-- Table structure for table `wp_217_postmeta`
--

CREATE TABLE `wp_217_postmeta` (
  `meta_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL auto_increment,
  `post_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL default '0',
  `meta_key` varchar(255) default NULL,
  `meta_value` longtext,
  PRIMARY KEY  (`meta_id`),
  KEY `post_id` (`post_id`),
  KEY `meta_key` (`meta_key`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM AUTO_INCREMENT=54 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8;

--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_217_postmeta`
--

INSERT INTO `wp_217_postmeta` (`meta_id`, `post_id`, `meta_key`, `meta_value`) VALUES (2,8,'_edit_lock','1272985701'),(3,8,'_edit_last','188'),(4,11,'_edit_lock','1225035039'),(5,11,'_edit_last','49'),(6,5,'_edit_lock','1225036951'),(7,5,'_edit_last','49'),(8,7,'_wp_attached_file','2008/10/importing_student_data.pdf'),(9,7,'_wp_attachment_temp_parent','-1225054096'),(10,7,'_wp_attachment_metadata','a:0:{}'),(11,13,'_edit_lock','1234140135'),(12,13,'_edit_last','49'),(13,15,'_edit_lock','1234140242'),(14,15,'_edit_last','49'),(15,17,'_edit_lock','1234140346'),(16,17,'_edit_last','49'),(17,19,'_edit_lock','1236619930'),(18,19,'_edit_last','49'),(19,21,'_edit_lock','1241108918'),(20,21,'_edit_last','49'),(21,21,'_wp_page_template','default'),(22,23,'_edit_lock','1241109024'),(23,23,'_edit_last','49'),(24,23,'_wp_page_template','default'),(25,25,'_edit_lock','1241109096'),(26,25,'_edit_last','49'),(27,25,'_wp_page_template','default'),(28,27,'_edit_lock','1252254167'),(29,27,'_edit_last','49'),(30,29,'_edit_lock','1252254261'),(31,29,'_edit_last','49'),(32,31,'_edit_lock','1255490497'),(33,31,'_edit_last','49'),(34,33,'_edit_lock','1255490708'),(35,33,'_edit_last','49'),(36,35,'_edit_lock','1255490793'),(37,35,'_edit_last','49'),(38,37,'_edit_lock','1255490851'),(39,37,'_edit_last','49'),(40,39,'_edit_lock','1256142041'),(41,39,'_edit_last','49');

--
-- Table structure for table `wp_217_posts`
--

CREATE TABLE `wp_217_posts` (
  `ID` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL auto_increment,
  `post_author` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL default '0',
  `post_date` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
  `post_date_gmt` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
  `post_content` longtext NOT NULL,
  `post_title` text NOT NULL,
  `post_excerpt` text NOT NULL,
  `post_status` varchar(20) NOT NULL default 'publish',
  `comment_status` varchar(20) NOT NULL default 'open',
  `ping_status` varchar(20) NOT NULL default 'open',
  `post_password` varchar(20) NOT NULL default '',
  `post_name` varchar(200) NOT NULL default '',
  `to_ping` text NOT NULL,
  `pinged` text NOT NULL,
  `post_modified` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
  `post_modified_gmt` datetime NOT NULL default '0000-00-00 00:00:00',
  `post_content_filtered` text NOT NULL,
  `post_parent` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL default '0',
  `guid` varchar(255) NOT NULL default '',
  `menu_order` int(11) NOT NULL default '0',
  `post_type` varchar(20) NOT NULL default 'post',
  `post_mime_type` varchar(100) NOT NULL default '',
  `comment_count` bigint(20) NOT NULL default '0',
  PRIMARY KEY  (`ID`),
  KEY `post_name` (`post_name`),
  KEY `type_status_date` (`post_type`,`post_status`,`post_date`,`ID`),
  KEY `post_parent` (`post_parent`),
  KEY `post_author` (`post_author`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM AUTO_INCREMENT=44 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8;

--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_217_posts`
--

INSERT INTO `wp_217_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES (8,188,'2010-05-03 13:11:16','0000-00-00 00:00:00','http://raylsc.cuipblogs.net/files/2008/10/importing_student_data.pdf','','','draft','open','open','','','','','2010-05-03 13:11:16','0000-00-00 00:00:00','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=8',0,'post','',0),(4,188,'2008-10-26 10:28:40','2008-10-26 15:28:40','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nJuly 14, 2008\n\nIn Attendance: Liz Avila, Lee Barker, Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman (by phone), John Gonzalez, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, Ken Schug, Angela Walker, Jennifer Washington\n\nB. Butler called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.\n\nB. Butler asked L. Barker to serve as LSC Chair and J. Washington to serve as Secretary, until the election of Officers later in the agenda. L. Barker and J. Washington accepted.\n\nApproval of Agenda\nOn a motion by L. Barker (second: S. Murphy) the LSC unanimously approved the meeting agenda.\n\nApproval of June Minutes\nTabled until next meeting.\n\nElection of Offices\nS. Murphy nominated R. Lodato (second: J. Gonzales) as Chairman - the LSC unanimously approved. J. Gonzales nominated S. Murphy (second: B. Butler) as Vice Chair - the LSC unanimously approved. S. Murphy nominated H. Edelman (Second: L. Avila) as Secretary - the  LSC unanimously approved.\n\nSelection of Meeting Dates\nFollowing a brief discussion, LSC decided to keep meetings on the second Monday of the month (if that day is a holiday, the meeting moves to Wednesday) and alternate the meetings between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.\n\n2008-09 meeting Schedule is as follows:\n\nSeptember 8 - 6:30 p.m.\nOctober 15 - 8 a.m.\nNovember 10 - 6:30 p.m.\nDecember 8 - 8 a.m.\nJanuary 12 - 6:30 p.m.\nFebruary 9 - 8:00 a.m.\nMarch 9 - 6:30 p.m.\nApril 13 - 8 a.m.\nMay 11 - 6:30 p.m.\nJune 8 - 8:00 a.m.\n\nSelection of Committees and Committee Chairs\n* Bylaws Committee: K. Schug - Chair, A. Walker and R. Lodato\n* SIPPAAA Committee: J. Washington - Chair, C. Lancaster, A. Walker, S. Murphy, L. Barker\n* ESL Committee: L. Avila - Chair, will ask parents of ESL students to serve on committee\n* Special Ed Committee: C. Lancaster - Chair, H. Edelman\n* Facilities Committee: David Myles will be asked to Chair, S. Murphy\n* Vision/Priority Committee: H. Edelman - Chair, C. Lancaster, L. Barker, Dana Roby (PTA), Bronwyn Lodato (PTA).\n* Technology Committee: S. Murphy - Chair, Ms. Sheridan will be asked to Co-Chair, H. Edelman, L. Barker\n\nOn a motion by K. Schug (second: A. Walker) the LSC unanimously approved the above listed committees and chairs.\n\nDistribution of SIPAAA\nB. Butler provided all LSC members and audience with a  copy of the current SIPAAA. C. Lancaster asked for the pages listing teacher’s names and salaries be removed from non-LSC member copies.\n\nOld Business\nNone\n\nNew Business\nRev. Michael Brand suggested B. Butler lead a SIPAAA workshop explaining the document to new LSC members. She agreed, and the meeting was scheduled for August 4, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.\n\nL. Barker would like the Visions/Priority Committee to provide an outline as soon as possible to help provide a clear direction for the LSC.\n\nB. Butler asked for it to be noted that the LSC’s role is not to fundraise. The SIPAAA is the blueprint of the school and should be used to guide the LSC. The SIPAAA can be modified (with LSC vote).\n\nAdjourn\nThe meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.\n\nSubmitted by,\nJennifer Washington\nHeather Edelman','July 2008','','inherit','open','open','','3-revision','','','2008-10-26 10:28:40','2008-10-26 15:28:40','',11,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2008/10/26/3-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(11,188,'2008-10-26 10:30:39','2008-10-26 15:30:39','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nJuly 14, 2008\n\nIn Attendance: Liz Avila, Lee Barker, Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman (by phone), John Gonzalez, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, Ken Schug, Angela Walker, Jennifer Washington\n\nB. Butler called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.\n\nB. Butler asked L. Barker to serve as LSC Chair and J. Washington to serve as Secretary, until the election of Officers later in the agenda. L. Barker and J. Washington accepted.\n\nApproval of Agenda\nOn a motion by L. Barker (second: S. Murphy) the LSC unanimously approved the meeting agenda.\n\nApproval of June Minutes\nTabled until next meeting.\n\nElection of Offices\nS. Murphy nominated R. Lodato (second: J. Gonzales) as Chairman - the LSC unanimously approved. J. Gonzales nominated S. Murphy (second: B. Butler) as Vice Chair - the LSC unanimously approved. S. Murphy nominated H. Edelman (Second: L. Avila) as Secretary - the  LSC unanimously approved.\n\nSelection of Meeting Dates\nFollowing a brief discussion, LSC decided to keep meetings on the second Monday of the month (if that day is a holiday, the meeting moves to Wednesday) and alternate the meetings between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.\n\n2008-09 meeting Schedule is as follows:\n\nSeptember 8 - 6:30 p.m.\nOctober 15 - 8 a.m.\nNovember 10 - 6:30 p.m.\nDecember 8 - 8 a.m.\nJanuary 12 - 6:30 p.m.\nFebruary 9 - 8:00 a.m.\nMarch 9 - 6:30 p.m.\nApril 13 - 8 a.m.\nMay 11 - 6:30 p.m.\nJune 8 - 8:00 a.m.\n\nSelection of Committees and Committee Chairs\n* Bylaws Committee: K. Schug - Chair, A. Walker and R. Lodato\n* SIPPAAA Committee: J. Washington - Chair, C. Lancaster, A. Walker, S. Murphy, L. Barker\n* ESL Committee: L. Avila - Chair, will ask parents of ESL students to serve on committee\n* Special Ed Committee: C. Lancaster - Chair, H. Edelman\n* Facilities Committee: David Myles will be asked to Chair, S. Murphy\n* Vision/Priority Committee: H. Edelman - Chair, C. Lancaster, L. Barker, Dana Roby (PTA), Bronwyn Lodato (PTA).\n* Technology Committee: S. Murphy - Chair, Ms. Sheridan will be asked to Co-Chair, H. Edelman, L. Barker\n\nOn a motion by K. Schug (second: A. Walker) the LSC unanimously approved the above listed committees and chairs.\n\nDistribution of SIPAAA\nB. Butler provided all LSC members and audience with a  copy of the current SIPAAA. C. Lancaster asked for the pages listing teacher’s names and salaries be removed from non-LSC member copies.\n\nOld Business\nNone\n\nNew Business\nRev. Michael Brand suggested B. Butler lead a SIPAAA workshop explaining the document to new LSC members. She agreed, and the meeting was scheduled for August 4, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.\n\nL. Barker would like the Visions/Priority Committee to provide an outline as soon as possible to help provide a clear direction for the LSC.\n\nB. Butler asked for it to be noted that the LSC’s role is not to fundraise. The SIPAAA is the blueprint of the school and should be used to guide the LSC. The SIPAAA can be modified (with LSC vote).\n\nAdjourn\nThe meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.\n\nSubmitted by,\nJennifer Washington\nHeather Edelman','July 2008','','publish','closed','closed','','july-2008','','','2008-10-26 10:30:39','2008-10-26 15:30:39','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=3',0,'post','',0),(6,188,'2008-10-26 11:01:39','2008-10-26 16:01:39','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nSeptember 8, 2008\n\nIn attendance:\nLee Barker, Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Angela Williams-Walker\nAbsent: Sean Murphy\n\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m.\n\nApproval of Agenda\nOn a motion by R. Lodato (second: B. Butler) the LSC unanimously approved the meeting agenda.\n\nApproval of May, June and July minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: B. Butler) the LSC accepted the minutes with two changes to the July minutes: K. Schug’s name spelled correctly and S. Murphy selected for V.P. position. Abstained: one.\n\nReport from the Principal (see attached)\nPrincipal Butler introduced Kristen White of Children’s Home and Aid to explain Ray School’s potential involvement in the community schools initiative. Through the initiaive, Children’s Home and Aid could provide afterschool programs, counseling, parent workshops and community building activities. The organization also could help organize external partnerships. Children’s Home and Aid could hire a site manager by mid-October and start programs by January. The grant was acquired for Ray by the former director of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club. Principal Butler noted that the partnership was awarded $105,000, not $150,000 as appears in her report. On a motion by J. Washington (second: A. Williams-Walker), the LSC unanimously approved a partnership with Children’s Home and Aid.\n\nPrincipal Butler discussed diversity in the first grade classrooms. She provided a chart of the racial composition of the three first-grade classes. All classes are approximately 50 percent African-American. White students represent about three to 30 percent of each class. Hispanic students are about 3 to 6 percent of each class. Asian students are about 15 to 30 percent of each class. Bi-racial students make up 0 to 10 percent of each class.\nPrincipal Butler and some teachers who attended the meeting explained that teachers try to balance classrooms according to race, academic ability and behavioral issues.\n\nPrincipal Butler also mentioned the increasing number of students participating in the  existing afterschool program and the expansion of afterschool offerings.\n\nPrincipal Butler mentioned a staff development session teachers attended about differentiated instruction, and she mentioned new school-wide intervention strategies in behavior.\n\nPrincipal Butler invited PTA President Joy Clendenning to introduce the list of fundraisers planned for the year. The PTA hopes to raise $30,000 to $50,000. On a motion by J. Washington (second: K. Schug), the LSC unanimously approved the PTA fundraising events.\n\nPrincipal Butler invited Librarian Leslie Travis to discuss Student Council fundraisers, which the council uses for the school or donates to an outside organization. On a motion by J. Washington (second: K. Schug), with the proviso that students report back on their fundraisers and get fundraisers approved by school administrators, the LSC unanimously approved the Student Council fundraisers.\n\nReports from LSC Subcommittees\nExisting subcommittees include Bylaws, SIPAAA, Bilingual, Special Education, Facilities, Vision and Priorities, and Technology.\n\nC. Lancaster explained the difference between the PTA and LSC special education committees. The PTA committee offers support for parents, while the LSC committee discusses how well the school is meeting students’ needs. Because C. Lancaster is the chair of the PTA committee, she asked the LSC to replace her with teacher Jan Schuitema as chair of the LSC committee. On a motion by K. Schug (second: J. Washington) the LSC unanimously approved J. Schuitema as the LSC special education committee chair.\n\nDavid Myles passed out an update of Facility and Safety Committee issues (see attached update) that were addressed over the summer. He explained that an environmental assessment of the peeling paint has been paid for and will be conducted, but that the work to fix the peeling paint is not yet funded.\n\nH. Edelman explained that the Vision and Priorities Committee was created after joint meetings last spring between the PTA and LSC. The committee was charged with creating a wish list (see attached) for the school that would offer direction for the PTA fundraising committee. Asst. Principal Barbara Onofrio, C. Lancaster, PTA Treasurer Dana Roby and H. Edelman met a few times over the summer and complied wish lists created during the SIPAAA process and through surveys of parents and teachers conducted last year. PTA fundraising committee chair Bronwyn Lodato and B. Butler joined the committee to refine the list. The next step is to start identifying resources to bring these services to the school. Surfacing to the top of the list was a reading teacher. On a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second C. Lancaster) the LSC unanimously approved the Vision and Priorities wish list and charged the committee with finding solutions and resources.\n\nStatus of Friends of Ray\nR. Lodato urged Friends of Ray to separate from the PTA to expedite fundraising.\nA. Williams-Walker will investigate the procedure for separating the two organizations.\n\nLSC Vacancies\nThe LSC has two vacancies: one parent representative position opened by the departure of John Gonzalez; and one teacher representative position created by the departure of Liz Avila. Two parents presented themselves as candidates for the parent position: Jennifer Kay, parent of a first grader, and D. Myles, guardian of a sixth grader.\n\nTeachers planned to vote for a new teacher representative during the week.\n\nOld Business\nNone\n\nNew Business\nH. Edelman suggested creating a Spanish committee and Principal Evaluation committee.\nL. Barker volunteered to set up LSC trainings.\n\nLSC unanimously voted to move to executive session at 8:58 p.m. to discuss the LSC parent representative vacancy. The meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.\n\nSubmitted by Heather Edelman\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the LSC\nSeptember 8, 2008\n\nEnrollment\nAs of Friday we have 574 students enrolled K-6.\nClassroom Diversity\nPlacement of students in classrooms depends upon factors of gender, race, ability and special needs.  Race cannot be the first and only factor.\nNew Hires\nThe hiring process began at the end of last year as Mrs. Butler was informed about possible changes in staff.  Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Schuitema and Mrs. Rogers attended the job fair at navy Pier and began to search for an ESL teacher, special education teachers and an intermediate grade teacher.  I set up interview teams comprised of teachers who would work with those teachers or who had knowledge of the job along with both administrators.  As I became notified of other positions, openings were posted in the CPS bulletin and other teams were set up to conduct interviews.\nPositions\nAll positions have been filled with the exception of two bus aides. We are in the process of hiring the bus monitor position previously filled by Brian who now works the after school program.\n\nGrants\nCommunity Schools Initiative Grant was awarded to enhance student learning, provide a vehicle to involve parents and to promote community involvement.  The partnership was awarded $105,000.\nAfter-School Counts (ASC) targets low performing students. The program focuses on reading and math for four hours per week for twenty weeks. Funding based on school enrollment\nAward; $13,500.00\nAfter-School All Stars (ASAS)\nProvides enrichment and recreation activities for 4 hours each week, 20 weeks per year.  The             programs will employ one coordinator Award: $15,576.00\nAMPS-Written for staff development and substitutes and consultants\n\nWorld Language and Culture- $3600 was awarded for supplies, artists and residency\n\nAdditional After School Programs\nTuition-Based After School – Enrollment is up to 65. We added one new employee.  We increased parent worker hours to help with lunchroom and playground. Children now split into activity groups.   Mrs. Abella is researching new activities and personnel to lead.  There will be more communication between the regular classroom and after school to ensure homework is completed.\nWe Got Game (Fee Based) - We are still working out the details.\nMulti-sports, basketball and soccer skills will be offered.  There will be a minimum of 8 students, max of 20. Offered to K-2nd and 3rd-5th.\n.\n\nStaff Development\nPositive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) This staff development was a follow-up to all of the planning and staff development and support given by Dr. Rick Van Acker last year.\nA group of teachers and staff attended the two-day session of the 2008 Summer Leadership Conference.   Each team attended select workshops that would further develop their understanding and role on their team.  Once again it is important that teaching assistants be given the same information and skills so that they do become an integral part of the educational team.  Offerings included the plenary session where the topic was “Addressing over-Representation of Student Groups in Academic and Behavioral Failure”.\n\nAnn Benninghoff\nTeachers and teaching assistants attended a full day session of staff development at              Westside Tech.  The topic was “Practical Strategies for Differentiated Instruction”.  Having the assistants attend the sessions exposed them to activities and strategies that they can use with students and have a fuller understanding of what and why different strategies must be used with diverse learners.  Staff came away with a ready packet of activities to be used for kinesthetic learners, visual learners and auditory learners.  One great learning that has significant implications for teaching is the fact that most of us are visual learners but the children who are generally identified with some form of special need tend to be tactile/kinesthetic learners.  Most teachers teach to the visual and auditory modalities.  In the workshop teachers were given activities that could be adapted to     different subject areas\nPrincipal and Assistant Principal Staff Development\nEmergency Management\nMrs. Butler attended the Emergency Management System training.  This year the planning is done on line and all codes are done in plain language as opposed to color codes.  Evacuation, lockdown, shelter-in-place and all clear are the new terms.  Teachers and students will be given the new language within the next few weeks.  If an emergency happens before we will simply use the old language and proceed as in the past.  The new system is part of the national system as set up by Homeland Security.  Copies of what this means will be provided for parents.\nLaw Conference\nBoth administrators attended the mandatory Legal conference.  Sessions attended were Student discipline and due process, contracts, Labor, LSC relations, policy issues and teacher evaluation\nBoth administrators attended PBIS and Anne Benninghoff sessions\n\nTheme for the Year\nChange -The entire staff listened to the story of Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson that is a parable about recognizing and adapting to change.  We will buy each staff member a copy and one children’s copy per classroom.  The plan is to read the book as a group and to have teacher read it to children and discuss it.  This will further the SIPAAA goal of\n\nSchool-wide Intervention Strategies\nAcademic and behavioral strategies are taught modeled, role played and rewarded to teach competencies of self-awareness, self-control and social skills in class.  Students are taught socially responsible ways of responding, reacting to students exhibiting anti-social behavior in the classroom.  A citizenship assembly was held for the entire school. Three rules for this year are:  Be safe, Respect yourself and others, Be ready to learn and help others learn. Expectations and positive and negative consequences were discussed.  Teaching assistants who are responsible for particular areas of the school presented what the three expectations look like in each of their areas. Teachers made individual systems in their classrooms to support the program.\n\nPTA Board Fund Raisers and 57th St. Book Fair\nWe need to approve these tonight.\n\nIMPACT Gradebook\nThis new web-based tool allows teachers to take attendance, enter grades and store information electronically.  The tool allows the principal to monitor grades and attendance.  In the future it will allow parents to view current grades and attendance.\n\nHispanic Heritage Month\nThe world language team is in the process of planning activities for the period September 15 through the end of October.  Different grade levels will focus on particular aspects of the culture and create displays.  Plans are to have a gallery walk and a student performance as part of the celebration.\nCurriculum Teams\nTeachers have signed up for the curriculum team of their choice.  Each team received areas of responsibility.\nNCLB Audit Report\n100% of our teachers are highly qualified\n\nStudent Supply Boxes\nWe sold over a hundred but the results or what we made are still pending\n\nBudget\nCopies in individual packets. $92, 354.29 left in available funds\n\nInternal Accounts\n$149,185.52\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nSummer Update\nSeptember 4, 2008\n\nThis is a Summary Report our June 2008 Minutes noting the repairs (in bold type) that occurred over the Summer of 2008 as the Facility Committee did not meet in September.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Peeling paint –Herm Gutierrez (CPS Operations) visited School in late August and has awarded a contract for an environmental assessment of the peeling paint areas.\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    School cleaning concerns –  Repairs/adjustments made within hours of our June meeting to the restroom partition doors. ☺  Adequate levels of paper and soap supplies are being stocked in restrooms.\n•    Running Track – Area remained clean as of August 28th.☺\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – Need confirmation of School having a schedule for LAN wireless system installation.  Uncertainty at this time as to the status of this installation.  New telephone system installed.  Per the LSC, School would like to be part of the “pilot” program with Sun Computer Systems.\n\n•    Bi-lingual Signs – Completed in May  ☺\n\n•    Beautification Committee – See comments above on peeling paint.\n\n•    Landscaping project –  Met with landscaping contractor  (Christy Webber) on May 13th to review expectations only to learn of what wasn’t include in their scope.  Ralph following up with contact person and has alerted them of our need to have service prior to the upcoming Art Fair.\n\n•    Auditorium PA system –  Installed the week of May 26th and working (3 wireless microphones are audio recording capability.) ☺  Thanks to all who contributed to this much appreciated up-grade!\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) Last remaining Drill (security lockdown) to be scheduled for Monday June 9th.\n\n•    Annex building access - Access back into the school from the east playground through the annex building’s double doors was discussed.  Decision:  One radio and one door key on paddle will be available in the office for staff to pick-up prior to going on the playground. ☺\n\n•    Lauren, received a proposal from the artist Mr. Chavez, for designing and installing/mounting his art work.  Decision:   Thank Mr. Chavez and offer that his art that has been displayed at Ray School for at least 7 years be shared with others at another location.  Lauren to get back with Mr. Chavez.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS property.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No future meeting dates identified.\n\nSummary by:  David Myles\n\nLSC Vision and Priorities subcommittee\nDraft priority list\nSeptember 8, 2008\n\nSIPAAA area #1 - Academic Achievement\n*Reduce class size\n*Reduce class size with a k-1 reading specialist\n*Technology coordinator\n*Professional development\n*White boards\n\nSIPAAA area #2 - Spanish\n*Professional development, with the goal of immersing students in language and culture\n\nSIPAAA area #3 – Parent and Community Involvement\n*Ray\'s Café\n*Principal\'s Coffee Hour\n*Parent workshops\n\nSIPAAA area #4- Learning Climate\n*Building repairs\n*Increase lunch staffing\n*Increase after-school offerings\n*Offer healthier lunch','September 2008','','inherit','open','open','','5-revision','','','2008-10-26 11:01:39','2008-10-26 16:01:39','',5,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2008/10/26/5-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5,188,'2008-10-26 11:02:30','2008-10-26 16:02:30','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nSeptember 8, 2008\n\nIn attendance:\nLee Barker, Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Angela Williams-Walker\nAbsent: Sean Murphy\n\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m.\n\nApproval of Agenda\nOn a motion by R. Lodato (second: B. Butler) the LSC unanimously approved the meeting agenda.\n\nApproval of May, June and July minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: B. Butler) the LSC accepted the minutes with two changes to the July minutes: K. Schug’s name spelled correctly and S. Murphy selected for V.P. position. Abstained: one.\n\nReport from the Principal (see attached)\nPrincipal Butler introduced Kristen White of Children’s Home and Aid to explain Ray School’s potential involvement in the community schools initiative. Through the initiaive, Children’s Home and Aid could provide afterschool programs, counseling, parent workshops and community building activities. The organization also could help organize external partnerships. Children’s Home and Aid could hire a site manager by mid-October and start programs by January. The grant was acquired for Ray by the former director of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club. Principal Butler noted that the partnership was awarded $105,000, not $150,000 as appears in her report. On a motion by J. Washington (second: A. Williams-Walker), the LSC unanimously approved a partnership with Children’s Home and Aid.\n\nPrincipal Butler discussed diversity in the first grade classrooms. She provided a chart of the racial composition of the three first-grade classes. All classes are approximately 50 percent African-American. White students represent about three to 30 percent of each class. Hispanic students are about 3 to 6 percent of each class. Asian students are about 15 to 30 percent of each class. Bi-racial students make up 0 to 10 percent of each class.\nPrincipal Butler and some teachers who attended the meeting explained that teachers try to balance classrooms according to race, academic ability and behavioral issues.\n\nPrincipal Butler also mentioned the increasing number of students participating in the  existing afterschool program and the expansion of afterschool offerings.\n\nPrincipal Butler mentioned a staff development session teachers attended about differentiated instruction, and she mentioned new school-wide intervention strategies in behavior.\n\nPrincipal Butler invited PTA President Joy Clendenning to introduce the list of fundraisers planned for the year. The PTA hopes to raise $30,000 to $50,000. On a motion by J. Washington (second: K. Schug), the LSC unanimously approved the PTA fundraising events.\n\nPrincipal Butler invited Librarian Leslie Travis to discuss Student Council fundraisers, which the council uses for the school or donates to an outside organization. On a motion by J. Washington (second: K. Schug), with the proviso that students report back on their fundraisers and get fundraisers approved by school administrators, the LSC unanimously approved the Student Council fundraisers.\n\nReports from LSC Subcommittees\nExisting subcommittees include Bylaws, SIPAAA, Bilingual, Special Education, Facilities, Vision and Priorities, and Technology.\n\nC. Lancaster explained the difference between the PTA and LSC special education committees. The PTA committee offers support for parents, while the LSC committee discusses how well the school is meeting students’ needs. Because C. Lancaster is the chair of the PTA committee, she asked the LSC to replace her with teacher Jan Schuitema as chair of the LSC committee. On a motion by K. Schug (second: J. Washington) the LSC unanimously approved J. Schuitema as the LSC special education committee chair.