TO: Northern/ELC Staff

Members of the SIT Team

Dennis Flynn

Linda Newman

Mark Gadbois

FROM: Christopher Hart

Members Present: Connie O’Riley, Joyce Krabach, Donna Rowland, Susan Cesare, Christopher Hart

The following subcommittee reports were discussed:

1. Environmental/Building & Grounds- Boring samples were taken which confirmed water vapor inside the building and a "bathtub effect" outside. Two firms are currently reviewing these results. The school board has been told of our status. $100,000 is being set aside for indoor air quality projects for next year’s budget. Once the project manager has been hired for the Middle School project that same person will address our exterior renovation issues. Sonitrol and door alarms should be operational by February vacation. Roof seems to be no longer be leaking. All interior office and classroom doors have had a window installed. "Dr. Play" is reviewing our playground structure. OSHA is making a school visit next Tuesday.

2. Communication/Technology- A proposal for a mobile lab (15 laptop computers) was drafted by Mark Gadbois to be added for next years technology budget. A school wide email distribution system has not yet begun. The school was faced with an email virus issue over the holiday break which required patches and checks on all outside hardware. Mark and Ken did an excellent job of getting us back online quickly as quickly as possible. School Improvement meeting minutes are now posted monthly on the Northern website and monthly minutes are distributed to all staff members.

3. Social Awareness- The student council has been created and now meets every Monday with Mr. Hart. Their first initiative is the creation of a school store. The school store will be open for all students on Friday mornings from 8:05-8:20 selling school supplies. All money earned will go back into the school. Monthly spirit days are being planned. The first one will be on Friday, Jan 30 for the New England Patriots and the Super Bowl. Every classroom received signs about student expectations in recess/class and DEAR time in order to help with establishing a consistent and clear message involving student behavior. Officer Sexton of the Lincoln Police is interested in starting a mentoring program with students in grades 5 and 6 and high school students. He currently visits the school on most Wednesday afternoons. Discussions have begun for buying school spirit clothing.

4. Bournedale- This comm. has begun to meet with help from 5^th grade teachers. The cost to go to Bournedale is $450 per student. Scholarship funds need to be raised and planned for next years trip.

5. Literacy- The next meeting is Monday, January 26 in Donna Rowland’s room. Mary B. from the Family Literacy Center will address the group about her initiatives and ways we can help each other. A letter to Comm. McWalters has been sent publicizing the Literacy Center and inviting him to see it in person. Mary will be addressing all schools at upcoming faculty meetings in order to let people know she is a town wide asset.

6. Professional Development- Northern has met and decided to pool article 31 funds, remaining Title 1 funds, and a free resource from RIDE in order to best plan professional development for this year and next. School wide professional development will be targeted in the area of balanced literacy programs.

7. Action Plan- It was decided that the action plan for next year should be drafted at an all inclusive faculty meeting for input and feedback from staff.

8. State Assessment-Grades K-1 will have assessments and will receive training in phonemic awareness and DRA. March is the testing month for Northern students.

9. New Business- A discussion centered on the need for SIT to sponsor a Math or Science night for this year. Another idea was to have an end of year celebration. No formal decisions were made at this time.

10. Next Meeting- Will be on February 25 @2:45 in the library.