Task Force Meeting - March 1, 2011

Frostwood Bond Program Task Force Presents Recommendations

On Tuesday, March 1st, the Frostwood Bond Program Task Force presented its recommendations to Superintendent Klussmann regarding the rebuilding of Frostwood Elementary. Patty Busmire, together with parent Peter Gilmore, community member Cathie Steinberg and teacher Malissa Downham, reviewed the presentation that was provided for the Community Meeting.  As way of review, the Task Force’s three recommendations are as follows:

• Reconstruct Frostwood as a new two story building with school operations moved off-site during the construction period.

• During reconstruction, relocate Frostwood students, staff and school operations to the South

Transition Campus, located on the north-end of the Westchester Academy for International Studies.

• Relocate to the South Transition campus over winter break in December 2011 and begin school operations there in January 2012. This recommendation assumes that Meadow Wood Elementary School reconstruction is completed on time in late fall, 2011.

Following the presentation, Duncan thanked Patty Busmire for her leadership and the group for their excellent work. He posed some clarifying questions of the task force, architects and Planning and Construction representatives. Duncan expressed three concerns about the recommendations:

1. The tight timeline proposed for moving Meadow Wood out and Frostwood into the Transition campus,

2. The tight timeline for design, and

3. Approval by City of Bunker Hill.

Relative to the tight timeline, the task force confirmed that all of their discussion and their presentation to the community clearly stated that the timeline was recommended and was dependent upon Meadow Wood’s timing. They also affirmed that they had strong PTA support to assist in the relocation, and that a staff survey reflected this as their first choice. Duncan requested that any and all communication about the transition reflect that the Frostwood move would follow Meadow Wood’s rather than specifically using the December/January timeline. He reiterated that we want to be sure we are able to “under-promise” and “over deliver” so that we maintain strong community support and favorable community impression of our management of the project. Task Force members were also asked about the community concerns expressed regarding buses using the freeway or feeder roads. He affirmed that it is best if we can get buses and parents on different routes while encouraging parents to consider bus transportation during the transition period. He also questioned whether the group had heard any concerns from the City of Bunker Hill Village, stating that the district had received a letter with concerns, Duncan, thought, about concept drawing showing access to parent drop off from Memorial Drive.  Architects were requested to complete a financial analysis of the 1999 building which the concept drawing provided for the Task Force shows as being torn down. They were asked about their comfort relative to a tight proposed timeline. They were also asked about height restrictions and capacity for the new building, which will be designed for 800, but will have flexibility to accommodate a larger enrollment through flexible spaces like Ridgecrest. Duncan also confirmed that the additional transition site buildings being moved this summer to the South Transition Campus will be sufficient to accommodate Frostwood. A budget analysis was also requested.  Duncan closed by affirming next steps as follows:

• Recommendations would be reviewed to make sure there are no technical issues which would pose challenge in meeting the recommendations. Staff will review the recommendations in the regular Thursday staff bond meeting on 3/3/11.

• A bond budget review will be conducted.

• The FIP financial report that goes to the Board of Trustees monthly will be updated to reflect the new Frostwood timeline and the addition of Rummel Creek Elementary to follow Frostwood. The Board’s approval of the FIP at its March meeting will be the official approval of the Task Force’s recommendations.

CIT Minutes-February 16, 2011

Present

Tracy Muras, Jean Posey, Wendy Endelman, Barbara Perry, Sally Janacek, Malissa Downham, Dorothy Thompson, Marion Thames, Shelley Stalnaker, Laura Gauss, Stephanie Lewis, Cindy Crofford, Deborah Straughan, Angela McNeil, Jan Griffin

Minutes

Principal’s Welcome

Ms. Griffin welcomed the members to the meeting. She shared the results of the recent safety audit. We have several safety practices and plans in place that were considered excellent by the audit team. One area of concern was how friendly our students are with strangers; they opened the doors to the pods for the auditors. This safety concern is being addressed by the staff with the students.

During the welcome each grade level member shared the current happenings on their team: Kindergarten – working with the literacy consultant Leslie Marquez; 1st Grade – working with SISs and district helping teachers with excellent first teaching as outlined in the Response to Instruction/Intervention (RtI); 2nd Grade – Stanford and Naglieri are on the horizon; 3rd Grade – researched natural hazards and getting ready for TAKS; 4th Grade – preparing for writing TAKS; 5th Grade – students completed sign up for 6th grade electives online; working on measurement in math. Poetry is making a comeback due to the upcoming STAAR. Students are reading free verse poetry and unpacking its meaning.

