SIT Planning for 08-09

• Introductions

• School Improvement Overview

• Work from last year

• Achievement Data
  

• Plan for year
• Level 1 workshop
• Literacy Night workshop covering the AAPS literacy curriculum
  
• Level 2 workshop covering the AAPS writing curriculum specifically
  
• Building Renovation Committee update reports
• Support identified teacher professional development needs
• MyAccess exploration by team?
• MEAP audit update

• SIT involvement opportunities

• Write up for newsletter—Camille and Kevin
  
• Building Project Committee reports—open
  
• Coordination of Parent Writing Presentation—open
• Coordination of Literacy Night—open
• Coordination of Writing Night--open
  
• Other SIT generated ideas—click here
• Education Yes! -- Camille and Kevin
  

• Tentative meeting dates: 9/26, 11/7, 12/5, 1/9, 2/6, 3/6, 4/3, 5/1, 6/5
  

• Level 1 Parent Education

• Level 2 Parent Education--Colleen?

• Literacy Night--like in 2005-06
  

• Education Yes!

Fwd: Clarity on costs

Please let me know if you believe the front drive construction documents should go out to bid.

It is OK with me whatever you say.

Kevin

Begin forwarded message:

From: Randy Trent <trentr@aaps.k12.mi.us>

Date: June 9, 2008 7:30:05 AM GMT-04:00

To: Diane Massell <dmassell@umich.edu>

Cc: trentr@aaps.k12.mi.us, karrk@aaps.k12.mi.us

Subject: Re: Clarity on costs

The bid documents are ready. But neither the side entrance or the front pavement loop will go to bid unless the King committee chooses it to go to bid.

I will work on cutting and pasting some info for you from the meeting minutes and estimates.  This will take time.  I will shoot for the end of the week, if possible.

Thanks,

Randy

At 09:20 AM 6/6/2008, Diane Massell wrote:

I thought the redesign of the side entrance had gone to bid as well since the architects had presented a plan and the work of redesign had gone to construction drawings.

Perhaps my confusion would be clarified by looking at the bid estimates/projected budget.  Could you please send those to me? Thanks much, Randy,

Diane

I will answer in CAPS for easier reading

At 07:21 PM 6/5/2008, Diane Massell wrote:

Randy,

Thank you for responding.  What are the costs of redesigning the side entrance? the parking lot?        WE WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL KING DECIDES WHETHER OR NOT THERE EITHER THE SIDE ENTRANCE OR THE PARKING LOT IS A PROJECT AND WHAT THE SCOPE OF EITHER PROJECT IS.

When you say that the costs were presented to the King committee, that seems odd to me because many questions were asked about cost and no one seemed to be able to answer that.  The only answer given at any time was $60K.  THE 60K WAS THE BOND ESTIMATE DEVELOPED IN 2003.  EACH PROJECT TEAM MAKES CHOICE AS TO WHAT THEY WANTED AND WHAT THE COST ESTIMATES ARE REFLEST THOSE CHOICES AS THEY MAKE THEIR CHOICES DURING SCHEMATIC AND DESIGN PHASES ESTIMATES.

Given that this is bond money for school discretionary use (within certain limits of course) I think its very important to be very clear about the dollars involved.  As I said in my original message, its such a rare opportunity for schools to have this kind of resource and we should make the best use of it.  I AGREE AND BELIEVE THAT THE CHOICES THE KING COMMITTEE MADE REPRESENTED THEIR BEST CHOICES AND THAT IS WHY I SUPPORTED THIER CHOICES.  ON EVERY SCHOOL PROJECT, THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE TEAM IS QUESTIONED BY THE CHOICES THEY HAVE MADE.  THEY , AS THE KING TEAM, WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE THE CHOICES FOR THIER SCHOOL.

Have said that, I do want to say that I very much appreciate your coming to King and making information and people available to use to answer our questions.  I LOOK FORWARD TO THE KING COMMITTEE'S DECISION.  I WANT TO SERVICE THEIR NEEDS AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.  I TOO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND INPUT, AS WELL AS ALL THE OTHER KING COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE WILLING TO COME SHARE THEIR IDEAS.

