Meeting called to order 4:15

 

Attending:

Kelly Spooner, Principal and Co-Chair, Anne Hogsten, Assistant Principal, Leanne Masterjoseph, Assistant Superintendant, Robin Bressette, Special Ed, Faith MacDonald, 1^st Grade, Sherry Castodio, PE and Health, Megan Brown, 4^th Grade, Jennifer Middleton, Secretary/Parent, Ann Gestrich, Parent, Robert Marseglia, Co-Chair and Parent, Lisa Switz, Parent, and Trisha Lance standing in for 3^rd Grade.

Visitors: Kim Connett, Parent, Mary Coyne, Parent, Joanne Moukawsher, Parent

 

Minutes: Lisa Switz moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Faith MacDonald, passed unanimously.

 

Old Business:

 

Safety Issue on Election Day. Steps Taken:

·      New window installed in door;

·      Police Officer posted by awning;

·      No parking up at top parking lot, all down below, so voters could see where they needed to go.

·      Town employees were directing traffic

·      The Kindergarten door was locked so voters couldn’t get in except through the authorized entrance

·      Office staff was trained to direct voters to the appropriate entrance.

 

The general feeling was that things went smoothly enough that SBIT does not have to look at that any more.

 

New Business:

 

Potential Grant Sources for grant money to improve teaching and learning. A number were identified for which the deadlines had passed. The Learn and Serve America grant is a 3-year grant in support of service learning. The next application opportunity is in July 2009. The program prefers multi-organization proposals and looks for sustainability and additional sources of funding. We can’t do anything about this for this year, but may want to get things in place so we can apply in 2009.

 

Deans Mill White Board Technology and Technology Training. Kelly has tried some avenues, but has not been successful yet. She is looking on-line. The community foundation as a possible source of funds was suggested. The PTO does not have funding for this at this time, either. NOTE: The white boards under consideration are SmartBoards, not Promethean Boards. The big difference is that Promethean Boards have handheld devices so teachers can see what kids need help. They are also about $5,000 more expensive because of the cost of the handhelds.

 

CMT results.

 

Kelly shared the DMS CMT results, and drilled down a little deeper for the SBIT. In math, Strands 11 and 15 are issues across the state, both in 3^rd and in 4^th. Work on more test practice for 4^th graders in new strands.

 

CMTs are just one piece of the puzzle.

 

The data was analyzed to develop learning Goals as school. The four goals identified were:

·      Increase reading comprehension by 5% in the areas of in-depth text connections and examining content and structure

·      Increase student achievement in Writing by 5% in the areas of composing, editing and revising

·      Increase student achievement in Math by 5% in the areas of approximating measurement, estimation, and mathematical applications

 

DMS is also moving to better prepare students in earlier grades, specifically focusing on 2^nd grade in developing math skills by developing rubrics. What they need to do to get a 1 or 2 score.

 

There is a lot of strategizing at team (or grade level) meetings.

 

Additionally, all teachers have had opportunity to take CMT workshops. Most have taken advantage of it.

 

The Fruit and water break either before the CMT test days or in general was discussed based on the success of that program in improving student learning and reducing physical complaints and nurse visits at one of our other elementary schools.

 

Budget.

 

Projected class sizes remain about the same. Kelly will address the issue of additional K kids with Mr. McKee. Based on what we have presently, we will be at about the same level.

 

It is very important for people to go to board of ed and board of finance meetings. The next meeting for public input to the Board of Ed will be on December 6. The date will be included in the Communicator.

 

SBIT section of the DMS website:

 

Currently out of date, but someone is working on it right now.

 

SBIT, BOE updates:

 

West Broad is looking particularly on book chats for parents and students, mostly dealing with social/emotional issues. Interested parents read a common text. This year want to do something similar to bring the community together, and are looking at a combo of an adult book and a child book on the same topic. West Vine’s SBIT was focused on budget input. PMS is focusing on Parents as partners. At their first conference the asked parents what want to learn about, and SBIT is now working on series of presentations on topics of interest to parents.

 

There are concerns at the middle school level about how to work on self esteem, body image, and bridging the gap between MMS and PMS. MMS and PMS are looking at doing a presentation series in common. MMS is taking look at extra curricular activities, trying to increase opportunities for student involvement after schools. Getting student input on interests. Not on SHS SBIT. BOE had wonderful performance by Music Man kids, Board has adopted goal of further communication w/ community.

 

One more board member to be elected. This will be by appointment.

 

John Bolduc elected at pres, April as board sec. Really a time for community members to step forward and give thoughts to would you please consider this. Sit and listen.

 

Membership:

 

The DMS SBIT has openings for two parents.

 

Last item: Visitor feedback:

 

Leanne: the other night the K-8 LA teacher leaders held literacy hour at SHS. Follow up to that in January on Math. Jan 16 6:30-76:30. Leanne will look at making the handouts from the presentation available.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jennifer Middleton, CISSP

DMS SBIT Secretary