MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2005
ATTENDANCE
Members Present:
Parents: Eastwood, Hope, Peltzer, Roberts, Yu
Staff: Ahern, Mayock, Pedersen, Tarver and Mariucci
Quorum reached and meeting called to order by Melissa Roberts at 5:40 pm.
Pedersen requested that the Old Business/Bullying Issue/Student Rights and Responsibility Handbook statement in the October meeting minutes be amended to read, “We will be receiving an updated district student rights/responsibility handbook”. Motion was made to approve amended October meeting minutes and current agenda / motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
P/T conferences scheduled for November 10, 11 & 14
Thanksgiving vacation scheduled for November 23-25
ADMINISTRATION REPORT
2nd Language Task Force met last week. Teachers were invited to join at the beginning of the school year. A second email has been sent out but no teachers have come forward to join yet. The task force is made up of parents of which approximately ½ of whom supported inclusion of a 2nd language program and ½ of whom did not.
The task force has developed their mission:
· Present multiple plans for implementation with a recommendation that is fiscally sound.
· Set up parameters for the program – can’t be a budget buster.
· Determine if the Specialists would be left intact.
· Determine what a good (educationally sound) program would look like.
· Look at other programs for ideas.
· Consider trade-offs as trade-offs were not included in the survey (survey shows 100 parents want a Spanish Program).
· Determine if Site Council is willing to take away time from the Social Worker/nurse/cultural specialists/performing arts, technology, etc. programs in order to implement a 2nd language program.
Mariucci stated that he would not shoot down a good plan with Site Council backing.
A presentation was given by Mariucci/Grace Raymond regarding the Parallel Curriculum which is a hybrid model. They feel it is the best fit for Capitol Hill. It is best aligned with the SPPS Program of Academic Excellence and is the only model designed for the Identity (social/emotional piece) goal of the SCIP. There is a 5 year plan for implementing the model.
Mai Her is now full time. 2 teachers will be going out on maternity leave (1 sub has been lined up to fill in).
1 position (Cultural Specialist) needs to be filled. Also looking for a .5 Library Aide (TA – teacher’s assistance) – a BA is required in a related field.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
SCIP/Budget – Committee has not met yet and no meeting time has been set. The final document is not due until April or May.
Outreach & Communications –
Reis talked to Kate Cavett regarding the Rondo Oral History display and she still gives permission to move forward - will have more info by the next meeting as to how it looks like things are going. Reis also suggested participation in the Rondo Days parade. Tarver has contacted Mr. Needleman regarding the possibility of the band walking/playing in the parade.
Peltzer will pinpoint neighborhood newspapers to place ads in and will provide pricing information. Newspapers from each section of the city would be great. Ads should be placed before the open houses in late February and March. Peltzer has also been working out of the MN Council on Foundations Brant Book and has found a few possibilities for funding sources for Capitol Hill.
Hope will check school and district calendars for upcoming events such as new student open houses, African American History Month celebrations, etc. in St. Paul. It will not be necessary for all committee members to be present at smaller events – just need representation. We want to be present and/or have information available to potential parents.
Ahern will check with Mai Her about upcoming events and how to spread the word in the Hmong community.
Tarver has a student who is a wonderful artist and is willing to design a clean picture or logo for us to use. The student is currently working on it and it should be ready shortly.
Membership - Committee has yet to meet.
Reform – No report submitted.
PTO – No liaison yet. Mayock will request one.
OLD BUSINESS
Building health – a request has been made. No further update at this time.
Bullying issue –Junior High (7th & 8th grade) teachers are looking at the curriculum. School climate survey for students has been completed – surveys will go through Student Services to be tallied and then compared with other districts. There are no surveys for younger students yet – input welcomed if you have any.
Parent Butts-Ward asked Tarver to bring up parking as it is still an issue. Now handicap spots are being parked in all day. Mariucci mentioned police can be called to have cars ticketed. Mayock will bring the issue up to the PTO liaison when we get one. Traffic flow is also still a problem. There may not be much that can be done about the flow but parking spots should be looked into.
Next Site Council meeting will be on Monday, December 12th. Committee reports to be submitted by December 7th.
Motion made to adjourn the meeting / motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:46 pm.
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