School Community Council Minutes
Willow Springs Elementary
13288 Lone Rock Drive, Draper, UT 84020
January 17, 2024 | 10:00 – 11:30 am
Anne Hansen, Principal | Megan Gutierrez, Chair |
Alyx Tatom, Teacher | Megan Ord, Vice Chair |
Denise White, Instructional Coach | Kaydee McMahon, Secretary |
Megan White, Teacher | Jessica Smith, Parent |
Sarajane Luper, Parent Shalisse Smith, Parent |
- Welcome
- All members in attendance.
- Review and approve minutes.
- The Net Positive Organization assembly is scheduled and the cost of $600.00 will be paid from the school budget.
- Magician internet safety assembly is also on the schedule.
- A new poster has been made reflecting the revised PBIS matrix.
- Megan White motioned to approve last month’s minutes. Megan Ord seconded the motion; the minutes were approved.
- Look at statewide testing results.
- The council reviewed achievement and growth levels across all areas of testing. Areas of strength were math and science. Areas of concern were English language learner scores as well as attendance numbers.
- Principal Hansen would like to focus on those areas of concern as the council sets school improvement goals.
- Shalisse shared her concern that at home learning days could be an unexpected negative effect on the perception of attendance in the eyes of parents.
- Jessica asked about a dual immersion in English for those students who learn it as a second language.
- Megan White pointed out an issue of segregation taking them away from English speaking peers.
- Shalisse has had the opportunity to observe in Mrs. White’s class a buddy system that works great as a peer model example for those students learning English.
- The council discussed an English language learning resource model.
- RISE results
- Discussed during testing results and were part of the above conversation.
- Review current year’s LAND Trust plan, data, expenditures, and review if on course or if amendments are necessary.
- The council reviewed the current budget.
- There have been changes to TSSP expenditures. Such changes include no longer paying for the social worker out of TSSP funds.
- Principal Hansen would like to hire a ML (Multilingual) specialist. With an estimated cost of $15,000.
- ML specialist would focus on WIDA scores: Areas of testing include speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
- The ML specialist would use a pull-out model much like the current reading interventionists use.
- The plan would be to start with students who had the lowest scores using a part of the current curriculum already adapted for such use.
- Would like the ML specialist to speak Spanish because that is the most common language and could also be used to help with other interpretation needs at the school.
- Jesscia motioned to reallocate money from the school Land Trust funds for an ML Specialist with an approximate cost of $15,000. Sarajane seconded the motion, the motion was unanimously approved.
- Principal Hansen would also like another reading interventionist to help with current need.
- Projected cost of $15,000.
- Megan Ord motioned to reallocate money from the school Land Trust fund for a reading specialist with an approximate cost of $15,000. Jessica seconded the motion; the motion was passed.
- Principal Hansen discussed the need for substitutes for the Building Leadership Team.
- Time is needed to collaborate, train, analyze and respond to data.
- Support is needed to fuel a professional learning community model.
- Sarajane motioned to reallocate money from the school Land Trust fund for substitutes for the Building Leadership Team for up to $10,000. Jessica seconded the motion; the motion was unanimously approved.
- Begin writing TSSP and LAND Trust plans for next school year.
- We are waiting on board decisions regarding funding for brain boosters, a social worker, recess support, and BTS (Beverly Talyor Sorensen Art) teacher. Also waiting for the FTE report (numbers of students and teachers next year).
- Principal Hansen feels like a reading goal is important and would like to add a climate goal.
- Climate goal would be focused on attendance and behavior.
- The council discussed the importance of a math goal.
- Jesscia suggested members of the council write the board about the importance of boosters and BTS.
- Jessica suggested another solution to recess aide needs is the PTA and Watch Dogs.
- Principal Hansen talked about possible funding options for office secretaries to spend extra time to support attendance.
- The Council discussed the possibility of a volunteer coordinator.
- Teacher of the Year nominations
- Nominations are open now and close on February 2nd.
- Principal Hansen invited an SCC member to be part of the decision process. Jessica and Kaydee volunteered to help.
- Logo update
- Jessica talked about the progress the logo committee has made.
- SCC reviewed drafts.
- School Spirit Night
- A community night where the logo would be unveiled.
- March 12th at 7 pm at Willow Springs.
- Would like to have the SCC make a presentation about involvement in the SCC and the work we do.
- Superintendent’s Listening Tour
- Principal Hansen talked about the opportunity this program is and that it addresses some current SCC topics and concerns.
- Jessica brought up her concern about tech use during indoor recess.
- Sarajane suggested having baskets for teachers to use when needed.
- Shalisse’s experience is that tech is not used as much during indoor recess.
- The council talked about rotating classes or grade levels using the gym during indoor recess.
- Megan Ord talked about Paw Pals as a possible support during indoor recess.
- Adjourn meeting.
- Megan Ord motioned to adjourn the meeting Jesscia seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 11:29 am.
Action Items
- Jessica and Kaydee to help in selecting Teacher of the Year.
- SCC decide on member or members to present at the Community logo unveiling.
