SIT Meeting October 2013

In attendance...

Stephanie Gentry, Principal

Brad Rhymes, 7th grade language arts

Lisa Turner, standing member-media

John Downs, standing member, technology

Brian Griffin, classified ISS

Sharman Lakey, encore

Rachel Holmes, encore

Portia Lakey parent/EC

Matt Halverstadt, 8th grade, social studies

Sherri Worrell, parent rep

Frankie Santoro, 8th  language arts

Jamie Sherman, guidance

Brian Graham, 6th grade science

Kristin Thorne, 6th grade social studies

Brendan Elkins, SIT chair

SIT Meeting Agenda 10-28-2013

1. Staff Development Survey Data - John Downs
2. Testing Data Information
3. Any other grade level concerns

Brendan R. Elkins

1)  Downs--Grade book tips for Power School--Completion of Quarter Grades

• Please share with constituents
• Make sure you are in Q1 when you click on grades in progress and select grades complete
• When entering comments ( http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/powerteachercomments ), you could copy and paste and arrow down from student to student
• Don't forget to print your verification and comment sheet for Ms Wilkes

Staff Development Survey:

• Results are here and here
• Brendan--One thing we are hitting some of these ideas already in the "Wednesday Swap Meets".
• Though, the time for the swap meets is the least popular time that people sighted in the survey for staff development
• There was surprise that teacher work day was listed as a desirable time for staff devlopement
• Thorne:  What about  RC day for schools?
• Gentry:  early release days for training might be something in the future with the new superintendent--Dr. Emory
• Content area staff development is listed as highly desirable 
• Recommendations: 
• Brendan—going forward we will use this when considering staff development, perhaps staff development on an open Monday in the future? (Downs sighted January and February as next optimal time (after that we get into year end testing)
• Suggestion that Teachers lead sessions on the swap meet Wednesdays
• Turner--it would fulfill a leadership role in the teacher evaluation instrument
• We have a couple more swap meets scheduled in November (Skype--1st week, and then looking at a "turn it in" session with Elkins then hiatus during the holidays and pick back up in January

Test Data Information

• Gentry --everyone has access to EVASS data as of today
• Will be sharing more information at next staff meeting & grade level/subject meetings
• Nov 7^th is the roll out of ALL of the EVASS data
• May not get a chance to preview it before it goes live
• Proficiency went down and will go likely down significantly for us
• In areas we typically do well, compared with numbers in this county—those are down in the state--can be explained because of the new math curriculum and new math test
• Everyone recovers over time—need to put it in perspective
• Will share some on Monday—don’t let your peers get down about it
• Why the downturn?  Common Core-- new, curriculum--new and raised the proficiency level 
• We preach here about growth, and that’s what we will keep focusing on.
• Example: State numbers for Algebra 1 –proficiency is in the 30’s—we usually fall in line with the state average, so that will be a drop
• Gentry will be happy to share any numbers
• We are a growth school and we will celebrate regardless
• Reading has had the biggest growth we have had over the last four years.
• Individual EVASS scores are not public—Gentry can not tell parents that for example

Good of the Order:

• Sharman Lakey: 
• Issue with breakfast in the AM
• Still kids coming at 7:25 when Encore leaves duty.
• What can be done?  Cut off time?
• They have to keep coming—can’t deny breakfast
• Office keeps a stack of breakfast passes
• Enough passes?  Maybe 5 passes…?
• Santoro--some teachers have breakfast log-out sheet (so kids don’t abuse that time)  Maybe others should consider?
• Sharman Lakey—they do stop kids about chatting and not eating
• Gentry--will talk to Karen to make sure she will be down there until 7:35 -7:40 and work on more passes

Brendan:   Paper Progress Reports half way through second quarter phasing out

• Schedule is in the student handbook
• Parent portal will transition over.—last paper one in early December. 
• Gentry will send out several parent notifications and phone messages
• Janie Murray—Parent portal information night?
• Parents can have a parent emailed progress report sent to them once a week..let's work with the teachers on staff who have students show us how that is done
• Volunteers to help with Janie Murray? parent night
• An evening in November
• An afternoon session and then one at 6:00
• Parents can activate the log-in themselves

Brad Rhymes:  

• Issue: bus lot in the afternoon, late buses--The kids on the side walk and other kids congregating with them.
• Reminders to the kids of what are expectations are?
• If a really late bus, where to put them?
• If we know the bus is really late, move to end rooms of 800 hall?

Next meeting: Monday November 25th

Brendan:  Surprised we are not seeing more issues at this time of year?  

• Not the case--which is great!
• "If we see people slacking—point them in the right direction and lead by example". 

Sept 2013

In attendance...

