COALITION MEETING 6/23

Attendees:

Bob & Kim
Ellen
Dan
Marc & Lynnsey
Melina

NEXT MEETING: Monday, August 4, 6pm -- Parents only at this point so that we can organize ourselves and determine priorities;  All to invite additional members

GENERAL DISCUSSION:

- Frustration over how decisions are being made, not building coalition, just making decisions, not communicating with parents to generate consensus. Serious lack of transparency; upset things are being changed without notification, alienating the involved families.

- Discussion of IBO, what it offers; need more information.

- Concern over low test scores, Special Ed, students passing/graduating lacking basic math and English skills

- Agreement that SUSD website and SEF site need updates to have more information and details about how to support SUSD; include dates of fundraising events

- Group decided to email Linda Irving with specific questions about plans for SUSD; see separate blog entry for update


PARENT COALITION STRUCTURE

- Marc proposed including Parkside and Brook Haven; question of what already exists at Parkside 
- Agreed to name SUSD Parent Coalition
- Have a rep from each classroom; Kim will do for deb Johnson's class
- Need a president
- Need secretary
- Need volunteer coordinator -- Melina will do when plans are better formed
- Hold monthly meeting first Monday of each month; parents arrive at 6pm to share updates of various groups, invite teachers and administration to join at 7 so we can share updates with each other, discuss desired improvements and make plans to provide support 
- School Board usually meets 1st Thursday of month; SEF 4th Thursday
- An SUSD rep will bring an update to every School Board meeting; request sent to Linda Irving to have standing SUSD Parent Coalition Update at each School Board Meeting

MISSION STATEMENT
- The SUSD Parent Coalition's mission is to enhance the communication between parents, teachers & faculty to advocate for and support enrichment programs for our school district.

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

- Group discuss programs it would like to support. 
- Marc gave suggestion of splitting into groups to support particular programs and help bring into class rooms when the time comes
- Discussion about making sure programs are district wide or school wide; how do enrichment programs get rolled out in each school?
- Group agree on importance of work with teachers to be clear on how to bring enrichment into the classrooms, and how these programs support or augment CORE
- Point made that with better organization we can provide better support
- Some Enrichment may be during school, some after school, CASTLE willing to help after school

Specific Enrichment Programs Discussed by Group

SCHOOL DAY

Music
Drama -- Lynnsey
Art
Maker/chimera
Technology; typing with that -- Marc
Ocean Guardian
Spanish -- Lynnsey checked on Spanish as middle school elective, has not been for several years

AFTER SCHOOL

Archery
Science
Others?
Bike coalition
Cardboard Carnival -- Jane Irmini has more details

SUSD COMMUNICATION METHODS WITHIN GROUP AND TO IMPORTANT PARTIES

- Standing school board agenda item for SUSD; suggestion also made that SEF should have the same
- Ask about sending an SUSD rep to teachers' after school meeting, every Wednesday; give our update and check in about how to support classrooms
- Teachers' union: convey that it's important for them to communicate with us about their activities
- Central system for communications; group email, Blog (must opt in)
- Utilize Brook Haven Blast and similar at Parkside
- Class parent communicates with all parents in class about best way to reach
- Wednesday folders