SIAC Meeting Minutes

August 14, 2006

Attendance Staff: Suzi Rollins, Katherine Smith, Gail Slusar, Pam Robedeau, Amy Delong

Attendance Parents: Denise Carter, Erinn Tatom, Raje Anand, Patricia Gifford

A) Introductions of Staff :

This year brings new staff members Emily Hultz, unable to attend, Katherine Smith the new all day K teacher brings a lot of talent to the classroom and to SIAC. Gail Slusar works with ELP, updates the website, works with Kids voting, math blaster and the spelling bee. Amy Delong teaches 2nd grade and serves on the Terra Nova Test and Playground clean up committees. Pam Robedeau our new 5th grade teacher from Florida has a lot of technology background.

B) SIAC needs a secretary: Denise Carter will serve as both President and Secretary until a secretary becomes available. A suggestion after the meeting was adjourned came in from Cynthia Halliday, perhaps rotating the secretary duties will work, Cynthia has volunteered to take the minutes for the September 28th meeting.

C) Welcome to all new staff members and parents. SIAC is open to all parents who wish to attend, membership is encouraged - not required, bring a friend any time.

D) School Overview: 1) Pam Robedeau and Suzi Rollins introduced the Smart Board Technology, one is ordered and on its way, this allows teachers to interface with the internet while teaching in front of the class and allows lessons to be displayed on the board that can be edited and saved for viewing at a later date and many other great advantages. It is a great teaching tool and one we would like to have in all the class rooms at Highland.! 2) Dibbles testing required this year has begun, it measures reading skills, the results of tests are sent home to parents and the test is given again in December and May to Benchmark the progress. 3) Barb Dumont Walmart Teacher of the Year

E) Update on District Info moved to next meeting Cynthia Halliday was not able to attend.

F) Info Update from Teachers: Pam Robedeau informed us the 5th grade is off to a great start and working on a year long plan that is in place already, including the Mystery Powder Science Unit. Gail Sluzar informed us that ELP Testing is still going on and that she currently has 54 kids ready to being ELP. Dibbles testing has begun for K - 3rd grade. Katherine Smith and Pat Ide are doing all Day K, Diane Thomas teaches 2 half day classes, the teachers have worked together planning the year and each class has an aide for 19 hours per week. Amy Delong updated the group on the 2nd grade team, the 4 teachers all have different strengths and they are bonding and working together as a great team.

G) SIAC approval of funds in acct 8002: Additional technology is needed in the class rooms in the form of computer links and other misc items. SIAC approved the use of the ECA General Fund balance to be used by Suzi Rollins to purchase these item as necessary motioned by Denise Carter, 2nd by Katherine Smith.

H) SIAC unanimously approved ECA funds for the 5th Grade Science Camp Trip

I) SIAC reviewed the MPS Dress and Grooming Standards for the School year the flyer has gone home with the students.

J) Concerns/Input: Some concern was raised and discussed on technology in the school versus kids at home that don't have computers or access to the computers. Example some kids can't use the A/R computers. Resolution, Highland has volunteers to help out with using the A/R computers. Also, the Smart Boards were a concern, resolution - Lehi school is outfitted completely, a suggestion was made for SIAC members to go by Lehi and check them out. Input ECA Funds, suggestion made to play district video in the library during parent teacher conferences. Information was shared that some employers will match the ECA donations of their employees.

K) Meeting Adjourned . Next Meeting September 28th