Stephanie Gentry, Principal (out)

Brad Rhymes, 7th grade language arts

Lisa Turner, standing member-media (out at MTAC meeting)

Deb Neal, curriculum coordinator (out)

John Downs, standing member, technology

Brian Griffin, classified ISS

Sharman Lakey, encore,

Rachel Holmes, encore

Portia Lakey parent/EC

Matt Halverstadt, 8th grade, social studies

Sherri Worrell, parent rep

Frankie Santoro, 8th  language arts

Jamie Sherman, guidance

Brian Graham, 6th grade science

Kristin Thorne, 6th grade social studies

Brendan Elkins, SIT chair

SIT meeting Agenda 9-23-2013

• School Improvement Plan Review:
• Updates: If you want to see copies, Brendan has them for review afterwards
• highlights
• We will continue to hit CHAMPS
• Reinforce this at grade level meetings
• Goal - discipline referral reduction by 5%
• Other comments/suggestions? 
• None were vocalized at this time

• SEMS Crisis Plan:
• Comes from guidance
• Needs our approval
• Jamie Sherman
• Emergency plan details
• Spells out roles of staff members in the event of various types of emergencies 
• In the event of a death for example
• Individuals will be made aware of their roles--"triage" roles
• Monitoring people to make sure they are okay in times of tragedy
• Jamie Sherman to discuss with Allison how we will make this available plan  to staff
• Based on experience at Reagan with deaths of students and teachers in short time frame, we need to have this in place
• SIT gave the okay to go forward with the plan
• Staff Development Survey:  http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=1659
• Add anything?
• No changes were cited
• Send out this week?
• The sooner the better
• Downs--no hidden agenda with this survey--just looking for ideas and input from staff for possible staff development
• The Wednesdays swap meets were briefly discussed (initial attendance of about ten and was a good session)

• Any other grade level concerns?
• No major concerns at this time

Brendan:

• Mention to teachers to re-enforce Champs at grade levels

August 2013

Sit Meeting August 2013

In attendance...

• Stephanie Gentry, principal
• Brad Rhymes, 7th grade language arts 
• Lisa Turner, standing member-media
• Deb Neal, curriculum coordinator
• John Downs, standing member, technology
• Brian Griffin, classified ISS
• Sharman Lakey, encore,
• Rachel Holmes, encore
• Portia Lakey parent/EC (four years standing…any one opposed? No)
• Matt Halverstadt, 8^th grade, social studies
• Sherri Worrell, parent rep (same issue as Portia Lakey…been a member for four years standing, any one opposed? No)
• Frankie Santoro, 8^th  language arts
• Jamie Sherman, guidance
• Brian Graham, 6^th grade science
• Kristin Thorne, 6^th grade social studies
• Brendan Elkins, SIT chair

Today’s meeting will be somewhat informal...

Election of  SIT Chair:

• Is a yearly election
• Open the floor for nominations?
• Brendan Elkins  was nominated again and he accepted the nomination
• It was unanimous vote

Gentry:

• New folks on SIT…
• You have taken on a different role as a SIT member
• It's been “in development” the last few years
• likes to see a strong team speaking on behalf of your department
• It's not about calling out people but bringing forth issues
• Important to bring issues from your constituents
• Advice to new members:  realize that you will be bombarded by your department with “stuff” and you need to be able to categorize it
• There is a section in the handbook about this SIT role.  
• You have to categorize and filter the comments/complaints and how it needs to be voiced.  
• Will also hear things from one person and may have to put in back of your mind and see if others voice similar concerns
• SIT also can not oversee the behavior of administrators.  
• Those concerns need to be addressed with principal, same for specific concerns with teachers.
• Review of the School Improvement plan
• We developed last year
• By the end of September we need to review the plan and state where we are right now with the plan.
• One problem is the data we need to assess is not in yet
• We do have today the survey results (parents, teachers and students)
• We will look at these throughout the year.  Not necessarily a conversation piece today. 
• What other Issues do we need to take back to grade levels?  
• Perhaps a survey about staff development?
• What are folks wanting training for this year especially with new teachers?
• Downs to develop an online survey and discuss with Elkins and Gentry  
• Turner: What about a "Swap meet"/"Smack down"?
• An idea exchange day of sorts 
• Tech Credit for this too? 
• What experts do we have on staff with technology?  
• Teacher Evaluation compliance could be aided with something like this
• What days?  Wednesday?  Alternative Mondays?
• Brad Rhymes: Dress code & Champs reinforcement especially with new teachers?
• Could this be addressed at Friday's Staff meeting?
• Tomorrow staff meeting is a lot of procedural stuff, and faculty meeting on Monday
• Worrell:  New teachers?  How do we support them?
• We all need to rally around them and offer support
• Late work policy 
• Was reworded in staff handbook, was discussed by principals and it needs to be a consistent policy
• Brad Rhymes:  Posting homework online, etc.
• Also needs to be consistency with entering grades into power school and setting the percentages,  most teachers are using total points method. 
• Paper progress report schedule for this quarter is in place
• Will be three paper progress reports during the first quarter
• Power School parent not coming until October, and parents maybe slow to enroll though it should be easy to sign up.

