Site Council Minutes

Center Street School
700 Center Street
El Segundo, CA 90245

Center Street School Site Council Minutes
November 16, 2006

1. Opening
   The meeting was called to order by SSC President Greg Burner at 3:04PM, in the conference room.
   Attendance
   

   Principal	Marisa Janicek		Present
   Parental Representatives	Greg Burner	2007	Present
   	Julie Busch	2007	Present
   	Kathleen Edwards	2008	Present
   	Susan Fowler	2008	Present
   	Donna Horowitz	2008	Present
   Other School Personnel	Cheryl Ashley	2007	Present
   Teacher Representatives	Chris Prengaman	2007	Present
   	Marianna Tuchscherer	2007	Present
   	Cheryl Charney	2008	Present
   Teacher Alternate	Joanne Bowdre	2007	Absent
   Parent Alternate	Susan Truax		Absent
   PTA Representative	Alicia Miller		Present

2. Approval of Minutes - October 19, 2006
   Minutes of the October 19, 2006 meeting were presented and reviewed. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Julie Busch; seconded by Chris Prengaman; approved by voice vote.
3. Committee Reports
   1. English Language Advisory Committee
      1. English Language Development Test
         Marisa Janicek reported that children may be given the ELD test if parents indicate a language other than English is spoken in the home when they fill out registration forms. The test places kids in the categories of "Beginner", "Early Intermediate", "Intermediate", "Early Advanced", and "Advanced".
      2. Local Practices
         Marisa Janicek distributed copies of the 2006 Star test with English Proficiency Subgroups. There was discussion on the reading comprehension scores and possible strategies (TEDDE classes, Testing of other learning disabilities). It was decided that the topic will need to be revisited when the scholl plan is being reviewed.
   2. Wellness Committee
      Marisa Janicek distributed copies of an informational flyer on the ESUSD Wellness policy. The Wellness policy can be accessed on the internet. This is a statewide program and this policy is now in effect as much as possible. There was discussion on the policy of limiting parties/celebrations that involve food during the school day to no more than two per year and the policy that schools should not use physical activity such as running laps or pushups as punishment. Marisa also invited everyone to visit the cafeteria as the menu is now more nutritious and lines are shorter.
4. Analysis of Current Education Practices
   1. Language Arts
      Marisa Janicek reports that all students have been assessed in reading and that teachers are currently assessing again for trimester grades. More formal outcomes will be available after the trimester ends. Currently the reading specialist, Michael Herbert is seeing 71 kids in grades 1-3. There was discussion on revisiting this topic after the trimester when current assessment scores are available. There was also discussion on reading intervention at the end of kindergarten or beginning of first grade.
      Strategies currently in use: Writer’s workshop, Reading Literature circles and Directed writing.
   2. Math
      Marisa Janicek reports that the Everyday Math Program in use and may have a Parent Night to assist parents on strategies to help them help their children. Also, Math Intervention programs are now in progress for 3 rd through 5 th grades. There are at least 15 in each group. Teachers are also in need of supplemental materials for math and the Saxon Math curriculum was suggested as it is a more traditional program.
5. Reports
   1. PTA Gifts
      PTA has gifted a Riso machine, DVD/VHS player for primary grade teachers that didn’t request an LCD projector, Science CD’s, Maps, books on tape, and computers for new teachers.
   2. Priority list for allocating resources
      Marisa Janicek proposed that SSC funds be allocated to:
      1. Saxon Math – for supplemental math material.
      2. “Reads Naturally” computer program which would be used after school as intervention or 4th and 5th grade levels possibly on Monday minimum days. She recommends 4 levels at $299 each.
      3. 7 Primary teachers requested LCD projectors at $2,000 each.

      A motion to purchase 7 LCD projectors at $14,000; Saxon Math not to exceed $600; and Read Naturally computer program not to exceed $1,300 was made by Julie Busch; seconded by Susan Fowler; approved by voice vote.

      Julie Busch reports that she will come up with dates for survey sub-committee to meet. She also made a suggestion to send out a “homework” flyer for parents to fill out regarding Listserve. Julie and Susan Fowler to work on the flyer.

      Greg Burner states that according to the timeline the SSC is caught up.

      Meeting Adjourned at 4:07pm .

      Next Meeting scheduled for January 18, 2007 at 3pm .

      Submitted by Kathleen Edwards