MALLARD CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM MINUTES

September 18, 2013

Every Child, Every Day, for a Better Tomorrow

Members Present: Natalie Lowe, Kathy Wilkes, Christina Forney, Bridget Wilson, Jeri VanDyne, Karen Dozier, Amy Covian, Karen Hammett, Arlene Mance, Jared Weiner, Melissa Carrara, Trina McCorkle, Matthew Slayton, Jennifer Gary, Sean Baldwin, Tanya Diggs, and Stephanie Wilson

Norms

  • Start on time, end on time. (Start time 3:15, End time 4:15)
  • Silence is consent.
  • Respect all opinions.
  • Stay on topic.

SELECTION OF LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

  • Chairperson- works with principal to set agenda and lead meetings-Karen Dozier
  • Co-Chairperson- stand in when chairperson is unavailable-Kathy Wilkes
  • Recorder- takes minutes. Sends minutes to members and posts on website. Maintains copies of meetings-Amy Covian
  • Timekeeper- keeps time. Ensures that the meetings stay on topic.-Jeri VanDyne

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT – Mrs. Lowe

  • Bond Proposal- there is a 290 million dollar bond proposal up for a vote in November.

-CMS has a flyer/link explaining the following reasons for the bond: 1. More academic options, 2. Relieve overcrowding, and 3. Facility renovations

  • SLT Handbook/SEF/ SIP Process

- We will create a Google Drive to access the SLT handbook

- There will be goals for duty-free planning, duty-free lunch, and a school safety plan

- Every SLT member must now be elected by a secret ballot at a staff meeting.

- The School Improvement Plan must be made public.

- The function of the SLT is to monitor the School Improvement Plan (SIP)- encourage parent involvement.

- A safety plan is included in the SIP

-We will review the SIP quarterly. It is a working document.

  • Car Pool/Traffic

- Ms. Wilkes gave a report on the safety issues on Mallard Creek Rd. Issues seem to be better since a recent letter was mailed out.

- A parent from Colvard Park has e-mailed Ms. Lowe with concerns about school safety. She offered the following suggestions: 1. Widen the drive-way of the school 2. Buy the property across from the school. 3. Use the front bus lot.

  • Current Enrollment Numbers

- Total Students- 866

-Average Class Size- K/21-22, 1st/20-21, 2nd/20-23, 3rd /21-22, 4th/22-23, 5th/23-24

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Literacy (Reading and Writing combined) – Mrs. Covian

  • The Literacy Committee is planning the following incentive programs this year: Book It, the Parade of Fiction, the school-wide “Caught Reading” challenge, Read Across America, and the Summer Reading program.
  • The committee plans on including goals for Balanced Literacy in the SIP. A professional development course for all of our teachers on the topic of Balanced Literacy has been developed by Ms. VanDyne.
  • The committee will use MAP testing results and DIBELS assessments to develop Literacy goals for the SIP.
  • There will be a monthly literacy newsletter to reinforce the new Balanced Literacy curriculum.
  • We are getting leveled book sets for K-1.

Math/Science – Mrs. Estell/Diggs

  • The committee will be introducing estimation jars starting in October. There was discussion of changing the location of these jars. The display case was discussed as an alternative.
  • The committee is considering the following math programs: American Math Challenge, Word Problem Wizards and Sum Dogs.
  • The committee is considering a Math/Science Night. They want to partner with the Community Partnership Committee.
  • The committee is working on setting a date for the Science Fair.

Faith and Community Partnerships – Ms Abasiekong & Ms. Wallace

  • Stonebridge church recognized Mallard Creek staff members at last Sunday’s service.
  • HOPE Church provides food backpack and will help with Fall Festival
  • The committee is going to try to increase volunteerism. They will survey the staff.
  • The committee is looking into continuing the Crystal Apple Award, finding Bank of America volunteers and advertise Parent University dates.

Special Events – Mrs. Forney

  • The goal of the Special Events committee is to host and support events that enrich our students’ learning.
  • They are planning on assisting with the Fall Festival and the Parade of Fiction in October.

Safe and Orderly Schools/Character Education – Mrs. Dozier & Mr. Baldwin

  • The safety committee is adjusting the new crisis plan.
  • Safety Patrol applications will be given out next week.
  • The implementation of the Quack Track has started early and is going well so far.
  • The HOPE Character Education curriculum is now being rolled out. There will be a new character trait for each month. The teachers will introduce a new book on the character trait each Monday. The character trait for September is Responsibility.
  • The PBIS Matrix was reviewed, and it was used to develop the new Character Matrix.
  • King Tiger want to partner with us on a anti-bullying presentation.
  • Ms. Wilson reported on the arrival and dismal procedures. Everything is now running smoothly.

Technology – Mrs. Wilson

  • Several teachers will be attending a technology workshop on October 9th.
  • Ms. Wilson sent out a technology survey. We have teachers at different levels of technology skills. We will be working on developing and sharing technology ideas. A technology workshop for new teachers will be offered in October.
  • The PTA purchased 76 I-pads for the school. We are currently waiting for the cases.

MAGNET UPDATE – Mrs. Forney

  • Enrollment update- K has 2-4 slots to be filled, 1st Grade is full, 2nd Grade has 6-10 slots to be filled, and 3rd Grade does not have a waiting list. We will work on strengthening 3rd Grade.
  • All second grade students just finished taking the CoGat test for TD certification.
  • There will be a DEP- Differentiated Education Plan- meeting from 5:30 to 6:00 on Curriculum Night. This meeting is for the TD certified students’ parents only.

NEW GRADE LEVEL CONCERNS

  • There are still problems with teachers being late for specials.
  • The FAC met on Monday of this week, and they will send their concerns to Ms. Lowe.

DATA UPDATE – Mrs. Wilkes

  • Ms. Wilkes reported that we will not have the results of last year’s EOG testing until November.
  • The third grade students just finished the BOY (Beginning of the Year) assessment for Reading and Language Arts. The results from these assessment are expected in November.
  • The ESL department is finishing up their beginning of the year assessments.

PTA INFORMATION – Mrs. Poole/ Mrs. Carrara

  • Fall Festival will be on Friday, October 25th
  • The PTA is currently working out the details of this event.
  • The PTA is taking requests for booths and baskets from teachers.
  • The PTA will feed the teachers dinner on the night of the Fall Festival.

OTHER INFORMATION

  • Curriculum Night will be on Thursday, September 26th from 6:00 -7:30. It will be a combined K-5 event this year. The DEP meeting for TD parents will be from 5:30-6:00.
  • Ms. Wilson will be presenting at a national WIDA convention in October.
  • Ms. Lowe shared the following technology website- educatorstechnology.com

MEETING DATES:

October 16, 2013

November 20, 2013

December 18, 2013

January 15, 2014

February 19, 2014

March 19, 2014

April 23, 2014

May 21, 2014

June 18, 2014