Dept. Head Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2008
Galileo Academy of Science & Technology
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Vicki called the meeting to order at 1:20pm.
I. Do Now
Zoe introduced the “First Week Check-In” sheet and asked the members to fill in each part–”I feel good about—” and “I am wondering about–” for the first week of school.
We went around the room and members read their answers. Vicki felt good about the opening of school and she is wondering about hiring a Mandarin teacher.
Bettie felt great about the easy start to the school year. Everyone seems so cooperative and students seem excited to be at Galileo Academy.
Bettie wondered when all of the offices would be open daily at 7:45am to serve students, staff and faculty.
Marti felt great about the calm and peaceful tone of the school. She asked about shadowing and Vicki said no one should be shadowing.
Marti is wondering about the large amount of traffic outside the school at the start of the day. She thought we should have traffic control officers. We did have an accident this morning.
Joseph felt great about most of his students who seem ready to learn. He feels not great about the few students not ready to learn.
He is wondering about the purple calendars and when they will be distributed.
Denise feels good about her students and renewed energy in teachers.
She is wondering about the textbooks she needs.
Michael feels good about the staff development process so far. People were engaged and he enjoyed working with teachers outside his department.
Michael wonders about the information we have not covered yet. He mentioned the homeroom packets and Peter said we have distributed them. He mentioned Wellness Referrals, Williams Case reports, etc.
George felt good about the good start of school.
He is wondering about new switches.
Ray felt good about his time with the Giants recently and feels it enhances his teaching.
He is wondering about consolidation of Spec. Ed students and also some teachers dumping students into his classes.
Nancy feels good about the start of the year–she was prepared for a nightmare. She wonders if it will come later.
She is wondering about 45 in one Chinese classes. Many of the classes are full and she wonders about hiring new teachers.
Kathleen feels good about her students. They wrote cute essays and are very sweet.
She is wondering about the intermediate gray area and the contents of all her boxes. Gray area is moving from level 3 to 5 but they are still ones on the tests.
Daphne feels good about the carry over feeling from the Presidio meeting with this group, the start of school was organized and the new folks in her dept.
She is wondering about the Student Discipline and Consequences, and what about poor behavior with the teachers. She mentioned some teacher being late to meetings, wandering in and out and using their cell phones.
Heather feels great about her students and she is well today. She feels good about the code of conduct and the consequences. She read all of this to all of her classes and students took note.
She is wondering about the Environmental Science Position.
Marilyn feels good about that all of the moving went well with no complications. She is sorry that some items are missing. Please let her know particulars. She also feels good about the consequences. It will be work but we will follow through.
Marilyn has nothing she is wondering about.
Peter feels good about Galileo and feels it is the best school he has ever been at. He also feels great about all of the relations between students, teachers, and respect for all is great.
He is wondering about when his bubble will burst. Where do the cutters hang out and why we dipped in test scores.
Zoe feels great about the overall tone and vibe in the school. It seems really mellow. She thinks the time frame on the Strategic Plan is good.
She is wondering about doing it all and moving through things and letting go.
II. Norms Review
–Meetings will begin and end on time.
–Minutes will be posted on the website.
–During meetings everyone will silence phones. If necessary, calls will be taken outside but not answered during meeting.
–Everyone will focus completely on agenda items.
–We will use email to communicate managerial issues and reserve meeting time for issues that require discussion.
–We will orient our meetings around our school-wide goals and department goals.
–Peter discussed email protocol. Everyone must be careful what they say in emails. Anything said to school personnel is like using school letterhead.
–Peter will work on the planners that the group wants to have.
III. Department Based Professional Development Planning Session
–Zoe led the group in planning for the department staff development for the rest of the year.
IV. Miscellaneous
–Students who come to a full classroom–teachers should keep them the whole period and not send them out. Students must remain in their classes until they are called from the Counseling Office.
–Faculty meeting next Tuesday after school, September 2nd.
–Shadowing is not happening at this time. Send anyone to the office who claims they are shadowing. Nov. 8 – Dec. 19 will be the shadowing time.
–Books–Heather asked about a Biology book that ELD students can use and she would like to know if we have funds for that. Kathleen said it could be the LEP budget that would pay.
