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.
