December Minutes
by Krista Eisenhauer
Curriculum Coordination Committee
Minutes of the December 2009 Meeting
The meeting of the CCC was called to order by chairperson Stacy Shumake-Henn at 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 in the ITV room. Members present were Barb Bode, Steve Dennis, Krista Eisenhauer, Jimmy Feeney, Melissa Heithoff, Stacy Shumake-Henn, Deb Jones, Brenda Siems, Sue Vanis and Lori Widger.
The agenda for November was read. Sue Vanis made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Melissa Heithoff. Motion passed.
The minutes of the November meeting were read. Brenda Siems made a motion to approve, seconded by Steve Dennis. Motion passed.
Old Business
In old business Mr. Feeney reported that the seniors have started the John Baylor prep test during alternating periods of the school day. The pacing is much like the ACT test sections. The students have the opportunity to do a practice test that resembles the ACT on their own after the John Baylor prep test. The practice test is designed to last three hours to prepare them for the actual time allotment of the ACT test.
Mr. Feeney discussed the 9 week class idea. Mr. Feeney would like teachers to begin outlining possible classes to be offered in the 9 week format. He suggested that teachers remember to integrate technology in the possible classes to be offered so as we are preparing students for jobs in the future. The following classes were suggested at the November meeting to be offered as 9 week courses: Career Communications, Etiquette, Journalism/Photography, Personal Finances, Study Skills, and Technology (Podcasting, Blogging, Google Docs, etc.). Some of these classes could be combined and taught for half a quarter each.
The next item of old business discussed was making changes in the master schedule for the 2010-2011 school year. Mr. Feeney discussed some of the suggestions made for changing the schedule around: keep study halls in place, offer core classes in the morning, and offer Reading Mastery in the morning. Mrs. Bode and Mr. Feeney will be looking at ways to change the schedule around in the next month. They would like to have a rough draft by January so teachers can make suggestions.
Mr. Feeney also discussed the idea of using PBS or the Positive Behavior System in our school. There are some requirements to be met and an application must be filled out and is due in May. Some of the requirements mentioned were administration support, 80% of the staff must be certified, and PBS needs to be included as a school improvement goal. The program takes two years of training before it can be fully implemented. Some schools that have participated in PBS are Spencer-Naper, West Boyd, and Niobrara.
The last item of old business was the Ekberg online assessments. It was stated that we have purchased all of the test banks for all subjects for the 2009-2010 school year because this is the only option offered by Paul Ekberg. It was discussed that a school can’t just purchase one or two subjects from the test banks. All subjects must be purchased. Teachers are to continue doing the same Ekberg assessments as they have in the past for this school year.
New Business
In new business, Mrs. Shumake-Henn discussed some concerns teachers had on junior high graduation requirements. Currently there is no requirement or policy if junior high students fail classes. If junior high students fail classes they continue on to the next grade level without any reinforcement or tutoring. Retaining students was discussed and how to make this a requirement. Currently in the elementary, retaining a student is based upon parent/teacher judgment. Another suggestion was made to do a mentoring program with students who are failing or struggling in classes. Mr. Feeney stated that we need to identify the needs that are lacking or the reason behind the failing of the student. It was suggested to do a survey of the teachers to find out what the common needs and reasons for student failure are in the classrooms.
The last item of new business discussed was the end of the year recording of outcomes and new assessments. The numbers of the standards are different on the local assessments and in the Schoolmaster program. There was some confusion on whether teachers need to continue assessing with the local district assessments, Ekberg assessments and the new Nebraska State assessments. Some of the new state standards have stars by them indicating they are covered on the state reading and writing assessments. Mr. Dennis stated he would try to find out more on the local assessments and if it is necessary to report on these along with the Ekberg and new state standards. He would also find out if new assessments need to be made and numbers need to be changed on current local assessments.
The next meeting was set for January 27th, 2010 in the ITV room at 4:00 P.M. Supper will be served by Brenda Siems and Krista Eisenhauer after the meeting. The CCC meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by Krista Eisenhauer, Secretary
