The meeting was called to order at 5:35 PM
Attendees: Chris Cebrzynski, Jackie Hines, Emily Kallaur, Bethany Little, Lauren Miller, Richard Nugent and Vicki Otten
Minutes from the February 29, 2016 were unanimously approved
Emily Kallaur reported on the recent Ward 3 EdNet (a group of Deal Middle School feeder schools) meeting with David Grosso. This was an opportunity for interested Ward 3 parents to express concerns they may have about education issues. There was a great deal of concern expressed about LEAP, its impact on teachers and the lack of funding to actually implement the program. Mr. Grosso recommended that people with concerns write him directly so that he will have comments on the record.
Mr. Czebryznski addressed staffing and relocation issues.
On staffing:
- Interviewing multiple people; pool is already dwindling and becoming shallow very quick
- LEAP: We will have two instructional coaches one to head LEAP teams (Tashima Hawkins our current ELA instructional coach will continue in that position) and we have made a new hire (from HD Cooke) for the math/science LEAP lead
- Christopher Lyons will be Pre-K LEAP lead
- Hired SEM (Student Enrichment Model) staff member and math specialist to be in classrooms working directly with kids
- We will be piloting departmentalization in Grades 1 and 2 with two teachers on each team: one ELA and one math/science
- Hired instructional technology coach who will work with LEAP leads, SEM and others to create collaborate models and cooperative work bringing more technology into lesson plans and classroom activities
- 8 teachers are not intending to return next year
- We will have 4 sections of each grade level next year which fits with our projected enrollment of 600; if enrollment skyrockets in any one grade level, we will be creative in figuring out who to move around
- 20-30 families may make the shift to Lafayette or Hearst with new school boundaries opening up
Relocation efforts are moving ahead:
- UDC is a done deal
- Murch will have access to the UDC gym
- We may have some use of their theater
- We are already working on other avenues of collaboration with other programs/departments at UDC
- Start construction in June – four quads of trailers (with walkway, cafeteria, gym)
- Field Trip for staff to Lafayette on April 21st
In other news, Murch has started working with the DCPS Reggio Emilio consultant; she will be starting professional development with both Pre-K and kindergarten next year.
In addressing how the LSAT can be helpful in the transition process, Mr. Cebrzynski explained that there was a group of teachers and some parents working on transition issues. Once we see the recommendations and list of needs that come from this group we can figure out if there is a role for the LSAT.
The group discussed how we might want to use the remaining LSAT meetings. Some of the issues we talked about the LSAT addressing at the beginning of the year were: professional development; new strategic plan at some point; DCPS survey.
Mr. Cebrzynski mentioned that he has been asked to set up a committee of staff members to look at two issues that were part of the DCPS parent survey: committee of staff to look at two issues:
- Observations and feedback
- Professional development
He suggested that one area where LSAT might be very helpful is in looking at the new evaluation system and figuring out how to create supports for teachers that truly focus on instruction.
Bethany Little suggested that, with our remaining time, the LSAT might focus on how to ensure that future LSAT meetings are substantive, really digging into issues within its jurisdiction. Mr. Cebrzynski suggested one way to accomplish this was to align LSAT goals more closely with the ALT committee’s agenda.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.