GORMAN FORT BANKS SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL

February 8th, 2018 Minutes

Attendees: Ilene Pearson (Principal), Norah Grimes (Assistant Principal), Kelly Lounsbury (Parent Rep. & Co-chair), Natalie Bayersdorfer (Parent Rep.), Jenn Dobbins (Parent Rep.), Richelle Flavin (Community Rep.), Mary DiBenedetto (Teacher Rep.), Taylor Murphy (Teacher Rep.), Holly Goncalves (Teacher Rep.).

  1. January minutes approved
  2. Additional focus on the 2017-2018 School Improvement Plan goals
  3. District Goal 4.1 – After reviewing a translated lunch menu and consulting with a native Spanish speaker, Mrs. Pearson stated that the menu translations were too inaccurate to be implemented. Ms. Bayersdorfer offered to translate, but Mrs. Pearson expressed the need for a long term translator/ program to be in place. The conversation applies to translated calendars as well.
  4. District Goal 4.2 – Ms. Lounsbury has further researched the apps considered for the site council survey. Ms. Lounsbury found that after testing one app – Survey Planet – the app would not meet the council’s needs. The free version of the app does not include enough open-ended question or comment opportunities. The data provided by the free version of the app would also not meet the council’s needs.These concerns and that families are having a difficult time navigating the district’s new website platform prompted Mrs. Pearson to recommend keeping paper surveys for this year – the council agreed.
  5. Miscellaneous
  6. Budget update - Mrs. Pearson updated the council on next year’s budget, stating that the preliminary budget had been presented. The school’s proposed budget requested funding for additional staff including another ESL teacher, kindergarten teacher, math coach/interventionist, an additional ASD classroom, and a behaviorally based classroom. Concerns of case overloads and scheduling complications for speech and reading teachers were expressed.
  7. Mrs. Pearson clarified that the IPad leases will be up this year, and we will own the devices. Mrs. Goncalves shared that when the reading department had an IPad malfunction, it was replaced with no problems. Mrs. Pearson explained that the budget allows for broken IPads to be replaced.
  8. The council further discussed different math programs. Mrs. Pearson has researched Reflex Math (the program previously mentioned by Ms. Dobbins), IXL Math, and Splash Math. Mrs. Pearson was unable to reach customer support for Splash Math, and the second grade teachers are currently piloting Reflex Math and IXL Math in their classrooms. Despite positive feedback for Reflex Math, it was ultimately decided that a program covering more than just fact fluency was necessary. Ms. Murphy spoke on her students’ experiences with IXL Math, stating that the program may lack engagement proponents, but does appropriately cover standards in a way that coincides effectively with the Go Math curriculum. Mrs. Pearson asked about a “read aloud” component to the questions, specifically with first grade in mind. Ms. Murphy did not know whether this was available, and also inquired about whether or not teachers would be able to assign specific work to students through the site. Second grade teachers, Mrs. Grimes, and Mrs. Pearson will continue to work with and look into IXL.
  9. The council discussed complaints received about the new website. Parents are having difficulties accessing the website, and the accessibility difficulties have resulted in a decrease in Lexia usage.
  10. Mrs. Pearson informed the council that work to improve our internet will be done in the building over February vacation.
  11. Mrs. Pearson and Mrs. Grimes discussed a need for change in next year’s school start and end times. Mrs. Pearson stated that these changes are necessary due to traffic congestion in the loop as well as not enough time between the current two dismissals to allow for efficient student pick up. Mrs. Pearson presented the following options, and then asked for additional suggestions:

1) --a 25 minute gap between the first start/end time

--first and second grade students arrive together and dismiss together

--25 minutes after first and second grade arrives/dismisses kindergarten arrives and dismisses

2)-- a 20 minute gap first start/end time

--second grade students arrive and dismiss first

--20 minutes after first grade and kindergarten arrives/dismisses

Wrap around times, increase in students in the loop due to questions of a bus running next year, as well as weather complications were all considered in the discussion. Mrs. Pearson expressed a hesitation towards the 25 minute gap because of the complications it would pose for staff meetings and vertical team meetings. Ms. Bayersdorfer and Ms. Lounsbury both stated that kindergarten being in the later dismissal would be beneficial. Ms. Lounsbury stated that she believes a 20 minute gap should be sufficient and the council agreed. Mrs. Pearson stated that this new start and end time discussion would be addressed at both next week’s staff meeting as well as at the PTO meeting following the Site Council meeting (2/8).

March agenda items will include a discussion on the right turn only lane in the loop and a review of previous site council survey questions in order to create this year’s questions.

Minutes taken by Taylor Murphy.