NEWPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

October 1 2007

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Heather Dietzler, CD Whitlow, Karla Fuller, Paula McKee,  Evelyn Winstead, Maria Wilson, Stacy Brown, Chad Dunton, Jodi Justice

 

AGENDA

 

Welcome:

 

1.                          Construction Review of Progress

a.       Council members were given construction meeting notes and were updated on the current project that is underway – the classroom building. 

 

þ        NCDOT has repaved Chatham St. last week.  The intrusion to the instructional day was minimal. The first day of paving an estimated 200 students were late to class.  After that tardies were of the typical number.

þ        HVAC contractor issued a preliminary work schedule to NES today which was shared with the council.  Notes to the schedule were the timeframes in which classes would be disrupted for work.  On a rotating basis maximum of 2 classrooms would be moved to an alternative location so that work in the classroom itself can be completed.  This disruption would include 18 classrooms and the gym. 

þ        Construction is on schedule as stated in the meeting on 19th of September.  Walls are going up and the community can visually see the building taking shape with windows and doors in place in some areas.  Millard Thorne, job site supervisor, has been nothing but excellent to work with.  Any and all concerns the school has he handles efficiently and effectively.

þ        Roofing project has not yet begun on site.

 

 

 

2.                         EOG Test scores

a.       Discussion of Newport Elementary test scores began with handouts and explanation of ABC/AYP, proficiency, growth and other terms of testing.

 

þ         The advisory council received information on what Newport Elementary School is doing to address our testing scores from last year. 

þWeekly math assessments given to administration show trends within each class; teachers should share these at grade level team meetings for grouping of similar needs and strategies; Look at the validity of each question and teach students how to think through “tricky” questions.

þ  RTI - Basic Skill Builder Probes have been administered to all first and second grade students. They will be done again in January and in April.  These results are shared with classroom teachers and administration to show specific weaknesses of their classes as well as that of individual students.  The upcoming testing results will also show student and class growth. 

þTitle I: adjusting group sizes for better teaching effectiveness; increasing group times; using flexible, ability groupings based on individual student needs; crossing grade level positions to serve other needs when possible; serving some EC students to fill in the gaps in EC’s time constraints; using and sharing Basic Skill Builder probes (Gr 1 + 2) to better assess, teach, and monitor students

þ Kindergarten After-School program:  2 low socio-economic students from each K will be invited to participate in an after-school program from 3-4 one day a week, during which time Carol Mizelle or another K teacher will do an enrichment lesson.  Parents must agree to pick up child at 4:00, and will be encouraged to stay for a parent involvement component provided by the Title I Parent Coordinator, Jackie Lancaster.

þ4th/5th Grade Leadership Program for Troubled Youth: Provided by a grant that the Newport Police Department obtained, this program involves both tutoring and character-building activities.  This marking period 10 boys, referred because of low-socio-economic backgrounds, are participating in this T/Th after school program at Newport Middle. Next marking period it will be 10 girls.  Allison Ballou heads this up with Jodi Moore as the certified teacher, Jackie Lancaster providing parent involvement activities, and 3 mentors.  Ratio is 2:1. 

þCCC has the ability to isolate skills and give reinforcement to student needs.

þ Study Island is another resource.  Training for teachers in Grades 2 – 5 is on the workday, October 8, from 9-11.

þHomework Clubs are already happening in some classrooms.  This provides the opportunity for students to do and receive help on homework.  Many of our low socio-economic students do not get this encouragement at home.

þTeachers are allowed to admit students early to their classrooms for AR or reading if they so desire.

 

 

3.  Advisory member questioned the timeline for installation of the rock wall in the activity room.  This was a work order for the last couple of  years and has not been completed.  It was explained that it was not a priority and keeps getting pushed back.  Follow up with maintenance will occur and the message will be communicated to the advisory council