Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope all of you have a safe and fun Thanksgiving.

Community Council

11/17/2011 Community Council Minutes

3:45 Meeting at Wilson Elementary School in room by the Principals office. Anyone who has items they wish to discuss are always welcome to attend.

These notes are being taken by Brigitte Ballard.

In attendance:

• Brigitte Ballard

• Delores Droesbeke

• Bethann Matousek

• Ivie Foster

• Rikki Wardle

• Paul Vaslet

• Sundee Ware is at a district meeting

3:45

SCC Schedule

Third Thursday of every month at 4:00 PM is our new proposed time and date for Community Council Meetings. Will be voted on next month.

4:00 (Parent Involvement Policy (Proposed School Parent Involvement Policy in italics and in blue below)

Wilson Elementary School Parent Involvement Policy

Wilson Elementary School values the essential role of parents and other community members as initial teachers, invested partners, and mentors, that are committed to insuring the academic and social success of all students. As part of this commitment, Wilson Elementary School teachers, administrators, and other staff members will actively participate in collaborative efforts to provide the best possible educational environment and resources for our students. To accomplish this goal, Wilson Elementary School will:

Involve parents in the development of its School Improvement Plan by:

• Inviting and actively encouraging parent representation on the School Community Council

• Soliciting parent involvement in the development and review of the School Improvement Plan

• Ensuring the School Improvement Plan is readily available to parents and other invested stakeholders for review

Involve parents in the process of continuous improvement by:

• Openly sharing school achievement data with parents

• Inviting and providing a means for parents to give input regarding academic and social goals

• Willingly discussing the classroom use of research-based instructional practices with parents

Provide ongoing support, coordination, and technical assistance to build capacity for meaningful parent involvement by:

• Insuring faculty meetings and School Community Council meetings include discussions of ways to encourage and improve parent involvement

• Providing annual training to school administrators and teachers on effective strategies to improve parent involvement

• Using the School Community Council and Parent Teacher Association as vehicles to facilitate successful parent involvement activities

• Supporting parents in their role as initial teachers through the use of Parent Universities designed to help parents build the skills needed to assist students with academic work

• Notifying parents of the school’s Title I status and providing an explanation of the improvement process associated with this status

• Using district Title I funds to support a half-time parent liaison at the school

Conduct an annual assessment of parental involvement by:_

• Reviewing parent ratings on the Indicators of School Quality (ISQ) survey to determine target areas for improvement

• Review the Title I Parent Involvement Evaluation Form, as completed by the School Community Council, to determine how the school might improve support for parental involvement

• Administer an annual parent involvement survey to solicit feedback from parents on the success of current activities and request input for future efforts

• Compile an annual summary report of parental involvement activities for distribution to parents and other community members. The principal will also provide an annual report to the district of how Title I funds were used to support parent involvement

4:15

Parent University

Math and focus at parent teacher conferences. Must be labeled better so people know what it is. Was successful, but could have been better. How can we get more parents to come? Thinking of ideas. What would motivate them?

Can teachers help? Would it be worth it? Below is a survey we are thinking of sending home to parents. (In italics and blue.)

Parent University Survey

What grades do you have students in?

Would you be interested in attending a class to teach you how to help your student do his/her homework?

• Yes

• No

What Subjects would be most helpful to you?

• Math

• English

• Science

• Social Skills

• Other ________

How would you be most likely to participate in these classes?

• Online

• DVD to be sent home

• Classes in person at the school

If you attended classes at the school when would be the most convenient time?

• Before school

• After school

• During SEP conferences

4:30

Debrief

Monday 5-8 pm is the clothing drive. Most of the clothes will go to our own students that need them. We are trying to have clothes for 130 families. Clothing for children and adults is acceptable. We are also going to provide clothes to refugees and homeless. Anything left will be transferred to other elementary schools that have children that need clothes.

Other charity things we are doing are: Christmas Cards for Elderly, Coins for Christmas, and Feed the Snowman Food Drive

5:00

Dismiss

Community Council Agenda for November 17th

November 17, 2011

3:45 PM

Introductions and School Updates (5 min)

Parent Involvement Policy (10 min)

• Presentation and Discussion of final draft (Sara and Rikki)

Parent University (25 min)

• Parent University Plan Presentation (Sara)

• Parent University Survey Draft (Rikki)

SCC Schedule (10 min)

• Date and Times for Meetings (Sara)

Debrief (10 min)

• Future Agenda Planning (Rikki)

• Review Tasks (Rikki)

• School Functions and Programs (Sara)

Notice:

*All Meetings will begin on time and the schedule will be kept

*If you have items you would like to add to the agenda please e-mail suggestions to Rikki

Wheatley (Rikki.wheatley@usu.edu) or Sundee Ware (sundee.ware@loganschools.org)

Toy Library Donations

As you clear out toys and closets this fall, please consider donating clean toys, puzzles, DVDs, bilingual and educational items for ages 6 & under to the Family Information & Resource Center in the white portable behind Wilson Elementary. The center is open 9am-4pm on school days.

Help Wanted!

