RRHS SIT Meeting April 23, 2014 Members Present: Angie Lassiter, Laura Manning, Marci Merritt, Henry

y Bridgers, Gary Edwards, Tracy Synder, Teresa King, Charlie Tucker, Kelly Sparks, Julie Thompson, Joey Briggs, Jody Kane, Tammie Williams Essential Questions: What is the childs story? How do we support our students? How do we support our teachers? Old Business: Minutes from previous meeting Gary Edwards: motion to accept the minutes Laura Manning: seconded the motion New Business: 1. Article: Widespread Commitment to Both Long-Term Goals and Short-Term Action a. Neither systems nor organizations have goals: people do, or they dont. We must have staff buy-in if anything we do is to be effective. b. Strategic focus on a few ambitious goals We need to have a FEW; we try to do too much and therefore are ineffective in everything. We should have 2 (no more than 2 new things each year) things to focus on. (Instructional Team of SIT has been speaking to Mrs. Willliams about this.) Change happens over time. c. Bring the goals to life in the minds and actions of people throughout the system. d. Continually develop the collective capacity of people throughout the system. We need to build on the leaders that we already have. 2. Teacher Topics a. Class sizes are too large (English and History departments are concerned that class sizes are too large) It is difficult to build relationships, grade papers, have class discussions, determine strengths and weaknesses of students, for students to talk, and for teacher to improve morale. b. Can we do away with honors classes in general? Can we take away the extra quality points for AP classes? According to DPI, do students enrolled in AP classes have to take the AP test? (Mrs. King will call Curriculum Director at DPI about this.) c. Registration timeline is pushed back two weeks because counselors were unable to attend originally scheduled conference. It may take less time for student-counselor conferences though as information is already entered (hopefully 4 days this time). d. All classes will have the same number of instructional minutes next year. e. Yearbook Assembly date change option: 5/30/14 (Mr. Kisic needs to check with Mrs. Harris) SIT likes that it is a Friday afternoon; it seems like a nice exam review break f. Senior Assembly Honors Cords will be presented during senior assembly. There will be a crowner (Laura) and caller (club advisor). 3. Built-in tutorial time for next year proposal #2 (flex schedule) Mr. Briggs a. South Johnston High School Mr. Briggs visited yesterday. 4 82 minute blocks; 1 82 minute nd SMART lunch. 2 floor was tutorial maybe 30 of the kids attended; kids are only scheduled for disciplinary infractions.. Everyone seemed to like it there, but Mr. Briggs thought it wouldnt work here because our campus is so open. In 2010, South Johnston had a lot of problems, and they are turnaround school. Principal built culture for 2 years and then implemented this lunch. Logistics for this model dont seem like theyd fit our school. b. Resume discussion with 30 minutes built-in tutorial time each day rather than SMART block st nd rd Mrs. King has found success with resource time each day (1 Monday, 2 Tuesday, 3 th Wednesday, 4 Thursday, and Clubs/Careers Friday)