> NMS PTA Board/General Meeting
> February 14, 2006
>
> - Please see Attendance Roster for those present.
> - The meeting was called to order at 10:40am.
> - Bonnie welcomed everyone and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
> - The minutes of the January 10, 2006 Board Meeting were approved with the following correction: Remove Lisa Pietrangelo from the Nominating Committee slate and add Pam Kipniss as alternate.
> - Lisa read the following Nominating Committee slate:
> Sally Hildebrant
> Linda Jones
> Susan Hummert
> Melanie McNaughton
> Kim Horne
> Pam Kipniss, Alternate
> Lisa then asked for a motion to approve the Nominating Committee slate, the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
> - Copies of the Budget were distributed and reviewed by Lisa. A
> motion to approve the 2/14/06 revised Budget was seconded
> and approved.
>
>
> Principal's Report
> Mr. Fraser asked for help in writing a unified mission statement for Northwestern Middle School. Those in attendance were asked to write down words, phrases, ideas etc. that expressed the vision parents want for Northwestern.
>
> Mr. Fraser reported that the dances were a great success. Dismissal and parking went a bit unorganized at the first dance, but all problems were corrected for the second dance. Approximately $2000.00 was raised for our adopted Louisiana school.
>
> Northwestern is looking into replacing the canopy that was removed over the transportation dismissal area. Shelter is needed for students waiting in inclement weather. Mr. Fraser would also like to have benches and ground cover installed that will make this area more attractive. Northwestern will be approaching Business Partners to help with this. The project must also be submitted to Fulton County for approval.
>
> Mr. Becker's Report
> Mr. Becker reported Northwestern's new schedule model that will take effect next year. He explained that after considering input from parents and staff a modified block schedule was designed. The modified block addresses the following concerns expressed: making sure students were prepared for the schedule at Milton, eliminating the confusion about which "day" it is for Northwestern students (A or B) and including math each day in Northwestern's curriculum.
>
> Handouts were passed around that showed Mondays as Traditional days where students would attend all classes. Mondays are color coded as yellow. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be blue colored block days and Wednesdays and Fridays will be silver colored block days. This allows each class to be attended three times a week. A banner will hang in the front hall area depicting the day's color. All connection and academic blocks will be the same length of time, ending with the same bell. This will allow staff to move across grade levels to teach. There will no longer be a homeroom period, on block days announcements will be made after the first period. On traditional Mondays students will have a 25-minute advisement period where all handouts etc. will be given. Teachers will also address "Middle School" topics such as bullying during this advisement period. These topic programs will be predetermined and help ensure that every child has an advocate in the building, which is part of the Middle School Concept. There was also a test schedule handed out that showed the schedule for a shortened day. On these days students will attend classes in the morning, have lunch and then early dismissal around 12:30pm. Teachers will have staff development/training time in the afternoon hours. There will be five of these early release days, three during the first semester and two in the second semester. It was determined that Wednesdays are the best day of the week for these ER days. Mr. Becker explained that Early Release days will help teachers get needed training and cut down on substitute teachers needed.
>
> Mr. Becker also stated that Northwestern would like to send six teachers to a seminar titled "Practical Strategies to Strengthen Student Learning in Block Schedule Classes". Teachers attending the April 13th seminar would present information learned to all Faculty during Post-Planning.
>
> Mr. Fraser was asked why Northwestern did not decide to go back to a completely traditional schedule. He responded that with all the changes being made to utilize the Middle School Concept, going to a traditional schedule might be too many changes. He also wanted to try this, as he is only familiar with a traditional model and compare the two. Teachers also like the block schedule.
>
> Mr. Becker was asked what Milton's biggest complaint is with the preparedness of rising high school students for a traditional schedule. He stated he had not actually received any complaints from Milton, but parents did not feel students were ready organizationally for the traditional schedule in High School.
>
> Mr. Becker was also asked if students were getting too much time to take tests in the block schedule and then finding they were not prepared to take tests in shorter periods in High School. He responded that currently students took tests and worked on other activities in block classes, the entire block is not used only for testing.
