Notes+11.13.07

Ted Hall Margaret Anderson Brenda Michaelsen Jodi McGuire Suzanne Hamilton Tom McDowell Deborah Johansen Chris Hill Claire Evrard Emily Davison Julie Hutchinson
 * Present:**

Norms:
Engage in clear, open, honest communication among team members. Be open to consideration of others' ideas. Be clear about how we communicate with teams. Communicate the status of 'items brought by staff.' Balance whole-school perspective with advocacy for learning areas. State clearly how decisions will be made.

1. Check in (5 min) 2. Decide on notetaker (1 min) 3. Review notes from last meeting (5 min) Margaret read through the notes-here are some changes/updates: Clipper Computer Care-next steps: needs to get printed out (in color) and laminated Gym/baskteball/tennis/volleyball courts sign up-We will make everyone an administrator (rather than a designated Calendar Coordinator)-Suzanne will talk to Alice about making everyone an administrator 4. Report back on the guidelines for computer use (5 min) 5. Items brought by staff members for the leadership team to consider (10 min) Tom McDowell: In-house field trips needs to be approved by Ted There are some films that are more powerful if seen in their entirety It may be helpful to articulate the reasons for a field trip to the wider community
 * Agenda:**
 * Deadline for submitting portfolios-possible overlap between AP exams and submission of portfolio (Caitlyn Ruthman) Resolution: There may be some flexibility on a case by case scenario
 * In-house field trips for movies-missing a class can be significant-is it possible to use content area class time for movie viewing?

Jodi McGuire: Yes, it is going on-line this year. The questions have been slightly modified from last year. Ted will send out an e-mail to parents re: the feedback for teachers (after the holidays). Parents will go to a website, pick a teacher and answer the 4-5 questions for each individual teacher. The same questions will be used K-12. For parents that don't have e-mail they will get a hard copy.
 * Standard parent feedback survey-are we going to use the standard survey again this year? (Heather Heath)

Teachers will reflect on the feedback (this will become part of their portfolio).

Deborah Johansen: Deborah would like to formalize the pilot process. There are a few teachers who regularly take Power School attendance. Ted will poll faculty members who are interested in piloting this tomorrow during the stand up faculty meeting tomorrow morning.
 * Is there a pilot group taking daily attendance in all of the classes? (Deborah Johansen)

6. Continue planning for use of **//The Art and Science of Teaching//**, by Robert Marzano Several groups recommended starting with Chapter 2. There is also consensus about Chapters 2 and 5 being related and working on Chapter 5 after Chapter 2. Middle school has had some success with mixed-group. The approach that the middle school has taken is to have groups pre-read the introductory section and then read and discuss the rest during meeting time Chapter 2-What will I do to help students effectively interact with new knowledge? Ted's questions: Should we do 2, 5 and go back to 3, 4? How do we balance the themes of the book? Do we offer some chapters as a choice?

Julie: It is worthwhile to have some common chapters and to create a common language about them. Margaret: Some of the chapters are not suitable for certain times of the year We can use some of the chapters for the beginning of the next school year

Possible dates: Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 15, March 21 Ted: likes Chapter 5 but feels it is not enough by itself (it's missing the content) Margaret: Middle school used a Wellman protocol Ted: We could get students involved in the March inservice day (like we did last year) if there is a good fit

We agree that Chapter 2 is a good starting point. Ted: Slower is faster-adopt the middle school strategy-read the introductory part and use meeting time for continued reading, discussion and formulation of next steps

Suzanne: Chapter 2 & 3 are the longest chapters (30 pages) Argument for not having teachers pre-read everything

Chapter 2: Read first 11 pages prior to meeting Finish chapter in meeting Discuss Jigsaw action steps within mixed group

Ted: Perhaps it makes sense to try an action step more than once rather than trying multiple action steps Protocol should be designed to push teachers (something new) Deb: We need a clear protocol Ted: Should we give the books out before Thanksgiving break?

Decision: An introduction to the book will be presented on Monday, Nov. 19 and books will be handed out to staff Dec. 3 will be our first meeting in our mixed groups. This is the due date for the pre-reading assignment

Tom: Let's spend a good chunk of time on each chapter Claire: It will be more effective if we do this in small chunks Ted: We need to have people develop habits as a result of this book

What is the role of technology in getting students to interact with new knowledge? How do we share best practice?

Emily: February and March dates might be a good time to share best practices on a blog or wiki (to create something as a staff based on the previous 2 months work) Deb: We should focus on reading or discussing-let's not go overboard with presenting Deb: There is value in discussing practice (without having to create something)

For Dec. 3 We will work in mixed groups: Work in groups of 6, Have a facilitator (Learning Area Leader at first with possibility of rotating facilitator) Claire: Important to get some feedback from people. You don't want to turn people off.

7. Overview of budget for 2008-09 Jennifer will e-mail us in the next couple of days re: budget. 0 increase across the board in every area. The supply budget will stay the same unless there is a change. Overall equipment budget will not change. Put in a request if there is a need in your learning area. Textbooks this is a specific learning area request-please submit only what you need. There are varying needs per learning area and consideration will be given to past requests. These requests need to be received by Ted by early December.