• SDMC Meeting Notes
    November 14, 2012
    Minutes taken by Kathleen Garson

    Present:
    Bill Buck- Principal
    Sandra Adair- Teacher Specialist
    Sherry Walker- School Nurse
    Elizabeth Portillo- PTO/Parents
    Bob Chenoweth- Mission Houston
    Jean Ngo- Houston Chinese Church and Good News Club
    Kathleen Garson- Classroom Teacher

    Absent:
    Edgar Jimenez- Classroom Teacher
    Ruben Gomez- Classroom Teacher
    Eric Whitten- Classroom Teacher
    Rachel Spring- Support Representative

    AR (Accelerated Reader)
    Mrs. Adair addressed Accelerated Reader with the committee. She sent out a survey to all teachers about the Accelerated Reader program and if teachers wanted to keep the program or get rid of it. Results from the survey showed that 80% of teachers want to keep AR so Shearn will renew the program for another year. Mr. Buck discussed starting more AR incentives for students. Free dress could be given to students who made their points by a certain day. This would be based on individual AR reading points. Since we would be starting the new incentive now the first free dress would be for all students who have reached the 10 point mark by the beginning of December.

    Activity Funds
    Mr. Buck addressed the current activity funds for Shearn. The committee discussed recognizing the teachers and staff members who have contributed to the Courtesy Committee Hospitality Fund. Class funds for each grade level have increased since the Fall Carnival. Ms. Walker presented the amount of money that each grade level earned. Pre-Kindergarten raised $102.00, Kindergarten raised $432.00, First and Second grade together raised $167.75, Third grade raised $27.50, Fourth grade raised $131.25, Fifth grade raised $715.00, and P.E. raised $57.50. The total amount raised at the 2012 Shearn Fall Carnival was $1606.00. This money is put into the class funds for class parties and rewards.

    Attendance
    Mr. Buck addressed attendance and how we can work together to get the students to school. Mr. Buck reminded everyone that he can meet with parents if there has been an issue with attendance.

    Focus on Differentiation and Data
    Mr, Buck focused on the importance of differentiation. Teachers have just received the extra Renzulli training, so teachers should be using Renzulli to help differentiate assignments.


    Reading and Writing
    Mr. Buck addressed that reading and writing should be occurring in every subject throughout the day.

    Parents in Cafeteria
    Mr. Buck brought up the issues that we have been having in the cafeteria with parents eating with their children. Parents will not join other families at tables and there is a lot of wasted room at the larger tables. Ms. Portillo brought up the idea that the parents could visit one child per day or come in 2 times a week. Mr. Buck brought up purchasing smaller square tables so there isn’t wasted space and there is more room for families. The committee decided that parents will sign up when to come and eat with their child starting in January. In addition, parents can start checking their child to eat out away from school and check them back into school.

    Math: Thinking Through Math Software
    Mr. Buck addressed the new software available to the school called Thinking Through Math, which will be introduced to teachers and used in the classes in the near future.

    iStation
    Mr. Buck said that the district is purchasing iStation for Pre-K through Second grade and it should be available in both Spanish and English soon.

    Budget- Approval to Grade Level Funds
    Mr. Buck addressed the $100,000 budget he has to distribute to grade level funds. Grade levels are able to use this money to purchase practice tests and other educational materials such as manipulatives or software that the grade level wants to purchase that is academic. This money is used only to purchase educational materials. This budget will now be rolled out to the grade levels Monday, November 19, 2012.

    St. Nick- December 6, 2012
    Mr. Buck and Ms. Walker discussed St. Nick’s Day with the committee. Students will receive a drawstring backpack, a game, and book come in the backpack. The stuffing party was a success and all of the backpacks are ready to be distributed on December 6. In addition, readers will be coming to the classrooms to read the story of St. Nick.

    New Hires
    Mr. Buck addressed that he is still looking for a security guard and 4th grade hourly lecturer. He said that it has been difficult to fill these positions and to let him know if they know someone that would be good for either of the positions.


    Testing
    Mrs Adair discussed the Kindergarten Stanford testing that is coming up between December 4-December 7. In addition, NNAT testing is during the same window for Kindergarten and 5th grade students.

    Mission Houston
    Mr. Chenoweth announced the upcoming meeting that Mission Houston is having on December 4th where they will plan more for the rest of the year and spring semester. On December 20th Mission Houston is hosting an after school program for Shearn students. Mr. Chenoweth told the committee that they are starting to recruit mentors online with Volunteer Houston.

    Bond Money and School Improvements
    Mr. Buck announced that Shearn will no longer have to create a parking lot in front of the school. Over the summer the building will be painted and new windows will be put in.

    Parents
    Mrs. Portillo said that the Fall Carnival was very positive and the best it has ever been. She brought up the idea that we could sell the pre-sale tickets for 25 cents extra. The day of tickets would all be 50 cents. She said that it will save money and paper.

    Breakfast with Santa
    Ms. Walker announced that Breakfast with Santa will be Saturday, December 8, 2012. She already has some volunteers lined up to help, but is still looking for some more assistance. Ms. Walker will be collecting donations for frozen pancakes. Students can take pictures with Santa and eat breakfast. This will coordinate with the Saturday Tutorials and students will be able to eat before tutorials start.

    Food Drive KCPS
    Ms. Walker has coordinated with KCPS and there will be 10 food baskets available for different families in the school. Ms. Walker will ask teachers for the names of families that need the baskets.