AES K-5 Building Accountability

The AES K-5 BAC met on September 20^th. We discussed the K-5 budget and requested additional information to include specific information regarding last year’s 4^th grade field trip. We also discussed fund raisers for the 2012-2013 school year. The only fund raiser will be the Pie fund raiser. The 4^th grade classes may have additional fund raisers to help fund their end of year Denver field trip. The money raised from selling pies will go into an “Activity Fund” which will help purchase new books and shelves for each library, set up of aquariums in each building, curriculum support (maps, globes, etc.) and field trips. We learned from Mr. Bilderbeck that the leveling & gravel work on the overflow parking lot will begin on September 24^th and continue for 2 weeks. The goal is to have the lot ready for the Fun Run on October 5^th. Mr. Bilderbeck stated that Neenan is taking care of the parking lot work.

Community Concerns:

•  Substitute Teacher Procedure Manuals – in process

• K-2 lunch tables – Mrs. Smith reported that district did not have additional tables and that Mr. Alejo said he would buy tables, if needed. After observing lunch periods, it is Mrs. Smith’s opinion that new tables will not be necessary.

• Power School – Julie Brooks (A-PAGE representative) reported that results of Parent Needs Assessment Survey conducted at end of last year indicated that K-5 parents are not familiar with Power School. Julie also reported that A-PAGE would like to volunteer to help parents set up Power School accounts during Parent/Teacher Conferences on October 8^th and 11^th. Tracy Wetzler and Daniel Quintana will provide district help.

• G/T Plan?? Position for G/T Coordinator is still open. Mark Meyer is heading the program until position is filled.

• Building/Classroom temperature calibration – in process

Next BAC meeting will be October 18^th at 5:15pm in K-2 Conference Room.

September DAC

The first District Accountability Committee (DAC) Meeting was held on Tuesday 9/4.  We are in DESPERATE need for more parent involvement on this committee.  This is the committee that can make the most impact in the district as it involves all the schools and has the ear of the school board too.  The charter of the accountability committees is to measure the adequacy & efficiency of the educational program.  We also handle issues that arise building or district wide.  Building Accountability Committees (BACs) feed building level information to the DAC.  Please consider joining us at our next meeting on Oct 1st at the school district offices (next to the Middle School) from 5:15 - 6:45.

Key items from this month's DAC were:

•  3-5 Parent Drop off loop graveling (1-1/2" gravel, 4" deep) is only a few days from final approval and will be completed prior to winter weather.  Cones are placed daily to delineate the drop off area and a duty teacher assists with crossing the bus lane.
• School Lunch times have been extended, two serving lines are being run and lunches are mixed grades. This is improving the issues at lunch.  More tables have been ordered (in addition to the ones already received) to accommodate the larger Kindergarten class this year.
• DAC priorities on School Budget:

o   Keep class sizes in line with district guidelines - K-2 is running average of 21.5 students/class (K-20.3, 1st-21.6, 2nd-22.4).  Added one Kindergarten teacher to handle additional class size.  3-5 is running an average of 22.6 (3rd-22.4, 4th-22.7, 5th-22.1).  Requested additional data on OMS/AHS class sizes.

o   Don’t cut specials - more elective offerings at OMS/AHS than previously.

o   Make technology updates at OMS/AHS a priority - new computer lab being added to AHS.  Funds from sale of Open High will go directly to OMS/AHS technology needs.

• Parents Needs Assessment - the Unified District Leadership Team reviewed the Parent Survey sent to all parents in May of this year.  Three items were added to the district improvement plan as a result of this survey:

o   Welcoming Environment - the district will create a welcoming environment for all parents

o   Restructuring of Parent Teacher conferences - to include pre-scheduling appointments

o   Additional training/information on Power School

Each School Building Accountability committee will use their building's data to create actions on those 3 items as well any individual school items based on the survey.  Copies of the survey results will be available to the DAC & BACs by the end of the month.

AES K-5 Building Accountability Committee

The first K-5 Building Accountability Committee meeting of the 2012-2013 school year was held on August 30^th. We had eight members and six guests in attendance. It is always good to see new faces/parents who want to be involved!

We discussed the TCAP results from last year and, overall, our district is showing growth and trending toward proficient. There is still work to be done and the strategies that have already been implemented, in addition to new curriculum & teaching strategies, should cause test scores to continue to improve in the future.

There is an increase of 40 students enrolled in the K-2 building to start the new school year, which led to the last minute hiring of two new teachers. Every classroom in the K-2 building is being utilized this year! Enrollment is down slightly at the 3-5 building but the numbers are right where their projections said they would be. The first week of school has been “awesome” and they are looking forward to a good year.

There are a couple of notable changes to this year’s school schedule:
1.  Lunch periods are no longer grade specific – mixed grades will decrease time students will spend in line as older students will model correct procedure for the younger students. Also, a salad bar has been added.
2. The class time for Specials (Art, Music, PE, Technology, Counseling) has been increased from 25 to 30 minutes.

Community Concerns:
1.  Cafeteria tables – tables ordered last year are in but, with increase in student population at K-2, they are in need of even more tables. The district is looking for more tables.
2.  Substitute teacher training – Ideas for getting school /district policies & procedures into the hands of substitute teachers were discussed. It was also stated that it will be a priority to not pull teachers from their classrooms for meetings this year. This topic will be discussed further at the September meeting.
3.  Overflow parking lot – no official update from the district on this project. It was stated that it has been made known to the superintendent that this project should be a priority for this school year. In the meantime, lines have been chalked & cones set up to assist parents using the overflow lot to drop off & pick up students. Also, a duty teacher is assigned to this lot to help students cross the bus lane. The use of this parking lot for drop off & pick up is helping alleviate the congestion problem.

