Minutes October 9, 2013

Date:

October 9, 2013

Time:

7:30 p.m.

Place:

Horace Greeley High School

Present:

Board of Education
Jeffrey Mester, President
Karen Visser, Vice President
Alyson Gardner Kiesel
Warren Messner
Victoria Tipp

Staff Members
Present:

Dr. Lyn McKay, Superintendent

Mr. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum

Mr. Andrew Selesnick, Assistant Superintendent for Leadership, and Instruction

Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business

Theresa Markley, District Clerk / Adm. Asst. to Superintendent

Visitors Present:

Representatives of the Chappaqua PTA, school PTAs, building administrators, faculty, and other interested citizens.

President Mester called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Alyson Kiesel moved to enter into Executive Session with administrators for a discussion of the employment of particular persons, and discussion of a legal issue. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Alyson Kiesel moved to adjourn the executive session. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Alyson Kiesel moved to reconvene the public session at 7:45 p.m. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. President Mester welcomed the community and introduced Superintendent Lyn McKay and Assistant Superintendent Eric Byrne to begin the presentations.

Presentations:

Writers' Camp Summer 2013 Reflections

Eric Byrne explained that the concept of a two-week writers' camp, August 12-23, was introduced to the community in early summer. The program was staffed with twelve teachers and staff developers who had developed the program with Shelley Harwayne as the facilitator. Twenty girls and 16 boys signed up for a total of 36 students with only three from out of district. The mornings were spent with students and afternoons teachers discussed student writing and analyzed what should be worked on the next day with Shelly. Staff developer Karen McNally noted there was time for students to work independently after discussions of aspects of good writing and how to apply to their project such as a poem or story. On the last day of camp, Shelley gave a 30-minute parent workshop.

Mary Ford commented on the very relaxed setting. The goal was to build enthusiasm and community of writers. Teachers and students enriched the conversation around teaching of writing with time to focus on a piece of writing and try different techniques. There was opportunity to connect and collaborate across schools.

Two students, Rafe and Quinn, demonstrated their examples of an expository piece and a dramatic reading and enthusiastically reported their enjoyment of the camp.

Two of the teachers, English and Science, reported on the impact on them to motivate students and how previously learned processes had become sloppy. There was an affirmation of the value of process over product.

Eric thanked them and commented on how much he enjoyed writers camp. Board members congratulated them and were delighted that they learned about grammar, vocabulary, spelling as well as honing their creative processes.

Teaching and Learning Priorities 2013-14

Dr. McKay explained that administrators begin each year developing ways to continue to improve our teaching and learning practices: curriculum, instruction assessment, and professional development

Eric explained that a year ago we began thinking about ways to extend learning opportunities. The camp opportunity was offered to content teachers as well as ELA. We studied creative use of time, space, and technology. We explored ways to use time and configure space differently to provide students with even more opportunities to be collaborative and innovative. We asked, " How does the district take advantage of the best practices in teaching and learning that exist within and beyond Chappaqua?"

1.

Information

Questions and Comments

2.

Organization

3.

Approvals

Warren Mester moved to approve the following minutes. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Superintendent Lyn McKay made the following recommendations:

5.

Recommended Action: Other

6.

Facilities

7.

Financials

8.

President Mester gave Notice of Future Meetings of board and committees -

9.

Adjournment

Victoria Tipp moved to adjourn at 9:16 p.m. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.