/teacher basketball game, instead of during school, do it afterschool as a fundraiser- it shows parents that we’re trying to also raise money for this. (Schnably/Atkinson)
• Whether we think we individually will use much of this technology in our individual classrooms, we can all agree that this will truly help the school, and we can still all get behind it. (Bryant)
• (Carderelli) Does the school board know how far behind we are in this? Do they know we don’t have the computers, and we’ve been so short-changed (building- heating/air, technology, etc.) Atkinson/Royal: It’s definately on our school’s radar, but the monies just aren’t available- we’re not Title 1, etc. (Brad has been speaking to Dr. Martin, Board Members, and the man in charge of the million dollar technology “surplus”
• Can we wear buttons or something promoting it, as a staff? (K. Hall) There’s a machine available at the ILRC. Cindy volunteered to do it, maybe with a parent volunteer. She’ll be there already on Thursday.
• This would be great if it was a 3 year plan, but who knows... maybe 10 years, etc. (Atkinson). The parents at least this way will know exactly where their money is going... no unknowns.
• Deanna Kaplan sent an alert now Monday, and there will be an Alert-Now from Mr. Royal Wed reminding about the meeting.

6) MVP nominations/award for November

• Can be any staff in the school.
• Give the reasons, we won’t give the names until after the vote.
• Kelly Hall: L.A. teachers think Mr. Royal should decide this.

• Counter argument: that then turns into favoritism, and he doesn’t see everything going on all around the school all the time.

• See Mr. Atkinson if you’d like to know more about the nominations (who, why, etc.).
• MVP: Robin Moon

Meeting adjourned at 2:46
minutes taken by Jill Friesen

SIT Meeting, November 15, 20010

1) Call to Order
2) Attendance

 

X Brad Royal - Admin X Tamara Hughes – encore
X John Downs - Tech X Deborah Cummings - encore
X Candi Fernandez – CC X Daniel Bryant – 6 th
X Lisha Vannoy - guidance X Elizabeth Hobson – 6 th
John Cardarelli – S.S. X Matt Fossa – 7 th
X Kelly Hall – L.A. Robin Moon – 7 th

X Dave Jenkins – Math X Kirby Carespodi – 8 th

X Mark Schnably – Science X Brent Atkinson – 8 th
X Jill Friesen – encore/secretary X M.Hunter/J. Fangmann- PTA
X Karen Parker – Teacher Assistant

 

3) Minutes

 

 -Motion to approve last meeting minutes? Fossa motioned, Carespodi second, all in favor.

 

4) Staff Development

 

- Raines/Dietrich to Middle School Conference at $355 each. There was much discussion on this issue. Brent said we have roughly $1600 left in Staff development funds for the rest of the year. If we fund these two in full it would use up almost half of all that is left. The registration is $195.00 (rest of cost is for subs, Raines may not need a sub?). Question to fund the sub or the registration? Mr. Royal mentioned that the registration is tax deductible, so maybe pay the sub so they could deduct the cost of the registration? A suggestion was made to pay a fixed amount based on what others have been paid so far this year (roughly $160.00/person). D

 

Question: Were they members of the Middle School Association? (Cheaper cost to register) The conference is not subject specific so participants could share what was learned with the entire staff. We tabled the discussion; and came back to it at the end. Motion was made to pay the registration amount (as done for previous teachers’ proposals), and teachers could possibly take personal days at a cost of $50.00 per day. This motion was approved.

 

5) Meetings during last week of a quarter? – (8th grade teachers)

Discussion was about all the things teachers have to do at the end of the quarter (Blue diamond testing, entering grades, etc). Bryant made the point that in past years we did not have meetings the weeks progress reports were due, so this year we are already having more meetings. The least we could do is cut the meetings out at the end of the quarter. Mr. Royal said that PLC’s are a district mandate, and that may or may not be an option to cut them out. However, he believes we can certainly accommodate not meeting the last week of the quarter (definitely grade level, most likely PLC).

 

6) PTA Capital Campaign/location of Classroom Solutions – Bryant/Downs:

 