Diane

I will answer in CAPS for easier reading.

Thanks,

Randy

At 03:51 PM 6/5/2008, Kevin Karr wrote:

Randy,

Can you answer Dr. Massell's questions?

Thanks.

Kevin

On Jun 5, 2008, at 3:41 PM, Diane Massell wrote:

Kevin:

Can you ask Randy Trent to clarify whether this figure includes

a) mandatory $60K for repaving YES FOR THE DRIVE, NOT PARKING LOT.

b) redesign of the side entrance NO

c) fence separation and sidewalks YES TO THE FENCE SEPARATION AND REPAIR OF THE SIDE WALKE AS NEEDED

d) any other aspects of the proposal not covered above?  I AM NOT SURE WHICH PROPOASL ABOVE IS BEING REFERRED TO.

It is so rare in the life of a school that we have access to such a large discretionary amount of money.   I know that upwards of 80-90% of school budgets are tied up in salaries. Personally, I find it rather appalling that the figure for this work was not made transparent to you at the outset and to the others involved. The district has not been known for its careful use of resources, as you know, and has been highly criticized for such. ALL OF THE COSTS WERE MADE PRESENTED TO THE KING COMMITTEE AND ALL CHOICES WERE DIRECTED BY THE KING COMMITTEE BASED ON THESE ESTIMATES THAT WE EXPALINED AT EACH PHASE OF DESIGN.  IF I IN ANYWAY LEFT THE IMPRESSION THAT WE DID NOT MAKE THE COST KNOWN I APOLOGIZE.

To clarify my position, as I stated last night:

a) no engineered solution can be sufficient in and of itself. Any plan will require an educational component and educational costs. The man presenting last night acknowledged this as well.

b) Our educational component has not been successful thus far. There are too many people, like the new parent attending last night, who do not know what the rules for the drive are. I talked to a parent who has been at the school 7 years and did not know all the rules.   And there will always be new parents, who will always need to be educated.

c) The redesign is significantly flawed in that it does not address safety at the end of the school day--kids crossing in the other direction to get on the busses, or who forget something and dash back to the school building.  It would also require someone to monitor at all times so that the cars stop at the crossing at the appropriate times.  Who will that someone be?   Kids are completely unreliable safeties, and I think you'd have a liability issue there as well.  If we have to hire someone, have you or a teacher take duty, it's the same as leaving the drive as is and doing the same.

d) and last but not least, environment and aesthetics.

Best,

Didi

At 9:13 AM -0400 6/5/08, Kevin Karr wrote:

This is from Randy Trent.  If you can think of others to send it to, please do.

Kevin

Begin forwarded message:

The estimated cost of the original design was $249,700.

$108,000 was the actual road work and $141,000 was involved with moving the lights.

I apologize for the confusion last night about the cost.

Thanks,

Randy

***************************************************************

Randall J. Trent

Executive Director of Physical Properties

Ann Arbor Public Schools

(734)994-8118 Voice  (734)994-1792 fax

***************************************************************

--

Diane Massell

University of Michigan

***************************************************************

Randall J. Trent

Executive Director of Physical Properties

Ann Arbor Public Schools

(734)994-8118 Voice  (734)994-1792 fax

***************************************************************

--

Diane Massell

University of Michigan

***************************************************************

Randall J. Trent

Executive Director of Physical Properties

Ann Arbor Public Schools

(734)994-8118 Voice  (734)994-1792 fax

*************************************************************** 

Level 2 Feedback forms

What was helpful:

Felt much more familiar with the program.
Impressed with teachers' enthusiasm for writing.
Thought video was very helpful.

Still want to know/requests:

Would have liked to see more examples of student work.
Not sure why there is not more writing at home [homework]
Having other curriculum information nights, like math/science night

One parent expressed concern over the rigorousness of the Lucy
Calkin's Program, wondering if teaching basic principals first was
better.

Next meeting and other info

Hello MLK SIT,

Our next meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 6 at 7:30 AM. Here is
the agenda Laurie and I brainstormed for the next MLK SIT: http://
kingsit.blogspot.com/2008/05/sit-agenda-6608.html
Please let me or Laurie know your feedback, questions, etc.

