Fwd: School Improvement Team--brainstorming ideas

Hello SIT members!

I hope everyone had a good break.

Here is the long-ago promised sorted list of our brainstorming ideas in preparation for our meeting Friday morning. Thanks to Lisa for her notes.

To compile this list, I looked at the minutes and my notes of our discussions at the last 2 meetings. I sorted by putting like things together, giving weight to ideas the group seemed enthusiastic about, and that also related to the agreed-upon literacy goals for the year.

I noticed (I think) that we seem to have a basic agreement on the larger structure of what we want to do. There were many ideas were about improving existing communication structures with parents (newsletters, pto, curr night, folder handouts), and more clearly explaining what already happens in the classroom. And also, it seems the larger idea of an evening parent-ed workshop—our own, EMU's, or some combination—has consensus.

If there is anything not included that should be, or you want to re-visit something I've missed, please let me know. My intention is to include everything relevant. For Friday, think about what specific "actions steps" we want to take on this year.

--Camille

Brainstorming ideas from the SIT meetings 11/7 & 12/3 2008

*These are the ideas we most focused on and you might as potentially helpful in helping us implement the goals.

Communication:

• List SIT goals on the website and Principal’s blog.
• Progress towards the goals could be communicated in the monthly newsletter.
• Teachers updates in their weekly newsletters.
• Use the PTO meetings to communicate about the SIT goals and the progress made – either during the Principal’s update, or set aside a time slot just before or after the PTO meeting. Teachers can make presentations too.
• Tips/handout for parents on how to help foster writing at home
• Copy of writing report card given to parents at Curriculum Night
• Writing samples & update on writing progress shared at parent-teacher conference
• Displayed student work in classroom and hallways
• More completed student writing work sent home (perhaps a photocopy)
• Copies of model writing or benchmarking by grade level accessible to parents (either from classroom writing or meap writing)


Workshops/Programs:

• Using parent classroom volunteers to help with reading/writing process (under engagement tab)

• Have an annual “literacy night” like the one that was held 3 years ago. Could have two 45 minute sessions - parents sign-up for guided reading, writing workshop, literature circle

• EMU writing project - 90 minute family literacy initiative: http://www.emichwp.org/