FOR 2024-25 AGENDA - CLICK HERE

 SLT Meetings 2023-2024

SLT By Laws

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/95671653211?pwd=RTh5QXRNR1dBcVgrN2V5S0lvM21hZz09

Proposed/ Approved Meeting Dates -

September 18 @ 6pm

October 16 @ 6pm October 23 - CHANGE

November 13 @ 6pm - November 20 - CHANGE

December 11 @ 6pm

January 8 @ 6pm

February 5 @ 6PM

March 11 @ 6PM

April 15 @ 6PM

May 6 @ 6PM

June 3 @ 6PM

 Once a month - pick a night! 

Roles:

Note-taker/ Secretary - take notes on the google doc - Colleen and Caitlin Cahill

Chairperson - create the monthly agenda/ Zoom link/ email reminders/ facilitate the SLT meeting - (making agenda and emailing it out) Jasmine / Facilitation: Nina  

Open Meetings Law - was suspended due to the pandemic.  Now it is reinstated.  Meetings can be hybrid (virtual and in person) or 100% in person.  Can no longer be 100% virtual. A quorum of members must be in person in order for the virtual members’ attendance to be valid. Our SLT by-laws state that a quorum is a “majority of members from each constituent group (staff, parent, community).  At an SLT meeting we can vote to change this aspect of the by-laws.

• Members voted to update by-laws to change quorum to one member from each

June 3, 2024

Celebrations:

• Yard - Jade
• Field Day - Karina & Nina202
• Social Media Posts/ shout out from D20 attendance coordinator - Halima
• Daughter’s graduation - Nancy
• GOTR - Laura
• D20 Civics for All Competition Soapbox - Nina
• D20 Science Fair - first place! -Jade
• Community Resource Fair tomorrow 2:30 pm -Colleen

Attendance: Abel Garcia, MeiQin Lu, Jessica Sierra, Dina Barghouti, Karina Delvasto, Sharon Swinton, Larissa Gil, Colleen MacDonald, Jade Wang, Halima Abada, Laura Lovera, Emily Burrell, Jasmine Bath, Caitlin Cahill, Nina Demos,, Nancy Ureña, Becky Wu

Playground update!!

Community safety meeting flyer

June 14th events

June 11th community Safety Meeting at 7 pm in the auditorium

June 14th Yard Grand Opening at 10:30a

• Nina met with PS 506 principal and CM Alexa Aviles and Kristen Suarez (CO of 72nd precinct)  - trying to coordinate with youth officers to close the yard at 7:45p. The more people that are here on June 11th - anyone patrolling the area should assume large groups of people don’t have a permit
• We hope to empower people to use their voice (can call 911 or 311) if the yard isn’t being appropriately used
• Custodial staff is responsible for maintaining the Yard. Challenge to clear in the evening.
• Rules will be shared with families by both schools and CFL
• Update about metal piece to prevent laying on benches coming after 6.6 meeting with TPL

Class Size Reduction

• DOE is now stating that high needs schools with adequate space and classes above the new class size limits will receive additional funding.  We do not yet have the 2024-2025 budget.
• Schools should continue to decrease class sizes by 20% each year for the next 5 years until they are in compliance
• Audited 10/31 to 10/31 each year
• Data - October 31, 2023

• K-3 classes 20 students or under - 6 out of 15
• Gr 4 & 5 classes 23 students or under 23 - 3 of 9
• 9 out of 24 classes
• 37% in compliance

Projected/ Proposed September 2024

• K-3 classes 20 students or under 11 out of 16
• Gr 4 & 5 classes 23 students or under 23 - 1 out of 8
• 12 out of 24 classes in compliance - 50%

CEP Goals 2023-2024 DRAFT

Family Engagement Policy, School Parent Compact

• School Parent Compact - something to think about for fall - sharing at CWP, parent meetings, helpful in ambiguous situations - (translation for staff, staff access for parents, using remind, attendance protocols, volunteering, parent involvement, etc)
• In person or virtual Curriculum Conference - 503 teachers/union to revisit next year

• Ask parents what they most want to use that time for at the end of the year

Family Handbook 2023-2024

SLT Draft Letter to Dr. Pretto

May 6, 2024

Celebrations:

• Saturday Academy is done! - Becky
• Emily and Liz upcoming graduations! -Colleen
• Playground looking great! - Liz
• Grant for TLP to do a celebration in the Fall - Caitlin
• Bring Your Child to work day - Emily
• PS 503 Day + SWAG - result of Participatory Budgeting with Student Council
• Mother’s Day Celebration - this Wednesday in Gym and Patio (pending weather) 2:30-4:30p!

Attendance: Abel Garcia, MeiQin Lu, Dina Barghouti, Jessica Sierra, Karina Delvasto, Halima Abdada, Caitlin Cahill, Jasmine Bath, Becky Wu, Nancy Urena, Emily Burrell, Elizabeth Applegate, Sharon Swinton, Jade Wang, Colleen MacDonald

Playground update!!

• Caitlin Secured a grant to celebrate the playground next fall!
• Nina asked if we could do Senior Picnic June 18th
• TBD Opening - June 14th, if not it will be later in June
• Can’t do 20th and 21st due to graduation
• Waiting to hear back about updates to the benches to help prevent vagrancy
• Sprinkler part? Progress - finish the repairs by June 1st?

72nd Precinct Council meeting rescheduled from May 14 to June 11th - important to have a big presence at this meeting to help support safety in the Yard

CFL Community resource fair June 4th - input on outdoor neighborhood center outdoors - launching in the fall

• What activities do you want outside or inside? For adults/kids?
• What times work best for activities?
• What concerns do you have about activities in the yard?
• Additional question - Would you like to volunteer to facilitate activities for  outdoor neighborhood center outdoors?

SLT Draft to Dr. Pretto - this letter was written by a PS 503 parent and submitted to the SLT for review.  The parent emailed the Superintendent as an individual expressing her concerns.

• SLT to review the letter

• Macro level - many students were not reading at grade level and the chancellor made a big change
• More time to fall in love with reading
• More balanced minutes for subjects - social studies
• More flexibility for teachers to add more to the curriculum, types of texts
• Including teachers and parents in design and implementation
• Missing some positives - science of learning,
• Big theme - lack of input from parents, teachers, administrators
• Timing - struggle accomplishing the required components with the need for supplemental lessons, social studies, SEL

• SLT to decide if the team wants to revise the letter, sign off on the letter, not act on the letter. Possible asks -

• Flexibility with time - specifically, required minutes24-25_HMH Module Selection Guidance.pdf possible ask district leadership to follow these recommendations for pacing
• We don’t have this year’s survey data yet, but we want to be able to maintain results like last year when 98% of our teachers felt our curriculum was culturally responsive and inclusive. Survey results data: https://secure.panoramaed.com/nycdoe/understand/9048169/survey_results/23930067#/questions/topics/43020 
• How can we have more autohony

• Respond to the parent

 NYC Literacy Collaborative - Module and Pacing Guidance 24-25

D20 mid year 23-24 “corrective actions” - based on family feedback from CEC meetings