 Downs asked for SIT’s input on the location of the 7th and 8th grade classroom solutions. We have three submitted proposals (Humphrey, Dietrich, Schnably) for “housing” the first phase of classroom solutions. Though there were no formal proposals submitted, Downs mentioned that Abbey Allen had suggested at the faculty meeting that her room (010) was available every other day and she was willing to house a solution and share her room. Brigman’s room (227) was also mentioned as a possible “shared location” (Mr. Royal said that could be changing pending the outcome of EC changes). Encore liked the idea of a shared location like Allen’s room, but others insisted that it is best located in a classroom where a teacher will likely use it every day. Schnably made the point that he would like to see one in a science room, and this why he submitted a proposal. Carespodi raised the issue of the hassles of being kicked out of your room, etc. Bryant said that sharing classroom space is just the reality until we reach our goal of having many more classrooms outfitted. Additionally, it is critical that we have teachers who are “professionals” when it comes to incorporating all of the technology into lessons on a regular basis. Brent reminded us that the “spending money” committee had hashed out many of these issues previously. That committee decided that Media center “classroom solution” was designated to be first available to Encore and 6th grade during this first phase. The remaining two solutions should located in the annex and in the main building to serve 7th and 8th grade. With those guidelines in mind, motion was made by John Cardarelli (second Friesen) to support a solution in Dietrich’s room in the annex, and Humphrey’s rooom in the main building. Motion was approved, was not unanimous.

Bryant discussed the “capital fundraising campaign” by PTA to raise money for technology. This campaign will target individual donors and corporate sponsors. We are looking for a group of committed teachers (maybe 6-10) to serve on this joint committee in order to show our support for this campaign and to help direct it. PTA is having its first meeting on Monday, November 22 at 6:00 PM to get the ball rolling. Then, the same group of teachers need to coordinate and help present at the December 9th PTA General Meeting where we will highlight what the classroom solution can be like. Please discuss with your constituents, and get back to Bryant some names of teachers willing to serve by Wednesday of this week.

 

 There was a side discussion at this point when Eric Schoulda mentioned that the Media Center is completing a grant and may need PTA to support a matching amount of $2500 (to complete a grant for $12,500 for books in the Media Center). TJMS Media Center is short on books compared with other schools. Carespodi advocated that in order to improve reading scores we need to get new and exciting reading/print materials in front of the kids. Carespodi said that technology will not improve reading scores. Brent reminded that while this is a legitimate need, our current agenda does not include discussing this as a part of the technology push. If needed, this topic should be brought forth as a new item of concern in a future SIT meeting.

 

7) Afternoon announcements – Schnably

 

 Concern was raised about the length of afternoon announcements and whether they could be abbreviated. Mr. Royal said he is just doing what was done, and is reading what is given to him.

 

 Suggestions:

 

• Don’t start till 1:59.
• Keep announcements to 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Could afternoon announcements only be made if there is a change during the day to something that was said in the morning (a cancellation for example) or regarding events that afternoon?
• Could afternoon announcements only be about items occurring that afternoon?
• Could we continue to remind students to be in tutoring by 2:10?
• Jennifer Covington gathers all the announcements together, and teachers should direct announcement changes to her for the afternoon.
• Effort will be made to incorporate these suggestions.

 8) Custodial Staff – Atkinson:

 

 Part of our school improvement plan was to provide positive feedback to staff. Last year, folks complained about the cleanliness of the school. Things are better this year, and let’s give some positive reinforcement to the custodians.

 

 9) Media Center - Humphrey

 

It would be beneficial to be able to check reference books out on a “mobile cart” to free up media center. With the classroom solution coming to the Media Center, can we encourage teachers to check out reference materials so Media Center is not signed up for that purpose only? Argabright said that they are fine with checking out materials as suggested here, and will work on encouraging teachers to do that.

 

10) Staff Member of the Month (For Oct/Nov?) - Royal/Schnably/SIP

 

 There was quite a bit of discussion on this issue.

 

Mr. Royal has seen this at other schools where SIT would nominate names for employee of the month, and it was a very positive thing. Mr. Royal has come up with the following for winners: 

• Patriot head trophy
• Patriot MVP t-shirt
• Free oil change/tire rotation from Parrish Tire
• Free meal from Chick-Fil-A and McDonald’s
• $25.00 gift certificate from Harris Teeter

 

Suggestions/Ideas

 

• Standards for nominating?
• Criteria, a rubric?
• Have nominations and pick “winner” out of a hat?
• Will people just vote for friends? We all professionals and can handle this.
• Should we have different categories of winners and spread the love?—grade level, encore, support staff? 
• No names with nominations, just what was accomplished to keep it anonymous and fair?
• Don’t let this be such a big deal, just nominate people to SIT members who will bring to the meeting
• Brent: we will nominate and vote for someone at December’s meeting for the month of November. Be on the lookout for someone to nominate.

 

Final reminder from Brent: Please read minutes, get information out to staff members.

