Lori Windels called the meeting to order. Lynn Blewett took attendance.
Present: Lynn Blewett-Franken, Roxanne Hart, Sherri Knuth, Jean Schwabacher, Michael Wulf, Tom Degree, Cleva Jobe, Louis Mariucci, John Mayock, Ann Oyen
Absent: Jonathan Zats, Dawn Johnson, Michelle Yang, John Porter
John Mayock made motion to approve the October minutes. Sherri Knuth made one change to clarify that the parent comment was about foreign language instruction for elementary school She then seconded the motion with the change made. October meeting minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
Roxanne Hart made the motion to approve the agenda. Sherri Knuth made the recommendation that we add the issue of childcare meeting at the Town Hall meeting to the agenda. John Mayock seconded the motion for approval of the agenda with the addition of childcare.
Announcements: Lori Windels reported on the approval of the increase in the nursing staff position up to a 95% position. Betsy Garcia Capitol Hill’s nurse was able to extend her hours and cover the additional hours.
Public Comments: Mary Reis explained her position and background for new Site Council representatives. She has been involved with African American parent group with the District and has a sixth grader at CH. Her sixth grader is doing fine. She is interested in serving communities with ethnic diversity. She really believes there are issues with CH and working with diverse populations. Her motivation is to keep these issues at the forefront. Her interest is in the future of the school. She hopes that there will be more activity on outreach to the surrounding Rondo community.
Glorestine Creighton commended Mary for raising those issues and discussed her perspective on race and diversity at Capitol Hill. Her daughter was here in 7-8 grade and is in college now. She is interested in listening and relating issues back to African American community. One issue is to communicate about culture and differences in communication styles. It will take time to learn but we should work on it
Sherri Knuth commended both Mary and Gloriacinne for bringing up this issue. There are racist issues at CH but that none of us want this. She attended a great workshop – not just our individual attitudes but also in the way that institutions are set up. Need to take the next step from acknowledging diversity (the diversity stage) to being anti-racist and more pro-active at being against racism. Acknowledging this as an issue is important first step to moving forward.
SCIP Budget Report
Dawn was absent. Louis reported that the committee met last Friday and have developed a structure and will address the equity issue. He explained that each activity would be tied to the areas of priority identified in the SCIP plan. The third phase is to get site council committees connected with the SCIP plan and the school-wide committees. He suggested that we need more discussion about the roles and responsibilities that the school administration and that the Site Council plays and that all activities should be integrated.
Out Reach/Communication Committee Report
Meeting Dates Set: Roxanne reported on the initial meeting and identified meeting dates, first Tuesday of the month, 4:00 in Tom Degree’s classroom – Dec 2 is the first meeting. They will try to alternate weeks with the Site Council meetings in an effort to respond to concerns/issues raised at Site Council. Meeting members include the following: Glorestine Creighton, Tom Degree, Roxanne Hart, Sherri Knuth, John Porter, Mary Reis, Arcelle Taylor, John Zats.
SCIP Plan Review: The committee took the first look the SCIP plan to see what was identified as priorities related to communications. The committee recognized that some items would take long range planning but also that we need to get going right away without waiting until everything is sorted out. Tried to gaps in the SCIP and the need for additional communication activities – for planning into the future.
Goals of Committee: Roxanne turned in committee report and handed out a sheet with one goal that was identified in the SCIP to “Raising Student Achievement throughout Improved Family and Community Partnerships” and identified the activities that need to be done to achieve this goal. This is just one of many Communications identified in the SCIP. She also recommended that we move into a rapid change model to get things moving with one activity to be an exit interview of parents and students who leave Capitol Hill. This will help gather information to create marketing objectives for our branding action plan.
Cleva Jobe reported that are very few students who leave CH. But may be a good place to start. Another step would be to look at who chooses not to come and why they choose not to come. This is an entrance issue. Roxanne and some members of the committee will sit down with Louis to talk about what information currently exists. Parent recommended a possible random sample telephone survey. Maybe some privacy issues but would be a good source of information.
Roxanne suggested that with conferences around the corner, this is an opportunity to get information from parents. Maybe a short survey, quick and dirty survey of parents and about is working and what would work better on communications.
Sherri reported that Mrs. Woodman was working on the buttons for Site Council members and will be ready soon.
Membership Committee Report
Parent Resignation: Michael Wulf handed out the minutes of the membership committee. Michelle Yang has resigned due to conflicting personal schedules. Sherri Knuth is moved up to full Site Council committee member, Lynn Blewett to 1st alternate and Mary Reis to 2nd alternate.
Recruitment of Parents to Run for Site Council: Michael reported on recruitment of parent representatives to run for Site Council. The committee is hoping to attract parent representatives that reflect some constituency – grade levels, geography, race/ethnicity, etc. Will develop a flyer and work through teachers to recruit parents.
Committee Meeting Dates Set: Membership committee meetings will be at 7:00 on the third Mondays of the month, immediately following the site council meetings. December meeting will need to decide on theme for Pot Luck. Just bring what you would like – no formal planning.
