Mark Hopkins Accountability Meeting
October 16, 2007, 6:45-8:15 Teacher’s Lounge
Members Present:
Holly Biggers, Chairperson
Drew Brueckner, Principal
Trevor Border, parent PTO rep for this meeting
Lisa Weber, staff
Shyanne Ching, parent
Donna O’Dea, staff
Jill Schulsinger-Wall, parent
Katie Lynch, Principal intern
Tim Walmer, parent
Janet Vittal, staff
I. DAC/GTAC Updates
All middle schools made AYP (annual yearly progress) data points.
By Halloween, every identified GT student in LPS will have an advanced learning plan. This will replace the PLP. Each child will have an academic and an affective goal.
II. PTO Report
Trevor Border reported that PTO is moving ahead with fundraising programs. A parent asked if there was a tax code to write off donations. PTO is working on a letter for donating without buying goods. Another fundraising possibility is a book written by students. Schools must sell 100 hardcover units.
III. MAPS- Measure of Academic Progress
2nd graders were tested for the first time this fall.
NWEA website has a component called “DesCartes”, which breaks down the scores on the MAP tests. It gives skill sets and concepts to introduce, develop, and enhance student achievement, based on the student’s score. It suggests how a teacher can focus their instruction to increase student achievement. NWEA has a chart that aligns a student’s RIT score with a projected CSAP performance. It is a fairly reliable predictor. The biggest discrepancy between Hopkins and the national norm is in Language Usage.
A parent asked if there is a way to pull one spreadsheet that shows MAP and CSAP scores together. These results are not available on a single spreadsheet at this time. The district is working on the development of this tool.
IV. Interventions
There was a discussion about how to work with students with disabilities to ensure they make academic growth. Data points would be Benchmark, MAP and CSAP scores, as well as common assessments given by the classroom teachers. Strategies would focus on increasing writing achievement.
Mr. Brueckner passed out a packet that included a pyramid with sections. The lower section indicates students who need little or no intervention. As one moves up the pyramid, interventions become more directed and intense. Students in those sections have multiple interventionists. School specialists work with the classroom teacher to develop strategies to help students do better. Pyramids will be developed for each class and each child. Interventionists get together to discuss students looking for strategies for success.
V. Principal’s Update
A. Counseling Programs Offerings
Elizabeth Mendieta is our full time counselor. Dr. Jan Ramalia is at Hopkins ½ time. Elizabeth sent home an information sheet about her services. She does limited individual counseling, but has many groups. She is available for parent consultations, too.
B. New Report Card
Mr. Brueckner passed out a letter and information sheets about the new report card that will be coming home this November. He explained that the report cards for K-2 will look different than those for 3rd - 5th because of how learning is evaluated at these different levels. Grades given will include an overall subject grade, and achievement on subject standards. Staff will develop common and consistent language, expectations and understandings of the grading system.
C. Lockdown Update
Lockdown went smoothly with District security personnel and Arapahoe Sheriff’s Department deputies watching the school. There are several levels of Lockdown in LPS. The level of communication is determined by the situation. There was a concern that children didn’t understand what was going on.
D. PLC’s
A concern was raised that parents are not sure what work is getting done with the new late start time for PLC’s. A suggestion was made to put PLC progress reports on the website. Communicating to parents about what staff do during late start days would be appreciated.
VI. Next MHAC Meeting
Date- November 13th 6:45-8:15. It ’s on this date because of the election the previous Tuesday.
Topics include:
Preschool playground
Update on the free all day Kindergarten grant
Common assessment data will be shared
“N Computing” information