–Williams Case–Peter said this is ongoing. We must make sure that we have textbooks for everyone, the school is safe, wheelchair access, and the flyers are posted in the classrooms and offices. Nancy said it was on the Monday reminder from Margaret Chiu. Joseph asked if there were copies available in the different languages. Marilyn says she has some.
–Denise asked if each classroom must have a class set and there are still books for students to take home. Discussion followed. Ray said each student needs access to a book–not necessarily one to take home.
–Moving Issues–George said very smooth and nicely done and everyone gave Marilyn a hand. The question was asked about hot water and getting access. Everyone wants warm water.
–Michael asked about the incident this morning. Bessie Ip was trying to make a turn, was blocked by a truck, the student she hit was not in the cross walk. The student will be OK and the student is one of Bessie’s students and TA.
–Homerooms–there was some confusion with the homerooms not being right. We are doing the changes so that most students will be with their regular homeroom teachers. Vicki explained some of the changes and switches.
–Communication with Teachers–we need to let teachers know the expectations about taking students into classes. Heather asked if we should tell the teachers they should accept everyone who comes during the first two week. She mentioned some problems. Vicki said if the class is full–every seat is taken–then the teacher should not accept the student. Teachers must take new students if they have no-show students.
–Some teachers do not listen and the department heads will do some of the class changes. Nancy suggested sending an email to the teachers saying we are working hard to make the changes. Keep the students in class so they do not wander the halls or go to 260.
–Ray discussed the class count on a teacher’s roll sheet and that teachers should accept students when they have room.
–Area by 2nd floor by Counseling Office–people discussed the fact that there is no camera in the area and students congregate in that area. Discussion followed about the safety of students in the area.
–Vicki thanked Nancy for the good 9th Grade Orientation. We will make some changes for next year. There will be a survey to the 9th graders to get feedback on the Orientation.
Meeting adjourned at 2:20pm.
Welcome Back for 2008-09!
August 18, 2008
To all returning students and families at Galileo, welcome back! And a special welcome to our new incoming 9th grade students. For freshmen, there is an orientation and brunch on Friday, August 22 from 8:30am – 2:30pm. Please plan to attend so you can learn all about your new school.
The first day of school is Monday, August 25 and class starts at 8:00am. The regular bell schedule for this year is the same as last year, including the extended 7-minute passing periods due to construction. There will be a special schedule with homeroom every day for the first week of school.
Dept. Head Meeting Minutes
August 18, 2008
Galileo Academy of Science & Technology
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Vicki called the meeting to order at 10:15am.
Vicki welcomed everyone back under unusual circumstances with the absence of Gerry Courtney. Vicki shared her thoughts on the situation. She talked of sending a letter out at the request of the faculty, PTSA, etc. The letter was revised by the legal department. Vicki thanked everyone for the support to her, the staff, teachers, etc.
Vicki said she realized that folks are on different ends of the sprectrum on how they feel about this. Vicki feels that no one should judge anyone on how they feel about this issue. We need to move on as a school. We need to separate our personal feelings from our professionalism. She asked everyone to remain professional and support the teachers.
The district has contacted Wellness and they will be available for support. This also includes the students.
Vicki told of a Channel 4 reporter who came to school on Friday and Peter encountered her and was surprised by what she said in an effort to get a story. Her allegations turned out to be false. She told of the students the reporter interviewed, etc. Vicki cautioned everyone to be careful with the media. Gentle Blythe from the district will address the faculty on Wednesday as to what to do when approached by the media and what to say to the students. She will also be here the first day of school to address concerns. We can direct questions to her.
Zoe said this is an interesting moment for the school as we can see what our focus is and see what we stand for as a school. She is excited about what was accomplished last year and what we will do to move ahead. Equity and promoting student achievement and reaching out to our community are important areas to continue to move ahead.
Vicki talked about the process of a replacement for Gerry in his absence. She was very careful in the process. Vicki introduced Peter Van Court who will be with us in Gerry’s place. He is a former Assistant Principal at Lowell High School. She praised Peter for his smooth entry into Galileo.
