tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29481054980356765442024-03-13T11:38:28.460-07:00MadisonSCAPEAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12706940739666307147noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948105498035676544.post-88036838944968130332014-09-20T08:01:00.002-07:002014-09-20T08:01:49.683-07:00September 2014 Summary<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
--<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Meeting
days/times/locations: </b>It seems like Wednesdays have become more difficult
for members to meet on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to change
our standard meeting date to the second Thursday of the month with the
locations to alternate between the Allied neighborhood and the Lussier
Center/Ashman Library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This means
that our next meeting will be held on Thursday October 9th. </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will confirm the location and get that
information out to you ASAP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Principal Search: </b>Discussion
centered around the process and making sure that communication of timelines and
other decisions was improved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
many concerns that were raised because of the speed with which initial
decisions were required to be made as well as the general lack of clarity
provided by MMSD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it stands now, the
committee that was created in the spring will continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was suggested that the committee try and
meet prior to any interviews or other actions, and to try and meet without
administration present.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Volunteering and
Background Checks: </b>We continued our conversations about the challenges that
are involved in insuring the safety of students while encouraging all families
to be involved at Crestwood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Building
Relationships: </b>We would like to increase the diversity in our group (in
terms of all demographics, neighborhoods, connections to Crestwood, etc.) and
discussed ways to make this happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is clear that we need to establish our legitimacy in a variety of ways and to
reach out to a variety of organizations, groups and neighborhoods in order to
build these relationships (both internal and external to the immediate school
community).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ideas included. . .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More
focused meetings with better "marketing" of specific topics</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Connecting
with organizations and inviting speakers to meetings </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finding out
what different communities within our larger community are</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>interested
in</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Using
connections like Girls on the Run or Millennium Soccer as vehicles for</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>developing
relationships.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Long Range
Planning: </b>It was agreed that having a focused action for the year would be
a positive for our group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of
ideas were presented and we will continue this discussion at our next meeting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1) Advocating for more SEA's (Special Education
Assistants/Aides) in all schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
could be tied to implementation of the Behavior Education Plan as well as a way
to increase diversity in staffing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
could also be an improvement in the Grow Our Own initiatives where employees
are assisted in becoming licensed professionals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2) Support for the BEP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are many issues around this new approach to discipline and it will
encounter many bumps in the road to implementation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time it is a worthwhile
initiative that needs discussion and support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Other
Potential/Continuing Issues: </b>Focusing on any topic or issue will not
preclude us from having conversations about other things as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Issues that were raised included testing
(Smarter Balanced), Common Core, Educator Effectiveness, and ELL/ESL
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a certainty that other
issues will come up as the year unfolds. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was also suggested that we reach out to MMSD and inquire
as to what issues they might want our "assistance" with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a number of connections and it might
be interesting to hear what administration views as a priority for groups like
ours to focus on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rest assured that we
would continue to be an independent voice for our school, our community, our
students and staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wouldn't want it
any other way, would we!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12706940739666307147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2948105498035676544.post-72712001725719230492014-01-16T03:34:00.000-08:002014-01-16T03:34:04.299-08:00January 2014 Meeting and Action Items<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="aqj"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></b></span><span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">Summary of
January 15, 2014 SCAPE Meeting</span></b></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Updates on Action Items</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Website</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">We will continue to explore getting our own
URL and creating a website primarily designed to share information with SCAPE
members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will try to get madscape.org
as our URL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other discussion included
making sure the website is current, accessible and uncluttered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Meetings
at Boys and Girls Club</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">Nancy</span><span class="aqj"> was able to reserve a meeting room for our February, April, June and
August meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Assessment</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">The SCAPE letter was sent, but no response
has been received from MMSD.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Attendance
at Board of Education meetings</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">This will be crucial as we look to get
information and to influence policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Conferences/Ready
Set Goal</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">Discussions with MMSD and MTI have not
produced positive results yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is another
meeting scheduled for next week and Andy will report information from that as
