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School Council Agenda/Minutes

North Falmouth School Council

October Agenda

 

Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81229956853?pwd=YjNQMkJtdjhHNzJSNXQ2ZktJblZNdz09

 

  • District Goals Review and School Success Plan

 

    • We will review the 3 main district goals that will inform our SSP this year.
    • Presenting school success plans on 10/27
      • Equity:  A focus on race and equity challenges facing the district.
        • Equity as a district and in schools overall
        • White fragility book study
        • PTO book group 
      • Woods Hole Partnership
        • Establishing a greater partnership with them through PD, curriculum development, and students having opportunities to work in their labs
        • COVID interrupted this goal last year, so it remains a district goal for this year
      • Digital learning and the 3 models for schooling:  
        • In-person
        • Hybrid
        • Remote
          • Safety focus was previously on ALICE protocol but due to our current situation, the focus has shifted to digital learning and how we’re supporting students
          • “innovation in the moment”
          • Grades 3 and 4 teachers are doing both in-person and remote teaching
          • K-2 teachers may pivot to both in-person and remote teaching if a student is out for an extended period of time
          • Mr. Adams will share a draft of the school success plan prior to 10/27
          • Possible elementary level goal can be Fundations? Remains under discussion 

 

  • School Reopening Overview
    • Still evolving and changing as new situations arise

 

    • New staff added to support in-person learning: 
      • Due to 6ft distancing in classrooms, additional staff was hired
      • Ms. Sarah Murphy - grade 3 teacher 
      • Ms. Kathreen Mahoney - building assistant (helping with duties) 
      • Ms. Kristin Taylor - health assistant (at NFE everyday)
      • Building substitutes (interviewed, committed to our building, and have been coming in everyday)
      • Grade 1 remote teachers based at North Falmouth:
        • Ms. Sarah Garceau (responsible for NFE students)
        • Ms. Isabella Magro 

 

    • Share successes and challenges 
      • Co-teaching structure and current staffing
        • SPED staff are co-teaching → they’re assigned a small cohort and teamed with a grade level teacher and these teachers can switch classrooms
        • SPED numbers are growing (new students) so looking to hire 1 SPED teacher to float outside of the co-teach model
        • Looking at the TLC  program, the previous cohort was ready for more inclusion opportunities; however, new cases continue to move into district so restructuring needs to happen 

 

    • Specific discussion on remote learning
      • Half days were helpful and eased student anxieties
      • Students are happy to be back in school but recess is a bit tough
      • Parents were happier with fall remote learning (consistent remote learning schedules)
      • Trying to minimize screen time
      • Specials were an improvement from spring
      • Parent pick up and drop has been going well from parent perspective
      • Parent Q: Why don’t older kids have a remote teacher for remote kids? 
        • Decision was made before we knew how many remote students there would be 
        • Older students can be more/most independent
      • Teachers face challenges teaching both in-person and remote students
        • Live stream cameras being tested at school to help the two group of students interact
        • 3 check-ins for live instruction
      • Number of remote NFE students is estimated to be in the high 30s 
      • Trend is students returning to in-person learning (none going from in-person to remote learning)
      • Increase in positive COVID cases in neighboring towns, but Falmouth remains in green
      • Mr. Adams has had people reach out to him in regards to donating warm clothing to students who may be in need 

 

    • Outdoor learning spaces
      • Parent Q: The creation of outdoor learning spaces has been mostly parent driven, so how are teachers using the outdoor learning spaces?
        • Teacher sign out for designated spaces and times
        • Mrs. Giardi has been reading stories outside and has done some writing outside 
        • Mrs. Zychowicz & Mrs. Giardi have taken their classes outside for snack
        • Director of the 300 Committee is interested in seeing what teachers need for the outdoor learning spaces
      • Exploring options for more permanent tent structures for inclimate weather months (heaters?)
      • Parent Concern: Making sure the use of the outdoor learning spaces are equitable and consistent
      • Parents respect teacher autonomy 
      • Designated outdoor PE space (behind staff parking lot)
      • Specials in the classroom and/or outside
      • November 4th virtual back to school night