Jackson Middle School
School Advisory Committee Meeting
March 25, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM.
In attendance: Jhunu Mohapatra, Marilee Amodt, Carla Cotte Tommasetti, Franco Tommasetti, Nicole Becker, Jonathan Becker, Elizabeth Martinez, Barbara Lopez, Shanta Rashid

Welcome by Dr. Mohapatra, Assistant Principal
Minutes from February 26, 2008 meeting were reviewed and approved as read.

Old Business:
Parent Survey: The revised parent survey was reviewed by members. Corrections were made for "typos" and spelling errors and then approved for distribution. It was suggested that the survey go home with the next school newsletter at the end of April. Barbara Lopez will investigate to see if this is possible. Dr. Mohapatra will check with Jennifer Lynn Weber, the school webmaster, to see if the survey can be placed on the school website. Parents suggested that we try to have incentives for the students to return the parent surveys.

Spanish Club: Elizabeth Martinez, 8th grade Language Arts teacher and Barbara Lopez, Program Assistant have volunteered to form the Spanish Club for students. They shared their ideas with the committee. The club activities are designed to promote the study of Spanish and its related culture in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Activities might include guest speakers, art festival night, Spanish movie night, salsa dancing instruction, fundraisers and sponsoring international children. They have not established a starting date at this time. This club will be open to all students.

New Business:
S.O.A.R: Successfully Overcome Academic Retention- Dr. Mohapatra shared information about this new course recovery program that will begin after Spring break. This program was developed to help students who might be in danger of failing a required content course. At this time students failing, 6th grade Math, Pre-algebra, Algebra or Language Arts have been invited to attend two morning sessions a week in order to earn the credits that they need to be promoted to the next grade. Shanta Rashid, Math Coach, explained that the students would take a pre test and a post test. Skills would be taught and the student will need to show mastery of skills in order to receive the recovery grade.

State Budget Cuts: Dr. Mohapatra briefly shared information about the school budget cuts that had recently been in the news. Middle Schools were asked to cut their budgets by 6%. Parents were informed that all of our programs would stay in place and that there would be very few teacher positions lost at our school.

Colonial High School: Colonial High School has invited the PTA, SAC and PLC members to attend an Open House at Colonial HS on April 10. The Tommasettis and the Beckers stated that they would attend.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm
The next meeting will be Tuesday May 20, 2008 at 6:30 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Marilee Amodt
SAC Secretary