Minutes from Parents as Partners

Parents as Partners, Thursday February 4, 2010

Attendance:Gail O’Connor, Woody Martel, Laurie Singer, Lisa Dike, Kelley Charland, Sharon Sturm, Geoff Glaspie

Principal’s report:
Laurie Singer reported on the NECAP report for the recent testing. We had interesting results: the 8^th graders (first class to go through untracked math) scored high in math: 47% got a 4 (highest score) and 43% got a 3, reflecting a 10% increase from last year. Their reading was 90% proficiency. 7^th grade math scored lower this year - not uncommon for the jump from 6^th grade to 7^th, but the drop was lower than recent years for that age group. Reading scores were up. 6^th grade: reading scores up slightly but math went down 5 percentage points. ADL took the writing tests, but these tests are not scored. Positive results for us as it shows the hard work from the teachers is paying off.

ADL faculty decided to join the k-5 grades in grading on a trimester basis for 2010-2011.

Our student information system will change next year. We currently use SASI and will change to Power School. In the future parents will be able to access their student’s information (grades, homework assignment grades, etc.) online and parents will be able to update their personal information as well.

Important Feb. dates:

• Band Concert - 2/11
• High School Registration in process
• Gymnastics Invitational - 2/12
• Spelling Bee - 2/15
• ADL 40^th Basketball Tournament - 2/18-20
• Winter Break - Feb. 22-March 2

Dance dates: March 26 (8^th grade only at EMS), April 9, May 14.

Parents as Partners meetings: March 4, April 8 (with Media Literacy presentation), May 6, June 3.

Financial Report: PAP currently has $1229.41 in its account.

Follow-up Business:
Boys locker room painting almost completed. Volunteers began and volunteers from Essex CHIPS continued on MKL Day.
2/3 students were vaccinated for H1N1 in January.
Empty Bowls night raised $1300 to combat hunger.
The Haiti Relief Bake Sale made $2350.

Other Business:
Tina Logan as requested help from parents to assist with a quilting project to be done by the 7^th grade class before the Feb. break. If you have rotary cutters and mats she would like to borrow them. Adult help needed as well. Gail will e-mail PAP list.

GASP: to be held March 3/19. Parent volunteers are being notified; games/DJ have been reserved. Team reps will gather cakes for cake raffle.

April 8 Media Literacy Presentation: students will see it during the school day, parents will have an opportunity to see it that evening. Laurie will invite Fleming, EMS and Westford.

Upcoming Events:

• Fine Arts Night at EHS- 3/12
• Chorus Concert – 3/18
• GASP – 3/19
• Musical “The Wizard of Oz” – 4/15-17
• Teacher/Staff Appreciation – week of 5/3 (we will discuss at March meeting)
• Spring Concert – 5/27
• 8^th grade sleepover – 6/4

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.