Jennifer
K.W. Barrett Elementary School
PTA Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2018
Welcome and Introductions
6:36 p.m. – PTA President Dan Wendell called the meeting to order.
Approval October 2018 Minutes
Michelle Le made a motion to approve the October PTA Minutes; Aleda Kaufman seconded the motion; minutes approved.
Principal Report, Dan Redding
· Our enrollment hit 568, largest since I've been here in 6 years, very close to having our K classes bumped up to a 5th teacher/assistant, currently under consideration at the County level. We had 550 students on the first day of school.
· Turf installation update: fencing will be put up around the work area at the end of the week, weather pending – the entire blacktop will also be fenced off to accommodate large pieces of equipment. Will still have access to play equipment, will rotate outside time on wet "blacktop only" recess days, work will take approximately 2 months to complete, permit/inspections pending.
· The rear crossing guard will be temporarily relocated to the corner of N 3rd & Park
· 4th grade teacher Mrs. Pearcy resigned, last day will be Nov. 8. Long term sub has been named; reading staff, math coach and strong 4th grade team will provide continuity for students until a new hire is in place.
· Boundary process – might be good idea to keep an eye on current Drew process since we'll be going through it in two years. No changes for us at the moment.
New Business, Dan Wendell
· Book Fair going on right now and through tomorrow
· Kettler Skate Day next week, Nov. 12, 10:40 a.m. – 12 p.m.
· Restaurant Night at Dogfish, Nov. 13, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. be sure to mention Barrett!
· UN Assembly, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.
Parent question: Are we still doing the t-shirt fundraiser? Dan Wendell: Yes, still working on shirt design, will hopefully be ready before the end of the month.
Teacher Report, Beth Nalker
· Reading team author visit for Pre K to 2nd grade on Monday, Nov. 19
· 5th grade outdoor lab – 83 students went to the overnight program, thanks to all parents who volunteered – we literally can't do that trip without them!
Treasurer Report, Dan Wendell
· Primary debits this month: reimbursing teacher/classroom stipends and ice rink reservation of approximately $800
· Checking: $74,304.94
· Savings: $16,774.97
Shout Outs, Dan Wendell
· Walk to School Day, thanks to Derek Nisco for organizing
· Hispanic Heritage Night, Friday Moms and Arturo Ramirez did an amazing job
· Garden Work Day, great turn out, thanks to Jillian Green for organizing
· Teacher Lunch was a success, thanks for donations
· Halloween Festivities, thanks to room parents and all who participated
Gifted Resources Overview, Kate Carlisle
· My job is to work with teachers, we meet regularly to plan curriculum, advocate for students
· Professional Learning Communities
o Collaboration between teachers and specialists
o RTG (resource teacher gifted) and other coaches and specialists, class room teachers
§ RTG main role is to build capacity in teachers
Arlington Tiered System of Support (ATSS), 4 Tiers;
· What is it we expect our students to learn?
· How will we know when they have learned it?
· How will we provide time and support when they don't learn it?
· How will we extend learning when they already know it or learn it quickly?
Collaboration
· Planning
· Flexible Grouping
· Curriculum Resources
· CCT Strategies (Critical and Creative Thinking)
· Collaborative Teaching
**This does not apply only to identified students – anyone who shows mastery is grouped accordingly
Gifted Services at Barrett
· Cluster grouping within classes
· Flexible grouping based on student needs
· Acceleration and compacting of standards
· Curriculum designed for advanced learning
· Instruction differentiated across subject areas and responsive to student needs
Advocating for students
· All students requiring acceleration and extension
· Students requiring additional advocacy: Traditionally underrepresented groups, twice exceptional students
Curriculum Resources
· English/Language Arts
· Math
· Science and Social Studies
· CCT Strategies
Identification
· Who
o Referrals can be initiated by anyone
o Referrals should be submitted to me (electronic AND hard copy)
o After a referral is received, teacher and I work together to collect work samples and make observations
o A screening meeting is held to discuss students referred for gifted identification, the meeting will include teachers
· What
o APS recognizes giftedness in separate subjects – can be any and all
· Where
o If eligible here, eligible in ALL Arlington schools – if you leave APS it does not follow you, does not cross county or state boundaries
· When:
o two times per year – fall and spring, referrals can be received anytime but only reviewed twice a year
o Anything after April 1 will not be processed until the next school year
Identification: Why?
· If teachers are differentiating to meet the needs of all students, why should I go through this process? A: Identification streamlines resources provided to the student.
· How:
o Work samples
o Observation of students – problem solving, creativity, flexibility of thinking, pace, motivation, behaviors and characteristics
o Standardized assessments – play a role but not a be all/end all
o Achievements
o Parent observations and input
Parent question: Can you give examples of "typical behaviors" referenced above? Kate: questioning, kids who speak in analogies, which are an early indicator of depth of thinking; I had a non-verbal student once who illustrated his letters into stick figures in stories relating to the piece he just wrote. It's hard to describe but teachers are able to quickly identify who should be referred.
Identification Criteria
· Exceptional ability to learn
· Exceptional application of knowledge
· Exceptional creative/productive thinking
· Exceptional motivation to success
Visual and Performing Arts
· Information and observations from teacher – projects, opportunities that wouldn't be suited for everybody
If a student is found ineligible:
· Appeals begin at the school level with the principal
· A second level of appeal is at County level
· You'll receive a letter either way. If a teacher refers your child the parent is notified because we need your permission.
Parent question: If a student is identified in several areas, how do they get the differentiated material? Kate: Teachers provide it in smaller groups and I support them when needed
Parent question: How does it work once identified students leave elementary school? Kate: In high school it doesn't matter at all – AP students require recommendations but there are parent requests, teacher recommendations aren't difficult to get. In middle school – at the end of 5th grade kids take a series of assessments that will help with math placement. Majority will take Math 6 in 6th grade, very few will start in pre-algebra. Math is the only main place differentiation takes place in middle school.
Feel free to email me at any time if you have further questions, katherine.carlisle@apsva.us
Adjournment
· The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
· Next meeting on Tuesday, December 4
