Board Briefs—August 18, 2009 In This Issue... Public Comments Board Reports Superintendent Report       Achievement Results and State of the District Consensus

Public Comments
There were no public comments.

Board Reports
Karly Gelinas, EHS Student Representative to the Board, reported that the Back to School Bash dance is this Friday, August 21. The first National Honor Society meeting is also this week. Paul Evans, Athletic Director, talked to the students about the importance of sports, not only for improved health and fitness, but for fun and that participating in sports leads to more involvement in school and better grades. Mr. Evans encouraged the kids to join a team and get involved so high school would be a positive place and good time in their lives. Ms. Gelinas mentioned that this year all classes are 50 minutes. Mr. McDaniel asked her if she liked the new schedule. Karly replied yes she did because the teachers do not run out of material but continue teaching the entire period. Mr. McDaniel asked if she noticed a difference in the homework load. Karly said it does not seem to be different except for her pre-calculus math class that is challenging. Mr. McDaniel said the administrators would monitor the new class schedule this year to see if the students like it. EHS has two lunch periods this year and Karly said lunch is not as crowded or rowdy and is nicer. Back to School night is Wednesday, August 19.

Mr. Gorsky attended a Federal Relations meeting at the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) and learned about a Federal grant opportunity under the "Race to the Top" program. If Colorado decides to apply for the grant and receives the award, the State would pilot nationalized standards and tests. This would be a very involved project and is under consideration. Mr. Gorsky was asked to be a representative to this committee and to communicate with the Colorado U.S. Representatives, because part of Englewood Schools is in Diana DeGette's district and she and Mike Coffman are two of the Representatives studying this project. Mr. Gorsky learned that Colorado's education system is on an equal footing compared to district across the country and is leading the country in implementing the Growth Model.
Mr. Gorsky mentioned the New Teachers' Lunch and the Kick-Off breakfast and meeting were very nice. He especially enjoyed the students' performances.

Ms. Howard said she, at Mr. McDaniel's request, is helping plan a booth for Englewood Days. Plans include asking art teachers to provide some activities like face painting and activities kids can have fun doing. Memorabilia from Flood and Sinclair will be given away including old yearbooks, band uniforms etc. The idea is to have the school district be visible.
Ms. Howard also attended the opening day events and New Teachers Lunch and agreed with Mr. Gorsky that they were fun and well done.

Ms. Miller attended a Parks and Recreation meeting and said the hot topic is still dogs at Jason Park.
The next Community Garden meeting will be at the garden on Dartmouth by the old rail station, on August 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Great Outdoors Colorado has stimulus money and the City has applied for money to complete the purchase of Duncan Park.

Superintendent Report
Mr. McDaniel stated that the new school year is off to a great start. The New Teacher Induction, for the 23 new teachers, was very productive and time well spent going over district policies, practices, programs, and expectations. Mr. McDaniel thanked Ms. Michell Ansley for her excellent work with the new teachers.
Mr. McDaniel thanked the Arapahoe Credit Union (ACU) for paying for the Back-to-School Breakfast for the staff. New District policy does not support paying for food at meetings so the traditional Back-to-School Breakfast was going to change until the ACU decided to cover the cost and allow the district to continue this tradition.
Enrollment numbers vary from school to school and it is too early to determine. Close attention is being paid to K-2 grades to maintain the commitment to small primary classes. A goal of the district consolidation was to have two classes per grade level k-5 and that is in place this year.
The district has been notified by four people that they intend to run to be a director on the Board of Education.

Achievement Results and State of the District
Mr. McDaniel, Ms. Mary Vedra, and Ms. Michell Ansley presented a PowerPoint, The State of the District, covering celebrations of recent accomplishments, achievement results and interpretations, and the action plan and district focus for moving forward. Several changes have been implemented, including elementary consolidation, moving the preschool to Maddox, expanding ELA, implementing a freshmen academy, closing the old Lowell Annex building, several changes in leadership, hiring new teachers (67 in two years), cluster grouping in select elementary schools grades 2-5, Title One programs in all schools, longer lunch periods at the elementary level, double classes for secondary students struggling in a particular subject, and more, all to improve achievement. Mr. McDaniel talked about activities and happenings at each school that were a source of pride. Englewood Schools had many teachers and students who received awards including Art and Physical Education Teachers of the Year, Rotary International Circle of Heroes Inductee, a Boettecher Scholar, two Daniels' Fund Scholars, an EHS student who served as a Page in the United States House of Representatives, along with several writing contest winners, and a state wrestling champion. Ms. Vedra talked about achievement in Englewood and pointed out that, compared to other metro districts with similar size and student populations, Englewood is doing well. Across the district there are areas of growth and increases in achievement. Ms. Ansley presented information about steps being taken to improve achievement in Englewood. Training for teachers and administrators, especially on new materials, will continue this year. New math and science books that align with the essential learning targets will be used this year at the secondary level along with Compass Learning computer programs that differentiate instruction for students. Federal Stimulus money made possible the new books, computers and software. Technology teams will train teachers to better utilize the computer programs. Integration of technology is being written into instruction. Research-based instructional models will be used throughout the district. In grades 6-10, students will have double classes in reading and math if they are weak in those areas. Guaranteed Curriculum will provide essential learning, Viable Curriculum will ascertain that the material is effective and being learned. Interventions will take place as soon as a learning deficiency is noted. To provide a smooth transition, new 6th and 9th grade students will be welcomed by upper class students who will provide information about the school and help make the new kids feel comfortable at school.

Consensus
The Board approved the following consensus items:
a. Personnel Recommendations
b. Title X McKinney-Vento American Recovery and Reinvestment Act(ARRA) $60,000
c. Policy BE-School Board Meetings (2nd Reading)
d. Policy EEAE-School Bus Safety Program (2nd Reading)
e. Policy JLC-Student Health Services and Records (2nd Reading)
f. Policy JLCD-Administering Medicines to Students (2nd Reading)

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