\n\nDavid Myles passed out an update of Facility and Safety Committee issues (see attached update) that were addressed over the summer. He explained that an environmental assessment of the peeling paint has been paid for and will be conducted, but that the work to fix the peeling paint is not yet funded.\n\nH. Edelman explained that the Vision and Priorities Committee was created after joint meetings last spring between the PTA and LSC. The committee was charged with creating a wish list (see attached) for the school that would offer direction for the PTA fundraising committee. Asst. Principal Barbara Onofrio, C. Lancaster, PTA Treasurer Dana Roby and H. Edelman met a few times over the summer and complied wish lists created during the SIPAAA process and through surveys of parents and teachers conducted last year. PTA fundraising committee chair Bronwyn Lodato and B. Butler joined the committee to refine the list. The next step is to start identifying resources to bring these services to the school. Surfacing to the top of the list was a reading teacher. On a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second C. Lancaster) the LSC unanimously approved the Vision and Priorities wish list and charged the committee with finding solutions and resources.\n\nStatus of Friends of Ray\nR. Lodato urged Friends of Ray to separate from the PTA to expedite fundraising.\nA. Williams-Walker will investigate the procedure for separating the two organizations.\n\nLSC Vacancies\nThe LSC has two vacancies: one parent representative position opened by the departure of John Gonzalez; and one teacher representative position created by the departure of Liz Avila. Two parents presented themselves as candidates for the parent position: Jennifer Kay, parent of a first grader, and D. Myles, guardian of a sixth grader.\n\nTeachers planned to vote for a new teacher representative during the week.\n\nOld Business\nNone\n\nNew Business\nH. Edelman suggested creating a Spanish committee and Principal Evaluation committee.\nL. Barker volunteered to set up LSC trainings.\n\nLSC unanimously voted to move to executive session at 8:58 p.m. to discuss the LSC parent representative vacancy. The meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.\n\nSubmitted by Heather Edelman\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the LSC\nSeptember 8, 2008\n\nEnrollment\nAs of Friday we have 574 students enrolled K-6.\nClassroom Diversity\nPlacement of students in classrooms depends upon factors of gender, race, ability and special needs.  Race cannot be the first and only factor.\nNew Hires\nThe hiring process began at the end of last year as Mrs. Butler was informed about possible changes in staff.  Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Schuitema and Mrs. Rogers attended the job fair at navy Pier and began to search for an ESL teacher, special education teachers and an intermediate grade teacher.  I set up interview teams comprised of teachers who would work with those teachers or who had knowledge of the job along with both administrators.  As I became notified of other positions, openings were posted in the CPS bulletin and other teams were set up to conduct interviews.\nPositions\nAll positions have been filled with the exception of two bus aides. We are in the process of hiring the bus monitor position previously filled by Brian who now works the after school program.\n\nGrants\nCommunity Schools Initiative Grant was awarded to enhance student learning, provide a vehicle to involve parents and to promote community involvement.  The partnership was awarded $105,000.\nAfter-School Counts (ASC) targets low performing students. The program focuses on reading and math for four hours per week for twenty weeks. Funding based on school enrollment\nAward; $13,500.00\nAfter-School All Stars (ASAS)\nProvides enrichment and recreation activities for 4 hours each week, 20 weeks per year.  The             programs will employ one coordinator Award: $15,576.00\nAMPS-Written for staff development and substitutes and consultants\n\nWorld Language and Culture- $3600 was awarded for supplies, artists and residency\n\nAdditional After School Programs\nTuition-Based After School – Enrollment is up to 65. We added one new employee.  We increased parent worker hours to help with lunchroom and playground. Children now split into activity groups.   Mrs. Abella is researching new activities and personnel to lead.  There will be more communication between the regular classroom and after school to ensure homework is completed.\nWe Got Game (Fee Based) - We are still working out the details.\nMulti-sports, basketball and soccer skills will be offered.  There will be a minimum of 8 students, max of 20. Offered to K-2nd and 3rd-5th.\n.\n\nStaff Development\nPositive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) This staff development was a follow-up to all of the planning and staff development and support given by Dr. Rick Van Acker last year.\nA group of teachers and staff attended the two-day session of the 2008 Summer Leadership Conference.   Each team attended select workshops that would further develop their understanding and role on their team.  Once again it is important that teaching assistants be given the same information and skills so that they do become an integral part of the educational team.  Offerings included the plenary session where the topic was “Addressing over-Representation of Student Groups in Academic and Behavioral Failure”.\n\nAnn Benninghoff\nTeachers and teaching assistants attended a full day session of staff development at              Westside Tech.  The topic was “Practical Strategies for Differentiated Instruction”.  Having the assistants attend the sessions exposed them to activities and strategies that they can use with students and have a fuller understanding of what and why different strategies must be used with diverse learners.  Staff came away with a ready packet of activities to be used for kinesthetic learners, visual learners and auditory learners.  One great learning that has significant implications for teaching is the fact that most of us are visual learners but the children who are generally identified with some form of special need tend to be tactile/kinesthetic learners.  Most teachers teach to the visual and auditory modalities.  In the workshop teachers were given activities that could be adapted to     different subject areas\nPrincipal and Assistant Principal Staff Development\nEmergency Management\nMrs. Butler attended the Emergency Management System training.  This year the planning is done on line and all codes are done in plain language as opposed to color codes.  Evacuation, lockdown, shelter-in-place and all clear are the new terms.  Teachers and students will be given the new language within the next few weeks.  If an emergency happens before we will simply use the old language and proceed as in the past.  The new system is part of the national system as set up by Homeland Security.  Copies of what this means will be provided for parents.\nLaw Conference\nBoth administrators attended the mandatory Legal conference.  Sessions attended were Student discipline and due process, contracts, Labor, LSC relations, policy issues and teacher evaluation\nBoth administrators attended PBIS and Anne Benninghoff sessions\n\nTheme for the Year\nChange -The entire staff listened to the story of Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson that is a parable about recognizing and adapting to change.  We will buy each staff member a copy and one children’s copy per classroom.  The plan is to read the book as a group and to have teacher read it to children and discuss it.  This will further the SIPAAA goal of\n\nSchool-wide Intervention Strategies\nAcademic and behavioral strategies are taught modeled, role played and rewarded to teach competencies of self-awareness, self-control and social skills in class.  Students are taught socially responsible ways of responding, reacting to students exhibiting anti-social behavior in the classroom.  A citizenship assembly was held for the entire school. Three rules for this year are:  Be safe, Respect yourself and others, Be ready to learn and help others learn. Expectations and positive and negative consequences were discussed.  Teaching assistants who are responsible for particular areas of the school presented what the three expectations look like in each of their areas. Teachers made individual systems in their classrooms to support the program.\n\nPTA Board Fund Raisers and 57th St. Book Fair\nWe need to approve these tonight.\n\nIMPACT Gradebook\nThis new web-based tool allows teachers to take attendance, enter grades and store information electronically.  The tool allows the principal to monitor grades and attendance.  In the future it will allow parents to view current grades and attendance.\n\nHispanic Heritage Month\nThe world language team is in the process of planning activities for the period September 15 through the end of October.  Different grade levels will focus on particular aspects of the culture and create displays.  Plans are to have a gallery walk and a student performance as part of the celebration.\nCurriculum Teams\nTeachers have signed up for the curriculum team of their choice.  Each team received areas of responsibility.\nNCLB Audit Report\n100% of our teachers are highly qualified\n\nStudent Supply Boxes\nWe sold over a hundred but the results or what we made are still pending\n\nBudget\nCopies in individual packets. $92, 354.29 left in available funds\n\nInternal Accounts\n$149,185.52\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nSummer Update\nSeptember 4, 2008\n\nThis is a Summary Report our June 2008 Minutes noting the repairs (in bold type) that occurred over the Summer of 2008 as the Facility Committee did not meet in September.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Peeling paint –Herm Gutierrez (CPS Operations) visited School in late August and has awarded a contract for an environmental assessment of the peeling paint areas.\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    School cleaning concerns –  Repairs/adjustments made within hours of our June meeting to the restroom partition doors. ☺  Adequate levels of paper and soap supplies are being stocked in restrooms.\n•    Running Track – Area remained clean as of August 28th.☺\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – Need confirmation of School having a schedule for LAN wireless system installation.  Uncertainty at this time as to the status of this installation.  New telephone system installed.  Per the LSC, School would like to be part of the “pilot” program with Sun Computer Systems.\n\n•    Bi-lingual Signs – Completed in May  ☺\n\n•    Beautification Committee – See comments above on peeling paint.\n\n•    Landscaping project –  Met with landscaping contractor  (Christy Webber) on May 13th to review expectations only to learn of what wasn’t include in their scope.  Ralph following up with contact person and has alerted them of our need to have service prior to the upcoming Art Fair.\n\n•    Auditorium PA system –  Installed the week of May 26th and working (3 wireless microphones are audio recording capability.) ☺  Thanks to all who contributed to this much appreciated up-grade!\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) Last remaining Drill (security lockdown) to be scheduled for Monday June 9th.\n\n•    Annex building access - Access back into the school from the east playground through the annex building’s double doors was discussed.  Decision:  One radio and one door key on paddle will be available in the office for staff to pick-up prior to going on the playground. ☺\n\n•    Lauren, received a proposal from the artist Mr. Chavez, for designing and installing/mounting his art work.  Decision:   Thank Mr. Chavez and offer that his art that has been displayed at Ray School for at least 7 years be shared with others at another location.  Lauren to get back with Mr. Chavez.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS property.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No future meeting dates identified.\n\nSummary by:  David Myles\n\nLSC Vision and Priorities subcommittee\nDraft priority list\nSeptember 8, 2008\n\nSIPAAA area #1 - Academic Achievement\n*Reduce class size\n*Reduce class size with a k-1 reading specialist\n*Technology coordinator\n*Professional development\n*White boards\n\nSIPAAA area #2 - Spanish\n*Professional development, with the goal of immersing students in language and culture\n\nSIPAAA area #3 – Parent and Community Involvement\n*Ray\'s Café\n*Principal\'s Coffee Hour\n*Parent workshops\n\nSIPAAA area #4- Learning Climate\n*Building repairs\n*Increase lunch staffing\n*Increase after-school offerings\n*Offer healthier lunch','September 2008','','publish','closed','closed','','september-2008','','','2008-10-26 11:02:30','2008-10-26 16:02:30','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=5',0,'post','',0),(7,188,'2008-10-26 15:49:33','2008-10-26 20:49:33','Instructions for Library Automation systems to obtain student data in specific formats.','importing_student_data','Instructions to Librarians','inherit','open','open','','importing_student_data','','','2008-10-26 15:49:33','2008-10-26 20:49:33','',0,'http://raylsc.cuipblogs.net/files/2008/10/importing_student_data.pdf',0,'attachment','application/pdf',0),(12,188,'2009-02-08 19:41:25','2009-02-09 00:41:25','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nOctober 15, 2008\nStaff lounge\n\nIn attendance: Lee Barker, Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Angela Williams-Walker (arrived at 8:05 a.m.), David Myles (starting at 8:04 a.m.)\n\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.\n\nApproval of agenda\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: S. Murphy) the LSC approved the agenda with an amendment to add a vote on filling the vacant parent representative position.\n\nApproval of September minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: S. Murphy) the LSC approved the September minutes.\n\nFilling the vacant parent representative position\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: K. Schug) the LSC approved David Myles to fill the vacant parent representative position.\n\nAt 8:05 a.m. A. Williams-Walker joined the meeting.\n\nReport from the Principal (see attached)\n-Principal Butler reported that Ray students who participated in ISAT testing last year met goals for yearly progress.\n-A Children’s Home and Aide site coordinator has been selected for Ray.\n-The school is expected to lose a special education teacher position. An appeal is being submitted.\n-Ray received a grade of B in a blitz facility inspection. Problem areas included the bathrooms, teacher lounges and locker tops. A follow-up inspection will occur next week.\n-A Principal for a Day participant donated $1,000.\n-The school received $135,000 in rollover money to the discretionary budget just this morning. Principal Butler asked the LSC to approve spending $10,000 for supplies, $4,000 for substitutes and $2,000 for extra hours for clerks. On a motion by B. Butler (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved using $10,000, $4,000 and $2,000 from the rollover money for supplies, subs and longer hours.\n\nClass size and classroom management\nPrincipal Butler explained that parents at the first-grade coffee hour expressed concern about class size. She said a follow-up meeting would be held in about a month.\n\nFriends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker reported the PTA/FOR is legally in good standing. The two can operate separately. Her investigation of a possible separation will continue. B. Butler asked whether there are volunteers to operate the two separate organizations.\n\nSubcommittee reports\nFacilities: D. Myles reported that any work done on the peeling paint would likely be patch work. (See attached report.)\n\nTechnology: S. Murphy reported $12,000 would be needed this year to cover CUIP’s work at the school. CUIP is helping with an inventory of computers. Teachers are also completing a survey about what they have and want in their classrooms. The committee is considering the future environment at the school: which will likely include the lab, stations in each classroom, and terminals for administration and staff. Other questions being considered: Should there be a projector in every classroom? How many printers and copiers are needed and how do we get them?\n\nSpecial education: Teacher Jan Schuitema reported that the loss of the special education teacher position would require reorganization of teachers’ and students’ schedules. Principal Butler said she would submit the appeal electronically.\n\nVision and Priorities: H. Edelman explained that K-3 teachers met and the majority of them expressed interest in a reading teacher to help grades K-2. Principal Butler approves the idea of hiring a reading teacher. The administrative team recommends funding half a position for the remainder of the year with $30,000 from the rollover money coming into the discretionary budget. Matching funds to cover a fulltime position could be gained through a fundraising drive. The PTA/FOR fundraising committee is working on a donation request letter.\nDiscussion on this issue included questions about how many students would be served and whether the teacher would be hired on a part-time level if fundraising did not gather enough money. Principal Butler will have to determine answers to those questions. Some LSC members asked to have input on the content of the letter.\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the recommendation to use $30,000 toward hiring a reading teacher by January. Opposed: one.\nAt 9:06 J. Washington departed the meeting.\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved distributing a fundraising letter after review by members of the LSC and PTA/FOR. Opposed: two.\n\nAt 9:19 A. Williams-Walker departed the meeting.\n\nThe PTA meeting report was postponed.\n\nNew committees\nSIPAAA/Budget: H. Edelman suggested the SIPAAA committee also consider budget issues. Discussion of possible expansion should be postponed until J. Washington, chair of the SIPAAA committee, is present.\nPrincipal evaluation: R. Lodato asked LSC members to contact him if they are interested in participating in the committee.\n\nFriends of Latin\nParents Joy Clendenning and Sharlene Holly presented the various fundraising activities planned for this year to support the Latin program for grades 2-6. Friends of Latin plans to sell mugs and stationery, sell raffle tickets and host a gala. On a motion by D. Myles (second: B. Butler) the LSC approved the Latin program fundraisers.\n\nDiscussion of PBIS was postponed to a future meeting.\n\nB. Butler and C. Lancaster will discuss the PPLC outside the LSC meeting.\n\nThe LSC will continue to alternate meetings between mornings and evenings. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, which is a non-attendance day for students and a professional development day for staff.\n\nThere was no old business to discuss.\n\nNew business\nParent Julie Coward is planning a taffy apple sale to raise money for the Science Fair. The LSC supports the sale.\n\nThe meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.\n\nSubmitted by Heather Edelman\n\nRay Elementary School\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nOctober 15, 2008 8:00 am\nNCLB Accountability Summary\nRay School made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) by meeting our targets in every area.\nSubgroups: Attendance Target: 90% Achieved 94.5; Reading/Math Target 62.5% Achieved:83.0/88.6\nCommunity Schools\nThe community schools coordinator selection committee made up of three parents, two administrators, and two teachers interviewed finalists selected by Children’s Home and Aid Society administrators.  The committee selected our coordinator based upon appearance, communication skills, experience, knowledge of the Hyde Park community, ability to attain resources, and ability to work with a wide range of people.  The coordinator will join us at the next LSC meeting and will be part of the school’s administrative team.  The coordinator’s first duty will be to administer a needs assessment to the Ray School community.  I will put together an advisory team consisting of parents, community members, and teachers that will give input on the implementation of this program.  I am looking for people who represent a cross-section of our community, who will be active participants and who can provide the voice for their particular group.\nPersonnel\nWe have received notification that we are losing a special education position. Specialized Services uses a formula to calculate the number of teachers allocated.  The special education team and administration are working to provide a justification for an appeal to the Department of Specialized Services. In order to continue inclusion as outlined in federal guidelines (Corey H.)we need this position.  Loss of the position means that some reorganization will need to take place.\nBlitz Inspection\nThe annual blitz cleaning inspection was conducted on Tuesday, October 14.  We passed with a grade of B.  Though it was acknowledged that we cannot do anything about the peeling paint, we were cited anyway.  Our bathrooms were cited for not having a hand washing policy posted in both student and adult bathrooms and for not being sufficiently cleaned.  All of the teachers’ lounges were cited for dirty microwaves and refrigerators.  A second inspection will take place next week.\nTarget\nWe received a check from Target for 243.00 for the month of September.  Target donates up to 1% of purchases when school supporters use their REDcards, Target, Visa or Target Check Card.\nING\nING donated $1000 to Ray School to be used toward the purchase of an instructional position. Thank you,      Barbara Onofrio, for acquiring that for us.\nPrincipal For a Day\nJason Hale form ING Financial advisors will be one of our Principals for a Day on October 30.\nInternal Accounts\nWe have $148, 491.51 in our internal Accounts. (See enclosure)\nBudget\nWe have 86,048.61 left in our discretionary funds. (See enclosure)\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nNovember 6, 2008\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Star Breit, Gabriel Sheridan, Marcy Schlessinger, Therese Wasik, Amy Levine, Ralph Mirro, David Myles.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Running Track –Ralph to Provide Ms. Perez with cleaning schedule.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment is  underway.\n\n•    Landscaping project –  Work preformed this season “okay” after rapport developed with Christy Webber’s landscape foreman.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) - the Drill plan and scheduled will soon be outlined by Ms Butler.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Elevator pass key –pass key to operate elevator are with: Mr Lancaster, Ms McFarland, Security Desk and the principal, Ms. Butler.\n\n•    Sand box – Toni Perez will be asked to lead a committee to investigate options.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  December 4th, 8:00 am\n\nSummary by:  David Myles','October Minutes','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision','','','2009-02-08 19:41:25','2009-02-09 00:41:25','',13,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/02/08/9-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(13,188,'2009-02-08 19:42:15','2009-02-09 00:42:15','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nOctober 15, 2008\nStaff lounge\n\nIn attendance: Lee Barker, Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Angela Williams-Walker (arrived at 8:05 a.m.), David Myles (starting at 8:04 a.m.)\n\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.\n\nApproval of agenda\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: S. Murphy) the LSC approved the agenda with an amendment to add a vote on filling the vacant parent representative position.\n\nApproval of September minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: S. Murphy) the LSC approved the September minutes.\n\nFilling the vacant parent representative position\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: K. Schug) the LSC approved David Myles to fill the vacant parent representative position.\n\nAt 8:05 a.m. A. Williams-Walker joined the meeting.\n\nReport from the Principal (see attached)\n-Principal Butler reported that Ray students who participated in ISAT testing last year met goals for yearly progress.\n-A Children’s Home and Aide site coordinator has been selected for Ray.\n-The school is expected to lose a special education teacher position. An appeal is being submitted.\n-Ray received a grade of B in a blitz facility inspection. Problem areas included the bathrooms, teacher lounges and locker tops. A follow-up inspection will occur next week.\n-A Principal for a Day participant donated $1,000.\n-The school received $135,000 in rollover money to the discretionary budget just this morning. Principal Butler asked the LSC to approve spending $10,000 for supplies, $4,000 for substitutes and $2,000 for extra hours for clerks. On a motion by B. Butler (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved using $10,000, $4,000 and $2,000 from the rollover money for supplies, subs and longer hours.\n\nClass size and classroom management\nPrincipal Butler explained that parents at the first-grade coffee hour expressed concern about class size. She said a follow-up meeting would be held in about a month.\n\nFriends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker reported the PTA/FOR is legally in good standing. The two can operate separately. Her investigation of a possible separation will continue. B. Butler asked whether there are volunteers to operate the two separate organizations.\n\nSubcommittee reports\nFacilities: D. Myles reported that any work done on the peeling paint would likely be patch work. (See attached report.)\n\nTechnology: S. Murphy reported $12,000 would be needed this year to cover CUIP’s work at the school. CUIP is helping with an inventory of computers. Teachers are also completing a survey about what they have and want in their classrooms. The committee is considering the future environment at the school: which will likely include the lab, stations in each classroom, and terminals for administration and staff. Other questions being considered: Should there be a projector in every classroom? How many printers and copiers are needed and how do we get them?\n\nSpecial education: Teacher Jan Schuitema reported that the loss of the special education teacher position would require reorganization of teachers’ and students’ schedules. Principal Butler said she would submit the appeal electronically.\n\nVision and Priorities: H. Edelman explained that K-3 teachers met and the majority of them expressed interest in a reading teacher to help grades K-2. Principal Butler approves the idea of hiring a reading teacher. The administrative team recommends funding half a position for the remainder of the year with $30,000 from the rollover money coming into the discretionary budget. Matching funds to cover a fulltime position could be gained through a fundraising drive. The PTA/FOR fundraising committee is working on a donation request letter.\nDiscussion on this issue included questions about how many students would be served and whether the teacher would be hired on a part-time level if fundraising did not gather enough money. Principal Butler will have to determine answers to those questions. Some LSC members asked to have input on the content of the letter.\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the recommendation to use $30,000 toward hiring a reading teacher by January. Opposed: one.\nAt 9:06 J. Washington departed the meeting.\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved distributing a fundraising letter after review by members of the LSC and PTA/FOR. Opposed: two.\n\nAt 9:19 A. Williams-Walker departed the meeting.\n\nThe PTA meeting report was postponed.\n\nNew committees\nSIPAAA/Budget: H. Edelman suggested the SIPAAA committee also consider budget issues. Discussion of possible expansion should be postponed until J. Washington, chair of the SIPAAA committee, is present.\nPrincipal evaluation: R. Lodato asked LSC members to contact him if they are interested in participating in the committee.\n\nFriends of Latin\nParents Joy Clendenning and Sharlene Holly presented the various fundraising activities planned for this year to support the Latin program for grades 2-6. Friends of Latin plans to sell mugs and stationery, sell raffle tickets and host a gala. On a motion by D. Myles (second: B. Butler) the LSC approved the Latin program fundraisers.\n\nDiscussion of PBIS was postponed to a future meeting.\n\nB. Butler and C. Lancaster will discuss the PPLC outside the LSC meeting.\n\nThe LSC will continue to alternate meetings between mornings and evenings. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, which is a non-attendance day for students and a professional development day for staff.\n\nThere was no old business to discuss.\n\nNew business\nParent Julie Coward is planning a taffy apple sale to raise money for the Science Fair. The LSC supports the sale.\n\nThe meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.\n\nSubmitted by Heather Edelman\n\nRay Elementary School\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nOctober 15, 2008 8:00 am\nNCLB Accountability Summary\nRay School made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) by meeting our targets in every area.\nSubgroups: Attendance Target: 90% Achieved 94.5; Reading/Math Target 62.5% Achieved:83.0/88.6\nCommunity Schools\nThe community schools coordinator selection committee made up of three parents, two administrators, and two teachers interviewed finalists selected by Children’s Home and Aid Society administrators.  The committee selected our coordinator based upon appearance, communication skills, experience, knowledge of the Hyde Park community, ability to attain resources, and ability to work with a wide range of people.  The coordinator will join us at the next LSC meeting and will be part of the school’s administrative team.  The coordinator’s first duty will be to administer a needs assessment to the Ray School community.  I will put together an advisory team consisting of parents, community members, and teachers that will give input on the implementation of this program.  I am looking for people who represent a cross-section of our community, who will be active participants and who can provide the voice for their particular group.\nPersonnel\nWe have received notification that we are losing a special education position. Specialized Services uses a formula to calculate the number of teachers allocated.  The special education team and administration are working to provide a justification for an appeal to the Department of Specialized Services. In order to continue inclusion as outlined in federal guidelines (Corey H.)we need this position.  Loss of the position means that some reorganization will need to take place.\nBlitz Inspection\nThe annual blitz cleaning inspection was conducted on Tuesday, October 14.  We passed with a grade of B.  Though it was acknowledged that we cannot do anything about the peeling paint, we were cited anyway.  Our bathrooms were cited for not having a hand washing policy posted in both student and adult bathrooms and for not being sufficiently cleaned.  All of the teachers’ lounges were cited for dirty microwaves and refrigerators.  A second inspection will take place next week.\nTarget\nWe received a check from Target for 243.00 for the month of September.  