Dear Parents – For many students and parents spring is a time to think about graduations, summer vacations, and school free days. For teachers and administrators, spring is all that and a time to plan for the next school year.
The JMS Site Council in collaboration with the JMS staff is currently engaged in school improvement efforts with our vision set forward to next year and beyond. Part of this effort has included student and parent voices gathered through our recently administered surveys. We now would like to gather together to advance this collaboration.
On Tuesday, April 27th the JMS Site Council will host a ‘Community Collaboration’ meeting. The Theme of the evening is ‘JMS Sustainability’.
As part of the evening we will share out the most current information we have regarding anticipated changes in staffing and program structure. We will also share information from our surveys which will help to inform our evening. The bulk of our ‘conversation’ will focus on working toward creative ways to sustain the unique and essential education students experience at JMS.
The abridged agenda for the evening is as follows:
· Site Council presentation
· Guided small group discussions
· Whole group sharing of small group discussions
The JohnMuirSchool, as any school, is a dynamic education environment. The most effective schools are those that recognize changing dynamics and respond pro-actively rather than reactively. We invite you to join us in this conversation and help shape the future of JMS.
The meeting will be held from 5:30-8:00 in the Ashland Middle School Cafeteria. It will be a ‘Finger Food Potluck’, so please bring your favorite finger food to help keep up our collective energy during the evening. Childcare will be provided for those who would not otherwise be able to attend in the absence of childcare. Finally, bring your positive energy and creative ideas as this will be an exciting evening for the future of our school.
Kids found out that it will be $15 per book for printing at printfast
The Yearbook would not be a hardbound, would be spiral and soft paper.Looking for recycled glossy paper.Haven’t looked online yet.Suggestion was made to look into Medford company and online printing sources.$15 is the highest price we think it will be for the yearbook.
There was a discussion about different types of paper to use, and making space for the kids to do their own artwork and sign on the book
There was discussion about who would do the layout.One parent talked about needing the design program, so the kids can be photoshopping photos and parent could help.Photoshop and Indesign are what would work best.There was discussion about using a webbased program – is there anything like that?Nobody knew of any.Suggestion was made to contact Tara Cottle, who is our tech contact person.Email is Tara.Cottle at the schools email.
There was discussion about having a yearbook committee and working out the design details in committee.Also, there might need to be a scholarship fund for those kids that can’t afford the cost.
Reimbursement – Marcia
Marcia wants to buy a hand wash station up at EarthTeach, it’s about $40, a hands free setup.Also, with her study of ancient India, she’s working on taking kids to Three Rivers, she ends up putting her own money in because not all students turn in money.He’ll do lunch for the kids for about $5.Finally, she wants to hire her partner back to reinstall the old handrails to the loft – a piece of art – so it can be installed somewhere in the school or courtyard.It is just collecting dust in the staffroom.It should be about a couple hundred dollars for the powder coating and other materials, labor would be donated.
A parent advocated we do that.Pat suggested it might be good outside the music room windows.
Vote to approve all three, all passed.
Treasurer – Lauren
Lauren is willing to be treasurer for next full year.
Secretary – Jennie & Tracy
Jennie& Tracy committed to sharing the secretary position.Jennie is primary and Trace will be backup.
School Board Meeting –
There was a letter presented at the School Board meeting expressing support for Doug and just asking for more of Doug’s time.Our appreciation for Doug was noted, and there was an opportunity to dismiss the notion that John Muir doesn’t care about academic standards.Juli DiChiro made some positive and supportive remarks about John Muir school, she was very supportive about Doug remaining in our principal’s role and an expansion of that support.
Site Council Update
The site council met last week.The big thing is what to base the school improvement plan on.The site council decided they wanted a much more holistic approach to student improvement that goes beyond just state tests.Doug investigated and found that John Muir students are out performing non-JM students at the high school.They also decided they wanted to highlight what makes JM special.One of the outcomes of that, in addition to Doug’s work, is to look at a “growth portfolio” to analyze what the strengths are in the curriculum, and looking at making the portfolio electronic.
Patti Ruiz presented a draft survey that the Site Committee has prepared, for the purpose of determining what our core values are, and then how those are reflected in our education and improvement plan.
The district owns a survey tool that will allow for feedback and anonymity.
The purpose of the survey is to inform the site council so they can make decisions about the school improvement plan, so those values will be incorporated into the school improvement plan.
Patti discussed the survey and the rankings.Patti said the goal will be to make the survey as comprehensive as possible and also allow comments or completion of an essay part.It was discussed that having a comment section after each category would be a good idea.
Measure 66 & 67 –
There was discussion about Measure 66 & 67 and what it would mean.After a 3.5 million cut last year, we’re looking at another million plus cut if the measures don’t go through.This could mean that school year could be reduced by another 3 weeks.One parent pointed out that Oregon kids go to school the least out of any state in the Country.And it could mean much larger class sizes than we have now.
Farm/Food Survey –
Trace talked about surveying kids and parents for the farm to food program.There was a discussion about how to reach everybody and get 100% participation from the JM community.
The farm to food committee has to have their final report to the district by March because that is when the Sodexho contract expires.
There was a request to include the farm/food survey, which is only 3 questions, into the site council survey.
There was a discussion about trying to survey JM kids and parents, the whole community, within 1 week.
Sock Hop –
There was discussion about the Sock Hop and making a final push before the sock hop – only 10 days to go!
Parent Participation, Suggestion Box
Christiana said some parents have approached her about parent comments and some not feeling comfortable with direct communication, and having a parent suggestion box.There was general discussion that anonymous communication does not foster open dialogue, which is what John Muir wants to promote.
Class Liaisons are Pat’s class - Christiana and Katherine
Marcia’s class – Lysa McDowell
Camille’s class – Katy and
Matt’s class – Grant Ruiz
Email Communication
Financial Update – Lauren gave financial report.See attached financial report
Announcements
PTC approves hiring of Tim Brandy for our field trip to Klamath Falls.
JMS Administrative Structure/Principal, Sock Hop, Parent Participation, Class Liaisons, Financial Update, Art Week December 14-18, Solstice Celebration December 18, Announcements
