ACME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Acme Leadership Team Minutes

January 9, 2008

Members :   Jon Anderson, Justina Bass, Jackie Ebert, Debbie Hecht-Reier, Alicia Scott, John Mumma & Ellyn Erickson

Chair:  John Mumma                   Recorder:  Ellyn Erickson

In Process:

1.  Next Step for working with NVE information

The ALT reviewed the materials and activities previously created to explore the NVE Site

 Visit information.  We discussed how to translate what we saw after 7 years of NV work and translate that to implications for Acme.  We came up with a plan to return to the Inter-relationship Digraph Activity with the whole staff, but to do some ALT work in advance.  We decided to create draft Operational Definitions for each of the “Big Ideas” that we identified as important parts of NVE success story.  Here are the DRAFT Operational Definitions for the 6 categories previously identified:

            1.  Staff Beliefs/Vision:  All staff share a common belief about learning.

            2.  Safe Environment/Open Communication:  The staff feels safe communicating with each other on any professional topic.

            3.  Leadership:  This is the ability to help a group make decisions to improve student learning.

            4.  Collaborative Teaching Strategies:  Individual staff members working together to improve student learning through instruction.

            5.  Systems to Track High Risk Students:  Predictable and common ways to keep track of students who need specific interventions.

            6.  Student and Family Involvement:  Activities that involve students and families in student learning.

We believe that the Interrelationship Digraph will help the ALT determine the next area for us to study as part of the Continuous School Improvement Model.

All Staff Meeting will be Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 3:45 – 5:00 pm.

2.  SIP – Summary Activity

 We read and discuss the ALT Responses to the SIP Survey.  The purpose of the survey was to help staff refocus on the goals and activities of our School Improvement plan. Rather than have staff complete this paper and pencil survey the ALT suggested that we invite Julie to do a quick review with the staff.  This could be at the upcoming Data/Review meetings or  at a staff meeting.

New Topics:

1.  Pop and “Monster” drinks at school?

Each ALT member had been asked to discuss this topic with their constituents.  All were prepared to share thoughts and concerns about this topic.  We discussed the health issues, the school cleanliness issues and school climate.  It was believed that we need to use a stepped approach to this issue:

1. Let parents know that it is a problem, but no outright “Ban” at this time.

2. Request parents to limit student access to these drinks.

3. Remind students that this is not appropriate for their own health.

4. Next year ban them for lunches with notification in the Parent Handbook.

A blurb for Monday Notes was circulated to ALT members for final edit and will go out on January 22.

For Future Discussion