|
Hastings PTA Meeting Minutes: September 11, 2007 Hastings Gym
Intro of staff and parents by Principal and PTA co-Presidents
Jessie S. talked about her memories of her daughter's 4th day of kindergarten being 9/11 amazing teachers and supportive community—continues at Hastings—recognize the strength of the teachers and staff during that difficult day.
Sharon K.: all PTA presidents meet the 1st Wednesday of the month with Dr. Ash each school has 2 presidents updates of the whole system, good to be up to date, Dr. Ash is his 3rd year, lots of turnover in that position—he talked about the “700 thoroughbreds”, but not enough long range planning for our entire school district. We are an exciting community with so many smart people with great ideas 25% change in the last few years in the staff—some due to change in retirement for teachers big fiscal challenges as usual More emphasis then on staff training to train new teachers some curriculum pilot programs/each are is done for 3 years p.e. health & wellness is in 2nd year, math in 2nd year, 1st year for science
Any volunteers for school committee liaisons? This is important as you as a parent with children in school may have different approach and listening to what is going on—we need to represent ourselves and the school. Nancy A. served on committee for Windows and Mirrors, good go to person for questions about this program.
Principal Steve A.:
Our vision statement—multiple drafts—learning was only in the statement once—not sure where this will be made public, perhaps in weekly school bulletin? One of our strengths is our school libraries, we are working to create great classroom libraries also
Science curriculum for observing; Everyday Math is coming our with a new focus this year We have a great staff-- a tradition in Lexington: a strong focus on celebrating diversity—there is an award for staff who enhance this value everyone belongs, everyone learns respectful and caring community: the Open Circle program—common time is at 11;30 on Thursday in all the classrooms, specialists can attend these sessions
School Improvement Plan: Steve presents his draft of the school improvement plan (site council and staff committee on this
Goals: literacy and math Fall: variety of assessments for all kids, developmental reading assessments. Benchmarks and tools to achieve goals Key is what progress is each child making
Math: assessed in grades 1 and 2, final assessments at the end of the year for upper grades the way/strategies: look at data, draw on knowledge of our teachers, what they are noticing, facilitate the ability of teachers to share their knowledge Third goal: Community building Strengthen the sense of connection, belonging, and safety in the school Continued support of teachers. Good team for open circle review
Dismissal time is decreasing and length of line of cars from Mass Ave. has also decreased Steve is pleased with how new dismissal routes are working
In addition to all school meeting, the addition of the “Cafe” before asm for parents to attend and connect
Technology: a big goal to enhance it here—committee is formed, looking for a parent volunteer to be added
Jessie S.:
SPACE stands for:
Support—networking with parents, Partnership—work with our teachers—a very important Advocacy—we need to advocate for our own kids and the community Community—potlucks, picnics, very important to serve other age children Education—more fun ways to connect
Nancy talked about the teachers book group this years book: Best Friends, Worst Enemies---hoping to get a group of parents and teachers to talk together sometime in November
Celeste/ surveys about raising boys and girls comments/ later in the year each sex and both
4 quick points PTA budget last spring for our goals this year, we are still open to new voices and ideas we want parents to share their special talents, please let us know what you are thinking
Volunteer training in MA every school must have a site council(principal, teachers and parents) makes the non-dollar goals similar for all the schools 4 or 5 years of getting feedback from teachers, Steve has put together a curriculum for parents to follow, a little more wisdom of practices makes things better for kids and teachers If you can participate you can walk away with insights Dates 9/18: 7:30-8:30, 8:45-9:45 9/25 morning and evening
Coming attractions for the PTA handout: dates of meetings for PTA and other activities from September-December
Four 2nd grade students, one 4th grader and one 5th grader still need families in Lexington for the family friends program (one Thursday a month Boston student goes home with a Lexington family)
Dr. Ash will be sending a letter home which will detail all new bus routes, but please recheck the website, new buses starting on Monday 9/17
Reminder: to sign up for the listerv because sometimes things don't make it into the bulletin will be posted there
Directory update: will come out in October—deadline for being added or change your info is Friday, 9/14—strong recommendation is to get more than one directory—very useful to keep one in the car, or one at work.
If we have an early dismissal, there is an effort to call families
Emergency response system needed for the school system—future discussion for our budget an automated system for contacting families—perhaps(?) will be district wide and not solely on a school by school basis. Potential fee: $2.50/$3.00 per child per year. Must have full participation to implement. Fiske has one in place, they were a pilot program and found it successful Anyone interested in investigating this talk with Sharon K. Sharon mentioned that last year's flood at the Diamond school, though not technically an emergency, could have used this type of system to alert families.
Small groups: new parents/returning parents: Sharon K. and Jessie S. divided those attending into two groups
Sharon's group: how can you use the resources of the PTA to help you out the following information was disseminated from Sharon (forms available on request) Hastings PTA resources –procedures and guidelines Hastings PTA FY 2008 Budget Guidelines for PTA Communications and publicity PTA Check Request Form for spending requests
Request for more coordinators for multicultural potluck
Sharon talked about school improvements approved by PTA last spring (bike rack, bench and bulletin board for back of school) which will still need approval from the new Lexington Building supervisor who began work here this summer. We assume these things will happen, just on hold for now. 5th grade made their class gift to Hastings the new bike rack !
Jessie's group:
Q & A about how were kids doing in school, plans for school improvement, other concerns of those new to the Hastings community
|