SILT Minutes - April 9, 2003

Other - Rita Durr made a request for the kindergarten teachers that kindergarten students be able to have a later lunchtime next year. First grade teachers would also like to have a later lunchtime. A suggestion was made to have the later lunchtime rotate each year so that all grades would have an opportunity to have that schedule. Possibilities were discussed. Second and third grade teachers will need to discuss this so that we can make a decision soon. Then the schedule for next year can be created. We will have a stand up staff meeting on Tuesday, April 22nd right after school at 3:15 p.m. in Cindy's office to make a final decision.

Quality Assurance Update
Cindy said that our staff needs to assess where we are with quality assurance during the next staff meeting on April 23rd. SILT members reviewed the report that we created last year. Cindy showed members the quality assurance website and asked that they share it with their constituents. She wants teachers to review the site before the staff meeting on the 23rd.

Mission Statement
Cindy said that our mission statement should tell our purpose for being here and that maybe our current mission statement should be more specific. A discussion was held and changes were made to the current statement. She will present changes to the staff at the next staff meeting.

Budget
Cindy said that we are in pretty good shape with our budget. She discussed a TA proposal for next year where a TA would be provided half a day everyday for each grade level. Each grade level could then decide how the TA could be shared. Some of the funds to do this would come out of Smith budget (one half of the cost of one TA if all Title funds are the same). Cindy proposes that the funds be taken out of latchkey. Members were in agreement. Cindy also would like to provide a stipend ($100 per day) for grade level teachers to work after the end of the school year (for up to three days) to look at math materials and objectives, four blocks or other literacy materials, and other areas of need.

SILT Roster for next year
Jan discussed the fact that her term is up this year, but that she is willing to continue since the other two grade level teachers will not be available. Members discussed the other members whose terms are over and who their replacements will be. Cindy will make up a new roster. Jan reminded members that new SILT members need to sign up for SILT training this summer (Aug. 18-19 or Aug. 20-21).

Other
Gloria shared a proposal from K-1 teachers to set up a writing lab in room 8. The teachers want to use old computers and possibly one new computer from each of their classrooms for word processing stations.

Cindy announced that the resource teacher hired to replace Kelly Warner is Becky Hopkins.

Jan mentioned that Julie has been working to refine Sunshine guidelines. Cindy and Jan will put this on the next SILT agenda.