Stonington High School

September 19, 2006

SBIT Minutes

SHS SBIT 2005-2006 Goal: Strengthen the school to community connection in two distinct ways: bringing the community into SHS during X-BLOCK and sending students out into the area for job shadowing and internships.

Members Present: L. Bolduc, K. Conway, M. Devine, K. Donovan, M. Gillick, P. Jeffrey**, N. Kepple, G. MacDonald, S. McCarthy, M. McKee, C. Moore, S. Mueller, L. Raffo, C. Sartor, and D. Willner,

**Mrs. Jeffrey chaired meeting, due to Dr. Murphy’s absence.

One document distributed: SHS 2006-07 Goals

Meeting started at 5:06 pm.

I. Reports

A. Minutes - Accepted

B. Student Report (Luke) – Student Government had its first meeting the previous week and set goals. Goals include improved communication. Homecoming weekend is 10/28 – 10/29; theme is “Generations of SHS”. Freshmen elects are coming up. No freshmen class advisor has stepped forward yet – Mrs. Pellegrino or Mrs. Bruno are possibilities.

C. SBIT Reports / BOE Report / Policies Under Review – Gail MacDonald is our new BOE representative. At last week’s BOE meeting, administrative assignments were discussed. Ken Sherwood (DMS principal) will be retiring this March and Ginny Brown (WVSS principal) will be taking medical leave in January. There may be shifting of staff. There are budgetary issues. More discussion regarding administrative assignments is planned for the next BOE meeting (10/12/06). BOE meetings are usually the second Thursday of the month. The Wellness Policy now in effect throughout SPS was approved at the last BOE meeting. ‘Disallowed’ foods are allowed at after school events.

D. Goals

· ’06 -’07 SHS Goals – See the SHS 2006-07 Goals sheet that was distributed during the meeting. Faculty received a copy of this sheet. (Differentiated Instruction is when an instructor looks at the material they want to teach and knowing their students’ needs (strengths and weaknesses) and modify instruction accordingly. All children should learn….) It is also important that teachers have different ‘avenues’ to measure if a student has learned a concept. The SHS goals are:

o 1. Respond to the NEASC Visitation Teams’ recommendations.

o 2. Monitor student success in the Ninth Grade House Program in its second year.

o 3. Implement Differentiated Instructional Strategies and Assessment Practices to meet individual student needs and improve student performance.

Maureen Gillick told us that Sylvan Learning Center has tools for accessing students and may be will willing to share student reports with students/teachers. Michael McKee explained SPS’s Professional Growth Plan and that each teacher is responsible for writing up their goals. Maureen suggested that when colleges ask for Stonington High’s school profile, that transcripts should state that Stonington practices “differentiated learning”.

Claire asked about the NEASC report/recommendations. The November BOE meeting will have a draft of the NEASC recommendations. Ann Ashworth and a group of NEASC reps will be at SHS 9/20. There are four SPS goals.

There was much discussion regarding Freshmen Academy (FA). FA is in its 1^st phase with Mrs. Mueller in the Media Center. All freshman have this year-long 84-minute FA – some have study hall; some are with Mrs. Mueller. Students get credit for FA. Activities include: study skills, social activities and social skills. Freshman parents had ‘no idea’ what FA was at the start of this school year. Pat Jeffrey offered to write a Bear Essentials ‘blurb’ regarding FA.

Clare Sartor asked about the Freshmen Houses. There are two houses this year (there were three last year). She asked if it matters to the students what house they are placed into. No, students don’t need to know, but the staff should know. Regarding the successful Link Crew Program, freshmen felt it was ‘nice to know someone’ already at the high school.

· ’06 -’07 SBIT Goals – The SBIT goal for 05-06 was x-block integration. Last year’s parent forums were poorly attended. Let’s focus on the kids, not the parents this year. A boomerang.com survey could cost as much as $399. There is a wealth of possibilities available to students during x-block – there may not be a need to create more x-block offerings. Nick Kepple spoke about the abundant ‘spirit’, - a ‘renewed enthusiasm’, - in the school, especially among the younger student body. He suggested that the SBIT investigate ‘the expectations, the hopes, and the down and dirty issues’ that are part of the students’ world. Encourage the older ones to mentor the younger students, a la ‘link crew’. Maybe the Link Crew teachers will make a presentation to the SBIT. Chair this agenda item ’06 -’07 SBIT Goals until the next meeting. Another possible SBIT goal is more participation around budget time. Linda Bolduc brought up the point that fundraisers are out-of-control – it’s the same parents and the same businesses frequently involved. Lynn Conway suggested that next month’s meeting should be dedicated to SBIT goals.

E. Edited Student Planner - Pat Jeffrey has ‘cleaned up’ the student planner. The contents of the planner will be addressed in the spring.

F. Membership/Selection of Co-Chair – More students are needed. They need not be Student Government students. Nick Kepple is now the SBIT Community Rep. Pat Jeffrey will put something in Bear Essentials that student openings exist on the SBIT. A diversity of students is needed. “Calling All Students…” Jen Norcross is not available until December. Clare is stepping down after two years as co-chair. Clare would like to stay on, but not as co-chair. Clare nominates Maureen Gillick as co-chair, but Maureen had left the meeting when her name came up and so Maureen will have to give the SBIT her decision at October’s meeting. Luke will act as co-chair for another year. Deb Willner is a new parent to the SBIT. Linda Bolduc wants to remain a member. Sue McCarthy is stepping down as secretary for a year. Cindy Moore will act as secretary.

II. Visitors’ Comments - none

III. SBIT Comments - none

IV. Action

V. Agenda

VI. Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 6:42

Members: Don’t forget to e-mail me (smccarthy@stoningtonschools.org) agendas and minutes; I’ll post these important documents to the SBIT area of www.stonington.org.

Susan McCarthy