• Gr 2 can take module assessments on paper
• Module assessments shortened Gr 3-5 (grammar eliminated, opinion essay eliminated, time it took to do assessment shortened)
• All Principals must present to parents on the HMH curriculum

Literacy Programs Workshop

CEP Work Continued

SLT watched slides re: CEP up to supporting parent voice slide ( March 11 meeting)    

At the 4/15 meeting, SLT reviewed the Family Engagement Policy and iPlan - discussion around Family Engagement Compact and Handbook

Next month we can look at the Progress Monitoring for CEP Goals, School Parent Contract

CEP Goals 2023-2024 DRAFT

• Create updates for progress monitoring for CEP Goals - 

• Priority 1 - ELA goal - Mid Year Assessment complete for ELA and math by 1.12un
• Priority 1 & Priority 3 - ELA and Math goals - adding a State testing measure - do we want to do this?
• Priority 2 - physical and emotionally safety - & Priority 4 - career/college readiness - add action steps for achieving
• Family Engagement policy and School Parent Compact - printed copies

Family Handbook 2023-2024

SLT - training - pre-recorded webinar - Nina/ Any members who attended DLT training - Ms. Bath, Karina, etc.

Meeting Slides

Minute 4:40 - 11:10 SLT composition, roles, governance and elections

Minute 11:10 - 16:40- District Leadership Team

Minute 16:40- 23:00 SLT Team Operations and Consensus Based Decision Making

• SLT Bylaws

Minute 23 - 29:17 Comprehensive Education Plans (CEP)

Minute 30 Parent and Family Engagement Policy and the School Parent Compact

Minute 34: School Based Budget to Support CEP Goals

Minute 35:49: Best Practices SLT Meetings

Link to Family Handbook 2023-2024

5.7 & 5.8 Gr 3 & 4 math test

5.08 Mother’s Day Celebration

5.09 Curriculum Night 5- 8 virtual

5.9 & 5.10 Gr 5 Math test

5.13 - 5.17 Staff Appreciation Week

5.15 Gr 5 Science test

5.17 Family Friday  - Sports Day - make banners for field day

5.29 Field Day

5.30 Field Day

6.2 Community School Resource Fair

May/ June meeting Focus - planning for 2024-2025

April 15, 2024

Celebrations:

Halima - Eid, Grandmother turned 96

Jade: parents at SA worked hard to support

Nina-Solar eclipse viewing

Jessica-Zoe’s birthday on Tuesday

Jasmine- after three attempts we finally had the egg drops! Many eggs survived 🙂

Attendance: Abel Garcia, MeiQin Lu, Liqiong Jiang, Jessica Sierra, Caitlin Cahill, Karina Delvasto, Larissa Gil, Sharon Swinton, Colleen MacDonald, Jade Wang, Halima Abada, Nina Demos, Jasmine Bath, Dina Barghouti, Becky Wu, Nancy Ureña, Emily Burrell

Literacy Programs Workshop  - presented at Saturday Academy and CWP in March

• Supporting families in becoming more familiar with our literacy programs
• Supporting families in developing criticality of programs
• Supporting families in advocating for changes they may or may not want to see next year
• Possible presentation at Curriculum Night - May 9 5-8p on Zoom
• Nina shared slides with Teachers for pre-planning for curriculum night where parents will see curriculum for their students for next year
• Parent feedback

• Jessica appreciated learning how teachers are approaching the new curriculum. I could see the changes from 3rd to 4th grade. I liked seeing the breakdown of the workbooks and left with more of a sense of what’s happening in the classroom

Possible advocacy related to class size law:

• There are diff ways that we can get involved in advocating for smaller class sizes:
• SLT resolution
• Attending PEP and CEC meetings

• CEC Meeting on Thursday 4/18 - Nina to send out invite

• Contact Council member’s office
• Summary from SLT:

• Gov Hochul signed the class size law in Sept 2022 to reduce class sizes to 20 in K-3 and 23 in 4-8th grade. HS classes capped at 25.
• State funds exist because it's a mandate.
• The smaller class size, the more support and social emotional support children can get as well.
• 20% of classrooms need to be in compliance next year.
• Currently the Mayor is refusing to implement it because he states that it is unfunded. City has reduced the budget for schools and is not using the funds as they have been intended.
• According to the new smaller class size threshold, we would be overenrolled. Right now we are under enrolled given our capacity.

CEP Work Continued

SLT watched slides re: CEP up to supporting parent voice slide ( March 11 meeting)    

At the 4/15 meeting, SLT reviewed the Family Engagement Policy and iPlan - discussion around Family Engagement Compact and Handbook

Next month we can look at the Progress Monitoring for CEP Goals, School Parent Contract

CEP Goals 2023-2024 DRAFT

• Create updates for progress monitoring for CEP Goals - 

• Priority 1 - ELA goal - Mid Year Assessment complete for ELA and math by 1.12un
• Priority 1 & Priority 3 - ELA and Math goals - adding a State testing measure - do we want to do this?
• Priority 2 - physical and emotionally safety - & Priority 4 - career/college readiness - add action steps for achieving
• Family Engagement policy and School Parent Compact - printed copies

SLT - training - pre-recorded webinar - Nina/ Any members who attended DLT training - Ms. Bath, Karina, etc.

Meeting Slides

Minute 4:40 - 11:10 SLT composition, roles, governance and elections

Minute 11:10 - 16:40- District Leadership Team

Minute 16:40- 23:00 SLT Team Operations and Consensus Based Decision Making

• SLT Bylaws

Minute 23 - 29:17 Comprehensive Education Plans (CEP)

Minute 30 Parent and Family Engagement Policy and the School Parent Compact

Minute 34: School Based Budget to Support CEP Goals

Minute 35:49: Best Practices SLT Meetings

Link to Family Handbook 2023-2024

4.17 Student/ Staff Basketball Game

4.18 Eid Celebration @ 2:30

4.19 College Day - based on SLT suggestion/ CEP goal

5.03 PS 503 Day/ Bring Your Child to Work Day

5.7 & 5.8 Gr 3 & 4 math test

5.08 Mother’s Day Celebration

5.09 Curriculum Night 5- 8 virtual

5.9 & 5.10 Gr 5 Math test

5.13 - 5.17 Staff Appreciation Week

5.15 Gr 5 Science test

5.17 Family Friday  - Sports Day - make banners for field day

5.29 Field Day

5.30 Field Day

May/ June meeting Focus - planning for 2024-2025

March 11, 2024

Celebrations:

• Welcome Minyi! Parent member from C30 Welcome back Colleen and Nancy - Nina
• Celebrating daylight savings - Caitlin
• Happy to be back and got approved to sit for LCSW exam-Colleen
• Celebrating the start off Ramadan and wishing everyone a happy and peaceful life - Halima
• First basketball game at the school tomorrow! -Sharon

Attendance:

Abel Garcia, Jessica Sierra, Karina Delvasto, Sharon Swinton, Colleen MacDonald, Caitlin Cahill, Nancy Urena, Minyi Ni, Halima Abada, Jasmine Bath, Liqiong Jiang, Yesenia Plasencia, MeiQin Liu, Larissa Gil, Nina Demos

Housekeeping!

