June+2010

June 3, 2010
 * Curriculum Council Minutes **

Nancy Alibrandi, Val Aubry, Michael Bessette, Tina Blinn, Bill Carozza, Steve Chamberlin, Sally Codd, Mark Dickson, Liz Durant, Marcia McCaffrey, Eileen Reinacher, Chris Sousa, Dave Tilley, Trish Underwood
 * Members Present:**
 * Place and Time: MSS 3:20 - 4:15 **
 * Minutes** **-** Nancy Alibrandi


 * Items Discussed:**
 * Summer Curriculum** - Steve Chamberlin
 * There was $23,000 available in funding for Summer Curriculum this year (funded with a combination of grant money and district funds)
 * The Leadership Team received $43,000 worth of proposals
 * At the time of our meeting, 92% of the funds had been allocated and approved for the following areas:
 * //What do we want each student to learn?// (284 hours - work includes continued development of competencies, power standards, revision of math curriculum by Task Force, etc.).
 * //How will we know when each student has learned?// (116 hours - work includes development of common assessments, competency reassessments/grading process, refinement of report cards, etc.).
 * //What will we do when a student experiences difficulty in learning a standard or has already demonstrated mastery of a standard?// (286 hours - work includes development of tiered supports by Student Support Task Force, various scheduling and programming for students with special needs, development of professional learning communities, etc.)
 * //Miscellaneous// - (21 hours - work includes planning for school assemblies, special programming, etc.)
 * Next year Steve would like to budget a little differently for Summer Curriculum; money for Curriculum Revision work would be isolated from other summer curriculum money; also would like to separate "summer curriculum" work and "summer work" (there is work that needs to be accomplished over the summer that is not technically "curriculum" work)
 * Right now we are "a mile wide and an inch deep" in our summer curriculum work; Next year, Steve would like to see summer curriculum work more focused to be "a mile deep"
 * Dave Tilley commented that it is great that so many hours are requested; shows interest and committment on the part of staff to move projects forward over the summer
 * All the hours requested for projects could not be approved - it was suggested that staff might use part of their contracted TEP planning time or K-6 classroom setup time to collaborate with others
 * Michael Bessette suggested that we consider using summer curriculum money to provide PD for staff to enhance their instructional strategies and content knowledge
 * Bill Carozza mentioned the importance of providing a summer academy for new teachers so they are knowledgeable in programs adopted by the district
 * It was stressed that if changes are made to the way summer curriculum is funded; it will be important to communicate those changes to staff


 * Science and the Cycle of Curriculum Revision -** Nancy Alibrand**i**
 * This was a continuation of the discussion begun at last month's meeting about our ability to manage multiple program areas in the cycle of curriculum revision
 * We need to slow down our process to ensure success
 * Concern is at the elementary level where staff teaches multiple subject areas; we need to give teachers time to develop/implement/revise power standards, common assessments, new materials in one subject area before moving on to the next, particularly when this process is also new to them; we are asking elementary teachers to work in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and this is a new way to collaborate for some teachers
 * Science will stay in Year One (Evaluate/Data Collection) for next year

Special thanks to Liz Durant for providing refreshments!


 * Looking Ahead** - Nancy Alibrandi
 * If any members are not planning on returning next year, please email Nancy Alibrandi
 * Our first meeting for the 2010-2011 school year is tentatively set for Wednesday, September 8th