posted May 15, 2011, 11:56 AM by Emilee Lindley
[
updated May 15, 2011, 12:02 PM
]
PTSO Meeting 04/19/2011
Discussion about continuing instruction in Spanish at Richfield Middle School Guest Speaker: Brian
Zambreno, Principal of RMS
- This year has been about information gathering
(Luis and Brian). Next year would like
to get parents more involved in the process with the goal of being able to
describe the program by next spring (2012).
- Questions submitted by parents, addressed by Brian and Luis:
- Brian’s
background – started as special education teacher in Minneapolis. Taught ESL in St. Paul. Worked at district office ESL program
and then became assistant principal.
He was AP at Highland Junior High, which had a big immersion
program. Moved to an elementary
school that had an immersion school.
- Will
plan to bring 6th graders into RMS (not increase RDLS to
K-8). It will be more challenging
at secondary level because teachers need to have content area license plus
language proficiency. Just
beginning to investigate what percentage of the time will be taught in
Spanish, how many classes and what types will be in Spanish, etc. Will be looking at research and getting
feedback from parents.
- ‘Transition’
to RMS building? Still trying to
figure out what would work best.
- Timeline
– hoping to have it in place by spring 2012.
- Small
learning community. RMS breaks the
school into teams (3 6th grade teams, 3 7th grade
teams, and 3 8th grade teams).
Works well for a middle school because it introduces the kids into
a bigger school environment.
- Middle
School schedule -- Teaming is around core classes: Math, English, Science
and Social Studies. (50 min classes) Then a smart period: specialized math
and reading time (1 period) 40-45 minutes.
Last period of the day: 80 min block, exploratory, switch classes
every other day (health, PE, computer/technology, Spanish, band, choir), similar
to electives. Band and choir are
year-long, others change quarterly.
Could possibly teach a core class or two in Spanish, or exploratory
classes.
- How do
students qualify for honors, ESL, or remedial classes? We need to be open to figuring out if we
can offer both regular and advanced math in Spanish. It will depend on how many kids need the
advanced classes.
- Will
RDLS students be able to take classes that continue the STEM focus AND the
Spanish focus? Still in discussion.
- Any
bilingual staff at RMS? There are
some. They are working to identify
who has the proficiency and interest in teaching classes in Spanish. Enrollment continues to grow, so they
will keep that in mind as they do hiring over the next few years.
- A year from now would like to have a draft plan
for the program. Hope to get parents
involved before then. 2012-2013 need to
finalize the curriculum, define the courses, what materials are needed, what
staff needs to be hired.
- Need to put together a parent group to start
framing up a plan, researching, etc.
- Starting in July, we will have a parent liaison,
making sure families have information they need, help establish a parent
advocacy group, etc.
Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up
& Ice Cream Party
- Raised ~$3000.
38% of the kids in the school participated, up from 27% last year.
- Ice cream party is Thursday 4/21 at 1
PM. Grand prize winner for each grade drawn during
PTSO meeting.
Culver’s night
fundraiser
- Tuesday, April 26th from 4:30 – 8:30
PM
- Need some more volunteers
- Need a few posters made. Melissa will talk to Jen about having an art
class
Multicultural Fair
- Garcia family is coming back with tamales, Glockenspiel
will be coming with German food.
- In the process of trying to get donations for
silent auction. Donation is to PTSO, not
RDLS, since we are not keeping the actual items. Luis has a form we can use to approach businesses
for donations.
- We need 2-liter bottles donated for ring toss.
- Need volunteers, last year did shifts (1.5 hours
each shift)
- Popcorn popper, beverage selling, food tickets,
game tickets, raffle/silent auction, book swap volunteers, people to man the
silent auction tables, 10 games scattered throughout the building
- Need parents to work with each classroom to talk
about another culture. Kids will be
presenting for their classroom.
- Will have professional dancers, presentations in
the gym.
- Each classroom will put together a theme basket
for the silent auction.
Year-End Picnic
- Veteran’s Park Pavilion – June 3rd,
setup at 4:30, picnic will start at 5
- Will need volunteers to sit at table and welcome
new families
- Will be inviting incoming kindergarteners
Other Items
- Election of new officers - Steve Schneeberger
will be taking on non-Spanish co-president role. All others will remain the same.
- Reducing number of paper flyers - Possibly give
parents the ability to ‘opt out’ of paper flyers and only receive
electronically? Have things available as
RSS feed on website, class newsletters available on the website, etc.
- El Dia De Los Ninos - PTSO did buy the books. Actual day is April 30th.
- 4th of July Float - We need to decide
whether to rent a float and walk in the parade again.
- Movie Nights - We’ve been borrowing sound system
from the high school. Do we want to buy
our own equipment for these events? Made
> $500 at the last movie night.
- April 30th – Park Cleanup, RDLS
‘Adopt a Park’ program, Christian Park, 70th and Bloomington
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