August+9,+2011+Faculty+Meeting

Faculty Meeting August 9, 2011
 * Southern **** Choctaw **** Elementary School **

I. Welcome Mrs. James

Review ARMT/SAT /ASA Scores ARMT Summary 7-year Longitudinal Data Corrective Measures Monitoring Schedules Committees EL Lesson Plan Framework Harassment Law TransACT Instructions Scott Foresman Group Information Free & Reduce Lunch applications PLPs, Self-Assessment, Rotation Pride Survey Cell Phones Early/late sign-in

II. eCIP Mrs. Barefield Parental Involvement Ms. Coker Documentation Mrs. Alexander CIRCLES (21st Century) //** WIDA **// : Student-centered, Teacher-Focused

III. Compacts Mrs. Sellers Internet Access

IV. RtI Mrs. Taylor

V. Faculty Websites Mrs. Harris

VI. Tech Tuesdays Ms. L. Taylor

VII. PTO Mrs. Grayson

__ Data Review __

Review of ARMT and SAT scores. All grade levels exceeded AMO in math without the use of twos. Reviewed the DRC website with faculty. Each teacher was given a spreadsheet of test scores for their students from the 2010-11 year and upcoming 2011-12 year; except 3rd grade. Since we no longer do off-grade testing we have no means to assess our K-2 students. We will work on developing EOY tests to use in assessing proficiency for these students.

5th grade was only grade to meet AMOs in reading without twos, but no grade was off by much. We can explain why each of the other grade levels did not meet the AMOs outright. Third grade had two homebound students who were not tested at all; had they been tested 3rd grade would have been proficient without the use of twos.

91% of 5th graders were proficient on the science assessment. The state does not allow the use of twos in determining proficiency on the ASA. Mrs. Gibson did a great job in moving from 46% proficient the previous year.

As expected, all of you did a great job. We may only test grades 3-6 but the foundation is laid in K-2. Thanks to all of you for the immense effort it takes to achieve the scores we do.

Second grade will only have two teachers this year. We need to give them all the support we can. Mrs. Edna Roberts will pull the at-risk students for reading and math. Instruction will be provided in Room 5.

Included in your handouts is longitudinal data for the past seven years. Look at you’re the history of your class (as a whole) and see if there’s any red flags you need to be aware of now.

__ Monitoring __

We are scheduled for monitoring October 18-21. No one will be happy or relaxed until after monitoring is over. You will be expected to know the answer to questions you’ve never heard. We will do our best to prepare by way of faculty meetings, fact sheets, etc. You will be given a checklist of what “they” will be looking for in the classroom. An example: Alabama is a member of the WIDI Consortium (World Class Instructional Design and Assessment), and it may be that you teach kindergarten and have never had an EL student in your class, but you will still be expected to know the type of instruction we offer our EL students, what WIDI is and how it is used, and the domains (listening, reading, writing, speaking). Visit the WIDI website at www.widi.us for more information.

When I refer to “they” I am talking about whomever the State sends in to perform the monitoring. Our inventory will be pulled and they will randomly choose assets, go to the room where they are supposed to be located, and ask you to produce the item.

They will pull our CIP and ask you to explain it to them (whether your grade level is part of the plan or not). Let’s get past the opening of school and then I’ll do as much as I can to prepare you for monitoring. I’m sure the C.O. will begin holding meetings to let us know what to expect.

__ Scheduling __

// I had a lot of requests for changes in the library and computer lab schedules. I have given each of you a blank schedule. Designate someone from your grade level to represent you. All representatives meet and block off preferred times for each teacher. Give one completed library schedule and one completed computer lab schedule to me by //// 2:30 p.m. //// on Friday. I’ll fill in, highlight, and run copies for each of you, and have ready for you Monday morning. //

// Please spend the first week of school teaching your kids procedures and processes. They are to walk on the right hand side of the hall at all times. Shirts are to be tucked in and shoes tied at all times. Review the student Code of Conduct with them and document it. Hit the highlights: dress code; attendance; no electronic devices; disciplinary infractions and actions; how to move from center to center; lunchroom behavior (I don’t mind talking, but when I hear it in my office it is too loud). No running in halls, ever. Keep your hands to yourself. Review the harassment code in terminology they can understand. //