• Setting future meeting dates - these are approved

• April 15
• May 6
• June 3

• Reminder about SLT remuneration

• See Jade, Laura, or Nina in the main office to get the form

C30 Process - Interview Process for Selecting a Permanent Assistant Principal

1. Candidate selection for interviews by hiring manager - Principal

(Number XI Selection Process, step 7 page 7 C30 regulation)

2. Level 1 Committee interviews (3-5 candidates) Committee submits recommendation to the hiring Manager - Principal

(steps 8,9,10 pages 4-5 C30 regulation)

3. Level 2 Principal interviews (1-2 candidates) (page 6 D1 C30 regulation)

• Nina reported that she held interviews with two level 2 candidates and shared the format and feedback for each interview.
• See below for goals from Candidate Tu Harris’ interview. Tu Harris has been working as the interim AP. Nina highlighted:

• One of Tu’s goals is smooth operations of the family engagement team. Helping families across different racial and cultural groups build more community. Strengths/empowerment based.
• Having one-ness in school amongst staff. Document collective knowledge for incoming staff and creating structures.
• Bring inquiry stance to instructional supervision of K-2 and work with the Science Team

4. Candidate selection for Appointment (1 candidate) (after background clearance)
5. SLT Consultation/ Announcement of Candidate (page 6 D2 C30 regulation)

• Nina formally announced that she is moving forward with Tu Harris
• Feedback from SLT:
• Nancy: Pleasant/comfortable feeling when working with her. I am happy she’s the choice.
• Jessica: I liked how she really took her time to answer the questions to the fullest. She tries to remember everyone - students and parents.
• Abel: extremely happy with the decision. We need to make sure we keep her accountable, that the devotion stays there. I want to make sure she devotes time to all the communities at the school. I’ll be there to support her.
• Nina: There are a lot of us. It’s a lot of families and students to get to know - it’s a big challenge.
• Jade: She’s a leader and team member and mentor.
• Larissa: I had the opportunity to speak to her about the PTA and her approach is very respectful. We shared ideas to see what is best for everything. Very respectful and warm.
• Caitlin: She said she would really like for us to be thought partners. It felt very equal and collaborative. It sounds like that's how she is approaching all of these relationships in her different roles. Very validating.
• Yesenia: congrats on choosing an AP!

Tu Harris Goals

Yard Updates

• Composting starts March 25th in the cafeteria
• Nina and Dana meet with TFPL on Thursday 3.14.
• Ms. Cahill is participating in a stewardship with TFPL on how to maintain the yard.
• TFPL received an additional grant from Groundswell to paint a mural on the 4th ave side

• Family Day for painting. Need to choose students to help participate.

• Concerns:

• Shrubs/rats
• Installing pavers and as of right now they are not cemented down. Last time they were not cemented, kids were able to pick them up and play with them. This was very dangerous.
• Right now curbs are not flush. We want to make sure they are so kids don’t trip over them.
• Nina wants to make sure the mural on the wall is in addition to the school logo designs on the ground, not in replacement of that
• Abel - lights? Nina said TFPL can’t do anything electrical
• Nancy - close park? Nina said custodians are responsible for locking it at 9pm and people don’t leave. Need more collaboration with 72nd precinct. When they lock it, people cut the fence.
• Jade - concern about people walking dogs.
• Need to forge new relationship with 72nd precinct/CM Aviles when yard opens.
• Outdoor Neighborhood Center coming back

SLT watched slides re: CEP up to supporting parent voice slide

Next month we can look at the Progress Monitoring for CEP Goals, Family Engagement Policy, School Parent Contract

SLT - training - pre-recorded webinar - Nina/ Any members who attended DLT training - Ms. Bath, Karina, etc.

Meeting Slides

Minute 4:40 - 11:10 SLT composition, roles, governance and elections

Minute 11:10 - 16:40- District Leadership Team

Minute 16:40- 23:00 SLT Team Operations and Consensus Based Decision Making

• SLT Bylaws

Minute 23 - 29:17 Comprehensive Education Plans (CEP)

CEP Goals 2023-2024 DRAFT

Minute 30 Parent and Family Engagement Policy and the School Parent Compact

Minute 34: School Based Budget to Support CEP Goals

Minute 35:49: Best Practices SLT Meetings

3.12 School Spirit Day/ Basketball team game

3.14 Meeting with Trust for Public Land Yard update

3.20 PTA Meeting

3.21 Trust for Public Land Stewardship workshop

3.22 Family Friday

3.22 Math workshop

3.25 Composting begins

3.26 K-5 Picture Day

3.28 Coffee with the Principal - present on Into Reading

4.8 Eclipse viewing

4.10 school Closed - Eid

4.11 & 4.12 Gr 3 & 4 ELA test

4.16 & 4.17 Gr 5 CBT ELA

4.17 PTA Meeting, 6pm

4.18 Eid Celebration

4.19 College Day

February 5, 2024

Celebrations:

Attendance: Principal Demos, Dina Barghouti,Laura Lovera, Colleen MacDonald, Abel Garcia, Jade Wang, Jasmine Bath, Halima Abada, Caitlin Cahill, Larissa Gil, Ms. Sharon, Emily Burrell, Liqiong (Rita), Karina Del Vasto , Jessica Sierra, Yesenia Placencia, Meiqin Lu

Housekeeping!

• Setting future meeting dates

• 2/5/24
• 3/11/24

• Reminder about SLT remuneration

• See Jade, Laura, or Nina in the main office to get the form

Welcome Guest -

Tu Harris - Assistant Principal IA (interim acting)

• Presentation -  impressions & reflections - time at PS 503 so far

• Incredibly welcoming, caring, collaborative community here at PS 503
• Fun highlights from the past two months: getting lost :), forming relationships with students, families and staff members. Re: students - rituals that form (2nd gr dance moves); pen cap soccer with K, reviewing capitals and countries. Feeling fulfilled to have begun building the relationships and trust - earned and does not come immediately.
• Strengths: strong growth mindset; triad model - expert model of how we capitalize on teacher knowledge and insight, modeling hearing teacher voices; risk-taking: not easy to learn a new curriculum, safety asking questions and assessing what is best for our students; staying committed to our values: commitment to DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion); proud to be a part of conversations where we don’t always have an easy answer - multiple voices and perspectives heard and respected; hallmarks of progressive education at PS 503 - play outside, inquiry based learning

• Question and Answer Session

• Colleen: What are some of your strengths that you bring to 503?

• Teaching from the world - having experience talking about current events. Using experiences happening in the world in the classroom. Rigorous curriculum mixed with play - prepare students to easily navigate test taking
• Teaching from joy, creativity

• Abel: I hope you keep the spirit, energy, and joy for our community. How do you see some of your methodologies (progressive teaching/inquiry) being implemented at 503?

• Purpose: you can do both (play and test prep). Giving students tools to be critical thinkers (asking questions). Outcome: children become lifelong learner and develop these skills. Learning in a social way (question and explore) and making things stick (not just memorizing). At my former school in Queens, we had an inquiry as a model. Making learning less abstract.

