 |  |
Asst. Principals Committee
Minutes from meeting of 9/19/2005
Assistant Principals CommitteeMinutes, September 19, 2005
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Sharing of Successful Strategies:
--Wethersfield High School 9th grade course, “The Freshmen Experience” for all 9th graders. The physical education requirement is a four-day a week course. On the 5th day, 9th graders have a series of experiences ranging from health, study skills, research skills, lab skills, guidance, and social and emotional issues.
--Newington High School program to provide support for new teachers featuring regular meetings throughout the year following initial orientation.
--Masuk High School Fresh Fest program for 9th grade orientation before school starts. Upperclassmen lead freshmen with transitional activities, adjustment to high school, an activities fair, food, and familiarity with class schedules.
--Coventry High School Study Seminar focuses on students who have been on academic probation and offers a voluntary credit-granting course in lieu of study halls to improve academic performance.
--Rocky Hill High School has transformed the opening of school faculty meeting into a chance to celebrate past triumphs and present the vision for the school. The principal and assistance principal communicate all the administrative specifics in a written memo and use the faculty meeting to focus on schools goals and their vision for the year and for directions for the whole school.
--East Windsor Middle School has an academic assistance program for poor achieving students during the activity block. Four tutors run the program, which has as the theme, “Do Not Fail.”
--Housatonic Valley Regional High School did a staff development program at the start of the year specifically on strategies and methods for special education students.
--Simsbury High School—For 9th graders, a special bulletin board was created to feature a birthday section, a “Shout Out” section to publicize accomplishments of 9th graders and an overall theme of “Making It Happen” to encourage students to set goals of involvement and achievement.
--South Windsor High School has extended is 9th grade orientation program, “Link Crew” beyond orientation just at the beginning of the year to provide support by using upperclassmen going into 9th grade homerooms throughout the year.
--Northwest Regional High School uses the Mountainside substance abuse facility as a resource for the Student Assistance Team to involve parents and the community in combating use and abuse of drugs and alcohol.
--Suffield Middle School has initiated a block party theme in integrating Hartford students into the life of the school. During the October Month of the Adolescence various fairs will be held to highlight activities and health and featuring the components of a neighborhood block party.
--Branford High School has a weeklong Awareness Week run entirely by students that features various theme days such as Around the World, Team Work, Teen Issues, Current Events, and culminating in a Unity Day with a pep rally and a faculty/student talent show.
3. Future Meeting Dates and Themes
October 24th—Tom Mooney will do a legal update on the committee’s suggested topics of search and seizure, electronic devices, email protocol, distribution of literature, IM bullying, mandatory expulsions, and equal access.
November 28—Student Advisory Groups. A panel of representatives from schools that have implemented advisories/mentoring.
January 23—Graduation Requirements adopted by school districts will be shared.
March 20—Assistant Principals Conference
March 22-TBD
April 10
4. Subcommittee for Conference Planning will have a dinner meeting on October 17 at a restaurant to be determined.
