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:
