HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-09-12 Coolidge School Council MinutesA. W. COOU I E SK-1100L C'C JNICI L
Minutes September 12, 1995
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. in the Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School Media Center.
Attending: John Doherty, John Carpenter, Larry Chomsky, Peter Hichborn, Sue Redgate, and Roy
Welsch.
Minutes by: Larry Chomsky
Documents Distributed:.
• A.W. Coolidge Middle School - School Improvement Plan, May 1, 1995
• Inclusion Profile - A.W. Coolidge Middle School
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
• Ground Rule Discussion:
We agreed to continue the existing ground rules whereby the co-chair rotates among all the
members. The other co-chair is always the Principal. The current recorder of the minutes becomes
the co-chair at the next meeting and prepares the following agenda. The next minutes recorder
generally will be responsible for writing the School Council report to the Coolidge Chronicle
newsletter.
• School Update:
John Doherty updated the Council on the new computer room and curriculum. New tables were
obtained for the Science room with the old tables moving to both the computer room and the
industrial arts area.
Renovations are being completed to the former sewing room to accommodate a student with severe
special needs. John discussed some of the special curriculum and training preparations that much of
the faculty and staff are receiving.
Budget: John discussed the current budget situation, specifically with respect to the holdback of
moneys to assure that this year's budget requirements are not exceeded. Most of the cuts have
taken place at the Central Office but some are at the Middle School level. John is permitted to
spend only 80% of the budgeted moneys at this time. Due to the typically high rate of summer
spending in preparation for the school year, 52% is already spent.
Classroom Space: John requested that the School Council consider space requirements at Coolidge
a priority this year. Classes are generally larger with redistricting (For example, there are 24-29
children in reading compared to 21 last year.) He suggested that one course of action would be for
the Council to advocate for a feasibility study of permanent portable classrooms. (Permanent
portables are eligible for reimbursement from the state, whereas temporaries are not.)
John also noted that Parker will be going from 4 to 6 periods in Science and Social Studies (per 6
days) and that there is a need to maintain a level of equity. This implies additional teacher
requirements and again additional space.
The Council discussed class size and suggested that we try to obtain data on class size at all levels in
Reading. Also requested was other relevant data such as student/teacher ratios. Parent members of
the Council wondered if limits could be placed on class sizes, perhaps through teacher contracts, as
is apparently done in other communities.
Superintendent Visit: John reported that Superintendent Harutunian will be coming to an early
Council meeting, perhaps our next in October. He will be visiting all the Councils during the year.
The School Highlights meeting with the School Committee, originally scheduled for 9/27, was
canceled as Superintendent Harutunian is realigning the agenda of each Committee meeting to be
more focused. The first Committee meeting of the month will be business and financial related and
the second will be on educational topics.
Community Representative: John indicated that he needs to fill the Council Community Rep
position. Marge Pacino has indicated that she would like to resume the appointment and the
Council said they would be delighted to have her back. We also agreed that a second community
representative would also be of great benefit, especially if we are successful in recruiting someone
from the business, educational or political community. Several suggestions were made and the
members of the Council took action items to approach several people or organizations.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN:
The Council reviewed the progress to date on the Improvement Plan.
Core Values: Coolidge will be starting the "Life Skills" program John Doherty will report on
progress later in the year. We determined that Tasks 6 ( "Review suggestions/revise draft", 7
("Produce and Publish Statement"), and 8 ("Prepare and Implementation Plan") have been
completed.
2. Diverse Learning Needs: The first "Limitless Learning" workshop will be held in October this
year. There will be a minimum of 4 this year.
With regard to the inclusion profile, the 6th grade and specialty area teachers are to go through the
Understanding Handicaps program. This training will be extended over the next three years.
2 other workshops are planned including one on A.D.D. and one on Crisis Intervention.
A brief discussion of Diversity ensued, especially since we only have one Metco student at this time.
There is a concern that Metco is not strong at Coolidge since it is more concentrated at Parker,
space needs not withstanding, We may consider adding a diversity goal to the inclusion plan,
curriculum, or core values.
Task 5 ("Review the Written Assessment of Learning Activities") is completed.
A.W. Coolidge School Council September 12, 1995 Page 2
3. Technology: Task 3 ("Provide Technology Curriculum Development Workshops") and Task 5
("Revise Computer Education Curriculum") are done. Task 4 ("Purchase Planned Equipment")
proceeds as planned.
John noted that there is still a requirement and desire for more computer training among the staff.
