CROSS CREEK SCHOOL
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL/SCHOOL ADVISORY FORUM MEETING
SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
The SAC/SAF meeting of September 2, 2015 was held in the media center. In attendance were the following:
Peg Lesch, SAC Chairperson / Behavior Specialist
Colleen Stearn, Principal
Sally Judd, Assistant Principal
Martha Adams, Non-Instructional Representative
John Peterson, BTU Steward
Karen Silensky, IZ Representative
Ben Guerriero, SRD, Community Representative
Isaiah Francois, High School Student
Robin Reichbach, SAC Secretary
I. WELCOME
Ms. Lesch, the SAC Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 2:55 P.M. Those in attendance were welcomed, packets were distributed, and introductions were made.
II. REVIEW MINUTES OF
MAY 6, 2015 MEETING
Minutes from the meeting May 6, 2015 were read and reviewed. Karen Silensky motioned to accept the minutes and Martha Adams seconded the motion.
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III. SIP INITIATIVES
LITERACY COMMITTEE:
In Angela Adams’ absence, Ms. Judd explained that we are continuing school-wide progress monitoring in reading, using the formative assessments in BEEP. Students will be assessed on the selected standards in four-week cycles. Mrs. Adams will monitor elementary and middle school. Mr. Lester will monitor high school, using a somewhat different model. They will focus on five selected skills with periodic assessments. When those skills are mastered, students will begin working on a second set of literacy skills. We added writing to the monitoring process through the language arts classes. Students will be assessed on informative, argumentative and narrative writing in six-week cycles.
FAIR Assessment Period 1 (AP1) will tentatively begin next week. Teachers are waiting for rosters to be generated for our students in the system.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES:
Ms. Judd announced that we have returned to the departmental module in the Professional Learning Communities. The PLC’s are grouped together according to subjects:
(English teachers), (Math and Science teachers), and (Social Studies and Language Arts teachers).
IV. INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
Ms. Lesch announced that this is our first meeting of the 2015-2016 school year. Officers were elected last May for a 2-year term, and we are installing the following officers at our first meeting per the By-Laws:
Peg Lesch – SAC Chairperson
Angela Adams – SAC Vice Chairperson
Robin Reichbach – SAC Secretary
V. VOTE ON BY-LAWS FOR 2015-2016
Ms. Lesch initiated a discussion of the proposed By-Laws, included as a handout in our folder. The By-Laws were voted on by a quorum of the SAC voting members and were unanimously approved.
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Ms. Lesch advised that we would be holding nominations for a student to replace Kyree Dillard, who moved on to a new school, and a new teacher to replace Mr. Maldonado, who also moved on to a new school. Replacements would be voted on at our next meeting.
Mr. Peterson commented that Articles 5(A) and 7(A) have grammatical errors in omitting the word Chairperson in the text. Ms. Lesch responded that she will speak to the District Technology person to correct the errors.
Ms. Lesch made a motion to accept the proposed By-Laws, and after a vote was held, it was unanimously approved and the motion carried.
VI. PRINCIPAL UPDATES
Ms. Stearn commented that the school year is off to a great start. She advised that we are a little below the initial enrollment projections but new students are being placed daily. Our present enrollment is approximately 140 students.
Ms. Stearn was excited to announce that we are adding a Culinary type program. Students will complete the course and get certification in food service preparation.
Ms. Stearn welcomed Ms. Vazquez, who has joined our staff. Ms. Vazquez will be teaching H.S. Math, replacing Mr. Maldonado.
Ms. Stearn announced that tomorrow is Open House. Letters have gone home and calls were made to notify parents about Open House. Parents will have an opportunity to meet with their student’s teachers.
Ms. Stearn explained that we are continuing with our SIP initiatives. We have gotten Grants for sports programs. Our Safety Team is in the process of putting together sports programs. These programs have been positive behavioral reinforcement for our students through intramural sports. We are also planning other activities for positive reinforcements.
Ms. Stearn announced that we have a new Grant, pairing us with Whispering Pines, training eligible students for possible job placements during the summer. Students will be transported from Cross Creek School to the Cypress Run Aftercare Program and then be transported home. Starting October 1st, therapists will begin identifying students who they feel might meet the criteria. Both Ms. Stearn and Ms. Judd hope to get as many students as they can enrolled in this program. Ms. Stearn explained that our goal is to find students who will be successful, and will eventually walk away with employment. In addition, we also hope to have student services extended to age 24.
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VII. NEW BUSINESS
VIII. SAF MEETING
Ms. Lesch asked if there was any new business to discuss.
Karen Silensky asked if there were any new incentives that the staff wanted to implement this year?
Ms. Stearn responded that as of right now, we are not implementing any new incentives because we have to be mindful not to take too much time away from academics.
Karen Silensky asked about last year’s end of year trip? Ms. Lesch responded that the end of year trip was great. Ms. Lesch advised that by offsetting the cost of the bus, it really helped out the families by bringing the cost down from $65 to $50 per child.
Karen Silensky commented that she donated snacks such as chips and pretzels to sell at the Point Store.
Ms. Lesch advised that the next SAC/SAF meeting would be held on October 7, 2015 at 2:45 P.M.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Karen Silensky at 3:25 PM and seconded by Isaiah Francois.