2011-QUASHNET RIVER SCHOOL COUNCIL

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2010-2011 Quashnet School Council Meeting: Thursday, April 7, 2011-3:15 PM to 4:15 PM Quashnet School Conference Room Present: Patty DeBoer (Principal), Jackie Rastallis (Teacher), Cary Marshall (Teacher), Maria Cortez (Parent), Jane Dolan(Parent), Barbara Cotton (Parent) Absent: Jack Phelan (Community Member) Our four major areas of responsibility: A. Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards B. Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school C. Reviewing the annual school building budget D. Formulating a school improvement plan List of documents for 4/7/11 Quashnet School Council Meeting: 1. Open Meeting Law packet received from Deb Dami-Mashpee Town Clerk 2. 2010-2011 Quashnet School Parent/Student Handbook with draft changes for SY11-12 3. 2010-2011 Quashnet School Improvement Plan 4. Draft—Mashpee Public Schools Strategic Plan Aoenda/Minutes 1. Friends of Mashpee Public Schools—No updates per Barbara Cotton. 2. "Mashpee Cares"—A community-wide effort to develop a plan to address social issues involving Mashpee youth and their families. There are a number of areas that need our attention, including bullying, drug abuse, suicide prevention, gang activity, and helping young people learn how to manage the stresses in their lives. These issues are bigger than the schools and a coalition of adults representing health organizations, law enforcement, advocacy, and the business community is needed to work together to support the young people of Mashpee. It was shared that the "Mashpee Cares" meeting scheduled for April 7, 2011, was cancelled and has been rescheduled to May 5, 2011 (6:00 – 7:00 PM) at Quashnet. Related to the "Mashpee Cares" initiative, sixth graders at Quashnet were given the opportunity to participate in the SOS Suicide Intervention Training Program and depression screening. With parent permission, 68 sixth graders participated in this 45-minute, very worthwhile program. "Mashpee Cares" is also developing a survey for staff, students, and families. The data gathered will better inform the decision-making process as the group moves forward in their efforts to create a help-seeking culture in Mashpee. 3. Open Meeting Law. Tthe contents of the packet provided by Mashpee Town Clerk, Deb Dami, were reviewed and discussed. .4. Changes for the SY11-12 Quashnet School Parent/Student Handbook The draft of changes developed at our March, 2011, council meeting were reviewed. Most of our time was spent reviewing and revising the draft changes to the "Transportation" section of the handbook—specifically looking at improving student behavior on a school bus.