HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-10 Restructuring Committee MinutesRestructuring Committee Minutes
July 10, 1996
Present: Jack Delaney, John Doherty, Donna Selgar, Joan Clifford, Marie Tomasello,
Eleanor Burke, Bill Cowles, Cathy Carroll, Chris Fenniman, Betsy
Nielson, Louise DiCarlo, Kate McLaren, Anne Natale and Tom Zaya.
• Meeting began with approval of minutes from last meeting also agenda was reviewed.
• Talk led to discussion about foreign language offerings for `96-'97 school year.
• Information provided by Jack Delaney that sixth grade Physical Education, SSR and
English/Language Arts would be reduced by one period per six day cycle to make
room for Social Studies and Science to be offered every day. (Science and Social
Studies at Coolidge will remain the same with double periods for half year).
• Discussion of Program of Study ensued.
-Using study hall time more effectively.
-Should schools more aggressively approach the use of projects?
-Is it appropriate to incorporate themes into subjects?
-Investigate the use of community service into the curriculum. This could be done
w/ Team Time groups.
-Members want to see more done w/ language and literature from frame works.
This includes world languages.
• Group members feel that time constraints could limit projects effectiveness. There
needs to be time to plan and implement new ideas.
• Concern of "over kill and fluff" on school wide themes and projects.
• Group then began to discuss team time. Many questions, problems and ideas were
mentioned.
• There was then talk about technology and having computers being taught in all classes.
This could free up the computer teacher to help with classes that are using the
computers. Also talk about hiring a technology director.
• A current Program of study was passed out. Group discussed possibility of changing
and/or eliminating some parts of program. This would not mean that the subject
would not be taught, but that it would be incorporated into classrooms and the
specialists would teach w/ the classroom teacher. An example might be a computer
teacher in a social studies class teaching Hyper Studio.
• At this point group reviewed progress made up to date. Group stated that Health needs
more time in the curriculum. Especially w/ the elimination of consumer science.
• The discussion then focused on tracking in math. Members discussed if it is necessary
and needed in a middle school. There was talk supporting both sides of the issue.
It was discussed that in Europe there is no tracking in any subjects. The discussion
then moved to why math is leveled and the high schools expectations of leveling.
The talk moved to what the groups next task should be. The group agreed to work w/
current Program of Study and use only the first 13 classes listed. This would ,
eliminate (for the time being), directed study, SSR, Interdisciplinary, homeroom
and research skills. The group will use the remaining classes to make schedule
recommendations. It was suggested that under electives that each elective get a
specific name. For instance, Spanish, French, Art....
• The group then discussed proportions of time. Does it matter if there are 10 minute
time blocks, 48 minute periods, a percentage of time? Also mentioned was the
difficulty of scheduling three lunches at Parker next year.
• At this time the group looked at some sample schedules that were presented. Most
agreed that there is no one schedule that was looked at was perfect for our schools
at this time.
• Question was raised as to the purpose of the electives?
-give a taste of offerings.
-vary interests.
-get students ready to make choices in life beginning w/ easy choices.
explore interests in a lab setting...
-thought given to require every student to take each elective in 7th grade.
Group member came up w/ idea to eliminate I period from art and music. This time
could be used by the art and music teachers going into classes and teaching w/
classroom teacher. This would also allow there to be the elective choices of
Band, Chorus, Art, Technology, Computers and Intramural. This elective time
would be used where Band/Chorus and Team Time are ',now scheduled. This
could give classroom teachers common planning time to plan lessons and units.
Other elective ideas could include World Languages, Health and Guidance. It was
then discussed how others may feel about the reduction or assumed reduction of
music and art time. Some fell it may not be a reduction because the students have
a choice if they want more instruction they can choose that elective. There was
also some question whether or not is was appropriate to allow students to choose
only one area The reply was that the electives could be divided so they can switch
or change at the half year or be divided into quarters or thirds.
• Group stated it should start scheduling at Coolidge first because it may be more difficult
than at Parker.
• On Thursday the group will divide up into two groups and attempt to come up w/ some
sample 6, 7 and 8th grade schedules.
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