Jordan Site Council Minutes               December 12, 2006

 

 

Attendees:

Linda Frommer, Milly Golden, Cindy Phillips, Max Najork, Chirag Krishna, Karen Ersted, Suzanne Barbarasch, Millie Balsam, Sharon Ferguson, Paul Gralen, Mary Sano, Glenn Krasner

 

Welcome, Agenda, Minutes

Agenda and minutes approved.  Recorder for today's meeting: Linda Frommer .

 

Social Studies Report

Vito LaSala remarked that there have been great new hires in the department.  The Social Studies textbook adoption is in progress.  There will be a meeting on January 9th from 4-7 pm at the District Office for Site Council members and the general community to learn about the 6 textbooks that are being considered for the Middle Schools. The goal is to select the new textbook by the end of February.  

 

Questions

With the advances in technology and the expense of new textbooks, has anyone looked into the possibility of e-books?   A:  Not to his knowledge.

Will teachers coordinate efforts regarding new activities with the new text?  Yes, because it will be a huge task to develop new homework sheets and tests. 

How will the final decision be made since there are differences of opinion about which textbook to adopt?  A:  It might be difficult to choose one book that meets the needs of most students.  Through many discussions, though, the Steering Committee will choose one text and present the choice to the Board for final approval.

 

PTA Report

Glen Krasner reported that the Executive Board Meeting and the Staff Luncheon will be held on 12/14/06.   The budget is slightly better (after a request through e-news), although Annual Giving is still ~$33,000 behind.  PTA plans to do a separate mailing in January to raise more money.

 

Student Council

Max Najork and Chirag Krishna reported meeting with Green Citizen to pursue an electronic recycling program at Jordan.  Green Citizen is a National Pilot Program for electronic waste that will donate 10% of collections back to the school (Gunn has worked with Green Citizen before). They have reasonable fees, will bring a truck and scale to the school for easy pick-up, and do not dump the waste onto poorer countries.

 

Review of Technology Survey

Leslie Goldman highlighted some sections of the Technology Survey and noted that 60 teachers participated in the Survey. 

            *85% of teachers "Google" to get information.

            *The main factors that prevent more use of technology is not having up-to-date or sufficient equipment

 

Comments/Discussion

It might be helpful to desegregate data by subject area to analyze specific department needs.  Perhaps technology needs vary by department. 

 

To clarify the number of computers/laptops at Jordan, Leslie outlined the following:

 

An order was placed this week for two replacement carts for 7/8th grade. 

 

Comments were made that it is too difficult to coordinate use of laptop carts in English classes and sign-ups for Computer Lab have to be done very far in advance.  Students may write better if they can get their thoughts down faster by typing directly versus writing on paper first.  Advantages of computers in organizing and storing information noted.

 

It was noted that the Council had previously approved purchasing an overhead projector for use with paper.  This overhead can then be piloted.  Request was made to purchase and pilot this type of overhead.

 

Principal's Report

Suzanne continues to interview for the Campus Security position. 

Sharon Ofek will return to the Site Council in January to present options for an anti-bullying program.

 

Read Naturally Program

Catherine Enos and Teri Haynes presented the rationale for implementing, and details of the Read Naturally program for struggling readers. 

 

Music Department Funding Request

The funding request was increased by $1500, to make the new total $8000.  

 

Funding Proposal Votes

  1. Read Naturally Program voted upon and unanimously approved for $1041.22
  2. Music Proposal for funding the total request of $8000 voted down by a vote of

6-5.         New motion proposed funding $4000 for Band Instrument Specialists and $1000 for Choir Accompanist (Total=$5000) and requesting that a Music Department representative attend the next Site Council Meeting to answer questions regarding the additional funding requests.  This motion passed 10-1.

  1. Math Department request:  Question raised regarding how much teachers use    LCSs for instruction.   After discussion two (2) LCD's were approved for $2165 in a vote of 9-0 (one abstained).
  2. Library Proposal to Upgrade 6 computers unanimously approved for $7011.36.

 

 

The remaining grant requests will be discussed at the next Site Council Meeting.

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned on time.