O’Rourke Middle School Building Council Retreat Minutes
Monday, October 29, 2007
2:45PM
 Library Classroom

Attendance:  Nancy Pearse, Robin Gawrys, Lori Moore, Sharon Salmon, Karen Shipston, Robbie Paine, Suzanne Rayome, Kate Kilmer, Janet Bianchi, Penny McDonnell, Tone Chirico, Patty Munsey, Judy Brinkman, Valerie Wadsworth, Don Germain

1. John Hopkins Programs:  Tone Chirico gave an overview of the John Hopkins enrichment programs for students.  He indicated that students are selected by invitation, parent nomination, or from a prescribed mailing list.  He explained the student involvement in the SAT process and how that may impact their school records and college placement.  The distribution of invitations addressed to students, if they arrive at the school, was also discussed.  It was recommended that in order to maintain confidentiality and the singling of some students out from others, invitations should be placed in a sealed envelope.  Council members agreed to have the school honor this practice.  Our counseling department no longer solicits information or recommendations from this program due to a variety of reasons that affect students.
2. Review of the Minutes:  The minutes from the September 24, 2007 meeting were accepted as written.
3. Review of Council Membership:  Considerable discussion has taken place regarding the representation of school counselors on the Building Council.  The history of the membership was reviewed and it was suggested that Counselors can and should be represented through the At Large membership.  Further discussion was tabled until contracts could be reviewed and other historical data referenced so that concrete answers and resolution to membership issues could be more clearly defined.
4. Standing Committee Reports: 

a. School Spirit Committee:   The School Spirit Committee met for the first time this year and organized a few events to kick off their initiatives.  Friday, November 9 will be designated Team Day where students and staff member will don their favorite team wear.  They are also organizing a holiday event to light up everyone’s spirits before we leave for the seasonal break.  The next meeting of the committee is November 6.

b. American Education Week:  Information on American Education Week activities went out in the interim reports and 48 parents have signed up to attend on each of the designated days. 

c. Health and Safety Committee:  The committee has not met officially yet this year, but information to be discussed includes drill procedures, MRSA, new State Police Regulations on safety protocols, and table top exercises.

d. Character Education:  Work is continuing with the seeking of grants, training staff, and implementing some of the Capturing Kids Hearts protocols.  Many positive responses have been received from staff and students about a friendlier and more supportive school climate.  An alliance is being sought with other school districts to support each other’s efforts to implement CKH programs in our local schools.

e. Class Night:  The Class Night committee will meet in November to begin their planning and look at alternatives for the Awards Ceremony delivery.

f. Technology Committee:  The Tech. Committee has yet to be convened but items to be discussed in the near future are:  replacement and upgrade plans for technology, staff training, the mounting of technology hardware, how to best utilize $2000 ear marked for the Middle School, and other initiatives.

g. SASI Committee:  The SASI committee is scheduled to convene on Thursday, December 1, 2007.

h. Disconnected Kids:  This committee will meet in the near future to do the first in a series of evaluations of the Student Assistance Program.

5.   Scheduling Committee Update:  After 4-5 lengthy meetings, the committee is moving forward with their work.  The process has been complex, with a large learning curve for the members.  The charges of the committee were reviewed.  The need for future training of staff to implement schedule potential changes was also discussed.

6.   Communication Council Report:  Penny McDonnell, Kate Kilmer and Don Germain represented the building at the most recent District Communication Council. The reps. presented on the recent RTI initiatives and the scheduling process.  A written report was submitted on the building’s SMART Goals and efforts to improve internal and external communications.  Highlights of the High School’s freshman orientation program were also discussed in relationship to the Middle School/High School improved transition and articulation efforts.

7.   Cabinet:  A request to report out on Cabinet initiatives was honored and will become part of the Council protocols for the future.  Items reviewed at this meeting were exam schedules, RTI, scheduling, and curriculum efforts, including discussions regarding the Push Cart Fair.  Suggestions from Council members regarding the feasibility of mid term testing days for the middle school were reviewed as potential items for Cabinet to discuss in the future.

8.   MRSA:  An overview of the District’s efforts to prevent and combat any potential MRSA outbreaks was reviewed.

9.   Open Agenda: 

a. University of Vermont Study: Suzanne Rayome gave an update on the continuation of the study by the University of Vermont on Women in Math and Science.  Data is being collected and evaluated from the first phase of the study in preparation for the second assessment to be completed this spring.  A final report is expected by the Spring of 2009.  Our guidance staff was praised for their expert, professional work in supporting the efforts of the study staff to gather data.

b. Copy Machine:  Copying concerns were discussed regarding the use and abuse of copying in our building.  Training opportunities for staff who wish to take advantage of it will be scheduled.