Minutes of Ray Local School Council
November 12, 2008
Staff lounge

In attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, Ken Schug, Willie Walter (arrived 6:41 p.m.), Jennifer Washington. Absent: Lee Barker, David Myles, Angela Williams-Walker.

Ray Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.

Approval of agenda
On a motion by J. Washington (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the agenda.

Approval of minutes
On a motion by J. Washington (second: B. Butler) the LSC approved the October minutes with the addition of K. Schug as the person who seconded the motion to name D. Myles to the LSC.

Report from the principal (see attached)
*Principal Butler reported that she is making contacts through the Erikson Institute and other resources and hopes to hire a part-time reading teacher to start in January.
*The Principals for a Day each promised to help Ray in some way, including offering a free field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry; a financial literacy class; and a fundraising concert by Willie Pickens.
*Principal Butler said she wrote a justification for keeping a special education teacher, but the school did lose the position. A parent will write a letter (signed by PTA members and possibly LSC members) to the CPS special services offices protesting the negative impact of the lost position.
*Principal Butler described the new Afterschool Allstars program which will run through February. The school needs to re-apply for the grant every year.

Principal Butler asked the LSC to approve a $1,865.00 expenditure to pay for Tech XL, the CPS computer leasing and support program. On a motion by J. Washington (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to use $1,865.00 from the discretionary budget to pay for Tech XL.

Principal Butler asked the LSC to consider two fundraising activities: a re-gifting sale (like a yard sale for holiday gifts), and a Santa photo-opportunity (in which families could take photos on a set with Santa).
On a motion by S. Murphy (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the re-gifting sale.
A motion by B. Butler (second: W. Walter) to approve the Santa photo session failed. Approved: 2. Opposed: 6.

Status of Friends of Ray
A. Williams-Walker was not present, and the item was delayed.

At 7:52 K. Schug stepped out of the meeting for a conference call.

Committees

Bylaws - no report

Facilities (see attached) – D. Myles explained that the prep work on the peeling paint may occur over winter vacation, and the final work would be done over the summer.

Vision and Priorities – Principal Butler explained she wanted to see how well the reading teacher position worked before making the position full-time. The fundraising letter will be e-mailed to LSC members before it goes out to parents.

SIPAAA/Budget – S. Murphy is joining the committee.

Bilingual Ed. – W. Walter will chair the committee.

At 8:01, K. Schug rejoined the meeting.

Special Education – The timing of the position cut was challenging for students and staff. The LSC may join with the PTA in a letter to CPS.

Technology – S. Murphy reported that the cost to replace computers and cover the fee for the Univ. of Chicago’s CUIP totals about $50,000 per year. CUIP is doing a thorough inventory of the school’s equipment. That list will be sent to Sun Microsystems to help continue the discussion about whether Ray School could pilot a thin client set-up. J. Washington asked whether the school should have a technology teacher. The committee is discussing that issue.

October PTA meeting – no report

Old Business – none

New Business – none

Public Comment – Parent Eric Chua expressed his view that some families leave Hyde Park because they do not feel their children have good options for attending middle school in the area. He feels more students would be retained at Ray if the school had 7th and 8th grades. Principal Butler expained that 7th and 8th grades were removed from Ray to help meet those students’ needs. J. Washington informed the group that some Ray students have not been accepted at Canter. Principal Butler said she would investigate whether changes could me made to improve the options for Ray students entering middle school.

B. Butler made a motion (second: R. Lodato) to adjourn the meeting, and the LSC approved the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

William H. Ray Elementary School
Principal’s Report to the Local School Council
November 12, 2008
6:30pm

