PIE Meeting May 3, 2011

PIE Meeting May 3, 2011

In attendance: Elisabeth Garvey, Sue Hoeppner, Frank Twarog, Patti Drew, Bob Goudreau, Ali Douglas, Lisa Falcone, Steve Hyde, Kate Dodge, Jennifer Prue, Kelli Brown, Lindsay Hay, Lisa Falcone, Michaela Whitman, Joan McGuire, Kate Dodge, Andrew Dennison, Carla Wuthrich

1. Updates and Sharing

   • Kelli Brown shared the good news that HCS won the Skinny Pancake grant for the garden project. Thanks to Kelli for her extensive efforts and to all those who voted (and asked friends to vote as well!)

   • Kate shared that HCS got a $2000 grant from a small family foundation (The Rettgu Family Foundation). An additional $2000 was received from the town of Hinesburg. Still waiting to hear from Lowe’s grant and Ben & Jerry’s grant sources.

   • Multiple parents shared their experience and feedback from the PIE introduction to Bob at the recent placement process meetings. The majority of feedback was around the timing of the meetings (Tuesdays and 6 pm both being challenging times for people to participate on a more regular basis)

2. Follow up from last PIE meeting’s action items:

• Steve will be putting out an announcement to look for ideas and volunteers to host 8^th graders after their class trip to the Great Escape.

• Jen reported back on her conversation with Heather (who is away on business). A second signature is required for a Federal Tax ID number; Jen agreed to be this person to get the process started.

• Heather also encouraged the group to talk about discussing and/or creating a process for people to request money from the PIE group.

3. Check-Ins from HCS staff:

• Administration:

  • A letter went home to parents sharing that HCS will be facilitating the after-school program in the 2011-2012 school year. This was not done because they were unhappy with the YMCA services, but it was done to carryover school expectations and to help generate income for HCS.

  • Bob gave an overview of the placement process for transitioning students. As we move to straight grades next year (except 7-8), the majority of students are transitioning. The administration works with parents, classroom teachers, special educators, guidance, UA, and paras to continually improve this process.

• Pre-K, K, 1, 2 Report

  • Kindergarten has just finished a geology unit and are planting seeds for the garden.

  • Kindergarten orientation happening this week - Thursday and Friday (5/5 and 5/6). Next year's K students are coming in for the afternoon and current kindergarteners are dismissed at 10:45.

  • 1^st graders are learning about farms. Joan shared that 1^st graders are designing farms on a large grid, and need to pay for projects, land and supplies are acquired with their “Farm Bucks”. This project incorporates literacy, science, math, and animal science.

  • May is assessment month for 1^st graders. Moving from reports about the self to reports about others.

  • Second grade is doing a ramps unit, writing realistic fiction, writing poems.

  • Jump Rope for Heart program raised $1600!

  • Kate shared that 2^nd graders are doing double-digit subtraction using the Bridges way of approaching the problem. She shared the success and excitement about using this.

• Grade 3, 4, 5 Report

  • 3-5 teachers receiving Bridges training this week. All teachers are excited.

  • May 10,11,12 Science NECAP scheduled for 4^th grade.

  • CSSU as a district has been working on common assessments. Assessments modeled after NECAPS and were administered to each grade.

  • May 9^th all 4^th graders are going to the Audubon center to wrap up their year long study of birds.

  • May25th 3-4 grade are hosting an economy fair.

  • May 26^th is the grade 5 history fair.

• Grade 6, 7, 8 Report

  • Steve shared that 8^th grade has science NECAPS coming up.

  • 7-8 graders are working on their social studies inquiry projects.

  • 6^th graders are doing a Country Project currently

  • Car wash will be Saturday (5/7) to raise money for the 8^th grade class trip to the Great Escape. (Sponsored by student council)

  • Student Council is still looking for a family activity to be hosted in the Hinesburg area after the students return from The Great Escape (perhaps around 7 pm)

  • June 10^th is tentative date for The Great Escape trip.

  • June 13^th is the tentative date for the Sand Bar trip for grades 6,7,8.

  • Michael Nearny is doing a workshop titled “Welcome to the Adolescent Brain” on May 26^th at 7 pm at CVU auditorium

  • CVU summer camps are being held in July for children in 8^th grade currently. Go to the CVU website for more information.

  • House assignments from CVU will be given out before the end of school. Parents will receive a letter for this information along with the student’s tentative schedule.

    • A parent meeting with House teachers will be held in August.

• Unified Arts Report

  • 1-2 and 5-6 Talent shows were cancelled.

  • Lots of concerts coming up – see hcs website front page

• School Board update:

  • Budget passed

  • CSSU merger committee is occurring to examine a unified school board (including all sending towns to CVU). By next fall a recommendation will be made to each school board and a vote will be held based on these recommendations.

    • The committee is mainly focused on how a proposed change will influence or impact the quality of education being provided.

    • A parent asked Kelli Brown about how the school board gathers parent opinion. One method is by a school board member being a regular PIE representative.

4. PIE Forum

• PIE forum will be hosted June 7^th to promote awareness of PIE, share the efforts of this year’s group, and to gain increased membership for next year.

  • Priorities

    • Celebrations

    • Bring Someone

    • Reflecting and sharing (next steps, hopes/expectations, share ideas what PIE can take on next year)

• 7-8:30 pm PIE meeting time. Childcare to be provided.

(6:30 pm the current PIE attendees will be here to setup)

5. HCS Garden Update:

• Kelli shared worksheet with updates on activity, fundraising, summer activity, and fall projects.

• Details will be posted on the PIE blog.

6. Action items for next PIE meeting:

   1. Sue will post grade staff configuration for the 2011-2012 school year on the blog.

   2. Sue will e-mail folks about creating the staff appreciation breakfast.

   3. Elisabeth will write an article for the Hinesburg Record.

   4. Kelli will share garden handout with Sue to post on the Blog

   5. Ali will organize food and accommodations for forum.

6. Call for Volunteers:

   1. 1^st and 2^nd grade teachers are looking for adults to volunteer their time and typing talents to help the students type and publish their reports.

   2. 7^th grade parents interested in helping organize the 8^th grade graduation reception. Contact Deb Lyman if you’re willing to help.

   3. 8^th grade parents interested in helping to decorate for graduation should contact Deb Lyman to find out more.

   4. May 6^th (Friday) Sue is organizing staff appreciation breakfast… stay tuned for more information on how you can help.

June 7th will be the next PIE meeting at 7 pm.