Muirlands Middle School

 

Muirlands Middle School Site Governance Team/School Site Council

February 28, 2005

Approved Minutes

 

Attendees:  

Julie Latta (chair), Chris Hargrave (chair), Victor Totoris, Lynn Reineman, Anita Graham, Peter Scott, Terry Schwartz, Joanna Hurley, Linda Dowley, Andrew Dane (student), Leslie Pedersen, Katya Newmark, Michael Mertz, Dorie Gayner

 

The meeting was called to order by Ms. Latta at 2:30 PM.

 

Approval of Minutes:

The January 31, 2004 SGT/SSC meeting minutes were reviewed.  Modifications were made to the PTA report regarding noise level concerns at school dances.  Minutes were then approved unanimously.

 

Old Business:

 

Spring Open House:

The committee confirmed April 19 as the calendar date.  Formatting was in question.  Ms. Graham mentioned overwhelming teacher consensus was that they didnÕt want it during the evening.  There were questions regarding its purpose, and many teachers said it was to showcase student work.  Ms. Hargrave mentioned the purpose might be for teachers to showcase what students have done this year; to hold a conversation of what theyÕve learned this year.  Kids would guide their parents, showing them their work or engaging them in hands-on activities.  In the past, parents going class to class during the daytime.  It was mentioned that parents can visit at any time; there was question whether the law permits parents to take leave in order to visit childÕs school.  Ms. Latta mentioned she didnÕt feel there was an overwhelming consensus that teachers opposed to evening meeting.  Ms. Gayner mentioned parents and students are the ones needing this.  Ms. Newmark asked how the format works with portfolios with 150+ kids regarding confidentiality issues.  It was mentioned that kids would lead tour so to speak: guide parents to show off work.  Ms. Latta said parents and students should feel proud of work.  Andrew Dane said kids would prefer a freeform environment.  Ms. Schwartz asked if kids had the opportunity to work on a project or assignment to then showcase it that night.  Teachers could also showcase their curriculum.  Mr. Mertz suggested an open forum, say 90 minutes, and maybe begin with a program in the auditorium.  Ms. Latta recommended the committee take the time to vote or become more concrete on our decisions.  Ms. Graham said people would be a lot more comfortable with presentations and/or artwork in the auditorium and 45-minutes to hour informal showcasing of work in the classroom.  Ms. Reineman suggested teachers should have cohesive way to avoid individual parent-teacher conferences and address privacy requirements.  Teachers could have a crate, and the students could get their folder and show their parents.  Leave it up to teacher to showcase activities, de-emphasizing individual studentsÕ assignments for privacy reasons.  Could the PTA do cookies?  VEEP community doing food?  Linda will contact Diana Sonderegger.  PTA asking parents to bring food to share.  (Finger-foods).  It was decided with much deliberation on the format that the Open House would be a celebration of student achievement in the classrooms with a brief intro in auditorium with some form of entertainment (i.e. band performance).

 

 

Committee Reports:

 

PTA:

Ms. Dowley mentioned the Ò50 Best MomsÓ essay contest sponsored by Time Warner Cable.  English teachers received the forms, but received more at the meeting.

 

Peter Scott mentioned that he attended a La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Board meeting on February 24, 2005 at the La Jolla Recreation Center.  Item #4 concerned neighborhood complaints of traffic congestion on W. Muirlands Dr.  Suggestions were made by several homeowners as to how to mitigate the traffic on W. Muirlands Dr, and the city seemed to have been consulted prior to the meeting.  A city employee (Mr. Husam Hasenin) and a resident of W. Muirlands Dr. (Mr. Andy Nelson) gave testimony with aerial photos of the traffic pattern.  They were suggesting making Nautilus westbound right turns and Nautilus eastbound left turns onto W. Muirlands Dr. impossible. 

 

At the meeting, Peter Scott mentioned that such proposals would place even more of a traffic burden onto Nautilus between 7:00 AM Ð 7:45 AM and 2:00 PM Ð 2:45 PM.  With over 1000 students using this road (either on foot, bike, or car), this would exacerbate an already dangerous situation. 

 

Peter Scott encouraged all parents to participate in lobbying for an amicable solution to this issue by voicing their concerns at the next La Jolla Traffic meeting:  March 24 at 4:00 PM at the La Jolla Recreation Center.  The following individuals would have more information about how to be acknowledged on the official agenda:

 

Mark Broido (Chair): 858-453-2722   mbroido@alumni.stanford.org

Susan Goulian (Vice Chair)

Deborah Marengo (Secretary)

 

 

ASB: 

Mr. Totoris reported that the ASB approved of paper folder, $300 for honor roll party; cart for janitors.  There was vocal, widespread adulation for ASBÕs work around campus.

 

Foundation:

Ms. Newmark voiced concern regarding the scheduling of eighth grade planning and Foundation meeting on master calendar conflict.  They had to change the foundation meeting to accommodate.  They would appreciate prior notice and avoiding calendar conflicts in the future.   Non-auction invitations should be in teachersÕ box. The Foundation is busy eliciting next yearÕs officers; they are spanning out to the larger community.  Some examples of recent grants:

á        $1000 for pedometers to PE dept. 