• Laura: working with you has been great and I see your input in our school. I appreciate your different perspective on our family engagement team.
• Halima: It's been such a pleasure working with you. I can tell you care by your efforts to learn children’s names. You will not regret joining our community.
• Karina: What are your long term objectives for the PS 503 community?

• Connected to having life long learners and having our students be change makers. Sending them off into the world so they can make a positive impact. I believe in the power of educators having an impact on children so they can amplify what's good and positive. That’s already happening, but continuing the conversation in all the work we do.

• Jasmine: It’s easy to envision these values playing out in our school. How have you felt returning to the DOE and negotiating your own objectives for PS 503 and what our D20 requirements are?

• Look at the learning as an inquiry - another model of learning. I don't know everything and I really appreciate hearing that reflected back. If I can keep learning, I feel excited. Keeping an open perspective even if I disagree with something.
• I appreciate the PD system (every Monday)

• Jade: I think Ms. Tu is brave and not afraid to face a challenge.
• Principal Demos: You’ve been here two months and I’ve been here 23 years and 9 years as  Principal. It’s infectious and inspiring to have someone new bringing enthusiasm and spirit.

C30 Process - Interview Process for Selecting a Permanent Assistant Principal

6. Candidate selection for interviews by hiring manager - Principal

(Number XI Selection Process, step 7 page 7 C30 regulation)

7. Level 1 Committee interviews (3-5 candidates) Committee submits recommendation to the hiring Manager - Principal

(steps 8,9,10 pages 4-5 C30 regulation)

8. Level 2 Principal interviews (1-2 candidates) (page 6 D1 C30 regulation)
9. Candidate selection for Appointment (1 candidate) (after background clearance)
10. SLT Consultation/ Announcement of Candidate (page 6 D2 C30 regulation)

Candidate selection for interviews by hiring manager

Hiring manager (Principal) chooses 5 candidates for the Level 1 Interview

• We received 61 applicants

• Eliminated candidates without elementary school experience (many HS, MS)
• Eliminated candidates who have worked in education but who have never worked in a school
• Eliminated candidates who have never had outside of the classroom leadership experience
• Eliminated candidates who have never worked at the DOE
• Prioritized bilingual candidates with leadership experience

• 5 candidates - one of whom is Tu Harris -

C-30 Level 1 Interview  will take place on Monday February 12th from 3:30 - 7:00 pm at PS 503 - we ordered dinner!

Members of C30 committee: (see page 9 of 12 C30 regulation)

Principal - Hiring Manager - Nina Demos

1 CSA - Council of School Administrators Representative - Brooke Precil

1 District Representative - Shawn McClain

1 DC37 Representative - (School staff/not teachers) - Halima Abada

2 UFT Representatives - (United Federation of Teachers) - Dina Barghouti, Emily Adams

4-7 Parents - 1st priority SLT members - if we don't get enough - PTA to advertise and select additional parents (see page 9 of 12 C30 regulation)

• Larissa Gil - confirmed
• Yesenia Placencia - confirmed
• Jessica Sierra - confirmed
• Abel Garcia - confirmed
• Need three more! (Karina and MeiQin TBD)

C30 Structure and Agenda - Level 1 interview

3:30 - 4:30 - Orientation  

• C30 members pick 4-5 questions from a bank of 12 questions
• Go over rating sheets and structure of the interview, sign forms, review candidate resumes

4:30 - 6:30 Candidate Interviews

• Each candidate is asked the same questions and responses are timed
• 20 minutes for each candidate interview and 10 minutes for the committee members to complete rating sheets

6:30 - 7:00

• Discuss rating sheets and recommendation for selection of level 2 candidates for permanent position as Assistant Principal of PS 503

Sign C30 Level 1 Committee Member Confidentiality Form (see page 8 of 12 C30 regulation)

Will disclose the 5 candidates to the members of the level 1 committee after signing the confidentiality form.

January 8, 2024

Celebrations: Zoe is here!

Happy New Year!

Attendance: Emily Burrell, Jasmine Bath, Caitlin Cahill, Jessica Sierra, Halima Abada, Becky Wu, Karina Delvasto, Larissa Gil, Jade Wang, Nina Demos, Sharon Swinton, MeiQin Lu, Abel Garcia, Liqiong Jiang, Yesenia Placencia

Housekeeping!

• Setting future meeting dates

• 2/5/24

• Reminder about SLT remuneration

• See Jade, Laura, or Nina in the main office to get the form

Caitlin - Bronx Hearings Share Out/Brooklyn Preview

NYC Department of Education Budget Cuts - Chalkbeat Article

• 550 million in cuts so far - Mayor makes this decision

• Mostly to Pre-K, Summer Rising, possibly Community Schools (this includes PS 503) and Central office positions
• Possible additional cuts in the future

• NYC Mayoral Control Hearings - Brooklyn - January 11, 2024 6-9pm

• You can write an electronic comment: Submit Written Electronic Testimony

• SLT could submit a statement as a team - need to submit by 1/31

• Click here to find the link for the Brooklyn Link: New York City Mayoral Control Hearings 
• Stakeholders can attest to experiences with Mayoral Control of NYC DOE - this can indirectly be about the budget cuts
• Each borough hold a public meeting about what control of the schools could look like
• Caitlin can share examples from the Bronx on ⅛

• Bronx parents and educators denounce mayoral control of NYC schools - Chalkbeat  (summary of meeting)
• https://vimeo.com/892272817 (full video of the hearing, starts at 12:30)

• Revisit creating a joint statement once people have an opportunity to watch the livestream/ recording

Continue review of CEP with reflections, questions, suggestions

CEP Goals 2023-2024 DRAFT

• CEP goals questions, reflections, suggestions

• Why is NYS test score data not used to set goals?

• Data was not yet available in June 2023 when the CEP goals were created?

• NYS Math Test Scores
• NYS ELA Test Scores
• Gr 3 Math Screener Data

Data Summary

ELA

Math

Scores from cohorts previous year scores and screener data to predict outcomes for 2024

• Gr 5 - Computer Based Testing - may have an impact on scores
• +5% growth could be an ambitious and realistic goal - we could add this for both ELA and math

• Create updates for progress monitoring for CEP Goals - 

• Priority 1 - ELA goal - Mid Year Assessment complete for ELA and math by 1.12
• Priority 1 & Priority 3 - ELA and Math goals - adding a State testing measure - do we want to do this?
• Priority 2 - physical and emotionally safety - & Priority 4 - career/college readiness - add action steps for achieving
• Family Engagement policy and School Parent Compact - printed copies

Sign SLT Signature Page - CEP

Upcoming Events -

• Saturday Academy - test preparation for on and above grade level students Grades 3-5 - by invitation - beginning 1.20.24 - 10 sessions January - May
• After school enrichment programs Gr 2-5

• Basketball team
• National Dance Institute
• Student Council
• Girls on the Run
• Others - TBD

Review SLT training 

• Review work as an SLT Team using self reflection tool - Chapter 2 Toolkit Checklist.pdf, Chapter 4 Toolkit Diagnostic Tool.pdf

Agenda for February Meeting -

Review Candidate Resumes and begin C30 process

December 11, 2023

Celebrations:

Attendance: Abel Garcia, Sharon Swinton, Caitlin Cahill, Yesenia Placencia, Jasmine Bath, Jade Wang, Dina Barghouti, Jessica Sierra, Halima Abada, Becky Wu, Nancy Urena, Yelena Rivera, MeiQin Lu, Nina Demos,  Karina Delvasto, Larissa Gil, Liqiong Jiang, Laura Lovera, Karina Delvasto

Get paid for SLT!