Target donates up to 1% of purchases when school supporters use their REDcards, Target, Visa or Target Check Card.\nING\nING donated $1000 to Ray School to be used toward the purchase of an instructional position. Thank you,      Barbara Onofrio, for acquiring that for us.\nPrincipal For a Day\nJason Hale form ING Financial advisors will be one of our Principals for a Day on October 30.\nInternal Accounts\nWe have $148, 491.51 in our internal Accounts. (See enclosure)\nBudget\nWe have 86,048.61 left in our discretionary funds. (See enclosure)\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nNovember 6, 2008\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Star Breit, Gabriel Sheridan, Marcy Schlessinger, Therese Wasik, Amy Levine, Ralph Mirro, David Myles.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Running Track –Ralph to Provide Ms. Perez with cleaning schedule.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment is  underway.\n\n•    Landscaping project –  Work preformed this season “okay” after rapport developed with Christy Webber’s landscape foreman.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) - the Drill plan and scheduled will soon be outlined by Ms Butler.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Elevator pass key –pass key to operate elevator are with: Mr Lancaster, Ms McFarland, Security Desk and the principal, Ms. Butler.\n\n•    Sand box – Toni Perez will be asked to lead a committee to investigate options.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  December 4th, 8:00 am\n\nSummary by:  David Myles','October Minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','october-minutes','','','2009-02-08 19:42:15','2009-02-09 00:42:15','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=9',0,'post','',0),(14,188,'2009-02-08 19:43:17','2009-02-09 00:43:17','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nNovember 12, 2008\nStaff lounge\n\nIn 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.\n\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.\n\nApproval of agenda\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\nApproval of minutes\nOn 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.\n\nReport from the principal (see attached)\n*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.\n*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.\n*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.\n*Principal Butler described the new Afterschool Allstars program which will run through February. The school needs to re-apply for the grant every year.\n\nPrincipal 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.\n\nPrincipal 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).\nOn a motion by S. Murphy (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the re-gifting sale.\nA motion by B. Butler (second: W. Walter) to approve the Santa photo session failed. Approved: 2. Opposed: 6.\n\nStatus of Friends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker was not present, and the item was delayed.\n\nAt 7:52 K. Schug stepped out of the meeting for a conference call.\n\nCommittees\n\nBylaws - no report\n\nFacilities (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.\n\nVision 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.\n\nSIPAAA/Budget – S. Murphy is joining the committee.\n\nBilingual Ed. – W. Walter will chair the committee.\n\nAt 8:01, K. Schug rejoined the meeting.\n\nSpecial 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.\n\nTechnology – 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.\n\nOctober PTA meeting – no report\n\nOld Business – none\n\nNew Business – none\n\nPublic 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.\n\nB. 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.\n\nWilliam H. Ray Elementary School\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nNovember 12, 2008\n6:30pm\n\nStatus of Hiring Supplemental Personnel\nCommunity Schools\nMr. Samuel Ortiz is still being processed through CPS.  Once the process is complete he will come on as the coordinator.\nReading Teacher\nWe 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.\nAcademic Enhancement School Fair\nMrs. 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.\nPrincipal for a Day\nThree 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\nSpecial Education\nAs 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.\nSpecial Education Parent Meeting\nMrs. 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.\n\nLiteracy Day (formerly known as Halloween)\nStaff and students dressed as book characters.  Guest readers read stories from books about their characters.\nDoctor’s Back to School Visit – AMA Outreach- On October 28th, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.\nEight 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.\nObama 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\n\nAfter School Programs:\nAll Stars\nPrograms 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)\nStudent participation =150+\n\nAfter School Counts -80 students\nSelected students in grades 3-6 participate to improve reading and math skills.\n\nFundraising Proposal\nRe-gifting Sale and Photo with Santa.  Student incentive (field trip)\n\nInternal Accounts:  Enclosed\n\nBudget:  Request for a transfer of funds to cover Tech XL expenses.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nNovember 6, 2008\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Star Breit, Gabriel Sheridan, Marcy Schlessinger, Therese Wasik, Amy Levine, Ralph Mirro, David Myles.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Running Track –Ralph to Provide Ms. Perez with cleaning schedule.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment is  underway.\n\n•    Landscaping project –  Work preformed this season “okay” after rapport developed with Christy Webber’s landscape foreman.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) - the Drill plan and scheduled will soon be outlined by Ms Butler.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Elevator pass key –pass key to operate elevator are with: Mr Lancaster, Ms McFarland, Security Desk and the principal, Ms. Butler.\n\n•    Sand box – Toni Perez will be asked to lead a committee to investigate options.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  December 4th, 8:00 am\n\nSummary by:  David Myles','November 2008 Minutes','','inherit','open','open','','11-revision','','','2009-02-08 19:43:17','2009-02-09 00:43:17','',15,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/02/08/11-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(15,188,'2009-02-08 19:44:02','2009-02-09 00:44:02','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nNovember 12, 2008\nStaff lounge\n\nIn 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.\n\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.\n\nApproval of agenda\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\nApproval of minutes\nOn 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.\n\nReport from the principal (see attached)\n*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.\n*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.\n*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.\n*Principal Butler described the new Afterschool Allstars program which will run through February. The school needs to re-apply for the grant every year.\n\nPrincipal 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.\n\nPrincipal 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).\nOn a motion by S. Murphy (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the re-gifting sale.\nA motion by B. Butler (second: W. Walter) to approve the Santa photo session failed. Approved: 2. Opposed: 6.\n\nStatus of Friends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker was not present, and the item was delayed.\n\nAt 7:52 K. Schug stepped out of the meeting for a conference call.\n\nCommittees\n\nBylaws - no report\n\nFacilities (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.\n\nVision 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.\n\nSIPAAA/Budget – S. Murphy is joining the committee.\n\nBilingual Ed. – W. Walter will chair the committee.\n\nAt 8:01, K. Schug rejoined the meeting.\n\nSpecial 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.\n\nTechnology – 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.\n\nOctober PTA meeting – no report\n\nOld Business – none\n\nNew Business – none\n\nPublic 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.\n\nB. 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.\n\nWilliam H. Ray Elementary School\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nNovember 12, 2008\n6:30pm\n\nStatus of Hiring Supplemental Personnel\nCommunity Schools\nMr. Samuel Ortiz is still being processed through CPS.  Once the process is complete he will come on as the coordinator.\nReading Teacher\nWe 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.\nAcademic Enhancement School Fair\nMrs. 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.\nPrincipal for a Day\nThree 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\nSpecial Education\nAs 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.\nSpecial Education Parent Meeting\nMrs. 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.\n\nLiteracy Day (formerly known as Halloween)\nStaff and students dressed as book characters.  Guest readers read stories from books about their characters.\nDoctor’s Back to School Visit – AMA Outreach- On October 28th, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.\nEight 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.\nObama 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\n\nAfter School Programs:\nAll Stars\nPrograms 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)\nStudent participation =150+\n\nAfter School Counts -80 students\nSelected students in grades 3-6 participate to improve reading and math skills.\n\nFundraising Proposal\nRe-gifting Sale and Photo with Santa.  Student incentive (field trip)\n\nInternal Accounts:  Enclosed\n\nBudget:  Request for a transfer of funds to cover Tech XL expenses.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nNovember 6, 2008\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Star Breit, Gabriel Sheridan, Marcy Schlessinger, Therese Wasik, Amy Levine, Ralph Mirro, David Myles.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Running Track –Ralph to Provide Ms. Perez with cleaning schedule.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment is  underway.\n\n•    Landscaping project –  Work preformed this season “okay” after rapport developed with Christy Webber’s landscape foreman.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) - the Drill plan and scheduled will soon be outlined by Ms Butler.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Elevator pass key –pass key to operate elevator are with: Mr Lancaster, Ms McFarland, Security Desk and the principal, Ms. Butler.\n\n•    Sand box – Toni Perez will be asked to lead a committee to investigate options.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  December 4th, 8:00 am\n\nSummary by:  David Myles','November 2008 Minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','november-2008-minutes','','','2009-02-08 19:44:02','2009-02-09 00:44:02','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=11',0,'post','',0),(16,188,'2009-02-08 19:45:15','2009-02-09 00:45:15','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nDecember 8, 2008\nStaff lounge\n\nIn attendance: Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Ken Schug (arrived at 8:08 a.m.), Willie Walter (arrived 8:12 a.m.), Angela Williams-Walker, Jennifer Washington. Absent: Lee Barker, Bernadette Butler.\n\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the November minutes with a time mentioned in the minutes changed to 7:52 p.m.\n\nK. Schug arrived at 8:08 a.m.\n\nPrincipal’s report\nAssistant Principal Barb Onofrio gave the principal’s report because Principal Butler was in Spain attending a conference. B. Onofrio reported that interviews for the reading teacher occur next week. She reported that participation by fourth graders in a mural project would cost $4,000.\n\nW. Walter arrived at 8:12 a.m.\n\nB. Onofrio asked whether the LSC would approve the reading teacher position if it cost a bit more than $30,000. Hiring cannot occur if insufficient funds are available.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: J. Washington), the LSC voted to amend the previous agreement and to fund the reading teacher position up to $40,000.\n\nPPLC (The PPLC is an LSC committee that discusses professional development and curriculum)\nB. Onofrio and teacher John Cusick reported the PPLC had met once but a chair had not been named.\n\nFriends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker reported that the PTA and FOR would need to have separate bank accounts for the two groups to separate. Librarian Leslie Travis offered to help explain how the two groups merged.\n\nCommittee reports\n*Bylaws - no report\n*Facilities – D. Myles explained that the LSC needed to approve the dates that a chess tournament would be held at the school. On a motion by D. Myles (second: K. Schug) the LSC approved the dates for the chess tournament.\n\n*Vision and Priorities – H. Edelman explained that the committee would expand and suggested Principal Butler be the lead person to present the committee’s recommendations. J. Washington said she did not think the principal should have the added duty of chairing the committee. LSC members agreed the committee should add more people.\n*Principal evaluation – no report\n*SIPAAA/Budget – no report\n*Bilingual education – W. Walter reported that students speaking nine different languages were receiving bilingual education services. Those students will be tested in January. Members asked whether those students would be taking the ISAT test.\n*Special Education – no report\n*Technology – S. Murphy reported that the committee had discussed the state of printers in classrooms and debated whether printers should be located in each room or whether a powerful printer/copier could be centrally located on each floor. If teachers had a preference for a printer in each classroom, an inventory could be done and each room could have the same model.\n-Murphy reported that an inventory of computers found 192 in the building, with 20 in poor condition and 60 in okay condition. The committee has been discussing the cost difference between replacing computers every five or six years.\n-The possibility of piloting a “thin client” model at Ray is still under investigation. The committee may be able to meet with SunRay representatives next week. The long-term cost of the model is unknown.\nTeacher and technology committee member Gabriel Sheridan said no one in the school is taking responsibility for LCD monitors.\n\nPTA – no report\n\nOld Business\nR. Lodato asked whether there would be a follow-up meeting to the fall first-grade parents meeting.\n\nAt 8:59 a.m. A. Williams-Walker and W. Walter stepped out.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: K. Shug) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 a.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the LSC\nDecember 8, 2008\n8:00am\n\nReading Specialist Update\nI have two candidates who responded to the advertisement at Erickson and UIC.  The interview team will be organized to hold interviews the week of December 16.  The team will consist of teachers and administration.\n\nMosaic Project\nSixth grade students will be part of the Hyde Park 57th Underpass Mosaic Project.  Students will work with a local artist, Mirtes, who has worked on other mosaic projects in the school.  The big idea is to portray some facet of Hyde Park history.  The project will cost the school $4000.  It is set to begin in January.  I will give updates after further planning meetings with the teachers.\n\nSpecial Education Team\nTiffany Holmes from Specialized Services gave a presentation on the best practices to be followed when writing IEP goals.\n\nSpanish Academy\nMr. Martin represented Ray School in Houston Texas last week at the annual conference for Spanish language teachers in Spanish Academies.  The Spanish Consulate hosted the event.\n\nHoliday Assembly\nDecember 16 marks our annual winter assembly.  This program will be a collaboration between the Spanish department and the Fine Arts department.  There will be songs, dances and art featured in the program.  The primary grades and select middle grades will perform.\n\nPiano Concert\nOn December 17 Sharon Madison and    a former Ray student will play excerpts from the nutcracker.  Grades four through six are invited.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nDecember 4, 2008\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, David Myles.\n•        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. Sean Murphy spoke with either O’Neal and Herm Gutierrez last month and inquired about the delayed status.\n\n•        Peeling paint –Awarded (and funded) a work order for an environmental assessment of the peeling paint areas to be preformed by Mat-tec.\n\n•        UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•        School cleaning concerns -  Custodian staffing is a huge challenge as private custodian contractor struggles to provide school with timely and regular substitutes/replacements.  The excellent custodian we had last month has been reassigned.\n\n•        Running Track –Ralph provided Ms. Perez with cleaning schedule.\n\n•        Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment is  underway. Surplus computer equipment awaiting assessment in Teacher’s Lounge kitchen area by CIP volunteer.\n\n•        School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – Some evacuation drills have occurred and more will be conducted in future months.\n\n•        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.  Three radios have been procured and are in the Main Office for use.\n\n•        Sand box – Toni Perez  obtained information from sandbox “stakeholders”  and the recommendation is for the existing sand to be removed and for some other base such as wood chips or rubber tiles be installed along with play-lot equipment such as a “See-Saw” being placed in the area for children to use.\n\n•        Auditorium Seating –Work is completed repairing all of the broken seats/backs. J Appreciation letter will go to the contractor thanking them for their beautiful repair work.\n\n•        Upcoming Dates – Chess Club would like to use a few areas in the school on January 17th and the Annual Art Fair will need building access on June 5th, 6th and 7, 2009.\n\n•        Recycling – No discussion.\n\n•        Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•        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.\n\n•        Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  January 8, 2009,  8:00 am\n\nSummary by:  David Myles','December 2008 Minutes','','inherit','open','open','','13-revision','','','2009-02-08 19:45:15','2009-02-09 00:45:15','',17,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/02/08/13-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(17,188,'2009-02-08 19:45:46','2009-02-09 00:45:46','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nDecember 8, 2008\nStaff lounge\n\nIn attendance: Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Ken Schug (arrived at 8:08 a.m.), Willie Walter (arrived 8:12 a.m.), Angela Williams-Walker, Jennifer Washington. Absent: Lee Barker, Bernadette Butler.\n\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the November minutes with a time mentioned in the minutes changed to 7:52 p.m.\n\nK. Schug arrived at 8:08 a.m.\n\nPrincipal’s report\nAssistant Principal Barb Onofrio gave the principal’s report because Principal Butler was in Spain attending a conference. B. Onofrio reported that interviews for the reading teacher occur next week. She reported that participation by fourth graders in a mural project would cost $4,000.\n\nW. Walter arrived at 8:12 a.m.\n\nB. Onofrio asked whether the LSC would approve the reading teacher position if it cost a bit more than $30,000. Hiring cannot occur if insufficient funds are available.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: J. Washington), the LSC voted to amend the previous agreement and to fund the reading teacher position up to $40,000.\n\nPPLC (The PPLC is an LSC committee that discusses professional development and curriculum)\nB. Onofrio and teacher John Cusick reported the PPLC had met once but a chair had not been named.\n\nFriends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker reported that the PTA and FOR would need to have separate bank accounts for the two groups to separate. Librarian Leslie Travis offered to help explain how the two groups merged.\n\nCommittee reports\n*Bylaws - no report\n*Facilities – D. Myles explained that the LSC needed to approve the dates that a chess tournament would be held at the school. On a motion by D. Myles (second: K. Schug) the LSC approved the dates for the chess tournament.\n\n*Vision and Priorities – H. Edelman explained that the committee would expand and suggested Principal Butler be the lead person to present the committee’s recommendations. J. Washington said she did not think the principal should have the added duty of chairing the committee. LSC members agreed the committee should add more people.\n*Principal evaluation – no report\n*SIPAAA/Budget – no report\n*Bilingual education – W. Walter reported that students speaking nine different languages were receiving bilingual education services. Those students will be tested in January. Members asked whether those students would be taking the ISAT test.\n*Special Education – no report\n*Technology – S. Murphy reported that the committee had discussed the state of printers in classrooms and debated whether printers should be located in each room or whether a powerful printer/copier could be centrally located on each floor. If teachers had a preference for a printer in each classroom, an inventory could be done and each room could have the same model.\n-Murphy reported that an inventory of computers found 192 in the building, with 20 in poor condition and 60 in okay condition. The committee has been discussing the cost difference between replacing computers every five or six years.\n-The possibility of piloting a “thin client” model at Ray is still under investigation. The committee may be able to meet with SunRay representatives next week. The long-term cost of the model is unknown.\nTeacher and technology committee member Gabriel Sheridan said no one in the school is taking responsibility for LCD monitors.\n\nPTA – no report\n\nOld Business\nR. Lodato asked whether there would be a follow-up meeting to the fall first-grade parents meeting.\n\nAt 8:59 a.m. A. Williams-Walker and W. Walter stepped out.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: K. Shug) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 a.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the LSC\nDecember 8, 2008\n8:00am\n\nReading Specialist Update\nI have two candidates who responded to the advertisement at Erickson and UIC.  The interview team will be organized to hold interviews the week of December 16.  The team will consist of teachers and administration.\n\nMosaic Project\nSixth grade students will be part of the Hyde Park 57th Underpass Mosaic Project.  Students will work with a local artist, Mirtes, who has worked on other mosaic projects in the school.  The big idea is to portray some facet of Hyde Park history.  The project will cost the school $4000.  It is set to begin in January.  I will give updates after further planning meetings with the teachers.\n\nSpecial Education Team\nTiffany Holmes from Specialized Services gave a presentation on the best practices to be followed when writing IEP goals.\n\nSpanish Academy\nMr. Martin represented Ray School in Houston Texas last week at the annual conference for Spanish language teachers in Spanish Academies.  The Spanish Consulate hosted the event.\n\nHoliday Assembly\nDecember 16 marks our annual winter assembly.  This program will be a collaboration between the Spanish department and the Fine Arts department.  There will be songs, dances and art featured in the program.  The primary grades and select middle grades will perform.\n\nPiano Concert\nOn December 17 Sharon Madison and    a former Ray student will play excerpts from the nutcracker.  Grades four through six are invited.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nDecember 4, 2008\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, David Myles.\n•        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. Sean Murphy spoke with either O’Neal and Herm Gutierrez last month and inquired about the delayed status.\n\n•        Peeling paint –Awarded (and funded) a work order for an environmental assessment of the peeling paint areas to be preformed by Mat-tec.\n\n•        UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•        School cleaning concerns -  Custodian staffing is a huge challenge as private custodian contractor struggles to provide school with timely and regular substitutes/replacements.  The excellent custodian we had last month has been reassigned.\n\n•        Running Track –Ralph provided Ms. Perez with cleaning schedule.\n\n•        Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment is  underway. Surplus computer equipment awaiting assessment in Teacher’s Lounge kitchen area by CIP volunteer.\n\n•        School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – Some evacuation drills have occurred and more will be conducted in future months.\n\n•        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.  Three radios have been procured and are in the Main Office for use.\n\n•        Sand box – Toni Perez  obtained information from sandbox “stakeholders”  and the recommendation is for the existing sand to be removed and for some other base such as wood chips or rubber tiles be installed along with play-lot equipment such as a “See-Saw” being placed in the area for children to use.\n\n•        Auditorium Seating –Work is completed repairing all of the broken seats/backs. J Appreciation letter will go to the contractor thanking them for their beautiful repair work.\n\n•        Upcoming Dates – Chess Club would like to use a few areas in the school on January 17th and the Annual Art Fair will need building access on June 5th, 6th and 7, 2009.\n\n•        Recycling – No discussion.\n\n•        Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•        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.\n\n•        Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  January 8, 2009,  8:00 am\n\nSummary by:  David Myles','December 2008 Minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','december-2008-minutes','','','2009-02-08 19:45:46','2009-02-09 00:45:46','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=13',0,'post','',0),(18,188,'2009-03-09 12:30:48','2009-03-09 17:30:48','Minutes of Ray Local School Council    DRAFT\nJanuary 12, 2009\nStaff lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Willie Walter (arrived 6:42 p.m.), Jennifer Washington. Absent: Ken Schug, Angela Williams-Walker.\n\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.\n\nApproval of agenda\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the agenda with the additions of a PPLC report and an executive session to discuss the budget and the election of a replacement LSC member.\n\nApproval of minutes\nOn a motion by S. Murphy (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the December minutes with the change of adjournment time to 9:01 a.m.\n\nReport from the Principal (See attached report.)\n*A new Community Schools Initiative staff person may be on board by Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ms. Butler has met with someone from the non-profit to get the program at Ray started.\n*The reading teacher hired to work with grades K-2 has to be hired as a reading and math teacher and will work on remediation in both subjects. She may not be able to fit in time to work with accelerated students. Ms. Butler explained that the cost to the school for the teacher would be about $23,000.00, including benefits. H. Edelman asked that Ms. Butler find a way for the teacher to include working with accelerated students in reading, which was part of the original plan for the position.\n*Ms. Onofrio is modeling expository writing in some classrooms to prepare students for the Academic Olympics and ISAT.\n*Dr. Van Acker is following up on PBIS at the Jan. 23 professional development day.\n*The cell tower is gone. D. Myles and S. Murphy suggested someone looks at the building to make sure there is no damage from the removal.\n\nS. Murphy asked Ms. Butler to include misconduct report numbers as part of her report each month.\n\nMs. Butler asked for approval of the transfer of $4,000 from the SGSA account to pay for teachers’ professional development seminar costs. C. Lancaster expressed concern that $4,000 was not enough to cover all teachers. Ms. Butler explained there is less time for professional development at the school and a move toward teachers pursuing their own professional development. Teacher Jan Schuitema asked if there was a particular direction teachers should go in pursuing their professional development. Ms. Butler responded that guided reading, writing, differentiated learning, science and Everyday Math should be the areas of focus.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to transfer $4,000 from the SGSA account to pay for teachers’ professional development seminar costs.\n\nH. Edelman asked Ms. Butler about her professional development trip to Spain. Ms. Butler explained that the training focused on helping students keep their native language when they are enrolled in a language immersion program.\n\nH. Edelman asked Ms. Butler if she had followed up on a discussion at the November LSC meeting about Ray School students’ options for middle school and specifically why some Ray students had not been accepted to Canter last year. Ms. Butler said she had not pursued the issue; she said the Canter principal hoped to come to future meetings at Ray about middle school options.\n\nR. Lodato asked about noise at the fifth- and sixth-grade lunch period. A parent reported to him that the lunch period on a particular day was loud. Ms. Butler said she thought the noise level was 200% improved; she noted that students may be noisier on indoor recess days.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the principal’s report.\n\nStatus of Friends of Ray – R. Lodato reported that A. Williams-Walker is still investigating this issue. Some money is expected from the a cappella concert by the U. of C. men’s chorus.\n\nSubcommittee reports\n*Bylaws - none\n*Facilities (See attached report) - D. Myles reported the sand box was being removed. S. Murphy asked about the size of the maintenance budget. D. Myles said he would find out the information. He said a lot of money was going out this year for snow removal and salting.\n*Vision and Priorities - H. Edelman reported she was waiting for approval to hold a meeting during the next PTA meeting.\n*Principal evaluation – H. Edelman handed out the survey questions posed by LSC members to teachers and parents last year and asked LSC members to review the survey and send her feedback and any suggested additions.\n*SIPAAA/Budget – no report\n*Bilingual Ed. – W. Walter reported English language learners will take the ISAT.