Curriculum Council Minutes 10/05/23

2023-2024 Ida Curriculum Council Minutes

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 8:15-10:15 a.m. 

Middle School Library

Staff and Community Representatives Present:

*Elementary School: Mitchell Graves

*Elementary Parent Representative: Sara Batson, Jessica Kisonas

*Middle School: Audrey Hamm, Ann Capling, Amy LaVigne-Benore

*Middle School Parent Representative: Randi Kitts

*High School: Meg Alexander, Caitlin Ryan

*High School Parent Representative: Andrea Allen, Amy Strimpel

*Administrators: Lucy Becker, Allison Bondie

*Board Member: Jamie Hunter

*Chairperson: Sarah Ash

 Ida Curriculum Council Minutes for October 5, 2023  

1.  District  

• The purpose of Curriculum Council along with the curriculum process was shared and reviewed.
• A MICIP/Strategic Plan update was given. Ida Schools has started a strategic plan process with Enlightened Learning which will guide the district and school improvement plans. Meetings have already taken place with the administration team and students. Teachers will have the opportunity to meet with the facilitator in November and a community survey will be sent out soon.
• Jean Foster is hosting monthly brainstorm meetings to network with PE/Health teachers. The next one is scheduled for October 18th at 3pm via Zoom. Please contact Jean Foster from the ISD for the virtual meeting link if you are interested.

• Mental Health Roundtable has an upcoming meeting on November 7th at the ISD.

• A book of concern was reviewed and discussed for a formal recommendation to Mr. Eack and the Board of Education.

2.  K-12 Communications: High School Topics

• Leadership update was given by Meg Alexander. The year is off to a busy start with students in various groups based on initiatives such as service, school engagement/spirit, and SPLT. Students have been developing themes for sporting events, selling leis for a Hawaii fundraiser, creating weekly video announcements, planning a powderpuff game, and preparing for operation Christmas child. More ideas and activities will be implemented throughout the year including helping around the school as needed.
• Curriculum/Assessment Changes/Needs and/or Updates
  • Delta Math has been renewed fr the math department
• HSSIT (MTSS) – Staff meetings will continue to allow for additional grade level collaboration time. Teams will be meeting to review data monthly.
• CTE Courses – The district received another CTE Equipment grant which will be used on various pieces of equipment in the welding shop. Items such as multiprocess welders, belt sanders, and a hand grinding bench are some of the items we are looking to purchase. The greenhouse is up and running for the Ag classes. Currently the greenhouse has broiler chickens in it. We are also sending students to other CTE county programs such as electrical tech, auto, and firefighting/emt, in return we also have 9 students coming to Ida to participate in our programs.
• October is College Month; counselors are working with students to apply to various colleges and complete their FAFSA forms. Locker signs are being put on student lockers and workshops are being held to assist students with college applications. October 24th is college application day and staff are also encouraged to wear college gear for that day.
• Just Build It field trip to EMU which focuses on the trades is coming up in mid-October.  
• Coffee with the Counselors is on October 10th, this is a time to discuss college admissions and financial aid questions.
• Caitlin Ryan shared a brief overview of the Michigan Assured Admissions Pact (MAAP) program.

3.   K-12 Communications: Middle School Topics

• Curriculum/Assessment Changes/Needs and/or Updates
  • Big Ideas Math is currently being pilted in 6th-8th grade math classes. This is the prgram that is used in K-5th grade classroms. Teachers had training on the program and implementation in June and August and will have follow up training in November and January.
• MTSS – Staff meetings will continue to allow for grade level collaboration and MTSS data review time. The staff is also working to increase communication for positive recognition.
• Many activities are taking place at the Middle School from spirit week, the annual Mrs. Fields cookie fundraiser, student council events, PRIDE point competitions, and an upcoming book fair.
• Special education discussion took place in regards to the increased paperwork load for teachers in addition to co-teaching and supporting students.

4.  K-12 Communications: Elementary School Topics

• Curriculum/Assessment Changes/Needs and/or Updates
  • Mystery Science Kits were rdered in July and should arrive anytime. Each classroom teacher will receive their own kit with science experiment supplies for the year.
• 3rd Grade Reading Law Compliance Letter and IRIPs will be going home next week.
• MTSS monthly meetings will begin soon. The team has been reviewing data and tiered services.
• Mitchell Graves asked how elementary students can see the greenhouse and/or partner with the ag classes to learn about the projects they are working on.

5.  Technology Updates 

• Technology Committee update – none given. Teacher laptops are starting to be disbursed throughout the district.

6.  Parent Group Report

• Parent Group update was shared by Sara Batson and Amy Strimpel. Many special events are coming up such as a Trunk or Treat/fall festival, Book Fairs at both the elementary and middle school, field trip/field day grade level shirts are coming back for elementary students, and holiday grams will be sold as a fundraiser in the coming months.  

7.  Upcoming Student Events

• Manufacturing Day is today for 8th grade students
• Knabusch Math and Science Center Field Trips are available – Sign Up:

https://forms.gle/ncZV9bagFLDnmcoA6

• MathCounts registration is open. Audrey Hamm is planning to have two teams this year.
• Quiz Bowl is starting soon. We currently have coaches for a 7th grade team, 8th grade team, and high school team. We do not have any coaches for 5th or 6th grade. If you or someone you know might be interested in coaching a team, please contact Sarah Ash or the Middle School Main Office. The county competition will be at the beginning of March.  

8. Assessment Updates

• NWEA/STAR Reading, K-8 – fall testing is finished, fall data was shared with the group.
• Spring state testing data was shared and reviewed with the group. Building level teams looked at data and trends.
• High School Testing:
  • Octber 20th-all 11th grade students will take the digital PSAT/NMSQT
• Middle School Testing:
  • Octber 24th-all 8th grade students will take the digital PSAT 8

9. Professional Development Opportunities

• Comments/feedback from August 29th and 30th PD
• SCECHs have been submitted and teachers should have received an e-mail notifying them of the survey that has to be taken
• Next PD Day is Wednesday, November 1st – Tentative topics include a continuation of trauma, NWEA reports, Exact Path, strategic planning, curriculum alignment, and grade level MTSS
• Google Bootcamp (2 session dates to choose from)– Tuesday, October 17th and Wednesday, October 18th from 8:30-3pm
• UFLI Virtual Support – Tuesday, October 17th 4-5pm via Zoom
• Fall 2023 Continuous Improvement Conference – October 19th from 8:00-4:00 p.m.
• Special Populations Conference; Recognizing Greatness - October 25-26, 2023 in East Lansing
• MiMTSS Conference; Lifting All Learners – November 28-29th in Lansing
• Educational Technology Group - next meeting will be on Thursday, January 18th will be from 4-6:00 p.m. at the ISD with dinner provided
• Always available: EduPaths and Michigan Virtual online professional learning. https://www.edupaths.org. www.michiganvirtual.org.  Free, self-paced courses, SCECHs are available for most courses

10. Future Meetings

• Next meeting November 30, 2023-8:15am in the Middle School Library.

*** For all ISD PD register on the ISD course where/wisdomwhere site:

https://www.solutionwhere.com/ww/monroeisd/

Adjournment 10:15