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== == =**__ June Faculty Team Meetings __**= =**__ June 2-10, 2011 – 9:00 am–12 noon __**= =**__ Science Lab __**=

The faculty began each morning with devotion from WELS, a prayer, and song from Christian Worship Supplement.

Topics:
 * 1) **Report cards** – stuffed and to Kari by 11:00 am 6-2-11. Filing complete? Questions on report cards, filing info, cumulative files, or colored folders – Report cards available for pickup 8:00 am Monday, June 6. (Summer office hours 8-3 beginning Monday)
 * 2) **WELSSA accreditation update** – sub-committees being formed – steering committee to be in place by Sunday, June 5 – teachers are invited to serve as advisory member of a study committee of their choice. SEE 15 standards. Mr. Eric Ziel, principal at St. Matthew’s, Oconomowoc to be our consultant – Site visit team to be chosen and will pay us a visit Wed. April 11 – Fri, April 13, 2012, with a welcoming supper Tuesday evening, April 10.
 * 3) Please update the **WELSSA qualifications of staff report**, part of the annual school accreditation report (to be passed around).
 * 4) **CPR renewal**– Which evenings will work for a majority of us? This can be in August. Trainer to come here on a summer evening – from 4-9 pm Dan, Cris, Drew, Charmaine, Becky, Lynn, Kara were interested in Waupaca class June 13. A date in August will be chosen instead. Dan will pick a date and let us know. (Dave will be added to the list.)
 * 5) **First aid training** also available – Kari, Scarlett, Drew, one lower grades teacher, one upper, me? Class available in Waupaca for 2-yr. certificate Tues. Aug. 2, 5-10 pm Drew will check into possible coach candidates and may also be attending.
 * 6) Who can attend an **end-of-the-year picnic/bonfire** out at Charlie & Sylvia Stern’s on Friday, June 10? – show up anytime after 4:00 pm – Sylvia to provide sloppy Joes - Will need a list of what we can bring - June 10 date doesn't seem to be working for many people. Dan will check with Sterns about possibly pushing it a week later.
 * 7) **Grade-level staffing issues** – option Dan has discussed with most on faculty is the one with which we will move forward –Dan still needs to speak with several individuals and SC members. Final update will be added to minutes at a later date. Teacher aide time still needs to be looked at (Hazel has spoken to Pastor Heiges about stepping down from her aide position from last year). The thought came out to just use Charmaine as the aide and adding the hours to her schedule. Discussion about departmentalizing came up. The School Committee needs to understand that the students are moving and having classes with different teachers. We also do not at this time have the personnel that are passionate about one subject area. The teacher-student relationship is also very important, and we have this because the students are with the homeroom teacher for a good part of the day. We do not have to be like the middle school.
 * 8) **“In Christ Alone”** is FVL’s theme for 2011-2012 and also chosen by FVL Schools. Scripture text Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” SEE the email of logo attachment links forwarded to you by Sharon Ragner at FVL. Information was sent for teachers to use throughout the year. Thoughts are to use the ideas for chapel service also.
 * 9) **Technology** – Discussion of ideas for integrating technology into all our subject areas – Think 21st century skills – number of “special” projects each teacher to work on for the year – laying out times to share with the rest of the faculty - Our technology meeting on May 31 with the Technology Committee showed us that we are on the right track and are doing many of the items that she spoke of already. Gail would like to now work on three pieces of software with the faculty in meetings that would connect with literature. This would be a two day learning project and would connect with each grade leveling. The project would be structured for use in the first quarter. Gail would like to work on this during the summer. Dates right now would be June 16-17 from 8-3. Gail has plans to share our information with powers-that-be in the fall. New information about the web site will be possibly coming in the fall.
 * 10) **Computer lab use** – We need to make better use of the lab if possible. Teachers are reminded to update the calendar so that other classroom know when your class will be in the lab.
