MS Science Leaders

Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, 4:00-5:30, Rm. 2776, JSC

Notes (H. Cassidy)

In Attendance: Chris Blea, Christine Benita, Bob Ettinger, Jean Littlefield, Alisha Taylor, Kathryn Kelsey, Jim Vigil, Tana Bryn, Sharon Reuter, Barbara Braun, Emilie Mosko, Lisa Kelleher, Connie Gold, Erin Armstrong, Lance Johnson, Heather Cassidy, Dan Gallagher.

4:00-4:40Middle School

  • Lori Dunn (PE and Health Manager) – Sara’s Story Health Assessment
  • OSPI requires one health assessment in middle school – in Seattle, this has been placed in 7th grade science
  • “Sara’s Story OSPI-developed Assessment” – drugs, alcohol, substance abuse, refusal skills, mental health
  • Feb. 3 - OPSI training forSeattle PS 7th grade science teachers
  • Registration information will be coming soon
  • For questions, contact Lori Dunn,
  • January MS Science Kit Rotation (reminders and kit return expectations will be sent after the holiday break)

Schools / Winter Return / Winter Delivery
Hamilton, McClure / 1/6/12 / 1/30/12
Blaine 6-8, Salmon Bay 6-8, Whitman / 1/9/12 / 1/30/12
Washington, Madrona 6-8, SBOC / 1/10/12 / 1/31/12
Denny, Madison, Pathfinder 6-8 / 1/11/12 / 2/1/12
Orca 6-8, Aki, Mercer, Southshore 6-8 / 1/12/12 / 2/2/12
Pinehurst 6-8, Broadview T. 6-8, Eckstein, Jane Addams 6-8 / 1/13/12 / 2/3/12
  • January Initial Use Classes – please register ASAP!!
  • Register on ESS; subs provided. About 2 weeks prior to the class,Penny Knutzen will send youa DI. You may book your preferred sub – please send Penny the sub name.
  • DOL Jan. 27 – teachers will be paid at the rate of $25.73 for 6 hours

MS Properties of Matter Initial Use (8th gr.)

Jan. 12 and 13 8:30-3:30 Rm. 2776 JSC

Facilitators: Jen Gumas and Tana Bryn (Washington MS)

MS Magnets and Motors Initial Use (6th gr.)

Jan. 19 8:30-3:30 JSCEE

Facilitators: Kathryn Kelsey (Seattle World School)

MS Catastrophic Events Initial Use (7th gr.)

Jan. 19 and 20 8:30-3:30 Rm. 2776 JSC

Facilitators: Randy Self (Blaine K-8) and Teresa Alsept (Eckstein)

MS Diversity of Life Initial Use (6th gr.)

Jan. 26 and 27 8:30-3:30 Rm. 2776 JSC

Facilitators: Sharon Reuter (Washington MS) and Alisha Taylor (Madison MS)

  • Science Fair – June 7, 2012 – Museum of Flight
  • 2012, 50th Anniversary of the Seattle World’s Fair
  • June 2 – interactive science event at Seattle Center
  • Seattle MS Science Fair – June 7 – a signature event for the “Science Festival”
  • Aki, Blaine, Broadview, Eckstein, McClure, Orca, Salmon Bay, Southshore: please send your school science fair date and name of contact person to Heather or Kathryn. Also let us know how much cardboard you need, and when.
  • Please contact Heather or Kathryn if you are interested in volunteering for the Science Fair Advisory Team.

4:45 -5:30 Middle School/High SchoolDiscussion

  • MS and HS Science Leaders will begin to identify how each course prepares students for success in subsequent courses. This will result in both clarified expectations for students for each course and criteria to guide recommendations for placement of students along the pathways entering and through high school. Our goal is to have these guidelines completed before 8th graders register for high school, March 2012. We also started a discussion about MS/HS alignment.
  • It was decided that MS and HS will begin their own work separately, and reconvene as a group in March to continue the alignment discussion.
  • See exit ticket notes (attached)

Bookmark the MS Science Wiki :

  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • OSPI Standards and Assessment info
  • Module updates:
  • Instructional Guides, Conceptual Stories, Pacing Guides
  • Alternative lessons, enhancements, extensions from SPS teachers
  • SMC info – rotation schedules, inventory sheets, etc.
  • Meeting schedules, agendas, notes, etc.
  • Useful links

Next Meeting: Monday, Jan. 9, 4:00-5:30 pm

Have a wonderful holiday break!

SPS Science Website:

Seattle MS Science Wiki:

SPS Science Assessments: \\sssdfp01\District\InstructionalServices\Science\MiddleSchool (accessible on school computers only)