\n*Special Education – no report\n*Technology – S. Murphy explained some advantages of the thin client model for computers, including lower electricity costs and equipment that may last 10-12 years. Sun Microsystems brought several representatives to meet with the LSC technology committee and a CPS OTS representative. S. Murphy explained that with the Sun thin  client model, the desktop set-up would look the same and every program running today could continue to run. The tech committee asked Sun to come back with the cost of three scenarios: full implementation, 80-100 computers, 40 computers. If the school chose one of those options, a strategy session would follow with teachers, students, administrators and parents to work out how it would be implemented.\nS. Murphy explained that OTS is looking for proposals from several companies to implement similar systems. OTS would support a thin-client pilot but has not committed any money.\nR. Lodato mentioned that committee meetings need to be scheduled with 48-hour notice to the public.\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the committee reports.\n\nPTA – no report\n\nOld business – none\n\nNew business – none\n\nPublic comments – A parent reported white-out conditions outside.\n\nElection of replacement LSC member\nR. Lodato reported L. Barker had resigned. (See attachment.) Notice about the vacancy went out to parents on Thursday and Friday before this LSC meeting. Two parents were present to express their interest in the position. Iheoma Banks explained she has one child in the school, volunteers in the classroom regularly, and has a background in clinical psychology. Parent Valerie Walker-Rydel said she is an internist with four children attending the school, including children in sixth, fourth and second grades.\n\nOn a motion by B. Butler (second: D. Myles) the LSC voted to go out of open session into executive session to discuss the budget and replacement of the LSC member.\n\nThe LSC went into executive session at 8:04 p.m.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC moved to return to open session at 8:36 p.m.\n\nD. Myles made a motion (second: J. Washington) to create a process for every LSC parent representative vacancy in which two weeks notice is given before the next LSC meeting or a special call meeting at which parents can submit their names for consideration to fill the vacancy; and notice of the vacancy is posted at the school, in the e-news, and in a notice sent home with students. Approved: 6. Opposed: 2.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m.\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nRay Elementary School\nPrincipal’s Report to the LSC\nJanuary12, 2009\n6:30\n\nThe Community Schools Initiative: As previously reported, Mr. Samuel Ortiz was originally hired to fill the position of Coordinator. Right before the holiday break, we were notified that Mr. Ortiz is not able to fulfill those duties. Subsequently, additional candidates were interviewed last week and a decision is pending. Marie Stewart from Children’s Home and Aid Society is facilitating the starting of the program until the permanent position is filled.\n\nReduced Class Size Teacher: Candidates were interviewed by a team of administrators and primary teachers. Bridget Harrigan was hired and has completed all the necessary paperwork to fill the position. She started today by viewing the classrooms and meeting staff. Teachers have submitted recommendations for students to receive services. Ms. Harrigan will review recommendations, work on scheduling and begin preparation of materials so that she may begin servicing students next week. Her schedule will consist of working every day for three hours each day.\n\nCurriculum Improvement: Ms. Onofrio presented a lesson in expository writing to three fourth grade classes. She will visit Ms. Webb’s class on Wednesday. She is sponsoring the expository writing session for the Academic Olympics. She is working in conjunction with the teachers to select one finalist who will represent Ray at the area level. The other goal was to model the writing process for teachers. Children are given the rubric that is the same for the ISAT.\n\nCompetitions: A school wide spelling competition was held Friday in the school. Nikolas Buck, 6th grader from room 302 will represent Ray School at the area competition at a later date.\n\nCelebrations: Our holiday assembly was attended by many parents and friends. Our children were splendid in their performance of holiday songs and Spanish dance.\n\nInauguration: We are celebrating history this month. Students in grades 4 – 6 will meet in the auditorium on Inauguration day to view the swearing in festivities.\n\nOther Dates: Friday January 16 is Picture Retake Day.\n\nFriday January 23 is a professional development day. Topics include school based problem solving, Good Touch, Bad Touch by Imagination Theater and a presentation by Dr. Van Acker. It is also the day the PTA will honor the staff for Staff Appreciation Day.\n\nFriday, January 30 is report card pick-up. Due to the difference in the Ray vs. CPS calendar, parents are requested to pick up report cards this marking period.\n\nBudget: A request is being made for a transfer in the amount of $4000 from the excess in the teacher salary line to be added for seminar /workshop admission. Several staff members have requested permission to attend conferences away from school. The average admission for a conference is $200. This will enable approximately 20 staff members’ admission. We previously allocated money for substitute service, but not for admission to workshops.\n\nInternal Accounts: We have $203,482.78 in our internal accounts.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nJanuary 5, 2009\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, Antonia Perez, Therese Wasik, Gabriel Sheridan, Star Breit David Myles.\n\n•        Missing floor tiles in corridors – 2nd and 3rd floor corridors complete.  Some punch list work has taken place but a lot more remains to be preformed.\n\n•        Peeling paint –Awarded (and funded) a work order for an environmental assessment of the peeling paint areas to be preformed.  Contractor has been out to begin the assessment process. No other dates known at this time.\n\n•        UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•        School cleaning concerns -  Window sills in gym to be dusted.\n\n•        Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment has been completed. Surplus computer equipment being inventoried.\n\n•        School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – On-going - Some evacuation drills have occurred and more will be conducted in future months.   We plan for information for evacuation procedures during future assembly gatherings.\n\n•        Annex building access – Procedure in place - 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.  Three radios have been procured and are in the Main Office for use.\n\n•        Sand box – Toni Perez  obtained information from sandbox “stakeholders”  and the recommendation is for the existing sand to be removed and for some other base such as rubber tiles be installed along with play-lot equipment such as a “titter-totter” being placed in the area for children to use.  Committee will obtain budget estimates as no funds are currently available for this project.\n\n•        Recycling – No discussion.\n\n•        Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•        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.\n\n•        Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  February 5, 2009,  8:00 am\n\nLee Barker\n5546 South Dorchester Avenue\nChicago, Illinois 60637\nJanuary 2, 2009\n\nDear Ray:\n\nThis letter is to inform you that as of January 5, 2009, our daughter Ava will transfer to a new school and therefore, it is necessary for me to resign my position as a member of the Ray School Local School Committee effective January 4, 2009. Both of these actions, Ava’s transfer and my resignation, are taken with disappointment and sadness.\nIn our two years at Ray, my wife Kristina and I have been greatly impressed by the amazing community of parents, teachers, and community leaders who endeavor to make Ray School one of the stellar elementary schools in Chicago. We have met and worked with people in the Ray community who have inspired us to our best and allowed us to form friendships that will last a lifetime. We could not have dreamed how satisfying our participation could be when first we cast our lot with Ray.\nHowever, as several members of the LSC know, this has been a tough year for our family at Ray.  The institutional problem of classroom overcrowding has been compounded by a lack of foresight and planning by our administrative leaders. This created an acute series of problems in our daughter’s classroom that no teacher should be expected to handle.  As we worked with other parents to meet these challenges, our efforts were met with limited appreciation and response by the school’s administration. In October, the principal of the school convened all first grade parents and, at the conclusion of that meeting, initiated a promise to follow up with another meeting in November that would provide a next step to address this problem.  As far as we know, the November meeting never took place. We can only draw the conclusion that the administration of the school does not share the same level of commitment to excellence and problem solving that is maintained by Ray School parents and teachers.  It was then that we made the disappointing and sad realization that without the support and leadership of the administration, parents and teachers will have a limited impact on the future of the school.\nWe hope you understand that when forced to make a choice between our daughter’s education and our commitment to our community school, we must choose the former.  Our disappointment and sadness is that we were forced to make this choice.\nPlease accept all my best wishes.  Kris and I will continue to cheer for the LSC and support all hopes for Ray School, but circumstances mean that we will have to do so from the sidelines.\n\nSincerely,\n\nLee Barker','January 2009 minutes','','inherit','open','open','','15-revision','','','2009-03-09 12:30:48','2009-03-09 17:30:48','',19,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/03/09/15-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(19,188,'2009-03-09 12:31:29','2009-03-09 17:31:29','Minutes of Ray Local School Council    DRAFT\nJanuary 12, 2009\nStaff lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Willie Walter (arrived 6:42 p.m.), Jennifer Washington. Absent: Ken Schug, Angela Williams-Walker.\n\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.\n\nApproval of agenda\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the agenda with the additions of a PPLC report and an executive session to discuss the budget and the election of a replacement LSC member.\n\nApproval of minutes\nOn a motion by S. Murphy (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the December minutes with the change of adjournment time to 9:01 a.m.\n\nReport from the Principal (See attached report.)\n*A new Community Schools Initiative staff person may be on board by Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ms. Butler has met with someone from the non-profit to get the program at Ray started.\n*The reading teacher hired to work with grades K-2 has to be hired as a reading and math teacher and will work on remediation in both subjects. She may not be able to fit in time to work with accelerated students. Ms. Butler explained that the cost to the school for the teacher would be about $23,000.00, including benefits. H. Edelman asked that Ms. Butler find a way for the teacher to include working with accelerated students in reading, which was part of the original plan for the position.\n*Ms. Onofrio is modeling expository writing in some classrooms to prepare students for the Academic Olympics and ISAT.\n*Dr. Van Acker is following up on PBIS at the Jan. 23 professional development day.\n*The cell tower is gone. D. Myles and S. Murphy suggested someone looks at the building to make sure there is no damage from the removal.\n\nS. Murphy asked Ms. Butler to include misconduct report numbers as part of her report each month.\n\nMs. Butler asked for approval of the transfer of $4,000 from the SGSA account to pay for teachers’ professional development seminar costs. C. Lancaster expressed concern that $4,000 was not enough to cover all teachers. Ms. Butler explained there is less time for professional development at the school and a move toward teachers pursuing their own professional development. Teacher Jan Schuitema asked if there was a particular direction teachers should go in pursuing their professional development. Ms. Butler responded that guided reading, writing, differentiated learning, science and Everyday Math should be the areas of focus.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to transfer $4,000 from the SGSA account to pay for teachers’ professional development seminar costs.\n\nH. Edelman asked Ms. Butler about her professional development trip to Spain. Ms. Butler explained that the training focused on helping students keep their native language when they are enrolled in a language immersion program.\n\nH. Edelman asked Ms. Butler if she had followed up on a discussion at the November LSC meeting about Ray School students’ options for middle school and specifically why some Ray students had not been accepted to Canter last year. Ms. Butler said she had not pursued the issue; she said the Canter principal hoped to come to future meetings at Ray about middle school options.\n\nR. Lodato asked about noise at the fifth- and sixth-grade lunch period. A parent reported to him that the lunch period on a particular day was loud. Ms. Butler said she thought the noise level was 200% improved; she noted that students may be noisier on indoor recess days.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the principal’s report.\n\nStatus of Friends of Ray – R. Lodato reported that A. Williams-Walker is still investigating this issue. Some money is expected from the a cappella concert by the U. of C. men’s chorus.\n\nSubcommittee reports\n*Bylaws - none\n*Facilities (See attached report) - D. Myles reported the sand box was being removed. S. Murphy asked about the size of the maintenance budget. D. Myles said he would find out the information. He said a lot of money was going out this year for snow removal and salting.\n*Vision and Priorities - H. Edelman reported she was waiting for approval to hold a meeting during the next PTA meeting.\n*Principal evaluation – H. Edelman handed out the survey questions posed by LSC members to teachers and parents last year and asked LSC members to review the survey and send her feedback and any suggested additions.\n*SIPAAA/Budget – no report\n*Bilingual Ed. – W. Walter reported English language learners will take the ISAT.\n*Special Education – no report\n*Technology – S. Murphy explained some advantages of the thin client model for computers, including lower electricity costs and equipment that may last 10-12 years. Sun Microsystems brought several representatives to meet with the LSC technology committee and a CPS OTS representative. S. Murphy explained that with the Sun thin  client model, the desktop set-up would look the same and every program running today could continue to run. The tech committee asked Sun to come back with the cost of three scenarios: full implementation, 80-100 computers, 40 computers. If the school chose one of those options, a strategy session would follow with teachers, students, administrators and parents to work out how it would be implemented.\nS. Murphy explained that OTS is looking for proposals from several companies to implement similar systems. OTS would support a thin-client pilot but has not committed any money.\nR. Lodato mentioned that committee meetings need to be scheduled with 48-hour notice to the public.\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: C. Lancaster) the LSC approved the committee reports.\n\nPTA – no report\n\nOld business – none\n\nNew business – none\n\nPublic comments – A parent reported white-out conditions outside.\n\nElection of replacement LSC member\nR. Lodato reported L. Barker had resigned. (See attachment.) Notice about the vacancy went out to parents on Thursday and Friday before this LSC meeting. Two parents were present to express their interest in the position. Iheoma Banks explained she has one child in the school, volunteers in the classroom regularly, and has a background in clinical psychology. Parent Valerie Walker-Rydel said she is an internist with four children attending the school, including children in sixth, fourth and second grades.\n\nOn a motion by B. Butler (second: D. Myles) the LSC voted to go out of open session into executive session to discuss the budget and replacement of the LSC member.\n\nThe LSC went into executive session at 8:04 p.m.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC moved to return to open session at 8:36 p.m.\n\nD. Myles made a motion (second: J. Washington) to create a process for every LSC parent representative vacancy in which two weeks notice is given before the next LSC meeting or a special call meeting at which parents can submit their names for consideration to fill the vacancy; and notice of the vacancy is posted at the school, in the e-news, and in a notice sent home with students. Approved: 6. Opposed: 2.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m.\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nRay Elementary School\nPrincipal’s Report to the LSC\nJanuary12, 2009\n6:30\n\nThe Community Schools Initiative: As previously reported, Mr. Samuel Ortiz was originally hired to fill the position of Coordinator. Right before the holiday break, we were notified that Mr. Ortiz is not able to fulfill those duties. Subsequently, additional candidates were interviewed last week and a decision is pending. Marie Stewart from Children’s Home and Aid Society is facilitating the starting of the program until the permanent position is filled.\n\nReduced Class Size Teacher: Candidates were interviewed by a team of administrators and primary teachers. Bridget Harrigan was hired and has completed all the necessary paperwork to fill the position. She started today by viewing the classrooms and meeting staff. Teachers have submitted recommendations for students to receive services. Ms. Harrigan will review recommendations, work on scheduling and begin preparation of materials so that she may begin servicing students next week. Her schedule will consist of working every day for three hours each day.\n\nCurriculum Improvement: Ms. Onofrio presented a lesson in expository writing to three fourth grade classes. She will visit Ms. Webb’s class on Wednesday. She is sponsoring the expository writing session for the Academic Olympics. She is working in conjunction with the teachers to select one finalist who will represent Ray at the area level. The other goal was to model the writing process for teachers. Children are given the rubric that is the same for the ISAT.\n\nCompetitions: A school wide spelling competition was held Friday in the school. Nikolas Buck, 6th grader from room 302 will represent Ray School at the area competition at a later date.\n\nCelebrations: Our holiday assembly was attended by many parents and friends. Our children were splendid in their performance of holiday songs and Spanish dance.\n\nInauguration: We are celebrating history this month. Students in grades 4 – 6 will meet in the auditorium on Inauguration day to view the swearing in festivities.\n\nOther Dates: Friday January 16 is Picture Retake Day.\n\nFriday January 23 is a professional development day. Topics include school based problem solving, Good Touch, Bad Touch by Imagination Theater and a presentation by Dr. Van Acker. It is also the day the PTA will honor the staff for Staff Appreciation Day.\n\nFriday, January 30 is report card pick-up. Due to the difference in the Ray vs. CPS calendar, parents are requested to pick up report cards this marking period.\n\nBudget: A request is being made for a transfer in the amount of $4000 from the excess in the teacher salary line to be added for seminar /workshop admission. Several staff members have requested permission to attend conferences away from school. The average admission for a conference is $200. This will enable approximately 20 staff members’ admission. We previously allocated money for substitute service, but not for admission to workshops.\n\nInternal Accounts: We have $203,482.78 in our internal accounts.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nJanuary 5, 2009\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, Antonia Perez, Therese Wasik, Gabriel Sheridan, Star Breit David Myles.\n\n•        Missing floor tiles in corridors – 2nd and 3rd floor corridors complete.  Some punch list work has taken place but a lot more remains to be preformed.\n\n•        Peeling paint –Awarded (and funded) a work order for an environmental assessment of the peeling paint areas to be preformed.  Contractor has been out to begin the assessment process. No other dates known at this time.\n\n•        UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•        School cleaning concerns -  Window sills in gym to be dusted.\n\n•        Technology/Equipment – Survey by teachers on existing equipment has been completed. Surplus computer equipment being inventoried.\n\n•        School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – On-going - Some evacuation drills have occurred and more will be conducted in future months.   We plan for information for evacuation procedures during future assembly gatherings.\n\n•        Annex building access – Procedure in place - 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.  Three radios have been procured and are in the Main Office for use.\n\n•        Sand box – Toni Perez  obtained information from sandbox “stakeholders”  and the recommendation is for the existing sand to be removed and for some other base such as rubber tiles be installed along with play-lot equipment such as a “titter-totter” being placed in the area for children to use.  Committee will obtain budget estimates as no funds are currently available for this project.\n\n•        Recycling – No discussion.\n\n•        Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•        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.\n\n•        Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  February 5, 2009,  8:00 am\n\nLee Barker\n5546 South Dorchester Avenue\nChicago, Illinois 60637\nJanuary 2, 2009\n\nDear Ray:\n\nThis letter is to inform you that as of January 5, 2009, our daughter Ava will transfer to a new school and therefore, it is necessary for me to resign my position as a member of the Ray School Local School Committee effective January 4, 2009. Both of these actions, Ava’s transfer and my resignation, are taken with disappointment and sadness.\nIn our two years at Ray, my wife Kristina and I have been greatly impressed by the amazing community of parents, teachers, and community leaders who endeavor to make Ray School one of the stellar elementary schools in Chicago. We have met and worked with people in the Ray community who have inspired us to our best and allowed us to form friendships that will last a lifetime. We could not have dreamed how satisfying our participation could be when first we cast our lot with Ray.\nHowever, as several members of the LSC know, this has been a tough year for our family at Ray.  The institutional problem of classroom overcrowding has been compounded by a lack of foresight and planning by our administrative leaders. This created an acute series of problems in our daughter’s classroom that no teacher should be expected to handle.  As we worked with other parents to meet these challenges, our efforts were met with limited appreciation and response by the school’s administration. In October, the principal of the school convened all first grade parents and, at the conclusion of that meeting, initiated a promise to follow up with another meeting in November that would provide a next step to address this problem.  As far as we know, the November meeting never took place. We can only draw the conclusion that the administration of the school does not share the same level of commitment to excellence and problem solving that is maintained by Ray School parents and teachers.  It was then that we made the disappointing and sad realization that without the support and leadership of the administration, parents and teachers will have a limited impact on the future of the school.\nWe hope you understand that when forced to make a choice between our daughter’s education and our commitment to our community school, we must choose the former.  Our disappointment and sadness is that we were forced to make this choice.\nPlease accept all my best wishes.  Kris and I will continue to cheer for the LSC and support all hopes for Ray School, but circumstances mean that we will have to do so from the sidelines.\n\nSincerely,\n\nLee Barker','January 2009 minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','january-2009-minutes','','','2009-03-09 12:31:29','2009-03-09 17:31:29','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=15',0,'post','',0),(20,188,'2009-04-30 11:27:33','2009-04-30 16:27:33','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nFebruary 9, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Ken Schug, Angela Williams-Walker, Willie Walter (arrived 8:04 a.m.), Jennifer Washington.\n\n1. Ray Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of January minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the January minutes.\n\n4. Report from the principal - see attached\n*Budget Transfer\nPrincipal Butler explained that the new maintenance contract (which is in place for this calendar year) for the duplicating machines is a bit higher than last year, and she asked the LSC to transfer extra funds left over from the reading specialist position.\nD. Myles made a motion (second: C. Lancaster) to allow a transfer of $1,500 from the excess salary of the reduced class size teacher position to pay for the maintenance contract for duplicating machines. The LSC approved the transfer.\n\n5. Status of Friends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker explained that the PTA bylaws have been found, but not the FOR bylaws. FOR was formed in 1982. In 1994, the two organizations combined. In order to separate the two, the FOR board must first create new bylaws. A. Williams-Walker asked whether volunteers are ready to sit on the FOR board, and R. Lodato said he is working on a list of people.\n\n6. Subcommittee reports\n*Bylaws – no report\n*Facilities – see attached\nD. Myles reported that some money would help in dismantling the sandbox. He reported that it is not clear whether CPS has identified funds to fix the peeling paint. He reported that there have been complaints about cars speeding out of the parking lot. PE teacher Ms. Perez suggested a mirror placed on the fence might help drivers see pedestrians trying to cross the driveway.\n*Vision and Priorities – no report\n*Principal evaluation – R. Lodato explained a special meeting would be held to approve a survey that would be given to staff and parents.\n*SIPAAA/Budget – J. Washington reported that S. Murphy, C. Lancaster and Librarian Ms. Travis would attend upcoming committee meetings.\n*PPLC – C. Lancaster reported that the PPLC had been formed with C. Lancaster, W. Walter, Ms. Prasad-Heintz, Ms. Annorh, Ms. Sheridan, Mr. Salvato, Ms. Krecik, Ms. Webb, and Ms. McFarland. Topics to be discussed include math and Spanish curriculum.\n*Bilingual education – W. Walter explained that a parent meeting will be held tomorrow.\n*Special education – no report\n*Technology – S. Murphy reported that Ray is waiting for a proposal from Sun about the costs of implementing the thin client model on 40, 80-100, or all computers. H. Edelman asked what CUIP founder Mr. York’s opinion was of the possible pilot. B. Butler explained that he was skeptical about Ray getting the outside support it would need, and said he wanted to know what the cost would be of implementing and maintaining the pilot. S. Murphy said Sun would provide the maintenance and support, not CPS.\n\n7. January PTA meeting – H. Edelman reported that the PTA was working hard to prepare for the Black History Month gallery walk and evening celebration. The PTA’s nominating committee is continuing to look for volunteers to sit on the board next year.\n\n8. Old business – none\n\n9. New business – none\n\n10. Public comments and discussion – Parent Blake Davis introduced himself\n\n11. Election of Replacement LSC Member\nBlake Davis said he is interested in being a member of the LSC because he would like to give back to the school. He moved back to Hyde Park after living in the suburbs for a while and has been very happy with the school. His daughter is in fourth grade.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC voted to go into closed session to discuss filling the LSC vacancy. The LSC entered into closed session at 8:52 a.m.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to return to open session. The LSC returned to open session at 9:04 a.m.\n\nOn a motion by S. Murphy (second: K. Schug) the LSC voted to ask Blake Davis to fill the parent representative vacancy.\n\nOn a motion by C. Lancaster (second: B. Butler) the LSC voted to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:07 a.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nFebruary 9, 2009\n8:00am\n\nCommunity Schools Initiative – Budget and Service Plan Submitted.  Children’s Home and Aid will provide compensation for teachers and assistants who wish to continue their after school programs until the end of the year.  There will be a one week break for ISAT testing.\n\nStaff Development – Friday, February 13.  The agenda includes continuing work on PBIS with Dr. Van Acker, the Spanish language teachers will give a workshop on integrating Spanish language and cultural activities in the regular classroom, Ms McFarland will give ideas on reading strategies that facilitate ISAT readiness.\n\nESL Parent Meeting will take place on Tuesday February 10 in the cafeteria at 9:15.  The discussion will focus on the upcoming testing for ESL students.  Parents will be given information on the Bilingual committee.  A Valentine Literacy Craft session will follow the meeting.\n\nNew Reading Teacher\nKindergarten:  Support:   reading 10   math, 10     Accelerated Reading:  11\nFirst Grade:     Support:  lang. arts 11 math, 12      Accelerated Reading:  14\nSecond Grade: Support:  lang. arts 8    math,   6      Accelerated Reading :  10\n\nLego Robotics\nOn Saturday December 13th, 2008 Ms. Webb and one of her students, Justin Hardiman from Science club went to the Lego League Competition at McDade Classical School.  They spent the day observing the competition, with the knowledge that next year Ray School would be competing.  Ms. Webb and Justin Hardiman saw how other teams found solutions to our Lego League Challenges.  In addition, Ms. Webb brought Ray School’s research report, and Justin was able to present our findings to the Lego League judges.  The judges gave us advice that our team will use during next year’s competition.  It was a very informative day, and fun filled day.  Next year, Ray school will once again participate in the Lego League.   Ms. Webb proposes allocating funds to purchase the Lego League package in 2009 as well as purchasing a second robot.\nInauguration Assembly Hosted by Gianna Clark our student Council President.  Children wrote their reflections on the election, letters to the president, poems and even a rap song.  