 * 11) **Updates to Parent-Student Handbook** - Wednesday, June 8 (Dress code issues)
 * 12) **Updates to Teacher Handbook** – Wednesday, June 8
 * 13) **Terra Nova test discussion -** Mike presented the test scores from our Terra Nova tests. For the most part, our students are working at or above average to the national norm. Scores seem to indicate that we are pushing those who are above average to enrich them, and working with the lower to build them up. We are low overall in spelling.
 * 14) **Evaluation of subject areas** – full-group or by department:
 * 15) **Word of God** – Christ Light, Catechism, memory work, hymnology, classroom devotions, weave scriptural applications into everything we teach, etc. Christ Light 2 will be available for 2012-13 school year. Check out the new curriculum at www.nph.net/CL2. We will look into this when the time comes. I would like to see Word of God curriculum goals added to our website – I will be in charge of those. Stronger approach to spiritual growth (all new families asked/required to attend a Life with God summary set of classes, open it up to Pre-K) Chapel was briefly discussed. Reminders for teachers that chapel starts at 8:15 every other Friday (first and third).
 * 16) **Math** – along with Saxon being the series we use, we are now adding Renaissance Accelerated Math libraries for all grades 1-8. We need to make use of these and communicate the expectations and procedures we will have to SPAC along with any other concerned parents. One hour of scheduled professional development has also been purchased – perhaps as early as next week? There will need to be scanners, paper, and response sheets for classrooms. I would like to see Math curriculum goals added to our website – volunteers for this? Becky volunteered to work on this with help from Gail. Use our published ones and FVL’s recent curriculum guide. Upper grades need to discuss aligning of math scheduling to explore idea of math ability groupings rather than just strictly in grade level groups. Also see if any other resources can be used (ordered) for more “real world” problem solving skills. Teachers should try to cover and add as much as possible to get rid of the perceptions that people have about our math curriculum.
 * 17) **Language arts** **– Literature** – ideas for keeping up with technology in this area across grade levels – Accelerated Reader discussion- The quarterly events worked well for encouragement. Any new ideas need to go to Cris - scavenger hunt ideas from Gail - Trinity Neenah (sounds interesting, but seems like it would take a lot of time)
 * 18) **LA - Writing** - We will review 6 Traits videos in June if time permits. Teachers are reminder to use the 6-traits terminology in their classroom and continue with writing. Gail mentioned the writing workshop that she attended earlier this year. She suggested looking at the material and possibly have this presenter share with us/others the information.
 * 19) **LA – Grammar** – Shurley Method – how best to use and make purchase of those workbooks cost-effective - Cris did some research on Shurley. According to the website for Shurley, our copyright has limited copies available. There is a new copyright, and a 15-week intervention program. It would be helpful to see a sample of the 15-week and the new copyright to see if it would be worthwhile. Could Kari check into getting these for us to look at? This is the curriculum study for the year, so at this time, we will stick with what we have and are doing now.
 * 20) L**A – Phonics** – Pearson “Plaid” books – discussion? Is this something that would be beneficial to add into the third grade level or reintroduce into the Kindergarten level? Is the phonetic part missing from our curriculum? Third grade would be willing to test this out in the level for the year so that we can add that to our Language Arts study for the year. A sample copy would be helpful to look at first.
 * 21) **LA – Spelling** – Use of Spelling City – thoughts and discussion – Spelling City seemed to work well for classes. Teachers used it for Spelling and Vocabulary. Teachers chose their own word lists from various locations.
 * 22) **LA – entry level** Letter Books – “Read, Write, Listen” – need for update / cost comparison Kara has looked into SuperKids for reading and would like to upgrade to this. This year that might not happen.
