PS 107, Brooklyn | School Leadership Team (SLT)
Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2015
2:50-4:30 pm
Attendees:
Eve Litwack, Pascale Pradel, Julie Tayala, Peg Galella, Tamara Chebar, Shirley Harkins,
Alyse Dosik, Heidi Igoe, Deb Iarussi, Mariko Beck, Kim Berney-Brooke, Julie Rosenberg
State Testing
Reviewed State Testing in the school that started this week
• Overall things going well with the testing
• Teachers shared perception of the ELA tests
o Passages are readable, grade appropriate and engaging
o Generally at the higher end of grade level
• 32 students opted out (1 ESL not taking ELA/1 opting out for Math only)
o 6 came in Monday April 13
o 2 on Tuesday, April 14
o Breakdown by grade – seems evenly distributed
§ 7 - 3rd grade
§ 13 - 4th grade
§ 11 - 5th grade
§ 1 math only - 5th grade
o Since the SLT meeting on April 15, 3 additional students opted out of the Math
test
• Lower grade activities and students opting out
o Students who opted out are in their lower grade Buddy Classrooms
o Need to consider what to do next year if there are more who opt out, perhaps
keep in classroom
o PTA volunteers and Peg Galella – put together five activities for the lower
grades (Dad Beats, Collage Artist, 10 Minute Puppets, Ms. Susie, Art Table);
classes going to Brooklyn Museum and other field trips
State Education Reforms
Reviewed the New York Stated Education Reforms that were adopted
• Testing
o Teachers scored on the growth of the students on the tests, determined by the
State
o Cluster teachers & lower grades, will be determined by “Student Learning
Objectives” which are targets determined by the State
o Districts (e.g. NYC) may select an Optional standardized test developed by the
State or outside agency / company that is approved by the State
o The percentage of the teacher’s evaluation will be determined by the State Ed
Department (probably by June)
• Teacher Observations
o 2 required and 1 optional
o 1 required by the school Admin
o 1 required by an outside evaluator (could be a principal or AP district)
o Optional evaluation performed by a “peer” from school or district; peer must be
Effective or Highly Effective
o State Ed Department will determine the score ranges and weights placed on
observations and testing and the targets for student growth
Page 1 of 3 PS 107, Brooklyn | SLT Meeting Minutes April 15, 2015 Diversity Committee
Provided an updated on the We Are One series
• Learning Differences is the topic for the next series
• “Thank You Mr. Falker” by Patricia Polacco is the book that will be read
• Books will be distributed by May 11 to read during class of May 18
• Series will return in the 2015-2016 school year with a fall, winter and spring book
Parent Requests/Questions:
Shared general requests/questions that were brought up by parents
• Coding Residencies – would like to extend these to additional grades
o Making our students a leader in this field – provide a base and preparation for
future
o Already considering expansion of this program; scheduling is the primary
challenge, but will continue to work through this challenge for next year
• Science into K & 1 one day a week
o Looking to expand a full year of science in 2nd grade
o PS 107 is also hosting district elementary school science teachers to share
best practices and what they are doing in each of their schools
• Grade-specific online portals (primarily 5th Grade parents)
o Communication to parents on what the assignments are for the students would
be helpful
o There were several web-portals that allow teachers to share information with
the parents
o Will explore these options for the future
Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP)
SLT discussed the next topic for next year’s CEP goals
Effective School Leadership: Principals lead by example and nurture the professional
growth of teachers and staff, developing and delivering the instructional and socialemotional support that drives student achievement.
• Communications
o Parent meetings and workshops to help parents understand curriculum
expectations (Math, ELA, Testing, Middle School, annual Coffee Meetings for
each grade level)
o Weekly Newsletters (Staff) and Emails with Updates
o Monthly Newsletters (Families) and Emails with Updates
o Teacher-Team Meetings (Grades & Clusters; Grade Leaders; Vertical Teams;
Professional Development Committee, ICT; RTI; Tech; Faculty)
o Cabinet weekly meetings
o PTA updates
o School Based Support Team (IEP development)
o Custodians, Security, After School, Kitchen
• Observations & Feedback
• Professional Development based on teacher and school goals
• Goal Setting for School (with SLT) and Teachers
Page 2 of 3 PS 107, Brooklyn | SLT Meeting Minutes April 15, 2015 Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) cont.
• Ideas for cultivating student “voice” & responsibility in to our school (some we already
do)
o Peer remediation
o Random Acts of Kindness – allow students to prepare a speech around the
program and one random act of kindness (5th Graders)
§ Create a chain that has a random act of kindness from each student,
this chain will grow over the year
o Kids teaching other kids
o Enrichment activities: Teachers select an enrichment activity to teach; allow
students to select which activity they would like to do and have a 8-10 week
course outside of the standard curriculum (based on an Renzulli Model of
enrichment)
o In monthly grade newsletters
o Student Advisory Council (3rd-5th grade)
o Student Council (5th grade)
o Learning Buddies (all grades)
o Community Service (4th-5th grade)
• Feedback from all stakeholders
Next month’s goal for discussion
Review all CEP ideas and start to define goals for next year 5th Grade
Reviewed topics related to 5th Grade, Sexual Health Education and next trip for next year
• Sexual Health Education
o Course will be taught by Nurse Kara in single gender classes
o Reviewed and provided feedback on letter that will be sent home to parents,
which will allow parents to opt out their child
• New trip
o Eve spoke with 5th teachers and they are open to other suggestions
o Eve will call Trailblazers, which was suggested during last SLT meeting to get
more information: Trailblazers / Website: http://trailblazers.org/
Location: 210 Deckertown Turnpike, Montague, NJ 07827
Phone: 973-875-4116
Other Topics
Other topics that were discussed were survey participation and the next Parent Night
• Survey participation is low this year
o Will plan to have computers on each floor during parent teacher conference
next year so while waiting for teacher, can do your survey
• A Spring Parent Night is current scheduled for May 13th
o Recognized this is not a good date for PS 107 so will vote with the teachers for
another date
o Potentially use this night for the “learning fair” or as a time to review your child’s
portfolio of work (e.g. work created throughout the year) to speak with parent
around most proud work
Topics for Next Meeting
• CEP Goal – review ideas generated over the year and discuss draft plan
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 13 – 2:50-4:30pm
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