Letters and pictures are posted on the first floor bulletin board. Letters to Barack Obama were published in USA Today.\nDiscipline Referrals (See Enclosure)\nBudget for FY 2009-2010:  Although this is not a SIPAAA year, we do need to meet to decide on the 2nd year budget for this SIPAAA.  All budget items must be entered into the system before Spring break in April.\nBudget transfer:  I am requesting a budget transfer in the amount of $1500.00.  We need to move this amount out of the excess teacher salary line and into maintenance and repair for our duplicating machines.  This is due to an increase in cost.  (Budget lines will be named).\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nFebruary 5, 2009\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, Antonia Perez, Therese Wasik, Star Breit and David Myles.\n\n•    Floor tiles in corridors – 2nd and 3rd floor corridors completed.  Awaiting final walk through with the contractor.\n\n•    Peeling paint –Awarded (and funded) Environmental assessment of the peeling paint preformed.   No further information known at this time.\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    School cleaning concerns -  Discussed lack of custodian substitutions with the Operations coordinator.  Need to tighten up several areas of cleaning with the afternoon staff.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment –Principal to have a meeting with Mr. Runcie to discuss specifics for schools Pilot Program.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – On-going - Some evacuation drills have occurred and more will be conducted in future months.   Principal to create “emergency procedures script” for assemblies in auditorium.\n\n•    Sand box –Discussed covering and the possibility of eliminating the sandbox altogether.  The Principal to discuss with the PTA if any funds are available to see what other options might exist before we seriously consider eliminating.\n\n•    Recycling – No discussion.\n\n•    Art Room -  Art Room has become cluttered with play furniture and projects not being properly put away.  Art Room coordinator will be contacted.\n\n•    Parking Lot – Discussed drivers speeding and non-staff vehicles parking and blocking staff cars from exiting.  Letters drafted as a reminder to parents/staff but first,the principal will discuss problem with corner neighbor before taking further action.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  March 5, 2009,  8:00 am\n\nSummary by:  David Myles','February 2009 Minutes','','inherit','open','open','','17-revision','','','2009-04-30 11:27:33','2009-04-30 16:27:33','',21,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/04/30/17-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(21,188,'2009-04-30 11:28:37','2009-04-30 16:28:37','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nFebruary 9, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Ken Schug, Angela Williams-Walker, Willie Walter (arrived 8:04 a.m.), Jennifer Washington.\n\n1. Ray Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of January minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the January minutes.\n\n4. Report from the principal - see attached\n*Budget Transfer\nPrincipal Butler explained that the new maintenance contract (which is in place for this calendar year) for the duplicating machines is a bit higher than last year, and she asked the LSC to transfer extra funds left over from the reading specialist position.\nD. Myles made a motion (second: C. Lancaster) to allow a transfer of $1,500 from the excess salary of the reduced class size teacher position to pay for the maintenance contract for duplicating machines. The LSC approved the transfer.\n\n5. Status of Friends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker explained that the PTA bylaws have been found, but not the FOR bylaws. FOR was formed in 1982. In 1994, the two organizations combined. In order to separate the two, the FOR board must first create new bylaws. A. Williams-Walker asked whether volunteers are ready to sit on the FOR board, and R. Lodato said he is working on a list of people.\n\n6. Subcommittee reports\n*Bylaws – no report\n*Facilities – see attached\nD. Myles reported that some money would help in dismantling the sandbox. He reported that it is not clear whether CPS has identified funds to fix the peeling paint. He reported that there have been complaints about cars speeding out of the parking lot. PE teacher Ms. Perez suggested a mirror placed on the fence might help drivers see pedestrians trying to cross the driveway.\n*Vision and Priorities – no report\n*Principal evaluation – R. Lodato explained a special meeting would be held to approve a survey that would be given to staff and parents.\n*SIPAAA/Budget – J. Washington reported that S. Murphy, C. Lancaster and Librarian Ms. Travis would attend upcoming committee meetings.\n*PPLC – C. Lancaster reported that the PPLC had been formed with C. Lancaster, W. Walter, Ms. Prasad-Heintz, Ms. Annorh, Ms. Sheridan, Mr. Salvato, Ms. Krecik, Ms. Webb, and Ms. McFarland. Topics to be discussed include math and Spanish curriculum.\n*Bilingual education – W. Walter explained that a parent meeting will be held tomorrow.\n*Special education – no report\n*Technology – S. Murphy reported that Ray is waiting for a proposal from Sun about the costs of implementing the thin client model on 40, 80-100, or all computers. H. Edelman asked what CUIP founder Mr. York’s opinion was of the possible pilot. B. Butler explained that he was skeptical about Ray getting the outside support it would need, and said he wanted to know what the cost would be of implementing and maintaining the pilot. S. Murphy said Sun would provide the maintenance and support, not CPS.\n\n7. January PTA meeting – H. Edelman reported that the PTA was working hard to prepare for the Black History Month gallery walk and evening celebration. The PTA’s nominating committee is continuing to look for volunteers to sit on the board next year.\n\n8. Old business – none\n\n9. New business – none\n\n10. Public comments and discussion – Parent Blake Davis introduced himself\n\n11. Election of Replacement LSC Member\nBlake Davis said he is interested in being a member of the LSC because he would like to give back to the school. He moved back to Hyde Park after living in the suburbs for a while and has been very happy with the school. His daughter is in fourth grade.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC voted to go into closed session to discuss filling the LSC vacancy. The LSC entered into closed session at 8:52 a.m.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to return to open session. The LSC returned to open session at 9:04 a.m.\n\nOn a motion by S. Murphy (second: K. Schug) the LSC voted to ask Blake Davis to fill the parent representative vacancy.\n\nOn a motion by C. Lancaster (second: B. Butler) the LSC voted to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:07 a.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nFebruary 9, 2009\n8:00am\n\nCommunity Schools Initiative – Budget and Service Plan Submitted.  Children’s Home and Aid will provide compensation for teachers and assistants who wish to continue their after school programs until the end of the year.  There will be a one week break for ISAT testing.\n\nStaff Development – Friday, February 13.  The agenda includes continuing work on PBIS with Dr. Van Acker, the Spanish language teachers will give a workshop on integrating Spanish language and cultural activities in the regular classroom, Ms McFarland will give ideas on reading strategies that facilitate ISAT readiness.\n\nESL Parent Meeting will take place on Tuesday February 10 in the cafeteria at 9:15.  The discussion will focus on the upcoming testing for ESL students.  Parents will be given information on the Bilingual committee.  A Valentine Literacy Craft session will follow the meeting.\n\nNew Reading Teacher\nKindergarten:  Support:   reading 10   math, 10     Accelerated Reading:  11\nFirst Grade:     Support:  lang. arts 11 math, 12      Accelerated Reading:  14\nSecond Grade: Support:  lang. arts 8    math,   6      Accelerated Reading :  10\n\nLego Robotics\nOn Saturday December 13th, 2008 Ms. Webb and one of her students, Justin Hardiman from Science club went to the Lego League Competition at McDade Classical School.  They spent the day observing the competition, with the knowledge that next year Ray School would be competing.  Ms. Webb and Justin Hardiman saw how other teams found solutions to our Lego League Challenges.  In addition, Ms. Webb brought Ray School’s research report, and Justin was able to present our findings to the Lego League judges.  The judges gave us advice that our team will use during next year’s competition.  It was a very informative day, and fun filled day.  Next year, Ray school will once again participate in the Lego League.   Ms. Webb proposes allocating funds to purchase the Lego League package in 2009 as well as purchasing a second robot.\nInauguration Assembly Hosted by Gianna Clark our student Council President.  Children wrote their reflections on the election, letters to the president, poems and even a rap song.  Letters and pictures are posted on the first floor bulletin board. Letters to Barack Obama were published in USA Today.\nDiscipline Referrals (See Enclosure)\nBudget for FY 2009-2010:  Although this is not a SIPAAA year, we do need to meet to decide on the 2nd year budget for this SIPAAA.  All budget items must be entered into the system before Spring break in April.\nBudget transfer:  I am requesting a budget transfer in the amount of $1500.00.  We need to move this amount out of the excess teacher salary line and into maintenance and repair for our duplicating machines.  This is due to an increase in cost.  (Budget lines will be named).\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nFebruary 5, 2009\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, Antonia Perez, Therese Wasik, Star Breit and David Myles.\n\n•    Floor tiles in corridors – 2nd and 3rd floor corridors completed.  Awaiting final walk through with the contractor.\n\n•    Peeling paint –Awarded (and funded) Environmental assessment of the peeling paint preformed.   No further information known at this time.\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    School cleaning concerns -  Discussed lack of custodian substitutions with the Operations coordinator.  Need to tighten up several areas of cleaning with the afternoon staff.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment –Principal to have a meeting with Mr. Runcie to discuss specifics for schools Pilot Program.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – On-going - Some evacuation drills have occurred and more will be conducted in future months.   Principal to create “emergency procedures script” for assemblies in auditorium.\n\n•    Sand box –Discussed covering and the possibility of eliminating the sandbox altogether.  The Principal to discuss with the PTA if any funds are available to see what other options might exist before we seriously consider eliminating.\n\n•    Recycling – No discussion.\n\n•    Art Room -  Art Room has become cluttered with play furniture and projects not being properly put away.  Art Room coordinator will be contacted.\n\n•    Parking Lot – Discussed drivers speeding and non-staff vehicles parking and blocking staff cars from exiting.  Letters drafted as a reminder to parents/staff but first,the principal will discuss problem with corner neighbor before taking further action.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Suggest that this committee look into making phased repairs over several years.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time.\n\nNext Meeting:  March 5, 2009,  8:00 am\n\nSummary by:  David Myles','February 2009 Minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','february-2009-minutes','','','2009-04-30 11:28:37','2009-04-30 16:28:37','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?page_id=17',0,'page','',0),(22,188,'2009-04-30 11:29:24','2009-04-30 16:29:24','','March 2009 minutes','','inherit','open','open','','19-revision','','','2009-04-30 11:29:24','2009-04-30 16:29:24','',23,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/04/30/19-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(23,188,'2009-04-30 11:30:23','2009-04-30 16:30:23','Minutes of Ray Local School Council\nMarch 9, 2009\nStaff lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Blake Davis, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles (arrived 7:34 p.m.), Jennifer Washington, Willie Walter (arrived 6:52 p.m.), Angela Williams-Walker. Absent: Ken Schug.\n\n1. Ray Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. and welcomed new LSC member Blake Davis.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nC. Lancaster asked to add an item to discuss changing the date of the April meeting. On a motion by J. Washington (second: B. Davis) the LSC approved adding a discussion about changing the date of the April meeting.\n\n3. Approval of February minutes\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: S. Murphy) the LSC approved the February minutes.\n\n4. Report from the Principal (see attached)\n*Discipline report – B. Davis asked for a key to explain the codes for the discipline reports.\n*Lottery - The lottery for out-of-boundary applicants to the school will be held soon. Principal Butler explained that former Superintendent Arne Duncan supported principals’ decisions to accept all pre-K students into Kindergarten. The new superintendent has not indicated his position, and Principal Butler said she was advised to offer no guarantees.\n*Budget – The LSC will need to hold a special meeting to approve next year’s budget.\nOn a motion by B. Davis (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC approved the principal’s report.\n\n5. Status of Friends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker is drafting a description of the functions of PTA and FOR. She is collecting examples of bylaws from other Friends organizations.\n\n6. Subcommittee reports\n*Bylaws - no report\n*Vision and Priorities – C. Lancaster and H. Edelman agreed to survey teachers again on their priorities in order to inform budget discussions. B. Davis asked about the desired class size, and B. Butler said smaller class sizes were needed in the lower grades.\n*Principal evaluation – A survey for teachers and parents has been developed and LSC members will be responsible for administering it.\n*Budget committee – J. Washington explained that a technology line item had been added because there will no longer be a separate cell tower fund. She reported that $30,000 is expected in rollover money in the fall. H. Edelman and B. Butler suggested leaving space for a teaching position in the budget. J. Washington said she was opposed to setting aside funds for a teacher without covering definite needs first.\n*Facilities – D. Myles explained that a request for bids had been put out for the peeling paint. Work could be done during spring break or the summer. Neighbors have complained about cars speeding out of the driveway; D. Myles will investigate installing a mirror.\n*PPLC – The committee met Feb. 28 and will meet twice a month for the next few months. The committee is discussing aligning curriculum.\n*Bi-lingual education – no report\n*Special education – no report\n*Technology – Sun submitted a proposal that put the cost of installing their thin client model at $134,000, without discounts. S. Murphy is asking for a new proposal.\nOn a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second: B. Davis) the LSC approved the subcommittee reports.\n\n7. February  PTA Meeting\nH. Edelman reported that the PTA will be looking for volunteers for festival, picnic and art fair. PTA budget meetings are coming up. And the PTA continues to accept nominations for officers for next year.\n\n8. New meeting date\nC. Lancaster asked that the April meeting be moved from the morning of April 13, the first day back from spring break. LSC members agreed to move the April LSC meeting to April 15 at 8 a.m.\n\n9. Old Business\nNone\n\n10. New business\n*R. Lodato said he planned to attend a hearing about the removal of LSC members for whom the downtown LSC office does not have records of attended trainings. He questioned why LSC members who had actually attended trainings received the letters.\n*R. Lodato asked the Vision and Priorities committee to draft a statement about the school that could appear in the Hyde Park Herald. The Herald printed information about local schools that described Ray as a backdrop for the Art Fair, but did not include other, more descriptive facts. H. Edelman said she would contact the Herald.\n\n11. Public comments and discussion\nLibrarian Leslie Travis thanked the LSC for its work and participation in subcommittees.\n\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: B. Davis) the LSC voted to adjourn at 8:04 p.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nRay School\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nMarch 9, 2009\n\nFamily Reading Night\nPTA sponsored this family reading night as part of Black History Month.   Families brought favorite books written about African Americans.  After taking turns talking about the books, individuals reflected on their most outstanding memories about African American History.\nDiscipline Report (See enclosure)\nLottery\nWe have 37 lottery applications for kindergarten for the 2009-10 school year from out-of-district students who are currently enrolled in the Pre-K program at Ray.  Of these 37 applications, 10 are siblings.  We have an additional 6 applications for kindergarten from students who were not in Pre-K at Ray but have siblings here at Ray.  We have 16 in district students who will automatically go into kindergarten.\nA letter is scheduled to go out to parents of out of district parents tomorrow to inform them that the CPS Policy will be adhered to in view of the change in CPS administration.\nSpecial Student Mentions\nThe David R. McDonald Foundation is inviting a select group of students to the MVP Chess tournament.  The best scholastic players are invited to compete for top honors and prizes. The event takes place on Tuesday, April 7 from 9:30 until 5:00.  Our selected students are Allen Dai, Karen Dai, and Philip Parker-Turner.\nZhixin Shou has won second place in Dongfang Chinese Education Institutes Composition Contest.  The organization offers Chinese language immersion in pre-k though 12th grade.  It is reportedly a very prestigious institution.\nCommunication\nState of the School Mid-Term report was published last week on the e-news and is also posted on the Principal’s Podium on the ray website.  I will attempt to update that blog regularly.  I will meet with Gordon Mayer on Tuesday, March 10 to publish another version with pictures in the Ray News.\nUse of Technology\nMore teachers are beginning to use the website to publish classroom news.  Mrs. Clement, Ms Jack, Mrs. Travis, Ms. Pitts, Mr. Gillespie, Ms. Averill and Ms. Sheridan all have active Websites.  It is my goal that all teachers begin to have websites that inform the community of classroom projects and news. I would like to show some of our sites at one of our next meetings.  Russ from CUIP works with any staff who asks for assistance, including me.\nFood Establishment Report\nWe were inspected by the Chicago Department of Public Health and passed.  Peeling paint was noted once again.\nBudget\nWe should be receiving our budget allocations for s.y.2009/2010 sometime this week.\nInternal Accounts\nWe have $ $149,565.08 in our account.','March 2009 minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','march-2009-minutes','','','2009-04-30 11:30:23','2009-04-30 16:30:23','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?page_id=19',0,'page','',0),(24,188,'2009-04-30 11:31:30','2009-04-30 16:31:30','Minutes of Ray Local School Council Special Meeting\nMarch 30, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Blake Davis, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, David Myles, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Angela Williams-Walker. Absent: Sean Murphy, Willie Walter.\n\n1. Call to order\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: B. Davis) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of 2009-10 Budget\nThe discussion centered on the proposal that a full-time technology teacher would be paid for half by state funds and half from the cell tower fund. The LSC debated the merits of  a full-time versus part-time teacher, and discussed budgeting both to hire a teacher and replace a large number of computers.\n\nB. Butler explained that $41,000 could be set aside in the budget under the term “miscellaneous” to allow the LSC more time to decide whether to fund the position. She said fully funding the teacher position and replacing all the poorly operating computers likely would leave no extra money in the budget.\n\nLSC members debated a full-time versus part-time technology teacher. J. Washington supported the idea that a full-time position would attract better candidates and create a more-established program. A. Williams-Walker and H. Edelman suggested that good candidates might be available in this economy for a part-time position. B. Davis asked when hiring for the position would occur. B. Butler explained that job fairs are in May, so the LSC could take the month of April to decide on full-time or part-time.\n\nC. Lancaster said she wouldn’t necessarily approve a part-time position, and suggested the money could be better spent in another way if part-time was the only option.\n\nD. Myles said that hiring a part-time teacher would allow for buying or leasing computers and for leasing from Sun. A full-time position would allow for all options except purchasing the SunRay model for all computers.\n\nB. Butler reminded the LSC that voting for a full-time teacher would likely only make that position possible for one year because there wouldn’t be sufficient funding the following year.\n\nB. Davis made a motion to accept the budget with a full-time technology teacher position, subject to change if subsequent information comes to alter that possibility. D. Myles seconded the motion. B. Davis said that by approving this motion, the LSC is making a statement that this is what we want, but we are not locked into it. R. Lodato argued that the LSC essentially would be locked into funding the full-time position. C. Lancaster said that reversing the vote could be done in May or June, or before hiring.\n\nApproving the motion: 5. Opposing: 3. Abstaining: 1. The motion needed 6 votes to be approved, so it did not pass.\n\nC. Lancaster made a motion to take another vote. J. Washington seconded the motion. Approved: 8. Opposed: 1.\n\nD. Myles made a motion to approve the budget allowing for a full-time technology teacher position in 2009-10. J. Washington seconded the motion. Approved: 6. Opposed: 3. The motion passed.\n\n4. Adjourn\nThe meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman','March Special Meeting minutes','','inherit','open','open','','21-revision','','','2009-04-30 11:31:30','2009-04-30 16:31:30','',25,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/04/30/21-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(25,188,'2009-04-30 11:31:36','2009-04-30 16:31:36','Minutes of Ray Local School Council Special Meeting\nMarch 30, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Blake Davis, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, David Myles, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Angela Williams-Walker. Absent: Sean Murphy, Willie Walter.\n\n1. Call to order\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: B. Davis) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of 2009-10 Budget\nThe discussion centered on the proposal that a full-time technology teacher would be paid for half by state funds and half from the cell tower fund. The LSC debated the merits of  a full-time versus part-time teacher, and discussed budgeting both to hire a teacher and replace a large number of computers.\n\nB. Butler explained that $41,000 could be set aside in the budget under the term “miscellaneous” to allow the LSC more time to decide whether to fund the position. She said fully funding the teacher position and replacing all the poorly operating computers likely would leave no extra money in the budget.\n\nLSC members debated a full-time versus part-time technology teacher. J. Washington supported the idea that a full-time position would attract better candidates and create a more-established program. A. Williams-Walker and H. Edelman suggested that good candidates might be available in this economy for a part-time position. B. Davis asked when hiring for the position would occur. B. Butler explained that job fairs are in May, so the LSC could take the month of April to decide on full-time or part-time.\n\nC. Lancaster said she wouldn’t necessarily approve a part-time position, and suggested the money could be better spent in another way if part-time was the only option.\n\nD. Myles said that hiring a part-time teacher would allow for buying or leasing computers and for leasing from Sun. A full-time position would allow for all options except purchasing the SunRay model for all computers.\n\nB. Butler reminded the LSC that voting for a full-time teacher would likely only make that position possible for one year because there wouldn’t be sufficient funding the following year.\n\nB. Davis made a motion to accept the budget with a full-time technology teacher position, subject to change if subsequent information comes to alter that possibility. D. Myles seconded the motion. B. Davis said that by approving this motion, the LSC is making a statement that this is what we want, but we are not locked into it. R. Lodato argued that the LSC essentially would be locked into funding the full-time position. C. Lancaster said that reversing the vote could be done in May or June, or before hiring.\n\nApproving the motion: 5. Opposing: 3. Abstaining: 1. The motion needed 6 votes to be approved, so it did not pass.\n\nC. Lancaster made a motion to take another vote. J. Washington seconded the motion. Approved: 8. Opposed: 1.\n\nD. Myles made a motion to approve the budget allowing for a full-time technology teacher position in 2009-10. J. Washington seconded the motion. Approved: 6. Opposed: 3. The motion passed.\n\n4. Adjourn\nThe meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman','March Special Meeting minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','march-special-meeting-minutes','','','2009-04-30 11:31:36','2009-04-30 16:31:36','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?page_id=21',0,'page','',0),(26,188,'2009-09-06 11:21:59','2009-09-06 16:21:59','Minutes of Ray Local School Council Meeting\nApril 15, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Blake Davis, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy (arrived 8:10), David Myles, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Willie Walter (arrived 8:13). Absent: Angela Williams-Walker.\n\n1. Call to order\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of minutes\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the March 9 and March 30 minutes.\n\n4. Principal’s Report\n*Kindergarten lottery\nPrincipal Butler reported that 28 students from the pre-Kindergarten classes were not accepted through the lottery process to Kindergarten at Ray for next fall. Former Superintendent Duncan told the LSC and PTA last Spring that pre-K students should be accepted, but with the change in administration, Principal Butler was advised to accept students through the lottery only. Many pre-K parents have been very dedicated to Ray for two years, and now they are being told they cannot join the school. Because of the unusual set of circumstances this year, Principal Butler is asking for the LSC’s support to request from the central office a one-time additional Kindergarten teacher position. The cost would be about $90,000, including benefits.\n\nPre-K parent Leslie Davis spoke, explaining that she did not learn of the change in plans until mid-March, at which time it was too late to enter lotteries for other schools. She was joined by more than a half-dozen pre-K parents.\n\nLSC members expressed sympathy for the parents. J. Washington asked how the additional students would affect overcrowding in the lower grades. B. Davis asked whether future pre-K parents would be asked to sign a statement saying they understood the policy. Principal Butler explained that in future years, pre-K parents would receive a letter explaining that there is no guarantee of admission to Kindergarten.\n\nMelissa Megliola-Zaikos from the AMPS office was in attendance. She explained that an additional classroom would have to be filled with students starting from the top of the lottery. She asked Ms. Butler to confirm the number of students looking for placement and said she would consider ways to help them find a school to attend.\n\nJ. Washington made a motion (second: S. Murphy) saying that the LSC strongly supports the principal’s efforts to accommodate the 28 families negatively affected by the lottery. The motion was approved 10-0.\n\n*SIPAAA Budget\nPrincipal Butler asked for a few changes to the 2009-10 budget, including reducing the budget for Spanish substitutes to $1,522, reducing the budget for behavioral consultant to $4,000, reducing the budget for security services to $1,544, increasing the budget for summer clerk/parent worker to $4,058, increasing the budget for substitutes for PD to $2,029, and increasing the budget for the technology teacher to $43,014. On a motion by D. Myles (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the proposed changes to the 2009-10 budget. The motion was approved 10-0.\n\n(J. Washington departed at 8:56 a.m.)\n\n*Magazine subscriptions\nPrincipal Butler asked the LSC for permission to start a magazine subscription fundraiser for school beautification. B. Davis asked about the possibility of direct solicitations for funds.\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to allow the administration to proceed with a magazine subscription fundraiser for school beautification. The motion was approved 7-0, with two members abstaining.\n\n*Staffing\nPrincipal Butler explained that several positions are being cut for the 2009-10 school year, including two Spanish teacher positions and a special education assistant position. In addition, the bilingual education teacher’s position is being cut from full- to half-time. Principal Butler explained that she is appealing the bilingual education and Spanish cuts. She said she did not expect to regain the special education position because the school does not have enough special education students as required by CPS. She said the school may not be able to provide the kind of inclusion it would like to offer to special education students.\n\n(B. Davis departed at 9:11 a.m.)\n\nOn a motion by S. Murphy (second: W. Walter) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 a.m. The motion was approved 8-0.','April 2009 meeting minutes','','inherit','open','open','','23-revision','','','2009-09-06 11:21:59','2009-09-06 16:21:59','',27,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/09/06/23-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(27,188,'2009-09-06 11:22:47','2009-09-06 16:22:47','Minutes of Ray Local School Council Meeting\nApril 15, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Blake Davis, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy (arrived 8:10), David Myles, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Willie Walter (arrived 8:13). Absent: Angela Williams-Walker.