Minutes--- LSRT April, 2010

Present: DTorreson; JAlbright; PSweeney, ELerum, RWattenberg, DNeal, JKatz, KMacadoo, MKim, CHumes.

I. Principal’s Report
Book Fair: The spring book fair will be held May 13-14-15. The Fall book fair is already being planned. Summer Reading lists are being made up now, and the required books for summer reading should be available through the book fair.
The Field. The field is finally getting completed! This is the final step of the renovation. In the end, Deal will not get Astroturf (its first choice) but the grass field will have an irrigation system that should keep the grass healthy.
The Auditorium. The sound system should be installed by April 21st, with training on its operation scheduled for the 23rd, in time for use in the musical.
Common Assessments. Teachers are creating a group of common assessments for next year, further increasing the cooperation across grade teams and the commonality of the curriculum across grade teams.
Open House. On May 15, there will be a an open house for potential new parents. It will also be possible to register students for next year that morning from 9-12.

II. LSRT Elections.
LSRT Election Rules (continuation of last month’s discussion). DCPS is in the process of updating the formal rules that govern the operations of school LSRT’s. But, as of now, the rules require one year terms for all members (a rule that is not necessarily adhered to at all schools). The DCPS rules also require that only parents of “enrolled” students be permitted to participate in LSRT elections. In the past, Deal has interpreted that to mean parents of students who were not yet attending Deal but who were registered to attend Deal in the fall. But that interpretation was difficult to execute fairly, as some future parents were aware of this rule and others weren’t. The LSRT moved to limit this year’s voting to parents of currently enrolled students.
Process for Upcoming LSRT Election. Elections will be held on May 20, at the PTA-sponsored Ice Cream Social. The LSRT will solicit candidates through email blasts and the newsletter and through Dr. Kim’s weekly newsletter. Candidates will be asked to submit their bios to Elyse lerum by April 30. The bios will be posted by May 10. Ms Lerum will handle the posting as well. The PTA will run the actual election at the Social.
Discussion about DCPS LSRT process at next meeting. Peggy O’brien, the head of the Chancellor’s Office of Parent and Family engagement would like to come to our next meeting to discuss our perceptions of the LSRT role/process/procedures. The office is trying to hold a number of meetings of this sort around the district as they work to update their rules. The LSRT agreed to invite her and put this on the agenda for the May meeting.
III. Safe Schools Committee. Rwattenberg reported that the pedestrian safety committee continues its effort to improve the safety of student pedestrians around the school by improving the traffic patterns, crosswalks, etc. They are currently working with the DOT to come up with ideas that could be included in a federal grant proposal. As the committee develops its plans, it will be important that they be in touch with Ms. Kim so as to assure that committee plans and school plans are in synch.
IV. Metrobus. Decisions are being made by Metrobus to cut bus routes that our students depend on to get to and from school. The LSRT should take a strong stand on this. JKatz will follow up with Cheh and Bowser. The Deal listserve will carry a notice about the threatened cuts urging parents to object to the cuts.
V. Edline. While many parents find Edline very helpful, many others have expressed dissatisfaction about what they regard as the late—and sometimes unreliable- posting of grades. A discussion ensued. It was pointed out that this is Edline’s inaugural year as a schoolwide project and that there is much to learn about how to make it work best and noting that some of the issues have to do with how teacher’s use it and others with parent expectations.
Some ideas that were discussed: 1)having a discussion about Edline at the orientation for next year; 2) a faculty discussion (which have been ongoing) about how to make it work better for parents; professional development for teachers on it, recognizing that this is a totally new system for many teachers, 3) the development of public standards for Edline’s use (how often it should be updated, what should be on it, etc.) that would not be overwhelming for teachers and that would clarify for parents what they could and should expect from Edline.
A general consensus was that Edline has the potential to be incredibly useful but that, as is true with other technologies, it will take time for the different users to get comfortable with it and use it and communicate about it in the most productive way.
VI. World Language Trips. DNeal expressed appreciation to the PTA for its support of the world language trips which, she believes are wonderful learning opportunities for both students and faculty.