FORUM MINUTES

Tuesday February 11, 2004

PRESENT: Cara Beames, Deb Beck, Tom Dittus, Carol Heller, Dave Eagle, Peggy Jones, Linda Kissane, Sue Mellon, MaryAnn Gipson, Nick Round, Patricia Dow, Cathy Stanilka, Nicole Tearno

Technology Update

Brian Clements, District Coordinator of Technology, was invited to our meeting to give an update on new technological equipment in our district. He demonstrated and explained how "streaming," Virtual Tours, and Distance Learning may be done with our new equipment. Jacen Williams, our computer technician, was also "on hand" through Internet connection and streaming to the Elementary School building. The purchasing of the new equipment has been made possible through donations given to us by the Lake George Alumni Association.

Mentoring Program

Deb Beck distributed information on the new State mentoring program, which it now requires of school districts. It is a program where new teachers would be "mentored" by a tenured teacher of the district. The tenured teacher would not necessarily have to be teaching in the same subject area, and the program would be meant to be a support group to help and guide new teachers so they would "stay" in the profession longer. Although we do have teachers "mentoring" new teachers right now in our building, it is on a voluntary, non-official basis. A committee of teachers will be formed in the near future to draw up requirements for teaching and certifying teachers to become official mentors of other teachers. The State requires each district to adopt a district-mentoring program by the end of this school year.

Middle Level Committee Report

Dave Eagle reported and distributed an update on the Ad Hoc Middle Level Committee. He explained a proposed new schedule for 7th graders, which would increase core subject teaching time and allow more AIS lab time, among other changes.

Comments from Constituents

§ There is continued concern about students staying in the building well after school hours to "hang-out" with friends. Discussion followed: When asked why they are still here, very often it that they are waiting for parents for a ride home. When students stay after to be with a teacher, they should be kept until 3:10 – then released to get the late bus. Very often students stay with the teacher for only a few minutes (thereby getting the "pass" to stay after "with a teacher") and then hang out until late bus time. A teacher mentioned that keeping students long after their quiz was over might deter students from coming in after school to make up work/quizzes. Problems with the large number of students staying after continue outside by bus entrance and down by the gym during 10th period. Dave said that he and bob would deal with the individual students who chronically stay late and just hang out. Please get them the names. Also, it was suggested that teachers be aware of students who continually ask for a pass, but only stay briefly and linger in the building. Dave is also going to meet with all the after school monitors after break to discuss a united front to address this concern. It was also suggested to add an article about after school problems to the next newsletter to parents.

§ Reminder of the calendar of club/organization meeting nights and it was asked that teachers would refrain from adding a "special" last-minute meeting on another group’s meeting night.

§ Communities That Care is sponsoring a "1st Annual Chilly Willy Weekend" on March 19th and 20th. Flyers were distributed explaining possible events. Please share these flyers with outside groups as well as school groups.

§ Concern about the State Proctoring Protocol – apparently it allows three chances of cheating before student is removed from a Regents or other State test. This is not at all what is intended. The wording is taken directly from the New York State School Administrators manual.

§ Concern about the discussion Forum had at last month’s meeting regarding an additional reading program. The discussion was meant to enhance our summer program and extend it into the school year, helping students in other areas other than English classes. Some students have trouble reading textbooks and/or deciphering math problems, for instance. It was meant to encourage students to find more time for the enjoyment of reading. This in no way reflects on our reading program, which is excellent. The hope was simply to increase the amount of reading across curriculum and for leisure by students. Reading is a national concern and we are looking to be proactive and encourage good reading habits.