11/07/07                                                        FHTMS PTO Meeting Minutes

Welcome and Introductions

This meeting commenced shortly after 6:00 pm.  In attendance were Joe O’Brien, Sheri Rand, Marcy Murray, Leslie Black-Plumeau, Cassandra Ventrone, Robin Lawson, Denise Vinals, Denise Girard, Nancy Bianchi, Wanda Wilking, Gwen Schuppe, Susie Merrick, and Diane Bugbee.

Susie announced that the December 5^th meeting would have the theme of “The Importance of the Arts in Middle School.”

The Developmental Designs Approach

Principal Joe O’Brien and Guidance Supervisor Sheri Rand presented on the Developmental Designs Approach in the middle school setting.   This approach was more recently known as the Responsive Design program.  However, this name was changed due to its similarity to the Responsive Classroom name.  Responsive Classroom is a model used at the elementary level.  The Developmental Designs (DD) program is sponsored by a company named Origins.  At FHTMS, DD is implemented through the Teacher Advisory (TA) meetings which occur first thing in the morning.  The main goal of DD is for students to make a connection with an adult and to feel that they are a part of a community.

DD usually involves a morning message, greetings, questions and an activity of some kind.  Having a greeting is a way for students to feel part of a group.  Mr. O’Brien led tonight’s PTO attendees in a sample middle name greeting activity.  There are many different types of greetings that can be used and greetings are done in a circle to create a Circle of Power and Respect.   Activities may include sharing, current events, what people are reading.

There are forty-eight TAs at FHTMS.  Twenty TA facilitators have been trained in DD.  FHTMS has hosted these trainings for educators during the summer.  Other models of “homeroom” have been used at FHTMS, including Reading Quest, which was used for four or five years.  DD seems to be the right combination of activities and opportunities for everyone.

Sheri Rand shared a handout with the group describing the DD model in depth.  Attendees were split into groups to report back to the larger group on the following:

·         Introduction and three main components of DD – community building, engaged learning, and needs-based behavioral management.

·         Who are young adolescents developmentally and what do they need?

·         The four developmental needs of adolescents (relationship, autonomy, competence, fun).

·         What does DD look like in a school?

·         The process of implementation.

·         The six principles of DD

1)      Social learning is as important to success as academic learning.

2)      Learning is best accomplished through exploration, discovery, and application.

3)      The greatest cognitive growth occurs through social interactions within a supportive community.

4)      There is a set of personal and social skills that students need to learn and practice in order to be successful academically and socially.

5)      Knowing the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of students we teach is a important as knowing the content we teach.

6)      Trust among adults is a fundamental necessity for academic and social success in a learning community.

A positive culture with and among staff transcends to students.  This model allows for self-reflection and assessment.  The DD model needs to be practiced as it represents a shift in thinking.   The DD approach has made a remarkable difference.   A decrease in fights and suspensions has been found.   The research at large has shown that if assets are developed then students engage in less risky behaviors.  Sheri will share the Youth Risk Behavior Results for South Burlington with parents and the school board sometime in January or later.

 It was noted that this year’s high school sophomores have had a Responsive Classroom model since Kindergarten.  A parent asked if the model was used at the high school level.  It is not, however, there is a student mentoring program known as SLAM (Student Led Advisory Meetings) where Juniors and Seniors are trained in leading small group activities with Freshman and some Sophomore students, which builds community at the high school level.

The DD model includes a family component.  Home and school collaboration is essential.  Susie shared that some schools include “Let’s Celebrate” and “Let’s Investigate” slips as part of their tools to honor staff and communicate among the school community.  This led to a discussion on how we might do this at FHTMS.  This topic will be tabled to the December or January meeting.

There was discussion regarding the challenges to implementing the DD approach.  Some attendees asked how we could go about getting more teachers trained in this model.  One challenge is that there can be competing professional development activities and the need to find a balance among them.  For example, the district is embarking on the goal of improving writing among students.   This can take up a lot of staff time.

Principal’s Report

Mr. O’Brien reported that all is set with Family Fun Night.  The evening will include games and a talent portion, however the Jazz Band will not be playing as they are not ready yet.  School pictures will hopefully be arriving this Friday.   Fall student conference days are scheduled for 11/19 and 11/20.  This year’s conferences can be scheduled on-line through PickaTime.   Mr. O’Brien said that Rebelnet is a good way for parents to keep on top of student progress.  He encourages them to use this as a means to communicate.  Mr. O’Brien noted that a survey will occur in the spring to gather parent, teacher, and student feedback with regard to school start times.  A decision will most likely be made prior to the end of this school year whether to revert back to the former schedule.

Treasurer’s Report

Denise Girard reported that calendar income is $3,105.  Sally Foster income is $3,353.  Money dispensed was for the Coffee Connection in the amount of $9.85. 

The January meeting agenda will include discussion of fundraising at FHTMS.  This is also being discussed at the district level.

Other Business

Diane Bugbee brought up an idea which Monica Ostby from the Orchard School PTO recently shared with her and Susie Merrick.   The Orchard School PTO has assembled a group of parents to rotate attending school board meetings and reporting back to the PTO.  They have specific areas that these parents will be focusing on.  I asked if there might be interest in having the FHTMS PTO try something like this.  Attendees liked the idea but time did not allow for in-depth discussion or action at this point.

There will be a meeting with Superintendent John Everitt for PTO officers from all SBSD schools on Monday, November 12^th, 12:00 in his office.

This meeting adjourned at 7:46 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Bugbee