Minutes from the Consultative Meeting 12-07-06

Attendance:
Nigel Pugh
Eric Contreras
Laurie Kuchik
Michael Lieber
Marty Metzger
Kathleen Grantz
Iris Zevin

Agenda:

1. 70% Benchmark for passing students.

2. Scheduling:
Holes in programs.
Clubs and activities.

3. Project Learn

4. Lateness
Random Sweeps

5. PD Day-January 31, 2007

Please note that if you have any comments, questions or suggestions, you can use the UFT blog at the following address: http://uftmembers.blogspot.com/

We welcome your thoughts and ideas – Mike Lieber

Notes:

1. We discussed the idea that the school is hoping to have teachers reach a 70% benchmark passing rate. There was concern expressed that a number of teachers had received letters mentioning one or more classes where under 70% of the students had passed, and that the letter, later revised, said the administrator would like to schedule a formal observation of those classes. Nigel said that he was hoping to put in place protocols to help students be more successful in those classes, but that he was not intending to put teachers under pressure. He said that there are certain expectations that we are expected to meet as part of our membership in the empowerment zone, though there isn’t any specific mandated pass rate. He also stressed that the benchmark was supposed to be helpful to the teachers, not a threat.

2. Nigel and Michael will be meeting to discuss possible ways in which students might be more successful. For example they will look at whether large numbers of very challenging students are being programmed into the same classes.

3. Marty asked Nigel if it would be possible to consider having a double, instead of a triple session next year. He felt that this would help to cut down on the number of “holes” and also make membership in a team more accessible, especially to whichever community has the early session. Nigel said this would be definitely considered for next year and that is important that we start the programming as early as possible.

4. We also discussed what could be done this year to improve the situation. Some of the things that have already been done or are being considered are

a. Creation of a senior pass.
b. More supervision of the common areas. Nigel said he would look into the possibility of having an aide supervise one or more of the common areas. Eric Contreras said he and the other A.P.’s will be more regularly patrolling the common areas, and making sure that students who are there are not cutting classes, and that they are behaving properly.

c. The possibility of using the cafeteria for the first two periods as a place where students can be if they have not started or have a hole in their program.(security possibily patrolling this area).

d. Letting students, at least in good weather, have passes where they could be outside, on our campus without coming in the building.

5. Laurie brought up the issue that there are a number of students who come into the school who have already taken courses that their cohort is taking, (science, math and social studies) and that they are being forced to take these courses, or at least sit in on them, again. Nigel said that there are a number of issues here, one of them being that we don’t know the quality of the work in the subject area that has been done in the junior high. He mentioned a specific example of a teacher who is teaching out of license. The junior high science course also does not have a lab component.

Nigel said that it is important that not too many such students are placed in one class. He felt that they should be used as teaching assistants.

6. We held a brief discussion of the January 31 PD day, and whether teachers would be allowed, if they wished, to attend a PD in Queens rather than one scheduled for Manhattan that day. A decision has not been made on this issue, but if teachers know of interesting opportunities in Queens, they should discuss this with Nigel.

7. We also discussed and brainstormed solutions to the idea of how to best utilize the library, especially when Joanne has a library class in there and there are a number of students who are free that period and would like to work in the library.

a. One possible solution that is being considered is to have another teacher assigned to supervise the walk in students while Joanne is teaching the class. In order to maximize the use of our budget though, Joanne will be looking at the pattern of library use over a couple of weeks, to see what are our peak hours where such coverage may be necessary.

b. Since in terms of safety, only about 45 students can actually be in the library at one time, the auditorium may also have to be used at certain periods.

8. The consultative council will be meeting again next month to complete consideration of the items on the agenda and to discuss any new issues or concerns.