- Renovation/Facility Update
- DGS has identified a contact for the Murch renovation who plans to attend the May SIT meeting.
- Mayor Grey’s budget both increased overall funding for the renovation and accelerated some funding. There may be an opportunity for Murch to receive more money in FY 2015 if we can show we are ready to go.
- DGS came in and made some critical repairs including functional fire alarms and swipe card access to the building (not yet activated).
- DGS plans to add more temporary space for next year in the parking lot. Goal is to consolidate all temporary trailers in the parking lot and to ensure they have water/bathrooms.
- Item for May meeting agenda –‐ Ask Mr. C to report on plan for space utilization for next year.
- Trailers will displace all existing school parking. Martha plans to set up meet with Mary Cheh’s staff. School parking is a bigger problem than just Murch and may be difficult to solve. There is not enough space on school properties for adequate parking and no existing rules allow teachers to receive permit parking for street parking.
- Preliminary analysis by the SIT suggests it will be a challenge to build a school for 750–‐800 students on the Murch site that maintains plenty of green space and provides parking. This means that planning will have to be creative and the use of the National Park Service land may be required.
- Chancellor’s letter on budget process
- The Chancellor released a letter on school budgets which Martha will separately circulate.
- Her stated focus for next year’s budget will be on high schools.
- The Chancellor’s letter noted that although DCPS stuck with the staffing plan model for budget structures this year, the at–‐risk student legislation will require use of a different model next year. If they had used the at–‐risk weight this year, Ward 3 schools would have received alot less money.
- This is likely to be an important issue for next year’s LSAT to watch and possible advocate for a process that adequately funds high–‐performing schools like Murch by maintaining a minimum per pupil allocation.
- Issues for the Remainder of the Year
- PWP grant
- Murch plans to expand extra–‐curricular offerings next year. Lisa will work with Mary Eckstein to poll teachers and students for specific topics.
- It was noted that Playworks offers good recess games/activities and could be a possible resource for some of the grant money.
- Aides
- Teachers agree that one instructional aide cannot adequately cover five sections of students. For next year this will be most critical in first grade where students are less able to work independently, but is also an issue for second grade.
- One or more clerical aides would add value. Ideally would have more than one per school, but even a part–‐time aide to run a copy center (mornings or afternoons) would be very helpful.
- Parent Information Session
- The LSAT will schedule one more parent information session this year in early June to address getting ready for next year. It will be hosted by the LSAT and Martha will coordinate planning with Sabrina. The LSAT will ask the HSA to provide babysitting.
- Parents suggested the school establish a more formal summer reading program (for upper grades), as well as a summer journal program.
- We discussed the importance of next year’s LSAT holding a second back to school night on curriculum issues in early Fall. The regular Back to School night tends to focus on logistics (such as the daily schedule and how to communicate with the teacher) as opposed to curriculum. The goal of the second event would be to inform parents of what your student will be learning this year.
- PWP grant