//__ Committees __//

// We’ve reduced the number of committees. This list is just a formality because I am sure that all of you are more than willing to help anyone who needs assistance when they ask. //

// FYI – Constitution Day is the one program that is required by law. I had many requests that this program be removed but that is not possible. Also, there were requests to do away with Storybook Character Day. Mrs. Moody made the suggestion of having a Job/Career Day. This sounds like a good idea. During the initiating and plan stage Mrs. Moody will serve as chair. The committee needs to make a outline of what is involved or how this needs to be done so we’ll have a format for the new chair to follow. //

//__ TransACT Instructions __//

// You have a handout with instructions on how to create a TransACT account. There is a notebook in the office labeled “NCLB – TransACT”. Take a look at the book to have a general idea of the information it contains – the book is not to leave the office. Mainly, you will be expected to know that TransACT is used to create informational forms for parents in their native language. We may have an English version of the same form, but they do not have to match exactly. Be familiar enough with TransACT that if you are asked to you can get on there and know how to find a form. If you can’t find a form you need there is a statement you can print off letting the parents know the document it is attached to is very important and they need to have it translated. Also, since we do not have translators available, you can go to [|www.translate.google.com]. I have found the best way to use it is to type my message in English, copy a paragraph at a time and paste into the translator, choose the language you need, and once translate copy and paste back into a Word document. //

//__ EL Lesson Plan Framework __//

// This is a special assignment. There is no doubt that each of you is an excellent teacher. That shows in our scores year after year. Throughout this plan you see “English Language Learner or EL”, replace those references with “proficiency level” or “type of learner”. Complete this lesson plan for one lesson and turn in to me by the end of the first nine weeks. The purpose is to look at how you plan your lessons in a different manner. This lesson focuses more on the child than on the content required by the state. //

// Each student who is identified as EL must have a plan created based on his/her needs. This plan is to be monitored on a monthly basis and adjusted as needed. Within 10-days of enrollment the student must be administered the WAPT (WIDA ACCESS Placement Test), which is a screener to give you an idea of his/her proficiency in English and provides a starting point. This is what you will use to write the plan. The plan is the responsibility of the general education teacher. The team will include the principal, counselor, parent, a special education teacher, nurse (if needed), and any individual with a need to know who can provide essential information to develop a well written plan that meets the needs of the child. //

//__ Harassment Law __//

You have been provided with a copy of the Harassment Law: Section 13A-11-8 Code of Alabama. In short, behavior (physical or through communication devices) that can be considered threatening are a Class C misdemeanor, regardless of the age of the person who commits the offense. Please share this with your parents at open house.

Have a sign-in sheet similar to what we have today. Signature on one side and list everything you give the parents at open house on the other. Also, review this with your students. Include documentation in your lesson plans of this activity. __ Scott Foresman Group Information __

Your classes have been set up in Scott Foresman for you. If we end up have to reschedule students due to no shows then you will need to correct your classes. If you get a new student you will need to add them to your class. We are going to have to use the online version of the benchmark assessment, unit assessments, and end-of-year assessments so it is very important that you have accurate information in your classes. If you take the time to fill out the demographic information for each student that will provide us valuable information in planning instruction once we begin using the assessments.

I’ve printed off the letter you need to send home with each student. This gives students access to leveled readers and activities related to the unit they are studying. Upper grade teachers that have more than one reading class have a different letter for each section. The period number on the letter is the section #.

__ Free & Reduced Lunch Applications __

Please get every one of your parents to complete a free and reduced lunch application. We are not asking them to lie about their income, just complete the application. This is how the process works:

Complete application and submit to the school. Do not include overtime, merit, or other types of pay in base pay. Do not submit proof of income at this time. Return the form to the school. After the 20th day after Labor Day (when our student count is taken for the purposes of funding) CNP will audit three applications. If they find that your income exceeds the limits you will receive a letter that you are not eligible for F&R lunch. End of story. You are not asked to refund any money and no action is taken against you.

The BENEFITS. The higher our F&R lunch count the more funding we receive from Title I. This year we saved a teaching unit by using our federal funds to pay for a teacher. More teachers mean smaller classes.

