K.W. Barrett Elementary School
PTA Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2019
Welcome and Introductions
7:03 p.m. – PTA President Dan Wendell called the meeting to order.
Approval February 2019 Minutes
Andrea Shaw made a motion to approve the February PTA Minutes; Jennie Apter seconded the motion; minutes approved.
Principal Report, Dan Redding
· STEAM Night, March 21st, 6-8 p.m.
· Superintendent Budget Overview and Video
o 5 new schools opening in September
o Governor has proposed 5% raise for teachers (for APS that cost is $20 million, state reimburses $2 million)
o 1,000 new students projected to start in September 2019
o Superintendent asking for fully funded budget to maintain current services, $19.7 million
o Three Tiers of budget cuts to close the gap
§ Tier 1: cut library assistants & grade 4 & 5 class sizes go up to 28
§ Tier 2: cut exemplary projects & library assistants at elementary level
§ Tier 3: Worst case scenario, RTG (resource teacher gifted) goes to .5 at all elementary, reduce ITC from 12 month to 11 month position & increase custodial square footage
o Where do we go from here? School Board Work Sessions, School Board proposed budget, County Board adopts their budget with exact dollar value for schools, School Board adopts final budget based on County Board transfer on May 9
o More info on apsva.us/budget
Parent question: These dollars aren't competing with Capital Bonds. Dan Redding: Yes and no -- repayment is coming at 8.8% of our operating budget.
Parent question: Concerned about Discovery Lab. Dan Redding: That's a Tier Two cut, superintendent seems confident the Tier 1 scenarios will resolve shortfall.
Parent question: What are other exemplary positions at Barrett? Dan Redding: Barrett Interaction which includes Tiger TV family engagement coordinator (Mr. Ramirez). The hope is the funding will be realized before these positions need to be cut – we'll hopefully know something by April.
Parent question: What are some items you think can be cut? Dan Redding: I'm not sure, central office is already quite pared down, when you start chipping away at instructional support at central office then all back end support staff is affected including professional learning, MIPA support, etc. so I'd be very hesitant to go there.
The way our budget works/revenue sharing agreement – 46% of County budget is flat for schools, at one time the County had authority to go through line by line.
Math Update, Che Abdeljawad
· Math Workshop: research based, instructional model that leads itself to differentiation, provides choice and time for students to engage while developing an "I can" attitude
· Traditional Math Lesson Structure Vs Math Workshop overview
· Process Goals: Problem Solving, Connections, Communication, Reasoning, Representations
o Number Sense Routine example: practice active listening, opportunity to use math language, a place to practice total participation, multiple entry points, engaging quick start
o Focused Mini Lesson: teacher presents new content to whole class, lesson is well planned and brief (15 minutes tops)
o Guided Math: Teacher led, small group, targeted instruction, groups are flexible and may change daily
o Untimed Learning Sessions: students may work collaboratively or alone, depending on their choice of activity
o Reflection: teacher led lesson wrap-up, to share student thinking, strategies, questions, concerns, considerations; to monitor student progress of concept or skill, to understand math more deeply
o Intentions of Math Workshop is to connect procedural fluency with deep conceptual understanding, build community where mathematicians can develop the characteristics of a "growth mindset"
Parent question: when does Math Workshop strategy begin? Che Abdeljawad: Kindergarten – same model through middle school. Even pre-K has elements of math workshop.
Parent question: So no more math textbooks? Che Abdeljawad: No! Dan Redding: Since we're (Virginia) not Common Core most textbooks don't align, APS now has a "resource menu" where teachers can pick from a variety of different places to pull content that fits the VA standards.
Parent question: Are we seeing results from non-textbook instruction? Dan Redding: we're seeing greater engagement and the flexibility to work in smaller groups. Che Abdeljawad: We (math coaches, APS staff, research) believe this is the best path – and it's not radically new either.
Teacher Report, MIPA Classrooms, Christine Cunningham, Kellie Osborn
· No staff updates but happy to relay any info
New Business, Dan Wendell and Suzette McGrann
· Read-A-Thon started this week! Each family should send out their child's info via social media to get friends and family to donate.
o Dress up as a literary character day on Thursday, March 7th
o Tweet a photo of your child reading with the hashtag #KWBReadAThon19
o On Monday, March 11th there will be a pajama day to celebrate the end of the Read-a-Thon
o The goal is to raise $10,000
o There will be prizes for all of the kids that participate
· Pupatella Restaurant night will be next Thursday, March 14th – in honor of pi day! You need to mention Barrett! 4-9 p.m. only, dine in or carry out.
· STEAM Night, March 21st, 6-8 p.m.
· Music department is collecting paper towel rolls – box in the hallway
· Board members! We need to replace the current President, VPs, Treasurer & Secretary so we're looking for new faces to help with the transition
· Teacher lunch this Friday – still need a few more volunteers and donations!
Treasurer Report, Dan Wendell
· Main debits, $1,000 towards family Valentine's party and teacher supplies/grants. Main credits from Valentine's dance ($2,000) and Amazon kickback ($160)
· Checking: $76,380.03
· Savings: $16,777.73
Shout Outs, Dan Wendell
· Valentine's Dance
· African American Night
Adjournment
· The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
· Next meeting on Tuesday, April 2
