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CT Assoc. of M.S. Principals Board of Directors
Minutes from meeting of 12/16/2008
Connecticut Association of SchoolsMiddle Level Board of Control
Center for Early Adolescent Educators
December 16, 2008
Minutes
In attendance were: Judith Abrams, Carla Kennedy, Norma Posocco, Linda Anania, Anthony Carrano, Paul Cavaliere, Jeffrey Cryan, Michael Rafferty, Joseph Scheideler and Earle Bidwell
1. Scholar-Leader Banquet Update: Earle Bidwell reported that Patti Kinney, Assistant Executive Director of NASSP, has agreed to be the keynote speaker for the banquet. Also, all the New England States and NELMS are collaborating to provide “Proud Parent of a Scholar Leader” bumper stickers for each parent of New England scholar leaders.
2. 2008-2009 Goals:
a. Goal 1 Secondary School Reform: Joe Scheideler spoke positively about the impact of the document that CAS middle level practitioners and staff were influential in creating. Noting that the implementation is being delayed because of the recession, it was decided to table two items below until direction is obtained from Commissioner McQuillan. (Earle Bidwell, Dennis Carrithers and Mike Savage have a meeting with him on December 18th) The boards indicated strong support for the proposal, and requested Earle to share their willingness to work on various aspects of the plan when it is deemed appropriate. He will also be attempting to finalize the state-level team attending the New England Middle Level Symposium in New Hampshire on
February 10-11.
i. Create ad-hoc groups to study and to advise the SDE on various aspects of the initiative (student success plans or early intervention plans, for example)
ii. Host information forums in various parts of the state to inform middle level educators about the plan and to enlist support.
b. Several committee members expressed a willingness to be part of a cadre of middle school educators ready and able to testify before the legislature on short notice relative to secondary school reform, and other initiatives of interest to middle level education. They are: administrators Mike Rafferty, Joseph Scheideler, Jeff Cryan, Linda Anania and Tony Carrano and teachers Carla Kennedy and Judith Abrams. Joe Scheideler is going to invite Avon assistant superintendent Jody Goeler to add his name to the list. There are two other principals who have already been approached and will be confirmed by Earle Bidwell. The entire board is interested in being kept in the loop regarding legislation and requested a return visit by Dennis Carrithers to provide an update.
c. Goal 2 Survey of Middle Level Membership: Following the work of Jim Collins “Seven Measures of Success” and the CAS staff retreat, the ML boards enthusiastically supported the creation of an online survey of middle level membership. Chairman Scheideler noted that the timing was fortuitous in featuring the considerable CAS services to member schools during tight budget times. The committee further endorsed the ideas submitted by Sue Homrok regarding brevity, a listing of the myriad offerings CAS provides with a likert scale; followed by an opportunity to weigh in on what type of general middle level services would be of interest. It was also noted that all efforts should take the CAS Vision Statement and Statement of Purpose into account. To further the work, Earle Bidwell will create the beginning of a potential survey and put it online as a Google Document. Board members will be invited to participate in the creation of the document from their offices or homes through this medium.
3. Assistant Executive Director’s Report
a. Anti-Bullying Program: With new requirements for reporting and dealing with bullying issues, CAS will be sponsoring a workshop on March 23rd entitled “Implementing Anti-bullying Legislation.” The presenter will be Dickon Pownall-Gray, who’s non-profit foundation “Surviving Bullies Charities” is devoted to “… find(ing) and then to help(ing) targets of bullying deal with the potentially devastating consequences of bullying. By working through schools and delivering programs over the internet, (they) aim to reach children affected by bullying and to provide them with tools that empower them to cope with the problem on their own.” Based on research done at Yale University, Mr. Pownall-Gray has successfully piloted his programs in both Connecticut middle and high schools. The website is http://www.survivingbullies.com/
b. He brings his story and an extensive wealth of surveys related to school climate and identification of at-risk students.
4. Manufactured data on CMT Direct Assessment of Writing: Jeff Cryan brought a concern outlined by award winning teacher Julie White to the attention of the committee. Those in attendance were unanimous in their disagreement of a current practice that encourages students to manufacture fictitious data to support positions on CMT writing prompts. Julie will be asked to “massage” her position paper and to publish it “IMPACT” where it can be shared with a wide middle level audience and with state department personnel.
5. Committee Reports:
a. Joe Scheideler reported that we have had a tremendous response from presenters for the Leadership Conference which will allow us to accept a record number of participants.
b. Norma Posocco reported that the Honors and Awards Committee is revising the rubric for School of the Year to reflect 21st Century skills, benchmark assessments, PLCs and secondary school reform. She also reported that the middle level will be joining the elementary board for the first time in the Volunteer Recognition Banquet at the Aqua-Turf in March. She and Rick Watson, principal of Albert D. Griswold Middle School in Rocky Hill will represent the middle level on the committee.
c. At the request of the Professional Studies Committee, Earle Bidwell presented Exemplary Teaming and Climate recognition to Canton Middle School and Exemplary Climate recognition to Two Rivers Magnet Middle School.
6. The remaining scheduled meetings of the middle level boards are: January 20, 2009 and March 24, 2009 at CAS and April 6 in Providence at the NELMS Convention. If chairman Scheideler determines a need for a May meeting, it will be held at CAS on May 26, 2009.
