From: Marino, Jay

Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 3:52 PM

To: Principals

Cc: Cabinet

Subject: Today's Principal Meeting Minutes

Principals,

Thanks so much for your attendance and participation today. I know it was a long day, but I believe we accomplished a lot. I wanted to summarize some information from today. Contact me if any changes or clarifications need to be made.

· Heard presentation from Tom and Deb regarding Audubon's Literacy Facilitator model (handouts were distributed). Thanks Tom and Deb!

· Discussed vendors/salespeople in the schools. The group decided to not allow future vendors/salespeople into buildings until the issue can be studied further. Issues raised: we aren't following policy regarding "equal access" to vendors; some buildings allow certain vendors in the building while denying others; vendors are beginning to complain that they don't have equal access; teachers really like having the vendor materials. Pete, Tom and Nancy agreed to form a subcommittee to study the policy and come up with a proposal/solution that we can all "legally" live with. This will be presented in the near future.

· Sue Reading shared updates and information regarding; SAP training, Dr. Michael Carpenter, case manager schedules and other (handouts were distributed)

· Dr. Markward asked Principals to keep the school calendar (web site) up to date. Tom McKinney mentioned that his staff will be receiving training on September 4th and others are invited to attend. Contact Tom for details.

· Dr. Markward addressed field trip notifications: All overnight field trips must be approved by the board of education (Jay will send out notice/reminder to staff/principals)

· Dr. Markward distributed information about Administrator certification (handout distributed)

· Cancelled meetings on 10/4/02 (Leadership), 11/21/02 (Principal) & 4/18/02 (Leadership)

· Discussed promotion criteria issue- set the stage for future discussions. This will be on the next agenda.

· Sheila presented the updated Gifted Comprehensive Plan (handout was distributed). Thanks for all your efforts Sheila!

· Kay presented information regarding the SECME updates- more information will be coming

· Kay reminded the group of consistency in planning for 9-11- all buildings will take a moment of silence after the pledge and will encourage students/staff to wear red, white & blue.

· Jay shared professional development information: Accelerated Reader is scheduled for November 13th. Accelerated Math will be scheduled sometime in October if at all possible. View the latest professional development updates online at the curriculum web site.

· Head Start classroom placement discussion: There is still a need for classroom space for one head start classroom. Jay/Sue will be following up with some principals regarding possible placement of Head Start class.

· Principals break-out sessions: K-6 addressed the following topics- Nancy Galbraith shared the Eugene Field model of collecting Houghton Mifflin theme test data. Nancy will email Jay the files to be placed online for others to use. Ultimately, this type of data collection will become a part of the overall assessment plan in the district and a key dashboard component in the future. Thanks Nancy for sharing. Scott will be pulling together information regarding consistency in dealing with attendance issues- a proposal will come back to the principal group in the future. Jay distributed information regarding science materials and training (see handouts). Foss training will occur September 10-12 according to the distributed schedule. Data was presented regarding McMillan/McGraw-Hill materials distribution. Principals need to review the data and email Jay by next Wednesday if there are any changes.

· 7-12 issues addressed: Nova Net update, Rick DeFore professional development opportunity & building issues were discussed

· Bruce shared information about the district spelling bee. His presentation began with information about "evaluating programs and activities- focusing on the essential few" (see handout). There was consensus among the group that instructional time should not be spent preparing for the spelling bee. It is up to the building to decide the level of involvement in the spelling bee. Some principals might still conduct a brief spelling bee assembly in the school.

· Agenda items for future meetings: Intersession and Park Department (Pete), Language Arts standards (Diana), ISAT writing (Rick), Promotion criteria (Pete)

· An evaluation of the meeting was conducted

Plus

Marathon meeting, but great info from our colleagues.

·Lots of food

·Though rather long, love this format for admin. meetings.

·Break-out sessions are great.

·Great presentations!

·Thanks for the food!

·Shared info from principal that will be beneficial to everyone (Tom, Nancy, Sheila)

·The presentations by Tom, Sheila and Nancy were great!

·Thanks for lunch.

·Covered many important areas.

·Excellent rate.

·Excellent food.

·Continue to keep elementary & secondary issues separate.

·Followed agenda.

·Important topics.

·Good discussion.

·Important info to share.

·I appreciate being mindful of our time.

·It’s hard to be away.

·Great gifted materials

-parent/student handbook

-student card

·Excellent work by Sheila. Et. al.

·Good breakout sessions.

Delta

·A lot of info.

·Need to be in our buildings.

·1:30 a “killer”.

·Keep moving along.

Too much time out of the

Excellence Every Day!

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Jay Marino

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction & School Improvement

Rock Island-Milan Public Schools

2101 Sixth Avenue- Admin Center - Rock Island, IL 61201

Voice: 309-793-5900 ext. 253 - Fax: 309-793-5905

jay.marino@risd41.org - http://www.risd41.org

Instruction/ School Improvement Site: http://curriculum.risd41.org/

Personal Web Site: http://www.jmarino.ws

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