Principal McClure contacted the district for the second
time regarding the dirt stair/ramp between the Kinder playground and the reading
boat. It is not up to code and potentially hazardous. The district agreed to
build new stairs! If this fix includes a retaining wall this could free up some
space for a garden behind the science lab, Mrs. McClure will work with the Site
Beautification Committee on any possible site beautification in this area if
needed. They also came out right away and fixed up the fence around the reading
garden inside the Kinder playground.
Principal McClure met with the Landscaping Crew about
trimming trees. This would include the olive tree in front of K1 and the bushes
near Rooms 11 & 13. They will also work on weeding the red apple ice plant
that is growing along the parking area.
The Irrigation/drainage issues along Catalina near the
ramp are the responsibilities of the district and still need to be
addressed.
Promethean Boards are in use – even a grandmother was
using one on Grandparents Day in Mrs. Harvey’s room!
‘Push-In Teachers’ – we have five ‘Push-In Teachers’ who
are working at Silver Gate and are assisting with math and literacy. They are
Michelle Fox, Kristen McGregor, Krista Gomez, Linda DeFabrizio, and Rosemary Avalos. They are working with
teachers by creating the opportunity to work with students in smaller groups
either led by the push-in teachers or led by the teacher depending upon the
teacher’s preferences. They have been extremely successful. There will be one
more Push-In Teacher later in the year. The program is becoming even more
successful with the use of forms that streamline communications with the Push-In
Teachers so that when the teacher is busy they can jump right in with the kids.
These communications might possibly be used for parent volunteers as well.
Principal McClure talked to teachers (with the largest
groups of struggling students) about their needs regarding receiving reading
support and they responded that Push-In Teachers are the most beneficial. They
said that having the ability to teach in smaller groups or one-on-one (with the
help of the Push-In Teachers) is better than having more reading helpers.
Because of that need, Principal McClure asked that we shift funds within the FSG
Budget from the Science Lab over to the Push-In Teachers so that we may have
them all year long as opposed to only part of the year. We are not using all the
money from the Science Lab, $4,000 that was put aside for science lab assistants
could be shifted over to the Push-In Teachers to extend their stay to the entire
school year.
FYI: We have five one-on-one assistants, Mara Hunter,
Rosalyn Mendez, and Cherylynn Brown, Lissette Diaz, and Karleen Lloyd.
There is also Doreen Paul who is the English Language Development Specialist who
will be starting in Mrs. Haling’s and Kristen’s class
in November (we cannot afford her for the full year as she gets full retired
teacher hourly). Ellen Stedman (who also receives hourly wages) works with
students on Reading Recovery for the 1st Grade students that are
below Basic.
With 10 Board members present, it was put to a motion by
Trisha Schuster was amended and adopted as follows: “$4,000 from the budget
under Eco-Lab will be shifted over to Push-In Teachers Salaries listed in the
budget under “Support Teachers.”
Breanna Haling requested that 2 new Dell computer desktops
(including monitors) be purchased from the district ($714 each) out of the
computer lab budget. Mrs. McClure confirmed that the $20,000 in the Computer Lab
budget will not be completely used by salary – that there is probably an excess
of approximately $2,000 to $3,000. The reason for the need is that there are
always at least two computers out for repair reasons. Currently laptops have
been used in place of the desktops out for repair, but this creates problems
with teaching lessons in the computer lab as the laptops have different
functionality than the desktops, and the students have to be walked through
separately to get to the same lesson as the desktop students (it creates much
confusion).
Arielle asked to purchase 3 computers as they often don’t
have enough for all the students in some classes (with 30 students) and the
students really can’t learn a lesson if they’re sharing a computer.
Mrs. Haling brought up the fact that the Librarian
(Deborah Coleman) thought it would be an educational opportunity for the library
to have a desktop computer that could be used to teach 4th graders
(in small groups) how to search for books using the PAC system (the district
library catalog system). This would need an internet connection and a document
camera
Adam Latham, our Computer Lab Assistant, has started the
work to create a true ‘Mobile Computer Lab.’ When complete, the teachers will
have the option of the computer lab visiting their rooms. This project is being
done in what little spare time he has.
Trisha Schuster asked about the teacher laptops. Principal
McClure mentioned that the teachers are currently using them for things like
‘United Streaming’ (http://www.edtech.sandi.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=107&Itemid=335
)
But that they probably aren’t being used to their fullest
extent yet. There has been a lot of red tape around the computers we won from
the contest but all of the computers with the exception of 4 have been upgraded
to Windows 7.
Regarding Prop S Technology Status:
All 3rd Grade teachers have been trained on
their new tablets and their Promethean Boards. All 3rd Grade
Classrooms have their promethean boards installed along with the teacher
tablets.
Teachers still need to go through more training: the
future sessions include networking of the two and then training on the student’s
tablets (laptops). They should be finished training around December. As a
result, each 3rd grade student will receive their own student netbook at that time (so they say). They are NOT allowed to
take them home.
