School Improvement Team Meeting

Shiloh Elementary Media Center

August 25, 2009

3:00pm – 4:45pm

In Attendance:

Mike Henderson, Principal

Samantha Adams, Assistant Principal

Susan Rodgers, Curriculum Specialist

Monica McGinnis, Counselor

Karyn Cantville, Grade K

Andrea Savill, Grade 1

Melissa Ottaway (for Jennifer Aldredge) Grade 3

Angela Foster, Grade 4

Michael Roy, PE

Nicole Phelix, EC Department

Pam Cook, Media Specialist

Sharon Presson, Teacher Assistant

Sherry Ann Sylvestre, Parent

Not in Attendance:

Mrs. Wamplemann, Grade 2

Tim Burke, Grade 5

Welcome –Mrs. Savill

Mrs. Savill began the meeting by stating the purpose of the SIT committee and welcoming everyone and introducing new members to the team

She called for nominations for chairperson, time keeper, and for someone to take the minutes:  members made a motion and were in favor of Mrs. Savill continuing as chairperson, Mrs. Foster agreed to take the minutes, and Mrs. Phelix agreed to be the time keeper.

A laptop was passed around for members to update and add on contact information

Meeting dates and times were set for the year. The team will meet on a quarterly basis and other times as needed. Meeting dates will be: October 20, 2009; September 22, 2009; January 26, 2010; and April 13, 2010.

Parent Concerns- Mrs. Savill asked if there were any parent concerns

Mrs. Sylvestre was in attendance and did not have any parent concerns at this time.

Teacher Concerns – Mrs. Savill passed around an agenda and began discussion on topics based on the content of the agenda:

Ø  Safety Patrol – the committee was asked of the effectiveness of safety patrol and if it was wanted again this—the committee agreed to continue with safety patrol and discussed criteria for selecting students for this committee (students will come from 5th grade, be model, responsible students, and be recommended by teachers and guidance, 4 students from each fifth grade class will serve on the team with one student from each class being on patrol each cycle- Mr. Henderson will discuss the running of safety patrol with Mrs. Perrone and Ms. O’Brian.

Ø  Letters Outside – it was brought to the committee’s attention that the letters outside in the car rider line are faded, which causes a problem with holding signs, umbrellas, and car doors during rainy weather- Several ideas were passed around as to how to solve this issue. After discussion, Ms. Adams suggested that the letters would just be repainted.

Mr. Henderson and the committee agreed.

Ø  Big Yellow – (slide on the playground) – this piece of equipment is broken, the money is not in the budget at this time to have it repaired. It will remain taped off at this time.

Ø  PTA status- An audit of the PTA’s funding is almost done. Mr. Henderson reported that not much financial help from the PTA is to be expected this year. Fundraisers are put on hold at this time.

Ø  PTA meetings will be held. Ms. Nelson, Vice-President, will be taking over until elections are held.

Ø  Cafeteria concerns/suggestions were addressed: 1) question was asked-Why can’t there be microwaves in the cafeteria? The need to go back and forth and lose time and be away from the class was a concern. Many ideas were brought to the table as to how to solve this concern. Microwaves may be again placed in a room closer to the cafeteria but will have to be unplugged and removed each day due to the After-school program using this room. More information is forth coming as to how this will be handled. (2) Mrs. Foster brought 4th grade’s suggestion of having a “Teacher Table placed in the cafeteria.  Mr. Henderson stated concerns about procedures still being in placed if teachers were not with the students. Mrs. Foster suggested that parent volunteers be seated with the students. With the help of Mr. Roy, Mr. Henderson agreed that trying this out would be no problem if administration does not have to patrol the cafeteria and suggested that we take it to the faculty first before starting.

Ø  Monday Mentoring (MM) – Will it continue this year? MM will continue. Teachers began to provide reasons and evidence for wanting to continue this program due to positive results. Mr. Henderson also reminded the staff about the possibilities of no Summer School (intersession) this year and that we need to make sure that we are providing students with the needed help and evidence of these interventions, MM being one of them.

We will gear more toward reading this year and keep planning committee.

Mrs. Sylvestre suggested the use of parent volunteers to help with small groups.

Ø  Moment of Silence/Pledge – Mrs. Foster questioned the procedures for the Moment of Silence and the Pledge out of concern for what they stand for and showing respect at this time by not having movement in the hallways. Mr. Henderson stated that there was not way for students/staff/parents in the hallways to know that it was taking place. Ms. Adams suggested that we could address this concern by including it in PBIS and having students lead the pledge over the intercom. The students will be chosen each week by having their names pulled from blue tickets. This procedure will begin on September 11th in observance of Patriot Day. It will be taken back to the staff for agreement.

Administrative Concerns- Mr. Henderson

Ø  Staff Updates – approximately 640 students enrolled at this time with 6 less TA positions- not much more enrollment is expected, only about 5-6 new students have enrolled since the beginning of the school year,

Ø  Shiloh Bullying Plan – Mr. Henderson talked about the need to have a Bullying Plan in place per the county. He stated that he was pleased that we are proactive in this area and do not have major issues with bullying. The school plan was passed within the last month. As a part of the this plan, Mrs. McGinnis will begin implementing the “American Girl Series” program. Mr. Burke may begin a running program for boys, similar to “Girls on the Run”.

Ø  Test Data – Mr. Henderson shared test data from last year and he previous year. He shared that due to an increase in the number of students who receive free and reduced lunch, we have become a Tier II school. This classification may mean another mode of funding and a way to continue intersession by supporting teachers’ salaries.

Ø  Mr. Henderson announced that Shiloh made AYP for the 2008-2009 school year by meeting 17 out of 17 goals (100%). We are now a School of Distinction with High Growth. New reading and math goals were set for this upcoming year. Last year, the reading goal was set at 77.5% and we made 78.9%, this was an increase up from 66% in reading last year. After discussion, the committee set the new reading goal at 80% for this year. Last year, the math goal was set at 88% and we made 93%.  Therefore, the committee set the new math goal for 94.5%. After setting the goals, Mrs. Sylvestre (parent member) questioned the decision to set the reading goal at 80%, questioning if this was a low expectation. Mr. Henderson explained the procedures and reasoning behind setting the goal at this percentage. Mrs. Sylvestre then agreed that this would be an appropriate percentage for reading.

Ø  School improvement plan needs to be updated and turned in by the end of September. Committee set a date to meet again, Tuesday, September 22nd.

Ø  Survey Data - Mr. Henderson emailed the results of the Parent surveys to members to review and discuss at grade level. Two areas of concern need to be chosen from each area of the survey and focused on for improvement. We will continue to discuss at next meeting.

Conclusion-Mr. Henderson

The meeting concluded with Mr. Henderson asking for any other concerns or questions.

The team was reminded of the next meeting.  The meeting adjourned at 4:50pm.