WBSS SBIT Meeting: 11/28/06

 

Members in Attendance: Claudia Albert, Terry Jordan, Emily Noyes, Kelli Hebert, Ginny Fabianski, Lori Taylor, Ed Haberek

 

Call to Order: 5:00 pm

 

Business Items

 

Community Member Vacancy:

 

• Terry spoke to members at the high school and they are working on getting a member from the SHS Honor Society to serve as our community member representative.  This will also serve to give them service credits as well. J

 

Parent Involvement Opportunities:

 

• Idea discussed about reaching out to Senior Centers and other community organizations to help supervise students for parent nights. 

 

• Parent Math Night: Thursday, January 31^st 6-7:30.  We plan to include an enrichment program for the students and an informational session for parents.  Members volunteered to research possibilities.

 

• Discussed getting an author or storyteller for Read Across America Parent Night: A date will be set for the Read Across America Parent Night after we research the availability of an author or storyteller.  Members volunteered to research possibilities.

 

• Parents have expressed interest in book clubs again this year to discuss social/emotional issues.  We would like to involve students this year.  Terry and Lori L. have looked into Club Ophelia, a club open for districts and groups to join with resources available about this topic.  We also could look into other short picture books that deal with the same issues to read with parents and students. 

 

2007-2008 Budget:

 

• Ed handed out the Board of Ed’s Budget Calendar for 07-08. 
• Thursday, December 7^th at SHS: Community and parent open forum.  7:00 pm
• SBIT will work together in December and January around budget issues.  Terry shared her ideas for next year.  We would like to continue having a reading teacher, no new staff will be added, but we would like to have a library/media specialist for 2 full days rather than the current 1½ days. We are also seeking to increase the hours for the technology paraprofessional.  Both positions will support our technology program goals and initiatives, especially the hand-held computer project. 
• Lori Taylor expressed that she would love to see instruments starting in 3^rd grade.  Mrs. Fabianski also would like to see World Language beginning in Kindergarten. 
• Would our community be willing to support different initiatives monetarily?  We discussed the changes in our society and the need for things to not be done “as they always had been”.  We may need to change our thinking and ideas to give our students what they need to be successful as adults. 
• Terry brought up the idea that PALMS be purchased by families.  If parents were interested in buying the PALMs, could this be something that we make available to families?  Some parents have asked about this. 
• This year we will be asking WBSS families to help support field trips throughout the year.  We will ask for a small amount as a donation. 
• Claudia shared the 2 main administrative recommendations presented to the Board of Education for the budget: 1. At-risk population and 2. Technology. 

 

 

 

Discussion Items

 

Board of Education Updates: (Ed Haberek)

 

• Evaluation: Ed passed out an evaluation today to serve as a self-evaluation for Board members. We will come to a consensus with one evaluation from the SBIT as a group.  This will be presented to Ed at our December meeting and it will be presented to the board at the January meeting.  They are hoping that the information will provide an analysis of their role and possibly set future goals. 

 

District Updates: (Claudia Albert)

 

• LA parent night is scheduled for January 23^rd with a rain date on the following day.  This will center on reading and writing with a different focus for each grade level.  Two half hour sessions beginning most likely at 6:30-8:00 at SHS. 
• Another math night will be planned for the spring
• We would like to work on promoting this to get a high turn out.

 

School Updates:

 

• The fish and chips fundraiser was a big success. 
• Grandparent/Grandchild dinner dance is planned for December 1^st. 
• The fundraising is close to $30,000! J
• The boundless playground proposal was approved by the Board of Selectmen

 

Parent Updates/Questions/Concerns/Feedback:

 

• Lori suggested sending paperwork home on Thursday instead of Friday.  We will start this after the holiday.  J
• We have been making progress on the hand-held computer project and printing using them. 
• Academic support night was hosted on November 13^th with 100% attendance.  There were around 70 people in attendance with extended family members. 

 

• We will participate in the Mystic/Pawcatuck/Westerly Chamber of Commerce decorating contest this year again

 

• The WinterFest is planned for December 20^th. 

 

• Mrs. Fabianski brought a fundraising idea to our attention.  Cell phones and ink cartridges can be collected.  She will check this out.

 

• Lori Taylor will forward ideas about donations to the playscape fund or classroom supplies in lieu of teacher holiday gifts. 

 

 

Comments by Citizens:

 

No community members in attendance

 

Possible Agenda Items for November Meeting: 

 

• Pursue a date for Reading Family Night
• Update on budget and cell phone fundraiser
• Board of education survey
• Decide on math night enrichment

 

Decision Items

 

• Set date and content for parent involvement activities

 

Adjourn:  6:40