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Middle Level Board of Control
Minutes from meeting of 4/27/2004
CAEA-CAMSPMinutes
April 27, 2004
In attendance were: Tom Heffernan, Preston Shaw, Carol Janssen, John Lineen, Rochelle Schwartz, Jan Tirinzonie, Norma Posocco, Monita Leavitt and Earle Bidwell
Mr. Shaw acknowledged the accomplishment of Tom Dzicek for the national attention he received for Capt. Nathan Hale Middle School’s project entitled “ The Heroes of Vietnam- A Living Tribute to the Soldiers Who Fought There.”
1.0 Scholar/Leader Banquet
1.1 2004: Mr. Shaw announced that invitations were in the mail and all board members should have received them by this time.
1.2 2005: A discussion ensued regarding possible keynoters for next year’s banquet. Three names were advanced but no decision was reached. Board members were asked to bring names of possible candidates the next meeting.
2.0 CEAE Appointment: Mrs. Posocco reported that at the direction of the board, a summary of the duties and responsibilities of Center for Early Adolescent Educator’s Board be compiled and drafted into a letter of invitation. Subsequently, an invitation was offered to and accepted by Eileen Mezzo, CAS 2003-2004 Teacher of the Year. She will join us at the next meeting.
3.0 Board of Director’s/ Middle Level Goals
3.1 Annual Report: Mr. Shaw passed out copies of the middle level division’s annual report to the CAS Board of Directors. He pointed out that many good things were happening and capable leadership blessed each committee.
3.2 Expanded Programs and Services
3.2.1 Measured Progress Update: Mr. Bidwell reported that he has been asked to represent CAS at a two-day conference in Danvers, MA dealing with positive responses to NCLB and student progress.
3.2.2 Differentiated Instruction Workshop: Monita Leavitt agreed to teach a two part series on Differentiated Instruction; the first to take place immediately after CMTs and the second about a month later. The workshops will take place at CAS from 4-7 p.m. with a light supper included. Monita and Earle will work out the dates. Monita will send a description of the workshops to be used in advance publicity. The primary focus will be on the “how to” rather than the “why” of the topic.
3.3 Advocacy
3.3.1 MOYA Letter: Mrs. Posocco read a letter that will go out over her and Mr. Shaw’s signature in May. The letter encourages educators to plan now for some MOYA activities in October. It contains suggestions for resources.
3.3.2 CAS MOYA Proclamation: The committee endorsed the MOYA Proclamation developed by NMSA. It will be mailed in the fall to all CT middle schools along with some concrete suggestions about using it in CT communities. Additional copies will be available on-line.
4.0 Program Committee
4.1 Midwinter Conference Plan: Mr. Bidwell reported on the success of the mid-winter conference and noted that a similar one is being planned for next year. The topic will combine basic tenets of “This We Believe” and “Breaking Ranks II.” The CAS office is in the process of negotiating for a date and snow date with the hotel.
4.2 Revision of Committee It was proposed that the Program Committee concentrate on the annual conference and explore expanded services to other areas, perhaps to more teacher workshops held at the CAS office. Furthermore that a new committee called the Middle Level Honors and Awards Committee be created. This committee will select the teacher and school of the year, as well as support the celebrations of these awards, and that of the principal of the year. In the future, there could possibly be additional honors and awards for which this committee would bear responsibility. Current committee members could choose to be on one committee or the other, or to be on both. The proposal was put forth in a motion by John Lineen, seconded by Carol Janssen and unanimously passed.
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5.0 Assistant Executive Director’s Report: Mr. Bidwell reported that beginning this month, the CAS Middle Level Division inaugurates a new on-line series of articles on “advocacy” that will be available to member schools. With a confusing array of information about test scores, No Child Left Behind legislation and school reform reaching the public, it is important that clear, concise, knowledge about education be available to administrators and teachers for dissemination to the public. Initially, the articles will focus on middle level issues and be directed toward an audience of parents and other community members. The articles will appear in a PDF format suitable for downloading and reproducing in school or PTO newsletters.
The meeting concluded with Mr. Shaw’s an announcement of Past Chair, Dick Huelsmann’s retirement. The committee’s expressed their regret at losing a colleague from the profession, yet extend congratulation and good wishes to the Huelsmann family.
