Parents as Partners, Thursday November 5, 2009
Attendance:: Kelly Charland, Laurie Singer, Laura Wu, Lisa Dike, Maria Dramstad, Geoff Glaspie, Karyn Roberts and Erna Deutsch
Welcome by Kelly who facilitated the meeting. Thank you Kelly! Introductions by all.
Principal Report by Laurie Singer
Parent winter project: painting the boys’ locker room red and white
on Jan. 9, 2010 from 9 – noon
School climate program discussion
There are 3 focus groups at ADL. One is for Differentiated Instruction,
one for Integrating Technology and one for Creating a Positive Climate in
the building. This last group went to a presentation by the Department of
Education on PBS: Positive Behavior System. It is a framework for schools
that reinforces positive behavior with the use of data. Instead of being
reactive it is a more proactive approach, resulting in less disciplinary
action in participating schools and better academic performance.
This inspired some teachers at ADL to reward students for good behavior
with (chocolate) coins, where at the end of a certain period names are
drawn from the wrappers for a prize. The students love it.
For more information go to www.pbis.org.
Media Literacy spokesperson
Laurie asked if we would be interested in a presentation for parents on
media literacy. This speaker would point out how media influences students
and how products are marketed specifically to this age group. It would be
a 1 ½ hour presentation. Cost: about $100. Tentative date: April 8, 2010.
Could be open to parents of all Essex Junction schools.
Also discussed was a possibility for a similar presentation for the students
by a different speaker.
Question about iPod use in school. In the handbook it states they are not allowed in school. In reality teachers allow them at certain times in school. We’re sending conflicting messages to the kids. Laurie told us she thinks it’s time to take that rule out of the handbook, because so many students listen to the devices on the way to school and then have them there.
Question if all students have access to computers at home and know how to use it well, since so much school and homework requires this. Laurie reports that there is an on-going discussion at school how to make technology accessible to all students. There is a talk of lending laptops to students. The computer lab is open until 3:30 pm, hard copies are available for everything. At school students have access to the computer lab, the mobile lab and the 6th grade team now has the use of 20 “minis”. Teachers are excited about smart boards and ELMOS.
Snack Shack Volunteers:
Lisa Dike will do the 3rd Monday of each month.
Tim Jerman will do Dec. 14.
We still need someone for the 2nd Mondays of the month, except Dec.
Financial Report
As of today we have $1397.14
PaP donated $100 to the Alford family so they could get their family to NY for the funeral of the EHS student. The family appreciated that. Thanks.
Important November Dates
Dance Dates: 11/20, 1/8, 2/12, 4/9, and 5/14
PaP Dates: 12/3, 1/7, 2/4, ¾, 4/1, 5/6, and 6/3
Follow-up business
NECAP Testing went smooth. Snacks were a big success. There was plenty of
everything. Individually wrapped items worked well. Distributing worked out
fine. Parent volunteers brought snacks to school and teachers handled the rest.
There were no snacks on 8th grade writing day. Let’s remember to offer them next year.
In the spring 8th grade will have science testing. They’ll need snacks for 2 days.
Sweatshirt sales – Connie Thoma is running this for us. The order forms have
been sent out. They should be in prior to Christmas.
Team Nova trip to Mt. Philo went well. The rain held off.
Team Wonder trip to Audubon Center went smooth. A lot of parent volunteers.
Our slot is back up in Hannaford’s for “Cash for Schools”
New Business
We still have had no luck finding a pianist for Mr. Moreau. If you know
of anyone who might be able to help for the next week, please let Gail know.
Baked goods and set up for band concert: Maria is making sure flyers are
given to the band director to send home with the students to bring snacks,
baked goods or fruit. Also e-mail will be sent to the volunteers. Mary Lou
is getting the cups and napkins etc.
H1N1 inoculations still set for Dec. 15. Nurses from the VT Department of
Health will administer the shots. 6 to 7 volunteers are needed for ½ a day
each to help with lining up and to monitor the students for 15 minutes after
their shot.
Book Fair: Nov. 17 – 20. We still need more volunteers to assist in making
the book fair a success. Call or e-mail Charlee Day at 598-7785 or
Charlee.McCabe-Day@vtmednet.org
or Gail at 878-0101 or goconnell5@live.com
Lost & Found display during November conferences
Year Events
Submitted by Erna Deutsch