 

Meeting adjourned around 3:35

 

 

SIT meeting minutes

School Improvement Team Meeting, Monday October 18, 2010

1) Call to Order

2) Attendance

Present:
Brad Royal -Admin
Jill Friesen – encore
Tamara Hughes – encore
Stephen Kottenbrock - Admin
Deborah Cummings - encore
John Downs - Tech
Elizabeth Hobson – 6 th
Matt Fossa – 7 th
Robin Moon – 7 th
John Cardarelli – S.S.
Kirby Carespodi – 8 th
Kelly Hall – L.A.
Brent Atkinson – 8 th
Edmonds – EC

Mark Schnably – Science

M.Hunter/J. Fangmann- PTA

Not present:
LaJoi Wilson-Moore- Admin

Dave Jenkins – Math

Lisha Vannoy - guidance
Daniel Bryant--6th grade
3) Minutes

• -Motion to approve last meeting minutes?  Fossa motioned to approve minutes. All in favor.

4) School Improvement Plan

• a. Vision/Mission Statement –has not been changed since the inception of TJMS. 
• John Cardarelli’s article-Mr. Atkinson read article. Not just about academics, but increasing well rounded students.Guidelines for mission is open....no guidelines. Mr. Atkinson summarized our original mission statement, discussed Thomas Jefferson’s vision.
• Mission –what we do everyday
• Vision-where we want our students to be.
• Ideas shared:
• -we want 21st century learners and people
• -social responsibility (includes bullying, caring)
• -Downs read a definition of a 21st century learner (blog)
• "In a 21rst century classroom, as a result of their education, students will be learning consumers and producers, ethically responsible and contributing local and global citizens. These self directed learners will be able to adapt to rapid change and will be adept information managers, who will know how to gather, evaluate, synthesize, and communicate information"
• “Sharing knowledge in a public forum” Cardarelli discussed.
• -applying knowledge tor real world challenges.
• Atkinson stated “Vision drives Mission”.
• -“think globally” discussed by Fossa, “Don’t be too specific, keep it broad.”
• Mr. Downs “self directed learners” and “in depth information managers”
• Mr. Fossa will type the vision paragraph and send to SIT team members to make changes in “reply all”.
• Needs to be ready in draft for Staff Meeting on Monday.
• Mr. Fossa reviewed the points discussed to go in the paragraph.

b. Goals 1-4 break out sessions (make any changes on the PINK copy!)

• SIT broke into groups to work on Pink copies.
• Goal 1: W-M, Hall, Fossa, Carespodi, Atkinson, Richardson/Edmonds
• Goal 2: Kottenbrock, Vannoy, Friesen, Fangmann, Hobson
• Goal 3: Covington, Cardarelli, Jenkins, Schnably, Bryant
• Goal 4: Downs, Hughes, Cummings, Moon, Hunter

• Break out ended. Whole group reconvened

• Robin, Brent, Adminstrators as a committee will work on a safety plan for our school.  will focus on two areas 1) formation of ALC (alternative learning center) and 2) The entering of school discipline data  (several schools on the district are following this same format)

5) Afternoon Release – Richardson proposed the idea of:

• Release bus riders first, then car riders.

Discussion

• Buses roll out at 2:04-2:05.
• Parents may get impatient and cause an accident.
• Strategies were discussed to reduce chaos.
• Each teacher has a plan for their team for smooth dismissal.
• For example, Fossa's team dismiss all students to lockers at around 1:40, pack their bags and return to class for team time/reading, and walk out and straight to buses at 2:00
• Mr. Kottenbrock stated that less than a handful of kids have missed their bus. Hall duty posts should take care of socialization...getting them out of the door.
• Atkinson agreed with this strategy. At next staff meeting, Mrs. Hobson suggested to remind staff of posts.
• Ms. Hall suggested students split up car riders/bus riders out of different exit doors. And, areas and teams to come up with a specific plan for car-riders and bus-rider dismissal. For example, perhaps car riders in the annex should not be allowed to enter the main building again.

Mr. Atkinson asked if we need SIT to develop a plan for this? All voted no.

minutes taken by Julia Edmonds...

Sit Minutes: Monday, September 20, 2010

1. Call to Order

2. Attendence:

Present: Messick, Wilson-Moore, Kottenbrock, Downs, Thompson, Friesen, Hughes, Cummings, D. Jenkins, Janet Fangmann, Bryant, Hobson, Fossa, Moon, Atkinson, K. Richardson, Mary Hunter, Schnably, Hall, Cardarelli
Absent: Covington, Vannoy, Carespodi

3. Marlow Gaddis (#9 on agenda) from department of technology at central office: speaks on updating TJMS to 21 Century technology.

"Classroom solution"

• Comes with a Sound System: even if you have a loud voice, less tired by end of the day, helps students with hearing issues. Comes with 2 lavalier mics
• Secondary package: Monitor- 60”, 1 mobi (slate), CPS units (24 or 32, one/student) (clickers- to do votes) software holds up to 9 mobis, document cameras, audio, mics, teacher station cabinet. Computer not included.
•  ~$6500-7000/classroom.

