In attendance: Heidi Bouchard, Jim Goldsmith, Bob
Goudreau, Sally Feussner, Kate Dodge, Doug Stewart, Frank Twarog, Sarah Murphy, Tracy Monniere, Susan Bergeron,
Ali Douglas
Grade Placement Process
Presented by Bob
Goudreau
·
Hinesburg Community School has a model of
single-grade levels (not looping or multi-age levels) for curriculum content
efficacy.
§
In middle school, teachers teach multi-age
group, but by grade. This way one teacher focuses on their subject (math,
science, or language arts).
·
In the beginning of the spring, placement forms
are sent to parents for their input.
Current classroom teachers also provide information about the student to
support placement.
§
Consideration is given to boy: girl ratio, mix
of learning needs, supports needed, social groupings, etc
·
Children who might need more assistance and
support in transitioning between grades, will get the support they need and
start earlier than the majority of their classmates in this process.
o Most
students participate in “move up day” in June; a day in which students go to
their new classroom and meet their new teachers.
·
By the end of May, the school team has a good
idea of class arrangements for the following year.
·
In the past, incoming kindergarten students have
come in for a “practice day” of sorts…and current kindergarten students had the
day/afternoon off.
§
This year, incoming kindergarten students will
come in August to have a day at school to help determine classroom placement.
School Board Update
·
Bob reviewed the content of last month’s school
board meeting. Incoming
kindergarten class size and current 4th grade class size make
certain arguments for additional staff; however, the 2013-2014 budget has been
approved.
·
This Wednesday (May 8th) Bob will
give his proposals to the school board.
o It
was suggested that, based on the agenda, that people should arrive at 8 pm, as
the meeting won’t be open for public comment until at least that point.
·
Discussion was had about the May 29th
school board meeting to decide whether or not Hinesburg will vote on the school
budget using Australian ballot.
PIE Committee Updates:
·
Staff Appreciation Committee:
o Teacher
Appreciation Week (THIS WEEK!)
§
Sally and Bob shared their appreciation (and
that of their colleagues) for the chalk messages written from on the pavement
from the parking lot to the school.
§
We reviewed the week’s events… a small treat
will be made available for ALL staff EACH day!
·
Help is still needed for Friday’s potluck lunch
for teachers.
·
Wellness Committee:
o Looking
for a grant to make a walking trail around the school/ athletic field with
activity stations.
o Starter
seeds are growing in the flex space; to be planted soon.
o Blueberry
beds are prepped and Andrea Morgante will come later on and help students plant
the plants.
o The
composting program is moving into some classrooms as well.
o Deb
Bissonette is working on revision of recipes to meet Federal Guidelines.
o Fuel
Up to Play 60 grant was won. This grant supports physical education and doing
food education/recipe sampling.
·
Fund Raising Committee:
o Golf
Tournament:
§
Sunday, May 19th at Cedar Knoll. Good
sponsorship and prizes have been gathered; however, we’re short on golfers.
§
E-mail Kate if you’d like some “match making
help” in creating teams. Please help spread the word!!
o Lake
Monster Game on August 11th
§
A good response was had for this event! You can
still order more tickets by calling the Lake Monster office to support the
school.
·
Note: Tickets that are bought can be exchanged
for any other dates as well.
·
Celebrations:
o Today
first graders went to Shelburne Farms; an amazing time was had by all!
o May
9 (Thursday) is the 4th
grade science fair.
o Third
grade is working on their Rain Forest project; the classes are looking more
like jungles each day!
·
Calendar Alerts:
o May
8, School Board Meeting at CVU
o May
9th, 4th grade science fair.
o May
19, Golf Tournament
o June
13, 8th grade graduation
o August
11, HCS night at the Lake Monsters
PIE Meetings to be held on
the first Monday of the month at 6 pm (Next meeting June 3rd)