• Remuneration sheets were distributed on 12/11
• You can keep track of your own attendance each month - you are eligible for $10 per meeting you attend
• In June, submit the timesheet to Nina
• Esme, in the main office, processes in June, check sent to your house
• If you are on zoom on 12/11, you can come get your sheet from the main office

NYC Department of Education Budget Cuts - Chalkbeat Article

• 550 million in cuts so far - Mayor makes this decision

• Mostly to Pre-K, Summer Rising, possibly Community Schools (this includes PS 503) and Central office positions
• Possible additional cuts in the future

• NYC Mayoral Control Hearings - Brooklyn - January 11, 2024

• Stakeholders can attest to experiences with Mayoral Control of NYC DOE - this can indirectly be about the budget cuts
• Each borough hold a public meeting about what control of the schools could look like
• Caitlin can share examples from the Bronx on ⅛

• https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2023/12/06/parents-educators-speak-against-mayoral-control/  (summary of meeting)
• https://vimeo.com/892272817 (full video of the hearing, starts at 12:30)

Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP) - Goals for the school

• Written annually in June based on end of year data
• Reviewed and progressed monitored by the SLT in January,

• Updates are entered in iPlan portal

• Required goals change based on the framework the current administration is using - during my tenure as Principal this has been the Framework for Great Schools, CRSE (Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education) and now the Chancellor’s Five Priorities
• Discretionary budget decisions are to be made in support of CEP goals (including Title 1 PAC)

CEP Goals 2023-2024

• This is a document created by the PS 503 Admin team to share the goals with staff and the SLT.  The information - goals and action plans is taken from the iPlan portal.
• SLT has been given access to iPlan - request must be accepted to activate.
• Previous year’s goals (when there is a corresponding goal/ category are listed in light gray font - as a reference

Review Goals in Stations - this was done

January 8 Meeting

• Next steps

• Continue to process CEP goals - reflections, questions, suggestions
• Create updates for progress monitoring for CEP
• Setting future meeting dates
• Review SLT training
• Review work as an SLT Team using self reflection tool - Chapter 2 Toolkit Checklist.pdf, Chapter 4 Toolkit Diagnostic Tool.pdf
• Review Candidate Resumes and begin C30 process
• Set Feb. meeting date
• Public hearing review (Bronx) and preview (Brooklyn)
• Others?

Title 1 PAC Update - Abel and Yesenia

• spending plan due 12.15

November 20, 2023

Attendance:Jessica Sierra, Emily Burrell, Caitlin Cahill, Nina Demos, Colleen MacDonald, Karina Delvasto, Abel Garcia, MeiQin Lu, Becky Wu, Yelena Rivera, Halima Abada, Dina Barghouti, Laura Lovera, Nancy Ureña, Larissa Gil, Jade Wang

Updates -

• Uniform order/ uniform donation

• Uniforms will be delivered tomorrow and an email will be sent home to parents. Families were asked to donate uniforms that no longer fit their children. Families of students not wearing uniforms will be contacted about donations. Nina will be traveling to classrooms and Student Council will make a PSA to help spread the word.
• PTA planning supplemental uniform order next week, some extra uniforms available
• M-Th required, Fridays clothing of choice
• Parents want the uniform to be in place so once uniforms are disttibuted the uniform policy will be enforced

• Coats available

• PS 503 ordered coats and distributing by request. Over 70 families requested and we fulfilled more than half of that request. Currently out of any sizes above size 12 so we will be adding coats to the amazon wish list.

• Winter Celebrations - classroom based with families, one in November or December - at teacher discretion. Email went out last week and parties begin this week.
• Toy Drive -The amazon wish list will be sent out by wednesday. Coats will be on the list.

People were able to go to the gym and shop for toys before COVID and we will return to that on 12/20

Assistant Principal Hiring  - follow up

• The interim acting position was posted on 11.16.23
• Some resumes that were received from IA Applicants are linked
• The interim acting position will begin on 11.27.23 (three months long)

• This will give us a chance to work with a prospective candidate for the permanently appointed AP position before the official hiring process (C-30)
• Parent and staff representatives will make up the C-30 committee

• We will review candidates (including the IA AP), narrow it down to finalists and then conduct a formal interview process for the finalists
• After the final interviews we will select
• This will likely occur in February

Open Meetings Law

• Reinstated by NY state. Anyone who can make it in person please do! CFL Neighborhood Center is running a program on Mondays that your children can participate in.

CFL Outdoor Neighborhood Funding

D20 SLT Training Share Out

• 5th graders or student council members could join SLT members
• SLT makes decisions with consensus, no majority vote
• All members of the SLT should have view access on iPlan to review the CEP goals - Nina will look into giving all team members access/ review CEP goals - December meeting
• Nina to distribute remuneration forms to SLT members
• 
• Very similar to SLT training below
• Do we do this?
• School Leadership Team 

• Toolkit: SLT toolkit 

• Worksheets and Resources https://www.iplanportal.com/PublicResources 
• Materials shared in training suggest that more co-creation and evaluation should be occurring, progress monitoring of curriculum, more parental involvement in school decisions
• Title 1 money to be used more for parent engagement as well

Jasmine - can everyone review their name on the website for spelling/capitalization

Also Jasmine - Trips, Money, and Equity

        How much money should we ask per year for trips?

        Can classes/grades fundraise for trips?

        What if an institution only offers one free trip per title one school per grade? How is this handled?

SLT - training - pre-recorded webinar - Nina/ Yesenia

Minute 13:48 - Agenda

Minute 14 - 25 SLT composition, roles, governance and elections

Minute 25 - District Leadership Team

Minute 30 - SLT Team Operations and Consensus Based Decision Making

• SLT BylawsMinute 37 - Consensus Based Decision Making

Minute 45 Comprehensive Education Plans (CEP)

Minute 60 School Based Budgeting to Support Education Planning

Minute 68: Title I Parent and Family Engagement Requirements

We Sec

Minute 74: Best Practices SLT Meetings

11.14 Community Safety Meeting - 7pm in the auditorium

11.15 PTA meeting

11.23 & 11.24 Thanksgiving - school closed

11.29 Coffee with the Principal

12.15 Family Friday/ Pajama Day

October 24th, 2023

Title 1 PAC update - 2023

December 14, 2023

Attendance: Abel Garcia, Jovita Sosa, yesenia Placencia, Nina Demos

Title1 Spending total is $3145 - aligned to CEP priorities

YDR - $500 -  priority 2 - Physical and Emotionally Safe

Maker Space $1K - priority 4 - college and career ready

Sunset Spark $1K - priority 4 - college and career ready

HW Workshop (per session for teachers) $600 - Priority 1 & 3 - High Quality Academic experience & Learn to Read well

October 24th Meeting

Attendance - Abel Garcia, Jovita Sosa, yesenia Placencia, Jesenia Marcial, Nina Demos

Family Meetings Title 1 - support educational plan of the school and promote family engagement

Totals - Title 1 $710,121

Title 1 Family involvement - 1% - $7101 + 457 carry over from 2022-2023

Last year 2022-2023 - $7351

Yesenia - will attend CWP and ask for additional ideas from families

Jovita- YDR - Young Dancers in Repertory /multi-cultural workshops

Nina - $2412.90 - Remind App? Approved

Translation?

