SLT Meeting Minutes

SLT Meeting Minutes Location: Library Date: December 14th, 2017

Call to Order SLT Reviewed and approved the Minutes

Principal’s Report  Mr. Carter wished everyone a Happy Holidays and thanked everyone for all that they do.  Ms. Ballon and the 5th Grade will have their holiday show next Wednesday, December 20th, 2017. o The show takes a lot of hard work and it is always a wonderful event  Winter Break will begin after next week. December 22nd is the last day of school.  The PTA has been hard at work planning a Lunar New Year celebration. o 50.4 % of the students at PS 79 are Asian. o The parents at the meeting are parents we don’t usually see and it’s nice to see them. o Mrs. Karin Nagele spearheaded the meeting and Mrs. Holly Hill has been assisting. o There have been copies put in for the teachers that include, a packet of links, activities, and books to use the week leading up to Lunar New Year. o Ms. O’Donnell will be creating art projects with her classes to celebrate the holiday as well. o There will also be a family night celebration on February 13th. It will include art, food samples, and musical performances. o It should be noted that the PTA is open to celebrating all cultures and having more family fun nights in the months and year to come.  Door Wars are in full effect around the building. o The members of student council will be judging tomorrow, December 15th, 2017. o The doors represent all holidays and cultures.  Student Council Elections went great! o Their first responsibility is judging the door wars. o They will be thinking of things to do around the school and complaints about the school they may have. o 5th grade students ran in the elections but 4th and 5th grade got to vote. o The campaigns were awesome and funny. Parent Report  Mrs. Hill shared that she recently found out if the events are in the calendar, she does not have to report it.  Mrs. Hill shared that she was upset that a parent complained about the Lunar New Year celebration. They were concerned this was the only holiday being recognized. o SLT was reminded that 3rd grade does Culture Day and projects in the month of May to celebrate all cultures.

Data Comparison  Mr. Carter handed out last year’s IREADY data. He suggested that we can’t get too wrapped into it and sometimes the data can be inconsistent.  This year the state test will be a 2-day test with less problems. There is a different company making and writing the test.  It is important to note that in ELA, we are way above city average.  In ELA and Math, we have jumped up since last year in our peer group.  Teachers have to teach to the word problems and break them apart. Our students usually score a 2 out of 3 or a 1 out of 3 on the short response questions.  We are now trying to use GO Math as a resource, not the main program. o Teachers are getting workshops and PDs. o There is no further news about a new program for math in the city.  The test prep programs the school offers will be starting in January 2018.

SLT Survey  Participants took the SLT survey on laptops provided by administration.

Old Business  Ms. Fertile is going to drive the safety driver’s pledge. o The program is going to do classroom visits and have an assembly to advertise the pledge and program.

New Business  We have to continue to spread the word about celebrating different cultures.  PTA is planning on write “hello” in different languages on their bulletin board to celebrate diversity  The winner of the Door Wars competition will be announced on Monday. o Each grade, cluster and support staff will be judged. o The members of the student council will have a checklist and pretty ribbons will be given out to the winners.  2nd Grade started door wars and the rest of the school followed.  Good job team! There was a motion to end the meeting. The meeting was called to end.