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M.L. Professional Studies Committee
Minutes from meeting of 11/19/2009
Connecticut Association of SchoolsMiddle Level Professional Studies Minutes
November 19, 2009
In attendance were: Kevin Brough, Matthew Daly, Rich Dellinger, Sue Dumas, Nikki Gullickson, Bernadette Hamad, Ida Hickerson, Susan Muirhead, Donna Schilke, Anne Starr, Deborah Sullivan and Earle Bidwell
1. On the recommendation of the School of the Year visiting committee, the Professional Studies Committee granted Exemplary Climate Recognition to Hartford Magnet Middle School, the runner-up for 2009-2010 school of the year.
2. Earle Bidwell reported that CAS is one of the partners with the CSDE in applying for Race to the Top funds (Application due December 2009). One aspect of the application is to fund parts of secondary school reform.
3. Sub-committee Reports and Additional Assignments
a. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment: CAS Past President Mike Rafferty and his leadership team at Old Saybrook Middle School will create common language and format for the rubric. As work progresses, they may contact members of the writing team for feedback. Their target date for completion is March 1, 2010.
b. Athletic Guidelines: The first meeting of the ad-hoc committee to review and revisit the guidelines is scheduled for December 8, 2009. Fred Baruzzi, Sally Biggs, Kevin Brough and Jim O’Connor will be joined by Ellen Benham from the Bristol Public Schools and Debbie Petruzello from Middletown. They represent Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors and were on the CAAD revision team.
c. Reform- Advisory, Student Success Plans: Nikki Gullickson reported on the work in progress at Salem Middle School. The faculty and administration is committed to the creation and implementation of individualized learning plans (ILPs) for all seventh and eighth graders in the 2009-2010 school year with grades five and six to follow in the next school year. She shared an outline of the plan (handout) and described how it is being received by faculty, parents and students. A key component is ownership by students. The presentation generated a great deal of interest among committee members.
d. Reform – Twenty-first Century Skills: Anne Star and Deb Sullivan reported that they, along with Karen Habegger and Leo Lavallee, met and have created a clear direction regarding their target. They are now working on defining what the skills look like, how can they be defined and what resources are out there to aid in their work. They have posted a Google Doc to allow the work to continue. Bernadette Hamad will be joining this sub-committee and Earle has asked to be included on the Google Doc list in order to assist with resources.
e. General Interest Articles: Donna Schilke expressed an interest in Parent Conferences and Student Led Conferences. It elicited several ideas from those in attendance and these topics will be on the next agenda. It is hoped that an article for the website might result from the discussion.
f. The Professional Studies Committee list is attached for your convenience in contacting and working with other members.
4. Earle reported that many CAS committees meet earlier in the day and polled the committee as to their interest in experimenting with a different time. The committee decided to meet from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in January. There was also some discussion about February and April dates possibly being in conflict with school vacations. Earle will compare the meeting dates with school calendars and if there are significant conflicts, suggest alternate dates for the committee’s consideration.
Addendum: Both February and April meeting dates are in conflict with school vacations for many members. Here are possible alternate meeting dates.
Please respond ASAP and let me know which dates you are not available. February 23, 25. April 27, 29 or May 6
5. Supper was delivered and a roundtable discussion was ongoing until 5:50 when the meeting was adjourned.
Next Meeting: January 21, 2010 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