CWP refreshments? 200 per month - 2k approved

Jesenia - create a short list and ask parents to choose from a list of choices

Abel - making sure we have good attendance at workshops

Balance remaining 3,145.10

2023 Ideas

NED

YDR

Mental health

Physical activity

Homework?

Staff workshops or vendor - mental health and writing

2022

Sunset Spark - Father’s day project 1K

Arts Horizon - Zumba, and art therapy workshops

Staff workshops - homework and DESSA

Maker Space -

Next steps - attendance from previous workshops

                Exact budget from 2022-2023

                Create a list of possible options for parents to choose from

                NYC Survey - areas of growth for school

Brooke - google form from last year?

Yesenia - send list of approved vendors - done

Yesenia - CWP - balance - writing, digital citizenship (limits on screen time), homework - how to help

October 23, 2023

Celebrations:

Laura - Returning to Mexico

Sharon/Emily - Celebrate Culture Day

Halima - Lydia’s 12th Birthday! + Culture Day

Attendance: Jasmine Beth, Laura Lovera, Colleen MacDonald, Dina Barghouti, Ms. Urena, Emily Burrell, Sharon Swinton, Caitlin Cahill, Abel Garcia, Becky Wu, Karina Del Vasto, Halima Abada, Jessica Sierra, Jade Wang, Yesenia Placencia, Larissa Gil, Liqiong Jiang

Agenda Items

Meeting dates for the year - approval of proposed dates

Updates

• Homework

• Moved to digital homework. Nina will show families at Coffee with the Principal how to access the different apps. Need support from teachers to help parents access and understand. The digital hw is differentiated for each individual child. It allows all children to access what they need at their level without a huge load of work on teachers. Digital Gr 1-5; K will start later in the year.

• Uniforms

• PTA is working on an order. We are inviting families to send in their gently used uniforms for a chance to participate in a raffle. They will be donated to other families who need them. 503 will give students a shirt to wear for the day and call home if they aren’t wearing it.

• Large Yard Closure - November 1 2023 - July 1 2024

• Using the gym
• Performing Arts Room
• Small Yard Remains Open
• How will the construction affect parking for teachers/families?

Assistant Principal Hiring - what does it mean to be represented?  As an individual?  As a community?  What qualities/ skills/ traits/ values  are we looking for in our future Assistant Principal?

-Appointed Principal is the hiring manager for the AP position

-Interim acting: position can be posted and we can put someone in the position if we find a suitable candidate immediately

-C30 process: 2-step formal interview with multiple candidates

How would some families feel if the assistant principal had knowledge of the immigrant experience, connected to the community, but did not speak spanish?

• Yesenia: One side - it should be latino, because the majority is spanish. The other side, lots of teachers and staff, and parent coordinator speaks spanish.
• Nina: When we hired Kenia it was not a question at that time eight years ago. Since then, staff members who speak Spanish has tripled and the number who speak Mandarin or Arabic has not. If we are at a turning pt in our school what does this mean for hiring?
• Nancy: We are a community - if that person checks all the boxes, even if they don’t speak spanish, it would expand our community.
• Nina: We can all be passionate and reflective.
• Abel: Reflecting on his recent promotion - looking around noticing lack of diversity in power positions.
• Nina: We have a strong commitment to have a hire a non-white AP, what language representation do we need.
• Dina: Goal to find someone who speaks Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic
• Halima: As an Arabic staff member and parent, I wouldn’t mind someone who is Arabic, but its important that its someone who is bilingual. Our Latinx community is much larger - if that what we need then that is what will support our school, families, and community
• Nina: Re: equity, the biggest group isn’t automatically right. It’s about making sure the minority group is protected. I.e, students with different abilities is the smallest group - we can’t make decisions that don’t represent them
• Larissa: Agrees with Ms. Urena. If the person has all the qualities of the position we ask for, they can do the job despite their ethnicity. At this time we want to give people who speak other languages opportunities to grow.
• Jasmine: When we think about attracting new K applicants, is this something we want to consider.
• Nina will use this info to search for new candidates. Nina and Brooke are struggling with a huge amount of responsibility on two people. Nina leaning towards using the interim-acting position and feels we need someone in here sooner rather than later. When we get interim-acting candidates and they serve here and it doesn’t work out then we could still choose someone different during the C30 process.
• Nina: committed to collaborative decision making. In terms of rules and regulations from DOE, Nina is the exclusive decision maker. Will share info with families at coffee with the Principal this week. Nina has Superintendent’s approval on posting and is working with DOE HR.

Open Meetings Law

• Reinstated by NY state. Anyone who can make it in person please do! CFL Neighborhood Center is running program on Mondays that your children can participate in.

Move to next meeting - did not get to this wk:

CFL Outdoor Neighborhood Funding

Jasmine - can everyone review their name on the website for spelling/capitalization

Also Jasmine - Trips, Money, and Equity

        How much money should we ask per year for trips?

        Can classes/grades fundraise for trips?

        What if an institution only offers one free trip per title one school per grade? How is this handled?

10.18 PTA meeting @6pm

10.20 Culture Day/ Family Friday @8am

10.20 Gr 5 Middle School Workshop @ 9am

10.23 - 11.10 Hispanic Heritage Month Activities

10.25 CWP @8am

10.27 K & 1 Pumpkin Patch @ 8am

10.31 Halloween Parade @ 8am

11.1 Large Yard Closure

11.7 No school for students - Election day

11.9 Hispanic Heritage month celebration @ 2:30pm

SLT - training - pre-recorded webinar - Nina/ Yesenia

Minute 13:48 - Agenda

Minute 14 - 25 SLT composition, roles, governance and elections

Minute 25 - District Leadership Team

Minute 30 - SLT Team Operations and Consensus Based Decision Making

• SLT Bylaws

Minute 37 - Consensus Based Decision Making

Minute 45 Comprehensive Education Plans (CEP)

Minute 60 School Based Budgeting to Support Education Planning

Minute 68: Title I Parent and Family Engagement Requirements

Minute 74: Best Practices SLT Meetings

September 18, 2023

Celebrations:

• Successful first week of school!
• Launch of CFL
• Launch of new literacy curriculum
• Recess and lunch are going smoothly, kids are happy
• Morning program launched today! Students in 3-5 can go to the gym for exercise; K-5 in caf for hot breakfast

Attendance: Principal Nina Demos, Becky Wu, Abel Garcia, Caitlin Cahill, Emily Burrell, Halima Abada, Jade Wang, Jasmine, Becky, Jessica Sierra, Karina, Larissa Gil, Laura Lovera Angel, May(MeiQin Lu), iPhone3(Liqiong Jiang), Ms. Nancy Urena, Sharon S, Yelena RIvera, Yesenia Placencia, Colleen MacDonald

Communication -

• Agenda and minutes will be posted on the website monthly
• SLT members - 503 email - need to set up - emailed at personal email

• Will be on website for other parents to use to contact

• Compensation - $10 stipend for attending monthly SLT for both teachers and family members - timesheets - Laura/ Jade will have the timesheets- main office

Set Dates for Future Meetings: How does the team feel?  Best night of the week?