• Pods and trailers: modified version: if not possible to mount to wall, they have rolling carts for monitors.

• Schools who have this now were budgeted for it in 2006 Bond. (all new schools and new construction, Flat Rock, East, etc.)

• Cost breakdown to individual items, and lessen cost? Yes, but better to buy fewer classrooms full sets than to piece-meal. Start with the people who want it right now and will actually use it.

• Has to be bought through the school system (and it’s cheaper that way).

• Comes with training. Be prepared to get training. Has Workspace software (similar to Smartboard notebook software).

-John Downs is a firm believer of all or nothing.

$107k to spend- how to spend it? Is it fair to spend this money just on core classrooms, on a very few classrooms? If bought out of district, they won’t repair it. Trailers have hardly any technology access, and never will always be somehwhat limited because of the nature of trailers.

• Can we get matching grants from companies?
• Talk to constituents:
• Teachers can swap classrooms to be able to use inside technology.
• Motion to set up and chair committee to formulate a plan to assess how the money should be spen

4. Approval of minutes: Kelly Hall and Kara Richardson

5. Records: Students should be listed in correct roster (This year, no students should be listed on a teacher's roster yet sit in another teachers class as occurred last year).

6. SIT plan: goals approved.

1. -Improve feedback to teachers to strengthen teaching
2. -Create a school environment that allows all students to learn w/o being afraid
3. -Target minority students to help raise their proficiency in reading (20% minority in school, and they have 60% of discipline issues)
4. -Increase access to technology

7. Downs: Tech. Staff Development:   Here is the schedule for this year

• New Tech person from district named DeLea Payne (worked with Benika in the past)
• meet once/month
• social networking, more school wires, skype in the classroom, synergy, reflective technology

8. Wilson-Moore- Cultural infusion: woven into year’s plan. Do we want Willette Nash (cultural infusion specialist) to come in and train staff (whole school, several days)? Please talk to constituents: have Ms. Nash come in, or do articles and discuss at PLC meetings ourselves like in the past? Can it be training personally AND applicable to helping with their reading scores? Maybe, maybe not. What do constituents feel we need?

9. Mike McDowell doesn’t like Learn 360. Two years ago, PTA offered to buy subscription to Discovery Streaming for us if we want it. $1400ish/year. Talk to constituents: do you hate Learn 360? Also, Discovery Channel shows can all be seen online?

10. Hall & Abrams: Problems with students roaming halls after dismissal. Can we have a school-wide 2:10 Hall Sweep, where every child has to be in a classroom/activity until 3, with an announcement starting it at 2:08. Snacks and bathroom breaks need to happen before 2:10. Students sharing tutoring sessions between teachers must have a note. Students can only leave early if parent comes in and physically escorts them outside the building. (Brent sent an e-mail to staff)

11. Benika  Thompson- is leaving TJMS. This is an unexpected job promotion to K-12 Science Coordinator. She very much loves us! She’s got about 1 month left.

12. Gum- straight to maintenance detail, not dealt with in the office. Talk to constituents.

Meeting adjourned: 3:36

August 24, 2010

School Improvement Team Meeting

Monday 8/25/10 1:00pm/Minutes
1) Call to Order
2) Attendance
X Jerry Messick - Admin
X Jill Friesen – encore
X LaJoi Wilson-Moore - Admin X Tamara Hughes – encore
Stephen Kottenbrock - Admin X Barbara Cummings - encore
X John Downs - Tech
X Daniel Bryant – 6 th
Benika Thompson – CC
X Elizabeth Hobson – 6 th
X Jennifer Covington - office
X Matt Fossa – 7 th
X Lisha Vannoy - guidance
X Robin Moon – 7 th
X John Cardarelli – S.S.
X Kirby Carespodi – 8 th
X Kelly Hall – L.A.
X Brent Atkinson – 8 th
X Dave Jenkins – Math
X Kara Richardson – EC
X Mark Schnably – Science
- PTA

3) Alternative Learning Center

A. Discipline Committee (interested members are: R Moon, G Frank, D Miller, N Foster, L Scott, C. Blevins, C. Daniel, W. Broadstreet, C. Dietrich, C. Jones)

1. Needs certified teacher & separation
2. can be shorter than previously, parole option
3. Cannot just be Cathy Blevins on ISS & ALC
4. Committee to work it out.
B. Students who are sent to an alt. school coming back – Schnably

1. Should they be put on a fresh team/fresh schedule to limit further disturbances?
2. This should be decided on a case by case basis.  There should be a transition meeting about each student.
C. -Minor Offenses (Gum, Tardies, etc.)