Regarding our membership next year, a typical term has been two years
so I am assuming that those who have been on the team for 2-3 years
are moving off. If you've completed your first year on SIT this
year, I'm hoping you will continue on. Please don't feel that you
are being pushed out though. If you have energy to work as part of
the SIT, let's talk it over.

SIT Agenda - 6/6/08; minutes in bold

MEAP data, 2007
What sticks out?
4th grade Caucasian writing

Questions:
How are the papers scored?
What data do we have to inform us for next year?
- MEAP
- Feedback surveys
Do we want to continue to focus on writing?
Should we do parent instruction that truly supports what is happening at school?
Can examples of proficient and not proficient writing at each grade level be shared?
Can economically disadvantaged be given targeted assistance?
Is professional development for teachers considered sufficient?
Is the computer piece part of the plan?
Can MyAccess be correlated with MEAP?
Is MyAccess a supplement or a complement?
How do we communicate with parents to get them excited and buy in? Newsletter?
Is what we're doing motivating students?
Podcasting student writing?
What is the feedback of Level 2?
What is the other feedback?
Literacy night was very helpful two years ago

Information
PTO poetry will continue

Recap of Level 2 Writing Workshop -
- Colleen reports out on feedback
- Questions

Priorities for next year - brainstormed
- Look at Level 1 and 2 feedback from parents - what is happening in the classroom?
- Writing is the focus that sticks out
- Do the indicators from Education Yes! give us any direction?
- Survey to find out what people think kids need--parent survey, teacher survey?

Planning for next year (if time)
- Programs
- Membership
This was not discussed.

MLK Building Renovation Committee meeting - 5/29, 9-11 hopefully

Hi Randy, Henry and Brad, 

The MLK Building Renovation Committee met this morning to discuss the input from the May 7 meeting.  We categorized ALL of the input from May 7 (and some additional input afterwards) to understand the larger perspective of the King community.  We felt successful with the progress.

We're going to meet again on May 29 from 9 - 11, and we're hoping you can join us along with Jim, the traffic engineer.  We will use this time to look at potential solutions in relationship to the input received.  Please let me know if you can make it to the meeting.  We feel your attendance is critical to being able to make a potential recommendation to the community.

In addition, we'd like to hold an all-MLK community meeting with the entire team (all of you, the construction/architect types :-) and Jim, the traffic engineer) on June 4 from 7 - 9 PM.  Please let me know if this will work for you too.  At that meeting we would talk through the process we've followed 

Please let me know if you can make it to the above meetings.  Thank you very much.

Kevin

Re: MLK News: Followup: Front Drive Redesign Input Meeting

Hi,

I'm planning to begin right at 9 tomorrow morning. Please bring any
input you've received.

Kevin

On May 9, 2008, at 11:49 AM, Kevin Karr wrote:

> Hi BRC (Building Renovation Committee) :-),
>
> Thanks again for coming to the meeting on Wednesday night. I know
> this is more of a commitment than we anticipated at the beginning.
> On behalf of the community, I appreciate your help.
>
> This will go out in the next eNotes and is on the website now:
> http://karrskingblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/followup-front-drive-

> redesign-input.html
>
> Alisha told me to put her email address out there for people to
> contact her. Can I do the same for you?
>
> Now for next steps . . . :-) How does this sound?
> 1. The four of us meet to analyze the input from the meeting and
> boil it down to common elements
> 2. Discuss elements we agree should be included in the plan --- or
> if there are elements that we need more information about.
> Consider eliminating what can't be done
> 3. Discuss timeline for making a decision--or whatever is next. I
> don't have a preconception of what needs to be done at this point.
>
> When can we meet? I've identified some possible meeting dates/
> times (as you can see, I'm clearing/adjusting my schedule to make
> this meeting happen asap)
> CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DATES:

http://doodle.ch/miifcarmi93dy2i8
> Choose dates that work for you!
>
> Question? Certainly! Send them my way.
>
> Kevin

MLK News: Followup: Front Drive Redesign Input Meeting

Hi BRC (Building Renovation Committee) :-),

Thanks again for coming to the meeting on Wednesday night. I know
this is more of a commitment than we anticipated at the beginning.
On behalf of the community, I appreciate your help.

