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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-13 School Council - Killam Elementary Minutest(' _jYFD Tf� �i `ZK J. W. KILLAM SCHOOL J. W. KILLAM SCHOOL COUNCIL Tuesday, November 13, 20111 NOV 20 Ail: 02 Minutes Introduction to New Members: Jessie Shea, Donna Shindelman, Maura Looney (Amirault), Janet Faulkner, Catherine Rice, Catherine Giles 1. Review of School Improvement Plan: This plan was developed by the School Council and the Killam staff in the Spring of 2011. It was the hope of the council that by 2014 we would accomplish all of these goals. After reviewing the SIP with the council, it was determined that most of the SIP goals have already been accomplished, so this year will be one of perfecting and further developing the progress we have made towards these goals. Next, we talked about what we still have left to accomplish through the 2014 school year — establishing school -wide behaviors rules, determining five common differentiated instructional strategies for the entire staff and student body. The teachers explained the new teacher evaluation system and how we have adopted it in Reading. The teacher members shared their student achievement goals and their professional development goals with the council parents. They explained the two types of goals — improving student achievement and professional development. The administrator shared her goals as well in the two areas. 2. Class Size Information: Class size of concern: First Grade Classes Six students moved in over the summer, so if two students were taken away from each group, the class sizes would have been more manageable. There are two exemplar student teachers in two first grade classrooms. Dr. Doherty and Mrs. Giles have been talking about when students move in over the summer. Strategies: Two student teachers. Mary Gotsell, works 30 hours per week as a paraeducator within first grade. Mrs. Giles has asked first grade teachers to identify when they would need Mrs. Gotsell to work in their classrooms. Mrs. Gotsell works for four hours outside of the first grade rooms. Laura Farrell, works 16 hours per week in first grade, each morning, 8:30 -12:00 AM. She is working with Ms. Balfe, but then when student teachers leave in December, Mrs. Farrell will work in other first grade classrooms also. Mrs. Amerault said that other parents have come to her asking if there will be four second grade classrooms next year. Dr. Doherty is aware of what the needs of the large class sizes are and calls Mrs. Giles weekly to check in regarding needs for paraeducator support that may be needed. During the literacy block there are reading tutors who work in the classrooms so that students are getting what they need (if not more) because the ratio is smaller during literacy or other important instructional time. The large class size tutor needed to go to Wood End due to their higher numbers. Fifth grade right now has larger numbers but still is under 25 in each room. There is a $60,000 budget to run the building, which is line - itemed for pallets of paper, laminating, postage stamps, etc. 3. School Budget: Mary DeLai looks into grants, etc. in order to find extra funds for laptops, (Pads, etc. 4. Technology: There is not enough tech support for computer /internet /Smartboard issues but tech support does the best they can with servicing all the schools in Reading. 5. Re- districting: The social life of the students who gets split to Parker, parents have difficulties with this. In terms of primary grades and large class sizes, Mrs. Amirault said that there are parents who are concerned with the future of where the students will be housed - - Portables? Early Childhood Center? Mrs. Giles expressed to parents on School Council to bring any questions and /or concerns to the meetings either that they have or from other Killam parents. The next meeting is Tuesday, January, 8, 2013. Respectfully Submitted, Catherine A. Giles J. W. Killam School 333 Charles Street Reading, MA 01867 781 - 942 -9176s