Officers for 2012-2013:
Chair: Christine Jones-Daboll
Co-Chair: Micah Jackson
Secretary: Julie Brooks
DAC Representative: Star Quintana (Sophia Avila – alternate)

The next K-5 BAC meeting will be at 5:15pm on September 20^th in the K-2 Conference Room.

April K-5 BAC (4/19/12)

The Alamosa Elementary Building Accountability Committee met on April 19, 2012.
Principal evaluations, school budgets, parent engagement, and end of year field trips were discussed.

Updates:
K-2 Lunch tables - still waiting for them to be delivered
Overflow parking - Mr. Bilderbeck states that this project is a priority for Mr. Alejo and the District for this summer.

New Concerns:
Policy for selecting books to be included in AES libraries - concern about age appropriateness of a book selection (The Hunger Games) for 5th grade classroom curriculum
Policies:
Library Materials Selection and Adoption (IJL & IJLR)
Instructional Resources and Materials (IJ)

Teaching About Controversial/Sensitive Issues (IMB-R)

Citizen's Challenge or Objection to Methods-Activities or Presentations (KEF-E)

Request for Reconsideration of Challenged Materials (KEC)

Exemptions from Required Instruction (IMBB)

Next meeting: Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 5:15pm

District Accountability Meeting (3/5)

District Accountability meeting was held on 3/5 at Ortega Middle School.

Data from the A-PAGE parent survey as well as calendar input from each of the buildings teachers was presented to the Calendar Committee. The district stated up front that they would not consider a 4-day student week and that any discussion on that topic would need to be school board driven, not parent/teacher driven. The drafted calendar will be presented to the teachers on 3/7 at their PLC and will not be provided to the DAC until after that time. The calendar will go to the school board for approval on 3/19.

The K-5 BAC report included a request for bids for gravel for the 3-5 overflow parking lot and an update that the extra lunchroom tables arrived with one being broken upon arrival.

The OMS BAC requested ideas for Parent/Teacher conferences from the DAC. Two suggestions were provided: 1) Job Fair type format – all teachers in cafeteria so you can see who is available. 2) Have Principal network with other principals to find out how it’s done at other schools.

February K-5 BAC (2/23/12)

The Alamosa Elementary K-5 Building Accountability Committee met on February 23rd. There were 9 members present. We reviewed test scores from NWEA and DIBELS and, although our schools are still below national averages, we are showing growth and getting closer to reaching the target goals. We also discussed the school budget and monies received from various fundraisers.

Ongoing items:

- Lunch period – new tables for K-2 building are supposed to arrive on 2/27

- Gravel for overflow parking area – item has been presented to BOE. K-5 BAC is requesting that the project be opened up for bids.

- Neenan/Construction review – report is in, there are a few items that need attention but overall, schools are safe. Braces & supports were installed over the last 4 day weekend. Remaining work will be completed over the summer. There is a contingency/emergency plan in place if weather conditions exceed current safety ratings.

Due to recent issues, school administrators are urging parents to respect school policies regarding campus visitors and having kids outside before school

The next K-5 BAC meeting will be on March 22, 2012 at 5:15pm.

AES K-5 BAC meeting (1/19)

The Alamosa Elementary School Building Accountability Committee met on January 19, 2012. There were 9 BAC members present, including two first time attendees.

Items of discussion:

- Third party review of Neenan Company/school construction results due early next week. There are some issues that will need to be addressed but our schools are safe.

- TCAP testing: 3^rd grade Reading TCAP will be February 28-29. All other TCAP testing will be conducted March 12-30.

- Lunch period: Lori Smith is gathering data. Problem seems to be primarily with K-2 middle lunch period (200 1^st graders). Additional tables with seating for approximately 48 students have been ordered. Specials & select classes will go to lunch 5 minutes earlier. Lori will continue to monitor & collect data.

- AES Student Handbook is still not available on district web site.

- Gravel for overflow parking lot was readdressed as issue does not appear on BOE meeting minutes of 11/28. This will be forwarded to DAC and back to BOE for further action.

The next AES Building Accountability Committee meeting will be on February 23^rd at 5:15pm.

AES Student Handbook can be found on the A-PAGE blog.

AES K-5 BAC meeting (12/08)

The Alamosa Elementary School Building Accountability Committee met on 12/8/11.

Items that were forwarded to the District Accountability Committee:
- Recommendation to discontinue purchase of bottled water for teachers and staff has been implemented.
- Using overflow parking lot for drop off/pick up of 3-5: a teacher has already been designated to this area to insure that students safely cross bus lane.
- Gravel for overflow parking lot: forwarded to school board.

New/Ongoing items:
- Lunch period: parent phone calls to others schools in SLV determined that AES serves more students in less time than any other school in SLV. Discussed possibility of additional serving lines to allow for longer "eating" time.
- Parent/teacher communication: parents not receiving (or not receiving in timely manner) information about school activities such as honor choir and science fair.
- Student handbook: AES student handbook was not available at registration in August. Was to be available online but, as of 12/8, is not. Ms. Christy provided a hard copy and stated that it would be available online soon.

Next BAC meeting is January 19, 2012 at 5:15pm.