it is available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently MMSD staff is
expressing a possibility that RSG's will not be funded in future budgets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Technology
and Budget</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">Due to the unexpected introduction and push
to pass the MMSD Technology Plan we spent a significant time discussing the
plan and its potential implications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Major concerns centered around the fact that the plan is being rushed
through, the evidence supporting the need for 1:1 student to technology ratios
is not there for elementary students, and that given current budget concerns
the price tag for the plan will impact other programs and staffing in a way
that is of significant concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 105.0pt;">
<a href="http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/action/tell-fisher-price-no-ipad-bouncy-seats-infants" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Given our discussion, I thought this was interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The future is here, and it is a tad scary in
many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 105.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/action/tell-fisher-price-no-ipad-bouncy-seats-infants" target="_blank">Tell Fisher-Price: No iPad bouncy seats for infants!</a></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/action/tell-fisher-price-no-ipad-bouncy-seats-infants" target="_blank">commercialfreechildhood.org</a></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Discussion Topic- Grouping, Clustering and Tracking</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">We had a great, although somewhat
abbreviated, conversation about this issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some thoughts that were raised included:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">-What drives this process is it student
centered, curriculum centered, budget centered, or</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>based
on legal requirements?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">-How are students grouped/identified and
what can be done to improve this process?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">-How do we "remove the edges" and
make our classrooms places where all students are</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>engaged
in learning appropriate to their needs, not removed or given "one size
fits</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>all"
activities.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">-There was concern raised that the inclusive
climate at Crestwood is changing because of</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>initiatives
like Mondo, math grouping and Interventions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">-Elementary grouping is, in many ways, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a different creature than Middle and High <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>School grouping.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">-What do the different communities and
groups in our school need/want to make sure that</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>all
of our students have opportunities that are geared to their needs? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">-How do we have conversations that are not
compartmentalized by group or by interest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is the current reality and causes conflict between different groups instead of</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>creating
a cohesive solution to our challenges. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"To Do" </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Meetings
at Boys and Girls Club</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">More follow-up with B&GC staff will
occur to try and increase neighborhood attendance at our meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Assessment</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">Andy will follow up with the Superintendent
and we will consider communicating our concerns at a future Board of Education
meeting if no response is received.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Attendance
at Board of Education meetings</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">Cris will email the Board's weekly schedule
as it becomes available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will look
into getting buttons made so that we can be identifiable at events and meetings.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Technology
and Budget</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">We will gather information about the plan
over the next couple of days with more info coming in from a contact on the Technology
Steering Committee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">Then we will begin a letter writing/phone
campaign to ask questions of the Board and Administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be asking these individuals to slow
down the process and explore all options before passing a plan that could
negatively impact our students and schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">We will also look at getting some
information out in the media as well (letters to the editor, Facebook, etc.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">We will also communicate with other schools
in order to expand the voices that are heard on this issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">Over the weekend we will share ideas and
formulate some "talking points" for people communicating as SCAPE
members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Members are welcome to
communicate their ideas as individuals, but we want to make sure that SCAPE is
heard as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">It is important that we get this started
quickly so that our opinions are heard during the decision making process and
not just "after the fact" at a Board meeting where the votes have
been decided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">--Increasing
SCAPE Visibility </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">We will try and make contacts in the Allied
community as well as in our ELL community to increase participation from these
groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Next Meeting: </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wednesday
February 19th 6:30 @ Boys and Girls Club </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Potential
Topics:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>-Follow up on "To Do"
list</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-Improving
Communications</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-Continue
our Grouping/Tracking/Clustering conversation</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-Presentation
on Homelessness by a Crestwood Parent</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj">Feel free to suggest other items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would like to have a focus so that we can
communicate this with B&GC staff or other Allied neighborhood sources to
try and increase attendance from that community at our meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="aqj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12706940739666307147noreply@blogger.com0