I. Welcome Back
–Peter Van Court introduced himself and talked about how impressed he is with Galileo and how welcome he feels. He spoke about how the school has moved ahead and he is here to support the school, the teachers, the students, etc. He discussed his conversation with the reporter and his impressions. He reiterated that we must be careful with the media. Trust is important along with building relationships. He mentioned that he was really glad to be here.
–The members all told a bit about their summers and what they did and where they went.
II. Strategic Planning
–Vicki distributed information about the Strategic Plan from the district and the Galileo Strategic Plan.
–Ray asked who wrote the district Strategic Plan–Vicki said that it was an outside consultant and this is a business model.
–Professional Development for administrators this year concerned the Strategic Plan. This replaces the Site Plan. Every school has to do a balanced scorecard. We are farther ahead than other schools in the district. Most are just beginning.
–She discussed page 7 and the topics of Access & Equity, Achievement, Accountability, Implementation, etc. and we have already begun this. This involves a common focus to help all students achieve.
–Vicki discussed the Lens One: Galileo’s Transitions. This combines the WASC and academic plan on a 5-year scale. This will work with the Balanced Score Card.
–Professional Development will move ahead with a focus on the district’s Strategic Plan.
–Zoe discussed the Balanced Score Card. She demonstrated with a drawing and discussed the traditional method. She discussed the difference between the traditional method and the Balanced Score Card. This measures the gaps between the highest scoring and lowest scoring in each subgroup.
–The first round of scores came from the CSTs. The Balanced Score Card is a much better assessment.
–Nancy said there will be more information available about this assessment later this year.
–Ray explained that this new measure does not allow schools to hide behind high test scores. More information is available in this assessment.
–Zoe mentioned the terms” balanced” and ”cascading” The cascading idea is that we always traced our outcomes to students. This idea is that the idea should be traced through each department of the district. The cascading is successful if it is reflected at every level. Results should always be for students in the work that we are doing.
–We are also involved in Equity Review. Zoe explained that this originally was designed to work in the business world. Businesses must look for multiple measures. This has been adapted from business models to public sector models. This comes from the Superintendent’s Office.
–Zoe indicated that the one page plan is a summary of what we are doing and what we are about.
–Vicki said San Francisco is the highest performing urban school district in California and we are low–we all have a lot of work to do. We have a bigger achievement gap in SF than in LA.
–Zoe distributed information about activities for the months to come, in a draft form. After the group reviewed the information she explained some of the dates and activities.
–Community meetings will continue again this year in the neighborhoods. By selecting the dates earlier, we do hope that some of the teachers will be able to attend one of the meetings. We will gather community input at these meetings for our Strategic Plan.
–Equity Update will include updated data. Nancy said that we will be looking at students we can move up with support on a monthly basis.
–The Counseling report is about the SAP meetings and any other counseling meetings.
–Tech training will continue. We will help new teachers get on the Galileo web system. Many technology committee members have volunteered to do more frequent trainings. There will be a variety of workshops at different level.
–Vicki mentioned some of the teachers who need individual attention. George Carter said he would be willing to help.
III. This Week
–Zoe distributed information about Essential Skills and Knowledge.
–There will be 2 half-day sessions of PD–one on Wednesday and one on Thursday. We want teachers to be present and focused in these meetings. Please ask your teachers to be ready. These sessions will be 8am – noon.
–Cor-O-Van will come Wednesday afternoon for teachers.
–Zoe distributed the Professional Learning Plan in draft form and explained it. The last page explains the activities for the rest of the week. Zoe asked that everyone read the Strategic Plan prior to Wednesday.
–Tuesday we will be working with a consultant who has worked with SFUSD for the past year. The topic will be the role of being a teacher leader, being a department chair, managing resistance in a department, etc. All teachers need to read the Strategic Plan. When the groups meet, each department head will not have their own department. The groups will be about 10 in size and will be mixed and the first one will take place on Wednesday.
–Tomorrow the group will go through the document and will discuss the procedure.
` –Tomorrow the group will meet in the Presidio. Zoe will email everyone directions. Breakfast will be at 8am. Meeting will start at 8:30am. Thoreau Center is the name of the building. Parking is available. Lunch will also be provided. Bring your Strategic Plan with you.
–Wednesday will be here and teachers will get through the Strategic Plan. We will also review the one page document. This must be done by noon.
–Thursday morning plan is on the back page of the Professional Learning Plan.