1. Need creative ideas and plans to bring down ASD numbers:

ex. Gum chewers  Gum scrapers
2. ASD not impactful to most
3. Gum chewing snowballs into disrespect and insubordination
4. Pick your battles VS. Need whole staff to work together
5. The district looks at referral #’s for all teachers

D. -Cindy Dietrich: Time to Teach

1. It’s a philosophy. Cindy went to training, can train others now.
2. Do we want to train the entire staff, and with what funds? Cindy or someone outside?
3. Shared a power point about it, passed out an article, “Order in the Classroom”.
4. Aim: intentional, strategic, consistent discipline method
5. Is our school going to buy into this or not? Please discuss with constituents. It would really help to be with this together as a team. Cindy has posted the power point on the Staff Share drive, and John will send out a link to one of the videos on the program.

4) Secretary- Jill Friesen volunteered (Downs to post on SIT blog)

-Take minutes and post to other members
- See Laura LeMay for notebook

5) SIP (Emma Couch, John Downs, Carderelli)

- now a 2 year cycle, instead of 3 year, so 2010, 2012
-pick 3-5 attainable, meaty goals
-Ex. Turn our school from 19th C. to 21st C. but aim for a certain # of classrooms per year because it’s $8500 per classroom to do it. School system prefers “classroom solution” as opposed to “piece-mealing”/outfitting classes.

6) Technology staff development needs/wants – John Downs

What workshops do you want…? (People already asking about technology credit (all are required to get 20 hours in the course of 5 year cycle)

• Daniel Bryant how to use social media effectively
o Downs: I was considering a session on: http://www.edmodo.com/ and http://kidblog.org/home.php
• Daniel Bryant: how to use cell phones & home computers, but how to deal with students who don’t have them.
• Brent Atkinson: workshop with 10 mini things that individuals can choose from and work with.
o Downs mentioned doing something the link a sent out in my back to school tech letter: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/08/11-techy-things-for-teachers-to-try.html
• John Cardarelli: show & tell: tech success and failures (like stories by teachers who have used various things, like blogs, voicethread, etc)
• Kirby Carespodi breakout groups: 1 session with 3 options
o Downs Suggested perhaps doing sessions at subject area (PLC) meetings instead of grade level to accomplish this goal
• Daniel Bryant organizing tech stuff (blogs, wikis, etc.)
• Brent Atkinson: using the 1 computer in the classroom (problems with lab access)
• Other ideas? Talk to constituents.
o We have created a google doc where anyone can input ideas for topics/suggestions:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApexppJsFByqdFl0ZWo3TURmVktNVWVMS2szaEsxVkE&hl=en&authkey=CIWp2vcD

7) Online Trip payment – Moon
A. Diana hopes to be all online eventually
B. Credit card service charge 4% can’t be included in price.
C. Once deadline missed, then what? Sometimes it depends on #’s. How receptive is the school to late payments?
 We should have admin., Diana, & trip coordinators meet soon so all are on the same page and these issues can be dealt with.

8) School Vision – John C

- need same page vision of what we consider an education- not necessarily test scores!
- Where does testing belong in the big picture/ more positive statement?
-Has to be positive, or state won’t allow it.
- It’s been 10 years, no one knows what the vision is.
 We need to revisit the vision and mission (Brent will with SIP plan).

9) Vertical Meetings

-Set-up Donor’s Choose
-internal grants ($2,000) will be accessible, but if you want that money for tech. items, etc., must submit proposal with why you want it, need it, how it’ll help students. Proposals will be reviewed and prioritized for $.
- Grants: M. McDowell

12) All agenda Requests must be submitted online – Google Docs

https://spreadsheets0.google.com/ccc?key=t4z0yIaN2kWXQYnKkYspwAA&authkey=CJ3Uu50B&hl=en#gid=0

*pre-paid Visa for Science consumables? Not legal

13) SIT meetings: scheduled twice/month, but 2nd may be unnecessary.

Meeting was adjourned at 2:35.

Minutes submitted by Jill Friesen

May 3, 2010

1) New SIT plan 2010 - 2012. Need a committee to look at current plan to do a “needs assessment”.

The SIT Plan for schools is now on a two year cycle. Mr. Martin is e-mailing Carol M. Davis to see about getting the new SIT plan template. Volunteers to serve on the committee to look at the current plan to see what needs revising: The following have volunteered: Emma Couch, John Downs, Peggy Dickey

2) Scheduling of Encore classes – Francis

Ms. Francis brought forth a scheduling concern raised by encore. Are encore classes hand scheduled like core teams? Gave an example of 17 boys in a class and 5 girls...is there a way for that to be balanced? Mr. Martin says we will do the best we can to make those situations better for next year. Peggy: please send her e-mails stating what kids should not be in classes together. McDowell: Discuss at PLC's--and make a list for Peggy of students who should be separated.