Wanted!!!! Volunteers to help in the Media Center. Jobs would include: Shelving returned books, mending books, stamping, processing new books, putting AR stickers on books, making copies, cutting, coloring and putting together.

Amy Court Training

Hello! I am Amy Court, a School Social Worker from USU. My job is to help the children at Wilson Elementary by providing services that improve social and emotional development. I also assist with family issues and other mental health needs. I will be implementing some Second Step groups that teach social skills, behavior management, and violence prevention. I am also available for different types of counseling and consultation. October is National Bully Prevention month and I gave a school-wide presentation, training Wilson’s students on how to stop a Bully and how to become a Buddy. We talked about the typical things that bullies do and what kinds of things buddies can do. Ask your child to tell you about the 3 steps for bully prevention: STOP, WALK, and TALK. We also discussed the use of the new “Buddy Box”…a locked box kept in the office where students can drop notes about bully problems not being resolved. If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact me at the school. 755-2340 ext. 4010. You can also email me anytime at amy.court@loganschools.org

Clothing Drive

Today is the last Day for Carrolyn’s Clothing Drive Donations. Bring any clothing you would like to donate to our school today.

Picture Retake today!!!

Today is the day for picture retakes!

Reflections

Theme: Diversity Means…

All Wilson students are invited to create an original art entry based on the theme, ‘Diversity Means…’. Students can submit one entry per category. There are 8 categories, including Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Photography, Musical Composition, Visual Arts, Theatre Production*, and 3D Art*. (The last two categories are being piloted for the nation in Utah only* this year!)

Entry Forms can be picked up at the office. Category requirements are very specific and can be found online at www.utahpta.org/entry-forms or on the bulletin board near the PTA office. Entries can be turned in until – November 22^nd.

The Reflections program lets students explore their creativity and express themselves in a variety of art forms. Please encourage your child(ren) to participate in as many areas as they would like! Submissions will be judged at the local level and top entries will be sent on to regional, state, and/or national levels for judging. All participants will be recognized for their contributions.

Students with a theme idea for the 2013-2014 Reflections program can submit their idea for a chance to win $100. Write up the idea on a Program Theme Search submission form and give to the office by Thursday, Nov. 10^th

Health & Wellness

Flu Protection is recommended in ages 6 months through 18 years. The flu can be a serious disease for children of all ages, causing them to miss school, activities, or even be hospitalized. CDC and doctors recommend flu vaccinations for everyone 6 months and older. For more information, visit www.brhd.org, www.flu.gov and www.cdc.gov

Picture Retake Day

November 10 – Picture Retake Day

If you want your child's pictures retaken... tomorrow is the day!

Clothing Drive

Carrolyn’s 3^rd Annual Clothing Drive for Wilson will be held the week of Thanksgiving. We are looking for gently used or new clothing to help our Wilson Community. Please bring your donations to the office before November 11^th. Thank you Wilson Families for all you support.

No School Today!

November 7 – ½ Day Professional Development - Dismiss @ 1

Thanksgiving Break

November 22 – ½ Day Professional Development - Dismiss @ 1

November 23-25 – Thanksgiving Break – No School

We hope you all have a very safe and fun Thanksgiving!

Dates to Remember

November 7 – ½ Day Professional Development - Dismiss @ 1

November 10 – Picture Retake Day

November 11 – Last Day for Carrolyn’s Clothing Drive Donations

November 22 – ½ Day Professional Development - Dismiss @ 1

November 23-25 – Thanksgiving Break – No School

PTA President Message

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks to all of you who attended and participated in the Fall Festival!

The PTA fundraiser was huge success as well! The ordered items are scheduled to be delivered November 3^rd. We will do our best to get the orders sorted and delivered to the student’s A.S.A.P.

Thanks also to those of you who took the time to browse and support the Book Fair that took place during Parent Teacher Conferences. A big thanks to Tanna Jenkins for chairing the event and those who volunteered their time with the register.

The theme this year for Reflections is “Diversity Means…” Entry forms are available on the bulletin just outside the PTA room. Start thinking about what area you would like to participate in. There are six categories,

· Dance choreography

· Film production

· Literature

· Musical composition

· Photography

· Visual arts

Hopefully we will all be able to take a minute to reflect on all of the things we are thankful for. If it is a person, tell them. It might make all the difference in the world!

I am thankful for all of you and wish you a wonderful Holiday Season!

Tiffani Rudd, PTA President

Wilson Elementary 2011-2012

435-770-9664 or tiffani.rudd@era.com

Principal's Message

We would like to extend our condolences to Ms. Sundee whose mother passed away. As an office, we want to thank all of you who supported our first Parent Teacher Conference by making an appointment to visit with your child’s teacher. We know that when parents and teachers talk and cooperate together, great things can happen for your children.

At this Thanksgiving time, we want to share some of the things for which we are grateful:

v Safe community in which to live

v Freedom to live in peace

v Soldiers willing to fight for the right to freedom for all

v Dedicated and caring teachers and staff who want to see students succeed

v Supportive parents who help at school and create an environment for learning at home

v Amazing students who want to be at school and learn

v Awesome PTA who provide fun activities and support for all

HAVE A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!