School Leadership Team
October 14, 2021
Louis Armstrong Middle School
SLT Minutes
October 14, 2021
Meeting was called to order at 4 p.m. quorum was established
Minutes of September was approved.
Due to the upcoming holidays our next meeting has been move to November 4th.2021 at 4 p.m.
Principal Report:
Upcoming events
Breast Cancer walk
Respect For All with Social Emotion Development
Poem contest
Dress as your favorite character
Ryan’s Story Internet Safety
This week concludes Hispanic Heritage week
Ms. Porella gave an update of the assessment tools that the school is using to assess our children
Tik Tok Challenge may be over
Our First Coffee with the Cabinets Zoom meeting was excellent we had forty-nine parents in attendance
LAMS cash dollar will be used as a positive incentive to reward children for positive behavior
Working to fix any breakfast or lunch issues that is current
We will be looking at the school budget
Revising the parent handbook and will be sending them out by next week
Parent Coordinator Ms Cataldo:
Calendar will be posted on the school website
Parent Conference is November 18th, 2021
Letters will be going out to parents asking if they would like to opt out of our eye exam program. If the opt out letter is not returned children will be tested
Teaching Parents and Children the importance of healthy choices will be done October 24th to the 30th
CEP Goals:
Using i-Ready data. Baseline was given and the data is being used to identify learning deficits, teachers and staff will be using this data to improve our children’s education loss, this is based on the individual child needs. School based option for Professional Development- children are being supported by focusing on power standards.
At our next meeting we will look at goal setting, encouraging parent Partnership
Budget Review:
First half of the budget is salary base
More periods added to 7th grade ELA
This year schools have three vacancies for school Aids
Health Aid was hired, librarian, art teacher, math teacher, and two social workers
Principal asked for suggestion on how to use our school grant
The school will research prices for school cameras if we cannot use funds to purchase camera then will go to RESO- A
Principal is looking to hire an HHA minimum requirement Hight School diploma- hired person will work a minimum of five hours; also hours can be flexible; resume can be sent to the principal, currently school doesn’t have a social worker.
Build New dance room, remodel orchestra room, looking to bring more art and dance programs.
Technology Update
850 1 to 1 devices were ordered- we have only received 50 so far; school has received 500 device forms from students requesting devices; if parents previously had a device continue to use it
Waiting for intern from CUNY; hots spots are available
Science Classroom update:
Grant was approved; final layout was sent to SCA for approval science room updates modernize proposal was submitted; groundbreaking will be in spring.
Six classrooms will be updated; renovation is big and will during school; vacant rooms will be available during the renovation phase
Lams face mask will be available in our virtual shop and at the school
PTA will help with Mr. Blum Green team
September 23, 2021
LOUIS ARMSTRONG MIDDLE SCHOOL 30Q227
SLT MEETING 2021–2022
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
MEETING MINUTES
3:30 PM
Call to Order and introduction of SLT
Members present:
Penelope Angelopoulos
Jillian Coulton (Recording Secretary for 9/23/21)
Patricia Santora
Irene Filakouris
Rose Marie Gulston
La-Keysia Taylor
Dina Lemkova
Deanna Maietta
Ann McIndoo
Raul Mera
Helen Ponella
Kim Sanders
Julie Waters
Review Bylaws
SLT Bylaws were revisited and a poll will be sent for voting on the time and day for future meetings. Options tabled are for the second or third Thursday of every month at either 7:30am, 3:15 pm, 3:30 pm or 4 pm. Each option has conflicts and will need to be rescheduled as needed.
Penelope Angelopoulos volunteered to be Timekeeper
Recording Secretary to be rotated each meeting
Structure of meetings is as follows:
1. Call To Order
2. Reading and approval of minutes
3. Old Business Items
4. New Business Items
- Principal Update
6. Agenda for following meeting - Adjourn
Members must attend all meetings. If a member misses 2 consecutive meetings without extenuating circumstances they may be expelled. Remuneration sheets must be filled out each month.
Principal Update
Ms. Ponella reviewed her first day slides presentation with everyone on the team. She began celebrating the good news and a healthier starting budget. 22 Prometheans and 980 laptops have arrived for digital learning. A new scoreboard has been installed in the Gym. Air conditioning units and central air have been installed in all classrooms. New teachers have been hired across all grades and subject areas and a new dance program has been implemented in the 5th and 6th Grade. LAMS House structure has been reinstated this year and solidified and strengthened with a dedicated core team for each house made up of an AP, a Dean, and a Guidance Counsellor. Ms. Ponella gave a Title 1 Update and reiterated that the new school year will be framed by nurturing the whole child with a focus on SEL (social emotional literacy).
Instructional Focus
Additional learning periods in Math and ELA – additional teachers have been hired.
Dedicated SETSS Teacher
Project SAVE Teacher
Art Technology Program
Dance Program
Professional Assemblies for students
Ms Ponella read her principal pledge to the team.
Assessment metrics to be used:
Getting to know your child
Last state test scores (which she has but have been embargoed)
i-Ready benchmarks
NYS 2019 Standards Based Benchmark tests
School Wide Initatives:
Respect for All
US History Regents for All
Spanish Proficiency
First Wednesday of every month Coffee with the Cabinet
Covid Protocols and Health and Safety
Expanded Outdoor Learning Space and amphitheater stadium style seating for outdoor lunch are on the to do list. Waiting on DOE guidance for outdoor recess but hoping for it. Contact sports will be prohibited. Lockers have been deemed a safety hazard as social distancing can’t be maintained. Daily health screening to continue for entry and new guidance from CDC on testing and contact tracing will be followed. Staggered dismissal times and exits to maintain safe physical distancing.
Grading policy has been communicated to parents from teachers. Code of conduct and cell phone policy has also been communicated.
TiK Tok Challenges (recently a bathroom one) and Discord messaging continue to be a problem. Pupil Path is up. Blue Cards have been sent home. Lunch clubs will be announced. iPad Airs can be distributed once applied for.
No meet the teacher this year. Parent Conferences will be November 18. Early office hours available to meet with teachers in the morning 8-8:30 am
Ms. Ponella ran through both the Chancellors Instructional Principles and the District 30 Expectations
CEP Goals is a living document and will be distributed next week. Still collecting data and taking survey with students and checking on overall social emotional health. Overall impression right now, however, is that the students are excited to back in person and overall seem happy.
Any pressing items missed or to be added to the next agenda can be emailed to Ms. Sanders.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm
Previous Years Meetings