–Friday is a free workday.
–Marti asked about grabbing specific data and how to do it. Thong is making copies of the Data Disk.
IV. Discipline Policy
–Nancy distributed information called the Citizenship Policy for the 2008-2009 School Year. She explained the history of the document and the parties involved. This is a Discipline Policy.
–She mentioned the amount of truancies at Galileo and the lack of respect that students have for either faculty and or students. This is the basis for why the policy was developed.
–Nancy mentioned that many students do not care about their citizenship marks, as there are no consequences for poor citizenship.
–After the first report period, the deans will have a list of those students who have 3 or more U’s and then there will be a plan for each student on how they will correct their behavior. She talked about the definition of E, S, W and U.
–Students who receive no “U’s” will get a coupon for the ASB Student Store.
The amount will be $1 or $2. This will be determined shortly. This will reward the students who are doing well and who come off probation by dropping the “U’s” from a previous report period.
–Nancy told the group that the name Homeroom would transition to Advisory later this year. There will be some changes to the Advisory when the district revises the activity.
–Nancy explained that we have spent lots of money on beautifying the school and we must impress students that they need to take care of our building.
–She explained the rationale behind 3 or more “U’s” in a marking period. Those students will not be able to participate in dances, field trips, athletic practices, games, meets, matches, senior activities, after school activities.
–She explained the signature portion of the contract.
–These signed contracts will be returned to the Homeroom Teachers who will then return it to Linda Wade for eventual deposit in the Deans’ Office.
–This will be presented to the Faculty on Wednesday. This will also be translated in the newsletter and we will have large copies for each classroom.
–All students are required to turn in this form if they are cited for 3 or more “U’s.”
–Marti expressed concern that 6 unexcused tardies is way too much for a 6-week period–that is 25% of the classes. Discussion followed.
–Kathleen said that 6 tardies might also be a bad mark for class participation.
–Daphne mentioned the hat/hood policy. Marilyn said that will be under the Discipline Policy with Ms. Pringle.
–Daphne asked about tardies on Block Days–single or double tardy? Single tardy.
–Marilyn explained that many of the students going to the dance are those who cut and are tardy.
–Peter said that those students who interrupt the class are not only blocking others from learning, but also themselves from learning.
–Kathleen asked about the gaming in the computer lab. Nancy said we would not be doing it. George said this is a serious control/freak faction there. Nancy said that we need space for Cyber High. He suggested that there be people on each of the two doors and ask the students who has homework to do, etc., and give them preference.
–Zoe suggested blocking with software. George explained the traffic–100 computers on one network. He mentioned the students who get angry and start damaging the computers.
–He mentioned some teachers who take their class to the computer lab and then grade papers. Those students will game. He said once the network gets busy, it is hard to shut it down via the software.
–Nancy said she met with the ASB and asked if the gaming could be shut down, as many of them are too intimidated to ask a gamer to leave so they could do their homework, etc.
–There are two smaller doors now for students to exit and enter 260. The computer lab will be closed at the start of school. There will be a new log on system from downtown.
–Nancy said ASB could make signs saying, “For Homework Only–No Gaming.” George said this must be controlled at the door. Even then, students can start with homework and then get online for the gaming. There is much socialization going on before school.
–Denise said we must set the tone at the beginning of school.
–Heather mentioned that field trips often get the problem students engaged. She asked if this could be at the discretion of the teacher. Nancy said,” Yes. “ The all day field trips are the best ones to look at. Also, with field trips, coverage for those not going is also difficult for the teachers.
–Heather said 3 “U’s” seems lenient. Marilyn referred to the Student Handbook and said that was part of the decision for 3. Ray said if a students gets 2 “U’s” they probably are getting 3 or 4.
–Nancy said after the first semester they would be open for revisions.
IV. Miscellaneous
–We had a cake to celebrate Michael Roman’s, George Carter’s and Peter Van Court’s birthdays. Daphne provided the cake.
–Vicki was thinking about converting 156 or 157 into a computer lab or classroom since there will only be one ROTC classroom. George said there are 6 computers already in 157.
–Peter said we should have a conversation about what each computer area will be used for. Discussion followed.
Meeting adjourned at 12:50pm.
