November 1, 2022 SLT Meeting Minutes
Agenda
- Approval of minutes from the June and October SLT Meetings
- PTA Report
- Virtual vs In-Person Meetings
- Secretary Duties for December meeting
- Discussion on using DOE Supportive Environment Framework – Luisa
- Subcommittee Reports
- DE&I
- CEP/Math and Science
- Social Emotional
- Principal’s Report
Housekeeping:
New members: Cherise Gibbs, parent rep from Adelphi site
New UFT chapter leader: Michael O’Neil, music teacher, returning chapter leader 4-5 years ago
New Teacher Rep: Sharon Barone, 4th grade teacher
*Still waiting for June 2022 SLT minutes from Elena.
October minutes approved.
PTA Report
-October was a fun and busy month
-Bike to school event is next week
-Roots and Community is scheduled on 11/19
-There will also be a 30-for-30 campaign in Nov
-There are lots of events happening every single month
SLT Meetings
-A quorum is needed to be in person for Dec
-The policy may change so we will wait for updates
-Not all parents are vaccinated so that is a barrier for in person meetings at school -Covid cases are still here and some are still uneasy to meet in person
-The decision may need to happen month by month
-Some meetings can remain virtual and some may be in person
-We need to decide logistics such as time of meeting
-We should table it for now, but December may be hybrid
-No one needs to be specifically virtual all the time
-There was no consensus, but before school was ranked as first choice
-Before school meeting could be 7:30 am
Secretary Duties
-Kathleen C. will do December minutes
-Emily will do January minutes
Homework Policy
-Consider eliminating optional language in the lower grade
-Is it optional for every grade? In middle school, it is mandatory
-Use of optional or highly encouraged instead
-There’s a lot of catching up due to the pandemic
-It is a lot for parents to support kids who struggle.
-Consider highly encouraged but not graded
-Homework is modified for kids who struggle and they have time limits
-Homework can be a good way to connect with families
-School still needs a parent to translate Japanese and Arabic
-There is a parent who can support in Japanese (Emily)
-Konstella can also be used for translation
Tech Policy
-Kids come with cell phones inside school bag
-Apple Watches have a walkie-talkie option
-Airtags such as AngelSense (tag in the clothing is permitted at all times at Adelphi campus. It has the capability to listen in the classroom.
-This has come up with kids on the spectrum and/or non-verbal
– This can infringe on the rights of teachers who need to be made aware of these devices
-There is a DOE track record of losing kids
-NY is a one party consent state where recording is allowed
-The device is helpful especially on ASD site so that families can track kids on the bus
-The Apple Watch should not be used for communication when in school
-During NY state testing, the Apple Watch or any smart watch is not allowed
Principal’s Report
-We should discuss the grading policy next month
-There is a new Chancellor which means there are new initiatives
-This year the focus is on literacy
-372 has a robust literacy work aiming to diversify understanding of what literacy is
-This includes the D75 context, science of reading for all students and core values
-We have diverse ways of communicating to all students
-Carroll St uses Fundations and running records
-There are three teachers who are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach
-This is a multisensory approach, very specific in engaging all senses
-The school uses the Student Annual Needs Determination Inventory (SANDI)
-One-on one approach is very common in Adelphi
-The school is still figuring out if it will move forward with Teachers College
-There will be parent training/meetings for all of these policies.
–Maybe helpful re: Orton & Fundations: https://www.wilsonlanguage.com/dyslexia/effective-instruction/
Subcommittee Meetings
-Committees should share meeting notes prior to SLT meetings
-DEI did not meet
-CEP/Math and Science did not meet but gathered all CEP signature
SEL
-Met on 11/1/22
-Ideas from what the school has done in the past: Inclusion Week (Dec), Autism
Awareness Week, etc.
-Discussed list of Spirit Days and focusing on events for students
-There can also be a focus on physical wellness/health (kids can around the block or bring a vegetable to school)
-Environmental wellness can focus on recycling, water consumption, etc.
-Need to address anxieties regarding lock downs and fire drills from some students; the PTA may be able to provide a box of fidget toys and stress balls
Closing Items
-The school needs a Spanish speaking parent who can accompany a family to appointments
-Preschool open house is on Friday at 9:30 am on King St.
-TCS have seats at both sites for migrant families
-AP Frank is leading wellness activities for teaching staff