Connecting Waters Charter School

219 N. Reinway Ave.

Waterford, CA 95386

 

 

Parent Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

 

ADOPTED MINUTES

1. Call to Order

    The meeting was called to order at 6:40 pm, 319 N. Reinway Ave., Waterford, CA.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Approval of Agenda

John Young motioned to approve the December 6, 2005 minutes.  It was seconded by Ron Mayo. There was a unanimous vote to approve the agenda.

4. Roll Call

    The parent council members present were Jonelle Bateman, April Cavanaugh, Denise  Davis, Caroline Elness, Elizabeth Hamamoto, Olga Kiehl, Krista Larragoitiy, Kathryn Larsson, Denise Lindvall, Karen Loughman, Ron Mayo, Pat Nesbitt, Rebecca Plaud, Leah Ramirez, Lita Theodore, Tina Troglione, Toni Wirkkkala and John Young.

    Absent parent council members were Paul Andrew, Josie Cotillon, Carin Devin, Amanda Hall, Paula Langley, Kathy Phillips, Kerri Saarloos, Sheila Sisco, Boyd Wilson and Darla Wincentsen.

5. Election of Officers / Committee Members

    1. Council Treasurer (This member will be responsible to do reports for the Parent Council meetings and come to the Waterford office and prepare deposits.)

Caroline Elness nominated Toni Wirkkala as Council Treasurer. Toni Wirkkala was unanimously voted as Council Treasurer.

6. Consent Calendar

    Approval of Minutes

    1. Unapproved Minutes of the December 6, 2005 meeting were reviewed and approved. Denise Davis motioned to approve the December 6, 2005 minutes. It was seconded by Denise Lindvall. There was a unanimous vote to approve the December 6, 2005 minutes.

7. Hearing of the Public

PC member Krista Larragoitiy inquired about the possibility of starting sports teams for students. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, stated that a previous parent with the school, Dave Harris, may be interested in starting a basketball team. Dave said that he would send Mrs. Nelson information for the listserve. PC member Jonelle Bateman suggested that we get the word out to see what the interest would be.  It was agreed that this item would be added to the ‘Parent Council Committees’ section (number 11) of the agenda.

8. Information Items

A. Assessment Report

The Assessment Report was reviewed.

B. Attendance Report

The Attendance Report was reviewed.

C. Curriculum Director’s Report

The Curriculum Director’s Report was reviewed.

D. ES Support Group

The ES Support Group was reviewed.

E. Graduation Report

The Graduation Report was reviewed. Caroline Elness questioned Mary Vinnedge, CWCS School Secretary, as to the number of high school students graduating.  Mary Vinnedge, CWCS School Secretary, explained that at the present time there are 112 students who have sent in participation forms and only 64 have sent in their order for the cap and gown. All students who plan to participate have to have a cap and gown to walk the stage.

F. Group Education Activity Report

The Group Education Activity Report was reviewed.

G. Guidance Department Report

The Guidance Department Report was reviewed. Jonelle Bateman inquired if the a-g music course was available yet. Olga Kiehl, the Parent Council President, informed the group that Mary Halter, CWCS Guidance Council, has sent the course in for approval and is awaiting approval at the present time.

H.  Literacy Specialist Report

The Literacy Specialist Report was reviewed.  Olga Kiehl, the Parent Council President, mentioned that CWCS is currently having a CSF book drive. Any used books could be dropped off at either learning centers to add to our current library.

I. Math Specialist Report

The Math Specialist Report was reviewed. Olga Kiehl, PC President, stated that Debbie Kutz, CWCS Math Specialist, is trying to get together a math team to compete in competitions. Jonelle Bateman stated that Debbie needs two more students to have a team. Jonelle Bateman also stated that students who are at the Algebra level are needed.  Caroline Elness asked if only Algebra students were needed. Jonelle Bateman replied that the team used Algebra through Calculus.

J. Parent Council Nominations

The Parent Council Nominations were reviewed. Sherri Nelson, Executive Director, explained how the Bylaws regarding nominations and council terms work.  Sherri Nelson, Executive Director, listed the PC members who were eligible to serve a full two year term due to them joining the Parent Council as a replacement member. The eligible members are: April Cavanugh, Caroline Elness, Amanda Hall, Ron Mayo and Rebecca Plaud. Sherri Nelson, Executive Director, informed everyone that Olga Kiehl’s term ends this year and inquired if anyone was interested in filling the position. It was mentioned that Caroline Elness expressed an interest in the CWCS president position.

K. Parent Support

Parent Support was reviewed. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, briefly explained to everyone what our new Parent Support Coordinator, Lori Porter, was doing in regards to parent support. Sherri Nelson also informed everyone that Lori Porter is doing an excellent job in her position.