á        Document camera and projector

á        $1000+ for scholarships for Sacramento

á        Desktop computer to be used by students in the counseling department.

 

GATE: 

Ms. Pedersen encouraged teachers to continue to look for effective and efficient ways to spend their GATE monies.  The GATE committee is working on their last parent workshop: emotional components; social/recreational activities over the summer.  They agreed to provide a summary. 

 

New Business:

 

Advisory Format: 

Ms. Hargrave mentioned that we need to start talking about advisory formats for next year.  Specialty advisories especially may need more time.  Ms. Hargrave expressed concern for not seeing evidence of efficacy outside of specialty advisories.  Maybe students in Science Olympiad can have same class, so teachers/students have access to activities.  Someone asked if it would it be better to have a longer Advisory period 2 days a week?  Ms. Latta said every teacher that she talked to said they want their own students every day for advisory.  Ms. Hurley mentioned she and her department would like to see it go back to 5 days for her special-needs students.  Ms. Dowley said many parents think itÕs a poor use of time as currently used.  More of a lot of nothing would have a negative impact.  Andrew Dane said that every kid at this school wants advisory 5 days a week.  A question was raised about Advisory lateness:  Is this a systemic problem?  Ms. Latta said using AVID as a 6^th period study hall is very effective to reinforce the school-to-home connection.  Many teachers like the after-lunch format or at the end of the day.  They loved when there was opportunity for students to independently read.  Mr. Totoris said that many teachers want to get away from students doing homework during advisory.  Homework to be done at home; Advisory can be a quality-control time, but not a homework time.  The 6^th grade team voted on this issue and felt very strong about moving it back to 5 days-week.  Ms. Hargrave explained the rationale for modifying the format last year:  we went to 2 period set-up for classroom community-building.  The central issue is that the Advisory time is not used effectively.  Even reading Ð the kids who like to read, theyÕll read in the car, home, etc.  Kids who donÕt like to read donÕt use this time reading anyway.  Teachers are often forced to hop from student-to-student trying to help.  The effect is minimal this way.  Ms. Hargrave mentioned that if she can be convinced that the time would be spent in a constructive, purposeful way, sheÕd support it.  Mr. Totoris said that many teachers appreciate the extra instructional time in class [two advisories per week provides].  He gives tests during these longer periods.  Ms. Newmark noted that there are differences in interests based on age: some age ranges enjoy the friendly Advisory competition and some do not.  Spirit Week has been around forever.  

 

Ms. Hargrave suggested that we donÕt have to make a decision right now, but we have to have a purpose for what we do.  WeÕve got to be committed and implement whatever policy we decide uniformly.  Study hall format is not all that effective historically.  6^th grade team wrote advisory passes as necessary.  Ms. Latta said that maybe itÕs something we can take to staff and ask, ÒWhat can we own as a staff?Ó, and get something comprehensive and enforceable.  Or consider doing something different for 6^th grade; tailor-made activities.  Ms. Hargrave mentioned that the English/Language Arts block in 6^th grade provides a lot of time flexibility.  She also recommended that we open it up to the staff at the next staff meeting.  Ms. Newmark said she hopes that whatÕs ultimately decided reflects student interest and that we need consistency.  Ms. Hargrave reinforced that we need to settle on a program that promotes a good use of time.  Andrew Dane added that we should let advisory be a bit more free and flexible. 

 

Math & Reading Support Elective: 

Ms. Hargrave explained her thoughts on developing math and reading support electives. The math elective might be an enrichment problem-solving class, hands-on; replacement units, helping with conceptual practice.  We were brainstorming other choices for electives; 9-week elective perhaps.  Ms. Reineman asked how this would work with teacher assignments.  Ms. Hargrave said enrollment in classes would stay consistent.  Ms. Latta asked whether students would have a choice?  Ms. Hargrave suggested we table the conversation and that we havenÕt crossed that bridge yet.  This would be an opportunity for students to build their skills Ð not a remediation class, but a concept-building class.  Ms. Newmark suggested investigating an elective for creative writing:  provide more options along continuum of offerings.  7^th & 8^th grade offerings. 

 

Roundtable: 

Ms. Reineman encouraged the committee about alerting people about meetings [in reference to] the special meeting called on February 14^th.  She was particularly concerned about meetings that contain voting. 

 

Meeting was adjourned by Ms. Latta at 4:25 PM.

 

School Site Council:

Peter Scott discussed the revision of the Single Plan for Student Achievement, which contains:  

• School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
• Analysis of current educational practice
• Student performance data summary
• Goals for improving student achievement
• Finance pages
• API base and growth reports

 

The plan was reviewed and accepted [including any minor changes to the aforementioned sections] by the SSC.  The plan was then signed by the co-chairs Ms. Hargrave and Ms. Latta. 

 

Meeting was adjourned by Ms. Latta at 5:00 PM.