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1.
Review of Minutes: The minutes
from the February 25, 2008 meeting were reviewed and
accepted as written.
2.
Vending of Organic, Nutritional Snacks:
Juliann DellaRocco presented a proposal for
our food service organization to vend more natural
and organic snacks for students. Samples were
evaluated by the Council members and a dialog took
place regarding the potential benefits, problems,
and logistics of making a change of this magnitude.
Some of the topics discussed were:
a.
Alternative snack and drink options
b.
Logistics of machine placement, snacks on the
line, length of service time and other contingencies
c.
Cost analysis
d.
Nutritional benefits vs. current snack
offerings
e.
Future of the current ice cream and drink
machines
f.
Vending times and other logistical
considerations
g.
Formation of a committee to complete research
and make a recommendation
It was
agreed that the Council would charge a committee to
oversee the research and make a recommendation.
Robin Gawrys agreed to facilitate the organization
of the subcommittee.
3.
Standing Committee Reports:
The following standing committees reported out to
the Council:
a.
Capturing Kids Hearts: Robin Gawrys
indicated that the members of our Capturing Kids
Hearts Team met with representatives from the Scotia
Central School District this week to share ideas,
troubleshoot problems, receive training, and report
out on initiatives.
b.
Class Night: Penny McDonnell reported
that progress toward completing the planning for
Class Night is being coordinated by staff, student,
and parent representatives. Decorations are being
prepared, the theme has been arranged, and other
logistical situations are being resolved.
c.
Health and Safety: Katie Zyskowski,
our District Health and Safety representative,
provided information on District initiatives to
update emergency protocol flip charts. Other items
addressed were AM/PM traffic flow patterns, air
quality reports, and table top exercises.
d.
Technology Committee: Don Germain
reported that the technology committee has agreed to
purchase equipment to improve multi-media
capabilities, as well as create a daily digital
messaging system for student and staff. The premise
behind these purchases would be to improve
communications, Council Goal # 3, and reduce the
number of announcements made during the day.
4.
Safe Routes Grant: The
District has submitted a grant to the Federal
Government that if approved would enable us to
upgrade our facilities to try to improve traffic
flow and safety. The pared down grant proposal
includes upgrades to internal infrastructures like
side walks, cross walks, signs, and other safety
measures. It also includes some educational
curriculum components for our students. Grant
approvals or denials are expected to be given
sometime in August of this year. The members also
discussed the feasibility of adding parking lot
monitors from 7:15-7:45 each day, as well as other
potential improvements to our current practices and
infrastructures.
5.
Summer Curriculum Projects:
Departments and teachers are encouraged to plan and
submit their summer curriculum project proposals
early this year. Council project reviews will take
place in May for prioritization and submission to
the District. Staff members submitting project
proposals will be asked to briefly present them to
Council members this year during their review
process. Proposals should be submitted to the
Building Principal and/or the Department Supervisor
no later than Friday, May 2, 2008.
6.
Summer Council Retreat: The
Council summer retreat is tentatively scheduled for
Friday, June 27, 2008.
7.
Budget: A brief overview of
the District budget development was presented.
Members were encouraged to view the information on
the District website for specific details and a
video clip of the Forum.
8.
Cabinet: The following Cabinet
discussion items were reviewed – Summer Curriculum
Projects, Budget, WAVE, Textbooks, Push Cart Fair,
Goals…
9.
PAT Referral Form: A newly
proposed PAT referral form was discussed to help to
organize and consolidate data and information, while
streamlining the prevention and intervention
process. Members were asked to bring the model back
to their constituents for review and comment.
Suggestions should be forwarded to the Principal or
other PAT representatives. Ideas for staff training
and a teacher’s guide to Pyramid of Intervention
Strategies were reviewed.
10.
SMART Goals: The members of
Cabinet have met and discussed the development of
two new building SMART Goals. It is recommended
that goals be developed that target literacy in the
cognitive domain and transition in the affective
domain. In order to create goals that meld with
department and team initiatives, the Cabinet will
discuss how to approach goal design and make further
recommendations to Council.
11.
Council Elections: The process
for filling 5 vacated Council seats for next year
will be started by Penny McDonnell and Kevin Ahern
representing the TA. Council seats will be filled
in May in preparation for the transition activities
offered during the summer retreat.
12.
Open Agenda:
a.
District Calendar: A concern was raised over
the decreased amount of consultation this year on
the development of the District calendar and
potential. pitfalls and conflicts that may have
arisen because of it. A suggestion will be made to
consider a more comprehensive review process for the
future. |
