Connecting Waters Charter School

219 N. Reinway Ave.

Waterford, CA 95386

Parent Council Meeting

Tuesday, December 9, 2003

ADOPTED MINUTES

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm, 219 N. Reinway Ave., Waterford, CA.

2. Approval of Agenda

3. Roll Call

There were 14 parent council members present.

There were 15 absent parent council members.

5. Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes

1. Approval of the September 9, 2003 minutes was put postponed until the next parent

council meeting March 9, 2004.

6. Hearing of the Public

A CWCS student inquired about the two book limit for checkout at the Modesto Learning Center. She felt that the limit of checking out 2 books was not enough. The CWCS director stated that she believed the two book limit was an error and would be looked into. The only limit known was a two week limit as stipulated by the library grant. The CWCS student also presented the idea of having a book drive to increase the amount of books that are available at the Modesto/Ceres Learning Center Library. It was also stated that a book swap may be helpful to our students. The Council President asked the student to write up her ideas for the book drive and to email them to the CWCS secretary. It was requested that we also check on the possibility of getting bookshelves donated to or built for the Modesto/Ceres Learning Center.

7. Information Items

A. Attendance Report

The Attendance Report was reviewed.

B. ES Support Division Report

The ES Support Division Report was reviewed.

C. Education Services Division Report

The ES Services Division Report was reviewed. One parent council member stated that she believed that there was still a problem with vendors receiving their payment in a timely manner. The CWCS director stated that our office had not received any call reporting such problems. It was stated that the problem may stem from some vendors not sending in their paper work in a timely manner. She asked to be provided clarification from the vendors in question in regards to payment.

D. Treasurers Report

The Treasurers Report was reviewed. A parent council member stated that she would help with a skipring fundraiser, if we would like to have one to help with graduation costs.

E. Group Educational Activity Report

The Group Education Report was reviewed. A parent council member stated that the Nutcracker Ballet Activity went will with 144 in attendance from our group. Another parent council member gave the time, date and location of the Jr. & Senior High Christmas party, but stated that she would have to cancel the high school shopping day at Columbia due to time constraints. The March Marine World Activity was discussed and it was suggested that the Marine World web site be noted on the parent list serve, so that students could be better prepared for the Math and Science day.

F. Learning Center / Co-ops Report

The Learning Center / Co-ops Report was reviewed. A parent council member noted that she was not clear on how the co-op was formed and she had concerns about some student behavior. The CWCS director stated that she has been monitoring their progress and it has been satisfactory. The CWCS director also said that she would look into this council member concerns.

G. Yearbook Report

The Yearbook Report was reviewed. A parent council member stated that it was not too late to submit pictures for the student pages of the yearbook, but they would need to be submitted no later than January 30, 2004. She also noted that for the student pages the pictures should be 2in. X 3in. or smaller. It was also stated that we were still taking yearbook orders.

H. Bulletin Board Directions

The Bulletin Board Directions were reviewed. A parent council member stated that it is possible for the list serve group we are on to generate reminders for up coming events. The CWCS director stated that we would check on this and use this option if it is available.

I. Parent Council Comments from September 9, 2003

The Parent Council Comments from September 9, 2003 were reviewed. The CWCS director stated that much progress has been made in addressing the desires and concerns of the parent council.

8. Discussion Items

A. Accreditation

The CWCS director stated that the accreditation process was going well and explained where we were in the process. She explained that our school was going to begin a self study that would need to be completed by the Spring of 2005 when WASC would be conducting their three day visit. After the three day visit WASC will choose either to grant our accreditation or not. There will be many focus groups from within our school who will work on the self study. Each focus group will need a CWCS parent as well as a CWCS student to be in the group. The CWCS director stated that we will need volunteers who are willing to do this.

B. Group Educational Activities/Mixers

Two parent council members said they would work on an activity for Jr. High students, possibly an eight grade trip.

C. Future of Learning Centers Beyond This Year

The CWCS director stated that due to SB740 and the constraints it places on CWCS funding the Modesto/ Ceres and the Manteca Learning Center have not been able to collect enough money from program expense agreements to meet their budget at this time. The parent council president stated that due to time constraints he would email the members of the parent council and set up a time period to discuss this matter on the CWCS bulletin board. The parent council president stated that he would share his findings on this matter during the next parent council meeting.

D. Parent Survey

The CWCS director reviewed the parent survey and asked the parent council if they would like to make any additions to the survey. A parent council member stated that it would be nice to have space for an explanation if parents mark that they are not satisfied with any area of the school. The CWCS director asked that the parent council email the CWCS secretary if they had any further suggestions.

E. Assessment

An IEM representative explained the impact of AB1137 on Connecting Waters Charter School. He stated that according to AB1137 we would need to have at least 95% of our students take the STAR test each year or we would not be able to have our charter renewed.

1. Parent Survey

The CWCS director explained the need for parent helpers during the STAR testing and showed the parent council the new parent volunteer sign up form for STAR testing. She asked the parent council what changes they would like to see made on this form. A parent council member suggested that we add a space for parents to state what grade(s) that they would like to help with.

2. Incentives

The CWCS director asked the parent council to think about incentives for testing. A parent council member told about the People to People program started by President Eisenhower and explained that students are picked for this wonderful opportunity based on the STAR test scores. This parent council member has two sons eligible for this program based on their test scores.

3. Suggestions

The CWCS director stated that any suggestions regarding the STAR testing could be emailed to the CWCS secretary.

4. Correspondence

The CWCS director stated that there would be a letter sent out to each family explaining the need for testing and encouraging them to attend STAR testing. She also asked how the Parents would like to be notified about STAR testing, either by a letter from the school or through their ES. Their response was to use both methods.

9. Director’s Report

The Director’s Report was reviewed.

11. Council Comments

There were no council comments.

12. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.

The next Parent Council Meeting: March 9, 2004, 6:30pm, 219 N. Reinway Ave., Waterford, CA 95386