Grand Ridge

Site Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

In Attendance:  Erica Davis, Amy Ciszewski, Debi Courage, Anne Coxon, Kathy Juhn, Leah McGraw, Natalie Ootkin, Becky Rappin, Erika Taylor, Jill Ward, Barb Walton.

Not in Attendance:  Cathy Wilson

Public Comment

None

Called to Order

4:32

Approval of Minutes

Approved as written

New Business:

Grade Level Updates (submitted by CIP team members)

Kindergarten:

In kindergarten this month we have been working on a lot of EDM lessons—work with calculators, counting, geometry and shape attributes, addition and subtraction number stories and even a lesson to increase awareness of the “passage of time” and order of events!  We have also played some fun games including—“Guess My Number”—the kids had to guess numbers when given clues such as: The number is in the teens with a six in it and The number that is two less than five. Another great game was—“Find the Block.” In this game each child had an attribute block—a hexagon, square, rectangle, etc.  The kids had to stand up or stay seated according to the teacher’s directions: “All children with a large, thin, blue square stand up” or “All kids with a small red rectangle stand up.”

The kindergartners have also been writing a lot in their journals, responding to writing prompts such as, “At recess I like to…..” and “When it rains it’s fun to….”  We have been talking quite a bit about capitalization at the beginning of sentences, spacing between words and punctuation at the end of sentences.  They are doing so well with their writing. It is amazing to see how much their writing has improved since September!

We continue to have fun with Dr. Seuss books this month and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of tadpoles for our upcoming “Frog Life Cycle” unit!

First:

First grade students are learning to use their map skills as they study the world, its continents and oceans.   In science, we are studying plants – life cycles, what they need to live, and how they adapt to their environment.  Unit 6 in math concentrates on the study of addition and subtraction math facts.  We’ve learned about fact families and students have their fact triangles both at school and at home to practice quickly recalling those facts. 

Second:

 Second grade is continuing the study of habitats. We started studying the desert habitat this month, focusing on animal adaptations. In math, we are working on measurement.

Third:

In March, the third grade has worked on learning more about fractions, electricity, and Writer’s Workshop.  We’ve also been learning to edit and share our published writing.  We have studied poetry and presented favorite poems, and have studied different forms of literature.

Fourth:

            Fourth graders are studying plants.  The Plant Unit is inquiry-based science at its best.  Using the scientific process, students investigate what happens to plants as a variety of variables, such as light, air, or soil, are changed or variables such as acidity and oil are introduced.  When they have finished conducting these investigations, each student will generate a new question and design their own investigation.

            We have also finished Unit 9 of Everyday Math.  The unit asked students to use estimation number models to determine decimal placement in multiplication and division of decimals.  Students also reviewed the partial products, lattice, and partial quotient algorithms.  Now it is on to Unit 10 and symmetry.

            The Global Reading Challenge is over and our winning building team placed second at the District Competition.  What a wonderful experience for all students involved.  Students have also been writing wonderful stories and five paragraph essays, learning about the Pacific Rim, and preparing for our field trip to Biz Town.

Fifth:

Fifth grade just got back from Camp Colman. The weather was gorgeous, the food was great, and the fun was contagious! We are looking forward to completing our American Revolution unit and reading a variety of novels that align with our social studies. All four 5^th grade classes just started an art project that focuses on cubism. Look for various renditions of Picasso’s Three Musicians adorning our hallways. We are off to do our middle school visits the week of March 24^th and middle school registrations are due shortly after each of the two visits.

Site Council Elections

Barb Walton reviewed the section of the Site Council Bylaws relating to election of new members, and discussed the timetable and process.  It includes the following:

• Dates on our Site Council Nomination Form will be revised by our next meeting.
• It will be placed on our website and in our E-news.
• A committee will review the form and have it ready for the next Site Council Meeting.

Kathy Juhn and Debi Courage will be the committee to review the form, and Erika Taylor will review the E-news announcement prior to the Site Council meeting on April 29.

Old Business:

Grand Ridge Learning Garden

Becky Rappin reported that the Grand Ridge Learning Garden has received a Kateri Brow Big Ideas Grant.  Port Blakely will also provide some matching funds, and another source will also be pursued.

Boundary Review Update

Barb Walton reported that three meetings have been held, and that a Springboard proposal has been presented.  Among other items, the committee will be discussing high school boundary lines, and making decisions regarding E-15’s boundary lines. 

Committee Reports

PTSA

• The PTSA has made Golden Acorn awards to Theora Dalupan, Tina Ko, and Audrey Winslow.  Outstanding Educator awards have been made to Rebecca Rappin and Connie Face.

• A luau is being planned for May 22.

• The Book Fair earned approximately $1400 for the Grand Ridge library.

• The PTSA Zoomerang survey is underway.

• A new slate of officers has been elected for the coming year.

• The Grant Committee will be funding approximately $10,000 in grants to teachers.

Principal

• The staff had a full and productive LID day, including work with ActivBook, ActivBoards, Web pages, Everyday Math, and GLAD strategies.

• Two assemblies were held, featuring musician Joe Craven.

• April 1 was our “Hats Off to Reading” school spirit day.

• Fifth graders attended environmental education classes at Camp Colman, and middle school visits are underway.

• 162 kindergarten students have been registered for next year.  In July, post cards will be sent to confirm enrollment for all grades.

• Second grade teachers have been conducting the COGAT test.

• The Principal’s Coffee on February 28 was well attended, and parents were able to ask many questions, including about boundaries, district-wide policies, homework, and classroom celebrations.

Meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m.  Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 29, at 4:30 in the Grand Ridge library.  Becky Rappin will take minutes.

Submitted by,

Anne Coxon