School Governance Councils Presentation September 11, 2012

1. School Governance CouncilsPresentation September 11, 2012 Presented by: Donna Marino, Partnership Coordinator and the Bielefield and Woodrow Wilson Middle School’s Governance Councils

2. Purpose of School Governance Councils • An opportunity for Connecticut schools to become centers of excellence that prepare all students to succeed. They represent the many interests of families and staff that make up our school community. • The intent of Councils is to enable parents, school staff, students (where appropriate) and community leaders to work together to improve student achievement in the state’s lowest performing schools. • School Governance Councils serve in an advisory capacity to assist the school administration. • Schools required to create councils were Bielefield and Woodrow Wilson Middle based on failure to make AYP in math and reading at the whole school level prior to July 2010 (2008-9 CMT/CAPT Scores).

3. Guiding Principles • Tap the Experts • Individuals closest to the students – parents, teachers and community members – have valuable information that can inform decisions about the instructional program of the school. • Pull in The Same Direction • A school plan to improve student academic achievement receives more support when people understand and help create that plan. • Research Supports Partnerships • When families participate in a variety of ways in their children’s education, including decision-making, children and the school are more successful.

4. Membership and Selection Process

5. Council Responsibilities Councils shall advise the school administration in these areas: • Analyze school achievement data and school needsas they relate to the school's improvement plan; • Review the fiscal objectives of the school's draft budget and advise the principal before the budget is submitted to the superintendent; • Participate in the hiring process of the school principal or other administrators of the school by conducting interviewsof candidates and reporting on such interviews to the superintendent and the local board of education; • Assist the principal in making programmatic and operational changes to improve the school's achievement;

6. In addition to its required responsibilities, a Council may: • Assist in developing and reviewing the school improvement plan advise the principal before the report is submitted to the superintendent of schools; • Work with the principal to develop, conduct, and report the results of an annual survey of parents, guardians, and teachers on issues related to the school climate and conditions; and • Provide advice to the principal on any other major policy matters affecting the school, except on matters relating to collective bargaining agreements between the teachers and the board of education.

7. School Governance Councils Do Not • Manage the school; • Supervise staff; • Enter into contracts or purchase agreements; • Discuss individual issues between teachers and students and/or parents; • Determine student eligibility for school admission; or • Determine class allocations or student assignments.

8. Bielefield Elementary School Governance Council BOE Presentation September 11, 2012

9. Members elected in 2011 Parents Luette Hanson: V. Chair Dawn Baker (1 year) Brian Kaskel Jana Street James Hartzell Jane Majewski(1 year) Camille Smith (1 year) • Teachers • Jill Garrity: Chairperson • MaghanCarta: Secretary • Bonnie Gaboury • Jennifer Fuqua • Paige Reilly • Community members • Kate McCarthy Bond Russell Library • Cassandra Day Middletown Commission on the Arts • Karen Nocera Middletown Parks and Rec. Dept.

10. Established in the fall of 2011 • "Our mission is to enhance the quality of our children’s educations through a diverse collaboration of families, school and community." • By the end of our 1st year we: • Held elections of teachers, parents and community members • Wrote and adopted bylaws • Created mission statement • Established focus subjects

11. Focus 1: Enhance the overall education of the students by petitioning for more interventionists to help our students achieve better grades Focus 2: Increase the use of technology by polling the teachers for their needs in the classroom, looking for grants and working with BOE for upgrades and enhancements

12. We look forward to the new school year, the upcoming elections and new focus subjects. The many changes happening in Middletown inspire us to build and achieve the best possible atmosphere for our Bielefield families to learn and to grow to be the best they can be! Many thanks to all the help and support from Donna Marino, Judy Carson, Patti Avallone, the BOE members, Central Office, and especially Jeff Fournier our Principal. We could not have accomplished all that we have within the past year without them

13. Woodrow Wilson Middle School School Governance Council BOE Presentation September 11, 2012 13

14. Current Council Members Parents Cara Williamson: Chair Rachel Gritzuk Carla Hass Kristin Lombardo Tim Lombardo Marianna Pellici  Dawn Quintiliano (Secretary) Lenore Williams • Teachers • Nicole Burke (Vice Chair) • John Geary • Erika Stokke • Holly Warner • Community members • Felicia Goodwine-Vaughters • Les Saunders • Our principal, Joe Cassella, our assistant principal, Diane Niles and Dean of Students, Robert Conroy, are all active participants in our council however they do not have voting rights.

15. Our Progress: • Parent and Community members walk-through completed • Parents, Students [survey] and Staff feedback provided and prioritized • Results captured and presented to Facilities Director, Ken Jackson (June 2012) • Visible improvements have been made, including the following: • Fresh paint has been applied throughout the school! • Carpets have been thoroughly cleaned! • Repairs have been made in the hallways and classrooms! The front entrance was made more welcoming! And more! Our First Goal: Update physical plant [our building] to support a more welcoming atmosphere and academic engagement for students, family and community 15

16. Our Progress: • Outline of requirements for an alternative education program at Woodrow Wilson has been captured [minimum & ideal] • Team meeting with Superintendent, Dr. Pat Charles has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 19, we are looking to capture recommendations and feasibility on the implementation of this program at Woodrow Wilson Our Second Goal: Implementation of strategies to support students in need of alternative education opportunities. 16

17. Our Progress [first meeting held 8-28-31]: • Commitment has been made to produce a monthly newsletter which will include grade-level news, important dates, PTO updates, Council updates, and more! Our New Goal [2012-2013]: Currently exploring ideas on communication improvements. 17

18. For more council information, please visit WWMS website, reference our Governance Council pages. “Together we can all make a positive difference!” We already see positive changes happening at Woodrow Wilson, and we look forward to working together to improve our school’s success! And to beautify our school despite the many challenges, making it a place for all of us to be proud of! 18