SAC Meeting

I. Welcome…Cristy Grube

The SAC reviewed and approved the minutes from the March 28 meeting.

II. Framework for School Improvement Plan…Wendy Wagner

Possible initiatives for next year:

· Social/Behavior Programs: Behavior Academy or Response to Intervention (RTI): 3-year commitment; much teamwork required to create a school wide program for behavioral expectations; Bullying Prevention: possibly 2-year commitment; we know that our teachers need more training in recognizing and dealing with bullying

· Academic Initiatives: We want to make SuccessMaker a classroom-based program; improve quality of learning center time; improve students’ understanding of their learning goals and their ability to monitor their own progress toward these goals; we want to reexamine the way that we implement the Accelerated Reader program.

· Enrichment: We want to provide more opportunities for our students to explore their talents and interests through special clubs, such as drama and chess.

· Technology: We will create a committee of faculty and parents to give a careful look at our technology needs.

III. Explanation of Thinking Maps- Matt Phillips

Thinking Maps are visual tools or graphic organizers. The whole notion of Thinking Maps is rooted in brain research. The brain seeks patterns. The graphic organizer helps the brain identify patterns in information. Thinking maps are based on 10 patterns: circle maps, bubble maps, double-bubble maps, tree maps, brace maps, flow maps, multi-flow maps, and bridge maps. Thinking maps take the idea of graphic organizers to the next level. They represent a thought process. The circle defines a context; the maps help in describing; comparing contrasting, classifying, identifying the whole and parts, sequencing, identifying cause and effect, and seeing analogies. The entire school can use this in virtually any area of academic discipline. The maps allow the students to see patterns. These maps are useful for all students, whatever their ability. The student creates the graphic organizer; the process of creating one is a thinking process.

Next year we will increase implementation of Thinking Maps on a school wide basis. We have noted that this is beneficial even to ESOL students and students with disabilities.

IV. Student agendas

We used to fund these from our church funds, but there is no more money from this source. We would like to pay for the agendas from SAC money; if the child loses the agenda, they must purchase the replacement. Currently, there are $6200 remaining in SAC funds. The grades using them are 1-5. Proposed: $2127 to purchase student agendas. The SAC approved unanimously approved this expenditure.

V. New SAC Chairperson and Co-Chairperson for next year

We request that current members consider who might be interested in filling the positions of SAC Chairperson and Co-Chairperson for the 2007-2008 school year.

VI. Open Agenda:

AR -- concerns are that if the child reads books from the library that are not AR, they may not attain their AR points. Children are not allowed to read for pleasure. Children are discouraged from reading books that are not AR. Mrs. Alday passed around information about the AR program. The program implementation varies somewhat by grade level as to the weighting of the program for grades.

Some children limit themselves to just the minimum point levels. The goals may not be achievable for some children; there is a lot of pressure for children to make their goals. Reading for some is becoming a chore or a disincentive. It can have bad effect on the student's reading grade. Children take the STAR test once every 9 weeks to determine their reading level. This level is put on the child's reading folder so that the library knows what the expectations are.

How do we recognize our readers for accomplishment?

How much to we weight AR points? What are the pros and cons?

Would it work better if students were set a goal, then allowed to read non-AR books once the goal has been met?

Suggestion: could students do a book report or a presentation for books that are not AR books?

Suggestion: instead of the AR top ten, have a goal-setting party. If people meet their goal, then they have a party. The goal is specific: how many points, what kinds of books. The child signs a commitment. How about a 5-week goal? All children who meet their goals can earn a reward.

The reading leadership team needs more suggestions. Please send them to Tonya Frenier at freniet@ocps.net. We will discuss these ideas over the summer.

VII. Adjourn…. The SAC adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

Final meeting May 16, Wed. 9:00. Election of new officers, FCAT review