PS261 SLT Meeting Minutes 11/10/16

In attendance:

  • Vice Principal Sara Apfel
  • Teachers: Jodie Park, Stephanie Scarborough, Kristin Taylor
  • PTA Rep: Nora McCauley
  • Parents: Amy Huggans, Wayne Isaak, Cindy Lobel, Kathleen Mulholland
  1. Vice Principal Apfel spoke briefly about the budget.
  • We closed out October 31 under enrolled. Our projected number was 779 and well fell short. This meant a shortfall of about $38,000 however, after some adjustments, it was only $4,000, which is not significant.
  • We do not currently have money in our sub budget
  • We are losing two teachers to maternity leave this year but Jamie Pandolf will be returning in March. There is only a three week span where we may not have coverage but this includes February break. Sara is not concerned with this as she is confident that the time can be covered. Once Jamie returns, this should be an easy transition for the class
  1. SLT meeting time: unfortunately, the parent members cannot change the meeting time to the afternoon because of other work commitments. However, it was agreed that at least one meeting in the Spring semester would be in the afternoon. Further, this issue can be considered for the next election and raised with potential candidates.
  1. Replacement of Principal Mills: the DOE has asked that some parent members of the SLT participate in the interview process of Acting Principal Allen and other possible candidates. Cindy is working with Heather to set it up. This meeting will include many people, not just the parents; it includes staff, UFT reps and another principal.
  1. Diversity Presentation to Community – November 1
  • We want a Part II but it does not have to be by the Perception Institute – can also consider Precious Cornerstones. Each did workshops with school staff last year
  • Turnout was good and people from outside community came
  • We still need to pay for it. Cindy paid for the banners and needs to be reimbursed; she has a vendor number so may be able to go directly into the SLT budget with DOE. Perception Instituted has not yet billed us but they will – they do not have a vendor number so we need to work that out
  • If we do a second presentation, we need to consider the budget for that, which may include asking PTA for approval of it.
  1. Recess Coaches – Sara and Jackie are looking into various providers who can offer more structured recess activities, particularly when weather is bad and the kids must be inside.
  • Kid Orbits – Sara and Jackie have already met with the representative from this organization and, while they are being considered, the presentation did not offer enough in the way of specifics. Further, the school would have to provide their own equipment.
  • Deer Mountain – an organization affiliated with Deer Mountain summer camp. Sara and Jackie are still working on scheduling a meeting with them but Sara is familiar with their work as they offer services at her child’s school. They provide equipment and staff. This would mean that some of our outdoor personnel can be sent back into the cafeteria for further supervision there.
  • Stephanie also mentioned the possibility of creating clubs that would offer the kids alternatives to the playground. For example, she offers a writing club to her kids.
  1. ICT workshop – we have many ICT classes this year so the school is offering the parents a workshop on November 16 at 8:30 a.m. This will help explain what ICT is and how the kids are selected to be in an ICT class.
  1. Meeting adjourned at 8:40.

Action Items for Next meeting:

  • Next Diversity Workshop – topic and date
  • Lesson Study