June 23, 2010

Carson Elementary
CSIP Planning
June 23, 2010 
Staff Present: Cristeen Harper, Janet Tran, Sally Wolslegel, John Huson, David Heagle, Sarah Simon, Kim Moorhead, Erynn Acree, Debby Pancake, Kristen Hill, Barb Stroud, Danielle McGuire, Kim Pisha, Sandi Ahlers, Erlinda Suarez, Nikki Shannon, Jill Burch, Patti Nance, Arturo Gonzalez, Miles Erdly.
Staff Survey Results:
    1. Amy E. created questions with input from Arturo. Survey results were formatted and typed up in no particular order within each question. Individual/pair discussion followed distribution to CSIP group.
    2. Group discussion followed identifying common themes, systems issues,
    3. Communication (PACK, Carson Blog, email, Events Calendar,) is one recurring concern.
      1. Suggestions: PACK meetings on Monday instead of Friday, representatives from each team needed at each meeting, minutes emailed out immediately instead of just posted on blog, redefine purpose of PACK, clarify items that are discussions and when input is needed (universal verbiage for bringing back questions/decisions for reps to share with team), clarify when feedback is a voice/discussion and when it’s a vote for group input – when things are group decisions and when not, use of a minutes template to clarify discussion or action level item, clarify responsibility of a committee member/representative for all staff members. Decision: 2010-2011 PACK meetings on Mondays 2x per month; common minutes template will identify action items, decisions, discussion; minutes will be emailed out as well as posted to blog; all are welcome to attend mtgs, but one voice per team in decision making.
      2. Suggestions: Blog/Events Calendar/Email – communication system at Carson is professional responsibility of each staff member, reminder that blog is updated, need to check calendar,
      3. Announcements: Carson Kudos work well, CNN takes time and although offered as a stipend no takers this past year (equipment is basic, but overwhelming for novice users), anticipate stipend offer again for 2010-11,
      4. Committees: communication from mtg. to staff, reporting to staff during staff meetings or just blog – how can we be consistent? What is best way to communicate to staff (emails and blog – how much info is too much?) Decision: emailed minutes and posted to blog, action items addressed at staff meetings
      5. Email information regardless of length and number of emails. More info is always better.
      6. Announcements: discussion on consistent daily/weekly announcement time, impact to specialist schedules, 6th graders could make announcements, announcements will continue at 8:33ish (depends on start time)
      7. PACK will review these communication changes at end of 1st trimester: What’s working, What’s not working, Suggested changes
    4. Staff Parking: continue to lock before school and at dismissal for student safety (small windows), suggestion use cones but drivers don’t stop, Decision: issue will go to safety committee
    5. Other survey issues to go to small committees when appropriate to continue to address items.
    6. Working Relationships: revisit operating norms/Carson School Beliefs (pink handout), common expectations for staff interactions is not a part of this document. Small group discussion followed. Suggestions shared:
      1. “24 hour rule” to deal with issues between staff members one on one before going to administration
      2. Always talk to the person/persons you have a conflict with
      3. Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem
      4. Think about the reaction before the action
      5. Focus on student achievement
      6. You can never have too much information
      7. Nothing that impacts other people will be decided in a one-on-one meeting
      8. Decisions are made with data & research on best practice (communicate this)
      9. “Stick Together” &” Honor all voices” is redundant -  seems covered in “Treat each other with respect and dignity”
      10. Team decisions & commitments should be honored – agree to disagree, but follow thru on team consensus.
      11. Building Culture – flexibility, group/team building, opt out of non-academic activities is an ongoing  process
      12. Staff keeps informed regularly thru email and blog
      13. “Keep the Code” – everyone is expected to follow expectations (dress code, hallway behavior, lunch cards,
      14. Decisions:
        1. Change “School Beliefs” to “Code of Professional Conduct”
        2. 24 Hour Rule (training needed on how to talk to others professionally)
        3. When talking with administration, staff should clarify intent (venting, wanting feedback or advice, action requested…)
        4. Team decisions & commitments will be honored – agree to disagree, but follow thru on team consensus.
        5. Nothing that impacts other people will be decided in a one-on-one meeting
        6. Delete “stick together” from older list of beliefs
        7. Keep a sense of humor and positive attitude (revision)
        8. Decisions are made with data & research on best practice including action research projects
        9. Staff keeps informed regularly thru blogs each Monday morning
        10. Expectation that all staff will check email each morning before school
        11. “Keep the Code” – everyone is expected to follow expectations (dress code, hallway behavior, lunch cards,)
        12. September review with all staff re: blogs & new Code of Professional Conduct
Curriculum
  1. Accelerated Reader (decisions in red):
    1. AR points for 1st grade starting 2nd Trimester
    2. Pencils for meeting goal: Amber would give to teachers who would pass out as students meet their goal.
    3. Revisit trimester grade level goals, accuracy, other issues in September.

