CSDB Accountability Meeting Minutes

Meeting information:

May 3, 2017, 5:00p.m. – 6:30p.m., Lions Building

Facilitators:

Jon Vigne, Barb Lambert, Melissa Shular

Minutes:

Julie Cuccaro

ASL Interpreter:

Laura Ramos and guest

Attendees:

Brian Bennett, Cathy Bennett, Kathy Emter, Tera Lynn Gray, Carol Hilty, Kristen Huddleston, Cara Johnson, Toni Libby-Clare, Barb Meese,Alma Sicinski, Kyle Viola, Pammie Wilding, Tera Wilkins

Introduction and Review of Minutes – Barb Lambert

  • Barb led welcome and introductions.
  • Reviewed Accountability minutes from April 5, 2017. No changes were indicated.

Program Highlights – School for the Deaf and School for the Blind

School for the Deaf Program Highlights:

  • Kristen reported eleven families participated in a morning brunch, April 20. The theme of the event centered on recognizing special people in our children’s lives.
  • Students, in grades K-5, went on a field trip to the Pueblo Zoo, April 24.
  • J.J. and Heather are leading classes on Human Sexuality, for 3rd – 8thgrade students.
  • Tera W. reported fifty people, which represents seven families, are currently participating in weekly family ASL classes.
  • Brian B. reported two high school students will be attending the Close-Up event, in Washington, D.C., during the week of May 8.
  • Art teacher, Barbara Jack, was recognized for outstanding service at the Colorado Springs Arts, Business and Education Luncheon, April 28. Barb was the recipient of the Distinguished Visual/Literacy Art Teacher award. Congratulations Barbara!
  • Students participated in the Colorado Potato Contest which included research about the importance of fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet.
  • Cathy reported some students participated in an all-day celebration, April 21, at Rocky Mountain Deaf School. Students attended workshops, presentations, and met a number of well-known people from the Deaf community. Students had a great time, at the event.

School for the BlindProgram Highlights:

  • Toni reported two students, from the School for the Blind, attended Close-Up, in Washington, D.C., April 24-28. Students learned about our government and how it functions.
  • Elementary and middle school students enjoyed activities, during the Cool Science event, April 28.Students were exposed to a variety of hands-on activities which were designed to inspire an increased interest in science.
  • Preschool and elementary students participated in the annual Beeping Egg Hunt, April 13, sponsored by a local organization, the Telecomm Pioneers. Many families attended, and it was a great success!
  • Barb Meese added we have recently enrolled many new students, in the School for the Blind.
  • Barb M. will continue to work until June 9. Thank you Barb! We are so grateful for all ofyour help.
  • Jamie returns from leave, June 1.

Review of Proposed 2017 – 2018 Schoolwide Plan

Each of the four strands, of the proposed 2017-2018 Schoolwide Plan, was reviewed to include each strategy and action step.

Literacy and Numeracy FCEE Strand:

Strategy #1, Students will demonstrate growth through personalized learning –

  • Discussion included keeping similar overall objectives.
  • Tera described the objectives and outcomes of Strategy #1 which include more focus on the social-emotional needs of the students, as well as an increased use of technology for more personalized learning and to identify trends and continue to support increased ASL and braille instruction and Expanded Core Curriculum.

Strategy #2, Increase family and community collaborations and partnerships–

  • Partner with community experts to enhance early intervention services, increase family engagement, communication and education.

Literacy and Numeracy 3-12 Grade Strand:

Strategy #1, Students will demonstrate increased academic achievement –

  • Kristen reported the overall objectives are similar, but action steps were modified.
  • The team reviewed and will increase focus onlanguage outcomes. Will continue to include a
  • literacy block, for targeted personalized learning, as well as project-based learning activities and technology, to better engage students.

Strategy #2, Increase family and community collaborations and partnerships –

  • Continue to encourageparent involvement, communication and education through activities and workshops. Develop workshops, based upon feedback and suggestions from parents.

School Wide Climate and Culture Strand:

Strategy #1, Increase anti-bullying awareness and intervention strategies –

  • Kathy Emter reported the plan will continue to build upon bullying prevention programs and awareness. Staff will continue to participate in training regarding identifying bullying behavior and appropriate responses. Will encourage students to become involved with activities, during Bully Prevention Month.

Strategy #2, Reinforce PBIS strategies –

  • Cara states the proposed plan will continue to focus on positive relationship-building with staff and students.
  • PBIS goals/action steps will continue to analyze behavior data, continue positive staff and student recognition programs, and alterclassroom walk-through formsin order to include PBIS elements.

Employability Strand:

Strategy #1, Students will demonstrate improved hard and soft skills –

  • Tera Lynn reported action steps include implementing new interventions and exploring additional post-secondary opportunities, for 12th grade and Bridges to Life students.

Strategy #2, Students will demonstrate improved independent living skills –

  • Jon explained the strategy will focus less on training outcomes and more on providing workshops which emphasize self-advocacy and independent living skills. A new goal area of self-advocacy, within the community, will also be a focus.

Strategy #3, Students will utilize appropriate outside agencies –

  • Employability Center (EC) staff will develop a list of agencies which high school and Bridges to Life students can access, in the community, and will create a tracking system of the information being provided.
  • Tera Lynn explained the EC will address the need to provide additional supports, for students with multiple disabilities, at a much younger age. Plans include ensuring students, with intellectual challenges, can get added to wait-lists for group homes. Finally, Tera Lynn will collaborate with CSDB mental health team toprovide teacher training and ensure new staff are provided with the information as well.

Upcoming School Events and Announcements

  • May– Review and revise Schoolwide Plan to prepare presentationfor Board of Trustees and report outcomes. MAP testing is happening, this month.
  • May 4-6 –National Outreach Forumfor individuals working with students who have blindness or visual impairment.
  • May 4 – Employer Appreciation event
  • May 4 – MS track meet at Elbert
  • May 11 – Board of Trustees meeting
  • May 11 – DOVE workshop. All students are welcome to attend.
  • May 12 – Student Body Government community service project, on CSDB campus
  • May 17 – Music intern, Mia Hartley, will present a music therapy case study. Mia will discuss teaching educational concepts through music therapy. This presentation is open to all CSDB families and staff.
  • May 18– School for the Deaf, ASL performance
  • May 19 – High School Prom
  • May 22 – Senior ICAP Presentations
  • May 23 – High school Athletic Awards
  • May 24 – Middle school Athletic Awards
  • May 25 – CSDB 5K Walk/Run
  • May 25 – 911 presentation. How and whenstudents should use 911.
  • May 30 – School for the Blind, Spring performance
  • May 30-June 1 – Senior activities week
  • June 2 – Graduation. Austin Balaich, CSDB graduate, will be the keynote speaker this year.
  • June 2 –BtL exiting ceremony
  • June 6 –Dorm BBQ and Sky Sox Baseball

Next Accountability Meeting will be June 7, 2017, 5:00-6:30pm, in the Lions Building.

Meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.