L. School Calendar

The School Calendar was reviewed. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, informed everyone that the proposed school calendar is just a draft due to the finalization of STAR test dates.

M. Treasurers Report

The Treasurers Report was reviewed.  Mary Vinnedge, the School Secretary, informed everyone that some of the available funds listed on the report would be going towards yearbooks.  Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, briefly explained that Alicia Barlow, CWCS yearbook editor, was working very hard at designing our yearbook this year.

N.  Vendor Report

The Vendor Report was reviewed.  Kathryn Larsson inquired as to whether Dell is going to be one of our vendors. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, had concerns regarding the way payments would be made and was not sure if we could set up a PO system with them. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, said she will look into it. Jonelle Bateman informed everyone that the Guitar Center in Modesto is in the process of becoming a vendor. 

9. Director’s Report

The Director’s Report was reviewed. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, informed everyone that Connecting Waters had been awarded a six year accreditation by WASC.  Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, explained that in order to keep our charter and funding, the state looks at our API scores on STAR testing and that it is important that we meet our growth target. Sherri Nelson, Executive Director, informed everyone that we are working to help families prepare for the formatting of the STAR tests. Sherri Nelson, Executive Director, informed everyone that Terry Souza, CWCS Language Arts Specialist, will be making a DVD of her writing workshops for parents and students to utilize.

10. Action Items

            A. For the purpose of NCLB (No Child Left Behind), this charter designates K-8 as an elementary program and 9-12 as a high school program

Recommendation: Approval to designate K-8 as an elementary program and 9-12 as a high school program.

            Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, explained how the NCLB (No Child     Left Behind) grade level designations would be determined. Krista Larragoity           moved             to approve the recommendation. Pat Nesbitt seconded the motion. All       voted in favor.

B.     For the purpose of NCLB (No Child Left Behind), this charter defines core

Subjects to be English, Mathematics, Social Science, and Science.

Recommendation: Approval to define core subjects to be English, Mathematics, Social Science, and Science.

Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, explained how the core subjects will be covered under NCLB. PC member, John Young moved to approve the recommendation. Ron Mayo seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

11. Discussion Items

            A. Parent Council Committees

            Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, stated that a previous parent with the    school, Dave Harris, may be interested in starting a basketball team. PC member         Jonelle Bateman suggested that we get the word out to see what the interest would    be. Ron Mayo mentioned that we may want to make an official request to determine the necessary criteria. Upon much discussion, Sherri Nelson, CWCS           Executive Director, asked for volunteers to sign up to be on a committee. This             committee would have the responsibility to do some research and bring back the           information to the next Parent Council meeting. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, reviewed who was on each committee and explained some of the        upcoming events and the type of responsibilities for each event. 

            B. Learning Centers

            Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director, explained the reason for the closure of the Manteca Learning Center after this school year.  Sherri Nelson, Executive        Director, suggested that the Ceres Learning Center and the Manteca Learning             Center be merged to create one large center.  Ron Mayo, PC member, informed               

            everyone that he had found a potential building in Salida on Kiernan that could be            used as a learning center.  Sherri Nelson, Executive Director, passed around a sheet to all of the PC members and asked that they write down any comments   they have regarding what we need at a new learning center(s).  Sherri Nelson,        CWCS executive director, informed everyone that we are not limited to just one    learning center in Stanislaus County – the possibility to have more exists.

            C. End of the Year Picnic.

            Caroline Elness, PC member, commented that Graceda Park in Modesto is a good

            place to hold our end of the year picnic.  Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive

            Director, asked everyone to think about our end of the year picnic.

12. Council Comments

            Ingrid Kiehl, Student Representative, offered information on the book club.          Ingrid Kiehl informed everyone that the book club was open to all 7th thru 12th       grade students, they meet on the last Thursday of the month at 4:00 pm in the          Starbucks on Lander Avenue in Turlock. The current book being read is ‘Catch      22’, by Joseph Heller. Ingrid Kiehl also shared with everyone that her experience          taking classes at the Modesto Junior College has been a very positive one and the professors were very friendly. Sherri Nelson, CWCS Executive Director,          informed the PC members that Waterford High School had invited CWCS            students to attend a cruise aboard a yacht on May 26th of this year. The cruise will       cost $110.00 per student and will include an all you can eat buffet with dancing         and a casino. The yacht will cruise around the San Francisco bay.     

13. Adjourn

            The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm. A motion to adjourn was from Denise        Davis and seconded by Denise Lindvall.

 

            The next Parent Council Meeting: Our regularly scheduled meeting is May 9,         2006.