SSC Meeting

April 20, 2010

minutes

AGENDA

budget

kip report

½ MS math support

assistant principal interview

budget

Good news: the district restored funding – we get to keep reading specialist, and Korean Immersion ½ time.
There may be changes, but they probably will not be as bad as we thought.

Remember the positions were saved, not the staff. Hopefully we will be able to keep our staff. This is likely with our kip staff since there are not too many Korean bilingual teachers in SFUSD.

board meeting: kip

The kip program would like to recognize the generosity of CL in supporting their program. If funding runs low, they have some money set aside to help fund the program. Kip program will begin to plan for the long term so that they are not always scrambling to keep the program funded. A task force is planned for the development of program. Don Perskey will head the task force.
As of now, kip has close to $200,000 set aside for the program.
In an effort to increase awareness of the bilingual programs in the district, the kip program went to the board of ed and spoke up for bilingual education. There was discussion of creating a certificate for students who graduate with bilingual skills. If this happens, we need to consider what steps are needed to move the kip program into middle school. There seemed to be a commitment from board of ed for the special certificate for bilingual students upon high school graduation. If this happens funding the bilingual programs in the district will be necessary.

One of the goals of the BBC is to support the arts. Gloria wants to continue to build on what we are doing in art education at CL. The 8^th grade is doing a mural project this year. Gloria would like to continue this project in the future, and perhaps create a mosaic art project for the front of the school for grades 3-5. Gloria is willing to give a line item statement of what funds will be needed to expand the art program at CL. The PTA might be able to provide the funding for this. Current funding for our art programs come from a combination of Prop H, PTA and City Arts funding.
It was pointed out that we can always fund raise too! It is easier to raise funds when we have a particular project in mind.
Remember, not only are we committed to providing art in the class room, the district wants the students to have art instruction every day.

creating a ½ time MS math supports position

What would it look like?

Funding a middle school math position is fair since the lower grades have early literacy program.
If the PTA approves the funding, the SSC would have to approve it.
Should the PTA fund district staff positions? Isn’t it the role of the school district to fund positions? If the PTA feels this is important, could we not do this without sending money to the school district? Hiring and paying a person directly, without going through the school district, will enable us to retain control over who is hired.

other objections to hiring through the school district:

we should not have to fund district positions.
in two years this ½ time position will probably be eliminated due to district budget problems
We should not use the raining day fund for this position since we can expect the worst budget cuts in the future -2012.
We should be very careful about over spending right now, given the economy.

So we will need to think of some creative ways to accomplish this goal.

Suggestions:

Discussion Points:

Do we want an advanced math curriculum so that when students graduate some will have completed Geometry?
The gate program discussed this possibility, but thought it is not possible. Instead they thought that maybe an aid could take the more advanced kids out so to make a smaller class size. Or alternatively, an aid could take out the lower performing students.
There is a lot of interest in funding a MS math support aid among the PTA so funding will be available.
Could maybe coordinate the Stanford math program.
It was pointed out that all of the eighth graders already take advanced math – algebra I
It was suggested that maybe we should focus on the low students. Especially since every class is a gate class. Also, any program offered to a gate student must be offered to all students.
It was suggested that within the core curriculum, more advanced ways to problem solve, or separate problems could be provided. This is already happening.
Then maybe separate groups for students depending on ability.
Should all students have the same homework?
Should there be better differentiation within the class room?
What roles and responsibilities would there be for the person in the classroom
Algebra for all has been working for us, and there are not enough students in “non gate” group to create a separate group.
We need to know the needs of the students in order to proceed.
Maybe pull out students who need help at any particular time.
Maybe a math version of 826 Valencia

It was asked, how did it come about that math is a greater area of need? Data shows there is more need for math help in middle school. This is when math scores start to fall, especially among African American students.

It was noted that the district does not have any requirements for gate programs at the school level. Once a student is identified as gate, it is up to the school to set up a program for them.

Some CL parents of students who are now in high school have reported that their children are not excelling in high school math because the students were not pushed hard enough in middle school.

We could designate math as the Korean language program core class for middle school. This would pull some students out of regular math.

If a support person were a combination of high and low support, would there be more people behind it?

Perhaps a math project – combination of gate and non gate kids in a mutual support group.

assistant principal interview

SangYeon's job is up this year and Amanda extended her maternity leave.
With the consent of the SSC we can by pass the interview process and get SangYeon as our assistant principal.
We will sign a letter drafted by Cathy to accomplish this.

May 18^th for next SSC meeting