 |  |
M.L. Professional Studies Committee
Minutes from meeting of 10/18/2007
In attendance were: Richard Dellinger, Susan Dumas, Jeff Fournier, David Russell and Earle Bidwell1. Exemplary Practices (New Applications)
a. Climate: The committee was in receipt of two new applications for school climate recognition. Jeff Fournier and Susan Dumas will chair visiting committees to these schools. The names of the schools will not appear in the minutes pending the visits.
b. Teaming: there were also two applications for teaming recognition. As one is from one of the above schools, Jeff Fournier’s sub-committee will also handle that application. Richard Dellinger and David Russell will visit the other.
c. Earle Bidwell will send letters relative to visits to the schools and notify the subcommittee chairs who will then contact the schools directly to set up visits.
d. Earle will also contact new members of the committee and invite them to join a visiting subcommittee.
e. It was decided that two person teams would be sufficient for most visits. Exceptions would be for those visits that were considering more than one exemplary practice, or for new committee members.
f. A letter was received from Rochelle Schwartz, former chair of the Honors and Awards Committee recommending that Dag Hammarskjold Middle School in Wallingford be granted exemplary status in school climate based on that committee’s visit last spring. The recommendation was unanimously approved and the status will be granted.
2. Exemplary Practices Recertification: Several schools have had their exemplary practices status expire (three year limit). The committee decided to send letters inviting them to re-apply if they felt that they still qualified. Schools that have been names CAS Middle School of the Year within the three year period will be automatically granted exemplary status upon submission of the paperwork. No additional visits will be necessary for them.
3. IMPACT: Status and Recommendation: A resurgence of interest in writing for IMPACT resulted in the committee voting to continue publishing the Journal in paper form for at least one more issue. Several suggestions were made to solicit articles including submissions from CAS award winners and UCAPP middle level interns.
4. Exemplary Practices: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
a. Recommendation 26 was reviewed, revised and accepted leaving initial work to be done on recommendations 24, 25, 27, 28, 29. Richard Dellinger will prepare a draft on recommendation #9. Earle will email the work-in-progress. Committee members willing to tackle one of the recommendations in advance of the next meeting are asked to notify Earle to avoid duplication of efforts.
5. Roundtable; A discussion around the concerns about MRSA ensued. A good deal of information seems to becoming from the governor’s office and should be utilized.
6. Adjournment: the next meeting will be at 4:00 p.m. on November 15, 2007
