Committee Name:  Climate, Equity, and Guidance

 Purpose: 

1. Work to provide a positive environment for students, staff, and parent;
2. Respond to equity issues as they arise at school and in the FCPS;
3. Promote a guidance program that includes prevention, interventions as needed, and support for students, parents, and teachers.

 Date of Meeting: November 23, 2004                       

 Starting Time: 2:30        

 Ending Time: 3:05

 Submitted by: Stacie Musgrave

 Members Present: Stacie Musgrave, Janice Duncan

 Agenda:  Create SBDM policies and review Climate/Equity survey.

 Discussion on each item:

Policy on Communication and Transitions

The following will be done in transitioning students from one grade level to the next. 

Cumulative folders are passed from teacher to teacher.  Portfolios are done at all grade levels and passed on each year.  Transition meetings are held for 504 and IEP students, including the elementary school to middle school transition.  Placement cards are filled out yearly with academic and behavioral information for the next year’s teacher. Reading and math testing scores are compiled for all students every year for each class.  Middle school counselors meet with all fifth graders for transition into middle school.  All teachers use core content so that all students receive required instruction at every level. 

Equity of Curriculum

All students have equal access to Stonewall’s curriculum.  All children have the opportunity to receive Extended School Services (ESS) and transportation is provided if needed.  All students participate in all special area classes including technology, library, music, PE, art, and science enrichment.  All 4^th grade students are eligible for orchestra and all 5^th graders are eligible for either band or orchestra.  An English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher is provided for all eligible students.  Saturday Opportunity School (SOS) is provided so that students who need additional help receive that support  (see SBDM policy).  A school guidance program promotes and supports student learning.  All students with special needs, including remediation and gifted education have access to specialized programs.  Each classroom has computers where all students have access to the Internet and programs to assist learning.  All students have equal opportunity to participate in any extracurricular activities offered at the school.  Students who are identified by their homeroom teacher as needing extra support receive guidance and support from school mentors (teachers and staff members).

Equity/Climate survey results were read.  Only 9 were returned. 

Action taken on each item:

Due to low number of returned surveys and because of positive feedback, at this point we see no need for further discussion on the surveys, including a parent survey.