\n\n1. Call to order\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of minutes\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the March 9 and March 30 minutes.\n\n4. Principal’s Report\n*Kindergarten lottery\nPrincipal Butler reported that 28 students from the pre-Kindergarten classes were not accepted through the lottery process to Kindergarten at Ray for next fall. Former Superintendent Duncan told the LSC and PTA last Spring that pre-K students should be accepted, but with the change in administration, Principal Butler was advised to accept students through the lottery only. Many pre-K parents have been very dedicated to Ray for two years, and now they are being told they cannot join the school. Because of the unusual set of circumstances this year, Principal Butler is asking for the LSC’s support to request from the central office a one-time additional Kindergarten teacher position. The cost would be about $90,000, including benefits.\n\nPre-K parent Leslie Davis spoke, explaining that she did not learn of the change in plans until mid-March, at which time it was too late to enter lotteries for other schools. She was joined by more than a half-dozen pre-K parents.\n\nLSC members expressed sympathy for the parents. J. Washington asked how the additional students would affect overcrowding in the lower grades. B. Davis asked whether future pre-K parents would be asked to sign a statement saying they understood the policy. Principal Butler explained that in future years, pre-K parents would receive a letter explaining that there is no guarantee of admission to Kindergarten.\n\nMelissa Megliola-Zaikos from the AMPS office was in attendance. She explained that an additional classroom would have to be filled with students starting from the top of the lottery. She asked Ms. Butler to confirm the number of students looking for placement and said she would consider ways to help them find a school to attend.\n\nJ. Washington made a motion (second: S. Murphy) saying that the LSC strongly supports the principal’s efforts to accommodate the 28 families negatively affected by the lottery. The motion was approved 10-0.\n\n*SIPAAA Budget\nPrincipal Butler asked for a few changes to the 2009-10 budget, including reducing the budget for Spanish substitutes to $1,522, reducing the budget for behavioral consultant to $4,000, reducing the budget for security services to $1,544, increasing the budget for summer clerk/parent worker to $4,058, increasing the budget for substitutes for PD to $2,029, and increasing the budget for the technology teacher to $43,014. On a motion by D. Myles (second: J. Washington) the LSC approved the proposed changes to the 2009-10 budget. The motion was approved 10-0.\n\n(J. Washington departed at 8:56 a.m.)\n\n*Magazine subscriptions\nPrincipal Butler asked the LSC for permission to start a magazine subscription fundraiser for school beautification. B. Davis asked about the possibility of direct solicitations for funds.\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to allow the administration to proceed with a magazine subscription fundraiser for school beautification. The motion was approved 7-0, with two members abstaining.\n\n*Staffing\nPrincipal Butler explained that several positions are being cut for the 2009-10 school year, including two Spanish teacher positions and a special education assistant position. In addition, the bilingual education teacher’s position is being cut from full- to half-time. Principal Butler explained that she is appealing the bilingual education and Spanish cuts. She said she did not expect to regain the special education position because the school does not have enough special education students as required by CPS. She said the school may not be able to provide the kind of inclusion it would like to offer to special education students.\n\n(B. Davis departed at 9:11 a.m.)\n\nOn a motion by S. Murphy (second: W. Walter) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 a.m. The motion was approved 8-0.','April 2009 meeting minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','april-2009-meeting-minutes','','','2009-09-06 11:22:47','2009-09-06 16:22:47','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=23',0,'post','',0),(28,188,'2009-09-06 11:23:49','2009-09-06 16:23:49','Minutes of Ray Local School Council Meeting\nMay 11, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Willie Walter (arrived 7:08 p.m.), Angela Williams-Walker (arrived 7 p.m.). Absent: Blake Davis, Ken Schug.\n\n1. Call to order\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the  April minutes with the addition of the “Approval of minutes” section.\n\n4. Principal’s Report (see attached)\n*Chinese Language – Principal Butler will be informed by the end of May if Ray will host a Chinese language teacher next year. Ray is the only finalist for the grant in Chicago.\n*Discipline – Incident report numbers are probably similar to last year, however, discipline is handled more consistently than last year.\n*LCD projectors - Principal Butler requested the LSC move $10,000 remaining in a reduced-class-size teacher budget line and $10,000 remaining in the Youth Guidance budget line into the equipment line in order to purchase LCD projectors. LCD projectors received the most votes in a teacher survey. The projectors cost $600-800. Several would be available on each floor of the school, and the technology teacher or a teacher from each grade would be responsible for housing the projectors. H. Edelman asked if the projectors would be connected to a laptop or CPU on a cart to ensure all teachers could use the equipment. S. Murphy, R. Lodato and C. Lancaster requested the decision be delayed until the LSC technology committee finished making a recommendation on the total technology picture, including computers, LCDs and printers.\nD. Myles made a motion (second: A. Williams-Walker) to move $10,000 remaining in a teacher budget line and $10,000 remaining in the Youth Guidance budget line into the equipment line. The LSC voted 6-3. The motion failed because it required seven votes to pass.\n*Teacher assignments – Families will be notified over the summer of their children’s classroom assignments for next fall.\n*A flier was sent home to parents asking them to contact CPS officials to request they restore the Spanish positions cut for next year.\n\n5. Status of Friends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker drafted bylaws for FOR. She has names of five people interested in being involved in the separation of FOR from the PTA. The next step would be discussion with the incoming PTA board.\n\n6. Subcommittee reports\n*Bylaws – none\n*Facilities (see attached) – The $239,000 needed to scrape and paint areas of the walls and ceilings that are peeling has been funded. The work should be done over the summer. Ray will not host summer school. Front office functions will be moved to the new wing of the school during the process.\n*Vision and Priorities – H. Edelman passed around a 5-year plan created by Nettelhorst School which is divided into subject-area categories.\n*Principal evaluation – The LSC discussed the survey of parents and teachers that was conducted related to the principal evaluation and whether more parents should have been surveyed. A parent present in the audience said he was there to support the principal.  Principal Butler asked for a transparent and positive process. A feedback session must be scheduled.\n*SIPAAA/Budget – no report\n*PPLC – C. Lancaster handed out a draft list of recommendations from the PPLC. (See attached)\n*Bilingual education – no report\n*Special education – no report\n*Technology – S. Murphy reported that Sun Microsystems will come to Ray on Wednesday to demonstrate SunRay to teachers. A call is scheduled for that same day with the school from Cincinnati that is using SunRay. The committee will meet after the Sun visit to make recommendations on purchases of computers, LCD projectors, and possibly printers.\n\n7. Kindergarten lottery process – no report\n\n8. PTA report – H. Edelman listed the PTA board nominees for next year\n\n9. Old business – A. Williams-Walker reported difficulty getting information from the LSC office about LSC training.\n\n10. New business – none\n\n11. Public comment - none\n\n12. Adjourn\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nMay 11, 2009 6:30 p.m.\n\nSpecial Education\nE-IEPs:  As of May 22nd, all CPS schools will be required to use the e-IEP.  Ray may be asked to start sooner due to completion of training on May 13th. Training is taking place in two parts.  One Special Ed. teacher, the case manager and all clinicians are attending the trainings.  At a later date, the Ray Special Ed. Team will discuss how to provide training &quot;in-house&quot; for all special ed. teachers.\n\nThe special education team now meets on Monday mornings in order to include the entire team of itinerants. This includes the psychologist, speech therapist, social worker, teachers and counselor.  Meeting at this time enables all team members to give input on issues related to special Ed and creates an opportunity for collaboration.\n\nAssessments: The Ray Language Arts Committee has purchased three new Fountas &amp; Pinnel assessments, one specifically designated for the Special Ed. Department.  The team discussed where to house it, along with other assessments and communicable resources (i.e. teacher editions).  The group decided to keep a lockable cabinet in Room 306 and designate a &quot;key master&quot;.  A check-out system will be devised. Mr. Coyne volunteered to hunt down such a cabinet (and has ordered one already!). .  The team agreed to ask the administration to order an updated version of the Keymath.  For the next meeting, team members will bring a list of the assessments they currently use/have in their classrooms so a &quot;catalog of assessments&quot; can be put together.\n\nGrants\nJoffrey Ballet Middle School Dance Club Grant\nMrs. Butler attended an informational session to gain information about a grant that would allow the Joffrey Ballet to work with students in our school next year.     Mrs. Butler subsequently wrote and submitted the grant and is waiting for a response from the company. The MSDC curriculum satisfies the Illinois State Board of Education’s state goals 25, 26, and 27 by allowing students to gain a familiarity with the language of the arts.  Social /Emotional Learning goals 1 and 2 are central to the curriculum.  Through the program students refine their interpersonal and communication skills.  Student progress is measured using a set of assessments administered throughout the program skills are   MSDC participants receive complimentary tickets to three Joffrey Ballet performances.  Teachers are invited to three workshops specifically designed to assist students in the creative process, rehearse ballets and help students develop musical skills.  An additional opportunity is provided to MSDC participants to participate in a summer program, preparing students to audition for the Joffrey’s production of the Nutcracker.\nOnce we know if we received the grant we will choose the grade level to participate.  Since Ms. Krecik has agreed to be the coordinator (she has a degree in dance) we will have to work out a schedule that allows her to be a part of the class.  The other two teachers who agreed to hold rehearsals are Mr. Martin and Mr. Walter.\nCritical Languages Program\nMrs. Butler also wrote and submitted a grant for Ray School to receive a Chinese Language Exchange teacher.  We were notified that we are one of the finalists and as a result were interviewed by phone from Washington DC.   If we receive the teacher she will be responsible for teaching and going to staff development. She must also collaborate with other teaching staff and work with the community.  Several Chinese American families have agreed to help the person adjust to life here.\n\nDiscipline\nReport is included in the packet\nStudent Awards\nLatin:  Two Ray School Latin students will be awarded gold medals at the annual Latin Gala on June 4 for achieving perfect scores on the 2009 National Mythology Exam. They are fourth grader Rachel Clendenning and fifth grader Angela White.  In addition bronze medals will be given to fourth grader William Burke and fifth grader Phillip Parker Turner.\n\nYoung Authors Winners:\nPrimary:\n1st Place: Madeleine Hall- from Murray\n2nd Place: Ashbey Kinkpatrick- from Ray\n3rd Place: Akhiyah Vaughn- from Bret Harte\nIntermediate\n1st Place: Carolina Cannon- from Murray\n2nd Place: Parris Harris- from Mayo\n3rd Place: Amore Shaw- Pershing West\nUpper\n1st Place: Mansur Soeleman- from Canter\n2nd Place: Bennett Hensey- from Ray\n3rd Place: Alexis Scott- from Till\nThe first place winners’ manuscripts will be sent to the Office of Literacy for the City Wide competition.\nOur Area Young Author’s Celebration will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Shoesmith School from 9-11. Invitees include 1st-3rd place winners, 7 runner-ups per grade cycle, and one parent/guardian for each student, and the Principal from each school (or their designee).\n\nSpecial Activities\nThe Science team planned our first ever science week.  Parents and other community members who work in the field of science were invited into the classrooms to give science lessons.  The week culminated in a Science Gallery Walk. At 8:00am. student projects were on display for parents walk throughout the school to view.  Some students were on hand to explain their projects.  The projects were exemplary and the children seemed to enjoy demonstrating their projects.  The classroom presenters were a wonderful addition to this day.  I look forward to this becoming an annual event.\n\nPresentation on Spain\nMr. Martin invited Mr. Jacobo Mir who coordinates the Spanish Academies in Chicago to do a presentation on Spain.  Mr. Mir gave two presentations where other Spanish classes were invited. He compared and contrasted cities in Spain and the US.  Architecture and artists from the various cities was shown to children. He showed famous architecture and art down by Spaniards that are here in Chicago.  Children learned that cities in Spain are similar to cities here. He actually ran out of time due to the many questions and interest that the children had.\nFamily Reading and Math Night - Thursday, May 7 was Family Reading and Math Night.  Each grade level pre-k through 6 was invited to participate.  Teachers made up math and reading games and activities for parents and student to do together.   The night ended with students having to guess the number of M&amp;Ms in a jar and the number of pieces of bubble gum in another jar.  Our winning students were Russell Schmidt and Kamila Karim.  Mrs. Butler has requested that we keep some activities on the walls and next year make them a part of what is always on the walls so that children can engage in meaningful activities as they wait in the lunch line or when they have finished lunch.  This will keep children in a continuous learning mode.\n\nCinco de Mayo Assembly This production was spectacular. Mr. Cisneros and Mr. Corona from the Back of the Yards were the artists who choreographed and taught the dances and provided the costumes.  Our students performed regional dances done in authentic costumes and they recited poetry by the Mexican author Manuel Acuna.  Two students read in English and Spanish, the reason Cinco de Mayo is celebrated.  At the end of the program, room 304 sang songs while some students accompanied the artists who were playing guitar by beating on their wooden boxes and playing a tortoise shell. Their performance was the result of a music residency by visiting artist, Mr. Fernandez with Mr. Martin. The residency was free to us.\n\nCommunity Involvement\nChicago Children’s Choir will hold a free community concert here on Thursday, May 14.\n\nStaff Development\nAt the last staff Development Session teachers listened to a presentation by Mrs. Zeber and Ms. McNulty on RTI (Response to Intervention).\n\nMrs. Butler and Ms. Alexis Scott attended a staff development session for the Community Schools initiative.  The purpose was to learn about providing more health services within the school.  Panels of health care professionals and providers discussed their experiences securing funds and setting up programs in the school.\n\nDiscipline\nSee enclosure\nFinances\nInternal Accounts\n$190,349.80 in our account\nBudget\nRequest to move money into equipment lines ($20,000) for the purpose of buying LCD projectors.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nMay 7, 2009\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, Star Breit, Therese Wasik, Marcy Schlessinger and David Myles.\n\n•    Floor tiles in corridors – Ralph and Ms Butler working on a letter to go to the head of the CPD Facilities Department as the punch list work has not occurred.\n\n•    Peeling paint – David attended the Capital Hearing in May.  Facility Department has funded the $239,000 needed and will award the project. No use by school staff will occur in the old building over this summer. ☺\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    School cleaning concerns – Ralph and Ms Butler has met to pass on cleaning concerns for the maintenance to correct.  Work appears to have happened or in the process of being addressed. Other problems when noticed need to be communicated directly to Ralph for quick resolution. Suggest wall racks for equipment that clutters Running Track.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – Ms Butler meeting with teachers this Wednesday to have conference call with another school using the Sun computer products to learn of strengths &amp; weaknesses of products.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – On-going – Week of April 27th, a Lock Down Drill occurred and went well and the Principal noticed the area for improvement(s).\n\n•    Sand box – Removed, gone. Base of sand remains and Ralph to call to see if asphalt patch can occur.\n\n•    Recycling – No discussion.\n\n•    Art Room -  Marcy area to ”re-set” this room the way is was after the major cleaning later today.  Later that morning, the room was cleaning and all of the affected parties were notified and appreciative of Marcy’s efforts. ☺\n\n•    Parking Lot –Authorized the purchase of a convex mirror.  David to see that Jean in the office has the ordering information.  The Alderman’s office cannot have a STOP sign placed at the public alley but is looking into whether “speed bumps” can be installed.  Ralph authorized to lock gate from the parking lot to the open park area.  Suggest sign be placed indicating locked gate for safety purposes.\n\n•    Landscaping –Several community volunteers who along with U of C students have begun to work the gardens this Spring. Marcy to attend the May 13th school staff meeting to inform and gauge teacher support for working the planter boxes this season.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Some volunteers discussed making some pavement repairs themselves but this work is not advisable.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time. David to follow up w/Alderman’s office for 57th Street “bump-outs”.\n\nNext Meeting:  June 4th 2009,  8:00 am\n\nMinutes by:  David Myles\n\nPPLC FINAL Report     2008-2009\nThe following is a list of topics surrounding curriculum and instruction at Ray that the PPLC discussed in a series of meetings in March and April. The input of the PPLC is as follows:\n1.    Technology Teacher – Consensus of this group was that a full-time technology teacher would better meet the needs of Ray than a part-time technology teacher. The PPLC would like to see technology classes for grades K-6. If the computer teacher were to take care of some maintenance of machines, it might be possible to free up their schedule for that by having K classes one semester and 1st grade the next semester so these grades would receive a semester of technology instead of a full year.\n\n2.    Language Arts Curriculum at Ray – These ideas varied. These included: continue with balanced literacy – although some teachers may need frameworks on how to best do this in their classrooms.  The basal should not be used as the core of curriculum, but as an assessment tool. However, part of the basal and parts of balanced literacy without the basal may be disjointed and leave out skills. If this is the case, returning to all parts of the basal may be necessary to ensure that all areas of language arts are being covered. Or, a complete balanced literacy approach without the basal may be best as long as grade levels are using the same standards and sequence of skills (i.e. All 4th grade doing inference at the same time). This scope and sequence of skills would need to be given to teachers in September.\n\nTo strengthen Language Arts in the upper grades, more books need to be added to the Guided Reading Library in the mid/upper level books. Also if Ray continues to use the Accelerated Reader program, ALL grades should participate. Updated AR tests are a necessity.\n\nOverall, we should explore opportunities for PD in Area 15. We should use school resources (including Amy LeVine and Jenny McFarland) to better implement our language arts curriculum.\n\n3.    Sixth Grade Language Arts – The sixth grade team would like to investigate assessments to use to justify letter grades given in Language Arts.\n\n4.    Professional Development – We have several teachers at Ray who have led FOSS PD or who have attended it. We could use in-house resources for this.\n\nWe have teachers at Ray who lead Everyday Math PD. We could use these teachers to spend some time talking about implementing Everyday Math in the classrooms.\n\nFor Language Arts, a combination of outside consultants and in-house resources would make excellent PD. These PDs should include all grade levels and should develop models implementing Language Arts in the classroom. A stronger administrative influence over the Language Arts curriculum may be effective.\n\n5.    “Walking Reading” – As a follow up to an idea mentioned at an LSC Budget Subcommittee meeting, the idea of implementing “walking reading” at Ray was discussed. This would entail students within a grade level being grouped for reading and different teachers teaching different levels.\nPros and cons included: Grouping as high – medium – medium or high- medium-lower may be best. These groups need to be fluid an change weekly or monthly. In addition, the higher group would need to be larger, so that the other groups would benefit from a lower class size. This model can challenge higher students and give extra attention to lower students, however, there is some loss of instructional time when changing classrooms.\nIn order for this to be successful: High standards need to be held for all students. Everyone across a grade level would need to be doing language arts at the same time. Grade levels would need to use the same evaluative tools.\nIn all, this is an idea should be given further consideration.','May 2009 meeting minutes','','inherit','open','open','','25-revision','','','2009-09-06 11:23:49','2009-09-06 16:23:49','',29,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/09/06/25-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(29,188,'2009-09-06 11:24:21','2009-09-06 16:24:21','Minutes of Ray Local School Council Meeting\nMay 11, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Christine Lancaster, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Ken Schug, Jennifer Washington, Willie Walter (arrived 7:08 p.m.), Angela Williams-Walker (arrived 7 p.m.). Absent: Blake Davis, Ken Schug.\n\n1. Call to order\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the  April minutes with the addition of the “Approval of minutes” section.\n\n4. Principal’s Report (see attached)\n*Chinese Language – Principal Butler will be informed by the end of May if Ray will host a Chinese language teacher next year. Ray is the only finalist for the grant in Chicago.\n*Discipline – Incident report numbers are probably similar to last year, however, discipline is handled more consistently than last year.\n*LCD projectors - Principal Butler requested the LSC move $10,000 remaining in a reduced-class-size teacher budget line and $10,000 remaining in the Youth Guidance budget line into the equipment line in order to purchase LCD projectors. LCD projectors received the most votes in a teacher survey. The projectors cost $600-800. Several would be available on each floor of the school, and the technology teacher or a teacher from each grade would be responsible for housing the projectors. H. Edelman asked if the projectors would be connected to a laptop or CPU on a cart to ensure all teachers could use the equipment. S. Murphy, R. Lodato and C. Lancaster requested the decision be delayed until the LSC technology committee finished making a recommendation on the total technology picture, including computers, LCDs and printers.\nD. Myles made a motion (second: A. Williams-Walker) to move $10,000 remaining in a teacher budget line and $10,000 remaining in the Youth Guidance budget line into the equipment line. The LSC voted 6-3. The motion failed because it required seven votes to pass.\n*Teacher assignments – Families will be notified over the summer of their children’s classroom assignments for next fall.\n*A flier was sent home to parents asking them to contact CPS officials to request they restore the Spanish positions cut for next year.\n\n5. Status of Friends of Ray\nA. Williams-Walker drafted bylaws for FOR. She has names of five people interested in being involved in the separation of FOR from the PTA. The next step would be discussion with the incoming PTA board.\n\n6. Subcommittee reports\n*Bylaws – none\n*Facilities (see attached) – The $239,000 needed to scrape and paint areas of the walls and ceilings that are peeling has been funded. The work should be done over the summer. Ray will not host summer school. Front office functions will be moved to the new wing of the school during the process.\n*Vision and Priorities – H. Edelman passed around a 5-year plan created by Nettelhorst School which is divided into subject-area categories.\n*Principal evaluation – The LSC discussed the survey of parents and teachers that was conducted related to the principal evaluation and whether more parents should have been surveyed. A parent present in the audience said he was there to support the principal.  Principal Butler asked for a transparent and positive process. A feedback session must be scheduled.\n*SIPAAA/Budget – no report\n*PPLC – C. Lancaster handed out a draft list of recommendations from the PPLC. (See attached)\n*Bilingual education – no report\n*Special education – no report\n*Technology – S. Murphy reported that Sun Microsystems will come to Ray on Wednesday to demonstrate SunRay to teachers. A call is scheduled for that same day with the school from Cincinnati that is using SunRay. The committee will meet after the Sun visit to make recommendations on purchases of computers, LCD projectors, and possibly printers.\n\n7. Kindergarten lottery process – no report\n\n8. PTA report – H. Edelman listed the PTA board nominees for next year\n\n9. Old business – A. Williams-Walker reported difficulty getting information from the LSC office about LSC training.\n\n10. New business – none\n\n11. Public comment - none\n\n12. Adjourn\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nMay 11, 2009 6:30 p.m.\n\nSpecial Education\nE-IEPs:  As of May 22nd, all CPS schools will be required to use the e-IEP.  Ray may be asked to start sooner due to completion of training on May 13th. Training is taking place in two parts.  One Special Ed. teacher, the case manager and all clinicians are attending the trainings.  At a later date, the Ray Special Ed. Team will discuss how to provide training &quot;in-house&quot; for all special ed. teachers.\n\nThe special education team now meets on Monday mornings in order to include the entire team of itinerants. This includes the psychologist, speech therapist, social worker, teachers and counselor.  Meeting at this time enables all team members to give input on issues related to special Ed and creates an opportunity for collaboration.\n\nAssessments: The Ray Language Arts Committee has purchased three new Fountas &amp; Pinnel assessments, one specifically designated for the Special Ed. Department.  The team discussed where to house it, along with other assessments and communicable resources (i.e. teacher editions).  The group decided to keep a lockable cabinet in Room 306 and designate a &quot;key master&quot;.  A check-out system will be devised. Mr. Coyne volunteered to hunt down such a cabinet (and has ordered one already!). .  The team agreed to ask the administration to order an updated version of the Keymath.  For the next meeting, team members will bring a list of the assessments they currently use/have in their classrooms so a &quot;catalog of assessments&quot; can be put together.\n\nGrants\nJoffrey Ballet Middle School Dance Club Grant\nMrs. Butler attended an informational session to gain information about a grant that would allow the Joffrey Ballet to work with students in our school next year.     Mrs. Butler subsequently wrote and submitted the grant and is waiting for a response from the company. The MSDC curriculum satisfies the Illinois State Board of Education’s state goals 25, 26, and 27 by allowing students to gain a familiarity with the language of the arts.  Social /Emotional Learning goals 1 and 2 are central to the curriculum.  Through the program students refine their interpersonal and communication skills.  Student progress is measured using a set of assessments administered throughout the program skills are   MSDC participants receive complimentary tickets to three Joffrey Ballet performances.  Teachers are invited to three workshops specifically designed to assist students in the creative process, rehearse ballets and help students develop musical skills.  An additional opportunity is provided to MSDC participants to participate in a summer program, preparing students to audition for the Joffrey’s production of the Nutcracker.\nOnce we know if we received the grant we will choose the grade level to participate.  Since Ms. Krecik has agreed to be the coordinator (she has a degree in dance) we will have to work out a schedule that allows her to be a part of the class.  The other two teachers who agreed to hold rehearsals are Mr. Martin and Mr. Walter.\nCritical Languages Program\nMrs. Butler also wrote and submitted a grant for Ray School to receive a Chinese Language Exchange teacher.  We were notified that we are one of the finalists and as a result were interviewed by phone from Washington DC.   If we receive the teacher she will be responsible for teaching and going to staff development. She must also collaborate with other teaching staff and work with the community.  Several Chinese American families have agreed to help the person adjust to life here.\n\nDiscipline\nReport is included in the packet\nStudent Awards\nLatin:  Two Ray School Latin students will be awarded gold medals at the annual Latin Gala on June 4 for achieving perfect scores on the 2009 National Mythology Exam. They are fourth grader Rachel Clendenning and fifth grader Angela White.  In addition bronze medals will be given to fourth grader William Burke and fifth grader Phillip Parker Turner.\n\nYoung Authors Winners:\nPrimary:\n1st Place: Madeleine Hall- from Murray\n2nd Place: Ashbey Kinkpatrick- from Ray\n3rd Place: Akhiyah Vaughn- from Bret Harte\nIntermediate\n1st Place: Carolina Cannon- from Murray\n2nd Place: Parris Harris- from Mayo\n3rd Place: Amore Shaw- Pershing West\nUpper\n1st Place: Mansur Soeleman- from Canter\n2nd Place: Bennett Hensey- from Ray\n3rd Place: Alexis Scott- from Till\nThe first place winners’ manuscripts will be sent to the Office of Literacy for the City Wide competition.