SLT Minutes December 18, 2018

• November SLT Minutes accepted by Alexa Aviles and seconded by Elizabeth Kelly

 
Principal’s Update
 
C-30 Update

• C-30 Process- 3-4 hour meeting. Discuss interview questions, committee is given three resumes (chosen by the district). Committee conducts interviews & then gives recommendations to superintendent. Superintendent makes the final decision.
• Parents received emails about suggested C-30 date which did not work for many parents due to short notice. Parents will communicate 2-3 dates in January to district.

 
PTA Announcements

• Breakfast with Santa was well attended. PTA thanks the staff for their support. Christine Hendrickson is writing thank you letters to community sponsors. Event was fully funded by ticket sales and donations.
• Holiday Boutique- was originally scheduled for two days but due to great success, it stretched across 5 days. PTA thanks the teachers who supported students in shopping. Suggestion for next year: Most of the things available to purchase were things students wanted for themselves. Have gifts available for students to purchase for their families- mom, dad, grandma, aunts, cousins, siblings and advertise it as such- A Holiday Boutique to purchase gifts for the people you care about in your life.
• Upcoming Events: January- Movie night, Zumba night--- February 8th (back up date is in early March) Father Daughter dance, February 12th- K & 5th Grade- graduation pictures soon (Pre-K does not take graduation pictures).

 
Open Discussion-  

• Read-a-thon (Month of February- date before the break to start the read-a-thon)-  Launch Read-a-thon with a Book Swap- Kids can bring gently loved books they are ready to pass on to others to ‘swap’ for a different book. Students will get a ticket for each book that is brought in (decide on maximum #) and then ‘shop’ for books with tickets later. Online Reading ‘counts’ towards books read for the Read-a-thon
• Concerns regarding Lateness Policy- There has been a backup of students who are late waiting for the safety agent to write late pass, this is making students even later to class.
  • Suggestions: Put out a class for parent volunteers to place at front door to help safety agent write late passes (this will expedite the process). Lower grade students can be sent up to the main office for a a late pass.
  • Ms. Gundersen reported teachers aren’t always consistent with marking students late, therefore, we need to have a consistent system for accountability.  After 8:45 a.m., students are considered late. Since implementing lateness policy, lateness has decreased by about 1/3.

• SLT members mentioned it is important to make sure parents feel welcome to stop by to speak to Ms. Gundersen. Suggested making the message about her open door policy clear to parents and explain the reason why the principal’s office doors were closed (safety reasons).
• Create Amazon Wish Lists to support teachers- Diversity & Inclusion committee- How do we integrate- guide teachers to create wish lists that hit goals--- parameters that meet the goals of the SLT committee- Include books that
  • Important to include books that are inclusive of all cultures
  • Supports for the Variety of Learners in the Classroom- Pencil grips & seating supports for students
  • Teachers can advertise Amazon Wish List/Donor’s Choose links as a class dojo post
  • Request one copy of the book for review, then possibly purchase more copies
  • Cluster Wish lists also- Science, Music, Dance, Art, Physical Education
• Subcommittee work—Provide summary of discussion/decisions made, etc.
• Recommendation to include SLT minutes on school website.

 
Subcommittee Notes:
SLT Diversity Subcommittee Notes for December 18, 2018:

• Ms. Todras and a fourth grade student representative attended the District 15 Youth Equity Congress. She will create a P.S. 172 Youth Equity Group to meet monthly after district meetings to turnkey information to P.S. 172 students.  First P.S. 172 Student Equity Group Meeting is scheduled for January 7th- Mrs. Garcia, P.S. 172 Guidance Counselor, will participate as well.
• At a District 15 Diversity & Inclusion Meeting (held on Thursdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.) Principal from Sunset Park Prep presented- discussed the importance of making sure your school is inclusive- that every child is heard, every child has a voice & sees themselves in the school & the world. P.S. 172 is reflecting on that is and will create a P.S. 172 Diversity & Inclusion Teacher group to work on identified issues at 172.
• SLT Diversity Committee Discussion Points:

• As we start this work, there is a need to educate parents on a parallel track— Parents may be subconsciously feeding into negative thoughts that could hurt children or others—ie: talking about a doll with ‘pretty hair’. Can PTA hold workshops for parents? Should we send letters home about encouraging a positive self-image in children?
• How might we use the parent teacher night in May? Multicultural night? Remember to include signage with Arabic as well (not just Spanish).
• Discuss hosting a Ramadan/Eid Celebration (similar to breakfast with Santa)