Notes+9.25.07

Present: Ted, Brenda, Jodi, Melissa, Chris, Julie, Emily, Lorrie, Tom, Deborah, Suzanne, Margaret, Alice Barr Notetaker: Suzanne Discussion about MAPS testing, which started this week. This topic is also on the agenda for the ninth grade team. There has been no discussion yet among tenth grade teachers about how to use the data. We will need to devote time in learning areas to look at how we use the data. Guidance has school supplies for any students who may need them. All agreed they are fine.
 * Check in
 * Review notes from last meeting

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. Deb brought a request from the Language Arts L/A that we have an assembly for 11th and 12th graders featuring Ken Nye reading his poetry. This would be during a period 3 and would probably take an hour. All agreed this would be a good use for an assembly. Deborah will work with Margaret to find a date for this assembly. 2. Emily raised the question of whether Spanish 1 and French 1 could be offered every year. (Currently Spanish 1 and French 1 are offered in alternate years.) This issue will be considered by Ted, Margaret and Ken and will be brought back to the language learning area. 3. Deborah asked when the new teacher MacBooks will be available. Ted and Alice will be attending a meeting next week to learn more. They will be distributed as soon as they are ready. We discussed developing a simple document - perhaps a DO's and DON'Ts -type thing - to spell out the expectations. Deborah, Suzanne, Lorrie and Alice will work on this. Melissa can work on an appealing design; or, students can do this. Ted's idea for our document: Clipper Computer Care. Each person examined part of one of the chapters in the book and shared their impressions about the content. After some discussion, we all agreed that this would be a good resource book to use with the staff. The book provides research notes and specific action steps on a variety of questions related to instruction and engagement. Ted will look into ordering the book and the leadership team will look at possible ways to incorporate the book in whole faculty and learning area work. 1. Ted distributed budgets for learning areas. 2. We need to submit a two-year report to NEASC to let them know what actions we have taken on the recommendations in the report. Holly Tornrose is coordinating with Ted in the writing of this report. Ted asked that the co-chairs of the different committees meet at 3:40 Monday in Holly's room.
 * The following norms were adopted by the Leadership Team:
 * Items brought by staff members
 * Technology guidelines review
 * Review //The Art and Science of Teaching//, by Robert Marzano.
 * Other