 * 23) **Spanish** This past year Spanish was not given as much emphasis. The times it was used in grades three and four, the children seemed to enjoy it. First and Second used the videos and lessons occasionally throughout the year. We will revisit this at a later date.
 * 24) **Forensics** – ways to get more upper graders involved – incorporate class presentations / speeches at forensics time of year for sending along to FVL? Time commitment for the upper grade could be made more flexible - rules given to upper grades and encouraged to develop in classroom and then put into the festival. Students would need to come to a few practices to get feedback from their coaches. First practice is scheduled for January 30, meeting on Monday and Thursday practices;Emanuel's festival scheduled for March 9, FVL's festival on March 15.
 * 25) **Science** Science Fair this past year seemed to go very well. The students had interesting experiments. Mike has a three cycle plan for the fair. Dan will schedule again for next year. Teachers are encouraged to continue to use experiments,videos, and hands on learning. Upper grades could also make use of GoogleDocs for student notes. This is something that will need to be worked on for future use. Mike will look at replacing some science experiment items and put together an order.
 * 26) **Social Studies** Themed units are being done by kindergarten. First and Second graders use big book units. Teachers are again encouraged to find new ways to present ideas.
 * 27) **Music** Singing in church seemed to go very well this past year, although teachers did have to be working with songs continually. The number of times we sang was well received. We will continue a similar schedule for next year. If teachers want words on the screens (which some people have requested), give the words to the receptionists to type into the powerpoint-please be timely on this. Remember to turn in pink sheets for the bulletin. Singing groups for next year: 4K-5K / 1-2 / 3-5 / 6-8 / All-School sing (possibly 3) Teachers stated that it was difficult to work theory into the class period when the class was working on singing schedule songs. Junior choir discussion also came up - will there be choir, when would it be, will it work out in the scheduling, who will direct it? If we keep Junior Choir during the day, theory and music appreciation could be taught to the rest of the class. The classroom teacher would still need to have time to teach the church song.This will need to be revisited at another date.
 * 28) **Art** Art plans will be looked at by Dan this year. Teachers should look at the art curriculum from FVL is possible, and try to put a bit more emphasis on their program.
 * 29) **PE** Classes seemed to go well. The question came up whether we could somehow teach similar concepts during the week so that equipment would be more ready and available. Is it possible to develop more on our own? The SPARK curriculum was available at one time. This has a number of good concepts. Some of the curriculum components are missing. Cris also asked about schedule timing for the 5th graders. Is it a mandatory thing for 5th graders to have 45 minute classes? Dan's suggestion is to go for the 45 minutes time.
 * 30) **Music lessons** - piano, guitar, organ Teachers from last year will still, as far as we know, be teaching lessons again this next year. (Jill Kock, Grace Henning, Judi Thoma)
 * 31) **Band lessons** Lessons will be supplied by FVL again this year.
 * 32) **Scheduling:**
 * 33) **Special Needs** (one-on-one, learner aide times) Once class schedules are completed we can look at the timing for this.
 * 34) **Music(?), PE, lunch, recess** times New schedule was made out and will be put on server/copies to teachers
 * 35) **Curriculum Study -** Schedule is as follows: Math-2010-2011 / Lang-Arts 2011-2012 / Christ-Light 2012-2013 **/** Science 2013-2014 / Spanish 2014-2015 / Technology 2015-2016 / Catechism 2016-2017 / Music 2017-2018 / PE 2018-2019
 * 36) **Professional Growth plans -**
 * 37) **Room usage request/guidelines for others using classrooms -** Reminders to all who use rooms - please leave rooms as you found them. Daily teachers should not have to spend time putting items away that have been used by other groups.
 * 38) **Supply lists**
 * 39) **School Calendar**
 * 40) **Classroom Orders** Orders need to be done on GoogleDocs form by the end of this week - June 10.
