White Brook Middle School

200 Park St.

Easthampton, MA 01027


School Council Meeting Minutes

October 23, 2007

Present: Julie Salzman, Cindy Borowski, Marsha Messer, Carolyn Anderson, Missy Richardson, Kathie Stewart, Dan Zdonek, Dave Doele, Sue Dadmun, Deb Poulin, Deirdre Morrissey, Noreen Nari, Jacquelyn Ouellette, Debra Lusnia, Kevin Zdonek

Absent: Sue Welson, Tracy Poulin, Gerry Raucher, Tammy Kuchyt, Shelley Wilton, Alaska Pinard, Cheri Pyser, Patty Turcotte, Sharon Kimble, Julie Blum

Agenda:

Introduction of all members

Informational documents given out to all members. (Fact sheet, School Plan, Agenda)

Updates:

  • Introduction of the new student members
  • Opening day
  • Terra Nova Testing has been completed. Explanation of their use was given
  • Magazine Drive: very successful. The funds supplement field trips for all students
  • Open House: very good feedback from staff/parents. Attendance rate has increased greatly.
  • New Student Reception: There are many new students this year. This is one way we try to help them adjust and is very successful.
  • Fall Festival
  • TIO Training: Kevin reported about the time spent with the kids learning how to be neutral while trying to help others solve problems.
  • School Pictures: have been taken and the retakes are coming on the 30th.
  • Fun Friday/Dance was successful. The next is coming up as a Halloween Dance.
  • Progress Reports went out last week. They are designed by each team to meet their needs and are another way we communicate with parents.
  • Phones: The replacement of the system was approved so we hope it will be ASAP. More walkie talkies are out, cell phones used, runners, etc....whatever it takes to maintain safety for now.
  • Mountain Day: Kevin reported that their team had a variety of activities. The weather was great for it. Activities were varied. Kids had a great time!

Upcoming calendar was reviewed (see the agenda for full list)

  • NELMS visit is coming up to evaluate the WBMS program and they will need to interview school council members. Julie and Cindy will also travel to see 5 other schools in NE to get a look at new ideas.
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up. Some teams have already started. Be sure to keep in touch with your kid's teachers even if not scheduled during those two days. They can't do them all in 2 days so will schedule any time they can.
  • Professional 1/2 day: Staff will be analyzing MCAS data from the scores that have just come in to see weaknesses, strengths, etc. and better plan. We will be doing additional math classes for those who need it very soon.
  • Next school council meeting will be Nov. 15th and we will plan for the Heritage Pot Luck Supper on Nov. 28. (see the calendar)
  • School evacuation drill will be coming up some time in October.
  • After-school program: money has been pooled from many areas to start a remedial program on Monday with bus transportation. In addition, Julie is going to try to get the YMCA to do an enrichment program for families willing to pay for their child to attend.
  • School Plan: Next meeting we will go over the plan for the year.
  • NELMS: Interviews will be Monday, October 29 - Wednesday, October 31. School Council members can sign up for interviews.
  • Special Education Advisory Council: flyers will be distributed, the meeting will be October 24th at Payson Ave., 7:00.
  • MCAS testing: all grades. MCAS scores are used to evaluate students and the curriculum.

Round Table:

  • The after school program is very important for parents. It will help to keep families in-district.
  • Winter Bazaar
  • Special education students and parents need to be notified by phone after evacuation drill if there was a drill. (Julie will make a call to parents after drills.)

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