Curriculum
Subcommittee
January 21, 2004
Meeting Minutes
Chairperson:
Eric Sturm
Recorder: Vince Caruso
1.
Fourth grade violin.
There appears to be a scheduling
problem as it relates to the MEAP test schedule.
The violin program is scheduled on a rotating basis.
The committee discussed several options.
Due to the increasing demands placed on the fourth grade year, third and
fifth grades were considered. The
committee will invite Jan Von Eberstein to our next meeting to discuss the
possible solutions.
2.
Reading Month.
March is reading month.
Val Grimes reported on a “Reading Across America” program sponsored
by the NEA. The ROEA is committed to
improving the reading skills of our students.
The ROEA will contribute $100 to each elementary building to purchase
items to promote the reading program. At
the secondary schools, the ROEA will donate a book to each media center’s
collection. The ROEA will co-sponsor
with the school district and work with each building’s RCRT to promote the
reading program in March.
3.
Professional Development.
There were a few concerns expressed
by some teachers regarding the courses available for professional development
hours. Another concern was the
timelines.
The committee discussed the
following:
1.
Royal
Oak Schools is one of the few districts that offer its teachers classes to
receive the necessary professional development hours.
2.
Any
teacher wanting to teach a class can get professional development credit.
Contact Barb Evoe if you would like to teach a class on a certain topic
or subject.
3.
Teachers
can take classes at Oakland Schools. Pre-approved classes are listed in the
brochure.
4.
You
can take classes sponsored by the MEA to count if they are pre-approved and
during non-contractual time.
5.
Reminder:
All non-tenure teachers must submit your P. D. plan to Barb Evoe every
year.
6.
The
fourth year requirements for professional development have changed in the new
contract.
Details to follow.
4.
In-Service days
March 24th is our
In-Service day for this semester. Elementary
staff will be having a speaker on writing for the MEAP.
Middle School staff agenda is still in the planning stage.
High Schools will be getting together for a joint meeting on the
consolidation plan.
Fall
2004’s In-Service
–
Looking ahead to next year: It was
suggested that we possibly have a motivational speaker for our opening day in
August. Karen Kaiser-Clark, a Royal
Oak native and graduate who did our opening a few years back was discussed as
possibly returning.
The ROEA is recommending a speaker,
Dr. Edwin Nichols on the topic of “Cross Cultural Understandings”.
We are also suggesting a joint session with the administration and
teachers on the No Child Left Behind law with regards to teacher qualifications
under the “highly qualified teacher” piece.