Transcript Bielefield Elementary School Governance Council

Presented by:
Donna Marino, Partnership Coordinator
and the Bielefield and
Woodrow Wilson Middle School’s Governance Councils
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).
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.
Membership and Selection
Process
Member
Parents or guardians

Number
7
Process
Elected by the parents or guardians of
students attending the school,
each household with a student attending
the school will have one vote
Teachers at the school
5
Elected by the teachers of the school
Community leaders within
the school district
2
Elected by the parent or guardian members
and teacher members of the Council
School principal or designee
(nonvoting)
1
Principal may name a designee
Additional Members in High Schools
Student members, high
school Councils only
(nonvoting)
2
Elected by the school’s student body
Council Responsibilities

Councils shall advise the school administration in these areas:
 Analyze school achievement data and school needs as 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 interviews of
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;
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.
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.
BOE Presentation September 11, 2012
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Members elected in 2011

 Parents
 Teachers





Jill Garrity: Chairperson
Maghan Carta: Secretary
Bonnie Gaboury
Jennifer Fuqua
Paige Reilly







Luette Hanson: V. Chair
Dawn Baker (1 year)
Brian Kaskel
Jana Street
James Hartzell
Jane Majewski (1 year)
Camille Smith (1 year)
 Community members
 Kate McCarthy Bond
 Cassandra Day
 Karen Nocera
Russell Library
Middletown Commission on the Arts
Middletown Parks and Rec. Dept.
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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
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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
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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
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Woodrow Wilson Middle School
School Governance Council
BOE Presentation September 11, 2012
13
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.
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Our First Goal:
Update physical plant [our building] to support a more welcoming
atmosphere and academic engagement for students, family and
community

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!
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Our Second Goal:
Implementation of strategies to support students in need of
alternative education opportunities.

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
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Our New Goal [2012-2013]:
Currently exploring ideas on
communication improvements.

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!

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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!
For more council information, please visit WWMS website,
reference our Governance Council pages.
“Together we can all make a positive difference!”
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