 * 41) **Discovery Learning (United Streaming)/Learn360** Teachers seem to have had problems with LEARN 360 in finding items. Gail is thinking about going back to Discovery Learning, depending on funding. Thoughts were to take some of our classroom funds for payment or use software budget money. Gail will be going ahead with getting back into Discovery Learning.
 * 42) ** Assignment books **Students will be using assignment books again this year.
 * 43) Add **Special Interest Mondays** **or Fridays** back into the weekly schedule? Thinking not just of special interests teachers may have to share with students, but of parents with talents, grandparents, etc. Thoughts: If we started with a list of activities and people who would do items first, then we could schedule them into the calendar. Would teachers be flexible to work at this once a quarter/a month? Teacher would be able to work individually with the volunteer for this year.
 * 44) **Special Service Projects** from each grade level each year. Example: 2nd graders have always made St. Joe's visits part of their routine each year. Canvassing projects, head up Muffins for Mom, Doughnuts for Dad, etc. Let's brainstorm other ideas - these can be adjusted until the right project for the right age level is discovered - then make it a yearly thing for that grade level of students to look forward to. Teachers need to brainstorm ideas and put them down on paper. We will try to get this into google docs or on a wiki so more can add to the page. []
 * 45) **List of Teachers' Special Service Project Plans -** Remember, these ideas are not in stone. Your grade-level project may change next year or go in a different direction. Dan would like to have this list as soon as possible to show others how we intend to to reach out and make more of an impact in our community.
 * 46) 4K/5K - take a collection to purchase a gift for a sick child at Christmas; give May Day flowers to shut-ins.
 * 47) 1st -
 * 48) 2nd -Friendship Program monthly at St. Joe's
 * 49) 3rd -
 * 50) 4th-5th -
 * 51) 6th -
 * 52) 7th -raking leaves
 * 53) 8th -
 * 54) **Gym look-over** - Drew requested a time for teachers to be able to look over where items are now located. He is finishing the reorganizing yet. Cris requested this be done yet in June. Reminder for teachers to check out the shoes that children are bringing for phy ed to try to get rid of some of the black marks. Put this on supply lists as non-marking sole shoes. Drew will be ordering some new dodgeballs yet this year, but has no budget for next year. This was done on Tuesday - Drew has the room well organized and asks us to please work on keeping it neat.
 * 55) **Typing / Keyboarding Practice and Progress -** DISCUSS in August. Teachers are reminded to work this into weekly schedules on a regular basis somehow, some way. PAWS Typing Town, Master Key, etc. We want to show progress in all grade levels. What does FVL consider to be a good entry-level WPM proficiency?
 * 56) **Mission Projects for 2011-2012 -** SEE handout from Dianne G. and Vickie M. for suggestions. These should be picked before we come together again in August.
 * 57) **Kindergarten-eligible family contacts -** These calls / visits need to be completed very soon. Remind families we have an exciting year planned with a 4K-5K connection and a very thorough curriculum. For details, contact Mrs. Krull or Mr. Aswege. "In Christ Alone" is our theme for the year. Which Christian family would consider keeping Jesus the center of everything we do as being unimportant?
 * 58) **Accreditation Sub-Committees -** SEE #2. We have a few holes to fill yet. Thanks for considering.
 * 59) **$50 check to be used in the upper grades -** "Lifting Our Hands Up to God" on the pallet jack... Remember? Where to put the donation???

* **Reminder to send these minutes, or a link to the school committee members.*** * **Encouragement was given to put more information out about what the teachers are doing this summer (events, classes they attend, etc.)***
 * Teachers need to remember to put plans on the server.***

Dates to note:**

June 16-17 - Computer technology lesson 8-3 June 17 - Stern's evening confirmed, anytime after 4, supper at 5 August 9 - registration in church basement from 2-7 August 8-12 VBS scheduled August 15 - Back to work for teachers 9-12 August 17 - FVL teacher inservice day at FVL from 8-1 January 30 - first Forensics practice March 9 - Emanuel's Forensics Festival March 15 - FVL's Forensics Festival

=__August Faculty Team Meetings__= =August 15-19, 2011= =9:00 am - 12:00 noon=

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