Newton Middle School

Accountability Committee Minutes

May 15, 2008

Welcome and Introductions/Additions to agenda – Janet Okerman

• Members present:  Janet Okerman, Scott Roberg, Valerie Limes, Alyssa Boettcher, Rebecca Hissem, Pat Winterhalter, Christine Veto (here for James O’Tremba)
• Members absent: Chase Green, Julie Shanley, James O’Tremba, Capt. Bennett, Terry Petrie
• Special Guests:  Christine Veto
• Addition to agenda:  members present for last meeting not included on the minutes – Terry Petrie, Pat Winterhalter

Open Forum – Janet Okerman

• Adding names of attendees to the April 17, 2008 minutes.
• Two applications came in for the two openings on NAC for the 2008-09 school- year.  These applicants were voted on and Janet will contact them to welcome them to NAC.

Approval of Minutes – April 17, 2008

• Minutes from April 17, 2008 approved with changes.

Old Business

• Parent Surveys:  The data gained from the survey will be compiled into a data base so it can be sorted to how we want to view the results (by population, grade, elementary attended, etc.).  Valerie will work on this.
• Concerns over the results of the survey were brought up. Are we going to use the results to make changes?  Specific concerns are the length of lunch times, length of the lunch lines, and the friendliness of the personnel working with the students.  Can this committee require the changes be implemented/what is the role of NAC with making changes to the schedule?  NAC can only recommend changes to the administrative team and the administrative team will make decisions based on what is needed for the school.
• NAC will further study the results of the survey and make recommendations to the admin team at the first meeting in 08-09.

New Business

• Humanities curriculum – Christie Veto
  • Christine Veto presented the new Humanities materials, History Alive!  The reasons for going with this program across the grade levels include the following:
    • It is in line with the inquiry-based model that IB supports and addresses different learning modalities to motivate and engage students.
    • Reading and writing for multiple purposes is supported throughout the program; 
    • Teachers do not have to be expert teachers of reading or writing nor do they have to find supplemental activities to support reading/writing in the humanities;
    • The text is written in what is known as “considerate text” format (a reading term) in that it provides a clear structure, coherent writing, and has a definite awareness factor for the audience.
    • It is research-based in terms of active instruction (Multiple Intelligences, cooperative learning, interaction with content and context, as well as a spiral curriculum.
    • There is consistency in an aligned program for grades 6, 7, & 8.
    • Despite the gaps in 7^th grade, the program is strong and can be readily supplemented (the district will provide the necessary resources and materials).
    • Professional development and support will be consistent.
    • Equity of programming.

• Review of the year/Brainstorm ideas for next year’s agenda
  • Bring in district person in charge of testing/assessment to discuss math program & 07-08 CSAP/MAP results.
  • The agenda items for the 07-08 school year included Enrollment – Scott Murphy; Technology – Kent Wilmes; Master Schedule – James O’Tremba; Arts curriculum – Jesse Andrews; Survey; Humanities – Christine Veto.  The only topic from this year not addressed was PLC.  A suggestion was made to put PLC on the agenda for the first meeting and ask Val Grenewalt to present.
  • Other ideas included asking a district lobbyist or representative to come in to address issues, continue to have a representative on the district facility use committee, and to explore inviting parents to do such things as visit PLC groups or take MAP tests to get a feel for what is happening at school.
  • Suggestions for next year included a request for more in-depth study of the math program and the corresponding test results and scores.  Appreciation was expressed for the agenda being available online as well as the minutes.  A suggestion was made for NAC to be more accessible in order for more people to attend the meetings.  It seems to have an air of secrecy about it and that needs to be worked on. Perhaps NAC can present at Back-to-school night like the PTO does (NAC did have a manned information table at Night of Knights). Agendas and minutes were posted on the website and NAC information is shared at PTO.
  • Janet will get with James at the beginning of the next school year to set the year’s agenda.

Reports

• DAC – Scott Roberg
  • No meeting; April was the last one.
• PTO – Janet Okerman
  • Questions and comments on Night of Knights were addressed and posted on the Newton website.
  • 94% of students registered successfully with the online registration introduced this spring.
  • The internet safety parent forum was very well done.  Would like to see it taught in the computer classes we are offering this coming school year.
  • PTO approved the purchase of 3 eBeams; one per grade level.  We may be able to purchase more depending on what LPS decides to put forward for the technology bond issue in November, 2009.
  • The 6^th grade Street Fair is on Tuesday, May 20, from 8 – 11 a.m.  Julie Shanley has coordinated the donations and raffles.  She has contacted volunteers to work the fair but will contact anyone else who is still interested.
  • PTO is catering a staff appreciation lunch on May 27 to say “thank you” to the Newton staff.

• Principal’s Report – Christine Veto

• Hiring Update:  Two remaining positions to hire, 7^th social studies, PACE Program.
• Culminating end of the year events:  May 20^th, 6^th grade street fair, May 21^st, 8^th grade continuation, May 22^nd Recognition Assembly all grade levels, May 23^rd, 7^th grade Amazing Jakes, 8^th grade Elitch’s.
• E-beam technology, presentation to PTO, PTO purchased 3 units, one per grade level, Newton purchased 1 unit for MLT teachers/computer lab.
• In the process of purchasing an N-computing lab for room 401. This will give us additional computer lab space for teachers to check out.
• LPS Foundation Grant for 15 eee laptops that we will keep in the building, possibly for special education use.
• 30 eee laptops from the district on loan for one year….similar to mobile laptop lab.

Wrap-up – Janet Okerman

• Thanks to everyone for your participation and service on this committee for Newton this year.  It has been a privilege to work with each of you.