Coffee Morning – January 2012

on August 22, 2012 - 9:15 pm in From the Principal's Desk / no comments

Coffee Morning
January 12, 2012
Plotting a Course Together…

Click to download powerpoint presentation

 

 

 

 

Combination of…
 Outstanding items from School Development Plan – 2009-2012
 Coffee Morning Matters – Christmas Term 2011
 General Suggestions and Recommendations

Upgrading Facility
 Science Lab
o Proposal re-Submitted
o Parent sponsored work to be done to create one large room
o Plaque to be laid
 Sick-Bay / Staff Lounge – work completed (PTA)
 School Hall
o Work to be done
 Bathroom – suggestion made for having a bathroom at the Hall
 General maintenance – ongoing
 Additional buildings
o Music Room

Staffing Issues
 Nurse / Caregiver – not at this time
 School Counsellor
o Mr. Alexis Goffe, B.A., M.A. (Psychology and Counselling)
 Professional Development
o First-Aid Training (09/2011)
o Assessment and Classroom Management (last term)
o Integration and Technology (01-2012)
o Ongoing as needed and as opportunities arise
o A number of teachers are enrolled in classes to upgrade their qualifications.

Curriculum Development
 Special Subjects – Art, P.E., Music, Spanish, Media Studies
o Work in Progress on these curriculums
o More access to these to be given for parental awareness
 Media Studies
o Computer Skills
o Library Skills
o Media
o Curriculum is a work in progress

Resource / Enrichment
 Primarily for remedial assistance
 Enrichment to be done by Class Teacher
 Workshops had been done
 Work still needs to be done in this area
 Class teachers send weekly lesson plans to Miss Pyne
 Meets with students weekly
 In class / Small Groups / Individually

Reporting on Internal / External Assessments
 Returning Exam / Test Papers
o This is not done at St. Hugh’s
o Exam Paper Review Day January 2012
 Grade One Readiness Inventory
 Copies of results sent home
 Grade 4 Literacy Test (2010-11)
o Information sent home
o Data given to grade 5 teacher
o Numeracy results will be sent later
 Grade 4 Literacy Test – Writing

 

 Grade 4 Literacy Test – Reading Comprehension
 Grade 4 Literacy Test – Word Recognition

 

Areas that are being addressed
 Spelling
 Multiplication Tables
 Word problems

Co-Curricular Activities
 These offerings have increased
 Activities for boys
o Boys can do dancing
o Scouts – low response
o Karate – space and available days
o Capoeira – of space and available days
o Swimming
 More musical instruments
o 3 pianos, drums, percussion instruments
 School Band
o Doxology, National Anthem, Drummers
o Shaggy and Friends National Anthem – YouTube

Health and Safety
 Security
o Uniforms
o Extended hours
o Working with St. Peter’s Court
o Security Arm
o Stickers
 Emergency Medical Care
o Nuttall Accident and Emergency still not open
o Bustamante Children’s Hospital
o Additional documentation required
 Tuck Shop
o Working towards more variety
o Suggestion: Meatless Mondays

General Announcements
 Extra-Curricular Activities start Jan. 16
 PTA General Meeting Jan. 19 – NEW DATE FEBRUARY 1, 2012
 PTA Bake Sale Jan. 27
 House T-shirts / Field Trip Polos – done to order ONLY, with payment by Friday Jan. 12
 After Care Bill – new look
 Report Cards Easter Term 2012
 Applications for Pre-K / K1 – 2012-13 should come in NOW!

Questions / Suggestions …
 Can the netball hoops be removed? – Yes
 Can the cubbies be placed against the wall – not enough space for them.
 It was suggested that at this time a Visual Plan be created to show parents what the plan would be for the school for the next 5/10/15 years, e.g. the additional room mentioned.
 Medical form from parent could also include the allergies of parents as some allergies are hereditary.
 Can the topic for the Special Subjects be added to the monthly Newsletters? – Yes
 Can we work towards a time when even a child’s report card would be available online – this can be considered as there are many other considerations that would have to be taken on board for this to become a reality.
 Can the day for the ‘Exam Paper Review’ be reconsidered, so perhaps the day before we went on holiday? – Yes
 Can we simply institute more rigorous methods of learning the multiplication tables, e.g. Singing / saying them in the mornings, at line-up, etc. – Yes, some teachers have already started.
 Scouts suggested as an additional activity for boys – we need a male Scout Leader. Also need to ensure that Scouting Ass is committed to ensuring the scouts get their badges.
 We had a day when ALL clubs were on show, can we have this again – Yes, September 2012.
 Can we get in touch with Jamaica Orchestra for Youth – Yes, we can investigate this possibility.
 Need to make a wheel chair available for emergencies.
 Parents would like to have books sent home more regularly for constant review.
 Can the qualifications of class teachers be made available for parents – this is not usually done, and further investigation would have to take place to give an answer.
 General upgrading of website needs to be done – Yes.
 With the addition of students to grade 4 (2 new students), will this affect the amount of resources (e.g. the storage cubbies) and the decision of having another teacher in the class? – We are in dialogue with the teacher on these matters.