Galway Central School
Joseph Henry Elementary
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        E.B.T. Elementary Shared Decision Making Team     


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Minutes & Agenda

ELEMENTARY BUILDING TEAM MINUTES

        APRIL 3, 2008

       Members present: N. Griffin, D. Baldwin, M. Barkley, J. Baron, M. Hahn, T. Ostrander, J. Noonan
       Members excused: J. Flint, J. Lustig, M. Pokrzywka, G. Stoliker
       Guests: Mrs. Christine Adams, First grade teacher, and Mrs. Suzanne Harkness-Wood, Parent

bullet Meeting was called to order by T. Ostrander at 4:07 p.m. with a quorum being present.
bullet The previous minutes from February 7th, 2008 were reviewed and approved.
bullet Mrs. Adams addressed the team about the SunRise Reading Program which is currently in its fifth year. Originally an EBT initiative, this is now a contractual co-curricular stipend program. Mrs. Adams stated that the 2007-2008 program is providing reading tutoring to 21 students who range in grade from K-2. The program begins yearly in October and continues to just before Memorial Day. Students attend two mornings weekly, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Parents provide transportation. Currently, there are 6-7 students per grade level and students are invited each year based on homeroom teachers’ recommendations. PTSA funds the snacks, awards, and “goody bags” given to each student at the program’s conclusion. The “goody bags” have among its items several new books donated each spring from the PTSA’s May Book Fair. There are four teachers who are tutoring this year. Mrs. Adams noted the children look forward to coming to SunRise and view it as a club. She commented that while it does require additional planning on the part of the teachers who are tutoring, it is a rewarding experience for them. Mrs. Adams noted that regular attendance is expected as there is a waiting list of about 5 students. After Mrs. Adams left, EBT members discussed the possibility of increasing the number of tutors so the need of the students on the waiting list might be met. It was suggested that EBT contact Mrs.Herron and inquire about the number of teachers that are allotted by the contract. EBT discussed recommending that the number of teachers be increased to meet the need of the students who are on the waiting list. It was also suggested that Mrs. Adams be contacted to find out if the children on the waiting list have been waiting since the initial classroom teacher referrals or, is this a list of students who have been recommended over time (as the school year has progressed.) J. Noonan agreed to contact both Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Herron.
bullet Mr. Griffin shared with the team the various recommendations that were made at the February 27th BOE meeting by the following task force committees; Technology, Staff Development, Communications & Community Involvement, Facilities, Achievement, and Finance.   
bullet Under ‘New Business’-our second guest, Mrs. Harkness-Wood is both a parent and a member of the Middle School Advisory Board. Mrs. Harkness-Wood visited EBT on behalf of MAB to provide the team with an update on what is happening at the Middle School level with regard to appropriate use of computers. MAB’s concern is for students to be educated in the procedure for using school approved search engines to research topics and school projects. Mrs. Harkness-Wood noted a need for a scope and sequence and communication that would assist students to successfully and appropriately use the Internet. A big concern is to help students filter out improper information and/or data. MAB is working with M.S. teachers to revise the 6th grade curriculum to include Internet research tools and rules which will be printed on mouse pads so the procedures will be “at hand” when students are using school computers. Mrs. Harkness-Wood stated that a presentation geared toward Grade 5 parents on Internet Safety is scheduled for April 24 at 7:00 p.m.. Preceding this presentation will be a half hour program titled, The Top Ten Things a Parent Needs to Know to Help Your Child be Successful in Middle School. MAB would also like to see a corner of the H.S. library open after school or in the evening one day each week for students to access computers for school work.
bullet Public Comment-for our next meeting, under New Business, we will review Policy Drafting Information, which has evolved from the Task Force Committee on Communications & Community Involvement.
bullet The setting of the May 1st meeting agenda along with the Roles & Responsibilities followed:

          ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES                                            AGENDA

 Facilitator: N. Griffin                                                                   Review April 3rd meeting minutes & approve-5 min.

Minutes: M. Barkley                                                                   Guest: R. Wyscoki-Student Council update-20 min.

Timekeeper: Teri                                                                         Education Foundation-15 min.

                                                                                                   New Business-Drafting Policy-20 min.

                                                                                                   Public Comment

                                                                                                   Set Agenda, Rs & Rs-5 min.

bullet Meeting was adjourned by N.Griffin at 6:05 p.m.

Respectfully recorded,
Jo-Anne Noonan

 
 

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