An update from the literacy committee

The Literacy Link

September 2006

Held: September 14, 2006

 

Members in Attendance: Teri Duble, Jane Miller, Kerrie Wilson, Melissa Sydlowski, Donna Marscio, Larry Crawford, Rachel Robinson, Brandi Williams, Paula Baco, Jessica Rishel, Charmayne Polen, Cara O’Patchen

 

I.  Committee Members and Information Sheet

▪ The focus team reviewed its members.  The committee would like to recruit more program teachers to join and provide input since some past members have switched focus teams. 

▪ Members also reviewed the literacy team’s goal, mission statement, objectives and action steps.  Some wording in the mission statement was revamped to better suit what the team does.  Mark Forge, a guest speaker scheduled for the Feb. 23 Waiver Day, has also been added to the action steps.  The literacy team will promote this presentation to encourage staff to attend his full session.

 

II. HSTW Assessment Results

▪ Results from the HSTW assessment test were distributed to members.  Team members will review these results and compare them to the committee’s objective.  While reading scores went up, there are still areas that can be improved. 

 

III. Student Surveys

▪ The literacy committee recently collected surveys from students through the English teachers about reading goals and predictions for the school year.  It has been decided that a follow up survey will be given towards the end of the school year for students to show if they met the reading goals or expectations they had for the year.  It was suggested to model these questions similarly to those on the HSTW assessment so that we know how this year’s juniors, the next class to be tested, will respond and what improvements need to be made prior to testing.

 

IV. Teen Read Week

▪ The theme of Teen Read Week is “Get Active”.  Jessica and other members will come up with ideas for contests and activities for this week.  Larry recently secured $25 gift cards from Borders to be awarded each month.  Two will be given away in October to kick off Teen Read Week. Details for Teen Read Week and a contest will be the focus of next committee meeting.

 

Next Meeting – Thursday, September 28, 2006, in the Media Center after school.

 

Meeting Minutes

Volume 2, Issue 1

Staff Book Discussion

The first book of the year — to kick off the staff book discussion group — is the Pulitzer Prize winning Empire Falls by Richard Russo. Join us after school at Buena Vista on Friday, September 29th.

To read reveiws, see some sample discussion questions, and read an excerpt, go to readinggroupguides.com.

Email questions or comments to: paula.baco@neomin.org OR charmayne.polen@neomin.org

Reading Raffle Reading Campaign

All students have received information about the reading campaign that encourages them to complete a summary and evaluation each time they complete a book. The forms, referred to in the informational flyer as “Book Reflection Forms” have been distributed to all English teachers. They are also available in the library and were given to program teachers who requested copies. If you would like to have forms available in your lab or classroom, let Paula or Charmayne know, and a stack of the forms will be delivered to you. Reading logs and additional materials from the campaign are available on the “ Literacy Links” page of the media center’s web site.