A question was asked about the oceanography unit. We decided to approach research as an ongoing activity versus researching only during the month of May.

CIT Responsibilities

Staff Development - Ms. Griffin thanked the PTA for their generosity. Recently seven teachers attended the technology conference in Austin. These staff members are sharing ideas among their team. Mrs. Sykes recently attended a music conference in San Antonio and in the spring Mrs. Branon has recently presented a session on book clubbing at a librarian’s conference. She will also attend the Texas librarian’s conference in the spring and present. Several staff attended a Saturday session with John O’Flahavan, a literacy professor at the University of Maryland. This past week we skyped with John about the possibility of doing a residency with us.

A question was asked about acceptable use of the internet. Lessons on acceptable use of all things relating to technology have been taught by the librarian. Mrs. McNeil shared that the district will have a parent education site available in the near future that will address these topics.

Literacy is the heart of elementary instruction. Ms. Griffin shared an article by literacy researcher Richard Allington. The staff dissected this article in August and the CIT read the last few paragraphs. The gist: students need to spend time reading books that they can read that they choose.

PTA Update

Marty Herzog shared upcoming events – Western Day and Auction. A question was asked about residency. All data regarding proof of residency for each family is on a grid created last year. Letters are mailed to families when lease is about to expire.

Other

Bond Update – Ms. Griffin shared the following:

The Frostwood Task Force has concluded its work and is putting finishing touches on its presentation for the Frostwood Community Meeting which is planned for February 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at Frostwood. The recommendations from the task force for which the committee will be seeking broad-based community support in advance of making a final recommendation to Superintendent Klussmann at a March 1, 2011, meeting include:

• Reconstruct Frostwood as a new two story building with school operations moved off-site during the construction period.

• During reconstruction, relocate Frostwood students, staff and school operations to the South Transition Campus, located on the north-end of the Westchester Academy for International Studies.

• Relocate to the South Transition campus over winter break in December 2011 and begin school operations there in January 2012. Construction on the new school would begin soon thereafter and be completed for the 2013-14 school year. This recommendation assumes that Meadow Wood Elementary School reconstruction is completed on time in late fall, 2011.

Ms. Griffin reminded the group to read the school blog which may be accessed at http://frostwoodelementary.blogspot.com/

Parent Request – A parent has requested that we offer after school day care. Typically schools use the YMCA as the after school day care service provider. At first glance, there is no space currently available to house this program. Current after school programs utilize the gym, cafeteria, LGI and one of the portable rooms every day of the week except for Fridays. The CIT members have been asked to solicit feedback regarding this need.

CIT Lottery – A lottery was held to fill the positions that will become vacant at the start of the 2011-2012 year. Parent representatives are: Peter Gilmore, Min Hwang, Susan Noe Wilson

Community representative: Sarah Lambert

Business representative: Cathy Steinberg

These new members will be invited to attend the May CIT meeting in which we will thank the retiring members and welcome the new members.

Next Meeting

The next CIT meeting will be on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7:00 a.m. in Mrs. Yao’s classroom.

Inside the New SBISD Transition Site

Happy 100th day of school!

 

 

Author Visit - Susan Stevens Crummel

 Susan Stevens Crummel  visited Frostwood students in grades Kindergarten through Fifth grade on January 20^th and 21^st.  Mrs. Crummel is an author of many books including the Texas Bluebonnet winner, Help Me Mr. Mutt.  She  is an author of many books including the Texas Bluebonnet winner, Help Me Mr. Mutt.  Her author visit was a delight for the students and teachers of Frostwood, as her interactive program had the crowds roaring with laughter.  Her transference for excitement for reading has been exemplified in her books being checked out in the library.

Save the Date!! We're 50 Years Old!!!

Frostwood Celebrates

50 Years of Tradition

Birthday Bash

Saturday, March 26, 2011

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Plantation Drive

Task Force Meeting - Jan. 25, 2011

The Bond Program Task Force met in the cafeteria of the Frostwood cafeteria on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. There were an additional three things that were decided upon by a vote and everyone was in agreement.
1. Frostwood will utitilize the South Transition campus at Westchester during the rebuild.
2. The move to the transition campus will take place at mid semester versus in August.
3. The move will take place in December 2011 with students and teachers in the transition building ready for class by January 2012.
All of the recommendations made by the task force are simply that -- recommendations.
The task force will meet on Tuesday, February 8th to finalize plans on how to share this decision-making process with the community.

Tentative date for the community meeting: Tuesday, February 22, 2011