This will go out in the next eNotes and is on the website now:
http://karrskingblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/followup-front-drive-

redesign-input.html

Alisha told me to put her email address out there for people to
contact her. Can I do the same for you?

Now for next steps . . . :-) How does this sound?
1. The four of us meet to analyze the input from the meeting and
boil it down to common elements
2. Discuss elements we agree should be included in the plan --- or
if there are elements that we need more information about. Consider
eliminating what can't be done
3. Discuss timeline for making a decision--or whatever is next. I
don't have a preconception of what needs to be done at this point.

When can we meet? I've identified some possible meeting dates/times
(as you can see, I'm clearing/adjusting my schedule to make this
meeting happen asap)
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE DATES:

http://doodle.ch/miifcarmi93dy2i8
Choose dates that work for you!

Question? Certainly! Send them my way.

Kevin

SIT Agenda - 5/2/08

Looking forward to seeing you on Friday morning at 7:30 AM sharp :-)
Do you want me to bring coffee?

Here are our agenda items:

I. Building Project Committee update including May 7 meeting

II. Education Yes Update

III. Level 1 and 2 follow up

IV. Planning for next year

Did I forget anything?

As a reminder, our SIT archive:

http://kingsit.blogspot.com/

Front Drive Redesign Info

http://karrskingblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/front-drive-redesign-input-souught-may.html

and 

http://karrskingblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/graphic-of-front-drive-re-design.html

Re: MLK renovations

Based on your input and flexibility, our building project committee
meeting is set for 4/25 at 3 PM. Thank you to Alisha and Karen for
accommodating 3 PM.

Agenda:
Reminder of the process we are engaged in
Share concerns that have come up
Share/Discuss process for additional input and making final decision
Set date for additional input meeting--which I'm hoping you will attend.

What questions do you have?

See you at MLK on Friday at 3 PM. I anticipate a 60 minute meeting.

Thank you, thank you.

MLK renovations

Hello Building Project Committee members,

There has been some questions/concern raised about the design of the
drop off area in front of MLK . . . and I need some input from you as
to how to move forward. I think it is important for us to meet this
week before leaving on Friday.

Can you please respond with which, if any, of the times below work
with you for that meeting. Thanks.

4/24 at 8 AM
4/24 at 3 PM
4/24 at 4 PM
4/24 at 5 PM
4/25 at 8 AM
4/25 at 9 AM
4/25 at noon
4/25 at 2 PM
4/25 at 4 PM

Obviously, this is late notice; however, we are at a critical
point . . . Thank you.

Kevin

meeting cancelled

The meeting for the School Improvement Team tomorrow (April 4) has
been cancelled.

Between now and the next meeting, I recommend that you become
familiar with the May 6 millage renewals for the operating and
sinking fund millages.

Kevin

Fwd: [BULK] Martin Luther King Elem. School EdYes! Report Transmittal Notification

FYI

From the Michigan Department of Education:

This notice is to advise you that the review process for the EdYes! report for Martin Luther King Elem. School has been completed and the report was transmitted on 03/12/2008.

SIT Agenda - 3/7/08

Education Yes! - Final Input
Additional input around diversity--ideas for this year still

• Identify families who will help translate, etc. for non-English speaking families enrolling at MLK
• Have a social component that overlays the PTO Welcome Night
• Do local industries provide any assistance with this? Camille will ask husband
• Ask PTO to include international liaisons by language during collection of volunteers
• Planning for next year needs to start now--like it did today.
  

Writing Night Update

• Colleen reported out on this Level 2 workshop
  

SIT Newsletter

• discussed this briefly
• Looks good
  

Fwd: SIT this Friday! :-)

Hi all,

The School Improvement Team will meet this Friday. Our focus will be
on the Education Yes! report which is due next week. I've prepared a
draft for your review and will share it Friday. If you won't be able
to make the meeting and would like to give input, please let me know
and I'll send a copy home to you.

Also, Writing Night at MLK is less than two weeks away! Parents have
been asked to sign up by this week.

