SAC Meeting

I. Welcome…Cristy Grube, SAC Chairperson

Meeting called to order at 9:03.

Mr. Shear determined that we had approximately 50% responses to the needs assessment survey. We will have results during the next SAC meeting.

II. What's going on with technology? Barb Estevez-Tech/instructional

Ms. Schlumbohm teaches grades K-2; Ms. Estevez teaches 3-5. In the earlier grades, children are taught basic mechanics of using the computer. Also Kindergarten is using a phonics program. Grades 1 and 2 grades are using Microsoft Paint. Currently they are illustrating their understanding of the studies of the Underground Railroad; the results of this will go into an electronic "quilt". Students also use Classworks for further practice in academics introduced in the classrooms.

Grades 3-5 have a mobile lab to teach keyboarding skills; this equipment has just been acquired. It takes 6 weeks for them to become proficient typists with this system. We are starting with 4th grade this year. After that the 3rd grade will use the lab. Ms. Estevez also teaches the students how to use Microsoft Office applications. Students are currently finishing projects using PowerPoint. The next unit will be about Excel. Students will be collecting data to create spreadsheets and charts. It is important for students to become proficient in all the various applications. Ms. Estevez is showing them creative ways to use the different applications to complete their class projects.

Question: Is the Language Learning Series program in Spanish?

Answer: The directions are given in Spanish in the early levels. There are 3 levels of English proficiency.

Question: Is there any chance that the 5th grade could have laptops for each student?

Answer: The district is considering this in the long term. We don’t know when this will actually happen, however.

Comment: One parent reported that his child had completed a social studies project using PowerPoint. The computer in the classroom was incapable of loading the presentation from a thumb drive. In other words, our technology is not keeping up with the real-world capability.

Question: What operating systems are we using?

Answer: All computers must be on Windows XP; we may have no more Windows 98 computer in our inventory.

“A” Money: computers in the primary grades have received upgrades to allow them to use graphics-intensive software. Nearly all the upper grades are done. This allows SuccessMaker to be used in the classrooms. In the main building we do not have laptops that have multimedia cards capable of connecting to overhead projectors. This prevents our teachers in the main building from making overhead presentations using computer software such as PowerPoint.

Question: What does the school need exactly? How could the SAC help with potential partners in education?

Answer: We need 5 laptops that can be used with projectors.

Comment: PTA could possibly amend their budget to purchase laptops with any excess funds gained from the carnival. Computers over $1000 must be tagged for inventory. PTA was concerned that, if they bought the computers, that the district might take the equipment that was purchased for our school. Mr. Shear reassured the members that any equipment purchased by PTA for the school would remain here.

III. Parent Night - Merlyn Brookes-Romney

Parenting classes: Michele Katz will conduct a parenting class here at NLP on February 8, 15, & 22 in the Red Lake Room from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The classes are free. We encourage all parents to participate.

Family Involvement Conference: On February 22, speaker Michele Borba will present at this conference. Her materials are widely used by school guidance counselors. Ms. Brookes-Romney is asking SAC to fund $50 each for her and for Ms Branco to attend.

The SAC voted unanimously to approve this expenditure of $100 to fund Ms. Brookes-Romney and Ms. Branco to attend the Family Involvement Conference.

IV. Focus on Progress of the Bottom 25% and Success Maker Students…Roz Wolfe, Curriculum Resource Teacher

5th grade has been working since November on orations. There will be 10 students competing on February 2.Their names will be announced January 31, 2007. We will select 2 of these students and 1 alternate to go to the district finals. 5th graders normally attend the finals, and the 4th graders attend the practice sessions.

Targeted assistance: grades 3-5 have been attending since September and October. The average gain for 3rd grade has been 40%. 4th grade shows a 60% gain, while 5th grade gained 40%. In addition to student work on the SuccessMaker program, teachers work with the students for 20 minutes on FCAT testing skills, including writing and math.

Next week is the FCAT writing test will be on Tuesday and Wednesday. On February 26 the full-scale FCAT testing will begin. Tests will be administered on Monday - Wednesday for 2 weeks.

V. Writing Simulation Progress, Matt Phillips and Cristy Grube

Writing scores have increased and are now averaging 4.0 for both narrative and expository forms. We had some guest authors to visit the 4th grade classes, 2 from the Orlando Sentinel staff and one author of children’s books. Since January the students have been practicing their writing prompts. We are also using Write Traits as the writing resource for the classrooms. It is helping the children improve their voice, style, conventions (spelling, grammar). We will continue this program next year from the beginning of the year. The program is enjoyable for the children because it allows them to write about topics that they find interesting. This program challenges advanced writers as well.

VI. Interventions for At-Risk Students…Matt Phillips

Mr. Phillips is working with small groups of students who are struggling to attain the level 4 quality of writing.

VII. Final Rezoning Report…Cindy Parker/Allyn Maycumber

Ms. Parker provided copies of the rezoning map. Projected enrollment for NorthLake Park next school year is 773; Vista Lakes enrollment is estimated at 830, with 915 students going to the new school at North Shore. The south side of Bent Pine drive will once again be in our attendance zone, as will the Fountains apartments on the north side. The new school at North Shore will be draw students from NorthLake Park only. Falcon Parc and Savannah Landings will be going to the North Shore school. Pupil Assignment is not looking at the rezoning for Eagle Creek yet.

There will be a Rezoning meeting on February 13 at the ELC at 5:30 p.m. It is very important for parents to attend this meeting. We question why the Bent Pine and Fountains apartments are going to be moved again to NorthLake Park.

Next year will be a critical time for rezoning when Eagle Creek is to be built. Once the zones are established, there won't be any further changes.

This information is available on our web site under "rezoning": http://www.northlake.ocps.net/rezone.html

VIII. PTA update - Alicia Colon

We will have Mad Science on March 23 for the entire school. There will be 2 shows. They will pass out flyers for an after-school science program to take place April 12 -May 3. We have asked that PTA to help subsidize those students who are seriously interested in attending but who cannot afford it. We will ask teachers to recommend students who should receive this subsidy. The exact cost per child is as yet unknown; however it appears that it will be approximately $79.

IX. Carnival update-Pam Maycumber

A letter has gone to teachers about the carnival explaining how it will work. PTA has a letter for the parents that should go out soon. There will be more rides, a rock wall, bungee trampolines, putt-putt, a dunk tank, a live band, and karate demonstrations. We still need people to help in some lead positions: pre-sales, ticket and bracelet distributions. Pre-sales of bracelets are critical because we need money up front to cover all of our expenses. We also need help distributing advertisement media in the community.

X. Open Agenda…All

We now have 2 crossing guards.

XI. Meeting adjourned: at 10:03 a.m.

Next Meeting: Feb28, 2007 …Topic: 2007-2008 SAC Plan