__ PLPs/Self-Assessments __


 * __ All certificated personnel are required to complete the self-assessment __** . You have been a roster of the rotation for evaluation. Even if you are not on the rotation you must complete the self-assessment and by the end of the school year (it is easier to do this as you go along), enter the activities you have completed to achieve your goals. I am also providing you a breakdown of the ALQTS (Alabama Quality Teaching Standards) from the self-assessment that match our training and implementation of //The Leader in Me this year. Discipline is also a portion of our eCIP. Please feel free to create your// // PLP //// using these standards. //

//__ Pride Survey __//

// I’m concerned with our Pride Survey. Thirty-two teachers participated; of that number only 54% indicated they are happy to come to work. This disturbs me greatly. I realize my short comings, but I’m not capable of changing my personality. I was not born a chirpy person and I never will be one. All I want from you is your best. You keep bringing in the test scores you do, and I’ll keep working as hard as I do to keep the wolves away from the door. Sometimes when I’m working and you come to the door, I have no doubt I make a horrible face, but the face has nothing to do with you. It’s because I know when I get ready to start back up I’m going to have to go to the beginning because that’s the way my mind works. By now you should know my personality and not take anything personally. I’ll turn and walk away from you before I’d say anything to hurt you or embarrass you. //

// As much as I care for each of you and the unique contributions you bring to this school, if you are not happy you don’t need to be here; and, I will be the first to help you in any way I can to find a place where you will be happy. Don’t think for a minute that our students don’t pick up on these attitudes and are affected by them. //

// The Pride Survey is in a notebook in the office. You are welcomed to come review it. You will probably find it very interesting. //

//__ Miscellaneous __//

// Remember we are short handed this year. I have increased your planning time to 50 minutes. When we have data meetings during your planning time these will never last longer than 20 minutes (unless you choose otherwise), so you will always have your required 30 minutes of freedom. //

// I am going to try and continue allowing you to come in 30 minutes late, or leave 30 minutes early once a month, if needed. Please don’t put me in the position of being the bad guy by asking for 35 or 40 minutes. We do not have the personnel to cover classes and what I do for one person I must do for all. The sign-out box is in my office. Do not come by at //// 10:00 a.m. //// and sign-out to leave at //// 2:30 p.m. //// Come in and sign-out when you actually leave. //

// If you are running late contact one of your colleagues so someone will know to watch your class. You cannot report any later than //// 8:00 a.m. //// without having to take leave. So if you end up being too late get a sub and come in at //// 11:30 a.m. //

// If you must carry a cell phone or Linc® on you do not use it during instructional time. The only time you can use wireless communication during school hours is during your planning period. //

// Concerning cell phones and early/late arrival/departure there can and will be exceptions made in the event of emergencies. //

All teachers will be required to develop a social media website. The lower grades can have one site for all teachers. To me, that would be more difficult for the upper grades, but you could have one site with a section devoted to your content area. These need to be up and accessible by the end of the first nine weeks.

** M O N I T O R I N G ** O O O   15 1st 10     7,000

From 1997-98 to 1998-99 the number of EL students in public schools increased by 51%, while the general student population grew by 7.2%. Nationwide only 12% of EL students scored proficient in math on the 2009 NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress), compared with 42% of non-EL students. Only 3% of EL students met the standard in reading.

In 2010 the U.S. Department of Education chose **15** schools to audit. Of those fifteen Boston Public Schools was **#1** on their list due to a history of “not doing things right”, anonymous tips, and test scores. When the audit was complete the BPS system was fined **10 million dollars.** But wait, they said, we don’t have $10 million. Of yes you do, said the feds. We just gave you $8.3 million in federal funds (Title money); now you have to return that along with another $1.7 million and we don’t care where you come up with it.

In a forty page report the government cited BPS **7,000 times** for things they were not doing to provide minimum services to their EL students. Home Language Survey WAPT – Screener Appropriate services **(placement & progress)** **(create a plan)**
 * (data) ** ACCESS – assessment Program options

** Choctaw **** County **** implements English immersion: ** Instruction is entirely in English. Teachers strive to deliver lessons in simplified English so that students learn English and academic subjects.

** Why do we give an **** ELP **** test? To influence, inform, and plan instruction = equal access (Lau v. Nichols) **