• Deb to start CTE testing:
• Supposed to take just 1 period (has to)
• Kids need to be to class on time and ready
• Teachers affected: Hatch, Daniels, Kilgore, Davis King, Watson
• Proctors will be needed
• Starting August 30th
• ISS:  discussion:
• Griffin--make sure when students are sent there that they have work for them
• Discuss this with your teammates—will also be discussed at staff meeting

Next meeting date?  (We will try to meet every 4 to 6 weeks)
Monday Sept 23^rd

Brendan will send out an agenda about a week in advance

May 2013

SIT Meeting Agenda 5-20-2013

1. Comprehensive Needs Assessment Groups Update

• Wrapping up in June
• Gentry: 
• Looking at your report, there maybe other places you can go to get information/data
• She can help you, and you can also list data that would be helpful.
• Stick to those three or four questions in the guide sheet .
• Needs before you leave for the summer

2. Student Handbook Changes for next school year

• Copy of the student handbook
• First ten to 15 pages of the information 
• we need feedback for next meeting--by June 12^th 
• (Lakey will not be here—has a workshop)  
• Any items to add?, changes?, reworded, etc. make a note of it, and bring to the next meeting. 
• They have really worked on this so it should be in decent shape.  
• But dress code may need a second look.

3. Next Year's Members

• Who is rotating off?
• You are obligated to serve two years
• You have an option to continue to serve up to four consecutive years. 
• Lyles, Lakey is replacing her?
• Thorne is willing to serve again.
• You can bring back to your groups/grade level and find those interested in serving
• If not, we will take it from there and appoint, or you may continue to serve.
• Lakey was technically the parent rep but she could continue to serve as EC since her child is leaving
• We will ask PTSA again about a parent representative
• Please bring up at next grade level before now and the end of the year, either take name or have them email email Brendan

4. Any grade level concerns?

•  Dress Code:  Gentry to send out a reminder email to have teachers send kids with the pink slip pass if dress code violation.
• Overall check process is still in effect:  Here's that email sent out 5/20

Staff:

With the weather getting warmer and students wearing more questionable clothing, SIT is reaching out to you to remind everyone that the dress code policy is still in effect and the dress code check is still available in Room #712 during home base.  Please feel free to use the Dress Code Pass (an extra copy is attached for your convenience) if you have an issue.  

In addition, SIT is reviewing the school's dress code policy to recommend any additions, etc. for next year's student handbook.  

Thanks and have a great afternoon!

Stephanie J. Gentry

• Do we have a PDF of the pass to send out and they can print out more?
• Gentry sent   this Pass out in an email

• Thorne:  What about the shorts that do not fit? and the rule and the biker shorts?
• Can we send a reminder of that clarification?
• kids think length doesn't matter as long as they have the leggings on

Lisa:  survey reminder to send that out to be completed by next Monday?

• Gentry sent out a link to the survey asking teachers to complete

Staff,

Attached is a survey link for a staff survey that SIT is conducting in regards to student behavior, staff training, etc. It is only 14 questions in length, and SIT would love to have your input on these items. The survey link is listed below. Please take a few moments to complete. All surveys should be completed by this Friday. 

http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us//cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=1543

Thank you for your input!

Stephanie J. Gentry

• Wrap up of SIT for the year on June 12^th.

Spring Teacher Survey

Spring Survey 2013

http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us//cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=1543

Just click on the link to complete :)

SIT Meeting April 2013

SIT Meeting Agenda 4-15-2013

1. Comprehensive Needs Assessment Groups 
2. Teacher Survey - Lisa Turner
3. Any grade level concerns 

http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/cms/lib/NC01001395/Centricity/Domain/2792/CNA - Data Groups.doc

From Gentry:  "CNA Data Groups - This document lists out the data groups and members.  Ms Gentry tried to give everyone their first or second choice of group to even it out. Along with each group listed, there is a list of potential data sources for you to use to complete your analysis.  This is not a comprehensive list, but rather a starting point for you. There is loads of data for many of you. If you wish to make copies of what we have, please let me know. I'm happy to get you the information that you need."

http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/cms/lib/NC01001395/Centricity/Domain/2100/CNA Planning Sheet gentry.doc

"This document outlines what you need to accomplish for the CNA process, including questions to answer. Our target time for completion is late May/early June." 

