SIP Team Minutes from Monday, December 7, 2009

Introduction:

The SIP Team met on Monday, December 7 to discuss the progress of Ridgewood’s school improvement plan. The meeting was called to order at 3:25 PM. Representated at the meeting was Michelle Kumor of the Professional Development Committee (PDC) and SIP Team Co-Chair, Michelle Felde of the Response to Intervention (RtI) Committee, Sam Lewis of the Technology Committee, Rob McCarthy of the Discipline and School Safety Committee, Jennette Gonazalez of the Reading & Literacy (R&L) Committee, Jill Laubenstein of the Community Relations & Communications (CR&C) Committee, and Jim Smith as the SIP Team Co-Chair. Not in attendance was, Jennifer Buteyn, the school principal.

Committee Updates & Problem Solving:

Tech Update:

The tech committee continues its efforts to revise the school’s website. The members have researched multiple websites to determine which overall layout, design, functionality, etc. is most appropriate for Ridgewood High School. They are determining criteria to evaluate the necessary components of each website. It was suggested that an evaluation tool be developed and distributed to multiple populations (students, parents, teachers, counselors, etc.) in order to gather data.
Cognos is a business intelligence software that the technology committee is researching to help facilitate Ridgewood staff members’ use of student data. A demonstration will be set up for our next SIP meeting.

RtI Update:

The RtI team has decided to facilitate the second round of universal screening during an all-day testing situation. This day will consist of three shifts to include a session for cyber-bullying, a session for testing, and a session for a speaker about social/emotional issues. The committee is developing ways of informing the parents, students, and staff of their responsibilities on this day.

PDC Committee:

The PDC has distributed texts to the staff about differentiated instruction. During the January 19th institute date, teams will discuss and apply the principles addressed in the books. The committee will also begin more long-term planning; the committee will begin researching best practice in terms of professional development in highly effective schools.

Reading and Literacy Committee:

The Reading and Literacy Committee is developing a method of providing staff with a common language about literacy and/or learning strategies. “Ridgewood’s Activities for Teaching” will be presented to the staff through the Buteyn Beat on a weekly basis. There is a need for a more comprehensive professional develop initiative for literacy-rich instruction. The professional development committee will consider this in their long-term planning.

Discipline & School Safety:

Teachers and students have been identified by the student body as Natural Helpers. This select group of teachers and students have gone on their initial retreat together. The first speaker was brought in to speak to the students in the program about body image. Another speaker will be coming in to speak after the Holiday break.

CC&C Committee:

The community members have officially begun a PTO. The structure of the PTO will be modeled after that of our School Improvement Team. The first PTO meeting will be held on December 15, 2009. The next step will include the active involvement of teachers. The School Science Fair is in the planning process. The committee is working on finalizing Norridge and Harwood Heights “Help Cards” with