A community of learners becoming leaders, embracing change, and shaping the future

 

Ipswich Public Schools

Winthrop School

65 Central Street

Ipswich, MA 01938

(978)356-2976

 

SCHOOL COUNCIL MINUTES

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Art Room 6:15 – 8:15

 

 

Please remember to bring your School Council Handbook

 

Present: Sheila McAdams, Jen Bauman, Debbie Muench, Kelly Shafer, John Wigglesworth, Linda Armerding, Steve Filosa, Clay Marsh, Kate McCormick, Paula MacGauley, Suzanne Benfield, Katie Burkush.

 

Absent: Katie Hertz, Chris Thibodeau, and Jay Dawson

 

1. Welcome and Introductions

We welcome the new members to the Council, Suzanne Benfield, Katie Burkush, and Sheila McAdams.

 

2. Assign Roles and Responsibilities

Note Taker: Jennifer Bauman

Gatekeeper: John Wigglesworth

Timekeeper: Kelly Shafer

Refreshments: Paula MacGauley (next month Clay Marsh)

 

3. Historical reminder of the School Council purpose

Council discussed the 1993 Education Reform Act that requires schools to have a council that implements a School Improvement Plan.

 

4. Parent and Staff Feedback and Questions

The transition with the new principal has been very smooth. The first-grade team and Sheila will discuss the need to have first-grade orientation next year. This may be redundant with the curriculum night. A new parent questioned the nutrition of some of the lunch choices. Sheila will get back to Kate with the name of the person on the school committee to contact. A 6th-grade boy was hit by a truck in front of the school this afternoon. He was not seriously hurt but it raises the issue of safety. The Council feels the town needs to have school zone signs, flashing yellow lights near the school, better crosswalks, and more diligent drivers. The issue of safety will be an ongoing topic throughout the year between the Sheila and law enforcement.

 

5. Bylaws

Jen raised the issue of how parent representatives to the Council are nominated. Currently, any parent interested in filling a vacant seat submits a letter of interest to Sheila. At the first FRIES meeting, the interested parents stand up and introduce themselves. The FRIES members in attendance vote for their choice using a secret ballot. Jen feels this is an unfair way to nominate members because it turns into a popularity contest. After a lengthy discussion, the Council agreed to have the interested parent reps. write a small paragraph about themselves. These will be sent home to every family with a ballot. Parents would then send in their ballots. We will not rewrite the by-laws at this time.

 

6. Survey Results Analysis and Discussion

Joe Salah discussed the recent Family Survey results from May-June 2007 for Winthrop School (hand out provided). There is hope that we would get on a 3-year cycle; parent, teachers, and students. Currently, it has been agreed that we’d do another survey this year, but we haven’t decided which group to survey as of yet. Joe’s advice is to go through some of the negative comments and work on resolution; keep culture going the way it is because it is obviously working; continue keeping high-quality education a priority; and continue to work on children getting along with others.  Winthrop faculty believe a strong social education is important for children in order to reach them academically. The Council will discuss the movement of educating the “whole child” in the coming months.

 

7. School Improvement Plan 2007-2008

Faculty will continue working with the SIP and the goals set for this year. Two goals are curriculum based and one goal is the social piece that faculty will incorporate as we strive to educate the “whole child”.

 

8. Capacity

Sheila has been working with the Fire Chief on the capacity of the cafeteria. Based on its size, the capacity is 350 with nothing on the floor and no chairs. There are 3 times per year we exceed this number: opening day assembly, holiday sing-a-long, and 5th-grade graduation. Sheila will be coming up with solutions to these issues for discussion with the Council.

 

9. Other

Carl Nylen of the FRIES Playground Committee discussed what the committee has been doing the last few months. An overall master plan is needed for the playground. The committee met with 3 landscape design firms and will be taking a vote this week to choose a designer. The cost of a design is $30-$35K. A previous plan was completed for drainage and survey. The design firm will be able to use some of this information.

 

Articles: “Countering Standardization” and “The Whole Child: An International Perspective”

 

Next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 6:15 pm. PLEASE BE PROMPT.