\nOur Area Young Author’s Celebration will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Shoesmith School from 9-11. Invitees include 1st-3rd place winners, 7 runner-ups per grade cycle, and one parent/guardian for each student, and the Principal from each school (or their designee).\n\nSpecial Activities\nThe Science team planned our first ever science week.  Parents and other community members who work in the field of science were invited into the classrooms to give science lessons.  The week culminated in a Science Gallery Walk. At 8:00am. student projects were on display for parents walk throughout the school to view.  Some students were on hand to explain their projects.  The projects were exemplary and the children seemed to enjoy demonstrating their projects.  The classroom presenters were a wonderful addition to this day.  I look forward to this becoming an annual event.\n\nPresentation on Spain\nMr. Martin invited Mr. Jacobo Mir who coordinates the Spanish Academies in Chicago to do a presentation on Spain.  Mr. Mir gave two presentations where other Spanish classes were invited. He compared and contrasted cities in Spain and the US.  Architecture and artists from the various cities was shown to children. He showed famous architecture and art down by Spaniards that are here in Chicago.  Children learned that cities in Spain are similar to cities here. He actually ran out of time due to the many questions and interest that the children had.\nFamily Reading and Math Night - Thursday, May 7 was Family Reading and Math Night.  Each grade level pre-k through 6 was invited to participate.  Teachers made up math and reading games and activities for parents and student to do together.   The night ended with students having to guess the number of M&amp;Ms in a jar and the number of pieces of bubble gum in another jar.  Our winning students were Russell Schmidt and Kamila Karim.  Mrs. Butler has requested that we keep some activities on the walls and next year make them a part of what is always on the walls so that children can engage in meaningful activities as they wait in the lunch line or when they have finished lunch.  This will keep children in a continuous learning mode.\n\nCinco de Mayo Assembly This production was spectacular. Mr. Cisneros and Mr. Corona from the Back of the Yards were the artists who choreographed and taught the dances and provided the costumes.  Our students performed regional dances done in authentic costumes and they recited poetry by the Mexican author Manuel Acuna.  Two students read in English and Spanish, the reason Cinco de Mayo is celebrated.  At the end of the program, room 304 sang songs while some students accompanied the artists who were playing guitar by beating on their wooden boxes and playing a tortoise shell. Their performance was the result of a music residency by visiting artist, Mr. Fernandez with Mr. Martin. The residency was free to us.\n\nCommunity Involvement\nChicago Children’s Choir will hold a free community concert here on Thursday, May 14.\n\nStaff Development\nAt the last staff Development Session teachers listened to a presentation by Mrs. Zeber and Ms. McNulty on RTI (Response to Intervention).\n\nMrs. Butler and Ms. Alexis Scott attended a staff development session for the Community Schools initiative.  The purpose was to learn about providing more health services within the school.  Panels of health care professionals and providers discussed their experiences securing funds and setting up programs in the school.\n\nDiscipline\nSee enclosure\nFinances\nInternal Accounts\n$190,349.80 in our account\nBudget\nRequest to move money into equipment lines ($20,000) for the purpose of buying LCD projectors.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nMay 7, 2009\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, Star Breit, Therese Wasik, Marcy Schlessinger and David Myles.\n\n•    Floor tiles in corridors – Ralph and Ms Butler working on a letter to go to the head of the CPD Facilities Department as the punch list work has not occurred.\n\n•    Peeling paint – David attended the Capital Hearing in May.  Facility Department has funded the $239,000 needed and will award the project. No use by school staff will occur in the old building over this summer. ☺\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    School cleaning concerns – Ralph and Ms Butler has met to pass on cleaning concerns for the maintenance to correct.  Work appears to have happened or in the process of being addressed. Other problems when noticed need to be communicated directly to Ralph for quick resolution. Suggest wall racks for equipment that clutters Running Track.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – Ms Butler meeting with teachers this Wednesday to have conference call with another school using the Sun computer products to learn of strengths &amp; weaknesses of products.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – On-going – Week of April 27th, a Lock Down Drill occurred and went well and the Principal noticed the area for improvement(s).\n\n•    Sand box – Removed, gone. Base of sand remains and Ralph to call to see if asphalt patch can occur.\n\n•    Recycling – No discussion.\n\n•    Art Room -  Marcy area to ”re-set” this room the way is was after the major cleaning later today.  Later that morning, the room was cleaning and all of the affected parties were notified and appreciative of Marcy’s efforts. ☺\n\n•    Parking Lot –Authorized the purchase of a convex mirror.  David to see that Jean in the office has the ordering information.  The Alderman’s office cannot have a STOP sign placed at the public alley but is looking into whether “speed bumps” can be installed.  Ralph authorized to lock gate from the parking lot to the open park area.  Suggest sign be placed indicating locked gate for safety purposes.\n\n•    Landscaping –Several community volunteers who along with U of C students have begun to work the gardens this Spring. Marcy to attend the May 13th school staff meeting to inform and gauge teacher support for working the planter boxes this season.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Some volunteers discussed making some pavement repairs themselves but this work is not advisable.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time. David to follow up w/Alderman’s office for 57th Street “bump-outs”.\n\nNext Meeting:  June 4th 2009,  8:00 am\n\nMinutes by:  David Myles\n\nPPLC FINAL Report     2008-2009\nThe following is a list of topics surrounding curriculum and instruction at Ray that the PPLC discussed in a series of meetings in March and April. The input of the PPLC is as follows:\n1.    Technology Teacher – Consensus of this group was that a full-time technology teacher would better meet the needs of Ray than a part-time technology teacher. The PPLC would like to see technology classes for grades K-6. If the computer teacher were to take care of some maintenance of machines, it might be possible to free up their schedule for that by having K classes one semester and 1st grade the next semester so these grades would receive a semester of technology instead of a full year.\n\n2.    Language Arts Curriculum at Ray – These ideas varied. These included: continue with balanced literacy – although some teachers may need frameworks on how to best do this in their classrooms.  The basal should not be used as the core of curriculum, but as an assessment tool. However, part of the basal and parts of balanced literacy without the basal may be disjointed and leave out skills. If this is the case, returning to all parts of the basal may be necessary to ensure that all areas of language arts are being covered. Or, a complete balanced literacy approach without the basal may be best as long as grade levels are using the same standards and sequence of skills (i.e. All 4th grade doing inference at the same time). This scope and sequence of skills would need to be given to teachers in September.\n\nTo strengthen Language Arts in the upper grades, more books need to be added to the Guided Reading Library in the mid/upper level books. Also if Ray continues to use the Accelerated Reader program, ALL grades should participate. Updated AR tests are a necessity.\n\nOverall, we should explore opportunities for PD in Area 15. We should use school resources (including Amy LeVine and Jenny McFarland) to better implement our language arts curriculum.\n\n3.    Sixth Grade Language Arts – The sixth grade team would like to investigate assessments to use to justify letter grades given in Language Arts.\n\n4.    Professional Development – We have several teachers at Ray who have led FOSS PD or who have attended it. We could use in-house resources for this.\n\nWe have teachers at Ray who lead Everyday Math PD. We could use these teachers to spend some time talking about implementing Everyday Math in the classrooms.\n\nFor Language Arts, a combination of outside consultants and in-house resources would make excellent PD. These PDs should include all grade levels and should develop models implementing Language Arts in the classroom. A stronger administrative influence over the Language Arts curriculum may be effective.\n\n5.    “Walking Reading” – As a follow up to an idea mentioned at an LSC Budget Subcommittee meeting, the idea of implementing “walking reading” at Ray was discussed. This would entail students within a grade level being grouped for reading and different teachers teaching different levels.\nPros and cons included: Grouping as high – medium – medium or high- medium-lower may be best. These groups need to be fluid an change weekly or monthly. In addition, the higher group would need to be larger, so that the other groups would benefit from a lower class size. This model can challenge higher students and give extra attention to lower students, however, there is some loss of instructional time when changing classrooms.\nIn order for this to be successful: High standards need to be held for all students. Everyone across a grade level would need to be doing language arts at the same time. Grade levels would need to use the same evaluative tools.\nIn all, this is an idea should be given further consideration.','May 2009 meeting minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','may-2009-meeting-minutes','','','2009-09-06 11:24:21','2009-09-06 16:24:21','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=25',0,'post','',0),(30,188,'2009-10-13 22:21:03','2009-10-14 03:21:03','Ray Local School Council special meeting minutes\nJune 2, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Willie Walter (arrived 6:55) , Jennifer Washington. Absent: Blake Davis, Christine Lancaster, Ken Schug, Angela Williams-Walker.\n\nAlso in attendance: Vice-Principal Barbara Onofrio; Shaz Razul from CUIP; Belvi Foster from ITS/CPS; Miriam Wagner, Kent ? and Alexandre Merigay from Sun Microsystems.\n\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:43 p.m.\n\nS. Murphy (second: B. Butler) moved to amend the agenda to allow W. Walter to attend the meeting by phone.\n\nProposal to adopt SunRay thin-client solution for computers\nS. Murphy described the options available for updating computers at Ray: purchasing or leasing desktop computers, or purchasing or leasing the SunRay thin-client set-up. Purchasing desktops would save the school about $25 per computer over leasing them from CPS. The school could replace computers every five years. Purchasing SunRay would be $15,000 less expensive than leasing it over a 10-year period.\n\nWith the SunRay model, teachers would continue to see the same information on the screen. Teachers and students would have their own log-in, and they could continue to save work to Ray’s server, or they could save work to FirstClass. B. Butler said teachers had trainings on FirstClass but some had struggled to be able to use the system. B. Foster said ITS could offer more trainings.\n\nIf Ray chose SunRay, the next step would be to perform a site survey. Work would be done over the summer in order to have the system in place by the start of school. Implementing the system at Ray would require a project manager. Which ports are active in each room? Additional ports might cost more money. Most classrooms have four ports. CPS may pay to fix inoperable ports. If Ray starts with 100 SunRays, they could be installed first in the computer lab and then into operable ports around the school.\n\nS. Murphy reviewed teacher surveys conducted to gauge support for SunRay. About 12 were returned. Some favored SunRay. Some said they would follow CUIP’s recommendation. Some asked questions about SunRay’s compatibility with Flash, streamlining video and USB devices. Kent explained that currently video and audio get out of synch. A software upgrade will be available in September.\n\nS. Murphy discussed the conference call with a school in Cincinnati that uses SunRay. The school has a couple hundred SunRay devices now and is adding a couple hundred more. The school reported much less hardware support needed. One SunRay box burned out, so they plugged in a new one and Sun replaced the box for free.\n\nS. Murphy discussed support costs. The school would only be charged for hours used. CUIP would be the first line of defense. B. Foster said ITS was excited about the opportunity to work with Sun and Ray School on this pioneering project. A. Merigay said Ray School would get a lot of positive attention from Sun.\n\n(Sun representatives departed at 8:03 p.m.)\n\nS. Razul said there were many little risks but no deal-breakers. He said leasing desktops would not be a financially sound decision.\n\nB. Butler explained that hiring a full-time technology teacher and purchasing SunRay would leave very little discretionary money in the budget next year. She expressed concern about sustaining the technology teacher position. J. Washington said technology would need to be supported through fundraising in the future.\n\nD. Myles (Second: S. Murphy) made a motion to purchase SunRay. The LSC voted 5 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstaining.\n\nB. Onofrio suggested raising money before deciding to purchase SunRay. H. Edelman asked about leasing SunRay with the possibility of purchasing it at the end of the year.\n\nS. Murphy (second: D. Myles) moved to vacate the last vote.\n\nS. Murphy (second: D. Myles) made a motion to approve the SunRay lease with the stipulation that he would identify the cost of purchasing SunRay at the end of each of the next five years. The motion was approved 7-0.\n\nJ. Washington (second: D. Myles) made a motion to move $18,084 from the miscellaneous line into technology for the purpose of paying for the SunRay lease. The motion passed 7-0.\n\nD. Myles (second: J. Washington) made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 p.m.','June 2009 special meeting minutes','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision','','','2009-10-13 22:21:03','2009-10-14 03:21:03','',31,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/10/13/27-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(31,188,'2009-10-13 22:21:37','2009-10-14 03:21:37','Ray Local School Council special meeting minutes\nJune 2, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy, David Myles, Willie Walter (arrived 6:55) , Jennifer Washington. Absent: Blake Davis, Christine Lancaster, Ken Schug, Angela Williams-Walker.\n\nAlso in attendance: Vice-Principal Barbara Onofrio; Shaz Razul from CUIP; Belvi Foster from ITS/CPS; Miriam Wagner, Kent ? and Alexandre Merigay from Sun Microsystems.\n\nR. Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:43 p.m.\n\nS. Murphy (second: B. Butler) moved to amend the agenda to allow W. Walter to attend the meeting by phone.\n\nProposal to adopt SunRay thin-client solution for computers\nS. Murphy described the options available for updating computers at Ray: purchasing or leasing desktop computers, or purchasing or leasing the SunRay thin-client set-up. Purchasing desktops would save the school about $25 per computer over leasing them from CPS. The school could replace computers every five years. Purchasing SunRay would be $15,000 less expensive than leasing it over a 10-year period.\n\nWith the SunRay model, teachers would continue to see the same information on the screen. Teachers and students would have their own log-in, and they could continue to save work to Ray’s server, or they could save work to FirstClass. B. Butler said teachers had trainings on FirstClass but some had struggled to be able to use the system. B. Foster said ITS could offer more trainings.\n\nIf Ray chose SunRay, the next step would be to perform a site survey. Work would be done over the summer in order to have the system in place by the start of school. Implementing the system at Ray would require a project manager. Which ports are active in each room? Additional ports might cost more money. Most classrooms have four ports. CPS may pay to fix inoperable ports. If Ray starts with 100 SunRays, they could be installed first in the computer lab and then into operable ports around the school.\n\nS. Murphy reviewed teacher surveys conducted to gauge support for SunRay. About 12 were returned. Some favored SunRay. Some said they would follow CUIP’s recommendation. Some asked questions about SunRay’s compatibility with Flash, streamlining video and USB devices. Kent explained that currently video and audio get out of synch. A software upgrade will be available in September.\n\nS. Murphy discussed the conference call with a school in Cincinnati that uses SunRay. The school has a couple hundred SunRay devices now and is adding a couple hundred more. The school reported much less hardware support needed. One SunRay box burned out, so they plugged in a new one and Sun replaced the box for free.\n\nS. Murphy discussed support costs. The school would only be charged for hours used. CUIP would be the first line of defense. B. Foster said ITS was excited about the opportunity to work with Sun and Ray School on this pioneering project. A. Merigay said Ray School would get a lot of positive attention from Sun.\n\n(Sun representatives departed at 8:03 p.m.)\n\nS. Razul said there were many little risks but no deal-breakers. He said leasing desktops would not be a financially sound decision.\n\nB. Butler explained that hiring a full-time technology teacher and purchasing SunRay would leave very little discretionary money in the budget next year. She expressed concern about sustaining the technology teacher position. J. Washington said technology would need to be supported through fundraising in the future.\n\nD. Myles (Second: S. Murphy) made a motion to purchase SunRay. The LSC voted 5 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstaining.\n\nB. Onofrio suggested raising money before deciding to purchase SunRay. H. Edelman asked about leasing SunRay with the possibility of purchasing it at the end of the year.\n\nS. Murphy (second: D. Myles) moved to vacate the last vote.\n\nS. Murphy (second: D. Myles) made a motion to approve the SunRay lease with the stipulation that he would identify the cost of purchasing SunRay at the end of each of the next five years. The motion was approved 7-0.\n\nJ. Washington (second: D. Myles) made a motion to move $18,084 from the miscellaneous line into technology for the purpose of paying for the SunRay lease. The motion passed 7-0.\n\nD. Myles (second: J. Washington) made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 p.m.','June 2009 special meeting minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','june-2009-special-meeting-minutes','','','2009-10-13 22:21:37','2009-10-14 03:21:37','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=27',0,'post','',0),(32,188,'2009-10-13 22:24:46','2009-10-14 03:24:46','Minutes of Ray Local School Council Meeting\nJune 8, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy (arrived 8:09) , David Myles, Ken Schug, Willie Walter, Jennifer Washington. Absent: Blake Davis, Angela Williams-Walker.\n\n1. Call to order\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: H. Edelman) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the minutes of May 11 and June 2.\n\n4. Principal’s report (see attached)\nESL teacher – Principal Butler reported there is a possibility the ESL position will be restored to full-time for next year. If not, the teacher will be assigned to a classroom position because she is a valuable asset to the school.\n\nLottery – The school is calling some children who are on the wait list for Kindergarten, while saving some spots for neighborhood children. The school must report by the end of June how many spots are available for NCLB students.\n\nSummer camp – Summer camp at the school, organized by Children’s Home and Aid,  will start June 15 and last two weeks. The 60 slots in the camp were filled in one hour.\n\n5. Subcommittee reports\n*Facilities (see attached) – D. Myles reported the peeling paint repair job has been awarded. Work will start on the third floor.\n*Vision and Priorities – no report\n*Principal evaluation – The process is almost finished.\n*SIPAAA/Budget – no report\n*PPLC – Teachers will work over the summer to implement some of the committee’s ideas.\n*Special education – no report\n*Bilingual education - no report\n*Technology – Discussion with Sun is ongoing. Ralph will be the facilities project manager. Ms. Sheridan will be the point person for teachers.\n\n6. Old Business – none\n\n7. New Business\nR. Lodato and B. Butler expressed the gratitude of the LSC and the school for the extraordinary service of J. Washington, D. Myles and Sean Murphy as members of the LSC and school volunteers.\n\n8. Move to adjourn\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 a.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nWm. H. Ray Elementary School\n\n5631 South Kimbark\nChicago, Illinois 60637\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nJune 8, 2009\n8:00am\n\nTeachers have finalized their class lists for next year.  Now administration will review to make sure that classes are balanced by race, gender, ability and adjustment.  We are still struggling to service special needs students in the least restrictive environment with the amount of personnel scheduled for next year.  Parents will learn of room numbers and teachers either through the mail this summer or on the first day of school.\nCurriculum Teams\nCurriculum teams have been asked to do and final evaluation of their directives and goals for this school year.  We will use this information to plan calendars and activities for next year.\nPromotions\nSAT 10 scores have been released and parents have been notified of students needing to go to summer school.  Summer school is taking place at students’ home schools. The actual number of students having to go to bridge is approximately the same as last year.\n\nWaiting List\nWe are beginning to call students off the waiting list for kindergarten but we are proceeding cautiously while we enroll neighborhood students.  Class lists are in process for all three rooms.\n\nEvents and Celebrations\nChicago Children’s Choir performance at Ray\nHonor’s Assembly\nAppreciation Luncheon for PTA Board and other outstanding longtime volunteers\nTalent Show\nLatin Gala\nAfter School Showcase\n\nUpcoming Events\nRay School Music Festival\nChildren’s Home and Aid Summer Camp\nAll School Picnic is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon\nFarewell Luncheon is planned for Mr. Salvato, who is retiring on Thursday, at noon.  Many former employees are invited to attend.\nAwards\nIn a previous report I stated that $1000 would be given to Ray School on behalf of Allstate Insurance. The giant replica of the check was presented at the Awards Assembly.\n\nDiscipline Report\nEnclosed\nBudget Report and Internal Accounts report were given at last meeting on June 2\nWe did receive $500 from Chicago Children’s Choir for rental of our space.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nJune 4, 2009\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, Star Breit, Therese Wasik, Marcy, Gabriel Sheridan and David Myles.\n\nCommittee Members treated the group with a lite breakfast as this was the Chair’s last official meeting as well as the last meeting for the school year.  The Chair greatly appreciated this gesture!\n\n•    Floor tiles in corridors – Ralph and Ms Butler sent letter to go to the head of the CPD Facilities Department who had not received it as of June 4th.  John Cooke will try to locate this letter.\n\n•    Peeling paint –.  Facility Department has funded the $239,000 and issued an Award to AMW Corp.  Facilities awaiting for the contractor’s insurance and Performance Bond. ☺\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    School cleaning concerns – School looking better.  Light in Teacher’s 2nd Floor restroom will be changed/brightened.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – LSC has acted on the Sun Ray computer proposal.  Also investigating “white boards” being installed on existing slate caulk boards.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – On-going – Another Drill planned for June 5th.\n\n•    Sand box – Removed, gone. Base of sand remains and Ralph to call to see if asphalt patch can occur.  This should be a priority for next school year\n\n•    Art Room – No discussion.\n\n•    Parking Lot –Awaiting the delivery of a convex mirror.  David to have welder weld pole extension at alley corner pole. Locked gate from the parking lot to the open park area and received a few complaints\n\n•    Landscaping –Several community volunteers who along with U of C students have begun to work the gardens this Spring/Summer.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Some volunteers discussed making some pavement repairs themselves but this work is not advisable.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time. David sent note to Alderman’s office for 57th Street “bump-outs” and received no reply.  Will follow up.\n\nNext Meeting:  September or October ?? 2009,  8:00 am\n\nA HUGE THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED ON THIS COMMITTEE AND PLEASE HAVE A SAFE, ENJOYABLE AND RESTFUL SUMMER.\n\nMinutes by:  David Myles\n\nJune 5, 2009\n\nRay School LSC Members,\n\nAfter a lot of thought, I have decided to resign from the LSC, effective today, June 5, 2009. I regret leaving you with a vacancy, but I am confident it will be filled quickly in the fall. I look forward to taking part in the Sun Ray technology at Ray, as well as other changes coming about as a result of the partnership between the LSC and Ray School. Thank you for all you do for Ray.\n\nSincerely,\n\nChristine Lancaster','June 2009 meeting minutes','','inherit','open','open','','29-revision','','','2009-10-13 22:24:46','2009-10-14 03:24:46','',33,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/10/13/29-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(33,188,'2009-10-13 22:25:08','2009-10-14 03:25:08','Minutes of Ray Local School Council Meeting\nJune 8, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nIn attendance: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Sean Murphy (arrived 8:09) , David Myles, Ken Schug, Willie Walter, Jennifer Washington. Absent: Blake Davis, Angela Williams-Walker.\n\n1. Call to order\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nOn a motion by D. Myles (second: H. Edelman) the LSC approved the agenda.\n\n3. Approval of minutes\nOn a motion by J. Washington (second: D. Myles) the LSC approved the minutes of May 11 and June 2.\n\n4. Principal’s report (see attached)\nESL teacher – Principal Butler reported there is a possibility the ESL position will be restored to full-time for next year. If not, the teacher will be assigned to a classroom position because she is a valuable asset to the school.\n\nLottery – The school is calling some children who are on the wait list for Kindergarten, while saving some spots for neighborhood children. The school must report by the end of June how many spots are available for NCLB students.\n\nSummer camp – Summer camp at the school, organized by Children’s Home and Aid,  will start June 15 and last two weeks. The 60 slots in the camp were filled in one hour.\n\n5. Subcommittee reports\n*Facilities (see attached) – D. Myles reported the peeling paint repair job has been awarded. Work will start on the third floor.\n*Vision and Priorities – no report\n*Principal evaluation – The process is almost finished.\n*SIPAAA/Budget – no report\n*PPLC – Teachers will work over the summer to implement some of the committee’s ideas.\n*Special education – no report\n*Bilingual education - no report\n*Technology – Discussion with Sun is ongoing. Ralph will be the facilities project manager. Ms. Sheridan will be the point person for teachers.\n\n6. Old Business – none\n\n7. New Business\nR. Lodato and B. Butler expressed the gratitude of the LSC and the school for the extraordinary service of J. Washington, D. Myles and Sean Murphy as members of the LSC and school volunteers.\n\n8. Move to adjourn\nOn a motion by H. Edelman (second: S. Murphy) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 a.m.\n\nSubmitted by H. Edelman\n\nWm. H. Ray Elementary School\n\n5631 South Kimbark\nChicago, Illinois 60637\n\nPrincipal’s Report to the Local School Council\nJune 8, 2009\n8:00am\n\nTeachers have finalized their class lists for next year.  Now administration will review to make sure that classes are balanced by race, gender, ability and adjustment.  We are still struggling to service special needs students in the least restrictive environment with the amount of personnel scheduled for next year.  Parents will learn of room numbers and teachers either through the mail this summer or on the first day of school.\nCurriculum Teams\nCurriculum teams have been asked to do and final evaluation of their directives and goals for this school year.  We will use this information to plan calendars and activities for next year.\nPromotions\nSAT 10 scores have been released and parents have been notified of students needing to go to summer school.  Summer school is taking place at students’ home schools. The actual number of students having to go to bridge is approximately the same as last year.\n\nWaiting List\nWe are beginning to call students off the waiting list for kindergarten but we are proceeding cautiously while we enroll neighborhood students.  Class lists are in process for all three rooms.\n\nEvents and Celebrations\nChicago Children’s Choir performance at Ray\nHonor’s Assembly\nAppreciation Luncheon for PTA Board and other outstanding longtime volunteers\nTalent Show\nLatin Gala\nAfter School Showcase\n\nUpcoming Events\nRay School Music Festival\nChildren’s Home and Aid Summer Camp\nAll School Picnic is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon\nFarewell Luncheon is planned for Mr. Salvato, who is retiring on Thursday, at noon.  Many former employees are invited to attend.\nAwards\nIn a previous report I stated that $1000 would be given to Ray School on behalf of Allstate Insurance. The giant replica of the check was presented at the Awards Assembly.\n\nDiscipline Report\nEnclosed\nBudget Report and Internal Accounts report were given at last meeting on June 2\nWe did receive $500 from Chicago Children’s Choir for rental of our space.\n\nRAY SCHOOL\nFacilities &amp; Safety Committee\nMinutes\nJune 4, 2009\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Ralph Mirro, Star Breit, Therese Wasik, Marcy, Gabriel Sheridan and David Myles.