Family and Community Engagement Meeting
October 19, 2009
In Attendance: Carolyn Cole, Georgia Woerner, Amanda Barnes, Lori Paine, Robert Friedman, Denita Taylor, Sandy Fink, Deborah Claiborne, Kimberly Mooney, Scott Sommerer, Catherine Gearhart, Hadley Mellin, Susan English, Janet Fonda, Tish Hild, Betsy Garry, Stephanie Bass, Kristen McGinness, Amy Wood, Ann Kennedy, Regina White, Maxine Brooks, Piccola Etchison, Maudestine Godsey, Karla Jenkins, Nick D’Ambrosio, Gwyn Richardson, Justin Holbrook, Randi Crystal, William Cunningham, Matt Croson, Kathy Rivetti, Alicia Rucinski, A.J. Alper
- Georgia Woerner brought the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
- Karla Jenkins addressed the group to introduce herself on behalf of Lionel Foster from North Avenue.
- Ms. Jenkins said that there is not a big change between what the School Improvement Team was and what the School and Family Council is now except now there is an advisory team. Advisory has 3 major roles- give feedback on budget, principal selection, and gives feedback on the principal. A lot of the role of the advisory team (5 people, 3 parents and 2 community members) sit as members of engagement team and School Family Council. Parents continue to be involved in the role of the school on all levels. All meetings must be publicly publicized, even sub-committee meetings. Community members are selected by school. There is a minimum of two. The Roland Park community members are Elizabeth Embry and Maudestine Godsey from Goucher. Term limits are not yet mandated.
- Ms. Jenkins also gave all in attendance a copy of the Administrative Regulations for Family and Community Engagement.
- Selection procedures for electing officers was reviewed.
- Meetings are taken at each meeting, posted on the school website, and also placed in the binder in the main office.
- Ms. Woerner sent around the sub-committee sign-up sheets and some in attendance signed up for various committees.
- Ms. Brooks gave a report on behalf of the attendance committee. There was an epidemic of flu-like symptoms that started in eighth grade. The health department came in and disinfected the eighth grade classrooms and offices.
- Ms. Heggins will no longer be in charge of the Climate Committee due to other obligations.
- Ms. Woerner gave a Climate report in the absence of Ms. Heggins. There has only been one suspension in the elementary school. Recess is being taken away instead of suspensions. In seventh and eighth grades there have been only two in each house. There are zero suspensions in sixth grade at this time.
- There was a meeting held on grouping at Roland Park a few weeks ago. Parents appreciated the open dialogue with the teachers. Ms. Cole agreed to have another session in the spring to discuss grouping with the parents for next year.
- It was suggested at the last PTA meeting that Roland Park develop better communication in the middle school. It was suggested that the middle school use the classroom parent system similar to the elementary classroom parent system.
- The school website is being updated to help open more lines of communication.
- Teachers send out newsletters in several grades and use email to communicate with parents.
- The School Improvement Plan was submitted. It was worked on by several people and the checklist we recently received back was good. Some revisions need to be made. We are making them and will send it back to be checked. When it is returned to us it will be made available for all to see.
- We are using First in Math in the elementary school and in some middle school classes. It is similar to 24 Challenge and is used for practicing basic math facts.
- Ms. Bacon spoke about the health education curriculum in the City. Ms. Bacon has looked at the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade curriculum. You need to be certified in health to teach health and the science teachers cover some aspects, but not certain specifics that a health class or teacher would cover. A health teacher could teach health as a SPAR in the future at Roland Park. The certification is State based.
- Ms. Woerner asked House principals to talk about what is going on in their grades in the absence of Ms. Cole (State of the School).
- Work packets are being made for students who are out sick to keep them up to date on their work.
- If students have been given flu shots or mists they should bring a note to their students to let school administrators and teachers know.
- Grouping is a flexible and ongoing process. Students are being tested and placed appropriately.
- Ms. Barnes gave an update on enrichment and how the program is being run this year. All students are receiving enrichment twice a year for a full week at a time.
- The eighth grade house has a newsletter going out. Some of the topics include: scheduling students to shadow at Poly, high-school tours, CTY, and special projects.
- Mr. Croson spoke about the seventh grade newsletter that Ms. Fonda puts out for the seventh grade.
- Mr. D gave an update on the sixth grade and how they are staying organized and focused. The SST process has started for some students. The trip to North Bay is coming up and the PTA is helping students raise funds for the trip.
- Susan English gave an update on the PTA. Last Tuesday, money was raised at Mama Cucina’s. The money is going to the North Bay trip as well as the movie night proceeds coming up on Friday. There were 65 people in attendance at the last PTA meeting and a great discussion took place. There is a teacher breakfast this Wednesday in the teacher’s lounge. Speakers may be coming in to talk about nutrition, sponsored by the PTA. The PTA purchased new lockers for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.
- Georgia Woerner was nominated to be the Chair of the School Family Council.
- The Family and Community Engagement Policy Implementation Annual Report was distributed to all in attendance.
- An Agenda Topics Survey was given so that we can decide what needs to be discussed at each meeting.
- There will be a one page survey going home about school counseling services some time in the near future.
- The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 p.m.