Status of Hiring Supplemental Personnel
Community Schools
Mr. Samuel Ortiz is still being processed through CPS.  Once the process is complete he will come on as the coordinator.
Reading Teacher
We have begun the process of advertising for a half-time teaching position.        All K-2 teachers would like to participate.  Students will be recommended for service based on DIBLES and teacher assessment. Students with IEPS will not be included.  Advanced learners who can use extra instruction or activities will also benefit if the schedule permits.
Academic Enhancement School Fair
Mrs. Butler and Mr. Clark attended the Options for Knowledge Elementary School Fair on 10/25/08 at the IIT.  The purpose was to educate parents on the process of finding the best school to fit their needs and to give them an opportunity to meet school administrators and staff. Most parents were looking for kindergarten spots. We collected 20 names and emails and gave out tour dates.    Thank you to Christina Downey for designing the flyer.  Mrs. Downey is the mother of second grade twin girls and a sixth grade son. One of our teaching assistants Sonia Veraga made brochures that could be used as part of our PR packet.
Principal for a Day
Three principal’s reported.  Mr. Willie Pickens, Mr. Jason Hale (ING) and Mrs. Susan Mekarski, senior coordinator for the Institute for Quality Science Teaching from the Museum of Science and Industry reported.  Mrs. Mekarski gave us a free bus and field trip to the museum. Mr. Hale will provide a financial program for students and Mr. Willie Pickens will do a fundraising event.  I asked that each person commit to a long-term multi-year partnership that will benefit our children. The fourth principal called and left a message today.  He is a former Ray School student and really wants to come and   do some work with us.  He was called out of town suddenly and could not make the event
Special Education
As was reported at our last meeting, the Office of Specialized Services notified Mrs. Butler that based on our spring numbers we would lose a special education teacher.   Mrs. Butler spoke with Deborah Duskey who told her that our numbers were too low to justify that position.  Mrs. Butler called the entire team together to let everyone know that we could fight but we might run the risk of losing two positions.  The team voted to appeal the closing.  Teachers submitted their schedules of minutes spent with each child included in the class and minutes in the resource class. A team of teachers along with Dr. Van Acker documented specific reasons that they thought would support this position.  Mrs. Butler wrote a justification based upon LRE (least restrictive environment) as mandated by Public Law 94-142 that included much o f what the team agreed was important to continue providing appropriate services.  A copy was submitted to Debbie Duskey, Chief Officer for the Office of Specialized Services and to the AMPS office.  A member of the AMPS officers responded with their individual opinion(s) that were supportive.  Specialized Services called to inform me that we were still over-entitled by one position but were only cut one.  Based on our current numbers and the matriculation of our sixth graders, we may still lose a position for next fall.
Special Education Parent Meeting
Mrs. Butler invited all parents of children with special needs to meet with her to discuss the current issue of the position cut and how it affects the school and their children in particular.  Mrs. Butler, Mr. Coyne (social worker), Mrs. Rogers (counselor) and Mrs. McNulty (teacher) made up the team from the school.  Mrs. Butler explained the sequence of events that led up to the position cut and the steps that have been taken since that time. After explaining the changes that would occur and plans that would possibly prevent us from being vulnerable to the same issue next year, parents discussed actions to help.

Literacy Day (formerly known as Halloween)
Staff and students dressed as book characters.  Guest readers read stories from books about their characters.
Doctor’s Back to School Visit – AMA Outreach- On October 28th, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Eight physicians and three staff members visited 4th-6th grade students and talked about the field of medicine.  They answered questions about the medical profession.  The program works to encourage minority students who are underrepresented in medicine to consider careers as physicians.  The session finished with a survey.
Obama Rally:  An assembly for the entire student body was held to celebrate the Obama victory.  The underlying message was that Americans are finally able to move beyond the color of one’s skin when judging a person’s ability.  The victory was America’s but using Obama as the instrument

After School Programs:
All Stars
Programs include yoga, baton twirling, poetry, debate, homework center, Chinese, cheerleading, drama, art for the younger child, studio art, board games, puppet making knitting, sewing, science cub, and Southside Scribblers (writing)
Student participation =150+

After School Counts -80 students
Selected students in grades 3-6 participate to improve reading and math skills.

Fundraising Proposal
Re-gifting Sale and Photo with Santa.  Student incentive (field trip)

Internal Accounts:  Enclosed

Budget:  Request for a transfer of funds to cover Tech XL expenses.

RAY SCHOOL
Facilities &amp; Safety Committee
Minutes
November 6, 2008

Present: Bernadette Butler, Star Breit, Gabriel Sheridan, Marcy Schlessinger, Therese Wasik, Amy Levine, Ralph Mirro, David Myles.

•    Missing floor tiles in corridors – 2nd and 3rd floor corridors complete.  Punch list work remains to be done including base, thresholds need to be installed where the tile surface meets the terrazzo. No movement: David will send letter to Wes O’Neal and Herm Gutierrez and cc Sean Murphy.

•    Peeling paint –Awarded (and funded) a work order for an environmental assessment of the peeling paint areas to be preformed by Mat-tec.  Assessment to include biddable scope for remediation.  No Movement: David will send letter to Wes O’Neal and Herm Gutierrez and cc Sean Murphy.

•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.

•    School cleaning concerns - Compliments mentioned about new temporary custodian cleaning areas around the building in good fashion.  Ralph will attempt to keep her at Ray. ☺ Rubber mats are available in lieu of area rugs in classrooms are in the main office to be distributed on a as needed/first come, first served basis.

•    Running Track –Ralph to Provide Ms. Perez with cleaning schedule.

•    Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment is  underway.

•    Landscaping project –  Work preformed this season “okay” after rapport developed with Christy Webber’s landscape foreman.

•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) - the Drill plan and scheduled will soon be outlined by Ms Butler.

•    Annex building access - Access back into the school from the east playground through the annex building doors will be accomplished by the use of radios.  School security personnel will be primary “door opener” as building maintenance will assist if they are in the immediate area.  Ralph has ordered 3 radios.

•    Elevator pass key –pass key to operate elevator are with: Mr Lancaster, Ms McFarland, Security Desk and the principal, Ms. Butler.

•    Sand box – Toni Perez will be asked to lead a committee to investigate options.

•    Auditorium Seating –Work is currently underway to repair all of the broken seats/backs. ☺ We must insure that proper supervision is in place during inclement weather days to keep these chairs in good order.

•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.

•    Fluorescent light fixture lens covers are needed throughout old building.  Ralph has 3rd &amp; 2nd floor survey and approximately $5,000 needed to fund replacement lens covers.

•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.

57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.

Next Meeting:  December 4th, 8:00 am

Summary by:  David Myles