\n\nCommittee Members treated the group with a lite breakfast as this was the Chair’s last official meeting as well as the last meeting for the school year.  The Chair greatly appreciated this gesture!\n\n•    Floor tiles in corridors – Ralph and Ms Butler sent letter to go to the head of the CPD Facilities Department who had not received it as of June 4th.  John Cooke will try to locate this letter.\n\n•    Peeling paint –.  Facility Department has funded the $239,000 and issued an Award to AMW Corp.  Facilities awaiting for the contractor’s insurance and Performance Bond. ☺\n\n•    UPS back up system – No up-dated information at this time.\n\n•    School cleaning concerns – School looking better.  Light in Teacher’s 2nd Floor restroom will be changed/brightened.\n\n•    Technology/Equipment – LSC has acted on the Sun Ray computer proposal.  Also investigating “white boards” being installed on existing slate caulk boards.\n\n•    School Emergency Management Plan (EMP) – On-going – Another Drill planned for June 5th.\n\n•    Sand box – Removed, gone. Base of sand remains and Ralph to call to see if asphalt patch can occur.  This should be a priority for next school year\n\n•    Art Room – No discussion.\n\n•    Parking Lot –Awaiting the delivery of a convex mirror.  David to have welder weld pole extension at alley corner pole. Locked gate from the parking lot to the open park area and received a few complaints\n\n•    Landscaping –Several community volunteers who along with U of C students have begun to work the gardens this Spring/Summer.\n\n•    Courtyard repairs – Have one proposal for $13,490 in ‘05.  Some volunteers discussed making some pavement repairs themselves but this work is not advisable.\n\n•    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.\n\n•    Window air conditioners – Prices ($32,235 in ‘05) obtained but there is a City moratorium on installing these window units in CPS properties.\n\n57th Street Business Association – No update at this time. David sent note to Alderman’s office for 57th Street “bump-outs” and received no reply.  Will follow up.\n\nNext Meeting:  September or October ?? 2009,  8:00 am\n\nA HUGE THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED ON THIS COMMITTEE AND PLEASE HAVE A SAFE, ENJOYABLE AND RESTFUL SUMMER.\n\nMinutes by:  David Myles\n\nJune 5, 2009\n\nRay School LSC Members,\n\nAfter a lot of thought, I have decided to resign from the LSC, effective today, June 5, 2009. I regret leaving you with a vacancy, but I am confident it will be filled quickly in the fall. I look forward to taking part in the Sun Ray technology at Ray, as well as other changes coming about as a result of the partnership between the LSC and Ray School. Thank you for all you do for Ray.\n\nSincerely,\n\nChristine Lancaster','June 2009 meeting minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','june-2009-meeting-minutes','','','2009-10-13 22:25:08','2009-10-14 03:25:08','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=29',0,'post','',0),(34,188,'2009-10-13 22:26:10','2009-10-14 03:26:10','Ray Local School Council meeting minutes\nJuly 20, 2009\nCafeteria atrium\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Ken Schug, Willie Walter. Absent: Sean Murphy, Angela Williams-Walker, Blake Davis.\n\n1. Call to order\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nCouncil members present approved the meeting agenda by unanimous consent.\n\n3. Approval of minutes\nThe LSC will approve June minutes in September.\n\n4. Principal’s report\n*Peeling paint - Principal Butler that the peeling paint throughout the school is being scraped and patched. The work is creating lots of dust. The work will take a couple more weeks, and what is completed looks good.\n*Technology – The Sun deal appears to be dead. CPS has some concern about Ray entering a multi-year contract with Sun Microsystems. Ray seems to be caught in the middle of a dispute between CPS and Sun. Huberman wants to update technology at schools, but CPS has not released its plan for doing so.\n*Staffing – Ray and many other schools may lose their state pre-K programs because of statewide budget cuts. The ESL teacher position has been restored to full-time. A technology teacher has been hired. Ms. Garcia is coming back as a science teacher. Class assignments will go out in August.\n\n5. Committee reports - none\n\n6. Elect officers\nThe LSC will elect officers in the fall.\n\n7. Establish committees\n*Facilities – David Myles is still willing to work on this committee.\n*PPLC – Ms. LeVine is interested in working on this. Staff will hold an election for members within five weeks of the start of school.\n*SIPAAA – The process will start with a town meeting.\n*Vision and Priorities – The committee can be on hold until after the SIPAAA process.\n*Bilingual – Ray may not need to have this committee because there is no bilingual ed at the school.\n*Technology – After the new technology teacher get started, we will see if we need this committee.\n\n8. Establishing meeting dates\nMonday, September 14, 6:30 p.m.\nWednesday, October 14, 8 a.m.\nMonday, November 9, 6:30 p.m.\nMonday, December 14, 8 a.m.\nMonday, January 11, 6:30 p.m.\nMonday, February 8, 8 a.m.\nMonday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\nMonday, April 12, 8 a.m.\nMonday, May 10, 6:30 p.m.\nMonday, June 14, 8 a.m.\n\n9. Filling vacancies\nThe LSC will have 2-3 parent vacancies and 1 teacher vacancy. Flyers will go home with students during the first week of school telling parents about the vacancies and inviting interested parents to submit statements of interest and introduce themselves at the first meeting.\n\n10. Old business – none\n\n11. New business – none\n\n12. Public comments – Visiting parents and staff introduced themselves.\n\n13. The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m. by unanimous consent.','July 2009 meeting minutes','','inherit','open','open','','31-revision','','','2009-10-13 22:26:10','2009-10-14 03:26:10','',35,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/10/13/31-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(35,188,'2009-10-13 22:26:33','2009-10-14 03:26:33','Ray Local School Council meeting minutes\nJuly 20, 2009\nCafeteria atrium\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Ken Schug, Willie Walter. Absent: Sean Murphy, Angela Williams-Walker, Blake Davis.\n\n1. Call to order\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.\n\n2. Approval of agenda\nCouncil members present approved the meeting agenda by unanimous consent.\n\n3. Approval of minutes\nThe LSC will approve June minutes in September.\n\n4. Principal’s report\n*Peeling paint - Principal Butler that the peeling paint throughout the school is being scraped and patched. The work is creating lots of dust. The work will take a couple more weeks, and what is completed looks good.\n*Technology – The Sun deal appears to be dead. CPS has some concern about Ray entering a multi-year contract with Sun Microsystems. Ray seems to be caught in the middle of a dispute between CPS and Sun. Huberman wants to update technology at schools, but CPS has not released its plan for doing so.\n*Staffing – Ray and many other schools may lose their state pre-K programs because of statewide budget cuts. The ESL teacher position has been restored to full-time. A technology teacher has been hired. Ms. Garcia is coming back as a science teacher. Class assignments will go out in August.\n\n5. Committee reports - none\n\n6. Elect officers\nThe LSC will elect officers in the fall.\n\n7. Establish committees\n*Facilities – David Myles is still willing to work on this committee.\n*PPLC – Ms. LeVine is interested in working on this. Staff will hold an election for members within five weeks of the start of school.\n*SIPAAA – The process will start with a town meeting.\n*Vision and Priorities – The committee can be on hold until after the SIPAAA process.\n*Bilingual – Ray may not need to have this committee because there is no bilingual ed at the school.\n*Technology – After the new technology teacher get started, we will see if we need this committee.\n\n8. Establishing meeting dates\nMonday, September 14, 6:30 p.m.\nWednesday, October 14, 8 a.m.\nMonday, November 9, 6:30 p.m.\nMonday, December 14, 8 a.m.\nMonday, January 11, 6:30 p.m.\nMonday, February 8, 8 a.m.\nMonday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.\nMonday, April 12, 8 a.m.\nMonday, May 10, 6:30 p.m.\nMonday, June 14, 8 a.m.\n\n9. Filling vacancies\nThe LSC will have 2-3 parent vacancies and 1 teacher vacancy. Flyers will go home with students during the first week of school telling parents about the vacancies and inviting interested parents to submit statements of interest and introduce themselves at the first meeting.\n\n10. Old business – none\n\n11. New business – none\n\n12. Public comments – Visiting parents and staff introduced themselves.\n\n13. The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m. by unanimous consent.','July 2009 meeting minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','july-2009-meeting-minutes','','','2009-10-13 22:26:33','2009-10-14 03:26:33','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=31',0,'post','',0),(36,188,'2009-10-13 22:26:45','2009-10-14 03:26:45','','August 2009 meeting minutes','','inherit','open','open','','33-revision','','','2009-10-13 22:26:45','2009-10-14 03:26:45','',37,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/10/13/33-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(37,188,'2009-10-13 22:27:31','2009-10-14 03:27:31','Ray Local School Council meeting minutes\nAugust 26, 2009\nStaff Lounge\n\nPresent: Bernadette Butler, Blake Davis, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Willie Walter, Angela Williams-Walker. Absent: Sean Murphy, Ken Schug.\n\n1. Call to order\nRay Lodato called the meeting to order at 8:11 a.m.\n\n2. Book Fair approval\nOn a motion by B. Butler (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC approved the use of the basement and auditorium on September 13 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the use of the 57th Street Book Fair.\n\n3. Fundraisers\nPrincipal Butler asked for approval of three fundraisers for the technology teacher position: a used book sale during the book fair, a seasonal crafts fair, and popcorn and taffy apples sale during the book fair.\n\nB. Butler made a motion to approve these fundraisers for the technology teacher position. W. Walter seconded the motion.\n\nB. Davis commented that small fundraisers may have a small return on their investment. He suggested an endowment or some fundraising activity that involves less effort.\n\nThe LSC approved the fundraisers 6-0.\n\n4. Technology teacher position\nOn a motion by B. Butler (second: B. Davis) the LSC approved spending up to $45,000 from the discretionary budget to cover the technology teacher position. Spending was approved 6-0.\n\n5. Old Business\n*Filling LSC vacancies – Teachers will vote for a new LSC member before school starts. Parent candidates will be invited to come to the first meeting on September 14.\n\n6. New Business – none\n\n7. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 a.m.','August 2009 meeting minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','august-2009-meeting-minutes','','','2009-10-13 22:27:31','2009-10-14 03:27:31','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=33',0,'post','',0),(38,188,'2009-10-21 11:20:18','2009-10-21 16:20:18','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Minutes of Ray Local School Council Meeting<span>  </span>DRAFT</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">September 15, 2009</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Staff Lounge</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">In attendance: Bernadette Butler, Blake Davis, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Maria Piscitelli, Ken Schug, Willie Walter, Angela Williams-Walker.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Call to order - R. Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Approval of agenda - On a motion by B. Butler (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC approved the agenda.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Approval of Minutes - On a motion by H. Edelman (second: K. Schug) the LSC approved the June, July and August minutes.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Statements from LSC candidates</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Parents Michael Cotton, Tibi Stef-Praun, Chris Dorsey, Eric Chua, Heather Dalmage, David Smith and Andrea Parkins introduced themselves and explained their interest in serving on the LSC. Parents Tonya Banks and Darlene Clark sent written statements but were not present.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Report from the PTA (attached)</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Report from the Principal </span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Testing and curriculum: Principal Butler reported that ISAT science and math scores are good, but reading scores have been flat. The school has moved slowly toward a balanced literacy approach but will now move more quickly in that direction. Teachers will attend professional development sessions on the topic.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Staffing: a special education teacher has returned; a new middle school language arts teacher has started; there is currently only one tuition pre-K class; in special education, Ms. Rogers is in charge of assessments and Ms. Zeber will handle case management.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Facilities: Many classes are getting white boards; a science lab was fixed up; peeling paint was scraped and primed throughout the building, and the whole school will be painted next summer if the CPS budget allows.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Afterschool: some programs have had funding cut; another program was added. Ms. Scott from Children’s Home and Aid explained that before-care is being offered and she will produce a catalog of afterschool offerings.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Budget: Internal accounts has $106,171.29. In the discretionary budget, Ms. Butler requested a transfer of $7,000 to purchase computers. CUIP is advising the purchase.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by R. Lodato (second: W. Walter) the LSC approved a transfer of $7,000 from the professional and technical service line to purchase computers.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Elect officers - The group decided to elect officers after filling vacancies.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Establish Subcommittees - The group discussed folding the Vision and Priorities committee into the SIPAAA process. M. Piscitelli offered to head the Bilingual committee.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by B. Davis (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC voted to keep the existing committees, with Vision and Priorities becoming part of the SIPAAA committee.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Confirm LSC meeting calendar - On a motion by B. Davis (second: H. Edelman) the LSC approved the dates and times for this year’s meetings.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">New Business</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Librarian Ms. Travis explained that the student council will hold fundraisers and report back to the LSC on its activities.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Ms. Onofrio would like to sell popcorn at lunch on Fridays and hold other small fundraisers for the technology teacher position.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by B. Butler (second: K. Schug) the LSC approved the plan to sell popcorn at second and third lunch periods and hold other small fundraisers to raise money for the technology position. The motion passed 7-1.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Old Business</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">A pre-K parent presented a petition from 50 parents requesting that the sandbox be replaced. The LSC discussed the fact that the sandbox was removed because dog walkers were allowing their dogs to use the sandbox as a bathroom.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Public Comments - None</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Move to executive session to discuss filling LSC vacancies - On a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second: B. Davis) the LSC voted to move to executive session to discuss LSC vacancies. The LSC entered executive session at 8:20 p.m.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Return to open session - The LSC returned to open session at 9:10 p.m.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Fill LSC vacancies</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by M. Piscitelli (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC approved Eric Chua to fill a vacancy. The motion passed 6-2.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second: B. Butler) the LSC approved Chris Dorsey to fill a vacancy. The motion passed 7-1.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by B. Butler (second: H. Edelman) the LSC approved Heather Dalmage to fill a vacancy. The motion passed 6-2.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Adjourn - On a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second: W. Walter) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">PTA report</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Following are the fundraising events PTA has planned for the year.  Please inform the LSC on PTA\'s behalf, as I am not able to attend this meeting.</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">PTA membership (ongoing)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Gift Wrap and Candy Sale 9/22 - 10/8 (estimated proceeds $20,000)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Ray Festival 3/26 (estimated proceeds ($1500 - 3000)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">57th Street Art Fair 6/5-6/6 (estimated proceeds $9-$13k)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Ray Directory ad sales (estimated proceeds ($1500)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Ray Café (ongoing)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Logo Sales (ongoing)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Fundraisers support annual PTA programming </span><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #2c4a7a;font-family: Times-Roman\"> (as </span><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">defined by the PTA Budget Committee) in the following categories:</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Publications (Ray News and Directory)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-School support (a large chunk this year goes to whiteboard/</span><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #2c4a7a;font-family: Times-Roman\">LCD</span><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> projector replacement and furniture)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Hospitality (ice cream social, teacher appreciation, kindergarten breakfast, school picnic)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Curriculum Support (for each subject, as well as AR, Speech Pathology, Travelling Library, etc)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Enrichment (week of the young child, Latin for 2nd grade, 3rd grade Chicago unit, etc)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Miscellaneous Programs (new initiatives, basketball, multicultural programming)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-PTA Expenses</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Note: Ray Enrichment Fund dollars have not been applied to the PTA budget and are being held separately and will be applied as need to support large-scale needs as defined by the administration.  In 2008-2009 approx $2200 in donations were collected for the Ray Enrichment Fund through a one-time direct mail solicitation.</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">The PTA plans to continue pursuing external fundraising this school year through the establishment of the Ray Fundraising Committee/Friends of Ray Committee (name tbd). The committee will pursue fundraising opportunities beyond our traditional ones, targeting a wider audience(community, corporations, alumni, etc), for the purpose of large-scale school needs defined by the administration.  Funds raised by this committee will be applied to the Ray Enrichment Fund. </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Please invite everyone at the meeting to Join the PTA this year. Membership is $10 per family. Our first general membership meeting is Monday September 21st at 6:30 pm in the Student Dining Room.  (pizza at 6pm).</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #2c4a7a;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #2c4a7a;font-family: Times-Roman\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Thanks.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>','September 2009 minutes','','inherit','open','open','','35-revision','','','2009-10-21 11:20:18','2009-10-21 16:20:18','',39,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/2009/10/21/35-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(39,188,'2009-10-21 11:20:41','2009-10-21 16:20:41','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Minutes of Ray Local School Council Meeting<span>  </span>DRAFT</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">September 15, 2009</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Staff Lounge</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">In attendance: Bernadette Butler, Blake Davis, Heather Edelman, Ray Lodato, Maria Piscitelli, Ken Schug, Willie Walter, Angela Williams-Walker.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Call to order - R. Lodato called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Approval of agenda - On a motion by B. Butler (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC approved the agenda.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Approval of Minutes - On a motion by H. Edelman (second: K. Schug) the LSC approved the June, July and August minutes.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Statements from LSC candidates</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Parents Michael Cotton, Tibi Stef-Praun, Chris Dorsey, Eric Chua, Heather Dalmage, David Smith and Andrea Parkins introduced themselves and explained their interest in serving on the LSC. Parents Tonya Banks and Darlene Clark sent written statements but were not present.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Report from the PTA (attached)</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Report from the Principal </span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Testing and curriculum: Principal Butler reported that ISAT science and math scores are good, but reading scores have been flat. The school has moved slowly toward a balanced literacy approach but will now move more quickly in that direction. Teachers will attend professional development sessions on the topic.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Staffing: a special education teacher has returned; a new middle school language arts teacher has started; there is currently only one tuition pre-K class; in special education, Ms. Rogers is in charge of assessments and Ms. Zeber will handle case management.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Facilities: Many classes are getting white boards; a science lab was fixed up; peeling paint was scraped and primed throughout the building, and the whole school will be painted next summer if the CPS budget allows.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Afterschool: some programs have had funding cut; another program was added. Ms. Scott from Children’s Home and Aid explained that before-care is being offered and she will produce a catalog of afterschool offerings.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Budget: Internal accounts has $106,171.29. In the discretionary budget, Ms. Butler requested a transfer of $7,000 to purchase computers. CUIP is advising the purchase.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by R. Lodato (second: W. Walter) the LSC approved a transfer of $7,000 from the professional and technical service line to purchase computers.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Elect officers - The group decided to elect officers after filling vacancies.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Establish Subcommittees - The group discussed folding the Vision and Priorities committee into the SIPAAA process. M. Piscitelli offered to head the Bilingual committee.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by B. Davis (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC voted to keep the existing committees, with Vision and Priorities becoming part of the SIPAAA committee.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Confirm LSC meeting calendar - On a motion by B. Davis (second: H. Edelman) the LSC approved the dates and times for this year’s meetings.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">New Business</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Librarian Ms. Travis explained that the student council will hold fundraisers and report back to the LSC on its activities.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">*Ms. Onofrio would like to sell popcorn at lunch on Fridays and hold other small fundraisers for the technology teacher position.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by B. Butler (second: K. Schug) the LSC approved the plan to sell popcorn at second and third lunch periods and hold other small fundraisers to raise money for the technology position. The motion passed 7-1.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Old Business</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">A pre-K parent presented a petition from 50 parents requesting that the sandbox be replaced. The LSC discussed the fact that the sandbox was removed because dog walkers were allowing their dogs to use the sandbox as a bathroom.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Public Comments - None</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Move to executive session to discuss filling LSC vacancies - On a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second: B. Davis) the LSC voted to move to executive session to discuss LSC vacancies. The LSC entered executive session at 8:20 p.m.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Return to open session - The LSC returned to open session at 9:10 p.m.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Fill LSC vacancies</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by M. Piscitelli (second: A. Williams-Walker) the LSC approved Eric Chua to fill a vacancy. The motion passed 6-2.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second: B. Butler) the LSC approved Chris Dorsey to fill a vacancy. The motion passed 7-1.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">On a motion by B. Butler (second: H. Edelman) the LSC approved Heather Dalmage to fill a vacancy. The motion passed 6-2.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0in\" type=\"1\">\n	<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">Adjourn - On a motion by A. Williams-Walker (second: W. Walter) the LSC voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\">PTA report</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Following are the fundraising events PTA has planned for the year.  Please inform the LSC on PTA\'s behalf, as I am not able to attend this meeting.</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">PTA membership (ongoing)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Gift Wrap and Candy Sale 9/22 - 10/8 (estimated proceeds $20,000)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Ray Festival 3/26 (estimated proceeds ($1500 - 3000)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">57th Street Art Fair 6/5-6/6 (estimated proceeds $9-$13k)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Ray Directory ad sales (estimated proceeds ($1500)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Ray Café (ongoing)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Logo Sales (ongoing)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Fundraisers support annual PTA programming </span><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #2c4a7a;font-family: Times-Roman\"> (as </span><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">defined by the PTA Budget Committee) in the following categories:</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Publications (Ray News and Directory)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-School support (a large chunk this year goes to whiteboard/</span><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #2c4a7a;font-family: Times-Roman\">LCD</span><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> projector replacement and furniture)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Hospitality (ice cream social, teacher appreciation, kindergarten breakfast, school picnic)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Curriculum Support (for each subject, as well as AR, Speech Pathology, Travelling Library, etc)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Enrichment (week of the young child, Latin for 2nd grade, 3rd grade Chicago unit, etc)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-Miscellaneous Programs (new initiatives, basketball, multicultural programming)</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">-PTA Expenses</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Note: Ray Enrichment Fund dollars have not been applied to the PTA budget and are being held separately and will be applied as need to support large-scale needs as defined by the administration.  In 2008-2009 approx $2200 in donations were collected for the Ray Enrichment Fund through a one-time direct mail solicitation.</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">The PTA plans to continue pursuing external fundraising this school year through the establishment of the Ray Fundraising Committee/Friends of Ray Committee (name tbd). The committee will pursue fundraising opportunities beyond our traditional ones, targeting a wider audience(community, corporations, alumni, etc), for the purpose of large-scale school needs defined by the administration.  Funds raised by this committee will be applied to the Ray Enrichment Fund. </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #444444;font-family: Times-Roman\">Please invite everyone at the meeting to Join the PTA this year. Membership is $10 per family. Our first general membership meeting is Monday September 21st at 6:30 pm in the Student Dining Room.  (pizza at 6pm).</span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #2c4a7a;font-family: Times-Roman\"> </span><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;color: #444444;font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT\"></span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: 15pt;color: #2c4a7a;font-family: Times-Roman\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Thanks.</span></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;font-family: Times New Roman\"> </span></p>','September 2009 minutes','','publish','closed','closed','','september-2009-minutes','','','2009-10-21 11:20:41','2009-10-21 16:20:41','',0,'http://LSC.Rayblogs.org/?p=35',0,'post','',0);

--
