M.J. COLDWELL Elementary School

M.J. COLDWELL SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

November 4, 2008

ATTENDING:

Jackie Anderson (Co-Chair), Debbi-Lynn Bateson (Co-Chair), Sherri Beattie (Principal), Shaunine Muir (Teacher Rep)

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Debbi-Lynn reported that there were no transactions on the account this month and the balance remains $3,434.08.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:

Sherri explained the new math resource "Math Makes Sense" is a shift in philosophy for how math is now taught.  It is based on a constructivist approach whereby we build on students' prior knowledge.  This approach takes childre from their personal knowledge base and helps them develop a deeper understanding of math concepts and applications.  This new math philosophy moves past teaching formulas, which we all grew up learning and applying.  Many of us know how the formulas work but do we really understand the reasoning behind what we do?   This new math resource focuses on making sure the children understand not only the math formulas they are using, but how and why they work the way they do.  For this reason, Math will not be taken home for homework until parents have an opportunity to learn and understand more about the constructivist approach.  With the support, flexibility and ingenuity of the teachers at M.J. Coldwell School, the Math program will be taught in grade specific classrooms.  So even if students are in a split grade, classrooms will be shuffled in order for all the grade four students to work together, for example.

Leveled reading groups have also been established for the junior grades with each student working in a small teacher-led group with students reading at the same level. These groups will be meeting for 30 minutes, three times a week. The groups are flexible, so as your child's reading level changes, so will his group.

Both "Math Makes Sense" and the leveled reading groups fit in with the school goals we are developing in our Learning Improvement Plan.

OLD BUSINESS:

Uplands Community Association

Sherri reported that thank you notes had not been issued yet to the UCA for the $200 donation received. Debbi-Lynn will issue a thank you note on behalf of the SCC and the school to the UCA, as well as to the Uplands Community Center, which also donated $200.

NEW BUSINESS:

Organizational Binders

Debbi-Lynn and Jackie asked Sherri the status of the organizational binders purchased for the grade five students last year. Sherri stated that,  the concept of teaching students "the how" of organizaion will continue to be pursued with the upcoming parent teacher conferences  on November 28th.  The organizational binders used last year were well received by the students and the staff and will be considered as a possibility in the second term for teaching students how to be organized, with the possiblity of including necessary supplies required in back to school supply lists for the next school year.

School Board Meeting:

Sherri and Debbi-Lynn will be attending a dinner meeting at the board office on November 13 to discuss Learning Improvement Plans.

NEXT MEETING:

There will be no meeting in December, with the new meeting dates to be established for the new year.