December is also the time when all the classrooms (with
the exception of the 3rd graders) will receive their 5 new desktop
computers.
June 2010 4th Graders will get Promethean
Boards along with ‘Toggles’ which are the remote devices that interact with
Promethean Boards. The Kinder Toggles are more simplified than the other
Toggles.
The Kinder Promethean Boards are scheduled to be installed
as early as September 2010, but it is not definitive.
Here is the link to some of the information on this
technology:
http://www.sandi.net/204510102155137800/site/default.asp?&204510929134633510Nav=|&NodeID=939
Treasurer’s Report
Only two months into the school year and thanks to our
Community Partner events we’ve already raised over $4,700! Community
Partnerships include Macy’s, Fresh & Easy, e-Scrip, etc. At the time of the meeting we had sold $2,300
in presale tickets for the Harvest Festival.
Sally Foster Deadline is Monday, October 26. They are
still receiving orders. They are close to budget. On Monday November 16 we are
expecting the delivery of packages and will need volunteers to help
distribute.
Red Ribbon Week was a success; students came home talking
about the Assembly.
Student Council Update
Breanna Haling presented ideas for the Student Council to
replace the Sock Hop that was cancelled last year, and will most definitely need
the support of parents from FSG to make the upcoming events successful. Ideas
include a Sock Hop on March 19, 2010 for Dads and Daughters. There would also be
an addition of a Mother and Son Night on May 14, 2010 – ideas for this include a
magic, science, or animal show. Both events would include a photo opportunity
and goody bags. Student Council will put the money up front but there would be a
charge to parents of approximately $25 per couple and there would be a limit of
approximately 100 attendees to keep the events intimate. Some people questioned
the fairness to Mothers with only daughters, fathers with only sons, and single
parents.
Family Lunch this year will be happening on November 19.
Student Council will be testing a new system where smaller groups will be served
in smaller time periods: Kinders will be served from
10:40 to 11, 1st & 2nd from 11 to 11:20,
3rd & 4th from 11:20 to 11:40. Currently the January
Family Lunch conflicts with Jog-A-Thon which some believe works out well since
parents are already on the grounds.
Site Beautification
The initial meeting with Principal McClure was a great
success. Many things that were discussed are already starting to get
accomplished. The district will be able to deal with a lot of the issues
discussed as mentioned earlier in the Principal’s Report. The budget is $500 and
it is still be researched what is the highest priority for the use of these
funds. Site Beautification would like to continue ‘Coach’s Clean-Up Day’.
Eco-Lab said they can always use help planting the Annual Mulberry Tree (parsley
would also be a good addition for the butterflies). They are also planning a
Window Washing Day. They are looking into shade sail cloths to be donated for
some the play sets. Umbrellas are needed for the picnic tables.
Point Loma Cluster Report
PLCC wants more parents to be aware of the happenings up
the ranks, so please sign up for the Dana, Correia and PLHS cluster
e-blasts. You may do so at http://www.pointlomacluster.com/.
FSG and Teacher Interruptions
Principal McClure will be polling teachers to see how they
want to interact with FSG. FSG has many demands on teachers in terms of turning
in information, picking up paperwork, etc. We want to work with teachers to find
out how to better interact with them.
Traffic Safety was brought up as a big concern as there
have been many violators spotted in the loading zone. It was decided that we need to look for
willing Moms and Dads who are willing to step up to enforce Traffic Safety along
Venice Street during pick up and drop off.
The times would be from 7:30 a.m. to 7: 50 a.m. We reviewed the
rules:
NO PARKING – The Loading Zones are for Pick Up and Drop
Off ONLY. You are not allowed to park in these zones.
STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE - Your child must be old enough to
safely walk to your car. If you need to get out of your vehicle, then we ask
that you please park legally and walk into the school.
NO DROPPING OFF ACROSS THE STREET – If you are dropping
off your child, you must use the Loading Zones only. It is unsafe for children
to cross the middle of the street during the morning traffic.
NO DRIVING DOWN THE ALLEY (FOR ANY REASON) – No one but
staff should be using the alley. This area is off limits to anyone but staff. If
you are making a delivery, please plan ahead and park in a legal zone and get
help to carry packages.
NO JAY-WALKING - Catalina is a busy street, please use the
crosswalks to cross Catalina.
NO U-TURNS – Please keep our streets safe and drive around
the block instead of making dangerous u-turns.
It was brought up that Dana is enforcing Traffic Safety by
requesting cops to police their loading zones during drop-off and
pick-up.
Trisha Schuster asked if it would be permissible to hold a
Bicycle Safety Assembly for Parents and Students. This assembly is usually held
by outside organizations that come in after school and teach students how to
ride their bicycles safely. This would be offered to 3rd and
4th Graders after school or over the weekend. Principal McClure said
she was willing to open the campus during warmer weather as long as there is a
commitment by parents to attend with their children.