  1. Walk to Read
    1. When Carson opened, lead team agreed that W2R would be building-wide. Modifications have come through the years based on student and staff needs. Carson is a literacy-focused school that supports differentiated instruction utilizing W2R, Daily 5/CAFÉ, and other programs (including district intervention materials) to meet the needs of students. We are committed to data-driven decisions in our delivery of literacy instruction.

  1. Success Night (primary the past 2 years) – discussion included what went well, concerns & issues, timing of the date, value to students, parents, community. Decision to continue as K-2 event w/3rd grade to decide as a team whether to participate.

  1. Diversity Day: Diversity Committee recommends continuing this yearly event with a focus on Pacific Islander culture. Decision to do again next year, but move to the Friday before Spring Break – March 25.
  2. Curriculum Nights – no
  3. PTA Calendar passed out. Staff commitments: McTeacher Night, Fall Carnival, and Bingo Baskets.
  4. Summer Planning Days: Up to 15 hours paid time to meet as teams to plan for writing, reading, and math. Teams meet by end of August, meeting days/times to Arturo, invite Andrew S. and Vince P. with meetings at ESC. Can break up into 5 sessions of 3 hours each. Time is not required.
  5. Schedules:
    1. Lunch/Recess – recess before lunch worked this year. Separating grade levels worked better on playground – fewer discipline issues. Sanitary issues – could we have dispensers in the cafeteria? Budget will be examined to determine if hand sanitizer can be provided. Allergy issues – best dealt with on an individual basis.Schedule will stay the same.
    2. Lunch service: discussion about labor intensity with only 2 lunch servers which results in long lunch lines and short time for kids to eat. Health Dept. contacted re: sanitary issues in cafeteria and classrooms. New procedures may be implemented next year. Stay tuned…
  6. Spirit Assemblies: Erynn volunteered to coordinate assemblies. Time of assemblies makes it difficult for intermediate classes to return to classrooms and have meaningful instruction the last 45 minutes. Decision: look at master schedule to try to schedule recess earlier and have assembly at the end of the day. Chairs for 6thgrade – group assigned to set up/take down. Try seating with action in the middle of gym like at the BMX show. Make sure classes are called down and everyone there before starting.
  7. Procedures:
    1. Morning line-up – use gym/covered area when severe weather. All classes to line up in ABC order (with teacher modifications as needed).
    2. Recess Tokens will continue
  8. Stipends: Arturo presented list of stipends from the last 3 years at Carson. Discussion included student impact, balance of options for primary and intermediate, safety issues. Decisions: committee will be formed to take applications for all stipends due Sept. 10. Committee members: Janet, John, Sarah, Erynn, Arturo, Kristen. Applications will be passed out at 1st staff mtg. in August.
  9. Active Committees: Diversity (1x month), PACK (2x month), Safety (1x month), STAT team (weekly on Wed.), SRC (weekly on Thurs.). Ad Hoc Committees: Field Day, Success Night. AR/Reading (as needed).
  10. Grade Level Meetings: Tuesdays were designated so no one would schedule something else at that time. Decision: Team meetings will be on Wednesdays next year unless Wed. schedule changes thru bargaining this year.