GenerationNation

By Deirdre Jonese Austin, Independence HS

Students are serving on CMS task forces - here are their reports from the first few meetings.

Anna Talarico, Providence Public Trust, Marketing, Branding Community Survey results were a major discussion as well as the upcoming Town Hall meetings. Social Media and communication to parents were also discussed. The meeting pertained to mainly parent communication, so student influence/opinion wasn’t a priority as this meeting.

Indira Gutierrez, Phillip O’Berry Limited English Proficiency Parent knowledge was something they want so that they know what LEP can offer. Proffesional development and Linguistic competency.

Steven Armendariz, Myers Park Limited English Proficiency We talked about how we plan to increase proficiency in ESL classes so that students get out more quickly and are ready for high school classes. In respect to that it was discussed whether or not we should increase the amount of technology used in ESL classes to heighten learning. Another necessity that was mentioned for ESL in CMS is the amount of teachers needed. So far we have started with great ideas and are sure that these ideas will impact not only the ESL students but all the other students at the school. The ESL students will be able to graduate in four years and be college ready. This will also help them communicate more with other students making a school without borders per say.

Grant Parker, South Mecklenburg Time, Capital and Resource Management Budgeting and how the state, federal and county government allocate money to CMS. Also how CMS allocates money to each individual school

Taya McClure, Harding Parent Engagement Customer Service in Schools: like the welcoming environment in schools. Also we talked about if teachers are being trained about their social skills. We talked about how they need to be able to interact with the parents of their students. We also talked about the idea of having Area Superintendants. Also how their needs to be a central part of schools specifically for problems/issues and keeping in contact with parents. -One topic was why do we think that many parents aren’t involved and engaged in their child’s eductaion as much as they should -Another topic was how to make parents feel that they are welcome to be involved in their child’s school -Another major topic was how to convince parents that their engagement into their child’s education really makes a difference for their child -These topics impact students in many ways. More parent engagement allows students to feel that school is important and needed. Most students who don’t have their parents support feel like their is no need for them to succeed.

Charlotte Robertson, Myers Park Culture, Engagement and Shared Values My task force has been focused on how all aspects of the school system can become involved and aware of what is happening, including parents, students, and the surrounding community. We’ve discovered that CMS has promising programs, but they are little known to those they would benefit. We also have discussed how all CMS employees can be made to feel more appreciated and how this will help work ethic within the system. I think these topics are important to students because the better we treat our teachers, the better teachers we will have in the classroom. We also looked at some CMS generated statistics and are working to see how we can increase communication between CMS employees in all tiers. A more functional system will give students teachers that are capable and confident.

Arjun Gupta, Providence Accountability Framework The meeting began with a discussion on what we define as good schools. This ended up feeding into a lot of about college and career readiness. It affects students because a defining what makes good schools shapes the environment we create for students.

Kyle Ferrebee, Butler Processes and Organization Meeting report next month

Erika Carroll, Hopewell Time, Capital, and Resource Management. At the meeting, we reviewed the challenges that CMS is faces within the category of Time, Capital and Resources. We also discussed ways to improve the budget- in what ways could we minimize cost and save money. We had a presentation about the CMS budget and how the state gives us money and then another presentation about how CMS allocates its money for each type of school (elementary, middle and high school). You realize where the money comes from and where the money goes and why it goes that way.

Lade Aladeniyi, Cato The major topics discussed were how to increase CMS partnerships with colleges like CPCC, UNCC, Winthrop, Queens. Part of it was about continuing education for teachers and principal and a little was about students.

Rich Burris, Myers Park Closing the Achievement Gap Talked about what exactly an achievent gap, and what were going to work towards as a group as far as recommendations

Mary Rosen, Providence Cultural Competence Framework Everybody spent a ton of time talking about themselves, which was honestly really interesting because they’re all pretty awesome and well qualified, but we ended up running out of time for one of the PowerPoint presentations that were planned. Guidelines for conduct at meetings were then discussed and decided upon, as well as the public nature of meetings.The people on this task force are incredible! They’re all really passionate and dedicated to diversity and cultural competence. A lot of them also expressed excitement to have young people involved. I’m not sure what to think yet because I’m not entirely sure what exactly we’ll be doing yet, but I’m very excited to be involved, especially since the first meeting. Very worthwhile, very interesting—more so than I expected.

Deidre Jonese Austin, Independence Gifted Students AP Testing-should students have to pay for AP testing?; talent development programs-should students be pulled put of class or placed in gifted classes?; honors classes in middle schools-classes aren’t rigorous enough to challenge gifted students. Superintendent Morrison’s view on the task forces, AP/IB Testing, a general overview of TD, AVID, AP, and IB. Students may not have to pay for AP and IB testing due to input from the Gifted Students Task Force. Gifted services will not be based on test scores alone. Students may be offered more teachers certified to teach gifted students.

Sarah Kerman, North Mecklenburg Technology and Blended Learning The meeting started with discussion about how access to technology and impacts each of each of the 8 goals Dr. Morrison outlined earlier this school year. That being said, technology is of great importance as the district evaluates the effectiveness of a number of initiatives. Members of the task force were asked to write some initial ideas about classroom technology as a starting point for the conversation that will take place as the group meets throughout the coming months. Changes in the classroom structure, improvements in CMS broadband infrastructure, and how the district ought to obtain grants for more classroom technology were some of the ideas that came up. One interesting initiative that was briefly mentioned was the idea of a “flipped classroom.” I had never heard of the tern. In a flipped classroom homework is lecture style and in class assignments are higher level thinking. Students are able to learn the basic information at home, so that once they arrive at school, they are able to work on activities that apply the concepts they have already learned. Concepts like this one are some of the ways that the traditional classroom structure could change for many students. The group will evaluate many similar ideas throughout the year. It is important to note that everything that is a part of this discussion is not final until the group makes its final recommendation to Dr. Morrison at the end of the year.

Deja Baskerville, Phillip O’Berry Culture, Engagement and Shared Values My task force discussed how to make CMS employees, parents, and students feel more engaged and appreciated.

Andrew Sun, Myers Park Compensation Task force has not met

Malcolm Willis, Mallard Creek Professional Development Task force has not met

Tevin Polk, Mallard Creek Professional Development Task force has not met

Poulumi Banerjee, Myers Park Extended Learning No report

Sydney Greene, East Mecklenburg College and Career Readiness No report

Nick Macri, North Parent Engagement No report

Kayla Pinson, Harding Cultural Competence Framework No report

Gemille Slewon, Garinger Public Trust, Marketing No report

Poulumi Banerjee, Myers Park Special Education No report

Desirae Kindley, East Mecklenburg Extended Learning and CMS Foundation No report

Mika Maynard, Butler Early Childhood No report

Deonna Rorie, West Charlotte Early Childhood No report

Ty White, Phillip O’Berry Gifted Students No report

Quentin Blair, West Charlotte African American Males No report

Tyri Rutland African American Males No report

Maya Fleming Proactive Community and Faith Partnerships No report