(CNA) Comprehensive Needs Asssessement:  

• Look at your groups, and touch base with your partners
• Some of you have asked guidance of where to find your data--continue to see Gentry on this
• Data is not set in stone, not limited to the items on the Staff Shared folder under SIT
• Ms Neal ane Ms Gentry have more data in binders and on webportal
• Data can be caught as a moment in time and therefore might have changed as issues may have already been addressed
• We might possibly gather more data and do another survey for groups such as teachers
• Question:  For example, are teachers getting what they need from the district?

Another survey?

• Email from Bud Harrelson about another survey coming soon concerning Single School Culture (grant running out—have to show data)
• We have to be concerned about the timing of the survey

Drop dead line on CNA report:  

• Gentry has to have by the time we leave for the summer
• Comprehensive needs assessment has to be compiled this summer
• So we are looking at June 15th

 Lisa Turner on the idea of a SEMS teacher spring survey:

• Making a survey can be a "graduate class" must be carefully written to be valid
• Follow-up CHAMPS survey to be included along with this survey?
• Turner looked for patterns of responses from last survey to compile the questions she came up with for this survey
• SIT members said yes on including CHAMPS
• Lisa showed us some questions and gathered SIT member feedback
• Turner is going to polish the questions and get back with us
• Elkins group is going to come up with a process type question for this survey

Next meeting,  (one or two more?)

• Rotation of people to be determined
• Also have to finish up the Comprehensive Needs Assessment plan
• Also a follow up on the jeggings conversation--a meeting so we can clarify for next year's planners
• Elkins proposes two meetings:
• 1 for leggings and a discussion of SIT members for next year
• We want to leave for summer knowing what the vacancies are on SIT and the plan for new SIT members in August
• Last meeting to address the comprehensive needs assessment
• May 13^th or 20^th (13^th should be good) 
• Gentry to get back with us on the exact date…

Ms Worrell will be the new FACS teacher next year...?

Feb 25 2013

SIT Meeting Agenda 2-25-2013

1. Absorption Plan Review:

Response from folks?

• Gentry:  We have had to use the absorption plan and has helped ID trouble spots—any grade level problematic issues?
• You may hear of problems they don’t hear? 
• Is it working?  What type of feedback are you hearing?
• Maxcy:  Recent one was good—other teachers in the discipline had an activity to give to kids
• Elkins:  make sure teachers have a backup activity to be able to give kids, basically emergency sub plans
• Thorne:  Only thing of a negative concern—no one to cover home base?

Gentry—somewhere homebase coverage got lost in translation for that circumstance...  We definitely need attendance piece

2. Dress Code Policy concerning tights and jeggings

Each grade level was to discuss this issue—response from grade level and encore?  Do we need to make an addendum to the agenda?

• 7^th grade—wanted to ban jeggings and leggings
• 6^th grade—also said they wanted to ban them, 
• Thorne—But, what’s the difference between a skinny jean and jeggings?
• 8^th Grade—short discussion about it being an issue and body type has to be a huge part of this discussion.  We don’t have it in writing, might be more trouble than it’s worth?
• Encore:  discussion there was no difference between jeggings and skinny jeans
• Elkins:  with warmer weather it should become less of an issue, therefore wait until next year to put in writing?
• Maxcy--comes down to quality of the apparel and the shape of the girl and that’s where it gets subjective.
• In indecent cases, we attack it as it happens.
• Gentry—put something in writing but to put it in terms of the indecent angle.
• We have to do a review of the handbook soon and revisions by second week in June, so we will put it in a way that it’s a consistent message.
• Gentry will come up with a few statements for our review:

3. Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Last Middle School principals meeting, each school has to develop a detailed plan--What is CNA?

Similar to SIP, more depth and detail analysis:
http://portal.sliderocket.com/DDDFS/5A1D5CC8-07E4-4CE2-B183-2ADEEBE59ACD

• In the end product— we will prioritize goals
• DATA notebook for SE—much more detailed and historical data galore

What is the process?

• Small sub groups of SIT, (5/6 groups)
• Job of groups over the next two months and look closely at data with guiding questions.
• We will give Stephanie the write up of the responses so she can submit
• Categories:
• Demographic
• Teacher Data
• Perception Data (surveys)
• Process and Practices (schedules, etc.)
• Student achievement data
• Attendance and discipline
• Groups will sign up for a category (1st and 2^nd choice)
• TODAY’S MEET:  http://todaysmeet.com/SEMSCN

4. Any other grade level concerns

Anything popped up in the last little while?

Respond back to Stephanie

Next meeting is mid to late April, if anything pops up, let Brendan know.