Efforts to Increase Parent Participation in Site Council Elections: Continue to brainstorm on ways to get parents to participate in the voting. Conferences may be a place where parents say that this is a time to get their school-related activity accomplished. Some minor concerns were raised about the security of the ballots. Efforts to try to get teachers to become a greater recruiting tool for candidacy and voting. Jean commented that having the time commitment requirements and when the group meets and where will be critical for having people decide whether they have conflicts in scheduling. Lynn Blewett brought up the possibility of a web-based voting process. Maybe not for this year but future years to get the system worked out. Michael suggested a $25 book certificate awarded to teachers for getting the most parent votes.
New Site Council Representative: The committee members are soliciting a parent representative to increase the diversity of the committee. The bylaws allow the chair to make an appointment. The committee is looking for volunteers and people of color to serve on the Site Council. Looking for leads and trying to recruit. Currently, nobody is banging down the door. Mary Reis suggested that they contact teachers who might know people. Sherri Knuth raised concern about being too selective in the manner in which the committee is recruiting. The problem is not being too narrow but that they are having trouble finding anyone who is willing to serve. Any help greatly appreciated.
Improving voter education. The committee recommended adding more information about the parents who are running for site council on the ballot and possibly adding pictures. There was a discussion whether adding pictures would increase or decrease diversity. Another suggestion was to add a candidates’ forum. Another was to provide information about the candidates with conference packets and a flyer about the elections.
Reform Committee Report
Ann Oyen was one of 8 educators that went to the 50th annual convention of Gifted and Talented Children. They were immersed in five days of informative sessions. Are we on the primrose path or the road to perdition or the highway to heaven? CH is at a very busy intersection. It’s really important from public relations perspective to highlight how far ahead we are. But we really need to understand how we got where we are and to think carefully about where we want to be. Ann thought we would come back with one model – but learned there is not one prescriptive model out there. What we probably need is a framework to guide decisions but not be too prescriptive. Two models that have both strength but also flexibility (two handouts). (1) Parallel Curriculum Model. Meshing of a few models includes the Core or Basic Curriculum, the Curriculum of Connections, the curriculum of Practice, and the Curriculum of Identity. (2) The International Baccalaureate (IB): “measured by the world’s best.” The IB model would fit in with the Parallel Curriculum model. Information on both of these models will be presented at the Town Meeting. Big question is that we want CH to be in line with the big thinkers in this area. Mary Reis commented that there needs to a framework and that this be communicated inside CH but also outside CH.
John Mayock raised an issue about the existing SEM model. He thinks this is the most research-based and flexible model. Grace said a lot of contacts were made with other gifted and talented schools and the CH representatives obtained lots of resources. Grace commented that SEM is not designed for the full population but as a pull-out model. John Mayock disagreed with this. Louis said that so much time has spent on fighting for gifting education that now when they are looking for models, there is limited information. What should a curriculum and instructional strategies be for higher-level learning? First need motivation, then skills, then connect student with experts. Parallel curriculum is a conceptual framework. John Mayock commented that the key researchers, Karen Rogers and another at the University of St. Thomas and we could develop a relationship with these researchers to further the goals/objective of CH. Ann commented that this would be a long process to bring teachers, parents, and University/training communities along. Louis passed out a newsletter on The Parallel Curriculum Model by Purcell, Burns, and Leggien.
Mary Ries talked to her friend was a public health nurse about whether PH nurses could help with care at public schools. Does not look like this is a possibility.
Principal’s Report
Louis suggested that there wasn’t enough time in the meeting to address his report and suggest that the Principal’s report be done earlier in the meeting. He will address the Site Council in a memo next week.
PTO Liaison Report
The last meeting of the PTO was spent on welcoming initiatives. There is a grant that Ann Oyen received and some $400 seed money to help support the develop of a mural that would include some elements of the relationship to the Rondo community. PTO is purchasing bulletin boards to give groups opportunity to provide visual display for formal groups including the African American parent groups. There is a Mapping project where they will create a large map of the school to help people get around and know where they are going. Another idea is to work on a sculpture for foyer that would represent the diversity of the community.
GTAC Update
Lori Windels report that the district committee has broken up into groups. Lori is serving on the committee addressing elementary assessments and recruitment of students.
MacKubin Drop Off Update
Lori talked with the District Safety Contact - Mark Vogle. First thing we need to do is to create a plan and time for drop off or pick up. Are there alternative doors/drop off locations? Concern about parents stopping and getting out of their cars. Once we have a set of policies written and a map with rules then we can disseminate information. Hand out at conferences. We should do this by day one after December break. Louis would like to have the letter/rules endorsed by Site Council and PTO. Louis to draft the letter and site council to review and comment.
New Business
Sherri raised concerns about funding for childcare at the Town Hall meeting. Louis suggested to eliminate the consultant to run the meeting and then can use these funds for childcare. PTO liaison will also bring up this issue with PTO. The Town Hall meeting is January 29, 2003. Add this to the Newsletter report.
An issue was raised about the need for training for new CH teachers with no previous experience. Louis responded that this issue will be part of the new curriculum model and does not need not discuss now.
A question was raised about the status of MCGT charter for CH? Lori will call barb to see what the process was for getting a charter at CH.
Michael motioned for meeting to end. Tom Degree seconded and meeting ended.
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