3) Principal’s Success Team – Conduct / Student Agenda:

Can we impose a conduct code to go along with the ALL-A's?? No D-1's or No "N"'s on conduct? Which should it be? What should be the standard? SIT members are to discuss this issue with constituents. Ms. Couch discussed the trend she is seeing on her team --of it not being "cool to be smart"--several boys decided not to go on the Principal's Success lunch because it was not cool. Brent Atkinson brought up seeing students who actually received good grades pretending to their peers that they did badly. There was a discussion of ways to encourage students to feel like it is "cool to be smart." Please discuss at PLC's: dynamic of what is causing this trend (if it is a trend, are others seeing this?) Other ideas for incentives? Possibly expand with different incentives for all A's and B's?.

4) Grants

· Wrap up by May 14th – Award prizes shortly afterwards. Mike will send out an e-mail outlining the incentives, and asking those who received grants to submit their results.

· Next year:

o Grants vs. Reading Stems: Idea for those who have been submitting reading stems for so long to possibly submit a grant proposal in lieu of stems.

o Internal Grants – Frank/PTA will kick in up to $3,000. We will form a committee next year to approve all entries and create by-laws.

o At either Technology meeting or vertical meeting at the start of next school year – everyone to apply again for things like Donor's Choose or Digital Wish.

5) Rotation of members:

· Leadership - Downs: discussed the idea of SIT members following a professional learning community on twitter. We currently have a SIT acount on twitter: Sittjms, pw: is 3500sallykirk for those of you who want to tweet ideas for school improvement. However, twitter is all about "who you follow". We currently follow principals, superintendents, teachers in all subject areas, and other leaders in education and technology. Twitter is like dipping your cup in a river and seeing what treasures you get out of it. Many ideas, problems and solutions are presented on twitter and its a way for us to expand our horizens and learn from a broader community of educators.

Mike: For those looking for ways to solve problems at school, we need to look at ways for teachers at the school to step up and take leadership roles.

· PE Department on SIT - Francis: A motion to have three members from encore represented, not necessarily 2 encore and 1 PE... Mike to bring up to staff at the next faculty meeting for a vote to change the by-laws.

· Who comes off SIT?

Those who have served two years: 8th grade, Brent Atkinson, Denise Francis, Allison Pegram, Hobson/Schmidt. Subject representatives serve as appointed by Mr. Martin: John Cardarelli, Social Studies; Meredith Ebert, Language Arts; Mike McDowell, Math; Emma Couch, Science.

· New members?

At next GRADE LEVEL meeting...nominate grade level representatives for SIT, nominate Parent represenatives?, and Encore nominate their representatives at their next meeting. New members should come to the next SIT meeting and we will vote for a new chair-person.

· SIT Chair: to be voted for at final SIT meeting.

6) Good of the Order

Peggy: process of dividing up encore teachers (For red zone remediation and enrichment) who will be assigned to Core teachers will be decided soon and Peggy will get that schedule out soon so teachers can meet and discuss ideas for lessons during enrichment. 7th and 8th grade EC inclusion will also take small groups to remediate, this will allow for even smaller groups for the regular core teachers to remediate.

Spirit Week: Lisha...concensus seemed to be for it to be the final week of school.

SIT Minutes: April 5, 2010

1) Approval of minutes (on g-mail) – (Francis/Couch)


2) Staff Development – Dietrich (Time to Teach – Discipline Program)

* Request for help in paying for training
* Will train staff in strategies upon completion
* Costs $695…..
* SIT approved $220

3) Red Zone

Reaction to 2 hour delay testing schedule:
*8th: Nervous about not having enough time with the 3rd test in science to remediate. Maybe need to e more flexible rest of the day.
*7th: Ok. Concerned about the moving into other classrooms like last year for testing. A bit confusing and difficult last year.
*6th: Liked what they ran last year. Will be a team player in whatever decided.
*Encore: No problems.
* Teachers will discuss the plan in grade level this week. ANY concerns or problems, please let the admin know IMMEDIATELY!!
* Leave teachers in regular classrooms
*Our school typically retests only 20% of students.
*Pairing of encore/core teachers should be done early for activity planning/ideas.

