Parent Advisory Meets - Sept. 22, 2011
by Tammy Condren
September 22, 2011
Parent Advisory
Sept.22, 2011
6:00 p.m.
I. Welcome (attendance sign in)
II. Introductions and Review of purpose (Dr. Condren reviewed why we have Parent
Advisory – see below)
• Parent voice in students’ education
PAC Envelope/“Suggestions”
• Idea sharing
• Community input/clarification of programs
III. Items to Discuss
• Title I Programs
School-Wide Programs (We are a ‘school wide’ program and can
Therefore help any student needing assistance.)
• Reading (Ms. Sayers)(Ms. Sayers shared how the reading pull out program works, and that she serves mostly Tier 3 students throughout the day, in very small groups – 3 at a time or so). Dr. Condren then shared what ‘tier time’ is, and how it works: Tier 1 is ‘average student’, Tier 2 students need a little extra assistance sometimes/with some concepts, Tier 3 need even a little MORE help, and maybe a little more time with assistance. These students are worked with in even smaller groups to ensure getting more progress toward mastery. These groups can ‘change’ each time we assess – approximately every 6 weeks – or in math, as a ‘concept’ changes that they may not understand.
• Math (Ms. Myers) (Ms. Myers pulls out/pushes in to students that are in need of assistance on the current curricular topic for that grade. These groups vary based on topic).
• Tier 2 Intervention (Ms. Lindsay)(Ms. Lindsay is a new program. She serves Tier II students in a small group setting, based on the needs as determined from assessments given every 6 weeks.)
• Title I Parent Survey Results of 10-11 (Ms. Myers) Ms. Myers shared last Spring’s results, and that they were very positive. She also stated that a new survey would be done this spring.
• MAP/Stanford 10 results Dr. Condren shared how excited we are with this year’s results. MCE was THE ONLY school in Polk County to make AYP, K-12. Other area schools were Clever and Walnut Grove, and possibly Dadeville. We also were “Accredited with Distinction” for the first time ever. GREAT job to students, staff, and parents! We are now ‘challenged’ to continue progressing!
• Title I Family events- Preview
o FREE Family Fun Night – Nov. 3 (6:30-8:00) (Ms. Myers) Ms. Myers gave a preview of fun night – a “Space” theme. Free fun and games.
• PTA Chili Cook-Off prior – 5:00-6:30 Misty Lewis told about the chili cook off. Entrants are being sought. There will be a small fee to eat, as well as prizes for the winners.
o Spring Picnic/Fun Night/MAP night/CATS/etc. - Mar. 29 (6:00-8:00) (Ms. Myers) Spring theme will be a “Luau”, which goes well with our “Under the Sea” school theme. Watch for details.
o Reading Week Ideas – (Ms Walker) Ms. Walker shared that the committee will be meeting soon. This will be the week of Nov. 14. There will be dress up days each day and fun activities, a principal’s challenge, etc. Watch for notes with details.
• Parents As Teachers – Screening only (State Cuts) Ms. Angel shared she will be setting up appointments soon. There is a new program, so it will probably be in October.
• Pre-School Updates (Ms. Angel) Pre-school screenings will be Oct. 5th-6th. Currently they are working on their accreditation. It is due in Oct. 18.
• ESL/ELL – Ms. Sayers Ms. Sayers told how this program works. She attended a new training this summer and works with Mrs. McCorkendale on ESL. Some of the training program also helps with her other students (Title I).
• Study Island/Math Facts in a Flash/Pearson programs Dr. Condren told about these programs, available on-line from home as well, for student use. The ‘assessments’ are only open here at school. Games/practice can be done both places.
• Grade level basic skills lists-in student handbook Dr. Condren reminded parents where these were. These have been updated last spring, and staff will be working on the assessments to match up to goals this year. Changes are to better match up with common core.
• PIRC website/resources Shared that there is a link to this resource on our MCE website.
• Tutoring (SES) options/availability (Free/Reduced lunch students only) Shared that these papers went home at Parent Orientation with those who qualified. If you are interested please see Dr. Condren and she will get you in contact with the providers. Explained the purpose is to give students a resource to assist them in meeting their GLE’s that might present the information to them in a different way than we do at school. This is an option in schools that did NOT make AYP at least 2 years in a row. We made it this year, but not last year. There is also a link on our website for this.
• Title I Improvement letter/LEA Plan You should have received a copy of this at Parent Orientation before school started. There is also a link on our website. It explains our assessment results and their effect on our ranking/status.
IV. Miscellaneous
• Reminder about our website. http://mceonline.net
• Twitter – “Follow us” @ MCE_ELEMENTARY
• Next meeting – Nov. 10 – Thursday. PTA will follow with 3rd-4th/CATS performing.
Shared that since we didn’t have Open House, teachers will be sending Parent conference appointment notes soon. Watch for them to come and be sure to make an appointment. You will receive grades/basic skills reports/last spring test scores at conferences.
V. Any further items (from the floor) to discuss
Had a suggestion of sending out to parents what ‘tier’ their child is in (panther prowl time). That way they would know what they needed help with and could work on it at home. Suggested maybe even having it be a part of the parent portal. We will work on a way to inform parents on this.
VI. Adjourn to PTA – 5th grade and PEACE camp performed.
Note: PTA has a site now. It is: marioncearlypta@gmail.com
