Muirlands Middle School Site Governance Team / School Site Council

September 26, 2005

Approved Minutes

 

Attendees: 

Jennifer Eve (Parent at Large), Margaret Ohara  (PTA), Dorie Gayner (Foundation), Edith Robledo (ELAC/VEEP), Derrick Mitchell, Victor Totoris, Amy Hunt, Peter Scott, Jorge Lobo, Joanna Hurley, Terry Schwartz, Chris Hargrave, Julie Latta

 

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

 

Approval of Minutes:

Minutes from the June 6 Governance/SSC meetings were neither reviewed nor approved. 

 

Old Business:

 

Advisory: 

New and existing specialty advisories were reviewed, including Yearbook, Science Olympiad, Math Counts, Polaris, Newspaper, AVID, and Publicity.  A question was asked about the surf team and the legality of calling it a “team” vs. a “club”.  Builder’s Club was mentioned as a viable option/alternative that would include community service and ecological learning.  Mr. Lobo described the Surfrider Foundation as an excellent educational/community service but that it had to stand alone.  Builder’s Club was sponsored by the Kiwanis.  Ms. Hargrave mentioned that she is not certain a surf advisory would be inclusive enough.  Ms. Schwartz mentioned that several students were discussing Builder’s Club with Mr. Byrne.  Mrs. Hargrave described the momentum last spring about new advisories, but we only have a few listed even after an open submission.  Ms. Latta mentioned that Advisories that include checking homework quality, planner checks, sustained silent reading, organizational assistance, team building, meeting with other teachers has been very beneficial.   Ms. Hargrave further described very little faculty interest in specialty advisories.  Ms. Latta mentioned that while enthusiasm is high, teachers have other commitments at the school (e.g. club leadership, tutoring, etc.).  Ms. Ohara affirmed that parents are pleased with study skills being addressed during Advisory time.  Ms. Latta added that we may need an Advisory ad hoc committee to discuss uniformity.  Ms. Hargrave agreed:  we can create a committee to discuss content and process.

 

ASB:

Mr. Totoris reviewed upcoming important dates: First advisory competition will occur on Oct. 12 at lunch. ASB is facilitating a tournament this year.  Each advisory competes in a bracket.  There will be prizes. Varied competition organized by grade level will happen in order to be fair.  Advisory competitions will occur approximately every other Wednesday.  Class Officer and School-wide elections will happen on the 12th of October.  Magazine Drive will also happen on the 12th.  Election results will be announced on the 14th.  Students from all grade levels are eligible to run for school president.  6th graders coming aboard to advisory based on teacher recommendations. The first school dance is scheduled for Oct. 28th.  Red ribbon week is scheduled for October 24-28th.  The student store is opening Tuesday, September 27th.  It will not be open at lunch, only after school, out of Room 501. 

 

Foundation:

Ms. Gayner mentioned that the first foundation meeting included approximately 34 participants.  She was busy planning Pizza/Coffee for Wednesday, Oct. 5 minimum day.  Tickets for coffee orders were placed in teachers’ boxes.  ASB will sell drinks and club sign ups at the booths will continue next week.  Oct. 6th  will be the last day to sign up.  Forms need to be turned into the office box.   The Foundation has already sold 72 tiles; sweatshirts/T-shirts are selling well.  The Foundation is continuing to distribute grants to teachers, with a special emphasis on technology.  E-script is available on-line. 

 

Technology: 

Mr. Mitchell conveyed the Technology Committee’s mission statement:  To promote the use of technology, to enhance learning and communication, and to increase the technology aptitude of Muirlands students.  The committee created some preliminary goals: 

  1. To encourage classroom technology adoption by awarding grants for unique ideas that show promise for widespread acceptance
  2. To ensure that 95% of Muirlands students complete the district high school literacy requirements before the end of 8th grade.
  3. To ensure that 95% of Muirlands 8th graders can type 35 words/minute by the end of 2005-2006 school year and develop a process that will allow 95% of all Muirlands students to be able to type at this proficiency by the end of the 2006-2007 school year.
  4. To facilitate having access to computers for all interested students between 7:00-7:30 AM, during lunch, and from 2:10-4:00PM.
  5. To establish an after school (and/or Advisory) program to allow students to learn advanced computer skills.
  6. To facilitate having 50% of Muirlands teachers with active web sites (on a server) that will be available 99.9% of the time by the end of school year 2005-2006.

 

Mr. Mitchell is going to send out questionnaire regarding current expertise and review I-book cart protocol/appropriate use.  His other goals include creating wireless access for the entire school.  6th grade advisories could possibly keyboard using a software package, and we could rotate in the computer labs.

 

GATE:

Amy Cheshire gave committee report representing Melanie Gold (who is the GATE task force chair).  According to the GATE task force meeting, a questionnaire needs to be completed by teachers and submitted by November 1.  Parents and employees can log on and see each site’s answers to questions.  Middle school science GATE component – the district is going to address GATE compliance issues. Ms. Latta reiterated that all teachers should be differentiating instruction for our GATE identified students.  The GATE committee needs 6th grade reps for its steering committee.  The sent out an e-mail requesting reps.  Ms. Cheshire also mentioned that there exists a conflict between MMS and LJHS governance meeting dates/times.  It was suggested that hopefully the high school would consider adjusting their meeting times, as our meeting dates/times have not changed in years. 

 

PTA:

Ms. Ohara mentioned that the first PTA meeting was held Sept. 8th where the committee chairs were introduced.  Many complimented and thanked the PTA for coordinating the teacher dinners before open house. The next PTA meeting will be held Oct. 6th in the auditorium at 12:30 PM.  A discussion ensued as to appropriate space for this meeting, as  approximately 45 parents came last time.  Ms. Schwartz asked how parents who work are able to attend these afternoon meetings and wondered if the group had ever considered evening meetings.  It was asked whether there could there be a blog for working parents to check in and communicate with other parents.  PTA meeting minutes are currently posted on Muirlands website.  Ms. Robledo mentioned that Hispanic parents would need translation at these meetings, and that she would translate if needed. She mentioned that language obstacles can be overcome.  Ms. Hargrave said we have paid for translation at several parent meetings held in South East San Diego and that we can continue to pay for translation.  PTA meetings are always the first Thursday of every month.  Translation will happen at November meeting.  Edith will translate in October. 

 

 

District Advisory Council (DAC):

English Language Advisory Council (ELAC):

Ms. Robledo will attempt to spearhead these committees at this school 

 

 

4.) New Business:

 

Ms. Hargrave presented a slide show with important information regarding School Site Council form and function:  (attached to this e-mail).

 

A discussion took place on how the School Site Council needs to be configured according to Education Code and the District’s Planning & Accountability Department.  The overarching goal is to align resources (human, material, etc.) to school site plan.  We have to ensure composition compliance and meet our collective goals.

 

It was discussed that we need to elect new SSC representative from the respective stakeholder groups.  It was decided by consensus that we would separate the governance and SSC meetings in light of the different roles, responsibilities, and configuration requirements between SSC and Governance committees.  Historically, when meetings were combined, there was widespread confusion as to the roles of each.

 

Ms. Latta encouraged other constituent groups to remind department representatives to attend the governance meetings, as we were missing representatives from English, History.  If an election were to take place for these seats, each constituent group would nominate and elect from within that group.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.  The next Governance meeting will take place October 31, 2005.  The first SSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 8 at 2:30 PM.  At this meeting, we will review the purpose of the SSC and familiarize ourselves with the current Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA, a.k.a. Site Plan).