4) Parent Assist issues/concerns
*Concern that parents are not using access.
*Student grades are falling
*Ideas:
-Run D/F reports
-Printout of classes using student number. Highlight missed assignments
-Kerry Browne is collecting concerns/questions to pass to central office
-Run zero reports. You also have ability to change the grade threshold number
-Mail reports midterm for low D’s and F students. (funds?)
-Utilize class makeup days. Those without zeros get to do academic fun activity.
-Team detention- removed from team play time until zeros are cleared
-Ms. Wilson-Moore noted that she has about 10-12 EC children/parents that do not have access to computers. She runs D/F reports to be picked up in the office.
-lert Now occassionally at progress report times reminding parents to be checking parent assist

5) Moral
• Survey Monkey – Moon
*60 staff members have responded
*Give rest of staff until this Friday (April 9) to complete
*A final report will be made and compiled with Ms. Wilson-Moore’s custodial issues and presented to the SIT team for review.
• What new ideas do we have?
*Tabled until report has been created for review.

6) Internal Grant Suggestion – Bryant
*Would like to see funds created/established so teachers can write grant requests her at TJMS.
*Sometimes there are stigmas placed on those that receive funding.
*Motivate others by getting smaller ones in house
*John Carderelli mentioned he had a desire to start a “Travel” fund for educational trips for TJMS teachers to use. Maybe $1000-$2000 donation to start the fund.
*Secure funds from: parents/business partners/fundraisers
*Possibly have anonymous grants chosen by committee
*Put limit on how many/how often individual may be awarded grant
*call it “Classroom Grants”, or “Student Use Grants”
*Possibly set up grants that students could apply for to use at TJMS (example: spruce up the hallways/building/grounds…)

7) Good of the order

*Benika spoke about testing concerns:
- Handing out testing calendar for April-June
- Asking teachers to look at the calendar and avoid conflicts
 --Working on being more efficient in testing procedures
- Has heard and is taking note of suggestions/complaints

*Brent Atkinson got engaged over the Spring Break! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

*Only a couple meetings left. Need to start looking at individuals that are rolling off and need to be replaced on SIT.

* Note: Any questions/concerns may always be forwarded to Mr. Martin.
Miscellaneous stuff that will be addressed by Mr. Martin
*Testing – suggestions have been requested and received
*Sagging pants
*Faculty meetings – being more respectful
*Lockers – decorations
*NC Wise – tardies entered by office
*Issues in the Cafeteria.
-Students way too loud, teachers not reprimanding
-Areas still not cleaned
**-Cafeteria Workers can not reprimand students in the lunch line for misbehavior
-is this because of Chartwell's requirements? TJMS mandate?
-they are adults in the school, so should be able to reprimand students through teachers.
*The TI-83 calculators need to be out in classrooms being used and not in the office.
*Millennium students who come back – should they start fresh on a new team?

Meeting adjourned: 3:15pm
Minutes submitted by Laura LeMay

March 2010 Meeting

1) Approval of minutes (on g-mail) – (Couch/Bryant)

2) Staff development – had to approve with quorum b/c time sensitive
John Downs to NC technology Integration Conference
Cost = $220

3) Open House – Ask peers what we need to consider for next year. Report back at next SIT meeting.
Things to discuss in grade level and report back to SIT
• What ideas to keep/eliminate
• What went good/bad?
• New ideas?

4) End of year remediation – Ebert

Please discuss further in grade level. Here are some of the ideas that seem to look good:
• Run a modified schedule (like a 2 hour delay schedule)
• Remediation occurs from 7:30-9:30, then follow school wide plan
• Avoid pulling Richardson/Hicks kids from their study skills
• Reduce days to 4 instead of 6
• Return to regular schedule the day prior to testing to settle kids and give instructions for test day.
• Encore teachers will buddy with a team during remediation to decrease overload
• Classes not remediating will do enrichment activities


5) Teacher morale – Solutions?

Please speak to coworkers about TJMS moral. Are there some solutions that can be implemented? Some ideas included/not limited to:
• Kudos board in mailroom
• Notes in teachers boxes when see good lesson/idea
• SIT sets the example for the rest of the staff
• Read Mr. Martin’s blogs at end of week
• Clear communication about policies/mandates from downtown
• Develop thicker skins
• Remind staff that SIT is an open forum. May visit and present, just not allowed to vote.
• Channel information in the correct forum
• High expectations staff/students
• Other ideas?
Follow-up:  Downs wrote a blog about Teacher morale:
http://tjmstechtips.blogspot.com/search/label/teacher%20morale
Mr. Moon Created a Teacher survey about Teacher morale:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DLKWVXM
Francis and ? Created a staff recognition Bulletin Board in the staff room, We also have an electronic version on our website:  http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/tjmsbucket

6) Cleanliness of buildings
• Concerns about cleanliness around building
• New chemicals required by system smell really nasty
• Not allowed to bring in other chemicals- OSHA violation/fines…even with MSDS
• Staff feel uncomfortable addressing custodians directly
• Believed like teachers would rather parent speak to them first instead of admin, the custodians would prefer we speak to them rather than supervisor. We need to put ourselves in their shoes
• Custodial staff feels unappreciated. No hellos/No kudos
• Mr. Martin stated any major concerns can be directed to him
• Teachers/students need to show some responsibility in classrooms- ex: putting up chairs, picking up pencils, scissors, supplies off floor, and café tables cleaned.
• Help police trash in halls/bathrooms/class
• Be aware of lunch time. There was time built in to clean, not all teachers use the clean up window.