Monday at 6pm is still best for the team

Nina will put the dates up top by the next meeting

Roles:

Note-taker/ Secretary - take notes on the google doc - Colleen and Caitlin Cahill

Chairperson - create the monthly agenda/ Zoom link/ email reminders - Jasmine Bath facilitate the SLT meeting - (making agenda and emailing it out)

Facilitation -  Nina

Open Meetings Law - was suspended due to the pandemic.  Now it is reinstated.  Meetings can be hybrid (virtual and in person) or 100% in person.  Can no longer be 100% virtual.  A quorum of members must be in person in order for the virtual members’ attendance to be valid.  Our SLT by-laws state that a quorum is a “majority of members from each constituent group (staff, parent, community).  At an SLT meeting we can vote to change this aspect of the by-laws.

• Members voted to update by-laws to change quorum to one member from each constituency (staff, parent, community)
• Nina will update us if we do need to move to a hybrid structure for next month’s meeting

Updates

Celebrations -

School survey results - results from teachers, results from families

• Results overwhelmingly positive
• Worth thinking about how we want parents at large to interact with this team

Large yard construction update

• Final design signed off on. TPL is in the permitting process. We will share updates once construction starts

School Promotion

Hydroponic Lab - indoor greenhouse coming soon. Ms. Cahill won a grant

Test scores

• Very positive year across grades 3,4,5 - math scores went up 17 percentage pts. ELA went up 7 percentage pts. Every cohort of students maintained their progress in both math and ela.

Announcements -  any feedback?

K/ 1 arrival and dismissal

Lunch schedule K @ 11:30a, 1,2,3 @ 12:30p, 4-5 @ 1:20p

Phase 1 buzzer system for doors - March. Once these are installed the doors will be locked and anyone visiting the school will have to ring.

,Safety

Title 1 PAC - $7,558 - Use for Remind? Cool Culture? Other?  Need to meet prior to 9.29

Chairperson - Yesenia Placencia Members - Abel Garcia, need an additional member

Meeting by September 29th - Title 1 PAC and then for entire school - CWP

Focus on at October mtg:

Assistant Principal Hiring - what does it mean to be represented?  As an individual?  As a community?  What qualities/ skills are we looking for in our future Assistant Principal?

SLT - training - pre-recorded webinar - Nina/ Yesenia

Minute 13:48 - Agenda

Minute 14 - 25 SLT composition, roles, governance and elections

Minute 25 - District Leadership Team

Minute 30 - SLT Team Operations and Consensus Based Decision Making

• SLT Bylaws

Minute 37 - Consensus Based Decision Making

Minute 45 Comprehensive Education Plans (CEP)

Minute 60 School Based Budgeting to Support Education Planning

Minute 68: Title I Parent and Family Engagement Requirements

Minute 74: Best Practices SLT Meetings

9.29 Coffee with the Principal

9.27 PTA meeting

October Family Friday - TBD

October Culture Day

10.31 Halloween Parade

June 15, 2023

Celebrations -

Karina - celebrating GOTR race today - it was beautiful!

Nina - celebrating all the teachers and staff who ran together with the girls and supported each other. Also celebrating Abel and Yesenia and all the parents who stepped up and ran for PTA and SLT. 5th graders went on their senior trip and went to urban air!

Ms. Urena - celebrate all K classes for graduating this week, esp K-242! So beautiful seeing everyone there

Attendance - Nina demos, Sharon Swinton, Laura Lovera, Kristie Aponte, Diana Figueroa, Yesenia Placencia, Abel Garcia

Colleen MacDonald, Ms. Urena, Jessica Cui Li, Halima Abada, Catherine Severino, Jessica Sierra, Karina Del Vasto,Jade Wang

TPL Large Yard Design

PS 503 School Logo -

Updates:

• TPL Construction to begin as early as November
• Begin advocacy for using 59th street as an open play street - SLt expressed concerns regarding pedestrians, safety, parking, neighbors, and the incline of the street, damage to property
• Arrival - K/1 in classrooms with PS 503 pass, Gr 2-5 enter on their own
• Dismissal - K/1 classrooms, Gr ⅘ on 59th street, gr ⅔ by the parking lot

• Staggered dismissal a possibility to diminish traffic at exit 2 and classes getting cut off

• Recess - 4 classes per lunch period small yard, alley and late pick up area for older kids? Using ½ cafeteria for indoor activity,using dance room - less recess (will not be daily)
• Letters for the main entrance, banners and mailer

Looking Forward -

What do parents feel strongly about us continuing as a School? Highlight of the 2022-2023 school year?

What changes are we most looking forward to implementing?

• K/ 1 arrival in the classrooms?
• Uniforms?
• Arrival policy/ lateness

May 22, 2023

Celebrations -

Attendance: Sara Hartman, Halima Abada, Laura (PC), Nancy Urena, Diana Figueroa, Dina Barghouti, Kristie Aponte, Michelle Martinez, Jade Wang,  Becky Wu, Jessica Sierra, Larissa Gil, Karina del Vasto, Abel Garcia, Marwa Hassan, Colleen MacDonald, Yesenia Placencia, Maria Garcia

Kate/Nina: 1st Field Day back! Amount of digital permission slips

Nancy: wants to celebrate 2 students who are leaving K on grade level

Nina: merging coffee with the principal and cafe con arte- upcoming workshops

Family/ Principal Meeting

Updates:

• Summer Rising Acceptances - check email, 503 has roster of accepted students
• PTA Meeting 5.24 at 6pm - need for nominating committee

Larissa Gil - become President through succession, candidates for secretary vacancy.  Congratulations to Michelle Martinez (former President) - now a PS 503 school aide

• Trust for Public Land - large yard reconstruction - presenting final design at Community Resource Fair on June 2nd from 2:30 - 5:30

Curriculum 2023-2024

• The NYC DOE has required implementation of new literacy curriculum in 2023-2024
• There were three allowable curricula to choose from & Superintendents chose for their entire district (every school using the same thing).  Principals did not choose.
• Superintendent Pretto chose “Into Reading” as the literacy curriculum for all of D20.  D20 is a phase 1 district and implementation is slated for September 2023.  This means PS 503 will no longer implement the Teachers’ College Reading and Writing Units of Study.
• Into Reading is a packaged and scripted curriculum that provides teachers with all of the materials and resources they need (EN and SP).  This has the potential to be both supportive and stifling.
• Our goal - implement the curriculum without losing the values and identity of our school - student centered/ asset based/ social justice oriented
• Curriculum can never take the place of teacher content knowledge/ pedagogy.