Click below for more info:
http://karrskingblog.blogspot.com/

:-)
Kevin

SIT Agenda 1/30/08

1. For the SIT meeting this month, we will continue our conversations from last month. Generally we talked about how to reach out to diverse families. CLICK HERE to refresh your memory more.

2. SIT Newsletter? - Laurie and Didi

2. Updates

• Level 2 update - Colleen
• Level 3 update - Kevin
• Education Yes! reports are due in mid-March. I'll be working on this soon with staff. Please let me know if you would like to have input before the March SIT meeting. - Kevin
• HWT - Kevin
  
• A word about MEAPs. - Kevin
• Others?
  

Agenda for 1/11/08 (and minutes in red)

At the end of our last meeting, we talked about the agenda for January as follows:

1. Present school improvement rubrics for diversity sections of Education Yes! Please (if at all possible) look at these ahead of time to familiarize yourself with each level of the rubric.

• Communication (Strand 4, Standard 1)
  
• Outreach (Strand 2, Standard 2)
• Academic Achievement?

2. Our task: Brainstorm ways to collect input on communication, outreach, academic achievement issues related to diverse families?

• Read/use Courageous Conversations by Glenn Singleton for ideas
• Decide what is the process of addressing the issues around diversity
• Because schooling for diverse families is traditionally different than US schools,
  
• Relationships are a big part of this
• What system can be put in place to get feedback
• Town meeting where ideas are solicited about how to collect input
  
• Community relations program might look like: ??
• Devise a chart/rubric that would help decide what strategies would assist each group
• Feedback form after P-T conferences: do you feel comfortable, what do you want us to know, what do you want us to know about your culture
  
• Suggestions drop box
• Use form that teachers already handout to get information about families; maybe add a question like
• Translators
• Develop a welcome committee who reaches out to new families to MLK
• World languages offered by the district would be supportive
• Teachers continued volunteering at GBC; possibly increase involvement of PTO in this area
• Parent resource shelf in the library
• Parent book club(s) about becoming Chinese-American
• How do we bring more people into the conversation?
• Townhall meeting
• Go to where the people are
• SIT team coffee hour with families--Kevin and other SIT team members
• Coffee hour at NAAPID?
• Don't call the townhall meeting "diversity"
  
• What kind of questions you would ask?
• relatively open-ended

What is that you hear us doing?
Trying to set up a process/program to involve a wider range of parents and families:
to reach out
to build better relationships
3. If time, updates from committees.

Building Project Committee update

Today I met with representatives from the MLK building project committee including representatives from Barton Mallow, Mitchell and Mouat Architects, TMP Architecture, AAPS district representatives, and MLK teacher Karen Haddas.  Our meeting was the second meeting this year to plan for the 2005 bond identified building renovations at MLK.  The work will include all of the following:

- electrical upgrades

- installation of a new security system

- replacement of classroom flooring

- updating of all bathrooms in the building

- installation of lockers in hallways

- replace cabinetry and sinks in classrooms

- reconfigure drop off area in front of school to better insure safety of students

- replace heating system

- install wireless infrastructure

The exciting part:  Conceptual Drawings!  At this point, I have conceptual drawings from the architects of what would be done at MLK . . . so . . . it is time to share the concepts and offer any final input on the concepts.  With this goal in mind, I've left the drawings and the design specifications in the school office conference room.  Please feel free to look them over.  In addition, I will be available to share them on Thursday, December 20 from 11:30 to 1 and on Friday, December 21 from 9 to 10.  I hope to see you at one of the meetings.

Building Project Committee

• Building Project Committee
• next meeting December 19 at 11 AM
• BPC memebers--
• MLK:
  
• Alicia Faciane, PTO co-president
• Karen Haddas, teacher
• Elizabeth Donovan, School Improvement Team parent
• Kevin Karr, MLK principal
  
• AAPS:
  
• Randy Trent, Executive director of physical properties
• Henry Caudle, Administrator for Comprehensive School Improvement Plan
• John Mouat, architect, Mitchell and Mouat Architects
• Nandita Mishra, architect, TMP Architecture
  
• Arlene Samuel, design manager, Barton Malow Company
• John Steinhebel, project manager, Barton Malow Company