Science Department Meeting Minutes

12-12-07

 

  1. Curriculum Council Update
    1. Sinking fund: priority to elementary boiler, environmental control systems in all buildings, windows, ventilation in high school, football bleachers
    2. Gratiot County Foundation has grants available- see Mr. Mungall
    3. School improvement- looks like we will do EdYes and drop NCA
    4. Special Ed. students may not earn credit this year
  2. Discussed K-7 GLCEÕs
    1. Status

                                               i.     Approved 12-11-07 by SBoE

                                             ii.     Roll out in January 2008

    1. Department suggested it would be a good idea to have a teacher from each grade level (K-7) attend roll out
  1.  8th grade science
    1. 8th grade teachers were gone to math conference
    2. Department continues to recommend MEAP review, HSCE Ò1Ó codes, and HSCE pre-requisites
  2. Discussed 9-12 content exam/assessments
    1. Progress update: physical science is ½ completed
    2. Estimated completion: chemistry and physics by end of 2007-2008 school year, biology the following year
    3. Mr. Grifka reported that the RESD will be fostering some PD for exam development
    4. Mr. Grifka will support release time and hiring of subs for writing exams
  3. Chemistry class discussion
    1. Mr. Salogar would like 2 types of classes

                                               i.     one would continue to be structured as college prep

                                             ii.     one would be basic to meet HSCEÕs

    1. Departmental reaction

                                               i.     How to ÒtrackÓ students into different classes

                                             ii.     Believe it is a good idea and supports idea

    1. Next step will be to bring the idea before curriculum council
  1. Other
    1. MSTA in March

                                               i.     Conference will be in Grand Rapids

                                             ii.     Department will finalize plans at January meeting

    1. Discussion about early release time

                                               i.     Science department continues to believe time should be used solely for curriculum

                                             ii.     Science department believes any other business such as school improvement should be taken care of outside of curriculum release time