Recap of 4/15/08 Meeting

We had a good turnout for our April meeting with Principal Tom Ferenc and Ass’t Principal Tom Burke. The main focus of our discussion was the Middle School.
· Tom F shared an information sheet on the WSWSU Equity/Diversity Work Group. This group works with the ALANA Community Organization to reduce bias and prejudice in the school system. They will need a parent/community member to be part of the group, which will require a commitment of a monthly meeting. Contact Tom F. before mid-May if you are interested.
· The administration is looking into a possible physical separation of the Middle School (MS). There are about 105 students. Many parents agreed that this would be a positive move. Tom warned it was not an easy or quick change but we have plenty of room in the building.
· Norm Merrill, Language Arts Chair, was in attendance and explained his role as MS Coordinator. Most of his current duties involve data collection. He uses test results to measure student growth and make placements and is the liaison to the high school. He does not do teacher supervision (that would be the principal) or curriculum development (that would be Linda Waite).
· They are currently interviewing for 2 MS Social Studies teachers. Fred Willis is retiring and Melissa Palmer is moving back to the High School.
· Tom F visits classrooms on a daily basis. He does a walkthrough to look at the teacher’s housekeeping, i.e. attendance taking, goals & homework written on the board, etc. He talks to the students, asking them about their lessons.
· There was discussion about vertical alignment of curriculum. Julie Walton, Math teacher in attendance, advised that she sees a slight variation in students from the various elementary schools, coming into 7th grade math. But what one group might lack in one area, they make up for over another group in another area. The basics seem to be covered. Parents expressed their desire to see the curriculum aligned with the elementary 5-6 teachers, as well as the high school.
· Incoming 7th graders were discussed and Mr. Merrill described a typical day to the parents. Move-up Day, an orientation ½ day, for current 6th graders is on June 2nd. Parent’s Night for current 6th graders is on May 28th. The day before school starts in August, the 7th graders have a half-day to acclimate them to their schedule with some team-building activities. Tom F invited any parent to visit the HS during the day to see classes in action. He also personally calls all incoming 7th graders over the summer to welcome them to GM.
· The transition from 6th to 7th grade was of concern to many parents. Separating the students physically from the HS was considered to be a priority. The teachers agreed that most students are prepared academically for MS but not as much emotionally. There is a definite adjustment period that can last through their MS years—organization skills, study skills, etc. Some parents would like to see a more formal method of assisting the students in dealing with this transition. The teachers advised that they do discuss these sorts of things on a daily basis in their team meetings, from classroom issues to individual students.
· Some concerns of parents about the MS are so little time for Physical Education and no music class in the Exploratories. Parents asked about drugs at the MS/HS. It is not a big problem but they take steps to keep it that way. There are the security cameras and Tom F has arranged to have dogs search the school for drugs periodically. There is a substance abuse counselor that works with the students and she may resurrect the TOLIV group. Police chief Rick Cloud is often at the school and walks around, talking to the students.
· Tom B updated us on the PBIS program. He should know by next week if they will move forward with it. We requested an update on the outcome. Tom F received School Board approval of the ALERT NOW phone system to contact parents regarding emergencies. There are still some details to be worked out. The Life Skills program was discussed—students are tested on functional skills to qualify for the program, there are approx 9 students attending right now, they moved the program to the 1st floor with a better set-up.
· NECAP scores were touched upon as well. The staff at GM uses the results to teach to the weaknesses of individual students. These results do not drive the curriculum as a whole.
· The Parents Group volunteered to help out with Arts Night & the Academic Reception. Anyone else interested, please contact Pam O’Neill or Tom Ferenc.