>
> Mr. Becker explained that Reading would become an alternate to Foreign Language at Northwestern. This is to accommodate rising 6th graders who have had two years of foreign language upon arrival and give another option to ABE/ABR. The GPS standards do not require a separate reading curriculum instead reading is incorporated into other classes. Mr. Becker clarified that all students will have a 95 minute block of math each day. This will give teachers more time to address areas of deficiency and also give enrichment. Students will have seven classes: two Connections, Math everyday, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts and Reading or Foreign Language. On Mondays students will attend every class for 45 minutes.
>
> Mr. Becker thanked those present who helped on the committee stating that their input was invaluable.
>
> Treasurer's Report
> The Budget balance stands at $17,722.12.
>
> Legislative Update
> Sally Hildebrant read to the Board information on the above mentioned Early Release days and explained that Early Release is considered a pilot program and is used currently in Cobb and Forsyth counties. Transportation at early dismissal will be provided to students in the district. Those outside the district will have after hour's programs provided. This program is Principal driven and a direct response to teacher requests for more training.
>
> Susan Hummert mentioned that Dr. Denmark would like a letter of endorsement from cluster PTAs, then she shared the following concerns expressed to her from other parents: What about transportation of those students who don't ride the bus? Homework-would this be increased for the older students? How will this pilot program be evaluated? There is concern about children (especially elementary students) arriving then having lunch so early to accommodate early dismissal. Sally responded to these concerns: Parents will need to pick up students that do not ride the bus or they will go to after hour's programs. No increase in homework is expected but these are issues for each individual school. There will be an evaluation process and some elementary schools will look at giving students a sack lunch as they leave on early release days, fulfilling state requirements.
>
> Sally was asked about how required academic hours will be effected by Early Release days. Sally explained that the requirement is an average, not exact hours logged and the average of 300 minutes will still be achieved.
> Sally also mentioned that another advantage of early release besides professional development is the possible use of vertical teaming: elementary and middle teachers getting together and middle and high teachers to work on transition.
> A motion was made to support Early Release Days pilot program for one year. The motion was seconded and approved.
>
> Sally reported that Fulton County has a Technology survey on its website. Information about it will be in the newsletter. There were several comments that the survey was too vague and difficult to answer without direct classroom involvement.
> Sally reminded everyone to check Katie Reeve's website for date changes of her meetings.
> There is a push to get a proposal ready for the SPLOST III program by March so that SPLOST can be on ballot for a special vote in September or November. This will mean a large amount of work for PTA to get the information out to the community. (The school can support not promote SPLOST thus no school resources can be used.) There are critical needs in the county that are not covered by the current SPLOST.
> The Connected Academy Charter School still plans to open in the fall. It is not a Technology school, but one to engage the student "tuned out" to a traditional program. Approximately 120 11th grade students will make up the starting class. Questions/comments can be directed to Martha Greenway.
> Sally reminded everyone to register to vote, as this will directly impact SPLOST III. Registration can now be done online. Information on how to register will be in the upcoming Newsletter.
>
> Old Business
> Cultural Arts is going well.
> Parent to Parent is in session again at Crabapple Elementary.
> The Renaissance program last week also went well.
>
> New Business
> Music Showcase-Marie reported that the next performance will be on March 30th, 8:15-8:40am and will feature Northwestern's 7th/8th grade Orchestra. On April 27th Northwestern's Percussion Ensemble will perform and on May 11th Sheer Panic from Milton will be showcased.
>
> Winter Gallery-takes place February 27th-March 3rd. There will be artwork displayed as well as physical demonstrations.
>
> Staff Appreciation- a breakfast will be given to staff March 10th at 8am. (This is the Teachers Workday) Any needs will be requested via email.
>
> 8th Grade Dance- theme was discussed.
>
> Nominating Committee- any Board Member who has not responded to what position they are interested in next year is asked to contact the committee.
>
> Upcoming Events
> Newsletter Deadline 2/15 submit to: hepburn@comcast.net
> Winter Gallery 2/27-3/3
> Staff Appreciation Breakfast 3/10
> Next PTA Board Meeting 3/14
>
> The meeting was adjourned at 11:55am.
> Minutes submitted by Melanie McNaughton, Recording Secretary.
> Those unable to attend today's meeting are asked to email volunteer hours (not entered on TRAXX) to Kristen Levert at K_levert@comcast.net
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