In attendance: Jeff O’Hara, Allegra Miller, Alesia Depot,
Ali Douglas, Jen Roth, Kim Hopwood, Tanya Jones, Paul Marino, Susan Lepple,
Anne Broussard, Kate Dodge, Kim Gordon, Kristen Miskavage, Stacey Riley, Carla
Wuthrich
Grants
Science
Discovery Kits for all 4th Graders: Request
for $500 to purchase “kits” of consumable and durable science materials which
will be used by 4th grade students to enhance our science inquiry
discussions. The kits will include
materials such as owl pellets, circuit kits, and other items to allow students
to conduct hands-on STEM-type experiments in building/engineering, testing, and
exploring methods and outcomes.
Summer
Camp Scholarships: Request for $500 to help cover or supplement
scholarships for summer camps for children from families with limited financial
resources.
Dreambox:
Request for $1,750 to purchase 60 licenses to Dreambox Learning, a web-based
resource for mathematics that could be accessed from home. The program adapts to each individual learner
no matter where they fall on the mathematics learning spectrum. Looking to “pilot” the use of the program in
younger students, an emphasis on 1st and 2nd graders the
first year. No other schools in CSSU
have it, not in budget, but if becomes needed school wide then would go in
budget. Teachers already trying it out
with 60 day trial. If can get training
for free, would use unused $ for training. Tracks 60 behaviors simultaneously.
Microphones: Request
for $500 to purchase a few good quality microphones of various styles for
musical, theatrical and special performances.
Strategically can do more for sound system than just microphones, but
microphones will go with any sound system.
Budget: $3,300, total of all requests =$3,250
Kate Dodge—motion to vote on all 4 grants
Alesia Depot—seconded
Voting – the motion passed.
Presentation
Jen Roth “Helping Your Student at Home” presentation link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19Hx_0NZl8jvcWYjeMMdLoftNaTbjkZZw5fj1j0D2o6I/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p
Reading for 20 minutes = great results
Homework created for practice, not debate
New philosophy around learning, Angela Lee Duckworth, need
to understand motivation and basis of success better—one characteristic
emerged—grit (stamina, live life like marathon, not sprint). Shocking the lack of knowledge how to build
grit. Growth mindset: believe ability to
learn not fixed, can change with your effort.
Children believe that failure not the end. Need to be willing to fail and start over
with lessons learned. “Need to be gritty
with getting our kids grittier”.
“fixed mindset” versus “growth mindset”
Teaching mindset self-talk.
Good reference books:
· The Talent Code
· Habits of Mind by Across the Curriculum edited by Arthur L. Costa & Bena Kallick
· Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.
· Habits of Mind by Across the Curriculum edited by Arthur L. Costa & Bena Kallick
· Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.
Habits of Mind: Transdisciplinary—the connection from
classroom to home to create culture to support children’s growth. Habits of Mind integrates with best practices.
Not always easy at home, but always support the children.
Seeds planted for growth mindset as early as Kindergarten.
Garden
Needs
Garden grit. 5 years
ago quick meeting in library with 5 people idea of HCS garden and connection
with children and curriculum. During 5
years planted 21 raised beds. Have
gotten very far with garden: practical hands on learning—what keeps plant
alive, etc. Seen growth with integration
with classroom. Second grade incorporate
math and sciences with garden. Came out
with science books to determine how to tell what edible and not. Support of social and emotional
wellbeing. When kids out in garden are so
happy. Moving soil, playing games, doing
investigations, engaging in natural world, making connections, ie. eating
carrot where did come from? Linking hard
work and growth. Opportunity to do
walking field trips. Enjoyment and
education of new fruits/veggies.
Garden needs help. A
lot of great things have happened, but a lot more still could happen. Email to teachers as to what they want to
do. Some people interested in growing
for more civic opportunities (ie: food shelf) and some for flowers, here, or
for meals on wheels, etc.
Fourth and second grade use.
Needs: biggest need
seed plant day on Tuesday, April 14th. Student planting in flex space, need
volunteers to help out. Happens all day
long, busy time, classes at a half hour at a time, try food first and then
planting. Need extra hands throughout
day!
Resources: facebook, front porch forum (customize for HCS
parents)
Other big need is summer, great time as not rushed. Have set up outdoor kitchen garden and made
pesto and ate pesto, kids love it.
Grant at school set up to teach kids pay it forward, may be
an option for meals for wheels, etc.
A lot that has been done, but still much to be done. Program has been established but still need
more work.
Past Helpers: Susan and Drew Lepple, Kelli Brown, Dan Opton,
Andrea Morgante, Heidi Simkins—THANK YOU!!
Need help with blueberry bushes, need professional weed mat
placed over the grass and then mulch on top.
Gardening camp at Part II?
Gardening incorporated in general.
PiE budget includes money to garden. Also a Lowe’s grant for the past two years.
2nd graders will have compost available.
Principal's Report
Middle school science fair already happened. 4th Grade Science Fair--Thursday,
April 16 at 5:30-6:30 pm.
Dig it huge success.
Approx. 53 students participated.
Kindergarten orientation next week. Approx. 50 students.
SBAC coming. Fourth
grade start next week with 7 & 8.
HCS has hired two long term substitutes at HCS: Carah Deal
will be teaching in Audrey Hubbell’s 1st grade classroom and Kristen Couillard (who
has been a 5-8 para specialist at HCS) will be teaching in Paul Rocheleau’s
room.
Sport teams. Baseball
with Charlotte because of numbers. One
softball player joined us from Charlotte.
Jump Rope for Heart—most students ever.
Art shows: one at
University Mall already happened, April 27 art reception at Carpenter-Carse,
artwork on display through May 8.
Family Dance was a great success!
Activity night for K-2 put on by 8th grade for
money for Montreal trip. Did one for 6th
last week that was very good.
8th grade sleep over if anyone wants to
chaperone.
Placement process starting, K-4 get parent forms, hoping to
get parent input. June 8 notice of
placement. June 11 is move-up day.
April 14th decision when last day of school
is. One day wiggle room. 16th or 17th of June is
the last day.
End of Year Opportunities
May 12-Duct Tape Parenting speaker as HCS
May 5 staff appreciation week—Nancy Wood, lead person, but
would like another person to help out.
Four Winds next year, volunteers, discuss at Kindergarten
registration.
Fundraising
Update
Family Dance was a great event, over $4,500 raised and a lot
of fun!! HUGE thanks to all who
organized and helped.
Future events:
*Flower Power
sales: 4/1-4/15. Shop online through May
1 through this link: http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/470578/XqQAE42Z5d15
*Lake Monster ticket sales: anticipated in May
*Box Top Spring Raffle turn in date: Tues. May 26, raffle
during announcements Fri. May 29
*Hike & Picnic: Sun. 5/31
*Lake Monsters Game: Sun. 6/28
We also discussed
next year's events a bit and already have the Hinesburg Public House PiE night
set up for Tues. 10/6.