7) Good of the Order
• None
Mr. Martin will address at next staff meeting or at grade level meetings

• Movement in the halls is out of control again and very embarrassing when we have visitors
• Discipline
• Parent conferences – Protocol for belligerent parents
• Sick kids who can’t get in touch with parents
• Out of Zone Students: Is there a policy concerning discipline issues with these students? Can they be sent to their school after numerous discipline referrals? Does the policy include academics? (TAC has been notified about concerns in regards to non-residential students and the year wait before being sent back)
• Different policy for 7th vs. 8th grade teachers. The 7th was told they could not have a parent room and child room for open house. The 8th grade teachers were allowed to have this type of room setup.

o Mr. Martin addressed this and stated he felt there was miscommunication.
o Replied he never said that there could not be parent room
o Admin embraced our individual ideas
• Detention Hall: The students are not completing their required writing and it is not being enforced. Some students believe they can eat, listen to their ipods, and talk. The students need to be held accountable for the writing assignment or it becomes "lip service."

• Get money envelopes back or hold money and turn in the last day?
• Dress code concerns for teachers and students
o Sagging pants clarification...if crotch at knees and shirt pulled over...isn't that still baggy?
o Staff dress??? Too casual? Hats? T-shirts that are not TJMS?

Meeting Adjourned at 3: 30.
Minutes respectfully submitted:

SIT MEETING, Monday, January 4, 2010

Approval of minutes (on google docs) – Couch/Hughes


Open House Ideas- Feb 4th

· 6pm Welcome in gym (with band/chorus)

· 6:15-8pm Proposed Rotations to 5 areas divided by last name

o Upper Pod- 6th grade

o Gym- encore/sports/Intramurials

o Annex- 7th/8th

o Main Building -7th/8th

o Library- Clubs and organizations

·

Other Ideas:

o As part of Clubs section, STARS Students could use flip cameras to film- and post appropriate items to view on website,

o Brag sheet (for Open House Flyer)--Downs working on--asking for faculty input...Please add to Brag list on google Docs

o Cheerleaders

o Chick-fil-a cow

o Patriot Mascot

o Drawings for FREE stuff (Patriot wear…)- great way to get names

o Google doc in computer lab or Media Center for parents to sign in and provide e-mail for follow-up contact

o Follow-up letters- Thanks for coming….Thanks for stopping by our club booth….

o Montage slide show in library of activities (Downs to talk with Schoulda)

o Faculty wear TJMS clothing

o School nights: (example: Vienna game night for those students to visit)

· Things to do to prepare:

o PLC meetings: choose 2-3 activities that might want to do at open house

o Grade Level: pick from the several ideas that are presented for Open House

　

Cultural Infusion – Wilson-Moore:

· Submitted plan earlier in year

· W. Nash visited classes for cultural infusion- Positive remarks

· Guidance working with various groups around the building

· Black History Month

· Various classes bringing in events for exposure (steppers/belly dancing in PE)

· Lesson plans available for system wide use will be available to teachers

· TO DO:

o Grade level groups will be given 2-3 articles to read and share.

o Tidbits given at faculty meeting

o Talk about trends/activities/ideas in PLC groups

Good of the Order

· EOG- remediation for 2010:

o Think about positive/negative aspects of last years’ remediation.

o Start thinking of plans that you think might be good for both students and staff.

o Remediation MUST be done. We have flexibility on how.

o Was suggested we look at morning sessions only for remediation.

o Discussions will take place in grade level meetings.

· Patriot Pals (mentoring):

o Next meeting Jan 26th (Respect theme)

o Mentoring Website has been created on TJMS Website: ("mentoring at tjms"--left border)

o Trying to vary days (next one on Tuesday) that the group meets to accommodate different schedules

· Academic Misconduct Video Update:

o Video is 20 minutes long "Sherlock Holmes" style

o Show to faculty first

o Teachers create a thought provoking question to post on Google document to share with others to facilitate discussions in classroom follow-up.

　

Next Mtg: February 1

Ideas to McDowell by: January 29

Adjourned: 3:02 pm

Respectively submitted by: Laura LeMay