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Winthrop Elementary School
Sheila McAdams, Principal
65 Central Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
Phone 978-356-2976
Fax 978-356-8739


 

 

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, February 2, 2010

Art Room  6:15 – 8:15 p.m.

 

Members present: Jay Dooley, Don Della Valle, Katie Burkush, Michele Wertz, Kathy McMahon, Cathy Hoag, Rachel Roesler, Margaret Maderios

 

1.  Review and Assign Roles and Responsibilities                                 6:15 – 6:20

            Note Taker: Sheila

            Gatekeeper: Don

            Timekeeper: Jay

 

2. Approval of January Minutes                                                              6:20-6:25

            Rachel made the motion; seconded by Don.  Minutes were approved.

 

3. Parent and Staff Feedback and Questions                                          6:25-6:35

                Michele shared an update from the subgroup of parents looking at bringing more locally grown produce into food programs (Edible Education) Winthrop parent representatives include Jen Norton, Landi Van Allen Laura Russell, and Kate Eliot.  Michele shared that having a teacher assigned to the committee from Doyon has been very helpful and urged Winthrop teacher involvement, as well. Deb Trevarrow attended the first meeting as a representative of Early Act.  Sheila will approach one staff member that is currently working with Cuvilly to develop a closer connection between the school and this community resource.  The committee would love to see a nutritional component in the curriculum. They are considering such suggestions as encouraging students to rethink school lunches, recycle through composting, developing an experiential learning program/project to involve students and exploring the Farm to School project.

 Dave Archambault, Doyon principal, has agreed to meet with the Health SAC and the Food Service Managers to share some of these suggestions.  The committee is currently waiting to hear back from Dave on his progress.

            Rachel asked for clarification of the Race to the Top funds that are part of the US Department of Education grants.  Sheila explained that, from what she has read, there are particular conditions that states must meet in order to be eligible for these funds.  The first is that there must be a system to expand charter schools in the state.  Secondly, there must be some measure of accountability between student achievement and teacher effectiveness.  Seventy percent of the towns in any given state must agree to these conditions in order for the state to be eligible.  Massachusetts is in line for these funds.   In order for a district to apply for these funds, the School Committee, the teachers’ union and the town governmental officials must all sign the grant. In most districts, getting all three signatures is challenging.  At this time, Ipswich has not discussed applying for these funds.

 

 

   4. Technology for Learning                                                                    6:35-7:35

               The Council was asked to brainstorm the skills and characteristics which they attribute to personal success. Results included:

 

See and accept various points of view       multitask             flexible  (yet logical thinker) Resourcefulness (only as good as the team you are with)     desire to think outside the box Cooperative                    patience                       compassion toward others      organized

Computer literate           communication skills (oral and writing)          like a challenge

Relationship building/teamwork/interpersonal skills/encourage others to succeed

Problem solving skills         can see the big picture and the details         

math skills and solid accuracy        Can delegate      risk taker         “quick on my feet”      sense of humor            creative

   

Sheila shared that the teachers had been in these same types of discussions.  We’ve used the results to consider the educational outcomes we need for our students and which of these outcomes would benefit from updated and enhanced technology resources.  The 21st Century descriptors that were written approximately 10 years ago were distributed as an example of the type of documents that we will need to articulate.  Council was asked to review the documents for further thoughts regarding what parents may want to see for educational outcomes. 

               Suggestions were solicited for the organizational structure of the initiative.  Should there be a Steering Committee?  Should the Council, or a subgroup of it, continue to act in this regard?  One suggestion that was made was to identify the expertise that we may need on the committee and “advertise” for members.  The Council believed that soliciting members based on expertise may be the best way to go.

               One question that members of the Council anticipate will be asked is why the override didn’t address this need as intended.  The Council agreed that it would be important for us all to be sharing the same information.  Sheila will work with the business manager to draft a statement which includes the impact on the economic recession on the override plans and school funding.

               Michele also reminded us that we need to track the amount of money that comes in during each stage of the appeal to help target an approach for the future.

                 Don, Jay Dawson and Katie offered to join Sheila to share our progress on the initiative with the Doyon FRIES.  This sharing will take place on Feb. 9 at 7:30.

 

5. Budget Update                                                                                   7:35-7:45

            Sheila shared that at the latest budget workshop, the administrative team was asked to identify $500, 000 worth of cuts in the proposed budget.  The proposed cuts from Winthrop are consistent with the Council’s direction of reducing programs versus raising class sizes.  This figure was determined after the School Committee identified that the school budget should come in at a 1% increase after consultation with the Town Manager regarding the levy limit, etc.  On Feb 10th the elementary school budgets will be presented to the School Committee.  Following budget presentations there will be a budget workshop on March 2, with the final public budget hearing on March 4.  Due to the March 2 budget workshop, the March School Council meeting will be canceled.

 

6. Demographics Committee update                                                       7:45-7:55

               Michele and Sheila gave an update on the progress of the Demographics Committee.  Some of the outcomes of our meetings have been: the kindergarten round-up will begin sooner in the year, host an open forum to discuss the flex area, develop a policy for how decisions will balance the needs of the school district with the rights of parents, identified that the school is committed to full day programming.  The latest question to be explored has been “How is the flex area being defined?”  Our next meeting is Feb. 24.

           

7.  Other                                                                                                  7:55-8:15

            Reminder of upcoming budget meetings: 

            March 2-Budget Workshop (final budget decisions are proposed)-CANCELATION of the MARCH COUNCIL meeting due to this public meeting.

            March 4-Public Hearing (School Committee votes on final budget that will go to the Town)

            March 24-Elementary Budget Presentations to FinCom

 

Meeting was adjourned.