Public School Partnership
Coordinating Council Meeting
November 13, 2015
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Reich College of Education, Room 124
Present:
Cynthia Altemueller Charna Frizsell Sandra Peterson
Ellis Ayers Phil Johnson Jennifer Robinson
Susan Blackburn Anna Lankford John Spagnolo
Christy Chenausky Kim McAulay Kelly This
Donna Duncan Linda McCalister
Welcome Ellis Ayers
Approval of Minutes: Coordinating Council
An addition to the minutes were added: underneath section Election of Chair, motion was seconded by Philip Johnson.
Technology: John Spagnolo
● John presented the Professional Learning Community for technology, which would allow the RCOE and Partnership schools dialogue about emerging pedagogies related to technology. Networking is very important in preparing our student teachers to work in area schools. There is a wide variation in the use of technology in the school system. It was suggested that local school technology specialists could meet with the technology specialists at ASU for ideas, needs and goals. The Dean, Dr. Robin Groce, has asked ASU to explore school use of technology as a means to better equip our student teachers when they are placed in the classroom. For example, a student may be placed in a classroom with a white board and not know the operation of such, as they begin to teach. John suggested a virtual group in order to support greater attendance at meetings, as it is very important all attend and give input.
Cultural Arts Outreach: Christy Chenausky
● Handouts for APPlause events were distributed and highlighted. Lots of exciting events are coming in the spring such as Junie B. Jones and Julius Caesar.
● Seats are still available for all performances, with limited seating for the Very Hungry Caterpillar. They will align a performance to parallel curriculum if they know about it ahead of time. There are grants available to bring Alexander, Elkin, Alleghany and Burke counties to these performances, through the Partnership. Gallery guides are available both in person and online.
● Turchin Center Exhibits: There is a very compelling exhibit on display highlighting cooperate American and African women in the workplace. On exhibit as well is the industrialized chemical companies and the effects on the human race.
● The Schaffer Center has a complete Warhawk collection on exhibit.
Science/Math Center Dr. Phillip Johnson
● The Science Conference was well attended. It was very valuable as many teachers shared with one another what is going on in their schools. Dr. Johnson encouraged personnel to share with administrators how very important this event was to them. Funding is available to explore professional development through the Math/Science Center.
● The Science Fair is approaching and judges are needed, so please have anyone interested in such to contact Dr. Johnson.
Partnership Information: Dr. Linda McCalister
● The Partnership Strategic Planning Committee is finalizing the strategic plan, taking in consideration of all suggestion offered by the Partnership members. Hopefully, this will be ready soon. We are working on the technology piece as well as teacher promotion and recruitment. This will be placed online for councils and administration to review, so feedback is crucial to implementation. This will be taken to the Governing Board’s next meeting, with a document to put in place for the next five years.
● TEA–International was very successful again this year. Great comments and feedback from both schools and TEA representatives. We encourage more schools to be involved; however, due to transportation issues we can’t go too far out.
● Mini-Grants-There will be a mini-grant RFP for outlying schools to see if there are items you want for your classes or schools.
● Leadership Conference is scheduled for August 1 – 2, 2016. The theme we are exploring is marketing and promoting teaching profession. Attendance will be limited to administration and leadership teams. Perhaps a teacher program can be in addition to the Leadership Conference. The conference will be held for one day, holding the third day open in the event schools need to utilize an extra day for their staff planning, etc.
District Sharing: Coordinating Council
Ashe:
● Several teachers went to the Math conference and were very complimentary.
Burke:
● High school representatives had a hard time speaking to the elementary side of education, but shared news regarding ACT remediation as well as Work Keys, Reading for 9th and 10th grades.
Watauga:
● Robotics conference tomorrow. LEGO ED3 with coordinators who organized many regions 3rd – 8th grades.
Elkin:
● They have 6 to 7 early release days set aside for professional development as well as full days. Teachers will be presenters. EC teachers were incorporated as their schedules are difficult to arrange, but they have a wealth of knowledge to share. It is very hard to supply new teachers with support. We just purchased three micro-robotics with three new printers.
Wilkes:
● Rocky Mount is creating their own report card, which is different from Power Schools with a K-3 object reflecting more of their needs. They will integrate into the 4th grade area next year. Middle Schools are very engaged in Gear Up.
● Golden Leaf, 1.6 mil project with three facilities to break ground which will provide more space for CC classes to expand into the area.
● Superintendent is retiring in September, currently looking for a replacement.
● Schools are going to Barnes and Noble to purchase books as they offer greater incentives.
Alexander:
● In the process of re-vamping curriculum maps as they didn’t know what common core was all about.
Avery:
● Project delay – 1.5 mil dollar grant awarded by Golden Leaf, which will be used to pay for computers. High school is focusing on ways to improve instructional time. Bell to bell instruction is inconsistent so they are looking into asking an NCCATE instructor to help.
● Each School is putting together a project for the bright ideas grant.
● MS is going through TIS, listening but not jumping in. PBIS and TIS are problem solving for a small system versus a bigger system, trying to collaborate.
Ashe:
● Ashe requested Avery’s information be shared with them as they are experiencing the same issue.
● Avery is looking for ways to work better in the 90-minute blocks versus 45 minutes. They are contacting Deborah Titlebaum, NCCAT, for to come do a workshop for them. Dr. McCalister mentioned the possibility of doing a workshop together.
Meeting Adjourned at 2:15 Next Meeting Date: Feb 12th, 2016