HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-03 School Council - Wood End Elementary MinutesLisa
From: Sheehan, Barbara
To: Davidson, Richard
Cc: Finigan, Lisa
Subject: School Council minutes - Nov. 3rd, 2011
Attachments:
Wood End Elementary School
School Council Meeting
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SCHOOL COUNCIL
November 3, 2011
Se6l] %h� 6�u;f 6:21 PM
READING, MASS.
1011 JAN -9 P 1: P
Page 1 of 3
A meeting of the Wood End School Council was held on Thursday, November 3, 2011, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:50
p.m. in the meeting room of Wood End Elementary School, Reading, Massachusetts.
Council Members Present:
Richard Davidson, Joanne King, Barbara Sheehan, Sally Mucica, Debbie Hattery,Monette Verrier, Sandy Emery
and Maria Walsh
Council Members Absent:
Call to Order
Principal Davidson called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m. and Barbara Sheehan recorded the minutes. A
quorum of Council Members was present, and the meeting, having been duly convened, was ready to proceed
with business.
Agenda, Minutes, and Introductory Business
Principal Davidson reviewed and prioritized the meeting's agenda. Principal Davidson distributed copies of the
final version of the new web -based report cards and the rubrics from which the teachers base their grades.
The report cards are also available on Edline as are the rubrics for each grade level. The minutes from Oct. 's
School Council meeting were reviewed and accepted.
Report Cards
The new report cards are standard based and aligned with the state's standards and partially aligned with the
common core which will be known as the National Standards.
It was noted that Cursive will no longer be taught and therefore graded in 3rd grade.It was discussed that
parents needed a current reminder via mass email that they be familiar with the rubrics for the upcoming
November conferences. Parents will receive their children's report cards via email and a hard copy will be sent
prior to the conference date. Richard Davidson will be presenting important information re. the new Report
Card to parents at two evening presentations and a webinar. One message that is important for parents to
know is that the move is toward mastery by year's end which is a recent change. The progression toward that
end is the goal. Also, standards not being addressed this semester will be noted on the report card by an *.
Teacher's will have their student's report cards to Principal Davidson by Mon. November, 14, 2011 at 4:OOPM.
All 360 report cards and grades will be reviewed after which a Grade Verification Report will be completed.
Homework Pros and Cons
The Council reviewed the 2 articles provided by Richard Davidson citing the effectiveness or lack thereof in
regard to homework. A discussion followed about the impact HW has on student and family stress. It was
noted that HW in Math was the only area where it proved to have any productivity at all. It was agreed that
Wood End staff input would be valuable.
https: / /exch. readingschools .net /exchangellfiniganllnboxI School %20Council %20minutes %... 12/7/2011
Page 2 of 3
MCAS
Principal Davidson reported that RTI and Flexible groupings have had a very positive impact in the area of
Language Arts. 80% of Second Graders were above benchmark in the Spring of 2010. The results seem to
indicate the success of focused systematic instruction and the organization of the programs that directly
address the specific needs of students. Children are, in RTI, frequently and consistently monitored for
progress. The discussion included the need for staffing to provide the assessments and for the systematic
instruction. It was noted that MCAS are one indicator, and that Middle School staff report strong, prepared and
capable students coming from Wood End School.
MCAS results have raised questions. Why are 15% of short answer open ended responses left blank and
what if any, are the factors playing into this. The Council agreed to revisit this discussion and explore the
scores in the Language Art.
MCAS results for the math portion were very strong and positive.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4
planned for Dec. 1, 2011
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Sheehan
Recording Secretary 11/06/2011
50 p.m. The School Council will resume discussions at our next meeting
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Davidson, Richard
Sent: Sun 11/6/20114:50 PM
To: Sheehan, Barbara
Subject: RE: Informational Update #11
Here it is again. See if it works this time.
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Sheehan, Barbara
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 20114:47 PM
To: Davidson, Richard
Subject: RE: Informational Update #11
I could not open the update...
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Davidson, Richard
Sent: Sun 11/6/20112:20 PM
To: Mosier, Alan; Riley „Amanda; Hatzigiannis, Amy; Arline Shea; Aynsley Brayton; Baker, Lisa; Bentley, Nancy;
Bilodeau, Kristen; Bilodeau, Kristen; Borseti, Alicia; Boutin, Janelle; Catherine Bjarngard; Papanikolaou,
Christina; Boudreau, Cindy; Commito, Ellen; Davidson, Richard; Demarco, Linda; DiMambro, Paula;
DiSalvatore, Peter; Duffy, Leshia; Emily Cleary; Finigan, Lisa; Gaska, Marialena; Habeeb, Maureen; Hailey,
Jean; Hughes, Ken; Iennaco, Fay; Ingemi, Kathleen; Jeffery, Julie; Jordan, Isabella; King, Joanne;
LaMontagne, Emily; Lane, Bonnie; Leahy, Deborah; LESLIE Smith (WOOD END); Liz Oehmen; Lydon
Ruelos,Victoria; Makrys, Deborah; Malone, Stephanie; Maria Morais; Nacht, Mark; McGlathery, Kathy;
McManus, Charlene; Mcrae, Roberta; Melissa Steiger, Music ; Michele Dunn, Tutor; Nihan, Marian; norcross,
https:Hexch. readingschools. net / exchange /lfiniganllnbox/ School %20Council %20minutes %... 12/7/2011
rage :5 or .s
lisa; Pailes, Theresa; Pagliuca, Paula; Peffer, Jacqueline; Peraner, Catherine; Perkins, Lindsey; Poirier,
Courtney; Raffa, Elena; Rando, Karin; Rankis, Crystal; Redard, Alysia; Roberts, Jane; Sage, Mary; Mucica, Sally;
Bielicki, Sarah; O'Brien, Sharon; Sheehan, Barbara; Solimini, Rose; Strong, Keith; Suglia, Lisa; Weadick,
Denise; Weinreb, Julie
Cc: deGaravilla, Patricia; Doherty, John
Subject: Informational Update #11
Good afternoon,
I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and finding some time to relax with family and friends. Attached is the
update for next week. Please note reminders about the report cards and the Veteran's Day program on
Thursday.
Go Pats!
Thanks for all that you do!
Richard
https: / /exch,readingschools .net /exchange /lfinigan/I nboxI School %20Council %20minutes %... 12/7/2011