Background - TCRWP Units of Study use an approach known as “Balanced Literacy” - teaching all of the components of reading - comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, phonics, and phonemic awareness through methods such as shared, guided reading, read aloud, mini-lesson and small group differentiated instruction.  

Workshop Model teaching - th units are also intended to be taught through what is known as workshop model teaching.  This avoids task based instruction and promotes agency and creativity on the part of the learner to be responsible for their own reading/ writing. Workshop model teaching consists of a mini-lesson, student work time, and a closing/ share.

Science of Reading  - a body of research that emphasizes the importance of phonics instruction as opposed to using a cueing system approach for unknown words.

TCRWP UOS have been significantly revised to have a stronger emphasis on phonics.  TCRWP and other “balanced literacy” programs have been blamed for poor reading outcomes and have been politically pitted as opposed to Science of Reading.  The reality is much more nuanced and inclusive.

2022-2023 - The DOE mandated use of a research based phonics program and Principals were given structured choice as to which curriculum to pick, professional development and implementation.  PS 503 has been using “Really Great Reading” alongside the TCRWP UOS with great success!  

The Chancellor and the Mayor have mandated the new curricula without any public presentation of data.

All of the new curricula are mass marketed and mass produced by large for profit corporations.

There was no participatory process for curriculum selection/ vetting.

5.24 Gr 3-5 Field Day

5.25 Gr K-2 field day

5.24 PTA Meeting @ 6pm

5.30 Zumba after school 2:30 in person

6.1 Zumba - virtually - 6pm

6/2 Sustainability/ community resource fair after school on June 2nd partnership with CFL/ GOTR to join

6.8 - Chancellor’s Day - no students

6.9 - Clerical day - no students

6.13 & 6.14 K stepping up

6.15 GOTR 5k race - volunteers welcome

6.16 Family Friday/ Father’s Day Breakfast

September 19, 2022

Attendance: Abel, Nina, Sara, Marwa, Kristie, Diana F, Jessica, Karina, Colleen, Halima,  Dina B., Sharon, Michelle

Elected members: Abel, Nina, Sara, Marwa, Kristie, Diana F, Jessica, Karina,  Dina B., Michelle

Community Members: Halima, Colleen, Sharon

Introductions/ Celebrations:

ttps://vimeo.com/745520319/ee93ef4646 

Nina - PS 503 promotional video premiere.

Communication -

• Agenda and minutes will be posted on the website monthly
• SLT members - 503 email - need to set up - emailed at personal email

• Will be on website for other parents to use to contact

• Compensation - $10 stipend for attending monthly SLT - timesheets - Tilcia will prepare for next meeting.

Set Dates for Future Meetings: see proposed dates above

How does the team feel?

Upcoming Events:

September 21 - Superintendent Visit to PS 503/506 @ 6pm in person in the auditorium  

• Superintendent will present information on the district and then a protocol for listening to families concerns

• There will be parents from other schools who can attend the meeting. Open to any parent in the district

• What are topics of concern for our community?

• Middle school admissions clarified

• Celebrate the number of students who were accepted after preparing for the auditions with such short notice. Any updates to admissions policy since the community forum? What’s the next step? Where is the data collected?
• How can the district support all kids throughout the district who want support preparing for the auditions? What is the district doing for students and families? Many art programs cut

• Improvements to infrastructure  - yard, flooding, etc.

• Awarded 1.5 million for repairs to the yard. It’s possible that work will be done next summer and the school will be closed.
• Custodians did an excellent job cleaning up and keeping the school safe, however that isn’t sustainable. Extensive flooding in the cafeteria and auditorium last week
• The AC system not working throughout the building. Plans in place to replace the compressors, but not replacing the entire chiller, which may need to be done

• Loss of funding - music program

• Last year we were awarded 15k for the music program through a DOE grant and this year we have lost that funding
• Stated reason was that there was a lot more applicants this year vs last year

• Take time to celebrate the great things we are doing at the school and share the state of the school

• One of the only dual language ICT programs in the district in Spanish. Hoping to open a Chinese bi-lingual special ed class. There are no dual language classes in Middle Schools - how is that continuing?

• District wide meeting vs 503 community concerns

• Thank Dr. Pretto for being here for the first day of school. Will there be a follow up to our 503 community only meeting so we can focus on our concerns and not take too much space at this district wide meeting. Someone can publicly invite him to one of our SLT or PTA meetings.

• Is the Superintendent aware of the prolonged effects of the pandemic on our students and community? What is the district providing?

• Schools not given money for SERs programming this year. This had a positive impact, especially in ELA
• Compensatory services - students who have an IEP should be eligible for services

• Others?

• We can email CM Alexa Aviles to invite her to the meeting AAviles@council.nyc.gov
• CEC had a meeting and passed a resolution to reinstate educational screeners to MS admissions. They also passed a resolution to allow staff/parents/etc into school buildings without being vaccinated.
• CEC is hybrid now - in person and online

• Next month - look at grades and percentages and compare to 2019, review plans to help us bounce back in Math.

September 28th - PTA Meeting @ 6pm - virtual - Elections - Vice President and Secretary positions open. Please encourage anyone who is interested to come to meeting and learn more!

SLT - training - pre-recorded webinar - Nina/ Yesenia

Minute 13:48 - Agenda

Minute 14 - 25 SLT composition, roles, governance and elections

Minute 25 - District Leadership Team

Minute 30 - SLT Team Operations and Consensus Based Decision Making

• SLT Bylaws

Minute 37 - Consensus Based Decision Making

Minute 45 Comprehensive Education Plans (CEP)

Minute 60 School Based Budgeting to Support Education Planning

Minute 68: Title I Parent and Family Engagement Requirements

Minute 74: Best Practices SLT Meetings

Continue to discuss at next meeting Oct 17th:

Comprehensive Education Plan 2022- 2023 - priorities discussion

• Enrichment (continue music residency)
• Reinstating After school Clubs -

• Girls on the Run, Chorus, Chess, Dance, others?

• Reinstating morning breakfast & physical education program
• Social emotional support (programs, staffing, partnerships)

• ADHD group
• Trauma and loss

• Family engagement goal that includes fostering bilingualism for adults

• Tech workshops
• DESSA screener -

• In-person family engagement - what will this look like?
• Building more community leaders within our school (students - student council)
• Marketing our school and creating a student alumni association to advertise
• Academic goals

• Creation of supplemental reading intervention program - grades 3-5
• Expansion Bridges math curriculum to grades K, 1 and 4
• Implement really Great reading Phonics curriculum grades K-2
• Integrate cultural celebrations and existing grade level social studies curricula

Data Review

School policies - birthdays, field trips, Family Friday, DESSA parent tool

• Reestablish norms post covid (what are the parameters? What do parents want? What do teachers want?) - These are all local decisions that Principal Demos can make that are most aligned with the community and their priorities