The Council discussed training options such as video training and 1 on I training using other
teachers or knowledgeable parents. John will question the staff on additional technical training
needs.
4. Professional Development: Tasks 1 ("Annual EBOs") and 2 ("Calendar of staff development
opportunities") are in process. Task 3 ("Release Days") is set (except for March).
5. Student Learning Time: Task 4 ("Minimum Learning Time") has been implemented according to
the guidelines for this year.
6. Effectiveness of Improvement Efforts: TBD.
ACTION ITEMS:
• Community Representative search (John Carpenter, John Doherty, Sue Redgate)
• Available statistics on class size and student/teacher ratios (John Doherty).
• Preparation for next Improvement Plan discussion (All)
• Council report for Coolidge Chronicle (John Carpenter).
SIGNIFICANT DATES:
• Tuesday September 26: "Back to School Night" - Including School Council Parent Representative
election.
NEXT MEETINGS:
Tuesday October 10, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
or Tuesday October 17, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
and Tuesday November 14, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
A.W. Coolidge School Council September 12, 1995 Page 3
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Enrollment/Class Size: Current and Projected - Coolidge and Parker
Year
. Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
95/96
Coolidge
158/26.3
148/24.6
145/24.1
Parker
149/24.8
132/22.0
143/23.8
96/97
Coolidge
151/25.1
158/26.3
148/24.6
Parker
184/23.0
149/24.8
132/22.0
97/98
Coolidge
152/25.3
151/25.1
158/26.3
Parker
187/23.4
184/23.0
149/24.8
98/99
Coolidge
146/24.3
152/25.3
151/25.1
Parker
206/25.8
187/23.4
184/23.0
99/00
Coolidge
157/26.1
146/24.3
152/25.3
Parker
191/23.8
206/25.8
187/23.4
Figures used after 95/96 school year are based upon redistricting enrollment projections.
g`
E.B.O. Breakdown for 1995/96 School Year
Number indicates number of staff who chose that topic for their E.B.O.
btal Number of Staff Members: 32
Technology:
32
Core Values/Life Skills:
9
Limitless Learning:
17
Degree Programs:
4
Curriculum Frameworks:
26
Special Needs:
5
Collaboration:
4
Interdisciplinary:
3
Assessment:
1
Crisis Intervention:
4
Learning Styles:
1
Professional Development Opportunities for 1995/96 School Year
Topic
-1. Limitless Learning
Technology
3 Understanding Handicaps
4. Internet Course (UMass Lowell)
5. Windows Course (Collaborative)
6. Alliance PDP Opportunities
7. Crisis Intervention
8. A.D.D. and A.D.H.D.
9. ULowell Degree Programs
(M.Ed. and PhD.)
10. NERA Reading Conference
11. N.S.T.A. Convention
12. M.A.S.T. Convention
13. Science Olympiad Workshop
14. Music Technology Workshop
15. Integration of Geography and
Technology
16. Family Science Workshop
17. Health Focus Workshop
Latin American Data Base
Project .
19. Cadkey and DataCad for
Instructors
Timeframe
Inservice Days
After School (To be announced)
Fall, 1995
Fall, 1995
Fall, 1995
Ongoing (1995-96)
Inservice Day
Inservice Day
Ongoing
November, 1995
November, 1995
October, 1995
October, 1995 and Summer, 1995
Fall, 1995
Fall, 1995
Fall, 1995
1995/96
1995/96
Summer, 1995
A.W. Coolidge Middle School Technology Training Needs Survey
The amount of technology accessibility at Coolidge is increasing. We currently have
47 PC, 28 Apple 2E, and 12 Macintosh computers in the building., in addition we have 2
scanners and 3 dedicated phone limes for telecommunications. The purpose of this survey
is to identify areas of training that are needed to be able to get maximum use of the
technology.
i
2. Would you be willing to work with parents and/or students who have knowledge or
background in a particular field to learn more about technology? Y(f S )
Ij 1
3. When are you generally available for training (please check all that apply)
a• 0~ o After School
b. 8 .Evenings
c.__3 Saturday Mornings
1. What type of training do you need to use the technology currently at Coolidge?
(Check all that apply)
a.= Learning how to use Windows on the PC.
b.Using a word processing program (Microsoft Works, Claris Works,
etc.)
c. Using telecommunications Co userve Mass Ed Online
(Internet, mP ~ )
d. a Learning how to use a scanner
e. 1 Using Print Shop
Other (please specify)
✓ I ~S ~C YC
d. Other (Please specify)
Thanks!