 |  |
Middle Level Board of Control
Minutes from meeting of 10/26/2004
Connecticut Association of SchoolsCEAE/CAMSP
Boards of Directors
Minutes
October 26, 2004
In attendance were Norma Posocco, Monita Leavitt, Peggy Schaedler, Eileen Stankevich, Tom Heffernan, John Lineen, Vaughn Ramseur, Barbara Ripa, Rochelle Schwartz and Earle Bidwell.
1. Board of Directors’ Goals Preston Shaw updated the board on a CAS goal for dealing with encouraging new CAS member schools and active CAS involvement by educators in member schools. Among the ideas generated were: Making personal contacts with principals of non-member schools; Collect data. Determine who is active and from where; target people who have garnered awards such as teachers, principals and schools of the year; blue ribbon award winners; Examine existing committees to determine if they are purposeful, vital and necessary; examine alternate ways to hold some meetings (possibly conference calls of “dedicated” chat rooms).
2. Teens Sing Out Earle Bidwell encouraged board members to participate in the lyric writing program designed to focus on “risky behaviors.” At least two board member’s schools signed on to the program.
3. Scholar/Leader Keynoter The board decided to invite Dr. Robert Spear, Executive director of NELMS to be the keynote speaker. Although Bob has attended the banquet many times over the years, he has never been the keynoter. Earle Bidwell will formally invite him by mail.
4. Don Freidman, the committee’s nominee, has decided to go forward and the application has been submitted to the recognition committee.
5. Eighth Grade Exit Exam Earle Bidwell alerted the committee that there may be a move underway to explore legislating exit exams from middle level similar to those in high school. A discussion ensued and Earle and Preston volunteered to draft a position paper for the committee to react to at the next meeting.
6. Honors and Awards Rochelle Schwartz and Norma Posocco reported on successful events in Berlin for Principal of the Year and in Montville for Teacher of the Year. There will also be some discussion with the CAS Celebrations Committee regarding redundancy in the Principal of the Year celebrations.
7. Art Vaughn Ramseur reported that a small grant has been obtained for Arts in the Middle and plans are going forward.
8. Professional Development John Lineen reported that work is underway on a rubric for “Exemplary Practice; Climate.” The committee meetings continue to be well attended and productive.
9. Leadership Tom Heffernan reported that plans are underway for the Annual Leadership Conference. Changes for this year include a change in date from the traditional Tuesday to Monday and major changes in the opening activity. Changes will be designed to mix students with those from other schools upon arrival and give them high energy activities early in the day.
10. This We Believe – “Successful Schools for Young Adolescents” Earle Bidwell led a structured discussion on the first thirty four pages of the book. This will be continued at the next meeting.
Next Meeting November 23, 2004
