Cabot School Council

Meeting Minutes

Cabot School Council Minutes

May 5, 2009

Attendance:   Sally Brickell, Krista Kett, Heidi Lucas, Angela Pitter-Wright, Jim Robertson, Andrea Steenstrup, Jim Swaim, Jay Schwartz, Matt Tirrell, Archana Vahalia, Patty Waszeciak    

1.      No public comment.

2.      Minutes of the April 7, 2009 meeting were reviewed and approved.

3.      School Council Elections

?       Two candidates attended the meeting:  Mark Miller and Charles Rudnick.

?       Three parent representatives are needed for the school year 2009-2010.

4.  School Improvement Plan

?       Blue Zone/Safety

                      Meeting re: speed and school signage for Parkview and Bridges –

                      The following is revised from submitted meeting minutes:

                      Jim S. and Betsy Nurczynski met with Clint Schuckel, City Traffic Engineer, and                         Alderman Stephen Linsky.  The bus area and crosswalk to Cabot field will be painted                             on Parkview this spring/early summer.  C. Schuckel will coordinate signage for the                              crosswalk.  S. Linsky will apply to the City for school zone speed status and signage                           for both Parkview and Bridges.

                      Guidelines for the Safe Arrival and Departure of All Students handout –

                      The Council discussed and approved the usage of the orange “ticket” that will begin                             being distributed Monday, May 11^th.  The superintendent and alderman should be                          made aware of this initiative.  (The superintendent and assistant superintendent                        for elementary education will receive the packets distributed to families.  The                          program will begin May 18.)

?       PLC – Four Cabot teachers will be attending a workshop over the summer to

     further study the effective usage of PLCs in the school and community.  (Jim S.,   

      Susan Gleason-kindergarten, Nate Velluto-3^rd grade, and Abby Bargende-3^rd   

      grade)

?       Harmony Grant – The Harmony Grant was written to give the school materials

      that will enhance curriculum surrounding student achievement and self-confidence.

     The Harmony Grant has been proven through research to help bridge the achievement

     gap through positive messages.  The grant is $1,500, which Jim S. is waiting to hear

      back from.  If the grant is awarded, Council would like to set up meetings with both  

      parents and teachers to educate them about these new steps.

                        

5.      FY10 Budget Updates

?       Enrollment – 433 projected

?       Hiring – we will be minus one aide for next year

?       Music Program – Cabot currently has four music teachers.  Next year we will

      have two music teachers.

Next meeting:  Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Respectively submitted by Matt Tirrell